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
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