More African Adventures

Besides being able to see all the exciting sights of South Africa, Joyce and Nadine were just as curious to see just what we did as missionaries.  They enjoyed going with us on visits and meeting the people who we call our "Family".  Truly, some of them call us "Mom & Dad"  We love it.  We feel very honored!

They came with us to visit Sister Jennifer.  

She is probably one of the most dedicated members in the whole branch.

These are some of Jennifer's little neighbor children who come to purchase a small snack from her little daughter, Senethemba.  They let us take their picture.  

The large tubs under her house are used to do her washing.

We had plates of cookies to deliver to say "Happy Halloween".

This is Nomvula and her two little boys Thabiso and Bandile.

This her daughter Nallie and her niece Phyllis.

They are 13 & 14 years old.

These are Lucky and Nokuthula twins, Omphile on the left and Lebohand on the right.

I sewed a piece of ribbon on the stem of this Halloween hat and 

it made a great door decoration!

I was lucky enough to find some Jack o lantern lights.  I was excited to hang these on our gate of the patio.  Good thing we took a picture the first night, because the next night when we went to plug them in, they didn't work!  :(  Go figure, the tag said, "Made in China")

This is the McCarthy Family, Frick, who is Adri's brother, Adri, the Primary Second Counselor, and her husband Barney, the Second Counselor in the Branch Presidency.

Thandiwe, her daughter, Nolwazi and the little brother, Thabiso.

One morning as we were on our way to another adventure, we saw some women 

with their loads on their head.  Over here, this is very common.

These ladies took the prize for the biggest loads.  They were gathering their loads of wood to be able to cook their meals for a few days.  In addition to carrying her load of sticks, she also picked up her baby and put him in her towel or blanket to carry him.  These women are amazing, and very hard working.  This picture was taken at 8:00 a.m. and they had already gathered this much firewood.  

While traveling through a little town called Graskop, we went into a little antique shop.

They had several old hats with a sign that said. "Feel free to try one on"  So I did!  I think I could fit right into the culture here, as they always wear a fancy headdress to match their outfit.

Pretty stylin', wouldn't you say?  (Hope I don't get head lice from that bit of fun!)

In order to give Joyce and Nadine a taste of genuine African culture,

we made arrangements to visit the Shangana Cultural Village, not too far from where we stay.

Outside one of the huts in the village.

A picture with the Chief of the Village.

Some of the dancers acting out the history of the village.

 One of the Warriors.

Toward the end of the show, they gathered people from the audience to dance with them.

Lynn even joined with them to do the hand clap gum boot dance. 

The Witch Doctor prepares her magic potions to help cure the Chief when he is ill. She tossed rocks and shells and then reads them to help decide what to do to treat the patient.

After the program, they served a traditional African dinner of rice, vegetables, pap, fruit,

shrimp, two kinds of fried worms, one was like this one, and another lighter in color, shrimp, chicken,

and hot bread.  Some of us passed on the fried worms, But Elder Baxter tried both kinds. Not too bad".

It was an interesting, informative, and fun evening!