2009 in South Africa

Hello family and friends,

This is my first attempt at posting on the blog. Our granddaughter had posted some of our letters previously, but she is studying abroad this semester in France.

We had a good Christmas, and thank everyone who sent us good wishes by email or regular mail. Now we really know how much missionaries love to get mail.

We had heard the beach would be flooded with black people celebrating on New Year's Day, but we hadn't quite imagined what a crowd it would be. Since we are so close to the ocean, all the streets around us were clogged with cars, people walking everywhere, young and old making fires, cooking and sitting on the beaches and wading into the surf. There must have been about 2,000 people near our flat. We are told the black people want to get ocean water on New Year's Day and drink some for good luck. Then we heard they believe in drinking some of it until it comes back up and that rinses away their sins!

This is a country with many traditions. There is something called a lebollo (not sure how to spell it) we have learned about that is similar to a dowry. If a young man can't afford to pay this to the woman's family, the couple simply lives together without benefit of marriage. We know of one woman who is in an abusive marriage, but she can't leave because her husband has paid for her. Alcohol abuse is a big problem. The children all go to school, most of them in uniforms, and the ones we deal with at church can read English very well.

It is interesting to watch the women walking with various items balanced on their heads. I guess it makes sense to carry something there instead of in one's arms which would be hard on the back for the long walk home to the townships. I have noticed the older women never wear pants, only skirts or dresses. Almost all of the black men and women wear something on their heads, knitted caps or some other head covering. They wear a jacket, sweater or heavier coat most of the time when we are wearing short sleeves. There are always people on the side of the road hoping to be picked up. The taxis are large vans literally stuffed with as many paying customers as can be fitted in. People need rides to and from work since hardly any blacks own cars. It is not uncommon to see a small pickup truck (called a buckee) with 15 or more people standing up in the back on the way out of town.

Although the people have very little in the way of material possessions, they seem happy. They are warm and welcoming and the usual greeting to women my age is, "Hello, Mama." This is a sign of respect and they always smile or nod when spoken to.

We keep busy. The branch is very small so the four young elders and the two of us often speak or teach on Sunday. We try to walk for exercise on the beach most days and usually work in a short afternoon nap.

We feel blessed to have good health. This is a beautiful country to be serving in. The month of February is still summer, no daylight savings, and the whole of South Africa is one time zone.

We miss you and are never too busy to hear from you. Our email is katherinesgodfrey@gmail.com

the Godfreys

Photos

Dad and his counselors in the Branch Presidency

The view from our bedroom window :)

The young Elders in our area

November 19, 2008

Hello, everyone.

It has been a busy few days. On Saturday we drove with another senior couple for Zone workshops. It is about a two hour drive over and after the workshops we hurried back to Port Alfred to meet with the mission president, his wife, and the two APs for branch meetings beginning about 5:30 Saturday night. The township goes on and on for miles. There is a beautiful chapel there in the middle of the township. Since we had to rush back for the meetings with the President, we couldn't stop for lunch so we took sandwiches and ate in the car. Dad and I could never have found the place by ourselves.

Dad's ears are slowly getting better. We went back to the doctor Monday (at about $18 for an office visit, why not?) and had the doctor check to see if there was any improvement. She says they have cleared up considerably. He went to bed just now and as I was putting his ear drops in, he said, "What is that noise?" It is the first time he has been able to hear the ocean outside our bedroom window!

A little bit about the Sunday meeting- before President Probst presented Dad for a sustaining vote as Branch President, he spoke to the people there, mostly new members of the church and in a very simple way explained that once a year they have a chance to vote, or sustain, the church leaders, or oppose. It was interesting to watch the process from where I was sitting. The room we use for a chapel is quite small so the keyboard I play is on the end of the table used for the sacrament. After the sustaining vote was in the affirmative, Elder Ahlstrom (the young elder tho has been serving as B.P.) talked, then Dad, and after an intermediate hymn both the mission president and his wife talked.

After Sunday School and then combined priesthood and Relief Society meeting, we all went down to the river (part of the ocean) for a baptism. The young man being baptized is named Simethemba Mphala. I include his name to show you that we have quite a challenge to learn the pronunciation.

We love the young elders- they almost feel like my sons, and then I have to remind myself that I could be their grandmother! Every senior couple we talked to, without exception, has told us that one of the best parts of their mission experience is the interaction with the young elders. They love anything I fix for them to eat. And they think Dad is great! For example, the four of them went with Dad and Elder Fullmer to haul the small washer and dryer back from their apartment. They had been using it until we arrived. They had to make two trips back, each time with the washer or the dryer stuffed in the trunk. When they first got the washer in, they could see it wouldn't stay in without something to tie it in. Dad quickly pulled the two seat belts  back around the washer. They didn't quite reach, so he told the elders to take his belt off. He strapped the two seat belts together with his belt and it worked just great. They are still talking about Elder Godfrey and his belt trick!

We are having the branch Christmas party this Saturday. I was assigned chocolate chip cookies and brownies. Baking is a challenge converting their backing temperatures and chocolate chips come in a small plastic container of about 1/3 cup. In December school is out and lots of people go on holiday and lots of people come to Port Alfred. Someone told me to shop early in the day or I will never get a parking place in the small lot by the grocery store. They also say to stock up because supplies run out with the crowds.

I don't think I mentioned that there is a KFC here. Dad and the young elders love that. They don't have the biscuits like they do at home, just a small loaf of bread. There is also a hamburger place similar to Wendy's called Wimpy's and a good pizza place, too.

We love you! Mom and Dad