Weekly Update (The Late Sunday letter)

It was a busy week for us last week beginning with finding a solution to a lingering problem that Elder Wells was having with what he thought was neuralgia. Just before we went to Mozambique on Nov 12 he asked for a blessing because he was feeling so much pain through his neck and face. Finally last Tuesday (Nov 24) he asked our resident missionary doctor to look at what appeared to be some scrapes on his back and the good doctor told him it was shingles! So that explained the painful problem that has been bothering him for weeks. He prescribed a medication (5 pills 4 times a day for 5 days) and told him he was a lucky man to have had that shingles shot before leaving the US or this would have been many times worse! He is now just about cleared up and feeling grateful.

Next, at the first of the week we received notice that our water would be shut off from Tuesday at 5:00 am till that afternoon at 3:30. Everyone put aside water in containers to be prepared, but our flat is on the first floor and we weren’t affected on Tuesday. Those on the 5th floor were, though. On Wednesday morning, however, our faucets dried up completely. Not a drop till late Thursday. We could wash and drink what we had stored, but toilet flushing was a dilemma. We went out to eat on Wednesday evening with another couple partly just to use the restroom. Then someone discovered on Thursday morning that there was a bore hole with water outside Dukes Court and we could fill up buckets to pour into the toilet and bingo, flushing was again possible. That made a nice difference.

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, food was cleverly prepared and dishes washed with our stored water, and we had a lovely time at the Area Office with the Senior missionaries enjoying a delicious meal together under the big tent on the white house lawn. Sister Wells even participated in a musical number; a double quartet singing "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing".

At the conclusion of the meal, Elder Packer announced that he had received word that the water was back on but we may not get it in our flats till about 10 p.m. It sure makes one realize how much we depend on the luxury of running water!

Friday was the office Christmas devotional. What a wonderful beginning to the Christmas season. The messages by the wives of the area presidency were meaningful and the musical numbers were beautifully executed. The offices have been adorned with paper poinsettias and wreathes and Christmas trees.  The tables in the huge tent were beautifully decorated and the food was delicious.

On Saturday morning we did a little shopping and then went with a senior couple to a bird sanctuary and marveled at the astounding variety of exotic birds in all their brilliant colors, sizes and shapes.

These Lorakeets really worked over Elder Wells head.Here are some of the other birds that were so striking.  The first one is a Scarlet Lorrie. I don't know the names of all the others, but they were so beautiful.

 

 

We enjoyed dinner with another couple that evening, then spent a little time polishing up our assignments for Sunday.  Primary went well; then Elder Wells and I spoke in the combined 5th Sunday meeting about visiting and home teaching; then there was a meeting with the newly formed activities committee to prepare for our ward Christmas party on Dec 12. We oriented the chairman the week before and the bishop called a committee.   Next there was a baptism of two of my best primary girls.  We served cookies afterwards.  This is Sihle and Thuli and their "Granny"  whom they live with.  No mothers.

Finally we a late lunch at the home of our DTA (director of temporal affairs) and his wife and son: Bob and Liz Cowan and Steven. The sisters were also invited and came with us, Sister Lee and Sister Dolinar.

A young dating couple Thabo and Sweetie were there also and we enjoyed learning of their culture and stories and had such a nice time. There is still so much to learn and do here and just not enough time remaining to do it in. So sad. I suppose all missionaries feel this way at the end of their assigned time. But what an amazing time we have had here. What a blessing!!

We are now packing and going through files and cupboards, trying to get everything completed before Matt's arrival on Dec 11. Time is RACING!!!  We must also.