Johanesburg Temple

We have had several wonderful experiances at the Johannesburg Temple over the past couple of weeks.  Last week we accompanied a large number of young Elder Missionaries from the Johannesburg Missionary Training Center for an Endowment session at the temple.  This was the first time attending the Temple for many of the missionaries.  And today, we spent the afternoon as ordinance workers at the Temple,  something we will doing every other week from now on.   For my non-Mormon friends, our Temple is a very sacred place.  We consider it to be the House of God.  Only those who are worthy may participate in the ordinances performed there, and to do so is one of the most special and sacred things that we as members can do.    Several weeks ago I ran into a family who had come all the way from Uganda to go to the Temple........  that would be about a five hour and very expensive plane trip from Uganda.  The father of the family told me that they had been saving money for several years to build a small house.  They had the foundations in, but then decided that it was more important that they spend their savings to come to Johanneburg to spend one day at the Temple.  I was so touched to hear him relate his story and to feel his amazing spirit.  It will now be another three or four years before he will have enough saved to complete his new house.    One cannot avoid being forever changed by these experiences.

I had not intended to let so much time go by between posts to my blog, but the missionary road here in Africa often has many bumps and potholes that can require maximum concentration to negotiate safely.  Two weeks ago we left for Swaziland to video several families as they participate in normal home activities, and then on to Botswana to do the same.  Botswana was definitely a wonderful experience, but Swaziland was the highlight.

Tom and Diana Blackburn, who are in our Ward in St George, are serving as missionaries in Swaziland.  In fact, they are the only LDS Missionaries in the whole country right now.   One of the more stressful things we go through in our travels is the process of border crossings.  There are many forms to fill out, questions to be answered and potential inspections of luggage and our car.  Tom had indicated that he would meet us at the border, but I didn’t anticipate what a welcome feeling we had when we arrived at the boarder gate and saw Tom waving and shouting greetings from the Swaziland side. 

While in Swaziland, we filmed three families in different settings.  We were especially touched by one of these families.  They were of very simple means living out in the country growing their own vegetables, fruit, and raising their own chickens and goats.  The access to their tiny dwelling was through a field and then over a deep ravine on a horizontal ladder that has replaced the simple bridge that had washed out recently.  They had not plumbing or electricity, and walked everywhere, but they were some of the happiest people I have ever met.  This and other similar experiences have truly changed my perspective of our short stay here on earth.  I’ve heard the saying many times that “happiness can only come from within”, but I’m only now beginning t understand what that really means.

Swaziland is a country of great contrasts.  You will not find a more beautiful place if Africa.  It reminds me very much of Oregon with magnificent green rolling hills shrouded in mist.  It is ruled by a king who has 17 wives (and selects a new wife each year).  But the majority of the population is very poor.  Women appear to be the main bread winners, while many of the men put on their "warrior" dress, including spear, and go to weed the King’s fields as volunteers.  Sadly, over 50% of the population is infected with HIV, the highest percentage in the world.  The average life span is 32 years.

At the same time, we had the privilege of joining Tom and Dianna to have dinner at one of the most beautiful restaurants  I have ever been to.  It is actually part of a resort and botanical garden called Summerfield.  I’ve wondered ever since how something so elegant can exist among such poverty.  But then I have to remind myself that this is Africa. 

The pictures below are of our dear friends and St George neighbors, Tom and Dianna Blakburn; Tom crossing the "ladder" bridge; Dian with that wonderful family we fell in love with; Our producer, Wynn Adlard playing with one of the children while he was trying to shoot video;  and this cute little fellow who came running through the field carrying his little brother to say hello.  Dian was carrying he camera and couldn' resist the shot.

Yesterday we went to church at the Rabie Ridge Branch which is in rural area just south of Pretoria.   Although we were the only white faces in the chapel, we have never felt more welcome.  What wonderful people.  I know I’ve said that in previous posts,  but I just can’t get over how very special these people here in Africa are.  Those who are members of our Church live and express their faith in a way that we seldom see in the USA.  They completely immerse themselves in every way…… their knowledge of the scriptures, the way they participate in church meetings and services,  the way they sing which can be heard from the top of the mountain and the bottom of the valley, and especially the way they live their daily lives………….. and they do this with a smile that goes from ear to ear.   The young man who led the music asked us if we knew the Forsgrens, the couple we replaced here as Public Affairs Missionaries.   As it happens, the Forsgrens happen to be good friends, and Kaye Forsgren and Dian are life-long friends.   The young man was very excited to learn this and told us that Kaye had taught him everything he knows about music.  I should mention, she spent 20 years as a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Well, from there,  things got a little emotional, but we took a couple of pictures and promises to send them to the Forsgren.  A great day!

Tomorrow we are off to Swaziland and later in the week to Botswana to finish the “Introduction To The Church” video we are producing for Africa.   We are excited to see Tom and Diana Blackburn from our Ward in St George, who are serving a mission in Swaziland.  They have offered to help us, and we are very grateful for that.  It will be great to see someone from home.