Ngidi Baby

We've known four new babies born within the last month.  This is our Bishop and his wife Lungile with their first child (cant prnounce or write his name yet).  He is adorable! She is very protective and has a carrying basket with a net over it so the young women at church are not able to pick up the baby whenever they please.  It's a good idea with all the colds and flu going about just now. (Look at me I just sounded South African)Haha.  They are both college educated, have good jobs, home, cars and good families to stand by them.  Bishop Ngidi is doing a great job leading our ward.

Nono and Joe

One day we were on our morning walk and we stopped to talk to a friendly young couple on the street.  After several months of saying hi to eachother Ed and I  invited them to dinner at our flat.  We had an fun evening getting to know eachother and playing games.  After Nono had her baby we took them dinner.  They have been so enjoyable and we feel a connection to them.  The baby's name is Gabrielle.  They are not South African, but came here in hopes of finding work.  Nono  is educated and has a good job as a pharmacy technician, Joe is looking for work.  They live in a two room flat with no stove or microwave.  They are happy and healthy, but have very little in the way of material goods.  I know Joe worries about providing for his family, but he has a deep faith that God will provide for them. I get a sad feeling in my stomach when I think about saying goodbye to some of the people we have grown to love here.

Port Elizabeth

This is a beautiful, clean town with a gentle sea breeze. We came to train a new Public Affairs Council. They are going to do great things here. In PA as we build relationships with community leaders they can see we are Christians and we follow Jesus Christ. Sending correct messages to media, government and other faiths is an important part of Public Affairs work. 

Ed took a nap on the deck Sunday afternoon. I hope his snoring didn't bother the neighbors. 

New Born Kits

During our visit to Johannesburg we went to the Distribution Warehouse and picked up some baby crib quilts and new born kits to hand out at some public hospitals.  Our Public Affairs Councils will identify the hospitals most in need and come with us to hand them out.

As you can see our car was packed to the Macks!

Over 180 new born kits and 32 baby quilts

Nick and Sue Visit to Durban

We had such a wonderful time with Nick & Sue during their visit to South Africa.  They saw the very best this country has to show and also the poorest. This is one of my favorite pictures of us on top of the Sky Car in Durban. It was a beautiful day with beautiful people that I love.

We enjoyed a Zulu culutral event 

South Africa Mission

Sister Snell and her husband are serving a mission with Self-Reliance

These beautiful women are attending a"Return Missionary" dinner at the Berea Chapel

Dr and Sister Dow are working with government to begin a Wheelchair project in South Africa. Next to them is Mr. Blose a Physical Therapist overlooking the project with the government and Phillip  from the AREA Humanitarian Department.

It was such a delight to hear these women speak in Cape Town, South Africa.  Sister Merrill, Sister Mkabela, Sister Cook, Sister Stevenson and Sister Clayton

Elder and Sister Snell with the very first class of Sel-Reliance students in Durban South Africa

Pilanesberg National Park

We never get tired of watching the animals and birds.  On this game drive we saw 11 different mammals and eight different birds.  Beautiful!