Day 12 was Sunday in South Africa, in the Port Alfred Branch. We got to meet many of the members of the Branch that Grandpa and Grandpa work with every day. They are beautiful, good, kindred spirits and it was a pleasure to be among them. The church building used to be a store, there are enough rooms for a main meeting room, which can split into two Sunday School rooms, a Relief Society room (Women's organization), a Priesthood meeting room (Men's organization) and young women's meeting room, a children's meeting room, kitchen in the back and a bathroom. There is also a little yard behind the building with a garden.
When we had our last breakfast with the Astlings in Oostende, Lieve asked me what my parents do as missionaries in South Africa. I talked to her about some of the service they rendered, but don't think I gave her a complete answer, so I will do my best here. First and foremost, their job is to teach the doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone who will listen. But more specifically, my Dad was asked to be the Branch President, or leader, of a small congregation, consisting of around 100 people, in the city of Port Alfred. A "ward" in the LDS Church administers to around 400 people, so a Branch is a bit smaller. His responsibility is to help the members learn the doctrines of the gospel so that they may have the peace it offers and the direction it provides in life. He does this by both helping administer church meetings, events and classes, and administering and encouraging in the physical and temporal needs of the members. My Mom helps him with all of these responsibilities and also teaches a youth weekday class called seminary. They both provide any help that the full-time proselyting missionaries need. They pay all of their own expenses. Examples of work that they have done are: helping members of the branch go to the nearest LDS temple in Johannesburg where some were sealed, (which means their marriage will be in force in the next life as well), they have helped some of the people build houses, have helped with funerals and all it's arrangements, have visited those who are not regularly coming to church, have helped get youth on a good track and encourage education, they have helped dispel abuse in homes, they have worked hard to fight rampant alcoholism which so often leads to abuse, and much, much more, all by teaching and following the words of Jesus Christ.
My Dad asked us to speak in church, as visiting members. The boys spoke a little bit about what they believe, emphasis on 'little bit,' and left the remainder of the time for Mark and I to speak. It was a wonderful experience to meet with people whose lives are very different from ours, but we are all working toward a common goal with a common process.
Mark took a few pictures of some of the members whose pictures were on a bulletin board in the church. It's fun to try to pronounce the names!
Spencer had a good time with Aphiwe.
After church we packed our bags and headed for Knysna, where there are many animal parks and reserves.
We stopped at a farm stall on our way and partook of some rooster bread, which is white bread dough that is grilled and slathered with butter and jam.
This is the farmhouse we stayed at in South Africa.
It was quite chilly in the evenings and this fireplace was our only source of heat. Since most businesses close down at 5 or 6, we had down time each night to read or play games. Spencer and D.J. were reading Ender's Game at the same time, one from the book and one from the Kindle and it became a bit of a race.
I put my thinking cap on and realized that the large smooth rocks that were used as doorstops could be warmed in the oven and put in our beds to help keep us nice and toasty.
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