Aloha:
Last Friday we scheduled ourselves
to attend the 1st session of the "Planning for Success" Workshop
taught by brother Luvuyo Ntshebe at the Kamagxaki ward. We were told
ahead of time by our senior couple neighbors, the Taylor's, that in Africa
people come to church, seminary and institute according to African time - which
can be from on time to 1 and 1/2 hours late. So we jumped into our
economy Nissan and headed for Kwamagxaki some 45 miles away out in the rural
countryside.
It is a pleasant drive on good roads
aligned at times with government built houses 12' x 12' and 12' x 16' for
families mingled with "shanties." People are walking every where,
walking for miles - young, teenage, adults and the aged. I feel bad for
the people and the distances they walk. I can tell those that are tired,
those that are struggling as they limp along, and those that are strong running
with athleticism. I feel bad for the young children 3, 4, 5 years old
that have to walk these long distances. The mission rules is,
"Giving rides to people in your vehicle is prohibited." There
are valid reasons for this rule. Anyway, the drive is one I enjoy and we
have a GPS to guide us.
The class was to start at 5 pm.
At 5 pm one student was present, Mawethu Dlepu, a young man about 23 years of age, and
so sister S. struck up a conversation with him while awaiting more arrivals.
It would be 30 minutes before the next person arrived so it was a long
conversation. He told an interesting story that I want to share,
He grew up in a religious family.
His father was pastor in a African protestant church. As the son of
a pastor there were certain expectations of him to include spirituality,
obedience, and being a good example. He went through the local elementary
school system and eventually into high school. There he became acquainted with
some LDS teenagers, and as their friendship grew, they invited him to go to
church with them. At the time not everything was well between him and his
family. The parents had reason for alarm and concern. His attitude
and behavior was rebellious, he did not always listen to what they said, he had
a mind of his own and did whatever he pleased.
This young man started attending the
LDS church on a regular basis. He participated in church activities
during the week, and attended meetings on Sundays. His interest in the
LDS faith grew. He was offered a Book of Mormon and began reading it.
The more he read the more intrigued he became with the content. He
began to study and ponder it on a daily basis and it started to have a
profound affect upon him. He developed a genuine desire to learn more.
The full time missionaries asked if they could teach him the gospel of
Jesus Christ and he willingly accepted. During this period of attending
the Mormon Church on Sundays and and participating in its weekly activities, a
change began to come over him. He became more humble, more teachable, more
thirsty for spiritual knowledge. He was willing to listen, study, be
guided and follow the doctrines of Christ. He became a happier person,
more considerate, amiable and pleasant to be around. His parents noticed
the change in him. They were encouraged, pleased and joyful.
The day came when the missionaries
asked him if he would be baptized. For the son of a protestant father
this could be a difficult decision. His parents were devout protestants,
they were regarded with esteem in the community, and cherished as exemplary
spiritual leaders. For their son to forsake the religion and parish over
which his father presided as pastor, could be controversial and cause negative
vibrations in his family and among his father's flock. He prayed about
his decision and received his answer. He would ask his parents if he
could be baptized in the LDS church.
It was a congenial meeting, one
where the love of parents and the love of a humble, obedient, and spiritual son
was manifested. Pleased with the change that had come over their son since
attending the LDS church, they consented to his baptism and attended the
special occasion. After a year of college and growth in the church, this young
man received the Melchizedek priesthood and was called on a LDS mission to Kenya which was paid for by his father the Protestant pastor.
Elder S.
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