End of March 2009 in Port Alfred

Hello everyone,

I am uploading two pictures first to see if I can get the text between photos. I don't know if it will work or not!

Most of the African mothers carry their babies on their backs this way. Reminds me somewhat of the American Indians and how they carried their babies in a similar fashion. They must have a pretty secure way of wrapping the baby. The babies seem comfortable and are often sleeping. The only problem comes when the child is bigger and the legs must straddle the mother's waist. The mothers seem careful to have the babies's heads covered. Pacifiers here are called "dummies."

Oh, well! Didn't work - the photos are still at the top. I guess I will have to wait until a "computer saavy" young elder arrives in Port Alfred to tutor me!

Top photo is of tiny Rosette Mthembu, born on Valentine's day. One of her adoring brothers is watching.

Next photo is of the woman who sells vegetable on a street corner in town. Another photo shows the vegetable stand. I usually buy vegetables in the grocery store, but I wanted to get a picture of the woman with the white powder/salve on her face. We have heard that it is used as sun screen, or that it is considered good for the skin.

The first few times we saw someone in town with the white powder all over the face, it was quite startling! I suppose the reverse is also true - a few weeks ago I stopped at a member's house and she had a relative's child on her lap. The child was fussy, but I didn't think anything about it until I returned a few hours later and the child took one look at me and began crying again! I finally realized that my rather pale face was foreign to her.

One photo is of a Relief Society homemaking meeting where we were learning to make a knitted beanie cap. The two black sisters did well, but I was all thumbs. I think I had better stick to playing the piano at church. I can crochet, but I will need much longer to be proficient in knitting. I should have taken lessons from my Dad, or my brother!

We are well and keeping busy. As I write this at 10 am the temperature outside is 75 degrees. One morning was cool when we went out to walk - about 59 degrees. We enjoy walking on the beach - there are always interesting things that have washed up on the shore.

Don't forget, we are never too busy to hear from you - katherinesgodfrey@gmail.com

Go well,

the Godfreys

End of

March 2009 in Port Alfred, S.A.

Hello family and friends,

It has been one month since I last posted. Many of you have asked about our apartment (flat).

I will try to attach some photos and tell you a little about our home here in Port Alfred. I can't seem to figure out how to place the photos where I want them, so I hope you can tell which photo I am describing.

Our flat has two floors with two bedrooms and a bathroom on the top floor and a combined living room (lounge) and kitchen on the first floor. (see photo with Lyman at the kitchen door and me upstairs in the spare bedroom window)

Photo of the balcony off our bedroom facing the ocean.

Dad, Grandpa, Elder Godfrey, etc., standing by our bright blue mission car before walking on the beach for our morning exercise. (He would rather exercise by riding his horse!)

Mom, Grandma, Sister Godfrey - rinsing the sand off from beach walk by the rain collection tank. The water from the tank is used for drinking and cooking since the tap water has a brackish taste. We have decided to purchase bottled water - about 40 cents for a 5-liter bottle - for drinking after thinking about the dirt, dust and bird droppings on the roof tops. I have included a picture of big birds called Haw Dee Dahs. They are larger than our pheasants and make a very loud, screeching sound at 4:30 am most mornings. Very effective alarm clock. I think I prefer a crowing rooster.

We keep busy working with the four young elders and going with them on teaching appointments. It is also quite a challenge to find enough speakers for sacrament meeting from among the small membership of the branch. Home and visiting teaching assignments often involve driving some distances. We miss all of you and look forward to returning home, but we know we are needed here. In the next few months five of the senior couples will finish their missions, and currently there is only one new senior couple assigned to Cape Town. That will leave five senior couples, and three of those work with seminaries and institute, perpetual education fund and employment.

A final photo description - a picture of Elder Godfrey as he waited for the bus in Smithfield in October 1955 to depart on his first mission to Japan. This photo was emailed to us recently by one of his former companions. I think it is a great photo, but if he finds that I posted it and the picture of him in his beach shorts, my blogging days may be over!! (not really)

We welcome email from you - katherinesgodfrey@gmail.com

the Godfreys