Good-Bye Baobab Ridge

At the end of our conference Elder Hamilton addressed us again and said,"Unity is the precursor to revelation."  I know as Elder Cinquini and I stay united we will receive the revelation we need to do this work.

Tuesday evening we went on our last bush drive.  The sky was turning dark and it wasn't long before we were in the middle of a lightening storm with pouring down rain.  We were surrounded by thunder and lightening and I thought the driver would take us back to the lodge, but he kept on driving.  We were all soak and wet... but he kept on driving.  It ended up that we saw some amazing animals.  It was well worth the uncomfortable drive.  When we returned we had a hot shower and Sean had made two African stews in dutch ovens over the fire (that had a cover over it because of the storm).

Wednesday we left Baobab at 7:30 AM and returned to Johannesburg to attend the temple at 5:00 pm.   There was a couple going through the temple for the first time, all the Public Affairs missionaries went with them into the sealing room to witness  their sealing for time and all eternity.  They had a darling 4 year old boy with them.  I don't think they spoke much English, but they were all smiles and  seemed happy we were there.

Thursday we had Thanksgiving with several couples at the Area Presidencies home.  Afterward several Public Affairs couples went shopping at the mall because they were leaving the next day and needed some supplies they can't get in the Congo, or  Angola.  Next we went to the movie "A Long Walk to Freedom.  The story of Nelson Mandela.  I highly recommend it.  It was awesome to be in Johannesburg watching this movie knowing that these events happened right where I was staying.

We have been in the bush for 5 days and have enjoyed every minute of our stay.    Game drives are every morning and evening.  Every time we go out we see something new.  We've had a wonderful beginning to our mission, although it has felt more like a vacation so far.  I know the hard work is coming and we are anxious to get started.  We won't arrive in Durban until November 29th, and the Kyles will stay with us a few days for training, then they will go to Johannesburg to work.

We had Sunday meetings in the lodge and sat it recliner chairs.  We heard some wonderful stories from the Jensens, a PA couple from Kenya.  Sister Jensen told us a story about a sister who was in the elevator at church headquarters and President Monson got on the elevator and sang her a song.  Elder Hamilton   from the Seventy addressed us and bore his testimony. Brother Murdock provided our music on his harmonica.  In the afternoon we went on a game drive and saw a hippo, white lions, giraffes, and jackal.

We're On Our Way!

This is my first post, so I'm not sure how it will turn out.  We left Salt Lake City, Utah on November 18th, and arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa 32 hours later.  Because I was so sick the flight was miserable and I don't recommend it.but..... I MADE IT!  The first two days I was still pretty ill and spent a lot of time in our hotel, but now that we are on Safari I have perked up and I'm enjoying myself.

                                                         Good-Bye Salt Lake City, Utah

This picture is out of place, but it is the couples that were in our land rover on our AM Safari.  They are all PA missionaries serving in different parts of Africa.  Some of their stories are remarkable!

This is the hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa

Beautiful open breeze way between lobby and hotel rooms.

Ed standing in front of the entrance to the lodge

Once the elephants came to close,so they started there engines and the elephants stepped back

So beautiful!