TO THE TEMPLE IN A TAXI

THE PLAN

We started in July 2013 to figure out how to take the youth to the Johannesburg Temple to do some baptisms. None of them (expect) one had been there.  I am sure most had never been out of the local area.  It was a great experience.  As the plan progressed we found out that there were three people that wanted to do their endowments.   One was an outgoing missionary that had just received his call.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    November, In December, and January we taught the temple preparation class (that was an event). Some had no concept of the special clothing, etc.   It was interesting.  Most really did not understand the process, so the teaching was slow.  Of the 18 people that went eight also wanted to get their Patriarchal Blessings.

 

Five of us left early on Friday. Sister Hunt the driver, President Banda, Sarah, Prince, and Sanele.  They were getting Patriarchal Blessing on Friday night and do their endowments early Saturday morning.  Poor Elder Hunt and Elder and Sister Mashego rode in the taxi with 15 jabbering teenagers. Eishi!!

 

The Temple

The Johannesburg Temple is a small Compound that includes the temple, the distribution center, the area offices, and housing for the area presidency.  They live in this huge mansion type house....interesting. In many ways the temple reminded me of the London (Preston), England Temple.  Small, cozy, and as every temple, very beautiful.  The chapel holds about 25 people.  The other rooms are also small.  We have been there when there have been a few people and on the Saturday of the temple trip, it was "jamming".  Lots of people from all over Africa.


The Temple grounds are beautiful.  Lots of streams, trees, and different flowers.

 

We stayed in Temple housing.  It was really nice.  They had just remodelled everything.  Staying there was at your own risk, you had no idea who you would be sleeping with,  luckily I was assigned to sleep with this aging, balding guy, but he was pretty nice.  We ate in the common cafeteria.  We took just some basic food.   Cereal for breakfast does not cut it here, but that is what they got, cereal and fruit.

These kiddos did a super job dressing appropriately and acting great.  One of the highlights was the patriarchal  blessing.  I sat in on all eight of them.  I can honestly say they were amazing.  Every single one was very individual and I really felt I was sitting among some very strong spirits.  I have to keep remembering where we do our work is a first generation church. It has only been in this area for about 25 years.  But, the church has a great future here.  These folks that got their blessing will be great leaders.   One person that got the blessing,  it was very clear that he would become the Branch President, and he did several weeks later.

The  Patriarch was Elder Hoffman.  He was the area medical official and also a Patriarch.  They were from American Fork. He was older, kinda like the aged one here.  But, he and Sister Hoffman were very kind to the kids and he gave really wonderful blessings.  I learned a lot from him regarding the lineage.  A number had a different lineage that was confusing to me and he explained a lot that I did not know.  He did eight blessing, 4 the night before and 4 early the next morning.  He was getting ready to go back home and he wanted to do them before he went. 

This was a neat experience for the youth and adults that went.  It was a neat experience for us also.  We appreciated the help from our Ward friends at home.  They helped make it possible.  We mentioned to someone it was one of goals and before we knew it we were told that busy bees had been at work.  Thank You!

 

                                                                

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