The Time is Far Spent

Dear All,

It's hard to believe but we will be leaving South Africa one month from today. We are scheduled to arrive in San Diego very late Saturday night, March 17th. We have already been asked to speak in the Redhawk Ward the next morning, Sunday, March 18th,at 11:00 AM.  

The words of the hymn, The Time is Far Spent (no. 266), have been on our minds lately. All four verses of the song have great messages relating to missionary service, and the purpose of our Earthly lives in general. However, the last verse is one with particular meaning at this time for us.

  

"Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you;

The weight of your calling he perfectly knows;

Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you;

His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.

His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose."

We will certainly do our best to be fixed in our purpose during these last few weeks of service in South Africa. It has been an amazing experience on so many levels. We love the country and the work we have been called to do. Most of all, we love the people we have met while here. Even though we all come from very diverse backgrounds and circumstances, we have come to know, more assuredly than ever, that we are brothers and sisters, all children of a loving God. We have seen how a deep bond of love can be established with others when we simply make an effort to know and serve them. A relatively little effort brings forth marvelous results.  

On March 18th we will be celebrating our 52nd wedding anniversary. Given that longevity, we were asked to conduct a fireside on marriage, which we did this past Sunday. We decided to give instruction relative to the principles taught in the book "The Five Love Languages", by Dr. Gary Chambers. The meeting was well attended and the participation was great. However, it is quite apparent that at least some of the things which are given as ways of nurturing a loving relationship go against the Xhosa culture. None the less, most who attended seemed very open to the suggestions given. One brother stated that, while these things may not come easy "we need to learn the gospel culture", suggesting that the principles which were taught should be lived.      

We have been waiting anxiously to hear who will be replacing us. In speaking with President Lebethoa this morning, we learned that there have been no couples called to our mission. There continues to be a shortage of senior couples who are willing to serve. The only option is to transfer a couple from another area in our mission to replace us. That places an extra burden on a couple already serving there. The message here is...Missionary Couples are Urgently Needed! The sacrifices which may be required pale in comparison to the blessings and happiness which come in return. Please plan to serve if and when your circumstances allow, and encourage others to do likewise. You will be eternally grateful for making that decision, as we certainly are.   

With all our love,

Elder and Sister Watson

Picture Above:  We enjoyed spending a night in Plettenburg Bay, one of the many beautiful towns on the Indian Ocean and the Southern most part of Africa.    

This is Elder Canfield and Mushipi. They are holding a famous photo by Liz Lemon Swindle. Elder Mushipi is in the photo as they are indicating. His mother worked at the orphanage in Zambia where it was taken, so that is why he is in it. He is a wonderful missionary! He told us that the two boys standing to his left are twin brothers and are now serving missions.    

        

Here is the license plate to which we have become accustomed. Our mission includes two very large provinces, called the Eastern and Western Capes. We live in the Eastern Cape but our area goes into the Western Cape. Our area is about 400 miles across, while it is approximately 900 miles from one side of our mission to the other.  

The elephant on the license plate is representative of Addo National Elephant Park, where there are several elephants. It is only about about 45 minutes from our home. The plant is an Aloe which you see everywhere. They grow to be very large, and are especially beautiful when blooming as shown on the plate. Here above is a large Aloe without bloom.  

Things to Love about South Africa

Dear All,

After hearing our accents, people often ask us where we are from. We say "California", and we do so with some pride as it is seen by many as a highly desirable place to live. However, we have often told people that South Africa is also a wonderful place to live, and that they can find as much happiness here as they can anywhere else in the world. And, we sincerely mean that.  That happiness is primarily centered on the people of South Africa. Life, and the happiness we find, is primarily based upon the relationships we enjoy. We can honestly say that the people of SA are amazing and are among the best people we know. Here are just a few reasons we feel as we do:

• They openly and boldly speak of their faith in Jesus Christ and the Gospel.
• They give the best hugs!
• They warmly welcome you into their homes, even when they may be busy with something else.
• They take care of one another, especially family members in need.
• They love and respect missionaries, and others who are serving the Lord.
• They are happy and laugh a lot.
• They love and respect old people. (This hits close to home for yours truly.)
• They give the best hugs! (worth mentioning twice) 

The Motherwell Branch continues to meet in a school, with a classroom for a chapel which is overcrowded and often very warm. The less than ideal circumstances were further exacerbated yesterday when another church began holding services three classrooms away. We enjoyed seeing them there before church, but it seems like at least half of their service is made up of loud signing, which carries into our chapel. The only choice was to close the door to lessen the disturbance but, since we rely on the ventilation from the open door, it became very warm and uncomfortable. We can only express our frustration and pray that our beloved Motherwell Branch members will have a new place to meet and worship before too long. They certainly deserve it!

We want to repeat what we have said earlier; our most precious gifts are our Faith, Family and Friends. The reason we repeat it is because our appreciation for all three have been substantially increased during our time as full-time missionaries. As we have witnessed the light of the gospel eluminate the countenances and lives of those who have embraced it, our own faith has been immeasurably increased. As we have been away from the family who we already loved with all our hearts, our love and appreciation for each one has grown immensely. While we have gained a heightened appreciation for our dear friends of home, we have obtained additional wonderful and close friends who we will always remember, and whose company we will surely enjoy in the eternities. 

All our love<

Elder and Sister Watson

Pictured Above: After more than one year, we are elated that Elder Ivins returned to our area. We were new missionaries who labored in the Motherwell Branch. He is an outstanding young man, missionary, and dear friend forever.

 Elder Ivins and Elder Chaparadza provided service to those in need. Elder Chap also learned the difference between water-based and oil-based paints. 😉

We visited the beautiful old city of Grahamstown last Saturday. One of the reasons we love the place are the donkeys! They are everywhere, including many pulling carts such as this one. 

 Here's Ahlu Vena, grandson of our dear friend, Mpumie Vena. He has a sweet spirit and is going to be an awesome missionary in a few years!  He gives the best hugs and pats your back while hugging you.  It is the BEST!