The Bartholomews too

Dear Family and Friends, June 23, 2009

Elder B and I had a wonderful day today. We took three of our wonderful young adults from Nseleni to Balito for their patriarchal blessings. These young adults are also our YM and YW President and our Primary President. They are all 21 years of age. I think we have the first Single Adult Branch in the Durban Mission… JK – but this branch is so amazing. We have had many baptisms the past few months and they are all young adult age. It is wonderful to see them grow and strengthen this Branch. The Patriarch was so sweet. He lives in a beautiful area near the Ocean and was so kind and thoughtful to these three young people. He and his wife have never had the opportunity to have children, so they treat all the youth who come to them for blessings as if they were their own. We picked them up around 7:30 a.m. to be there by 9:00 a.m. We were then told to come back four hours later – which we did. The youth were so sweet and impressed with their experience. Tears flowed easily- and as we talked with the patriarch and our youth, I could tell it was a choice experience on both sides. Patriarch Jabba, has them write down their feelings immediately after the blessing. He said it isn’t just the words that make this experience, but the feelings you have as you are given the blessing. I liked that idea. They all three wrote their feelings and tucked them away to take home. We will be taking many to the Patriarch in the coming weeks.

He cannot come to our branches – we are too far away. So, we take our Branches to him. We can only take three at a time – so we have much work to do before we come home. In our one branch alone, we have over 12 recommends for blessings. It is a whole day experience – but it is well worth the time and effort.

During the past two weeks, we have had District Conference. President Mann came as our “Authority” and it was a wonderful two days. We had more people at this conference than any other that we have had since being here. There is always such a great spirit when the saints meet --- doesn’t matter where you live!! I find it funny that I absolutely can’t see color any more. As they come to the church, I am met with such love and I love them in return. They are great people with such giving hearts and strong faith. They struggle to make ends meet each day – but they relish in the simple beauties of life and especially in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They never hesitate to share their love and hugs with each person they greet at the meeting. Oh, how I am going to miss those hugs!! Watch out…when I come home I will want to hug every one. My mom was a hugger…I can remember her hugging and kissing everyone in the East Stratford Ward when Grandpa was Bishop. She would have fit in nicely here in Africa. Do you remember her kissing the Vietnamese?? Yep, she would have fit in here just fine.

With all the urgency to train and help these branches stand before we leave, there are many frustrating days. However, this past week was truly a miracle – We received a call two weeks ago Sunday telling us that the youth in Nseleni decided to do their own youth activity. We have been talking and talking with them about leading and taking charge of the YM/YW program. Like I said above, they are young in the gospel and young in age. We told them to come up with a program, decided on how much money they needed from the budget ( we have just barely received a budget) and let us know if there is anything we can do to help. They called back and asked us to bring games and help with the purchase (with the budget money) of Vienna’s (hot dogs), buns, chips and drink for 30 youth. We said that we could arrange that – so on Tuesday, we met with the youth for their first activity that they have totally put together themselves. There were 60 in attendance. They had printed programs outlining the talks and activities for this event. They had four speakers – who talked to a theme - a musical number and then the final speaker from the Branch President Vilane. I sat there with tears in my eyes realizing how far they had come. They are young – but will make amazing leaders of our church here in Africa. I know the day will come when many of these young people will be the Stake Presidents and Bishops of Richard’s Bay Stake. Who knows, maybe even a Temple President will be here. They turned the time over to Elder B and I for games. As I started to talk, I just cried. I expressed my love and gratitude for such great young people who are going forward to lead this little branch. I know Heavenly Father knows them and has sustained them in their lives. He has prepared them for the pioneering time here in Africa. I was so proud of them. They will continue to go forward now – teaching Young Women and Young Men – without the missionaries. Teaching Primary – without the missionaries. Teaching Relief Society – without the missionaries. They know that they can do it and they want to.

We are going forward trying to help all of the branches to stand and function in their assignments. There is much for them to learn – but they are so willing to do so. One of our newly baptized ladies from Esikhawini called the other day and told me she had been going door to door in her neighborhood teaching the gospel. She said I found a family that needs help. Help – is another word for money. Of course we went to see the family. It is a family of five children and a father. The mother abandoned the children several months ago and took all of the children’s birth certificates and ID numbers. That is significant in this country because if you have the birth certificates and ID #s you can get money from the government. I think it is R270 per child – about $30. For five children that would add up to $180.00 for a month. That is a considerable amount for these people to live on for a month. The father is out of work and is trying to care for these children. They have no clothes or food or means to send the children to school. This is a typical situation – you see much of this here. They live in a shack and have literally nothing. I don’t think I knew what having nothing was before coming on this mission. Even yesterday, we took food to a family in our branch and as we walked in the kitchen there was no stove, oven, table cupboard, or FOOD. There was a cement floor and a few small bags with a cup of beans and a few old potatoes. They have to cook outside – no electric burner. When I see these things – and I should be used to it by now – I always gulp and say a little prayer of gratitude for being able to assist these good people. I am so blessed. All of my family is so blessed. I hope we never forget what is of most value in our lives. There are two mothers in this home, one is 22 years old – she has a sister who is 24. Together they have four children. Their mother is a drinker and doesn’t contribute anything. I am trying to get them enrolled in school so they can provide for their children. The church will help them with the PEF programs as long as they are faithful. Even with their unbelievable circumstances, they only ask for assistance about every three months. They try as much as they can to do it on their own. In our little branch where there are so many that have so little – we only take maybe two food orders a month. I wonder what it is like at home.

I want to thank all of the sweet calls, e-mails and letters for my Birthday. I hate having birthdays – but I love hearing from my family and friends. It is amazing to me that I won’t be here next year. It is becoming hard for both of us to think about leaving. I just pray that someone will have a soft heart and choose to come and replace us. There is no sacrifice to this mission. I suppose I could argue that I have had to leave my home and family, spend more money than we have, work until you are so tired you can’t see – but in return, the blessings are immeasurable!! We have had experiences that truly have blessed us and I hope my children as well. Well, I have talked too much again. I just want to express my love to each of you – we love you all and thank you for the great example you are to us in our lives.

Have a Happy Fourth. We have the fourth of July here also…. Ha,ha!!

Love,

Mom, Sis. B., Karen