Baptisms of Paul and Tembosi

Middle is Paul and Tembosi who got baptized today.

Elders and 4 young adult men being baptized.

Young adult men being baptized with young adult women.

Young adult women and men at Ennerdale portable church branch

Utilizing the church property as garden area for the members.

Bob, Richard (Elder's quorum President) and Polite (first counsellor to the Branch President) at the portable Ennerdale church for the baptism.

Mexican Dinner March 28th 2013

The Knudsens, Eastmans from the DRC mission office, Rebers--Mission Pres. at the JNB MTC and us Roses, hosting a fun Mexican dinner and game night.

Grocery shower for Paul Mokolobate

Lynette Sutherland, secy to Brad Saunderson-arranging Pauls' grocery shower.

Paul--so grateful for the food.  He will be sealed in the JNB temple in 2 more days

SOWETO

Ten couples met at the MTC to tour SOWETO.

Our guide was Kumbulani, director of Seminaries and Institutes of Southeast Africa area

We visited the Walter Sisulu cemetery/memorial.  He was Mandela's mentor.  Note large cemetery in background.

It is a beautiful memorial.  There are several monuments to him--one a botanical garden.

Kumbulani taught us about this great black man, Walter Sisulu

We went to the Regina Mundi Catholic church which was a refuge during the riots of 1976.

The children have a 2 week break from school.  The white boy is really an albino black boy.

The caretaker showed us bullet holes in the ceiling and walls of the church where police opened fire from inside.

This is the largest Catholic church in South Africa--seats 2000 but holds 5000

Danny, the caretaker, told us the story of Soweto--the first community where blacks were resettled during Apartheid.

It is one of the churches in the world that has a black Madonna and child.

The children were rehearsing for Easter services.

This certainly isn't as elaborate a church as many we have seen but it represents a sacrifice of these black people.

This is the monument to Hector Pieterson, a 13 year old boy who was killed by the police during a peaceful march of the youth of Soweto protesting being forced to learn Africaans--the language of their oppressors.

Sr missionaries with Lady Golf Pros

Back row: Elder Peterson, Reeve, Elder Curtis, CC, Elder Dabell, Elder Merkley and Elder Rose
front row: Sister Rose, Reeve, Sister Peterson, Sister Curtis, Sister Merkley, Sister DaBell and Lolly

Sr Missionary group with Reeve, CC and Lolly with their pro-golf bags

CC from Norway, Lolly from SA and Reeve from Zimbabwe on their way to Morocco for  the Ladies European Tour.

Special Days with the Pro-Golfers

Friday as we were serving in the temple, the Lady golfers arrived. Reeve's sister Sharon, her husband and son Daniel came for his endowment prior to going to Vancouver BC for his mission.  A warm tone and tiny miracle for us to be there.

The next day, the golfers insisted on treating the Sr. missionaries to an exclusive pro-instruction outing at the World of Golf (the Disneyland of driving ranges) in Johannesburg.

Both Lolly and CC helped Bob.

Consequently, Bob did well on his swings.

There were 10 couples who came as guests of the lady pros and we all got tips on how to swing.

Do you notice that my ball is still lying on the ground--and I just completed my swing!

But after a few tips, I managed to hit a couple of good ones--no where near the flag--but who cares.

Visit to the largest Ottoman style mosque in the Southern Hemisphere

We visited the largest Ottoman styled Mosque in the Southern Hemisphere 

It is between Johannesburg and Pretoria

It was financed totally by one man from Saudi Arabia

The courtyard looking toward the doors to the Mosque

Before entering, our guide did a ritual washing of hands, mouth,nose, ears, face, and feet--always starting on the right

He demonstrated the prayer position--each patterned design is for one man

The dome and walls are huge with all kinds of tile work

The women go to the 2nd floor where curtains protect their privacy.

There is space for 6000 to worship--no pews, only carpets for praying.  No shoes allowed inside

There is symbolism in each design

It is open for tours to the public.  But mostly Muslims come

These teachers asked us to sign their book and pose with them. They are math and computer teachers here from Turkey to teach in the school on the premises.  

More Zimbabwe trip

Lolly and I getting ready to ride--Mozambique in the background.

Reeve with the man she just gave glasses to who can now read.

Panarama of Leopard Rock Golf course

My golf coach, Lolly, who is proud of my pose!

Wearing our golf caps the girls bought for us.

She was so happy to have glasses and also a magazine to read.

No one was overlooked--they all got glasses if needed

Leopard Rock in the back--named because leopards live there.

Lolly and I had a good laugh when my ball went about 25 feet!