Africa In Pictures

These are a variety of pictures from some of the places we have been as we have visited some of our Branch members, or have gone with Brother and Sister Moss to their areas.  We have been in country one month today and finally have internet up and running on both computers.  What a trial of patience this has been!!  

This is the little town of KaNyamazane where Elder and Sister Moss help with their Branch.  This town is more primitive than Nelspruit where we serve, but there is a lot of building going on and the Church seems to be coming along and growing.

An interesting landmark in KaNyanmazane.

In one of thevery modern Malls in Nelspruit, an artist had his creations on display.  He created these things out of old driftwood that he found.  They were amazing!  He is very talented!

This friend looked very real, even his eyes.  Thought maybe he'd like to be photographed with me.  :)

These flowers are on the porch of the entry to Elder and Sister Moss's house.

Another one in pink.  They were simply gorgeous!!

These Birds of Paradise grow in front of our flat along the driveway.

Part of the largest man-made forest in the world.  It is on the way to Sabie, an area in our Branch.  Notice how evenly planted the rows of trees are.  There are millions of acres of these pine trees.  They are very well manicured, with no deadfall.

This is where it is clear cut, ready for replanting.

At a rest area on the way to Sabie.

A little "Lean to" where they sell their home grown fruits, nuts and vegetables.

This is the bridge overlooking the falls of the Sabie River.

This is a beautiful blooming azaela bush.

More of the Falls on the Sabie River.

Flowering thorn bushes.  Glad I don't have to trim them and haul the branches away!!!

Sabie River with bridge in the background..  Watch out for the crocs!!

Lays Potato Chips, even in South Africa!!  :)

Shacks in a poor section  on the road to Sabie.  People actually live here.  :(  So sad.

Three quarter moon in South Africa.  Looks a little different than at home.

A witch doctor's home in KaNyamazane.  They fly a white flag outside their home.

This is the school that they rent to hold meetings for the KaNyamazane Branch.  They were holding a Priesthood social one Saturday afternoon.   They love to play soccer, even without grass.

The inside of one of the rented rooms.  This is a third grade room.  It has double tables, two to a table.  It had 46 places for children.  So sad.  I wanted to cry to think of trying to learn under these circumstances.  And even worse to think of holding church here.  The principal won't let them put any pictures up in the rooms or even a sign outside indicating that this a Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.  We have so much to be thankful for!

The few teaching supplies that they have.  As far as the Church goes, there is hope.  The Church has purchased land for a building when the tithing percent goes up.  But these are very poor people.

The wives of some of the Priesthood holders prepared the food for the social.  This is a typical African meal:  chicken legs, livers etc., beans, pap (pop) which is ground white corn cooked in boiling water.  It looks like mashed potatoes, but is much thicker and dryer, hot dog bun. They eat it with their hands.

An African sling.  They use a large towel or blanket, put the baby in it and wrap it around them and fold over to hold it tight.  They carry them like this until they are three or four years old.

I made a batch of  chocolate chip cookies to take up.  They disappeared like magic!

Rocks make a real good chair.  :)

This beautiful young has a mission call to Ghauna.  She is the first missionary in the KaNayamazane Branch.  Elder and Sister Nichols, whom we replaced, helped to buy her clothes for her mission.  She is the only one in her family who is a member.

Our Nelspruit Branch the last Sunday that Elder and Sister Nichols Nichols were here.  She is the one is the center with the pink flower on a beige dress and her husband is the fellow with gray hair a few people to the left of her.

These are avacado trees.  Notice the rows of electrical wire above the fence.  Some of the avacados weigh up to a pound or more.

We were invited to a Brei (Brii - Barbeque) at the home of  one of our members as a going away dinner for the Nichols'  They had pens with different kinds of birds.  This is one of them.

A flowering bush in their yard.  The blooms are white when they first open, then turn a vibrant purple.  The fragrance is unbelievable!  

These are macadamia nut trees.  Lynn is in the height of his glory.  We buy them at little roadside places for 20 rand - which is about $2.25 for a small bag.

Some more shacks coming home from Sabie.

This makes us be really grateful for our wonderful living conditions.

An old fashioned steam engine along the countryside on display.

With it being springtime, the trees are alive with beautiful flowering blooms.

Many of these trees adorn the countryside where ever  you drive.

 These flowering trees are called Jackaranda trees.  They are rich in color right now.  After they finish blooming, they will have long hanging needle like leaves on the branches.

An African sunset.

A hazy day overlooking the town of Barberton.  It has a very high elevation and the drive there is very steep and winding.

This area of Barberton has white limestone.

In Barberton, they have large colorfully painted rocks to welcome you there.

They love bright color!

Thatched rooftops on these huts outside of Baberton.  Notice the high coiled barbed wire above the fence.  That is very common here.

This lady is carrying a load of sticks on her head.  It is a very common way to carry loads of anything, baskets of laundry, heavy buckets, packages,whatever.  And it's always the ladies carrying them.