Thursday, April 11th - Mission President

This morning we went into the area office to meet with the Mission President that we will be reporting to while we are in the Durban mission. President Von Stetten is a very nice man and welcomed us into the mission. He told us about the successes and challenges of the mission and the dos and don'ts while we are here, plus gave us a packet of written materials to take home with us. He even gave us a peak at the missionary board that shows all the missionaries in the mission, plus the ones due for transfer and the new ones coming. What a huge responsibility he has for all these missionaries. Of course, he closed the board quickly so none of the missionaries working there would see it. We met the others in the office as well. Three other couples work in the area office.

Indian Ocean pier 10 minutes from our flat

The Murdocks then took us to the beach to show us the best part of Durban. It is the most amazing  beach I have ever seen. There are five miles of bricked walkways and five piers, all very clean and beautiful. The sand is beautiful as well and there are waves good enough for surfing. While walking along the beach (in our suits and dresses and missionary badges), it seemed we were in San Diego, instead of South Africa. But, we were looking at the Indian Ocean. Who would have thought that we would ever dip our toes into the Indian Ocean??? It is very surreal.

Elder Murdock talking to stranger about the church

While on the pier, a man came up to us and pointed at our badges and said, "I like that." This man was from Ghana and very nice. Of course Elder Murdock asked if he would like a pamphlet with the addresses of all our church buildings with a free Mormon Tabernacle CD number to call on the back. He said he would, so we walked him out to our car, so we could pick up a pamphlet. We gave it to him and he smiled and said he would try to go to church while he was here. People here often comment on our missionary badges. It is a very Christian nation and the name Jesus Christ on our badges is pleasing to them. While we were at the bed and breakfast in Lady Smith, one of the maids there came up to me, looked at my tag and asked me to pray with her. She then bowed her head and started softly praying to herself. This went on for a good five minutes. Afterwards we hugged and she smiled and went on her way...a very humbling experience for me.

Cloudy day at the Durban beach

Thursday evening we went to dinner at the Von Stetten's home here. It is a beautiful home that Sister Von Stetten decorated herself. They have been here five years and will be going home in July. We had chicken, salad, baked potatoes, broccoli, carrots, rolls and peach cobbler for dessert. Yummy meal and great company. We enjoyed it very much, especially President Von Stetten's stories about Africa. It was kind of a welcome for us and a goodbye to the Murdocks as well. It was a good day.