An Adventure in Cooking

We have discovered that Africa is a new world in many ways and cooking and foods are by no means any less of an adventure.  The first time we went shopping we were hesitant to buy much of anything.  We found lots of food but most of it did not sound like what we were used to so we had to get help from our friends to know what to buy.   I still find the grocery store an adventure but I have decided to try something new every few trips to the store.

If you want all purpose flour you had to buy cake flour.  There is also bread flour that is a bit courser but has bran in it.  It is the closest thing I have found to whole wheat flour.

Kimberly, the teachers and the big hole.

These two ladies are our teachers in Kimberly ward.  They are very dedicated and wonderful Teachers.  On Friday May 23, 2014 we had the privilege of meeting with these sister to go over seminary and institute records for the year and get ready to close the first term and open the second term.  It was a delightful late afternoon that we got to spend with them.

Margaret Tihabisang teaches seminary.  She is a professional teacher by trade.  On Friday afternoon she shares her talents and testimony with a large group of students who love the gospel and love seminary.   Most of her students come to the chapel early (One comes shortly after noon some days) and wait for her to get there from school.  Many of them have not had much to eat and they wait for their teacher until 5:00 for class.  These kids are amazing.  Sister Tihabisang often brings a bit to eat to curb the growling stomachs.

Game Drive Day Two

Our morning started out before day break.  We all met in the lodge for some hot cocoa then loaded up in our trucks for our second game drive.  The first thing we saw was a herd of wildebeest which did not really surprise us.  They are everywhere.

Nambidi Private Game Reserve (Game Drive #1)

Sorry it took me so long to post these.  It has been a very rewarding but busy week.  I will tell about that in a different post.

At this game reserve there is what is called the big five.  These animals are called the big five not because they are the biggest but because they are the most dangerous for man to hunt on foot.  The big five include the elephant, the lion, the cape buffalo, the leopard and the rhino.  We saw three of the five on our first game drive.  That is very unusual.

After 6 hours of driving through fog, road construction,
and some beautiful countrysides filled with fields of dry
corn, sunflower plants, and open grasslands with cattle grazing
we finally came to this sign  at the beginning of our real adventure.

Happy! Sad Day

This is Elder and Sister Cluster.  They have been serving as Employment specialists in the Durban mission.  They extended their mission and ended up here in Bloemfontein for the last part of their mission.  They were living in our apartment up until we got here.  They moved into an apartment next to Elder and Sister Carlile.  On Wednesday, April 23 we drove them to the airport.  They were traveling to Cape Town for a few days and then on home from there.  They should be home by now.  They have been wonderful friends to us and helped us get settled.

Scripture Study

During scripture study today Elder Edington came across these scripture that held a whole new meaning for us as we serve here in South Africa.  Notice the part that says, "O ye who have given your names".  It seemed to us that it was directly speaking of those who fill out paperwork and submit their names to serve a mission.  The scripture goes on to lay out what is expected of missionaries young and old as well as listing the blessings that will be given to those who are faithful.  

D&C 75: 2-5 

2.  Hearken, O ye who have given your names to go forth to proclaim my gospel, and to prune my vineyard. 

3.  Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might— 

4.  Lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, proclaiming the truth according to the revelations and commandments which I have given you. 

5.  And thus, if ye are faithful ye shall be laden with many sheaves , and crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life.

D&C 64:33 

Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.  And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

I hope we can remember this on the not so wonderful days that happen on occasion in any mission or in life in general for that matter.  Sometimes we wonder if what we are doing really makes a difference.  According to this scripture it truly does.

1 Nephi 19:6

Nevertheless, I do not write anything upon plates save it be that I think it be sacred.  And now, if I do err, even did they err of old; not that I would excuse myself because of other men, but because of the weakness which is in me, according to the flesh, I would excuse myself.

"President Monson stated that, The Redeemer chose imperfect men to teach the way to perfection.  He did so then, He does so now,”  April 2004 conference