The Work is Hard but so Rewarding

Dear All, 

The last two weeks have included a wide variety of activities for us.  We have done lots of driving for participation in a marriage, interviews, baptisms, sending off Elders, welcoming Elders, responding to missionaries's car crash, closing an area and emptying and cleaning the boarding, visiting people in the hospital, car and boarding inspections, and delivering supplies.  All this, along with our normal visits to the homes of branch members and those investigating the church.  Our days are quite full and the work is hard at times, but we really are enjoying the whole experience.  As we continually state, associating with the wonderful people here is the best part of all and it makes any amount of sacrifice or effort which may be required well worth it. 

Two weeks ago we visited the home of a couple who live in the most humble of circumstances.  They were being interviewed for baptism and were planning to be married just prior to that special event.  Their home consisted of two very small rooms in which they and their two children live.  It is made of just scraps of wood.  There were no windows and about a 10 watt light bulb hanging in the doorway between the two rooms. We were so impressed with the kindness, sincerity and intelligence of these people.  It turns out that the man has a regular job but is not only supporting his own family but also 14 members of their extended family who live elsewhere.  We attended their marriage and baptisms this past Saturday and it was so wonderful.  These people have embraced the gospel with all their hearts and the increase in faith, hope and happiness they now have is very apparent.  They are true believers and will certainly receive an increase in the Lord's choicest blessings as they go forward.

We must tell you about the hospital we visited.  Actually, it is impossible to describe what it was like.  It is way overcrowded, understaffed, and downright dirty.  And, if you want to eat while there, someone will need to bring food in for you.  Out of all the contrast we have seen between living in the US and in Africa, this is certainly one of the greatest.  It really makes many of the complaints aired by us Americans seem petty.  

The Lord's church is on the Earth once again and it is the one and only source of true and eternal happiness.  We know that Missionary service is the Lord's way of taking this message to His children.  We highly recommend serving a mission to all who might qualify.

Much Love,

Elder and Sister Watson    

The top photo is Sister Shelia who was just baptized.  She is a wonderful woman, and now church member.  We were able to teach her a couple of lessons before turning the job over to these very capable Elders (Ivins and Hawkins).  

 It's 6:00 AM in the Port Elizabeth Airport.  Most of the ones with ties are heading off to new assignments.  The mission is so large that nearly all transfers are done by air.  We will miss those leaving, but will welcome new ones later in the day.  

These are the Young Single Adults of the Motherwell Branch.  They are a fun group and most contribute much to running the branch.  The one seated in the yellow shirt is the YSA leader and often leads the music, and does so with contagious enthusiasm.  She starts clicking hers fingers to the beat if she thinks the song is dragging.  

We take a break on occasion to enjoy this beautiful place.  This was from the balcony of our B&B in Knysna.  The photo certainly doesn't do it or her justice.  

I love to see the Temple

Dear All,

As previously mentioned, we were able to attend the Johannesburg Temple this past week.  The round trip took nearly 24 hours but it was well worth it.  We greatly enjoyed being with Motherwell Branch members, some of whom were there for the first time.  It was a pleasure to share their excitement and to feel the special spirit which is only found in the temple...it is the House of the Lord.  

Another reason we enjoyed the trip to Johannesburg so much was that we were able to stay with our old and dear friends, Elder and Sister Ludwig.  They started their mission (their fourth) shortly after us and work in the Southeastern Africa Area offices. Elder Ludwig is the Executive Secretary to the Area President and Sister Ludwig receives and processes all the missionary applications which come from the area (more that one half of Africa).  We lived in the Marana Ward (Tucson North Stake) together nearly 40 years ago. Elder Ludwig was called as our bishop and I served as a counselor.  He was only 30 years old (me 30 something), and was a fairly new member of the church.  I thought at the time that this young guy and new member of the church couldn't teach me anything, but wow was I wrong!  He was a wonderful mentor with wisdom far beyond his years.  Sister Ludwig was our son Scott's second grade teacher.  That was a wonderful school year for him and he loved her.  The Ludwigs have had a great influence on our family, and continue to do so. 

On a more serious side, there are three things that we are NOT enjoying about South Africa:  

1. Speed Bumps!  They have few police on the road so they control speed with these annoying bumps...everywhere!  

2. The SA banks!  We have probably spent a total of about seven hours in four different offices of the same bank and we still do not have an account that will allow us to put money in and take money out.  

3. Bugs!  We have awaken several morning with bites from head to toe, and they itch like crazy!

So, that's it as far as what we don't like, and there are so many things we love so it's all worth it.      

Giving a quick report on Motherwell Branch, we had 97 people at church on Sunday!  That is a good 20-25 above average.  Our little classroom chapel was completely filled and it was wonderful.  The testimonies were awesome and the singing was extraordinary, as usual.  One funny thing, at the end of testimony time the Branch President stood, looked at me and asked why I didn't bear my testimony.  Not often you'll see such a thing!  He laughed along with everyone else.  I suppose it was because I don't miss many opportunities to express my love of the gospel and for the people.

The gospel of Jesus Christ and Priesthood power have been restored to the Earth.  We know this to be true with all our hearts.  It is the greatest source of happiness in this life, and is the only way by which eternal joy can be obtained.   

With love,

Elder and Sister Watson

Faith + Hope = Happiness and Peace

Dear All, 

2016 was certainly an eventful year for us, as we sold our home of 20 years and are now living half way around the world.  This was all done because of our faith in God and in a sincere desire to serve Him by serving others.  The arrival of a new year has caused us to more closely consider how the decisions of the past year have impacted our lives.  Well, big changes obviously bring dramatic results.  Let us name a few which stand out:

• We miss our family and friends very, very much, and our love and appreciation for each one of you has never been greater.  "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"...it most certainly does, and we long for the day when we are in your presence again. 
• We know, without doubt, that God lives and He is the Father of us all.  He loves us all unconditionally and wants us to love one another.  The people with whom we now associate each day have taught us a great deal more about the love which God wants us to have for one another, and we are so very grateful for that.  
• Happiness, true and abiding happiness, is not found in the possessions we obtain.  This is something we have always believed but to see how very happy these wonderful South African people are amidst their extreme lack of material things is profound and undeniable evidence of where happiness lies.  
• Finally, we have learned, without equivocation, that an exercise of faith brings a bright and abiding hope, and that hope then brings a level of happiness and contentment which is available in no other way. Our greatest desire is to now bring the happiness which we enjoy to those we love.

While we are very happy in this work to which we have been call, the pace of life and weight of the responsibilities we have been given are a bit daunting at time.  These past couple of weeks have been especially busy, but enjoyable.  The week between Christmas and New Year's Day are particularly slow for missionary work since many people are traveling or busy with other things.  With this being the case, the Mission President has instructed that this time be used for a "deep cleaning" of the missionary's boardings (flats/apartments).  Since one of our responsibilities is to conduct regular inspections of these boardings, we were well aware of the need for some extra effort in this regard.  Sister Watson prepared a special deep cleaning checklist which the Zone Leaders used to organize and oversee the cleaning of each boarding by all the Elders .  It even included taking furniture outside and emptying the cabinets and closets before the thorough cleaning.  Windows were washed which, in some cases, had not been cleaned in this decade.  Anyway, the result was that these elders have a better appreciation for what the word clean really means and are enjoying a more Celestial living environment.  

We are driving a lot!  The past several days we have traveled to areas 2 hours away in one direction and nearly 4 hours in another direct from our home.  All this was needed to conduct baptismal and temple recommend interviews, to speak in church, and to serve the needs of the missionaries serving in those outlying areas.  This morning we will soon leave for a 12 hour drive to Johannesburg to attend the Temple with members of the Motherwell Branch.  This is there annual temple trip and we are so excited to be with them for this special occasions.  So, we're driving a lot but are enjoying the journey greatly!

We extend our heart-felt love to you all and best wishes for Peace, Happiness and Contentment in this New Year!

All our love,

Elder and Sister Watson  

On New Year's Eve Day we visited Monkeyland, a beautiful preserve in the jungle which contained several hundred monkeys of 11 different species.  Many would come right up to you.  One guy had his sunglasses taken right of his hand by a monkey....and then it went off into the trees.

What a face!

This old guy lost his mate and lives a sad and lonely life.  The guide said that they would often be hugging each other.  So sad!

 Not a Raccoon.  

We also visited the Birds of Eden park (near the Garden of Eden). It is a huge aviary created in a beautiful jungle area.  This is simply one of the hundreds of exotic birds which live there.