Sunday, June 2nd - Sunday at Pinetown Ward

Sunday we went to Pinetown ward for the first time. We got there about 15 minutes early and were almost the first ones there. The people started coming and almost all of them came to shake our hands...as usual, what I call as "African Friendly." No new person will get ignored in Africa! But, about 9:05 (see photo, church is supposed to start at 9:00), there was still only about ten people in this big chapel. Elder Kyle and I looked at each other and said, "This is not good." We were concerned. They didn't start until 9:10 and still hardly anyone was there. Then, the counselor in the bishopric that was conducting said, "Well I guess people are having a hard time getting here because of the race. As the service went on, people kept trickling in until 1/2 of the chapel was filled. During sacrament, when they just started to bless the water, we heard this booming music from outside. It was a little uncomfortable to have big woofers blaring in the parking lot while we were blessing sacrament and then it hit me, that is one of those taxi vans that brings 12 people. They play really loud music in the vans and when they came to drop some people off for church you would hear their loud music blaring through the open doors when the people got out of the taxi. People were late because they were having a big marathon here and I'm sure taxis were being used by those going to the race, so people trying to get to church probably had to wait for quite a while to catch a ride. Some of these members live far away and have no transportation, so they have to pay to come to church each Sunday.

It was fast and testimony meeting and the first five people who got up were white. One couple was moving to another area, and he was young men's president, so he got up to bear his testimony. Then another couple got up to say they were also moving and how great this guy was as young men's president. Then a woman got up to thank the man for being a great YM president. Then another man got up to do the same and I'm thinking, "Why are only white people getting up when most of the people here are black?" Then finally a black woman got up and gave the best testimony I've heard in a long time. It was a simple confirmation of what she knows to be true about the gospel, but you could feel the spirit. Then several other people got up and gave wonderful testimonies as well. I love testimony meeting here. It is very special.

We had Gospel Doctrine class in the chapel, taught by another white guy who was a great teacher. He explained the plan of salvation in a way I never heard it explained before. He talked about how his dad died last year and he got teary and said, I know that my dad is going to look like my dad and I will know him when I see him. That is what the Lord wants, which is why our bodies will be restored in their perfect form. We WILL recognize people that we knew on earth. He talked about the plan of salvation and Resurrection in a way I will never forget. It was amazing and he was just a humble man being helped by the Spirit.

I went to Relief Society and the guy's wife was the teacher there and she was awesome, but I'm wondering why all the white people are doing everything (Ah, but the bishop and one of his counselors is black). The Relief Society President, who is also white, was moving and being released and no other person had been called yet. So, the lady who taught the lesson talked about callings and asked a young Sister_________(a young single adult African woman in class), what if the Bishop called you in his office today and asked you to be the new RS President? This poor girl looked stricken and said, she would tell him that she would have to pray about it. Then the teacher talked about how many of the prophets in the scriptures did not feel worthy to accept the Lord's callings. She talked about how even Jesus Christ prayed to his Father when he was trying to choose his apostles and how they didn't think they could just give up everything and follow him, but they did. She talked about the early members of the church who left to go on missions to England without any money or any idea where they would stay or how they would eat, but they went. She talked about the people in the Bible and Book of Mormon who told the Lord that they weren't good speakers and didn't think they could do this thing the Lord wanted. She discussed the fact that the young sister said she would have to pray about it, and she said, "The Bishop has already prayed about it and the Lord told him you are the one for this calling" (hypothetically, of course). She asked her if she would tell Heavenly Father "No." She asked her if she knew more than He. She made her point and then she said, "Now sister, what if the Bishop called you into his office today and asked you to be RS President." The poor girl said, "Well the reason I said I would have to pray about it is because I have a job that makes me work on Sunday some times and I don't think I would be able to be a good RS President if I am not here." I know I am making it sound harsh, but the teacher was very gentle and understanding when she made her point and I doubt whether anyone was offended. In a sweet and gentle way she showed us that callings are not from man, but from Heavenly Father through his servants. She then told them that if everyone kept turning down callings because they think they can't teach or that they don't know enough, to read about the prophets who were filled with words from the Lord, so they could talk for Him. She talked about humble people preparing their lessons and then praying for the Lord's help in giving the lesson and the power that can come from the Spirit. Obviously, they are having a problem getting all these fairly new members to agree to be teachers. It was a great lesson. Afterwards, she thanked everyone and told them to have a great week. She was very sweet and compassionate, but spoke with the power of the Spirit. Another great Sunday!

We came home and I spent the rest of the afternoon making cookies for the Elders, because we are going to inspect their apartments tomorrow (and see if they are clean). I wanted to bring a peace offering, in case I have to give them a hard time about not cleaning their apartment.