Drakenberg Boys' Choir 9/19/2011

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS SEPT,19, 2011,

 

ALL IS WELL IN THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY AND SPRING IS IN FULL SWING AND WE JUST LOVE BEING HERE.

 

THIS WEEK WE, ALONG WITH ELDER AND SISTER WARD WENT TO SEE THE DRAKENBERG BOYS' CHOIR.  THEY ARE ABOUT AN HOURS DRIVE FROM LADYSMITH WITH A STOP AT THE WAFFLE HUT FOR LUNCH.  WE ALSO STOPPED AT THE WEAVERS WHERE THEY STILL WEAVE RUGS BY HAND.  IT WAS A WONDER DRIVE THROUGH THE COUNTRY TO THE SCHOOL WHERE THE BOYS SING.  THE FACT IS THAT IT IS THE ONLY CHOIR SCHOOL IN AFRICA WHERE YOU HAVE TO AUDITION TO GET INTO THE SCHOOL, THEN YOU HAVE TO PASS 21 TEST TO EARN THE RIGHT TO SING IN THE PREFORMING GROUP.  IT IS AN ALL BOYS SCHOOL AND THEY LIVE AND STAY AT THE SCHOOL.  AGES ARE FROM 9 TO 15 AND THE COST IS R95,000 PER YEAR OR $14,000.  THE SCHOOL IS ALMOST AT THE END OF THE ROAD UP AGAINST THE DRAKENBERG MOUNTAINS AND IT IS BREATH TAKING.  LOTS OF BED AND BREAKFAST PLACES IN THE AREA.  THEY BRING THEM IN BY THE BUS LOAD AND IT IS WELL WORTH THE TIME AND MONEY, $10.  THEY HAVE A STAFF OF TEN IN THE MUSIC AND TEN IN THE ACADEMIC, AND THEY SPEND TWO HOURS A DAY WITH THE MUSIC STAFF.  THEY TRAVEL THROUGH OUT THE WORLD AND JUST RETURNED FROM THE U.S., WHERE ON THE FIRST PART OF JUNE THEY SANG WITH THE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR IN THE TABERNACLE.

 

THE PROGRAMME (THAT'S HOW THEY SPELL IT HERE) LASTED TWO HOUR WITH A FIFTEEN MINUTE INTERMISSION IN THE MIDDLE.  THEY HAD FREE MUFFINS AND DRINKS FOR ALL.  THEY HAVE TWO CONDUCTORS AND TWO THAT PLAYED THE PIANO.  THEY WERE SO GOOD I ALMOST FORGOT HOW OLD THEY WERE.  THE LAST HOUR THE HEAD CONDUCTOR JUST SAT AND THE CHOIR WENT FROM ONE NUMBER TO ANOTHER WITHOUT A PAUSE.  THEY PLAYED BONGO DRUMS AND DID AN AFRICAN BOOT DANCE AS PART OF THE PROGRAM.  I JUST CAN'T DO IT JUSTICE SO WILL STOP THERE.

 

OF COURSE ON THE WAY THERE, THERE WERE THINGS TO BUY AND I'LL SEND PICTURES.  THESE BASKETS ARE MADE FROM GRASS JUST COLLECTED OUT OF THE FIELDS AND THE WOMEN SPEND ALL DAY PUTTING THEM TOGETHER, THE BIG ONE TAKES TWO WEEKS TO MAKE. (PICTURE)

 

THE MISSIONARY WORK GOES ON AND WE FILL AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE MISSION WORK, BUT DO TAKE SOME TIME OFF.

 

WE SENT OUR REGARDS,

 

ELDER AND SISTER HUDSON 

Newsletter 9/11/2011

Dear Family and Friends,

We send greetings from South Africa.  Thank goodness for the Sunday's.  We attended church at Ezakheni today.  I played the piano for the service and attended Relief Society with the ladies.  We came back home where Elder Hudson made lunch for us out of left overs.  Sometimes you just have to eat up what is in the refrigerator.  We both have had a restful afternoon. 

 

Are week has been very full this week.  Last Sunday the Blackburn's came from Swaziland to spend a few days with us.  They didn't get here until 7pm.  They had attended church in Swaziland and then had to take care of some business before they could come down.  It is about a 7 hour drive for them to come down here.  Monday, Elder Hudson made this great breakfast and prepared a Shepard's pie for our dinner Monday night.  We then took off to see the Midlands Meander.  It is in our back yard and we didn't even know about it until the President's wife brought us a book on the Meander.  We drove to Moii River and then got off the freeway there and started  our country drive.  The country here is beautiful and when you get on the country roads you really have some beautiful country side.   What is of interest in the Meander is a lot of little shops of things made here in South Africa by the Zulu people.  Some of the shops are closed on Monday and some were just closed down.  We choose the ones that were of interest to us.  There are a lot of B&B's along the way.  Some even have spa's, where you can pamper yourself.  The big treat was stopping at a goat farm where they make cheese.  We bought a sampler of cheese, soft drinks, crackers and had lunch on the lawn at the farm.  The setting was beautiful.  You have to drive off the paved road on a dirt road about 2 kilometers.  I even have a picture of the goats to show you.  We stopped at a leather place that makes purses, belts, and wallets.  We stopped at a shop called the Ugly Duckling and they had everything you could imagine.  But the things were imported from India.  They even had furniture. The bead shop was no longer in business.  If you drive too fast you can miss some of these shops as I found out later Elder Hudson had missed some.  We stopped at Tsonga Shoes and Purses.  They make them at this shop.  The women were sitting outside talking and hand sewing the soles to the shoes or hand stitching purses.  At this point it was getting late in the afternoon and Sister Blackburn really wanted to go to the quilt store.  So, we called Elizabeth and asked if we could come to the shop because she is closed on Monday's.  She said yes but she had to leave at 3:45.  She wasn't there when we got there she had ran to the post office to get the quilt top we had sent her to machine stitch.  It wasn't at that post office we had put the wrong one on our envelope.  But she did get it latter in the week.  The Blackburn's picked out a quilt that Elizabeth had made in red and white with big stars all over.  She also had made continental pillow shams to go with the quilt.  If they hadn't taken that one I was going to get it.  I wanted one of Elizabeth's quilt.  We did buy one of her quilts.  The material is South Africa and she calls it waxed material but is like what we call polished cotton.  It has one big star right in the middle..  The colors are many--gold, green, blue,orange.  I can't remember all the colors.  It will be our fall quilt.  We then took the Blackburn's to the Howick falls.  This river runs through Howick and then just drops off a cliff. We shop just and little and then headed home. 

 

Tuesday, Elder Blackburn said he didn't want to go far.  He was tired of riding.  We took them over to Winterton.  We had breakfast  at the Waffle House and then looked a hand woven rugs.  Sister Blackburn found a table cloth, place mats and napkins and a runner that were hand painted.  They were beautiful.  She bought the last one, so I didn't get one.  We went down the road to another weaver shop.  This is the one we had bought our rugs at.  They found one.  We had taken ours back because we wanted them to ship our rugs for us.  They ended up adding the Blackburn's to our package for all the same shipping charges.  This really saved them money.  The rugs are going slow boat.  We sent them to Utah.  Blackburn's live in St George and have a daughter close to where we shipped them.  They said their daughter would pick them up.  They go home in March and we don't go home until July.

We got back to Ladysmith and they wanted to see the tile we bought with the big five on them.  We took them to the building that had them of the floor.  We then took them to the shop we had bought ours from.  They ended up getting the big five too.

The Blackburn's had lunch with us and then went to Newcastle to meet with the President and Ward's. 

 

We had Zone Conference on Wednesday and we had volunteered to do the lunch for forty people.  We had a count of forty-four.  Elder Hudson had made apple sauce and pulled pork.  We also had chips, store bought cookies, and juice.  The Elders ate everything and said how good it was.  We had cooked the pulled pork in the crock pot all day for two days.  He discovered he had missed a roast and cooked it all night. 

 

We did not teach piano this week with everything that was happening.  Thursday and Friday we spent recouping. 

 

Saturday, we decided to spend this day together.  I said don't you want to go for a ride.  I said we sat home for two days.  It seems we are on the go so much it was hard not to go somewhere.  We decided to go on the Midland Meander again but go on the other side of the freeway.  We went to Groundcover.  This is also a shoe store.  They make the shoes right on the property.  We then went to Dirt Road.  They make canvas purses and all kinds of bags.  They even make the bag to put your gun into.  They also make some clothing out of cottons.  Agape Footwear was out of business, but has a lovely setting.  It was for sale.  We had lunch in Howick and went to the falls again.  I have some shops I like and we went back to them.  We also went to the quilt store.  We bought some material that I can make valances to match the quilt we bought.  She is going to mail it all for us. 

 

If you are wondering why I have rattled on and on it is because I am on a sugar high.  Jackie sent us some See's candy and it just taste so good, it is hard to stop eating it.  Jackie we are truly enjoying a taste of home.  The candy here doesn't taste like home.

 

We have truly enjoyed taking a week off from our work.  The mission President did give us permission to see the things that are in the area where we serve.  We just didn't know all that was here.  The music students are doing great, but they suffer when we miss because the boys in Dannhouser don't practise.  So, by us teaching each week it keeps them more on there toes.

 

We are truly being blessed and love this country and the members we get to work with.  Our week ends are really getting full.  We have scheduled lots with the members, but will tell you as it goes.  We love you all and send our blessing to you.

 

Sister and Elder Hudson

 

Newsletter 9/4/2011

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS SEPT 4, 2011,

 

WELL, WE FED THE DISTRICT ON MONDAY AND NOW HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR THE ZONE CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY.  WE WILL FEED 40 THAT DAY SO WILL TAKE MORE PLANING AND PREPARATION, WHICH WE HAVE BEGUN.  THE MENU WILL BE FOOT LONG PULLED PORK SANDWICHES, HOME MADE APPLE SAUCE, POTATO CHIPS, COOKIES FROM THE STORE AND A FRUIT DRINK ALL WITHIN BUDGET.  I HOPE THEY LIKE "NOT THE SAME OLD PIZZA AGAIN" MEAL.  ELDERS WILL EAT ANYTHING THEY DON'T HAVE TO COOK OR PAY FOR SO I THINK WE'RE SAFE.  SISTER HUDSON WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW IT WENT NEXT WEEK.

 

SEPTEMBER FIRST WAS SPRING DAY HERE, SO THAT MEANS THAT WATER FIGHTS ARE THE GREAT EVENT OF THE DAY.  THE WEATHER WAS WARM AND THE DAYS ARE NOW LONG INTO THE EVENING, SO WHAT THEY DO IN THE TOWNSHIP IS FILL ANY KIND OF BOTTLE WITH WATER AND SPLASH IT ON EACH OTHER.  THE GRAND KIDS WOULD LOVE IT I'M SURE.

 

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT ONE PERIOD IN TIME WE HAD THIS WEEK.  MONDAY WE DRIVE TO DUNDEE FOR OUR DISTRICT ACTIVITY, NOON, LEAVE THE ACTIVITY AT 3:30 AND GO TO THE CHEV DEALER IN DUNDEE TO CHECK ON THE ELDER'S CAR, GETTING THE RUNAROUND FROM THE SHOP, FIND OUT THEY NEED THE SPARE KEY WHICH IS IN OUR BOARDING IN LADYSMITH.  DISTRICT MEETING AT 10:30 TUESDAY SO DEALER NEEDS THE KEY IN THE MORNING, SO UP EARLY, DRIVE TO DUNDEE ONE HOUR THEN AN INVENTORY OF THE ELDERS BOARDING AND INSPECTION FOR CLEANLINESS, BACK TO LADYSMITH FOR THE MEETING.  THE DAYS SEEM TO PASS WITHOUT MUCH TROUBLE AND THE WEEKS BECOME DAYS.  WE HAVE BEEN TO DUNDEE FOUR TIMES THIS WEEK.

 

WE HAVE THE MISSIONARY COUPLE FROM SWAZILAND COMING TO STAY WITH US UNTIL WEDNESDAY AND THE ZONE CONFERENCE.  WE WILL TAKE A DAY AND SHOW THEM THINGS AROUND HERE.  THE WEATHER HAS TURNED TO WARM SPRING DAYS AND IT WAS 86 OUT TODAY, HOW NICE.

 

ALL IS WELL HERE, WITH A REPEAT OF THE SAME THINGS WE LOVE DOING EACH WEEK WE STAY BUSY AND LOVE WHAT WE ARE DOING.  HOPE ALL ARE FINE AT HOME AND THANKS FOR YOUR THOUGHT AND PRAYERS.

 

LOVE FROM SOUTH AFRICA, A PLACE WE HAVE COME TO LOVE SO MUCH,

 

ELDER AND SISTER HUDSON

 

P.S.

I ATTACHED TWO PICTURES OF HELPING HANDS OUT AT EZAKHENI BRANCH.  I THINK THE ONE PICTURE IS OF A PRIMARY GROUP IN DUNDEE.  THE LAST PICTURE IS ELDER HUDSON AND ME WITH OUR MISSION PRESIDENT AND HIS WIFE.  I HOPE WE HAVEN'T SENT THESE BEFORE.

News from South Africa 8/28/2011

Dear Family and Friends from South Africa Aug 28, 2011,

   I can't believe another week has past.  Time has really gone fast this month.  I think transfers make is fly by faster.  On Monday, our P day we ended up in Newcastle doing lunch for the Zone Leaders.  We cooked for 14, that was 10 Elders and four Senior Missionaries, and the President and his wife.  They have a morning break and usually have apples and bannanas.  Well, we fixed deviled eggs, ham rolls with cream chees and pinapple, and cheese and crackers with water to drink.  For lunch Elder Hudson made Shepards pie, fruit salad, and squirrel bars.  We just try to give the Elders something different besides pizza.

   Tuesday, we just caught up on laundry and house cleaning and taught piano at Ezakheni.  Wednesday we had District Training here in Ladysmith in the morning and we taught piano in the afternoon.

    Thursday we taught in Dannhauser and Dundee.  We picked up two more students.  We are now teaching the President's daughter in Dundee.  She leads the music in primary and I thought maybe she would like to learn to play the piano.  We think she will do well.  Then we taught out at the a Sister's house.  We think it is her grandson.  We don't know how many live in that house.  Elder Hudson thinks there is 26 living there, all ages.  We got back to Ladysmith about 7pm.  We enjoy the ride home because the days are starting to get longer and the sunsets are really pretty.  Friday we just did odds and ends.  We did a little running around here in Ladysmith. 

   Saturday the weather did a change and it was cloudy and cold all day.  Elder Hudson still washed the car, so it would be clean for Sunday.  We just hung out here in Ladysmith and didn't do a whole lot, because the weather was cold and it did rain during the night.

   Today we attended church our at Ezakheni.  Elder Hudson had to take some paper work out, because the District President came down and did a six month audit.  I helped in Primary.  We sang songs and worked on the music for the Primary presentation in October.  We rushed back to Ladysmith because a family of five were baptised and they had asked Elder Hudson and I to talk at their baptism.  I also played the piano for the baptism.  I will add their picture at the end of the email.  It has been rainy and cold today.  We are back in the office with the heater on.  We have been sitting in the living room, but not tonight.   

   We come home next July.  I am telling you this because we are inviting anyone who would like to come down here and see a little of South Africa to come.  We can pick you up up in Johannasburg and bring you to Ladysmith.  We can take you to a glass factory, rug weavers, a quilt store, and many other little shops.  You can experience a game drive and hopefully see some animals.  We can also do the self drive game drive at Weenen.  We have a guest bedroom and two bathrooms.  We think they are pretty good accommadation and the food is really good.  Elder Hudson is a really good cook.  You just need to get your reservations made.  We can only take one couple at a time, unless you want to sleep on the floor.

   Sorry, nothing really exciting this week.  We love the people here and have really been treated so nice by all.  The butchery we go too is always fun to go into because the owner will alwas stop what ever he is doing and come over to see what we need.  We have finally found a nice tender steak and we have been enjoying steak.  He has started making hams for Christmas already.  We are going to buy one this next week and see how we like his ham.

  

 We send our love,

Sister and Elder Hudson

Mormon Helping Hands 8/23/2011

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AUGUST 23, 2011,

 

I THOUGHT IF I WAITED THREE WEEKS THAT SISTER HUDSON WOULD DO THE NEWS LETTER, BUT SHE SAID I DON'T CARE HOW LONG YOU WAIT YOUR UP FOR THE NEXT LETTER SO HERE WE GO.  MUCH HAS HAPPENED OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS AND I WOULD LIKE TO BRING YOU UP TO DATE ON OUR ACTIVITIES.  AT THE END OF THE WEEK WE JUST LOOK BACK AND THINGS JUST SEEM TO GET DONE.  IT STARTED OFF WITH TRANSFERS WHICH HAPPEN EACH SIX WEEKS AND SEEM TO COME AROUND QUICKER WITH EACH.  WE TOOK ONE THAT WAS GOING HOME TO THE BUS FOR A 6:10 DISPATCHER BUT WAS TWO HOURS LATE.  THE ELDER WAS RETURNING TO MERIDIAN, ID AND AGREED TO TAKE SOME THINGS HOME FOR US AND LEAVE AT DAUGHTER, KEELY'S HOME.  THE NEXT DAY WE PICKED TWO UP AT THE SAME BUS STOP, TWO HOURS LATE AND TOOK THEM UP TO NEWCASTLE SO THEY COULD BE TAKEN UP TO SWAZILAND, WHICH IS ANOTHER COUNTRY IN THE MISSION.  ON THURSDAY WE PICKED UP THREE NEW MISSIONARIES STRAIGHT FROM THE STATES AND BROUGHT ONE HERE TO LADYSMITH AND THEN TOOK THE OTHER TWO UP TO NEWCASTLE.  SO THAT WAS OUR PART IN THIS TRANSFER.  NOW THROW IN ZONE AND DISTRICT MEETINGS AND WE HAVE SPENT TIME WITH THE ELDERS. 

 

ALL OF AFRICA MORMON HELPING HANDS WAS HELD ON THE 20TH OF AUGUST AND I WILL TELL ABOUT THAT LATER.  WE WERE GOING TO PAINT THE SPEED HUMPS, BUT ON THE MONDAY THEY CALLED AND SAID THEY DON'T WORK ON SATURDAYS SO WE HAD TO FINE SOMETHING ELSE TO DO FOR THE COMMUNITY OF EZAKHENI.  THE ELDERS STOPPED BY THE CLINIC AND ASKED IF WE COULD COME IN AND DO SOMETHING ON SATURDAY AND THEY WELCOMED THE OFFER.  ON THE SATURDAY BEFORE THE PROJECT SISTER HUDSON HAD THE SISTERS TOGETHER TO WORK ON THE BLANKETS SO WE WOULD BE READY ON THE 20TH.  WITH ALL THIS GOING ON PRESIDENT VON STETTEN (OUR MISSION PRESIDENT) PHONED AND SAID HE WAS GOING TO VISIT LADYSMITH, SO I ASKED IF HE WANTED TO STAY WITH US.  TO MY SUPRISE HE SAID HE WOULD, THEN I STARTED TO WONDER, WHY.  THURSDAY ELDER HENINGER PHONED AND SAID HE WANTED TO COME UP AND TAKE PART IN OUR HELPINGS, BUT I TOLD HIM THAT PRESIDENT VON STETTEN WAS GOING TO STAY WITH US ON SATURDAY, TO WHICH HE REPLYED, WE JUST WANT TO STAY FRIDAY NIGHT.  SO THEY CAME FRIDAY AND STAYED THE NIGHT, BUT DID TAKE US OUT FOR DINNER.  HAD A NICE VISIT BUT AS YOU KNOW WE HAD TO DO THE BEDDING BEFORE GOING TO DO HELPING HANDS.  HERE IN LADYSMITH WE MADE 35 BABY BLANKETS AND GAVE 16 NEW BORN KITS FOR THOSE THAT HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS.  WE HAD 30 SHOW UP ON SATURDAY, WE FINISHED ALL THAT NEEDED DOING AND WALKED UP TO THE HOSPITAL TO HAND THEM OVER.  THE PUBLIC RELATIONS PERSON SET EVERYTHING UP FOR US SO IT WAS EASY AT THE HOSPITAL ONCE WE FOUND OUT WHERE TO GO.  SISTER HUDSON AND I WENT AHEAD OF THE REST AND GOT EVERYTHING LOCATED SO THINGS WENT SMOOTH FOR THE MEMBERS.  EACH CARRIED SOMETHING IN THE HOSPITAL AND WE GAVE EVERYTHING TO THE SISTER IN CHARGE.  I MUST SAY THEY WERE TOUCHED BY WHAT WAS DONE FOR THEM.  THIS HOSPITAL GIVE FREE SERVICE TO THOSE IN NEED, WHICH INCLUDES MANY OF THE YOUNG SINGLE MOTHERS.  THE MEMBERS WENT BACK TO THE CHURCH AND HAD LUNCH AND WE HURRIED OUT TO EZAKHENI TO HELP ON THAT PROJECT.  WE CLEANED THE PLACE UP BY SWEPING THE OUTSIDE, PICKING UP OUSIDE THE FENCE, WASHING ALL WINDOWS INSIDE AND OUT AND MOPPED ALL THE FLOORS OF THE CLINIC.  THIS TOOK TWO HOURS AND THE HEAD NURSE SAID THE WINDOWS NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD.  THEY WENT BACH TO THE CHAPEL FOR SOMETHING TO EAT WHILE WE HURRIED HOME TO GET READY FOR THE PRESIDENT.  WE FIXED DINNER FOR THEM AND JUST VISITED FOR THE EVENING.  IT WAS GOOD TO HAVE THEM IN OUR HOME AND WE WERE VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THEM.  PRESIDENT VON STETTEN THEN WENT TO CHURCH UP IN DUNDEE AND THINGS WENT VERY WELL.  THEN MONDAY SISTER HUDSON AND I COOKED LUNCH FOR 16 ELDERS AND SENIORS UP IN NEWCASTLE.  SHEPARDS PIE, FRUIT SALAD, MILK AND DESSERT WITH A SNACK AT MID-MORNING.  ALL WERE HAPPY AND WE WERE GLAD THE WEEK WAS OVER.  THE ONLY THING THAT WENT BAD WAS THAT I CAME DOWN WITH A COLD THAT I'M WORKING THROUGH NOW.

 

THINGS START OVER TOMORROW WITH DISTRICT MEETING AND OF COURSE KEYBOARD.  YOU KNOW WHAT, I STILL DON'T KNOW WHY THE PRESIDENT CAME TO STAY WITH US?

 

WE SEND OUR LOVE,

 

ELDER AND SISTER HUDSON

 

PS WE GOT THE OK FOR OUR ARTICLE FOR THE PAPER WHICH I'LL TRY TO SEND.

 

                                                                          Blankets for Babies     

Because some babies leave Ladysmith Provincial Hospital with less than adequate bedding,  the members of the Ladysmith Branch of, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, participated in our Church’s annual All-Africa Mormon Helping Hands project on August 20, 2011.   Mormon Helping Hands is held each year throughout Africa.  This year the theme was, “Strengthening Families, Building Communities,”  Local members of, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, identify a worthy cause in their community and provide service and manpower on a given day to achieve a set goal.  This year the Ladysmith Branch prepared blankets and new born kits for the Ladysmith Provincial Hospital.  Under the direction of the Branch President, David Adams, and chair person, Lindiwe Hlatshwayo, with help from the members of the Ladysmith  Branch , 35 infant blankets were made.  Also 16 new born kits were given to the Ladysmith Provincial Hospital to be given to those with special needs.  “Each year we look forward to giving something to our community as part of The Mormon Helping Hands in Africa”,  Lindiwe said.  “One important aspect of the project is that all members of the branch get to help in some way,” she added.  The blankets and new born kits were received in Ward 10 by Sister Gomondo on behalf of the hospital.   Lindiwe said, “Visitors are always invited to attend our meetings.”  Those interested in getting more information about, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Ladysmith, should contact our missionaries at 083 281 5522.   

Newsletter 8/7/2011

Dear Family and Friends Aug. 7, 2011.

   Well, guess what?  Tuesday is our click date.  That is the date we went into the MTC.  That is what the Elders all call their one year date.  We have had so many experiences and have made some wonderful memories.   

   We had closing ZDM on Tuesday in Newcastle.  These training sessions get longer and longer.  We did get to go for Chinese food after the meeting and then hurried back to Ezakheni to teach piano.

   We went to Dundee  Wednesday and Thursday.  Wednesday  we had to go up and buy the Elders a new washing machine.  They were down on Monday and brought their laundry and I washed the clothes for three of the Elders, while the one Elder washed his clothes at the Ladysmith boarding.  We took the clean clothes up to them Tuesday at ZDM meeting.  Wednesday we had to go buy them a new washing machine.  Thursday we went back to check on the rent for the hall we meet in at the school.  The Elders said they were told the rent hadn't been paid.  Upon checking the rent was paid up until September.  We also went to the realtor about property for sale.  He called the person who bought this fair grounds and is trying to subdivide the land.  He only wants a million ran for two acres. Thursday we met the Newcastle zone leader half way for him to give us books of Mormon that the Elders had requested.  We had to go to teach piano in Dannhauser so we just went really early.  We also had to give the Elders from Newcastle some money for one of the Elders who had to buy gas out of his own pocket because the credit card didn't work.  We went back to see the realtor because we were going to drive up 40 kilometers to see someone about the church property.  When we got their the agent had just talked with someone from the church and they were meeting today to make a decision about selling the property in Dundee.  We now had three hours to kill in Dundee before we taught piano.  We went to the spice shop in Dundee and bought some almonds and they had just got dates in.  We liked them so much we went back and bought another box of dates.  The Muslim's are celebrating Ram Dom.  The lady at the spice store says they eat dates to help their fast.  They fast every day from sunrise to sunset.  They do this for the whole month.  We drove out of town a way we had never been before and found the Talana Museum.  We had no trouble killing a few hours .  They have information about the coal mines, clothing, bead work, glass collection, an old steam engine on exhibit.  They still mine coal in the area.  We have trucks passing us all the time loaded with coal.  We even had lunch on the grounds, at a very nice cafe.  We plan to go back for lunch the next time we have to spent time up in Dundee.  They also have a pottery shop and I was able to buy a small bowl, and the maker signed it for me.  They had a gift shop too, but we just looked in there.  I just was looking at the pamphlet and Talana is Zulu and means "the shelf where precious items are kept".  This museum is on a battle field and the buildings are from the time of the conflict.  The battle of Talana 20 October 1899.

  Friday we finally did the tithing, paid our rent, went to the butchery, and did some grocery shopping.  Saturday was a gloomy rainy day.  We drove over and got some pecans and also found some jelly---black berry and a marmalade.  We haven't tried these jellies yet. 

   Today we went to church out a Ezakheni.  The first councilor was shot on Tuesday morning at 3am.  He lives in Escort and had lock his keys somewhere and spent the night at his girlfriends house.  One of the sisters was up studying for an examine and heard someone at the gate.  The man was going to rob them and maybe rape the girls.  The boyfriend was looking out the door trying to see who it was and the guy had crawled through a window and was in the house.  He shot the boyfriend in the leg and the boyfriend  beat on the robber a little and he fled the house leaving the gun and his cell phone behind.  He went to the police and said he lost his gun and cell phone.  The girlfriend was trying to get the police and an ambulance for her boyfriend.  When the police came and found out the story they arrested the guy that broke in.  The boyfriend is in the hospital, I guess he has a big hole in his leg and the bullet broke his bone.  It may take him six months to heal.  He wouldn't have been there if he hadn't left his keys locked up.  This house has three sister and a younger brother leaving in the home.  The one sister also has a small boy.  They could have been raped and killed.  But they are all alright.

   This week will be busy because we have transfers and we are involved three days in a row.  We will let you know next week about the transfers.  We are having four of our Elders tonight for cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate.  Elder Skinner is going home to Meridian, Idaho.  He is actually taking some things to Elder Hudson's daughter Keely.  Some, are boxes all wrapped and ready to mail.  Keely will mail them on to who they go too.  The Elder is not taking much home, that is why he can take some of our stuff.  He is also taking another suit case full of stuff for one of the couples in Durban.   

   Well, I know this wasn't a very exciting news letter this week, but we are still enjoying being here in South Africa.  We would love to bring home a boy or girl that we like from here.  These children are so beautiful and so humble.  It would be fun to see them educated and have new opportunities.  They are getting education here too, I hope it is a good education.

   We send our love and blessings to all of you.

 

Sister Hudson and Elder Hudson

7/31/2011

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS THIS LAST DAY OF AUGUST 2011,

 

WHILE SERVING OUR MISSION WE HAVE HAD EXPERIENCES AND WE'VE HAD EXPERIENCES AND THIS WEEK WE HAVE HAD ONE OF THOSE MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES.  WE WERE A FILL-IN FOR ELDER AND SISTER WARD BECAUSE OF HIS HEALTH PROBLEMS AND WERE INVITED TO GO WITH THE ELDERS UP IN NEWCASTLE TO AN ORPHANAGE TO HAND OUT SOME BLANKETS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND CLOTHES THAT HAD BEEN COLLECTED BY THE ELDERS.  MY FIRST EVER VISIT TO AN ORPHANAGE AND IT WAS VERY HUMBLING TO SAY THE LEAST.  WE WERE INVITED INTO A LARGE ROOM WHERE I GUESS ON A GIVEN DAY THE KIDS WOULD GATHER TO DO ACTIVITIES.  THEN IN COME THE KIDS, VERY ORDERLY AND QUITE AND MOST SAT ON THE FLOOR WITH FEW SITTING ON CHAIRS.  SOON THEY BROKE INTO SINGING AND CLAPPING AND SEEM TO ENJOY THEMSELVES VERY MUCH.  THIS ORPHANAGE IS SUPPORTED BY LOCAL FUNDS AND THE BUILDING IS GIVEN BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.  THE PERSON IN CHARGE CAME IN, WE HAD A PRAYER AND THEY ASKED US TO INTRODUCE OURSELVES.  WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SITE TO SEE SOME 60 KIDS WITH HAPPY SMILES ON THEIR FACES AND BRIGHT LOOKS IN THEIR EYES.  AFTER WE INTRODUCED OURSELVES WE WERE ENTERTAINED BY DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS FOR SOME HOUR AND A HALF.  THEY SANG THEY DANCED THEY CLAPPED AND THE BEST PART WAS THE OLDER BOYS THAT DID WHAT THEY CALL THE BOOT DANCE, WHERE IN RHYTHM AND PRECISION THEY DID A ROUTINE THAT YOU COULD PUT ON ANY STAGE FOR ENTERTAINMENT.  WE GAVE SO LITTLE AND CAME AWAY WITH SO MUCH FROM THE KIDS, AND THIS IS WHAT THEY LOVE TO DO, HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENTERTAIN OTHERS.  ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR MISSION IN A PLACE WHERE THINGS ARE NOT AS THEY SHOULD BE.  WE BELIEVE GOD LOVES EACH OF US AND KNOWS US BY NAME AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE CARE GIVERS AT THE ORPHANAGE FOR WHAT THEY DO.

 

THE REST OF THE WEEK WAS BACK TO THE THINGS WE LOVE DOING AS PART OF OUR CALLING HERE IN THIS AREA.  KEYBOARD, MISSIONARIES, MEETINGS AND THROW IN A CAR THAT NEEDED IT'S FIRST SERVES THAT TOOK THE WHOLE DAY UP IN NEWCASTLE, WHICH GAVE US THE DAY TO SPEND WITH ELDER AND SISTER WARD, HE GOES INTO THE HOSPITAL TOMORROW, MONDAY TO HAVE SURGERY TO REPAIR AN AORTIC ANEURYSM.  WE AS A MISSION HAVE FASTED AND PRAYED FOR HIM AND KNOW THINGS WILL GO WELL.

 

THE WEATHER HAS BEEN SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT WITH SNOW ROUND ABOUT, BUT NONE HERE IN LADYSMITH.  THE WIND HAS MADE IT COLDER THEN NORMAL AND I HOPE THE WORSE IS OVER AND WE CAN LOOK FOR BETTER WEATHER AHEAD.  WE NOW HAVE THE TWO PROJECTS LINED UP FOR OUR MORMON HELPING HANDS DAY ON AUGUST 20TH WHERE ALL BRANCHES AND WARDS DO SOME SORT OF COMMUNITY PROJECT.  THIS IS A BIG THING AND WILL COVER ALL OF AFRICA.  WHILE SETTING UP ONE OF THE PROJECTS WE SAW TILE WORK ON THE FLOOR OF THE BIG FIVE AND WE JUST NEEDED TO BUY SOME FOR OUR PLACE WHEN WE RETURN HOME.  ALL ARE INVITED TO VISIT AND TAKE A LOOK, IT WILL BE WORTH IT.

 

THE LORD'S WORK IS WONDERFUL AND WE ARE ENJOYING OUR TIME HERE WITH THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA.

 

THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT,

 

ELDER AND SISTER HUDSON

 

 

This is Just a Test, Adding Some Pictures

News from South Africa 7/24/2011

Dear Family and Friends July 24, 2011,

 

   I almost forgot this is my week to do the news letter.  I was writing my friend Judeen and I remember and told her she was going to get two letters from me this week.

   My son had his birthday last Friday, I just thought I would give him another Happy Birthday from South Africa.

   Today we went to Newcastle and attended church with the Newcastle branch.  The primary Presidency had ask me to come up and help teach their children the primary songs.  I had a great time playing the piano and singing with the kids.  They have a fairly small primary about fifteen children, more than I thought when I started counting them.  We sang a few fun songs to get the wiggles out like Do As I'm Doing, the kids love to sing this song and take turns being the leader.

   We had a mission fast Friday for Elder and Sister Ward.  He is the one that has been sick for about three months.  After having more test then found that his aortic artery has aneurysm and he will need to have surgery.  He has had it for three years but with his other problem it has gotten larger.  They hope to be able to put a stint in other wise the other surgery will take longer to recover.  They went back to Joburg today.  He will have more test tomorrow so they can decided what surgery is best.

  When we were teach piano out at Ezakheni Tuesday, Sharon said did you know my mother went to Durban today.  She has completed her college to be a teacher and they had a program for her in Durban.  So, we said lets have a little party for her on Saturday.  We told the kids not to tell their mother, we wanted to surprise her.  We said we would bring lunch, potato soup, home made bread and apple crisp with fresh whip cream.  When we got there she was doing laundry.  The kids had not let anything out about the lunch surprise.  She was so surprised and so thankful that we would do that for her.  The best part when they lined up for desert the boys all waited until the girl had their and then they took theirs.  She is doing such a good job with these six kids.

   On Wednesday our two students were late and said they didn't want a lesson but would come next week.  But the good news is that our your lady asked when she could play at church.  She wants us to be there, so we told her in three weeks.  I think seeing Sharon play at conference will make some of these students work harder now. 

   Monday on our P day we went to Howick to the quilt store.  We thought we had gone on Monday before and they were open on Monday.  They are usually closed on Monday.  We were lucky the owner and her husband were putting together some quilting frames and she let us come in and buy some material and even helped us pick it out.  She is a wonderful lady.  We met her husband for the first time.  He had been in the states to get a hip replacement.  I also bought two pieces of fabric that is dyed with a design.  I don't know the process but they have a picture of natives on one and a hut and natives on the other.  We took them to a frame shop and had them framed.  They will go with our quilt very nicely.  We also went into Howick and found some Zulu baskets.  They weave beautiful designs in their baskets.  Since we were there I found out we missed the falls and they usually have more shops by the falls.  We will go back so we can take the falls in and the shops.

   We had the Elder that we took to the temple a week ago come on Saturday morning to use our computer.  He registered on line to go to school at BYU Idaho or Hawaii.  We don't know how he is going to get to the states but I think he will find a way.  Elder Hudson invited the two Elders to break the fast with us and have breakfast with us.  He said make lot of food.  Well, Elder Hudson made French toast, hash browns, bacon, fresh orange juice, and home made apple sauce.  They couldn't eat it all.  I had Elder Hudson call the Ezakheni Elders to eat the left overs and they came and ate the left overs.

   We have had a rather quiet week this week, but next week might be busier, we just never know.  We have had some warmer weather but one of the members from church said we are going to get more cold weather.

   We love hearing from you and thank you for all the encouragement.  We are enjoying what we are doing her in South Africa and find it very rewarding.  I hope that is not bragging.

 

We send our love and best wishes for all.

 

Elder and Sister Hudson

The Mission 7/17/2011

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS JULY 17, 2011,

 

MY WEEK TO WRITE WAS LAST WEEK AND I JUST PUT IT OFF UNTIL IT BECAME OLD NEWS AND I WAS A BIT LAZY TOO.  I THOUGHT FOR SURE SISTER HUDSON WOULD DO IT THIS WEEK BUT NO I HAVE TO TAKE MY TURN.  IT'S NOT THAT WE DON'T LIKE TO WRITE, WE'RE JUST NOT SURE HOW INTERESTED IN THE THINGS WE DO, YOU LIKE TO READ.  SEEMS AS THOUGH WE DO A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS EACH WEEK AS PART OF OUR MISSION AND I DON'T LIKE TO JUST TALK ABOUT THE SAME THING.

 

HAVING SAID THAT HERE WE GO AGAIN.  LAST WEEK WE HAD OUR FIRST ZONE MEETING OF THIS TRANSFER AND MET ALL THE NEW ELDERS THAT ARE NOW SERVING HERE IN LADYSMITH AND NEWCASTLE ZONE.  THE REAL CHANGE WAS THAT ELDER WARD, THE SENIOR COUPLE FROM NEWCASTLE WAS QUITE SICK AND DID NOT MAKE THE MEETING.  THINGS FOR HIM WENT DOWN HILL FROM THERE, ENDING UP IN THE HOSPITAL FOR AN EIGHT DAY STAY.  AT ONE POINT THEY WERE NOT SURE HE WAS GOING TO MAKE IT.  WE WERE ASKED BY THE MISSION PRESIDENT TO GO AND SPEND SOME TIME WITH SISTER WARD.  WE WERE AT A TRAINING MEETING ON THE SATURDAY AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL IN THE AFTERNOON AND WHEN SISTER WARD SAW SISTER HUDSON SHE JUST BROKE DOWN.  HE WAS IN ICU AND VISITING HOURS WERE LIMITED AND SISTER WARD DIDN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT SO WE STAYED AND TOOK HER BACK THAT EVENING FOR A VISIT.  WE TOOK HER OUT FOR LUNCH TO GIVE HER A BREAK ALSO.  AFTER CHURCH ON SUNDAY WE TOOK A MEAL UP TO HER AND THEN BACK TO THE HOSPITAL SUNDAY NIGHT.  MONDAY THE MISSION DOCTOR CAME DOWN FROM JOBURG AND STAYED THE NIGHT AND THINGS IMPROVED AND ELDER WARD WAS RELEASED FRIDAY AND IS DOING WELL AT HOME NOW.  TURNED OUT TO BE HIS GALL BLATTER, BUT IT IS ATTACHED TO THE LIVER AND HE WOULD HAVE TO BE OPENED UP SO FOR NOW HE WILL TRY TO CORRECT IT WITH DIET.  ANOTHER REQUEST FROM PRESIDENT VON STETTEN WAS FOR US TO TAKE A MISSIONARY UP TO THE TEMPLE ON FRIDAY AS HE IS BEING RELEASED SOON AND THE TEMPLE WILL BE CLOSED SO THIS WAS HIS ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO GO AS HE LIVES IN KENYA.  WE LEFT THE BOARDING AT 4:10, DROVE TO NEWCASTLE, PICKED UP THE ELDER AND DROVE TO JOBURG ARRIVING AT 9:10AM.  WENT TO THE TEMPLE, MET WITH THE HUMANITARIAN PEOPLE HAD LUNCH, PICKED UP SOME BLANKETS AND DROVE BACK TO NEWCASTLE THEN LADYSMITH AT 9:30 PM.  THURSDAY WE SPENT THE DAY IN DUNDEE LOOKING AT PROPERTY FOR A NEW CHAPEL WITH LOGAN FROM JOBURG THAT DOES THE BUYING.  LOOKED AT SEVERAL BUILDING SITES WITH THE REALTOR, AND AFTER THREE HOURS LOOKING THE REALTOR SAID NO BUILDING PERMITS ARE BEING ISSUED BECAUSE OF A WATER SHORTAGE.  I ASK HOW THAT COULD BE AND HE SAID "THIS IS SOUTH AFRICA" AND NO TIME FRAME WHEN IT WOULD BE CORRECTED.  LOGAN STAYED AND WAS GOING TO FINE OUT WHAT COULD BE DONE IF WE WANTED TO BUILD A BUILDING, HAVEN'T HEARD BACK FROM HIM AS OF YET.  YESTERDAY AND TODAY WE HAD DISTRICT CONFERENCE IN NEWCASTLE.  SISTER HUDSON HAD TWO OF OUR STUDENS PLAY PRELUDE MUSIC AND THE MISSION PRESIDENT ASKED THEM TO STAND UP AND RECOGNIZED THEM WHEN HE TALKED.  BACK HOME THIS WOULD BE NO BIG DEAL BUT DOWN HERE, WHERE SISTER HUDSON IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE DISTRICT TO PLAY THE PIANO, THERE IS A NEED FOR SOMEONE TO TAKE HER PLACE WHEN WE LEAVE.  THE GIRL IS 10 AND HER BROTHER IS 13 AND THEY ARE DOING JUST GREAT.

 

WE SEND OUR LOVE TO ALL,

 

ELDER AND SISTER HUDSON

 

PS. JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS ALL OVER, THEY WANT MORE DONE IN DUNDEE AT OUR WATER SITES.

ALSO HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER GRANT WHO IS SERVING A MISSION IN THE WASHINGTON EVERETT MISSION. 

News from South Africa 7/3/2011

Dear Family and Friends from South Africa July 3, 2011,

   We have had a rather quiet week.  We had transfers this week but we didn't have to do anything to help.  Two of the Elders coming from Durban missed their bus.  The bus said they were going to Harrismith and the Elders didn't know it went through Ladysmith.  When the bus left they decided to ask when the bus left for Ladysmith and they were told it had just left.  We lost Elder Adams and gained three Elders.  We now have four Elders serving in Dundee. 

    The Blackburns came Wednesday and spent the night with us, because we had a senior missionary conference out at Nambiti.  We went out at 12pm on Thursday and return at 12pm on Saturday.  We met with the missionaries Wednesday afternoon for a quick get together before we went on our first game drive.  Then on Friday we had a two hour meeting.  We found out changes being made in the mission for senior couples.  Senior couples can now serve a 6mo, 12mo, 18mo or 23mo mission.  If they choose to serve 6 or 12 month mission and they go out of country they have to pay they air flight to and from the states.  We can also go home on a family emergency, but we have to pay our own way to and from.  I think we can only be gone about seven days.  They have couples serving in special areas like helping students get loans or training members how to look for a job.  These missionaries all have expense accounts and when they travel their boarding, gas, and food is paid for.  The mission President said we no longer have to pay for our gas.  We have been paying for half our gas.  This will save us 1200 rand a month.  We always invite these special trainers to spend the night with us to save the church the expense of a room for them.  We feed them too and this saves also.

   We did not teach piano this week.  The kids are on winter break and it is for three weeks.  We are not going to teach this next week either.  We have a college student home for the winter break and she wants a lesson.  I told her I would call her and we would go out to Ezakheni and give her a lesson.  I am not sure when yet.

   Now about Nambiti:  We had wonderful service again and great food.  Since we had all the accommodations, they did things a little different.  For lunch they put the food out and we could serve ourself.  For dinner the first night we had a choice between a chicken dish and a steak dish.  For dinner Friday night they cooked us a traditional Zulu dinner.  This was cooked on a fire outside.  We had Kudu stew.  Kudu's ( is like a elk ) all over in the park.  We also had a chicken stew.  This was served with rice and pop.  Pop is the African corn Maize.  The Zulu's love their pop.  We also had salad and for desert, we had ice cream, chocolate pudding, and fruit salad.  This is also a Zulu traditional dessert.  For breakfast they have toast, cheese and meat platter, yogurt, cereal, croissants, juices, and then you could order a tradition English breakfast, eggs, bacon or sausage, mushrooms, and grilled tomatoes.

We were well fed. 

   The game drives were different than last time.  They knew the lions were in the area so off we went to find the lions.  We had three truck loads of people and we were stopped on the side of a hill hoping they would come out of the brush and maybe cross the road.  They did more, they walked up the road and passed by each truck.  President Von Stetten was in the first one and when the male lion came out and walked pass, he stopped and looked right at the President.  He said this gave a few chills.  I lost count of how many came by because I was keeping an eye on the king.  I would say we had between seven and nine.  They walked up the road and laid down.  The first truck went on down the hill.  Our driver turned and followed the lions.  One female was lying in the road and we could see her tail swinging in the air.  The young cubs, but full gown went under a tree and in the grass.  We were just sitting there and all of a sudden we heart this loud squeal.  A wart hog and wondered into where the lions had decided to take a nap and was now becoming dinner.  The young cubs were playing with the wart hog.  The mother lion came over to make sure it didn't get away and give a lesson if needed to the young cubs.  Thank goodness we couldn't see this real good just movement in the bushes.  Our driver, Dean said he had not had this experience.  On the next morning drive they knew the lions were still in the area and Dean said he was going to find them.  We went out close to the area we had been the night before.  They have a rule you can only take two trucks into the site at a time.  So, we were waiting our turn and when one of the trucks came out he said the lions had headed up the hill and were on top on the ridge.  We turn around and go down the road by the ridge, hoping the lions would come out.  In the mean time they radio a sighting for a water buffalo.  We looked for a while and then went to find the water buffalo and we found him but he went into the bushes and trees.  Dean thought he would come out the other side and we head for the other side.  We turn off the truck and sat there and waited.  We are waiting and we hear the roar of the lions.  So, back we go to find the lions.  Dean starts up this hill and there is no road.  We get half way up and he can't go higher because of rocks, bushes, and trees.  So, we go back to find the water buffalo.  Dean is radio that two young male lions are following the water buffalo down the road.  So, after them we go.  That's right, two of those youngsters are following the water buffalo.  They laid in the road for awhile and the buffalo heads for the side of the road.  The youngsters get up and in a crouch position are now stalking the water buffalo.  The water buffalo is loosing his patience with the lions and he turns and starts chasing the lions.  One lion goes right and the other lion goes left.  Dean said for us to keep an eye on the lions and he will watch the water buffalo because he has been known to attach the truck.  The water buffalo then turns and chases the lion that went left.  He now stand on the left side of us and sticks his nose in the air.  He can smell the lions are both up wind from him.  We had backed up a couple of times during all this action.  I kept looking to my back to make sure they didn't come back that way.  We felt like we were experiencing a Geographic moment.  What fun this was.  We also got some good pictures of the male elephant.  He was eating trees about two car lengths away from us.  You can really hear them break off branches and eat them.  We saw a lot of kudu, spring bok, elam, and some other deer like animals.  The giraffes were not close this time at all. 

   These two and a half days were a wonderful break from what we have been doing.  We got to talk with all the couples and found they are having some of the same problems with their branches that we are having.  They just don't act very fast on anything.  I find it frustrating because they don't start things on time.  If any of you know about Indian time I think Zulu time is worse.  But we do love the people, they are friendly and loving back.

   We are going to attach some of the pictures.  One will be the young lion running from the buffalo. 

   We are having some experiences we just can't even explain.  We are making great memories and will never forget this experience.  Thank you for your notes and encouragement, we love hearing from you.  We send our love.

 

Elder and Sister Hudson 

News from South Africa 6/26/2011

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS FROM SOUTH AFRICA, WINTER JUNE 26, 2011,

WE JUST HAD THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR HERE, JUNE 21, AND THE LAST ONE WE HAD WAS DEC 21, 2009.  THE DAYS ARE WARM AND SUNNY, WITH THE NIGHTS DROPPING INTO THE 40'S.  WE DO PUT THE HEATER ON IN THE OFFICE TO KEEP IT WARM IN THERE.  THEY HAVE NOW STARTED TO BURN THE TALL GRASS IN THE FIELDS AND SOME RIGHT HERE IN TOWN SO A LOT OF BLACK SPOTS AROUND.  THE DRIVE BOTH TO NEWCASTLE AND DUNDEE IS CHANGING WITH EACH DRIVE. 

THE WEEKS ACTIVITIES GOES SOMEWHAT THE SAME WITH JUST A FEW ADDITIONS LIKE GET TWO BEDS, TWO DESKS, PILLOWS AND MATTRESS COVERS AND A REFRIGERATOR.  TWO MORE ELDERS TO MOVE INTO THE BOARDING AT DUNDEE AND WORK THE AREA.  SO WE WILL HAVE EIGHT ELDERS IN THE LADYSMITH DISTRICT NOW TO LOOK AFTER.  MOST OF OUR TIME WAS SPENT IN DUNDEE GETTING THINGS READY FOR OUR HAND-OVER CEREMONY, WHICH HAPPENED ON SATURDAY.  ELDER AND SISTER NIELSEN CAME ON FRIDAY AND WANTED TO RUN UP AND SEE EACH OF THE SITES, SO AFTER LUNCH WE DROVE THERE AND SPENT THE AFTERNOON.  I GUESS FROM THERE OFFICE IN JOBURG IT'S HARD TO SEE WHAT HAS BEEN DONE ON THE GROUND.  ELDER NIELSEN TOOK PICTURES AT EACH SITE ALONG WITH PICTURES OF THE KIDS THAT LOVE TO HAVE THERE PICTURES TAKEN AND SEE THEMSELVES WITH MUCH LAUGHTER WITH EACH PICTURE.  ON THURSDAY SISTER HUDSON AND I PICKED UP 1200 PACKS OF COOKIES (SIX TO A PACK) FOR THE PROGRAM ON SATURDAY BEFORE TEACHING KEYBOARD.  WE STOPPED ON FRIDAY AT ORANGE GROVE DAIRY AND MADE THE FINAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1200 FRUIT DRINKS NEEDED AND ASKED IF A TRUCK COULD STAY THERE UNTIL HANDED OUT.  WONDERFUL THE INTEREST IN THE PROJECT AND THE CHURCH THAT WOULD DO THIS AT NO CHARGE TO THE TOWNSHIP.  WELL I WAS STRESSED ON SATURDAY TO SAY THE LEAST, WANTING ALL TO GO WELL AND TO HAVE OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD.  I HAD EVERYTHING READY AND IN MY MIND HOW IT WAS GOING TO WORK OUT.  THE NIELSEN'S WHO STAYED WITH US FRIDAY NIGHT AND WERE DRIVING UP BY THEMSELVES WERE FOLLOWING US AND THEN NO NIELSENS.  I WAS RUNNING LATER THEN I WANTED TO SO SOON JUST DROVE ON TO THE SITE.  THE NIELSENS PHONED AND SAID THEY WERE TAKING PICTURES OF ROAD SIGNS AND WOULD BE THERE SOON, WHAT A TIME TO DO THAT!!  ALSO THE NIELSENS SUPERVISORS AND THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUPLE WERE COMING AND DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO GET THERE SO I HAD TO WAIT FOR THEM AND LEAD THEM TO THE SITE.  THE PLACE WAS PACKED WITH PEOPLE GETTING WATER SO WE WERE THERE IN PLENTY OF TIME.  I WANTED TO START BANG ON 11 AM, BUT NOT TO HAPPEN.  THE BRANCH PRESIDENT WAS CONDUCTING AND HE WENT TO THE WRONG PLACE, THE DEPUTY MAYOR WAS WITH HIM AND LEFT, THE CONTRACTOR ASKED IF HE COULD GO BACK TO TOWN AND PICK SOMEONE UP AND ALL THIS WAS WITH FIVE MINUTES UNTIL TIME TO START.  11:15 ALL WAS IN PLACE AND WE GOT THINGS STARTED.  I SPOKE FOR THE CHURCH IN ENGLISH AND THE BRANCH PRESIDENT TRANSLATED WHAT I SAID INTO ZULU.  WE HAD THE CONTRACTOR SPEAK, A LOCAL PERSON, THE TRAINER SUPERVISOR, AND THE DEPUTY MAYOR.  THERE WERE ABOUT TWO HUNDRED THAT ATTENDED, BUT WHEN WE STARTED TO HAND OUT COOKIES AND DRINKS WITHIN 10 MINUTES THEY WERE ALL GONE.  THE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS IS THE DEPUTY MAYOR WANTS SISTER HUDSON AND I TO COME IN AND MEET WITH THE MAYOR AND HE SAID THEY WOULD GET US SOME PROPERTY FOR A CHURCH BUILDING.  AT THE END OF THE DAY WE WERE DRAINED AND GLAD TO HAVE THE DAY OVER EVEN THOUGH IT WILL BE ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR MISSION.

I TOOK A PICTURE OF OUR POINSETTIA TREE OUTSIDE OUR BEDROOM WINDOW, REMINDS ME OF CHRISTMAS.  I'LL SEE WHAT ELSE SISTER HUDSON TOOK AT THE HAND-OVER PROGRAM.

WE SEND OUR LOVE TO EACH OF YOU AND WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH WE LOVE IT HERE AND THE MISSIONARY WORK WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO DO.

ELDER AND SISTER HUDSON

PS

YES ELDER HUDSON WAS STRESSED OUT.  I EVEN TOOK PICTURES OF THE DOINGS.  I AM TERRIBLE AT TAKING PICTURES.  I BLUR THEM SO MANY TIMES.

News from South Africa 5/19/2011

Dear Family and Friends June 19, 2011,

 

   Once again we have had a busy week.  On Monday we went with the Elders on a game drive in Weenen.  We did the pick nick lunch.  The game drive was a disappointment this time.  We saw three wart hogs, one giraffe fairly close, and a herd of zebras.  As we were leaving the park we could see the giraffes heads up above the trees on a hill and they were eating.  We have six very nice Elders and hard workers.  They all thanked us for our part in the district activity.

   When I say hard workers, the two Elders in Dunded baptised eight people last Sunday.

   Tuesday is a day to remember, we were busy all day.  We had to take hygiene kits up to our trainers.  On Monday the contractor called and said he was done, so we met with him to see the sights.  The trainers said we had missed a site and the people asked if we were going to fix it.  We had the contractor take us to this site.  It was one big mud hole.  We will include a picture.  Then we had to go to the major's office and invite him to our ribbon cutting ceremony.  Then we went to the newspaper office to get them to come to our ribbon cutting ceremony.  The person who waited on us recognized us because our picture had been in the paper a week or two ago.  We just kept on the move.  The next stop was the realtor's to get the earth number for land we are looking at.  Plus the realtor is still looking for a two man boarding.  The Mission President changed his mind from a four man boarding to two --two man boardings.  The realtor sent us to a Chinese store to get cookies for our ribbon ceremony.  We bought some to taste, and they are good.  Next it was on the the dairy and check on the fruit juices.  The dairy is going to provide half the drinks.  We started with 500 and now they have requested we get 1200.  Then we rushed back to Ezakheni to teach piano lessons.  We drove back to Ladysmith to get a food order and picked up a to go dinner for ourselves.  We then drove back our to Ezakheni with the food order and met the Elders.  The Elders took the food order and took it to the family who needed food.  When we got back home Elder Hudson emailed all the information to Johannasburg where the final decisions are made.  Glad everyday is not like this.  I am tired just telling you about the day.

   The Elders want zone T-shirt and Elder Hudson and I fell into this project because we had T-shirts made for the ladies teaching the hygiene.  So, on Wednesday first thing we drive about 10 miles out of town to a print shop called Five O.  They are also going to make four signs for us to put on the water sites, inviting the people to come to the ribbon cutting ceremony, which will be June 25th at 11:00 am.  We also had our District Development meeting at 10:30.  Afterwards we all went to lunch for pizza.  We taught piano lessons at 3:30.

   Thursday we got a call to take more kits to Dundee.  The Branch President wanted us to come and look at some property he had found.  So back to Dundee with the kits.   After we looked at the land it was on to Danhouser to teach piano.  The Mother where we teach is a nurse and she has a car and she is trying to learn to drive so she can get her license.  Just before we got there she had run into her neighbors fence.  She had some damage to her car and of course to the fence.   She was really upset too.

   Friday, you can't guess where we are going again today.  We are in the can going to Dundee again.  We are going pass Dundee to a construction site.  President Pallay invited us to come and see his job site and give us some advice on our project.  He is building a reservoir on top of a hill.  The water will be pumped up to the reservoir and then gravity will take it down to the people to use.  Johannasburg emailed us they want to expand these water sited with a place for the people to wash their clothes.  This is exciting they want to do more for the people.

   Saturday, we were home until 1:30.  Then we went to the Ladysmith church for a Ladies activity.  They had planned a day for just the ladies.  They asked me to teach them how to make a nine patch square.   They all made a pot holder, about nine ladies.  We had late lunch or early dinner.  We didn't get home until 8pm.  Elder Hudson vacuum the room before we left.  It had food, material and thread all over the floor.

  Sunday, we went to Dundee to have church with the members up there.  I got ask to talk for 10 to 15 minuets.  I was not to prepared for this, but I gave a talk how music is so important in our meetings and what we can learn from the songs we sing.  I then went outside---in the sun shine---with the Primary kids and we sang lots of songs.  Their teacher had to work today.  After an hour of singing, I was tired, but it was fun to see the boys join in and sing too.  They even wanted to lead the music.  So, I showed them how to do that. 

   We, had slim pickings today because we had planned to go to the grocery store after the activity yesterday and the store was closed when we got through.  So, Lorry never got a special Father's day dinner.  I do have to tell you again what wonderful Elders we have here.  Elder Apuna from Dundee said don't leave we have something in the car for you.  They had made Elder Hudson a belated birthday cake(chocolate).  What a fun surprise.  I hate when we get attached to the Elders because it is so hard when they get transferred.  Transfers are just a week away.

 

   Well thanks for bearing with us this week.  We love the experience we are having here and the wonderful memories we are making.

We love you and send best wishes to you.

Elder and Sister Hudson

 

P.S.

The picture with Elder Hudson and me has the contractor in it too.  The first picture is the mud hole.