Life in Motherwell

Dear All,

All is well with us in Motherwell.  We have been here for over five weeks and it is really beginning to feel like home.  As we have said before, the people are so kind and loving that it's difficult not to feel that you are accepted by them and have known them for much longer.  Every member of the Motherwell Branch is a convert to the church.  The longest any that we know have been members for only about 4 or 5 years.  The Young Women President, Lungelwa Mashiqa, joined the church this past July...and she is doing a great job!  Her children joined with her but not her husband.  He is a quiet man who doesn't come out to greet us or is out visiting friends.  At the suggestion of our branch president, we asked Sister Mashiqa if we might teach her and her husband the Strengthening Marriage classes.  She was very eager to have them but doubted her husband would agree. Well, he agreed and the first lesson went extremely well.  She reported that he was now joining them in family prayer and is showing more interest in her and the family in general.  We will keep you posted on how things progress with this great family.

Probably the greatest thing about being with the people here in Motherwell is to see how they find joy in life while in the midst of extreme poverty.  That is especially true with the members of the church.  As they earnestly strive, with humble hearts, to live in accordance with what the Lord has taught, happiness is their reward.  This is so evident to us as we observe these wonderful people and witness how their lives are so greatly elevated as they accept and live gospel principles.  

Alcoholism is a big problem here, mostly with men but even some women.  We learned of one sister who lost her husband (when 54 years old) and her mother within 8 months of each other.  While she is a wonderful woman, and watches her grandchildren on weekdays while her daughter works, we heard that she was getting drunk on the weekends.  It is apparent that she is lonely and becomes depressed.  Well, we have visited her the past two weeks and have already developed a close relationship with her.  During our visit this past week she read a talk to us which she had given in church sometime last year.  Tears came to all our eyes as the spirit of testimony was rekindled in her.  She came to church yesterday and bore a sweet and strong testimony.  We will continue to visit her while working to have others in the branch draw closer to her.  She just needs to feel the love of others and live in a way that the Lord will bless her, and we know she will do so.  

 We love and miss you all!!!

  Elder and Sister Watson

This is the Vena family, plus Elders McCarroll and Ivans, and the Branch Mission Leader.  They joined the church about 6 weeks ago and are awesome.  The whole family (13) lives in a 2 bedroom home that is about 400-500 square feet. (about the average size home in Motherwell)

Sights from the neighborhood.  He's only one day old!

Goats, cows, and even pigs run free throughout town and eat whatever they can find.  Don't see many chickens and suspect it's because they are too easy for people to steal from their neighbors.  Oh....and there are dogs everywhere!!

The homes in the background have solar hot water heaters on the roofs.

Again, the neighborhood.  This is a school in the background.

We see some of these guys quite often in the bay near our home.