Experiences with the Spirit
A mission is a lot of hard work. We are usually at the office by 7:15 to 7:30 and leave sometime between 5:30 and 6:00 PM each evening. Sherry spends her time working on missionary applications from all over Africa. They processed over 490 in the first 7 months. Not only are there all of the normal forms to be completed, but obtaining passports, police clearances and medical approval can be quite complex in countries where there is political unrest etc. But the end result of their receiving a mission assignment makes all the effort worthwhile. They are all so anxious to go and serve. Sherry often wishes she could be present when they open their mission calls .
It is hard to explain, but it is an incredible feeling when the Spirit guides you in finding a problem and in solving that problem. Recently, Sherry had one where they sent a mission call for an individual, but they could not find the file for him. There was no record of a perspective missionary by that name. Somehow the Spirit prompted her and she figured out that when someone had inputted this young man's name, part of his first name had been cut off and then added onto his last name with a few additional letters and that was why they could not locate him in their files. Even under normal circumstances, names can be a challenge here as individuals often go by other names rather than their last names.
Most of these young men and young women come from very humble circumstances. Many have lost one or both of their parents. And despite that, they are willing to sacrifice so much to be able to go and serve the Lord. Their desire is to give to others what they have been given. The Gospel is truly a cherished gift in their lives. They work doing all sorts of jobs and save all that they can to put toward serving a full-time mission. Most are first generation members, and often they are the only members of the Church in their families. They are courageous, determined, and faithful. Because of civil unrest and government challenges, many wait for months just to get a police clearance (one of the many requirements). Indeed, their membership in the Church has given them a strong foundation to build their life upon, it has given them peace, charity and eternal purpose.
We have had many people read our black missionary name tags and ask us about the Church, which is always a wonderful experience as you get to tell them about the Savior, about the Restoration, about families being eternal, about Temples, about Apostles and Prophets. An African worker in the Woolworth's grocery store came up to us and asked us if we had "a book for her?" It took us a few minutes to realize she was asking us for a copy of the Book of Mormon. We did not have one with us but promised to bring her one the next week, which we did and she gave us a big hug. What a great feeling! We could share many other stories of special interactions we have had.
We wear these everywhere we go. There is "Power" in the tag.
I have had some special experiences with spiritual promptings while working on even simple things like Meetinghouse Leases. Normally, I only review the English version since that is all I speak and read. Every once in awhile, I have had the Spirit tell me to go check the corresponding clause in the French or Portuguese versions and each time there has been an error that I was able to figure out and get them back into harmony with the English parts of the Lease. Each time it happens, I sit there with a small tear in my eye, and I just say "thank you" because I know it had nothing to do with my abilities.
We have seen other amazing miracles like the Lord softening the heart of Governments, solving issues that none of us had been able to solve for years, or missionary couples who have had miracles occur in their families while they have been here serving. We have even had our own little miracle. When we came over, I had to sleep on a "zero gravity" blow-up mattress due to my back injuries before coming out into the field. I could usually only sleep for an hour or a little longer before I woke up and had to get up and walk around. I also had significant pain in the front right thigh area that made it hard for me to sleep. The Lord has blessed us with one of His little miracles so that I can now sleep in a normal bed for the whole night without any significant pain. I will never take something as simple as sleeping in a bed for granted again.
It has also been interesting to see the Lord's hand in who is assigned to which areas. One of my predecessors was a prosecutor and he uncovered some serious problems committed by someone who claimed to be a licensed professional but who was not. Our ALC just marvels that one of us has lots of experience in property matters, one of us with leases and contracts and one with personnel and Human Resource issues. He says the Lord knew what skills were needed and sent the three of us here with just the skills that were needed at this time. It was interesting because one of the attorneys went to meet with Elder Wickman, the Church General Counsel, and they were discussing where they would be having openings available. One was here in Johannesburg and the attorney said they were not interested in going there. Elder Wickman said okay we will take it off the table. The attorney had served a mission in Germany and still spoke fluent German so the opening in Frankfurt seemed like a natural fit. After the interview with Elder Wickman was concluded he said to Elder Wickman, "We are ready to go. Where do you really want us to go? " Elder Wickman said, " Johannesburg" and at that point, they knew that was where they really needed to go and all would be fine. It has been such a blessing to the office because of all the special real estate problems and his expertise and experience in that area.
We were first assigned to attend the Kagiso (pronounced Ka Hee So) 2nd Branch in the Soweto Stake. It was about a 45 minute drive west of where we live. The people were wonderful and always very kind and gracious to us. They had us working with the young single adults ages 18-30. We were just getting everything organized when they transferred us to attend the Etwatwa 2nd Branch in the Benoni Stake about 50 minutes east of where we live. ( In Zulu they put an E in front of words that the Zulus did not have in their normal vocabulary. For example, e-cellphone, or e-computer. They explained to us that Etwatwa was where gangs used to hang out and there was often gunfire ("twa-twa") so it got the name Etwatwa. ) I don't know if that is true, but it is what the local ladies in our office told us. We have not seen nor heard any gunfire since we have been going there! Sherry works with the children in Primary (ages 18 months until they turn 12) and I just attend the classes with the adults and help out as needed answering questions, teaching here and there etc. Our Branch meets in some pretty humble circumstances in a local elementary school made up of old modular units. There is a lot of unemployment and poverty, but they are rich in those things which really count in life. They try to use their resources as best as they can. It helps us realize just how much we take for granted in the States and how blessed we truly are.
The little rented modular school building on the left is where we all meet for Sacrament Meeting.
There is no electricity, the doors do not fit too well, and sometimes we have a church mouse.
Here is the classroom where the Primary children meet.
Notice the desks stacked up in the back, and the well worn floor.
But particularly notice the bright smile! Very few of the children had arrived when this picture was taken. There are usually a minimum of 15 children and often 20+.
Some of the sisters from the Etwatwa Branch.
THE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES ARE THE LORD'S PAY WE RECEIVE FOR SERVING !!
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