MISSION MEDITATIONS

THE MISSION

The mission has stirred lots of thoughts over the past four months.  There are constant highs and lows.  We love our experience, but it has not been without a number of frustrations. 
I have come to the conclusion that every parent that sends out a missionary needs to plan to serve a mission themselves one day.  You will gain a  true appreciation for your child's sacrifice during the two years they served!  I am so thankful for these four and the fact that they served honorably.      
                                                                                                            Wade  Italy

Adam Sacramento
                                          Jim Korea

 
                                                      Reid NYC-London

As I watch our young Elders and how hard they work and the many disappointments they face, I often think of the darlings above. 
I know each of my missionaries are better people, dads, workers, because of their commitment.

Even though we have lots fewer restrictions, we are often frustrated by the desire to move the gospel forward here and the reluctance of local leadership to change how they have been doing things.  In some ways it is a different kind of church here, but there are also lots of similarities.
.

HOMELESS WITHOUT A CHURCH (building)

I have mentioned before, we meet in a school.  The new missionary plan will not work here.  I don't think many people will walk by and want to come in so they can see where we meet.  It will be difficult for the Elders in this area to do missionary work via internet. They have no accessible internet or equipment.

Not having a church building really hit home a few weeks ago.  The first counselor in the branch presidency passed away.  It was not expected.  He was taken to a hospital near our home.  Someone called Elder Hunt and he went down and gave him a blessing before we went to Seminary.  On the way home from Seminary we stopped to visit him at about 6:00 pm.  It was obvious  he was very ill.  The nurse reassured us that he would be fine but his blood oxygen levels were in the low 60's.  He basically drown from the water on his lungs.  It was interesting to me because they were making no attempt to drain the water from his lungs.  At any rate he died several hours after we were there.
Several members were sad because there was not a church for the funeral. I am going to add some picture of what it is like have an open air event.

The night before the funeral, the funeral directors brought a big tent and put it up right in front of their home in the middle of the street.  It completely blocked the street.

They also brought the body to the house.  Elder and I were there to take some food (that was another story).  I went to talk to the wife and I was leaning on this thing.  I looked down and it was the casket.  They bring it the night before so everyone in the family can view the person  the night before and in the morning before the funeral. The funeral was at 7:00 a.m.   We got up at 5:00 am to get there.  I was still dark when we arrived, but there were lots of people (several hundred and the tent held maybe 30 to 40ish).  People were lining up and down the streets.



The following two pictures are of some of the mourners. The funeral itself was conducted by the Elders Quorum President. The out line was pretty traditionally LDS,  However, every time there was a break, someone in the audience would start singing, then everyone would join in and sway.  It was really kind of neat.     At the end it was announced that Elder Hunt would give the closing prayer...a surprise!
 

 From the time of the death to the funeral the widow was covered with a blanket as a shroud.  She and her grannies, mother, aunties all stayed in the house sitting and laying on the floor,  All furniture was moved from the house so everyone could fit.  
During the funeral the widow sat on a woven mat on the ground next to the casket. Her granny sat next to her.  She grew up with her granny which is common here.  Although her mother was there it was the granny that comforted her and was with her constantly.             

 Toward the end of the funeral several young men and women passed a collection plate for money for the widow and family.

 

After the funeral everyone gets in their car and drives to the cemetery with lights flashing etc.  They also rent a big two length bus to drive people to the funeral since many people do not have cars.     

 



The funeral director in the hat.  She was all about business.  She would take the frames supporting the casket and just throw them around like they were nothing.  Watching her gave me a smile.  In the background is President Mashego the Elders Quorum President.

 
 

The Grannies helping the widow to the car.  Note that she still has the blanket covering all of her,

It is off to the cemetery,  It was a 6 mile drive with flashing lights etc.  The cemeteries here are interesting.  This one is nicer than most, but notice it really is dirt and weeds.  The singing and chanting continued during the whole time. There were some practices at the cemetery that were different for me. 

 
After the dedication of the grave the casket is lowered into the ground with everyone there,  There was some weeping and wailing at that time.   After, the family and some men friends of the deceased fill the grave in while everyone watches,  They are singing during the process.

The mourners are walking back down the mountain to their cars.  As we were leaving the cemetery there were four other funerals backed up waiting to come into the cemetery. They only allowed one at a time.  Remember this funeral started at 7:00 am.  This process will go on all day.  There is a high death rate here,  Mpumalanga Providence has the highest % of aids in South Africa.  There are many deaths weekly related to it.  People are pretty hush, hush about it to avoid stigmas. I think this death was one of those, 

Members of our branch waking down the hill.

 

Just remember if there is not a church building, they will put up a tent for you with a dirt floor.  It works just fine.

 

Pray for this little branch to get a church building!