Sunday, we followed the Murdocks to the Ezulwini Branch for church. The Lombardis were also there. The 14 men that Sister Lombardi told us about were there blessing and passing the sacrament. One of them spoke during sacrament meeting. One of them is on a mission and the rest are working towards going too. The talks were short, but very good. The hymns were sung without a piano or organ. The music leader would sing the first line of the song to give everyone the pitch and melody and then we would all start singing and sing they did...loud and with gusto. It was a nice change from some of our songs at home that hardly anyone is singing. I found that most Africans love to sing. We got out of sacrament meeting early, which was okay, because they like to take their time getting to the next meeting. Sunday School was very fun. The teacher was a well educated man and very entertaining about how we should prepare ourselves to come to church and receive the spirit. He said if we say we are bored at church, then we have not properly prepared. He asked lots of questions and really did a great job getting everyone involved, for although members love to sing, they are not sure of themselves in the classroom. I think it is because the church is still so new to them and they are not sure they have the right answers. We may have been a little intimidating as well.
After Sunday School, Sister Murdock, Lombardi and I went to young womens to give them the gifts that Sister Murdock's sisters young women group had mailed them. It was so cute. There was a box with the large posters of the YW theme, one for each girl and teachers, and a Ziploc bag with treats and a pair of socks with a quote from the D&C about walking the right path. It was very nice and each girl got a letter with her name on it from one of the girls in the ward in Utah. They were very happy, but when Sister Murdock said she had baggies with shampoo, conditioner and lotion for each girl, they were ecstatic! They started grabbing to get the one with the biggest bottles of product. Sister Lombardi told me that most of the girls have no money for these products and often do without or use a homemade soap that smells funny. So they were very happy to have these small bottles of hair stuff and lotion that Sister Murdock has collected in all of her hotel stays. Very sweet. Their YW President (on left) is very educated and a great teacher. She also led the music in sacrament meeting and has a beautiful voice.
After the block, we had two baptisms of young men. The water in the baptismal font was a little discolored...Ha, but the Elder doing the baptizing didn't mind. He practically shoved the guys under water forcefully and the brought them up out of the water pretty fast. The Murdocks then taught a Young Single Adult fireside about spreading the gospel through social media. Then they had sandwiches that one of the sisters made for everyone that stayed. It was quite a day.
That night we went to the Lombardis for dinner and not only got a great dinner, but got to know them better. What great people. I got some cooking hints for Africa and I told her how to make pinto beans and promised to help her spice them the next day when we came back from our appointments. The only low point of the day was driving in the dark back to our hotel and getting lost, but we found our way and the only permanent injury was to Elder Kyle's psyche. No lights in Swazi at night on the roads and people walk on the roads all the time, even at night where you cannot see them. He was scared to death that he was going to run over someone. Not this time.
Sunday, we followed the Murdocks to the Ezulwini Branch for church. The Lombardis were also there. The 14 men that Sister Lombardi told us about were there blessing and passing the sacrament. One of them spoke during sacrament meeting. One of them is on a mission and the rest are working towards going too. The talks were short, but very good. The hymns were sung without a piano or organ. The music leader would sing the first line of the song to give everyone the pitch and melody and then we would all start singing and sing they did...loud and with gusto. It was a nice change from some of our songs at home that hardly anyone is singing. I found that most Africans love to sing. We got out of sacrament meeting early, which was okay, because they like to take their time getting to the next meeting. Sunday School was very fun. The teacher was a well educated man and very entertaining about how we should prepare ourselves to come to church and receive the spirit. He said if we say we are bored at church, then we have not properly prepared. He asked lots of questions and really did a great job getting everyone involved, for although members love to sing, they are not sure of themselves in the classroom. I think it is because the church is still so new to them and they are not sure they have the right answers. We may have been a little intimidating as well. 
After Sunday School, Sister Murdock, Lombardi and I went to young womens to give them the gifts that Sister Murdock's sisters young women group had mailed them. It was so cute. There was a box with the large posters of the YW theme, one for each girl and teachers, and a Ziploc bag with treats and a pair of socks with a quote from the D&C about walking the right path. It was very nice and each girl got a letter with her name on it from one of the girls in the ward in Utah. They were very happy, but when Sister Murdock said she had baggies with shampoo, conditioner and lotion for each girl, they were ecstatic! They started grabbing to get the one with the biggest bottles of product. Sister Lombardi told me that most of the girls have no money for these products and often do without or use a homemade soap that smells funny. So they were very happy to have these small bottles of hair stuff and lotion that Sister Murdock has collected in all of her hotel stays. Very sweet. Their YW President (on left) is very educated and a great teacher. She also led the music in sacrament meeting and has a beautiful voice.
After the block, we had two baptisms of young men. The water in the baptismal font was a little discolored...Ha, but the Elder doing the baptizing didn't mind. He practically shoved the guys under water forcefully and the brought them up out of the water pretty fast. The Murdocks then taught a Young Single Adult fireside about spreading the gospel through social media. Then they had sandwiches that one of the sisters made for everyone that stayed. It was quite a day. 
That night we went to the Lombardis for dinner and not only got a great dinner, but got to know them better. What great people. I got some cooking hints for Africa and I told her how to make pinto beans and promised to help her spice them the next day when we came back from our appointments. The only low point of the day was driving in the dark back to our hotel and getting lost, but we found our way and the only permanent injury was to Elder Kyle's psyche. No lights in Swazi at night on the roads and people walk on the roads all the time, even at night where you cannot see them. He was scared to death that he was going to run over someone. Not this time.
Man I wish I could be there with you! We are totally going to have to plan a trip back after your mission as a family so you can show us around and let us meet all of these great people!
ReplyDeletetip dont drive after dark, be safs.
ReplyDeletesafe.
ReplyDelete