2014 Mormon Helping Hands- Ethiopia, Malawi, Zimbawe and Johannesburg

One of our responsibilities in the Area Office is to promote Helping Hands all over Southeast Africa, to provide materials and information to all our National Directors and Public Affairs Couples and to attend some of the bigger events. The Africa people are so willing to help others, even when they really need help themselves. Hundreds of groups all over Africa turn out in large numbers for these events. Below are some photos that we took or were sent to us of their projects in 2014 that were to be finished by August 16th. The following are just a few of those projects.

Phoenix Branch women

Phoenix Branch - Sahari Women's Shelters and Organizers MHH asked for donated toiletry items and put together packets for each woman at the shelter.

Kwakwa ward in Johannesburg Stake

 Mormon Helping Hands group cleaned up the community by picking up trash and debri and carrying it away.

In Harare Zimbabwe, MHH helped refurbish the outside of one the State House, a government building that  was in desperate need of repair. 

State House Harare, Zimbabwe Helping Hands

They also scrubbed the front of the building and hosed off  the front steps

In Ethiopia the Awassa Branch, Bekulobet Branch and the Megeaagna Branch had good turn outs to clean up communities and pickup trash, as well as plant trees in certain areas.

Ethiopia, Awassa Branch Helping Hands

Malawi Helping Hands

In Malawi volunteers cleaned up the hillside and other areas of the city.

Other photos and projects can be found on the MormonNewsroom.org We had great participation and lots of hard work. The bridge in Swaziland continues to be built by MHH in that area. Almost all areas have a problem with garbage on their streets, so many of the projects were to clean up the trash along the roadways. Everyone is so happy to do it and the people who live there thank God for His help.

Busy end of June and month of July-New Mission Presidents and hosting Ughanda

On June 27th, we were given the assignment to pick up the new Mission Presidents and drive them to their hotel. There were two other drivers also involved, so we could fit all their luggage and them in the vehicles and we needed them all!

Merrills

The Merrills have been called to serve in the Cape Town Mission. They are from Arizona, our home town! I think we would have enjoyed spending more time with them talking about Arizona, but they will be so busy in their new assignment and we probably won't get the chance before we leave.

Mongas

The Mongas have been called to serve in the Republic of Congo Brazzaville Mission. They rode in our vehicle and we had some great conversations. It's great to have someone from Africa (DRC-Lubumbashi) serving as mission president. It is obvious they will both be great in their new assignment.

Thomas

The Thomas couple from Canada will be serving in the DRC Lubumbashi Mission. She is a musician and was very protective of her violin when we were helping with the luggage. They are both very sharp and will do great in their assignment.

Dunns

The Dunns were called to the Johannesburg, South Africa mission. They live in Salt Lake City, but President Dunn was born in Tucson, Arizona...another fellow Arizonan.










On June 28th, Elder Kyle and I were asked to take a group photos of the new mission presidents and their wives with the Area Presidency and their wives; then give a presentation on Public Affairs during the new Missionary Training. It was all a bit rushed and the new mission presidents and their wives were suffering from jet lag, but we got through it and their photos turned out nice.

On July 3rd, we had the opportunity to host Mr. Munuulo and Eva Kentaro from Uganda. They work in the National Records section of the Uganda Government and came to find out what our Church has to offer in that area. Family History is trying to get them to allow the digitization of their records. I think it's hard to believe someone is offering this service for free. They probably wonder what the catch is. Hopefully they learned that there is no catch, just a passion to provide record availability to whomever is seeking to find their ancestors.



We started with a film introducing them to the Church and what we do. We then took them to all the departments to show them what we are doing in Africa, culminating in the Family History Center where they learned just how experienced we are in digitizing and preserving records. The fact that we've done it for South Africa and many other African countries was a big plus. Ms. Kentaro is a lovely lady and Mr. Munuulo was very interested in the technical aspect of preserving records. We ended with a lovely lunch and great conversations. All in all, a great hosting. I take the photos for these events, so it is interesting to see all the different types of people that come through and the various ways the departments are explained to each one. It is so obvious that God had a hand in this work.

Couples celebration of 4th of July

July 4th, we had a Senior Couples party where we answered patriotic questions and played some games to find out how smart we are about American History...not so smart we found out - forgot more than we remembered, but it was nice to celebrate an American holiday after so much time of celebrating South African holidays (of which there are many).






July 8-10, we flew to Botswana with Elder and Sister Humpherys. As a team, we decided to turn over the responsibility of Botswana and Namibia to the Humpherys based in Zambia. They will still also have Angola and Zambia, but Malawi has been give to the Kenya PA couple and we inherited Mozambique and Swaziland in addition to our current Zimbabwe. Both Namibia and Botswana need a lot of attention and the Humpherys will do a great job.

We met with the Mission President and his wife in the afternoon to discuss the Botswana Country Plan and introduce he and his wife to Elder and Sister Humpherys. That went very well...some great ideas from the Mission President. The next day we met with the PA council in the late afternoon over dinner and introduced them to the Humpherys. We talked about PA business, taking photos and writing articles and had a great meeting.




The following morning, we met with Gladys from the Namibia PA Council about the Apostle visit in October (Womba couldn't come, so she sent her PA council person over this area). We discussed what we needed: venues, people the mission president suggested he meet with and gave her instructions to get a council together and make assignments to get this done, so we can present outreach papers to SLC. It was a busy time, but we accomplished much and Humpherys picked up the ball. Before the day was done, he had created a project requisition for Nambia to use for the apostle visit and it was in their hands. They will do a great job.

We then headed back to Joburg and the Humpherys headed back to Zambia. We are such world travelers...ha. When we arrived, Elder Kyle was asked to help create the 2015 budget figures based upon this year and projections for next year. I was busily working on Facebook and Newsroom articles for Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Uganda. I was also asked to post a global article to all the newsrooms. That is not too difficult in the English newsrooms, but I have to get French and Portuguese translations and then figure out what is the title, introduction, subheading, etc. I guess I did okay, as I didn't get any complaints.

On July 18th, we participated in Mandela Day by doing service at the Twilight Center for Children in need. Most of the are orphaned or street kids of all ages. Quite a few people were already there working when Our Helping Hands group showed up, but we worked hard cleaning the kitchen and did some painting. Other volunteers kept taking our brooms and cleaning items, but it was good to see so many people trying to help. Pictured here is Cali from our travel department painting an outside wall in high heels and a dress! Crazy, but she had a meeting to go to afterwards and didn't have time to change.

We had a good time and enjoyed seeing all the things provided by this facility. There were classes for sculpture, jewelry making and others in hopes of helping these children learn ways to earn money and take care of themselves when they get older.

Sandile, pictured here,is the one who got us all together to go to this project. He is great to work with at the area office and is also Bishop of the Young Single Adult Ward in Joburg.

July 24th, we left the office early and headed to Secunda to spend the night, because the following morning we were picking up the Young Women I teach and taking them to an all day stake activity at the stake center in Benoni (over an hour from Secunda). We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast (that didn't have breakfast or heat and it was cold), but we survived and it was cheap.

We picked up the girls at 7AM at the Church and loaded all their gear into the trunk. We thought it would be fun to listen to their conversations, maybe get to know them a bit better as they talk to each other, but it never occurred to us that they would be talking in their native language- Setswana or Zulu, I think! We couldn't understand a word they said all the way to Benoni.





We arrived, got the girls unloaded and their bedding tranfered to the Stake YW president's truck, as they were spending the night at their house. The activity lasted until 10 pm. We made sure they were registered and everyone knew they were there, then said our goodbyes. They were happy to be on this adventure and could have cared that we were leaving them there.





On Sunday, we attended church at Benoni and found the girls right away and sat next to them during Sacrament meeting. They said they had a great time. Their activity on Saturday was being called on missions and making schedules and learning all that would have to be done if they were called on missions. One of the girls was called to the US and the food they told he we eat in the US was hotdogs! They seemed to enjoy it but said it was hard work...ha. They had a testimony meeting and then that evening they had a dance where they learned how to square dance (really?). Line dancing might have been more fun, but they had a good time anyway. I think just being able to go to an activity was a novelty for them. We are so glad that we were able to take them and it allowed me to get to know them better. They are great girls!



July 25 was our son Ryan's birthday...Happy Birthday Son! I remember the day you were born, the nurse said, "Oh what a perfect haircut he has...like he went to the barbers right before he came out. They also said he was a butterball...not so...he was long and skinny...only weighed 6 lbs 2 oz. Those nurses must have been on something...Ha. It was a great day!




July 17-25 was the Ukhozi FM trip to Salt Lake. I will report that on my next blog. Until then...good night.

Devotional on Wed, May 21st GA Causse releasing Renlund and Benet

On Wednesday, May 21st, there was a special devotional (in place of our usual Monday devotional). General Authority, Bishop Caussé, was there. He is from France and spoke to the missionaries at the Provo MTC while we were there over a year ago. This was also a final farewell to Elder Renlund and his wife (The SE Africa Area President). Elder Renlund has been released from his duties in South Africa and will be returning to SLC to another assignment. His wife who was an executive at Deseret News and a lawyer before they left on to come to Africa on this assignment might be happy that she is going back to a place where she can do what she enjoys doing, but they both expressed their love of Africa and their reluctance to leave. The Benets will also be leaving and starting a new assignment in Salt Lake. George Benet has been in charge of Temporal Affairs for the SE Africa Area (He speaks French along with Bishop Caussé, Elder Hamilton and Elder Renlund). What nice people. We are sorry to see them go, but their replacements are also nice people and each person has something different to contribute. I apologize for not remembering the name of the new people replacing the Benets. It is a difficult surname.

Brother George Benet

The devotional started with Brother George Benet (who has conducted many of our devotionals since we've been here) said he has spent almost 12 total years in Africa and 20 years on foreign soil. He quoted from Jacob where Jacob is saying that time passed away even as a dream and wondered what it is that the Lord wants him to become. Brother Benet then spoke about a verse in D&C that says (and I am paraphrasing), "The Lord sends forth servants into the field and in the first hour I will come to you. Go ye also and I will visit you with the joy of my countenance which is service." He then said, "thus they are received of the light and countenance of the Lord until his hour was finished...verily I say unto you that ye call unto me while I am near.." He then said as employees or missionaries it is our pleasure to labor in the field...that we may all be glorified in Him. It is a privilege we can rely on to do our work...seeking to do all that we do in the name of the Lord. D&C 11 says to put your trust in that spirit... D&C 109 says to seek to be endowed with power on high beyond all we can do - talents, experience, etc.  We need this. Consider the process of repentance as being how we seek light and truth. Let us all be seekers of light and truth.

(Benet still speaking) I would like to express my love to you. If in the English language there was a word or expression to convey deep gratitude, I would use it. It has been difficult but enjoyable. Beyond this assignment, the greatest joy has been to serve in the temple. It has been a privilege sealing saints in Africa to each other and their children. Almost all families who come to be sealed have deceased children. Now they are sealed together for all time and eternity. How happy I am that I had a part in that.

After George finished a sister, the wife of George Benet's replacement bore her testimony. I did not catch her name, but she said that she has five children - four boys and one daughter and 12 grandchildren. She said they were blessed to serve as mission president in Guatemala and they also spent a year in Germany - both assignments were with their children. She said this was the first assignment without their children. She expressed her gratitude for the gospel and scriptures that bring us knowledge, comfort and peace.

Her husband that will be the new temporal affairs director, in place of George Benet, then spoke (and I will again paraphrase), "I have been happy...even giddy to be called to Southeast Africa, but other times I have felt overwhelmed with the responsibility...how can we do it? As to myself, I'm weak, but with the strength of the Lord we can do all things. Our desire has always been to serve the Lord. We've felt the Lord's presence...His long suffering and patience. We are grateful to serve our brothers and sisters. We will be going back to finish our preparations to come here permanently and we are excited for this to be our home. We are so grateful for George and Carolyn's whole-hearted dedication.

I worked for the Church Translation department in March of 1982, my first assignment to Africa where I had two experiences. First, in Kinshasa of DR Congo for an early translation project staying at a hotel close to the mission office. One day when I had worked late, I was walking across the parking lot and saw a row of cockroaches. I didn't have time to eat, so I went back to the hotel and had a snack of M&Ms and went to bed. That night I felt something hard on my back, which I assumed was a cockroach. I smashed at it and threw it off me. I was so tired that I went right back to sleep. The next morning when I arose, I realized that I had killed an M&M and not a cockroach as I supposed.

My second experience was in Durban at KwaZulu-Natal University where I was working on translations of the Book of Mormon into the Zulu language. Those helping with the translations were not members. I read to them the passage in Ether, Chapter three where there was no light in the boats and the Brother of Jared wanted the Lord to touch the stones and make them light up, so they could see in the darkness of the boat. All of a sudden, the two brothers helping with the translation felt the Spirit descend upon them and they instantly knew that the Book was true. They wanted to keep reading. I know that the work we are doing is of the Lord. I know that the Lord will continue to help us do our jobs and we will succeed if we follow His counsel. He says, "Behold I am He who was prepared from the beginning..." I know that the things in the Book of Mormon happened (finished with testimony).

Bishop Gérald Caussé

Bishop Gérald Caussé, the First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric got up to speak. He said when he was in Africa a few months ago, he did not expect to be back so soon. He has great memories of his trip where he witnessed the wonderful work that members are doing here in Africa...their pure, sweet testimonies of Jesus Christ.

It has been a tender week with beloved people leaving and new people coming to do the work. President Renlund and his wife are also leaving. They must rejoice in the wonderful five years they have had here in Southeast Africa. Elder Renlund has a deep love for you. Neither of them knew French when they came, but they learned themselves and both have wonderful French. You would never know that they were not native French speakers. It is difficult for them to get to know and love the people here and have to leave them, and hard for you to get to know the Renlunds and then see them leave.

Consecration is a very important law of the Gospel. Because we have made covenants in the temple, there is a higher law. When I was a young man in France, at a time when the Church was not very strong there, I took for granted the missionaries in the ward. I feared that when it was time for my own son to go that when the time came it would not be so easy. It is not easy for Senior missionaries to be away from their children and grandchildren. We've learned how hard it is to leave our family behind. We are very well acquainted with Facebook and Skype. Great faith, consecration and sacrifice is felt from all who come here to serve. We have a great love for those who are leaving. They all said they wanted to go where the Lord wants them to go. We may wonder why when someone is doing well are they released. I don't know... it is what the Lord wants. 

What is George going to do? We don't know...we are still praying for it. George has trust and confidence of the Area Presidency and Presiding Bishopric who are very much aware of the great job he is doing here... a Christlike leader who can handle all the temporal issues, build trust and confidence in people and have great results. George is not about George. He is very humble. The best gift you can give him is to let him know you are able and accountable and will carry on doing your best after he is gone.

We tend to not like change, but when change is laced with hope and faith, it can present some of the most rewarding experiences in life. Maybe this is the only reason for change...to help us grow. When we think of Job in the scriptures, we realize that because of his trials he would not forever be the same. We need to stay close to the spirit, to be proactive, to anticipate what the Lord wants for us in the Church. There are great opportunities for all of us. 

Last Sunday in the Utah ward the lesson was about Joshua and Moses. I thought about you. Moses was an incredibly powerful  leader and prophet. When he died, Joshua became the leader and the prophet. The Lord told him, "As I was with Moses, I will be with you. I will not forsake thee. Be strong and of good courage. Turn not from it..."  The foundation is always the same... the Lord Jesus Christ and law of the Gospel. I Express appreciation for the previous and new DTAs. Area President and Sister Renlund will continue the work. Members need to be involved in the work and salvation. The atonement is real - real in my life - a real gift in my life - The Church of Jesus Christ.

Sister Ruth Renlund then spoke:

Sister Ruth Renlund

Change...We arrived in 2009 and there were 24 stakes...now there is 37 with two more approved. It's all about change...inviting people to change and come unto Christ. I am grateful for all you do to help people change-to become converted. Examples of humanitarian, employment, and so on down the line...everything you do to forward the Lord's Church. We've witnessed so many miracles. In D&C 90:24 it says to search diligently, pray always and be believing and all things shall work for your good...work...pray...walk uprightly...remember covenants. I am grateful for my association with each one of you. When I came to Africa, I thought that I would never run into people I know like I did at home. Now we run into people here that we know all the time. (While wiping her eyes she says) I am a sympathy crier. If anyone cries, I cry with them. This is the Lord's work. He invites us to change and come back to Him. This work is directed by prophets and revelation. I am grateful to be a part of it.

Elder Dale G. Renlund

Elder Dale G. Renlund:

The one thing I would like you to remember on behalf of the Lord and his Church is: Thank you for your service, your faith your diligence and your sacrifice.

Thanks to George. Years ago when I was released as Stake President, I felt I would get a pat on the back for a job well done, but that did not happen. I went to see my dad and complained about this. He didn't say anything, but at 6AM the next morning my dad called. When I answered the phone, he said, "I've been thinking about what you were saying and I have one question for you...Who were you serving?" Then he hung up. I learned a lot from my father.

It is a thrill to work with Bishop Gérald Caussé, with his Christlike influence with everyone; I would follow him anywhere. Thanks for being with us at this critical junction. 

When we are assigned as a home teacher over time we come to enjoy and appreciate those whom we home teach...and there isn't anything we wouldn't do for them. We voluntarily link their happiness to ours. I came in August of 2009 because it was my duty, my consecration...the manifestation of the love I have of the Savior, but I have come to enjoy, love and willingly link our happiness to your happiness and I will forever long for your happiness as it is linked to ours. We have so loved being here and rejoiced in it.There is also a silver lining in our departure...We no longer need to fret or worry about French verb tenses. Biblical Hebrew is much easier.

God doesn't care what we were, only what we are and what we are becoming. This is a time God has directed...new bottles with expectation of new wine. The Africa Southeast Area is East, Central, South, Isles in Western Indian Ocean - a remarkable place filled with remarkable people. God bless our area and nations of this area - that our children will be protected. United we shall stand...this is absolutely key to forward progress of the Lord. Truth will go forth boldly until the purpose of God has been accomplished. 

I once asked a group of saints in Africa what challenges they face. No one said anything. Finally, an older gentleman stands up and says, "Elder Renlund, how can we have challenges when we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ?" He taught me. People say you leave a piece of your heart. I am a heart surgeon...That is not possible, but you have my heart here with you, no matter how far away we are. Farewell my brothers and sisters in this great work we are asked to do.

May 1st-20th recap of Secunda mother's day zimbabwe temple trip Ughanda in SLC

This is a good time to recap all our regular Area Office meetings. Every Tuesday (When we are in town), we have a team meeting which includes: Sean (the SE Area PA Director), Elder and Sister Kyle (Assist. Dir.) and Sister Shupe (Admin). We discuss the Public Affairs events going on, discuss hosting opportunities, what our other SE Africa couples are doing and what help they need, organizational issues, newsroom and Facebook opportunities and give out assignments for the various weekly events.

Every Wednesday morning, Elder Kyle attends a visa meeting, which includes the area visa team, Elder Kyle,  legal council and Sean. They discuss the various visa problems with the SE area countries. Currently the Church is having problems getting missionary visas to enter several different countries and now South Africa has changed it's immigration laws, so it is more difficult to get visas than before. One of the countries no longer has any missionaries because of these issues. This group that meets weekly discusses actions that can help with this problem and each week they deal with any lingering issues or new problems that come up.

A good thing that happened recently is a trip to the United States by an important Uganda government official encouraged and organized by our Uganda Public Affairs couple, the Hansens. Public Affairs SE Africa and Salt Lake City agreed to host this woman in Salt Lake, to take her on a tour of the Church there and show her what our church is really about. It was a very impressive report on what happened in SLC when our guest arrived.

The guest was Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament and is the first female Speaker in the history of the Parliament in Uganda. Other Visitors included: Senior Protocol Officer, Principal Personal Assistant, Aide de Camp, Church member and friend of the Speaker.

Member of Uganda Parliament receiving gift from Bednar

The visit included: a tour of the Humanitarian Center; meeting with the head of  LDS Charities; having an outstanding meeting with Elder Bednar who had been to Uganda earlier this year (He presented her with a family values statue); a visit to Welfare Square; a visit to the Utah State Capital where the group met with Senate President Wayne Niederhauser;  a dinner with Elder F. Michael Watson and former Mission President of the Uganda Kampala Mission, Eric Jackson and his wife Kaye; a trip to BYU and the MTC;  a session at the  Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearsal at the Conference Center; a visit to  the Hinckley Institute of Politics; a tour of Temple Square and a visit to the Legacy Theatre to see the Joseph Smith film,  among others.

Madam speaker was very complimentary of the friendliness, interest and warmth of the people she met in Utah. As she returned to Uganda, she took the time to send a quick note en route thanking all for the “time, love, and attention” she received from so many.

These trips always have a positive effect on our visitors and hopefully they understand that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wants to follow the Saviors example and help those in need. In Uganda they have humanitarian efforts there over the years that have affected thousands of Ugandans. Most of the time, top government officials are not aware of the thousands of hours of work and millions of dollars spent in their countries to help provide clean water, wheelchairs, eye care, vaccinations, neonatal resuscitation for newborns and so much more.

Sister Soko and new baby

On Mother's Day, I organized for the young women to write a note to their mothers that would go into a plastic heart (left over decorations from the wedding) and a note about Mothers being as precious as pearls (with a pearl on the card). I also took photos of each girl the week before and printed out small cameos of each. Those also went into the heart. We sealed up the decorative hearts and along with a plate of poppy seed bread gave one to each mother. There are not that many mothers in our small little branch, so the members also got poppy seed bread. Everyone was happy this day. My mother's day present was to do this for our Branch mothers, because they need to be appreciated for all they do...one of my happiest Mother's Days (except for missing my own children). The talks in sacrament were short, but sweet. Because of a shortage of members in this little branch, often the missionaries are called on to speak and the four assigned to this branch do a great job of speaking spur of the moment. They also bless and pass the sacrament and teach classes. They are learning so much by serving here. Sister Soko is the Branch President's wife and she had a new baby recently...I took photos of her with the baby and printed them out for her for Mother's Day. She leads the primary. She closed her eyes to show that me that she needed to sleep when the baby sleeps...Ha...not when you teach primary!

These are the cameo photos we took of the girls to give to their mothers. The girls really enjoyed making their gift and enjoyed giving it to their mothers. The two sisters in my class got to double gift their mom and she was all smiles as she thanked me for doing this for the mothers (Sisters are the two with the fake wood background - Dimpho is 17 and Morongwa is 13). The one in the blue was just visiting this day and is a young single adult that came into our class by mistake, but I told her she could stay if she wanted and she did. She even got to take a gift to her mother who was not there. Aren't they all beautiful!

We learned early on in May that a group of youth and adult members in Zimbabwe were planning a temple trip to Johannesburg on May 20th and we were instructed to videotape and take photos of the group while there were here. This was to be a co-effort with another department that has been assigned with creating African photos and videos that can be used here in Africa. They have also created a Southeast Africa web page called https://www.africase.lds.org There are great inspirational stories from members all over Africa on there. We arranged for an intern's husband who is majoring in videography to tape the youth at their various activities while they were here. Sister Nielsen who does the Liahona conducted the interviews so they could be taped. We haven't seen the outcome yet, but I got to talk to part of the group who came from Harare. They were getting ready to go home and telling me what a great time they had. Many expressed a desire to stay longer. Many adults and youth were attending the temple for the first time. We were asked to record the event, so that other youth groups would see the video and want to do a temple trip as well. One of the Zimbabwe women that I spoke to said she hopes that trips like this will show the youth that the world is bigger than the town they came from and make them want to experience more of it, but most of all she hopes they now have a desire to get married in the temple and come back and visit often. There were 35 youth and 65 total members who came all the way from Zimbabwe by bus. We heard that they had a GREAT time.

April 24-26th Ryan Wedding reception and honeymoon

The day before the wedding we went over to the mall to pick up the wedding bouquet, boutonniere and flowers for the cake. Liz was with me and loved it (thank goodness). There was some last minute shopping for the big day. We also had a friend pick up the wedding cake and we got it from her...the top layer was red velvet and the bottom layer was carrot cake. We were set. We went out to dinner with the family and had Italian.



Not only is April 25th the day of our son's wedding, but it is our 44th wedding anniversary. How cool is that? The day started early with Elder Kyle taking the couple over to the temple to get their wedding video. The funny thing was that they wanted to capture Ryan seeing Liz in her dress for the first time on video, so Ryan was blindfolded, led to the van...very funny. Then Liz in her dress could not get up in the van because the dress was so fitted, so her brother had to lift her up into the van. Unfortunately I was not there, so no photos of this funny event.


Since Liz's mom also went with the couple, she filled me in on the rest. They took Ryan around the corner of the temple blindfolded and then had him turn around and they took the blindfold off. Liz approached from the rear and when she was right behind him, told him to turn around. I haven't seen the video yet, but as I understand it, he cried when he saw her. How sweet to capture that on video!




The video team kept them for three hours filming in different parts of the temple, temple grounds, Area Office grounds and White House grounds (where the Area Presidency live). Elder Kyle came back and picked me up and then we went over to the Jacaranda and picked up Liz's family and drove over to the temple. We went inside and the couple got some instruction and turned in their paperwork. Bethany and I went back to the bridal dressing room with Liz, so we could help her get out of her dress that had about a hundred buttons going down the back. Bethany was much better than I so she ended up doing most of it.

Brother & Sister Clayton with the newlyweds

Once Liz had changed, we were led to the sealing room where the Claytons (Liz's former mission president - photo on right), the Hamiltons (Area Presidency), Sister Shupe from our office and the family were gathered. The man officiating did a nice job of explaining eternal marriage and then proceeded to marry and seal them for time and eternity. They were facing each other across the altar and Ryan started to cry again. I finally handed him a tissue. It was pretty sweet and very spiritual...we all felt it and commented on how great it was.

Johannesburg Temple

Photos were taken afterwards and by then we were all tired, but none as tired as Liz. She finally took her shoes off and when I asked her if she was okay, she said, "I'm done." Unfortunately, she wasn't and photos went on for another couple of hours.

 One of the fun things about seeing Ryan and Liz together was to see how happy they are and to witness the smiles and joy that our son now has in his life. We have received many blessings while on this mission, but to have our son married in the temple to the woman he loves is the biggest blessing of all. Both of these wonderful people waited a long time to find each other. Heavenly Father directed them through many unusual circumstances to where they would be in the right place at the right time to make it happen. We could not be happier and it's obvious that they feel the same way. We are so proud of them for doing what they need to do to get to this point.









It had been raining on and off for about a month, but when they came to Africa, the sun came out and stayed out the whole time they were here. What a blessing that was. The day of the wedding was a beautiful, sunny day and the photographs were so good. Their happiness was captured even through the long session of video and photo. People in the area offices kept sneaking peaks out the window as the couple came back and forth between the temple, area office grounds and white house...A proud day for mom and dad.


We left early and went over to the house to decorate. We were having the celebration on the back patio and I had purchased some festive wedding decorations, plus we ordered food trays and I prepared a few things. We got the table set up and the decorations placed and the couple called and said they were ready to be picked up. Elder Kyle went to fetch them.















The photographer came and took a few photos of the food and decor. The food had been setting for awhile and was cold, but we ate it and enjoyed the celebration....


Then she took some photos of Ryan and Liz cutting the cake and feeding it to each other...

The family toasting the happy couple...

And some other various shots of individuals before she left.












Finally, Ryan and Liz opened some wedding presents, including the sculpture we got them.













Then they packed up and we took them to a hotel for their wedding night. This was a very cool place that used to be two mansions in a residential area and someone bought them and turned them into a very cool bed and breakfast. There was a Rolls Royce in the carport and a guy decked out in uniform including a top hat to greet you, plus two other guys near the entrance. It was very fancy and looked like a great place to spend your first night together...romantic.

We got to see the inside the next day when we picked them up and it was pretty fantastic as well.

After we picked up Ryan and Liz the next day, we took off for Pilanesburg Game Park in the Black Rhino Reserve.













It took about three hours to get there, but we had some fun conversations in the car, plus some good scenery and time passed quickly. The only place we could find to stop for lunch was KFC which has to be my least favorite place, but they've added some things to the menu that aren't fried and it wasn't too bad (but I will probably never go again).


Pilanesburg was very pretty...reminded us of Sedona, Arizona only with wild animals like this giraffe.

When we finally got to the entrance of the game reserve there were about 15 different lodges listed. Ryan and Liz chose the Tambuti Lodge and we got to take a little tour after we arrived. It was pretty amazing, with beautiful rooms with amazing bathrooms with separate shower and claw food tub and even a private hot tub on the patio.Very swanky!



The lady that showed us around was very nice...the common areas were great and we were sorry that we had to drop them off and couldn't stay too.







That same day, Liz's family was being picked up to go to the airport and head for Utah. We really enjoyed getting to meet them and spend several days together getting to know each other. We were sad to see them go, but so glad they got to come. It was a sacrifice for them to come, but such a blessing to us. We are very grateful that our son and his beautiful bride decided to come to Johannesburg and get married in the temple right next door to the office we go to every day. We're also grateful for being able to introduce Liz and Ryan to the people we work with. They were the talk of the office for a couple of months leading up to the wedding. Everyone was so nice. What a blast.

About a week later we picked up the honeymooners and they told us about all their adventures and took lots of animal photos. They got to go on lots of game drives and were fed well. All that and a beautiful room. They looked pretty relaxed when we picked them up. Liz said they had to get up at the crack of dawn each day, but they looked pretty rested.

We took them back to our flat for some homemade burritos and then they got ready to head for the airport. We dropped them off...sad to see them go, but happy for their new life together. All in all it was a great couple of weeks!