South Africa Durban Mission Final Newsletter 6/23/2012

Dear Family and Friends,

   Elder Hudson has passed his stress test to come home and our mission is drawing to an end.  We have had a wonderful experience.  We have seen the sun rise and sun sets of South Africa.  They are beautiful.  We have seen the growth in the members and the church.  We have seen a beautiful country of rolling hills, green grass with cows and goats roaming the fields.  We have also seen the lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and all kinds of bok roaming the hills in their own habitat. 

   We have served 23 months.  We have helped three branches, taught piano, helped with humanitarian projects, visited members out in the country, attended meetings and been at the call of the eight Elders that serve in the three branches we served in.  We couldn't have asked for a better place to serve. 

   We now look forward to returning to our families and our twenty-six grandchildren.  We can't wait to hold the newest grandchild that turned one on Friday.  We look forward to seeing family and friends.  We hope our serving has been a great example to our grandchildren.

   We send our love to all and we will see you soon.

 

With Love,

Sister and Elder Hudson

August 9, 2010-June 24, 2012

Newsletter from South Africa 5/6/2012

Dear Family and Friends from South Africa May 6, 2012,

We had a really good experience this week.  We had Zone Conference in Newcastle on Thursday.  We had a general authority here with his wife.  Elder Evans is over all the missions the church has and he is doing a mission tour of all the missions in South Africa.  It was wonderful to hear him and his wife speak to the young Elders.  It is a wonderful experience for the Elders to hear from a general authority as they are serving their mission.  I haven't been in the presence of that many general authorities myself. 

 

On Tuesday we were back teaching piano at the Swane family.  We were suppose to have Elder Hudson's brother Grant and his wife Vella with us.  The kids had really cleaned the house spotless.  They had even washed the windows, mopped and polished the floor.  They all had good clothes on and looked very spiffy.  I am sorry Grant and Vella couldn't come at this time because of health issues.  But the kids were ready for them.  They had also practised really hard to play them a song they had learned.

 

I am still trying to make Elder Hudson get plenty of rest.  I get him to lie down at least once during the day.  He is feeling really good.  Sometimes too good, he has washed the car twice this week.  He looks really good too.

 

On Wednesday we went to hear the Drakenburg's Boys Choir.  We had got the tickets for our company, so we went alone.  It was a wonderful program.  They started at 3:30 and sang until 5.  They didn't take a break.  They started with a few religious songs, Broadway song, and ended the program singing African Songs.  They did the boot dance, played the drums, and they turn the lights off and do a song with just sounds.  It sounds like you are in a rain forest.  You hear the thunder coming, then lighting, and of course the rain.  It is very nice.  I have seen duets on the piano, but never a trio.  They have two ladies that play the piano for the choir and a man that plays a key board.  All three were playing on the piano.  It was great.  Then the conductor played the pipe organ.  He was great too.

 

Today we attended church out at Ezakheni.  The two sister who lead the music were both not in attendance.  I looked to see if anyone was going to come forth to lead the music.  I looked at Elder Hudson and motion to him, that I needed him to lead the music.  He stepped right up to the job.  He did a great job.  I was really proud of him.

 

I got bad news this week.  I have  two brother who are both special to me.   My brother Ed was killed.  I felt like he had good health and would live forever.  He was killed in an accident.  I am not ready to say good bye, but the Lord had different plans.  I am glad I know what happens when we die.  I know he is happy where he is and I will see him again some day.  I also know he is with my Mother and Father.

 

We love you and thank you for supporting us in our mission, especially reading our silly news letters.  It is fun to tell you what we are doing even when it isn't much some weeks and then other weeks we are so busy, I am sure we forget to tell you all we have done.

 

Sister & Elder Hudson

News from South Africa Durban Mission 4/30/2012

Dear Family and Friends May 1, 2012,

 

I was going to write yesterday and then got busy.  Elder Hudson is doing great.  He is still taking easy because the doctor said it is not healed yet.  We went to the doctor last Wednesday.  I was in control for one week and then he got the car keys and I lost control.  He started driving on Tuesday and he drove to Durban on Wednesday.  The Gunderson's came to the hospital and then we followed them.  We parked the car at one of the chapel's in Durban that has a locked gate.  They took us to Victoria Market.  This is know in Durban for its African stuff.  I couldn't resist.  I bought two banana leaf giraffe pictures and a rose wood hippo.  They then took us down to the ocean and we walked the beach and Elder Hudson want some prawns.  We found a little restaurant and all had a snack.  They then took us to our B&B.  It got dark before we got to the B&B.  Our GPS wasn't working for us.  They were having trouble with theirs, but they finally got us to the B&B.  We then found out they didn't have reservations for us that night.  But the good news was they had a room available and they let us stay.  We went out to dinner with all the senior missionaries that were in town.  There was a least two couples not there.  We had a great time seeing some we had met some time ago and seeing some who have stayed with us.  The food was great too.

 

Sister Berry had called me and asked if I wanted any green shew shwa.  It is a new color and she had to buy it in 5 & 6 meters.  I said yes I would love some.  I was so excited to see this material.  She brought me 8 patterns.  I had to bring it home and wash it all.  They put starch in it and it is real stiff, but after you wash it it is soft.

 

We came home on Thursday, but had to stop at the quilt store.  We left early on Wednesday and took our stuff down to Elisabeth.  We also took her some boxes.  On Thursday, I got the material to make me a stain glass quilt with the wax material.  I also bought some animal fabric for me and my sister.  She had more in blue than brown.  Rick made us lunch and Elisabeth went up to the house with us to eat lunch.  I had taken my last picnic quilt and one of her ladies quilted it for us that day.  I will put the binding on the quilt when it gets to the states, sometime in October or November.

 

Friday I did some cleaning while Elder Hudson went to the church to work on the computer.  One of the members from Newcastle came down to help him on the computer.  Saturday we went to Newcastle and I got my shaggy hair cut.  It was getting so long it was curling up in the back.  We had lunch at the Miller's house and had a nice visit with them.  They are finding out about African time.  I thought Indian time was bad, but African time is worse.

 

Today is our p day.  I am doing some laundry, cleaning, and cleaned the refrigerator.   We get up early and I can always do some cleaning each morning.  We are having nice fall days.  The sun is out and it is a nice warm day, a California day. 

 

Well, we are still having a great time and love the mission work.  Some days are busy and some days drag.  It is fun to see new Elders come out and watch as the mature and learn to share the gospel.  Elder Hudson made beef stew, bread and we had four of the Elders for dinner last night.  I did an apple crisp.  They will eat anything and think it is good.

 

With love,

Elder and Sister Hudson

News from South Africa Durban Mission 4/16/2012

Dear Family and Friends,

   I have some bad news and some good news.  So, I want to give the bad first.  Lorry had a heart attach Thursday morning at 1am.  He woke me up at 2am and said I think we need to go to the hospital.  His left shoulder and left arm had pain shooting down it.  He was also sick at his stomach.  We had curry for dinner that night and he thought at first he had indigestion.  He would not let me call an ambulance and he would not let me drive.  We are about five minutes from the hospital.  They had a new person at the front desk and she wanted the paper work filled out before they would take him back.  They also had an ambulance sitting there when we arrived and they had brought in a man who had been shot five times.  They started with the cardiogram and then took blood for testing and then put in an iv.  He was moved to a ward because they had no beds in CCU.  He was moved to CCU about 8am.  They gave him aspirin, blood thinners and Lorry said he felt the blood clot move on through.  They said they wanted to stabilize him and then take him by ambulance to Durban.  We went to Durban Friday at noon.  I followed the ambulance in our car.  When they were getting ready to take him by ambulance they told me I would need 12,000ran when we got there.  I said I don't have that much and I can only get 3,000ran out a day.  Surin who works at the hospital and has join the church said don't worry I will take care of it for you.  I know just have to go in and pay the bill once I can get it all out of the bank.  They would not take the credit card.  I had to give the hospital here 10,750ran that same day.  Then on Friday the wanted another 25,000ran.  I have to see if we still owe more.  Everything here is cash.  When we got to Durban the hospital there wanted 69,000ran.  They finally took a letter from the mission President that guaranteed payment.  They will now bill the insurance company.  The hospital in Durban is only three years old and is up to date.  Lorry went in and was never out for the procedure.  They go in the femur artery and once he had a look he put in two stints and brought him back to the room.  I knew then he was going to be just fine.  This procedure was only one hour.  They kept him until Sunday because we were so far from Durban.  His doctor was Dr. Khan.  I drove him back yesterday.  We got here about 1pm.  We both took a short nap and just sat around.  I have him taking a nap  now.  Now, the good news is he is going to be just fine.  We go back April 25th for the doctor to check him.  He can't fly for six weeks.  He looks good and he is still cracking jokes.  I told the ambulance driver not to loose me in Durban because I didn't know my way at all.  He slowed down there and I stayed right close.  When we went through PMB, they were doing road construction and I really got separated from them.  I had a semi in front of me and he was going very slow.  It took me a long time to catch up.

   The senior couples in Durban were practically fighting over caring for me.  The DeLaMar's had gone to Richards Bay and let me stay in there place.  Sister Sweifel made breakfast for me Saturday and the Henninger's made breakfast for me Sunday.  They took me to the hospital and brought me back.  The Gunderson's brought me back Saturday.  I felt like a princess with so much fuss.

   The best thing is how blessed we were through this whole deal.  Having Surin at the Ladysmith hospital helped Lorry received special attention.  We had met a friend of his and we found out she is the head nurse in CCU.  She never left his side for two hours.  Making sure things were being done right.  I called President VonStetten from PMB and he said where are you staying.  I said I don't know I am just getting to Durban.  He said don't worry we'll take care of it.  Since DeLaMar's were going out of town they offered me their place.  The Lord prepared a way for both of us.

   Lorry had no warning.  He has felt great.  We thought because of all the test he had before we came on our missions he was fine.  The doctor in Durban said the test do not always show any problems.  He has doctors with a really good bed side manners.  They have talked with him and explained everything.  After the stints were put in he said I think in time your heart can heal itself.  When he check out, the doctor said it was already showing signs of healing itself.  The attach was on the right side of the heart.

   That is the best I can explain what has been happening.  Lorry said he was going to drive home.  I told him we were going to have our first fight and it was going to be a big one because I was going to win.  He didn't push, he got in on the passenger side.  I hope he continues to be that good of a patient for me.

   I went grocery shopping today and have bought chicken, vegetables, and fruit.  We will have our big meal at lunch and a light meal in the evening.

   We have to get a young lady down to Ladysmith on Wednesday for the President to set her apart for her mission and then put her on the bus to Joburg.

We bought her bus ticket today.  I am still driving and I will drive tomorrow.

   We are truly blessed at we have served our mission here in South Africa.  We are protected everyday we drive anywhere.  They drive worse than in the state of Washington.  They seem to never obey any traffic laws.  Plus the police can see them do something and not even stop them.  They don't get out of the way for the police or the ambulance.  It is scary sometimes.  The pedestrian does not have the right a way.  The cars have the right a way.  You get in the middle of the street and hope the traffic will pass by so you can get on across the street.

   It is transfers tomorrow.  Guess what, we are out of transfers this time.  The President said it is already arranged and you are doing nothing.  We have one Elder going home to the states.  He flys out tomorrow.   We are getting three Elders and two are just getting moved.  The work goes on, no matter.  It is so fun to interact with the young Elders.  They have loved Lorry's cooking and his jokes.  They stopped by today and were so glad he still had his sense of humor.

   I am not going to let him read this news letter.  He might delete it.  I am going to finish and send this one off.  We love you and know the Lord Blesses us when we obey his commandments. 

 

With Love,

Elder & Sister Hudson

News from South Africa 4/1/2012

Dear Family and Friends April 1, 2012 from South Africa,

I now have to try and cover two weeks of news because I never got the week before written about.  We had Zone Conference in Newcastle on March 20.    One of the Elders who participated in the lesson gave the best talk.  He referred to the scriptures in 1 Nephi chapter 3.  It is about murmuring, how the brother Laman and Lemuel murmured when they were commanded to go and get the records from Laban.  This Elder said, as they are commanded to share the gospel with people they meet everyday, they should not murmur, but go and do the work.  It is one a the better presentations one of the Elders has given.  We had just enough time to go with the Miller's to a Chinese Restaurant for lunch and then we had to head back to Ezakheni to teach piano.

I am sure there are other things we did this week, but now I can't think what they were.  So, now for this last week.  President Von Stetten did interviews in Newcastle Monday afternoon and then came to Ladysmith that night.  He then had interviews with our Elders Tuesday morning.  Elder Hudson and I had our interviews to renew our Temple recommends.  They will be good for three months after we get home and then we have to get them done again.  We also taught piano lessons out at Ezakheni in the afternoon.

Wednesday was our anniversary.   Elder Hudson surprised me and said lets go do a game drive since we live so close to the game reserve.  We went out to Nambiti for an afternoon game drive and a wonderful dinner.  I have to tell you I think the cheetah is my favorite  cat.  We got a car length away from a male cheetah and followed him for about a half hour.  He is beautiful, with around three thousands spots on his body.  His bone are very hollow, which makes him light in weight and allows him to run so fast.  A cheetah can run 150 kilometers and the tame ones can only run 135 k.  They use their tail to turn because they don't have a lot of strength in their legs when they make their sharp turns.  We watch a male wildebeast chase another male wildebeast off his territory.  This went on for awhile.

We got real close to elon this time, this animal can weight up to a ton.  It is a big bock.  When it walks it makes a clicking sound with it's hoof.  It toes spread when they put their weight on that foot and when it raises its foot it makes the sound.  Every time we go out to Nambiti it is a new experience.  We had a smoked salmon starter, pork chops, steamed carrots zucchini, rice and dessert was chocolate moose.

We also had to do a food order this week.  Elder Hudson was busy running to the Ladysmith chapel.  He had to do some computer entries and pick up some supplies that had been left there for him.  He was also making doctor appointment for one of the Elders.  They are treating this Elder for a stomach ulcer.  I am not sure that is the problem.

Saturday we went out to Ezakheni for the Relief Society birthday party.  I was asked to bring a cake and juice to drink.  I also took paper plates, cup, forks, and napkins.  The President's wife brought chicken, bread, candy and marsh mellows.  Ladysmith had their birthday party too, so I told them I had already plan to attend Ezakheni.  Plus I was asked to do a presentation about Relief Society.  Last time I did something out there we only had two.  Well guess what we doubled the number this time we had four plus me.

We watched General Conference on the computer last night and plan to watch it tonight.  We have invited the Elders to come at six.  Elder Hudson has made potato soup and home made bread.  I have made a chocolate cake and a banana cake.  We have half the chocolate cake left and three quarters of banana cake.  I did have a hard time staying awake for the last session.  It was really good and we look forward to watching tonight. 

It is nice to make friends here.  I have become friends with Elisabeth from the quilt store.  They have finally sold there farm and are planning to return to Sacramento, Cal.  She has offered to let us put some things in her container.  We have mailed most home but now I can send material home that I wouldn't have done because it cost so much to mail.  Her husband Rick will go home in June and the container will probably go in June too.  Elisabeth can't go until the end of July.  She has a quilting show in Joburg she has promised to do.  They are looking on the Internet for a house in Sacramento to buy.  They have been living here for 22 years and now want to go back to the states.  He is a retired police office.  Actually more than that because he has taught classes to the policemen.

We Love You All,

Sister and Elder Hudson

Newsletter from South Africa 3/18/2012

Dear Family and Friends March 15. 2012,

   We have had a very busy week.  We had transfers last Tuesday.  Then went to Howick on Thursday to meet the Miller's and have them follow us up to Newcastle.  We left at 6am and got home at 7:30 pm.  They are from Boise, Idaho and are excited to be here.

   We went to church in Dundee Sunday.  They are continuing to have close to one hundred at their services.  They meet in a school up there.  This young girl who I have made a fuss over a lot said to me Sunday take me to your home.  I said we stay in Ladysmith.  She said no to your home in America.  I said I would love to take you home and she replied but you won't take me will you?  How sad it is that we can't take her to our home.  She said she is in grade seven and is having a hard time with the Zulu language, because she doesn't know Zulu and is trying to learn it.  It is hard to learn Zulu because they click their tongue.  It reminds be of trying to learn some Navajo.  They make grunting sounds.  I never could do that either.

   One of the Elders wanted a pair of Zulu pants and the lady finished them last week.  We took them to him Wednesday, because we had Zone Conference and he came down from Swaziland.  He had an old pair of his blue jeans decorated in the Zulu fashion.  They have bright colors, fringe, and braid sewed on them.

   We had Zone Conference on Wednesday.  We were asked to take care of the lunch preparations.  I made about 14 dozen cookies.  We bought apples for the Elders break.  Then we order the pizza for their lunch.  The pizza place delivered the pizza right about noon.  We went and paid for it before the meeting started.

We had one young sister at the conference because she has her mission call.  She is really excited to go in May.  I played the opening and closing songs.

   Elder Hudson had to make a doctor's appointment for one of the Elders this morning and he also took him to the doctor because he is new and didn't know where the office was.  The Elder had a spider bite and it is not healing. 

   Elder Hudson also had to go over to the church and get on the computer to see if a person from Durban could walk him through steps to get the computer to transmit data.  He said it didn't work.  The person from Durban will have to come out to fix it.

   Monday, we had a date.  We went out to Nambiti for an evening game drive and had dinner out there.  We saw two buck that we hadn't seen before.  We almost went walking with the elephants.  They were about two car lengths away going along a ridge eating trees.  They walk,rip off a branch, and just keep walking and eating.  We also saw some small elephants but the grass was so high we couldn't get a good picture of them.  Beefy was leading the group along the way.  He only has one tusk.  He lost the other one some time ago in a fight with another elephant.  Lee our drive got a call that the lions were on a hunt and might be going to make a kill.  By the time we got away from the elephants and headed in that direction, they called and said the kill was off.  We watch thunder clouds roll in from three directions, with lightening.  The sky was different colors and changing every few minutes.  Elder Hudson was able to take a few pictures.  I will include one at the end.  We were lucky it didn't rain until we were back at the lodge in and safe.  They said the last two nights they have gotten wet from the rain.  I got pretty cold before we got back.  I did have my rain jacket.  Dinner was just wonderful.  We had egg plant, tomato, and cheese starter, steak with cherry sauce and blue cheese, roasted vegetables, and sweet potatoes.  The dessert was meringue filled with whip cream, apples, and some other fruits.  The presentation was wonderful.

South Africa 3/7/2012

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS MARCH 7, 2012,

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ONE AND ALL THAT HAVE A BIRTHDAY IN MARCH, I KNOW THIS IS THE SAME THING I WROTE LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME, BUT NEXT YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT.

 

MOST OF THE THINGS WE DO EACH DAY HAVE BECOME COMMON PLACE TO US NOW AND I THINK WE HAVE EXPRESSED OUR FEELINGS ABOUT OUR MISSION THAT I WONDER WHAT TO SEND SO THAT YOU WILL STILL READ OUR LETTERS.  LET ME START BY SAYING THAT THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW THAT WE GET TO EXPERIENCE THAT IS SO GRATIFYING ABOUT MISSIONARY WORK.  HAVING JUST HELPED WITH TRANSFERS SOMETHING NEW HAPPENED THAT I MUST WRITE ABOUT.  WE HAVE NOW BEEN OUT LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE WORKED WITH OR HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH MANY MISSIONARIES NOW SERVING THAT WHEN THE BUS CAME INTO THE STOP YESTERDAY SIX ELDERS GOT OFF THE BUS AND CAME TO GREET US AND TALK ABOUT OUR TIMES TOGETHER.  ALTHOUGH THE BUS WAS NOT THERE LONG IT WAS NICE TO AT LEAST SAY HELLO.  WE THEN TOOK A NEW MISSIONARY UP TO A PLACE CALLED PHUTHADITJHABA WHERE I TOOK TWO NEW MISSIONARIES TWO TRANSFERS AGO, AND THEY EVEN SAID THEY WERE GLAD TO SEE US.  LAST FRIDAY SISTER HUDSON AND I WERE INVITED TO ATTEND A WHEELCHAIR HAND OVER UP IN NEWCASTLE WHERE 20 WHEELCHAIRS WERE GIVEN TO PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WERE NOT MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH.  A VERY NICE PROGRAM, PUT ON BY THE MEMBERS UP THERE.  THE MINISTER OF HEALTH FROM THE GOVERNMENT WAS THERE AND SPOKE VERY HIGHLY OF THE CHURCH AND WHAT WE DID FOR THE COMMUNITY.  THE CHURCH HAS GIVEN OVER 400 THOUSAND WHEELCHAIRS WORLD WIDE THROUGH HUMANITARIAN SERVICES OF THE CHURCH.  IT IS HARD TO EXPLAIN THE DEEP FEELING THAT ONE HAS AT A TIME LIKE THIS.  LUNCH WAS PROVIDED FOR ALL THAT ATTENDED AND I WILL SEND SOME PICTURES.  WE HAVE NEW COUNTRY DIRECTORS FOR HUMANITARIAN SERVICES THAT WERE THERE AND AFTER THE PROGRAM WE TOOK THEM OUT TO DUNDEE WHERE WE HAVE AGAIN 20 WHEELCHAIRS TO DISTRIBUTE TO THOSE IN NEED WHERE THEY DON'T QUALIFY FOR HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT.  THEY ALSO WANTED TO SEE THE WATER PROJECTS THERE (I KNOW I WAS NOT EVER GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE WATER PROJECT AGAIN, BUT JUST HAD TO IN PASSING).  THERE IS A SISTER ( THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL NURSES DOWN HERE) THAT WE WILL WORK WITH AND SHE WILL SET THINGS UP FOR GETTING THE CHAIRS TO THOSE IN NEED.

 

WE FINALLY HAVE A BREAK IN THE WEATHER AND FALL IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.  WE SURE DID NOT GET THE RAIN THIS YEAR LIKE LAST, BUT ENOUGH FOR ME.  WE ARE STILL BEING THE B AND B (BED AND BREAKFAST) FOR THE SENIOR COUPLES THAT HAVE THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA, WHICH WE ENJOY HAVING THEM STAY.  WE WILL PICK UP THE MILLERS TOMORROW AND TAKE THEM UP TO NEWCASTLE TO REPLACE THE WARDS THAT ARE ALREADY HOME.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THEM IN PLACE.

 

I THINK I PUT THIS IN ONE OF THE FIRST LETTERS I SENT ( A SIGN OF OLD AGE TO START REPEATING ONES SELF), BUT WHEN WE CAME INTO THE MISSION FIELD, ELDER DAVIS, FROM THE OFFICE SAID THAT THE MISSIONARIES DON'T COUNT BY MONTHS, RATHER BY TRANFERS.  NOW TRANSFERS HAPPEN EVERY SIX WEEKS, SO THAT MEANS A MISSIONARY ONLY HAS 17 TRANSFERS IN STEAD OF 24 MONTHS.  SO IN OUR CASE WE JUST HAD TRANFER 15, BUT STILL DON'T KNOW OUR RELEASE DATE YET?

 

WE SEND OUR LOVE AND BLESSINGS TO ALL,

 

ELDER AND SISTER HUDSON

 

PS THE FIRST PICTURE SHOWS HOW THEY PAINT THE WHITE STRIPS DOWN THE STREET AND THE LAST SHOWS A ZULU LADY WEAVING A RUG THAT WE BOUGHT.

HOUR

PS PS FROM SISTER HUDSON---WE WERE IN THE CAR FROM 5;30 AM UNTIL 8;30 PM YESTERDAY.  WE ONLY WERE OUT ABOUT AN HOUR AS WE SAT IN OUR BOARDING WAITING FOR ELDER DELAMARE TO BRING TWO NEW ELDERS UP FROM DURBAN.  THE BED REALLY FELT GOOD LAST NIGHT.