I am very unhappy about not being able to publish Smileboxes. When I finally figure it out I'll post them. After eight years of technology issues in the OHS, my biggest fear is that I'll be expected to do something but my lack of tech ability will prevent me. When I discovered that we were not going to be in LaBrays flat., I had visions of all our PEF stuff sitting in the garage in a tangeled mess. It's all I can do to operate my new HP touch pad, let alone trying to set up operations in P.E. But back to our story
Our failing GPS got us close to our Lorraine flat. The Van Sickels met us, got us through the gate and into our apartment. I spent most of the night unpacking and organizing the study which was a good thing as Gary Laake, stake executive secretary, arrived and hooked us up the next day. Brother and Sister VanSickel took us to the bank to open an account in the event the young elders needed anything. Those receipts go to the mission in headquarter while receipts for our PEF needs are sent to Jberg. The loan information and progress of all our PEF students is set up thru LDS Teams-PEF administered in Salt Lake.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Port Elizabeth
The biggest problem has been getting all our technology up and running. I've posted three smileboxes to Face Book since our arrival but have not been unable to transfer any of them to my blog. Please "Friend" me if you want to see the photos that go along with this text. I have some great pictures of Cape Town, some local missionaries, (we delivered their mail on Friday) the Relief Society Birthday party (on Saturday) and a baptism (on Sunday.) Our "on again off again" GPS has a short and cuts out frequently. Our cell phone is so tiny it's often lost in my purse which contains our keys, daily planner, cameras, and items. By the time I've retrieved it the caller has hung up. Elder Van Sickel came by last night to go over the list of number's on our cell phone and demonstrate how to use it. It was on lock for three days. Consequently he was unable to call us before bringing bishop Mahaluba and his family over for a visit on Sunday night. Luckily Tom had just returned from a driving lesson with Elder Taylor before they arrived. Good news, Johannesburg just called! PEF has approved the purchase of a new GPS. Now we can find the missionaries apartments that we are scheduled to inspect tomorrow.
This morning Elder Taylor brought over the files of six PEF applicants. Everything that has been submitted since the LaPrays left has been approved but the application of Bishop Mahaluba. He does not yet have his letter from the Stake President signed. I am so impressed with Unathi Mahaluba who serves as bishop of the Kwa Nobuhie Ward with 698 members. He has 20 young men getting ready to go on missions. Ten hope to submit their papers next month. However each must earn 2,000 Rand (about $250) before they can do so. Brother Van Sickles has hired some to paint chairs for the church to help them earn money.
Unathi is just 28 years old. He was called as bishop at that age of 24, after returning from his mission to Johannesburg. He and wife Mihle are the parents of two children, a daughter Athayanda, who is five years old and a son, Nathikhaya, who is two. Mihle works nights so she can take care of Nathikhaya during the day while Athayanda is at preschool. Unathi is in the process of applying for a PEF loan to become a computer programmer. It will take him several years. He will need to borrow 28,000 Rand and continue working full time while attending school in stages. All this while serving as the bishop of a growing but very needy Xhosa ward.
Unathi is just 28 years old. He was called as bishop at that age of 24, after returning from his mission to Johannesburg. He and wife Mihle are the parents of two children, a daughter Athayanda, who is five years old and a son, Nathikhaya, who is two. Mihle works nights so she can take care of Nathikhaya during the day while Athayanda is at preschool. Unathi is in the process of applying for a PEF loan to become a computer programmer. It will take him several years. He will need to borrow 28,000 Rand and continue working full time while attending school in stages. All this while serving as the bishop of a growing but very needy Xhosa ward.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
March 5 - March 12th
After a 19 hour flight we arrived in Johannesburg and were met by Bishop Fisuro Mintela who drove us to our hotel. The following morning he took us to the church complex in Jberg for training. That facility includes a missionary training center, a chapel and an employment center for the entire region. We met several other senior couples serving there including the Basso's from Hawaii who know Tom's family. We found it interesting that most of the employess in PEF and Employment Services are recent PEF graduates. Wednesday morning young Bishop Mintela took us back to the airport.
In Cape Town we were welcomed by Brother and Sister Henderson who drove us directly to a Zone Conference where were were asked to bear our testimonies along with the Richins. That evening we went to "Cumorah,' the Cape Town Mission home, and were given a tour of that beautiful facility. Sister Wood suggested that "The Nauvoo House" would have been a better name for their home as many visitors, general authorities and missionaries find lodging there. We would have stayed there had not President and Sister Wood been flying off to Namibia the next day. So we and the Richins were comfortably lodged in a Bed and Breakfast nearby.
"Cumorah" is a converted girls boarding school. It has six bedrooms. Sister Wood explained that they were expecting 23 missionaries for breakfast the next morning. The previous night someone had stolen the length of copper wire that delivered power to the mission home so half the building was without electricity. President and Sister Wood hosted a dinner for ourselves and the Richins at a Tai Restaurant that evening. On Friday we had training at the Cape Town Mission office under the direction of the two office couples, the Oldhams from Kaysville and Karl & Linda Henderson from Far West, Utah. The mission office is located on a large piece of property. Large enough to accommodate a temple at some future date. Since Saturday was P Day, Elder Henderson took us on a tour of Cape Town which included a bus tour of the city and surrounding areas.
It's late summer here in South Africa and as we were on the top deck, I got sun burned. The next day, Sunday, we went with the Hendersons to Mitchell's Plains. This is a rather small branch. There were only about 45 people in attendance. We attended "Gospel Essentials" taught by Joseph Smith, a recent convert along with 6 young elders and the Hendersons. The lesson was on service. A few minutes into the lesson a middle age black man in jeans with a back pack was escorted into our class. Sister Henderson said she thought the man was on drugs. He said he usually attended the church down the road but as they were not meeting that day, he decided to join us. After class he approached several explaining that he needed bus money to get to Cape Town to look for work. We had been told that anyone making such a request should be sent to the Branch President. So he was instructed to go to him. The Branch President did not give him any money.
I was very uncomfortable as the man had just sat through a lesson on service at a Mormon church and his request for help had been denied. He stayed through the block and approached several others without success. Finally at the end of our meetings Elder Henderson gave him the money he had been asking for. He said the man had a well marked Bible in his back pack. He too felt uncomfortable about turning him away empty handed. Evidently the Branch President has instructions only to assist church members. Welcome to Africa where those in need are legions! The Oldhams invited us to dinner after church. Then, together with the Richins, we went to the Hendersons for dessert. The Richins are stationed in George so we followed them down the N2 highway Monday morning and then drove on to Port Elizabeth. We arrived at 5:30 p.m. after a ten hour drive.
In Cape Town we were welcomed by Brother and Sister Henderson who drove us directly to a Zone Conference where were were asked to bear our testimonies along with the Richins. That evening we went to "Cumorah,' the Cape Town Mission home, and were given a tour of that beautiful facility. Sister Wood suggested that "The Nauvoo House" would have been a better name for their home as many visitors, general authorities and missionaries find lodging there. We would have stayed there had not President and Sister Wood been flying off to Namibia the next day. So we and the Richins were comfortably lodged in a Bed and Breakfast nearby.
"Cumorah" is a converted girls boarding school. It has six bedrooms. Sister Wood explained that they were expecting 23 missionaries for breakfast the next morning. The previous night someone had stolen the length of copper wire that delivered power to the mission home so half the building was without electricity. President and Sister Wood hosted a dinner for ourselves and the Richins at a Tai Restaurant that evening. On Friday we had training at the Cape Town Mission office under the direction of the two office couples, the Oldhams from Kaysville and Karl & Linda Henderson from Far West, Utah. The mission office is located on a large piece of property. Large enough to accommodate a temple at some future date. Since Saturday was P Day, Elder Henderson took us on a tour of Cape Town which included a bus tour of the city and surrounding areas.
It's late summer here in South Africa and as we were on the top deck, I got sun burned. The next day, Sunday, we went with the Hendersons to Mitchell's Plains. This is a rather small branch. There were only about 45 people in attendance. We attended "Gospel Essentials" taught by Joseph Smith, a recent convert along with 6 young elders and the Hendersons. The lesson was on service. A few minutes into the lesson a middle age black man in jeans with a back pack was escorted into our class. Sister Henderson said she thought the man was on drugs. He said he usually attended the church down the road but as they were not meeting that day, he decided to join us. After class he approached several explaining that he needed bus money to get to Cape Town to look for work. We had been told that anyone making such a request should be sent to the Branch President. So he was instructed to go to him. The Branch President did not give him any money.
I was very uncomfortable as the man had just sat through a lesson on service at a Mormon church and his request for help had been denied. He stayed through the block and approached several others without success. Finally at the end of our meetings Elder Henderson gave him the money he had been asking for. He said the man had a well marked Bible in his back pack. He too felt uncomfortable about turning him away empty handed. Evidently the Branch President has instructions only to assist church members. Welcome to Africa where those in need are legions! The Oldhams invited us to dinner after church. Then, together with the Richins, we went to the Hendersons for dessert. The Richins are stationed in George so we followed them down the N2 highway Monday morning and then drove on to Port Elizabeth. We arrived at 5:30 p.m. after a ten hour drive.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Problem Resolved
Good News! Drew Barber stopped by to show me how to add photos and post Smilebox links.
Sunday, March 4th: We went to church with Neil and Corrine this morning and enjoyed sitting in on their class. They teach the 14-16 year olds. Awesome kids. The lesson was on missionary work. Tom shared his impressions of the MTC. We are having dinner with our kids later this evening. Tomorrow we fly to Atlanta at 9:45 a.m. It's the 17th anniversary of Steve's passing. In Atlanta will meet up with the Richins from Ventura who are going directly to Cape Town and the Millers who will be serving in Durham. Tom and I will be staying in Johannesburg for a couple of days for training with Brother Khumbulani Mdletshe. Then we will fly to Cape Town to meet President Steven Wood and collect our car. From Cape Town we will drive the beautiful Garden Rout along the southern coast of Africa to Port Elizabeth. Likely arriving there on March 12th, the anniversary of Steve's funeral. Our address is South African Capetown Mission, P.O. Box 181 Capetown 7935, South Africa. Our Vonage phone number is the same number that we've had here for the past 33 years. There is an eight hour time difference.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Perpetual Education Fund Notes
The majority of the world does not realize what the church is doing for people world wide through various education and humanitarian programs.
Elder Toreno, While President Hinckley was visiting in Venezuela, Elder Tereno was assigned to be his driver. During the four hour trip, President Hinkley shared with him his vision of PEF. “We need a Perpetual Education Fund to help lift people out of their poverty. We will utilize our existing organizations. This program will succeed because it will be priesthood based. Loans will be repaid.” Subsequently, he announced the PEF program on March 31, 2001 in general Priesthood Meeting.
Tom Ruckert, Director of Field Operations/Technology is responsible for PEF in Africa. He recalled an early interview between President Hinckley and some Los Angelos reporters. "So you are a prophet? Have you received any revelation lately?" "Yes," he answered. Then described the Perpetual Education Fund.
John Carmark, Director of P.E.F. had a call from President Hinckley just before he qualified to become Emeritus. What are your plans? Presidently Hinckley then reviewed the history of the old Perpetual Emigrating Fund which was established in 1850 to bring immigrants to Zion. “We need to build the church in distant lands. We will establish a fund like the old one. “I’ll be the chairman of the Board.” He then named the other board members. Will you head up the program? “Yes,” replied Elder Carmark. “Good! Then I’ll see you at conference.”
(Note: According to Kai Hintze, financial department, most emigrants who received funds from the Perpetual Emigrating Fund repaid their loans in kind , by produce or by working for the church.)
Richard Cook, current managing director of PEF, has a background in international finance. Cook retired from Ford Motor Company and moved here from Detroit in 1995. He and his wife bought a house in Park City. Then decided to go on a mission. He was willing to go anywhere he could take his golf clubs ands tennis racket. They were called to Mongolia; a country with no golf courses nor tennis courts. The government there asked church officials for help in setting up special education programs. Mary Cook had worked in special education. Cook asked, "What am I supposed to do?" “You will find your way," he was told. Elder Cook has been volunteering for the past seventeen years.
“When I served in Hong Kong, the president of the Indonesian mission, Elder Sabondro, called. “I have a request President. Only send me blue collar missionaries. Senior missionaries who are ready and willing to work. Don’t send people who will complain about their apartments, personal comfort, or whine about their situation.”
Rex Allen, as a young elder was served in Brazil. President Hinckley came for a visit. He called him over saying, “Walk with me.” Allen obliged. As they walked President Hinckley said, “I just don’t know! I just don’t know. Then turning to Elder Allen he said, “You just don’t know what I don’t know. I’ve been telling them the temple Visitors Center in San Paulo should be bigger. I keep saying that but they don’t change the plans. You may go now Elder.” Later the Visitors Center was enlarged because it was not big enough.
Church membership in the U.S. today is 6.5 million. There are 7.5 million in the rest of the world. Future projections put church membership in the U.S. at 20 million. There will be 80 million members in the rest of the world. We need those members to be self sustaining. We need them to be leaders. The best loan
is no loan but if members need funds to get a better job. They can apply for a PEF loan. PDF is administered through seminary and institutes, employment services and other existing organizations. Also with the help of many volunteers including senior missionaries. India has just been approved to offer PEF loans. PEF has succeeded. “We have never had to turn down an application because of lack of funds.”
Lloyd Hansen directs PEF Operations. After returning from a mission in Peru, Loyd and Janette Hansen volunteered for a second mission. They were assigned to PEF in Johannesberg, South Africa. Hansen is a long distance runner. He enjoyed running with brother Khumbalani, our CES director, who has a Ph.D from the University of Johannesberg. They ran together every Saturday and discussed PEF. They run together when Khumbalani come to general conference. Capetown sponsors a number of running events including a 60 kilometer run. The purpose of PEF is to provide local, viable jobs that match the abilities of the students in their own localities. President Oaks was told in the Phillipines that despite a high rate of unemployment there are enough jobs for our members if they have the right training. Our goal is to get better work and higher paying jobs. This will build leaders. PEF at church headquarters has five paid staff and ten PEF volunteers.
Brother and Sister Bell, CSI Coordinators, serve in the Mission Department screening senior applicants. Missionary applications are perused by seventeen different departments in an effort to fit needs world wide. Applications go first to a team of doctors who rate the couples based on the condition of their health. The Bells said it was interesting reading the comments from various applicants. Comments from a Wyoming rancher caused them to smile. He submitted their missionary photo with the husband wearing a cowboy hat. In the comment section he wrote: “I love my cattle, I love my guns, I love my pickup truck and I will go anywhere I can take my saddle.”
This couple were called to labor on a cattle ranch in California which belonged to the church. While in the Missionary Training Center the husband exhibited great enthusiasm and excitement. When asked why he replied, “When we get there it will be calfing season!” The Lord knows his children. There is a place for every senior couple who are ready, willing and able to serve.
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