Happy New Year to all our Friends and Family:
Christmas and New Year's was a fairly quiet affair here as most of the locals head for the beaches and cool mountains. We actually decided to go to the famous botanical gardens on Christmas Day but much to our surprise that is where many residents of this city of 13+million spent their Christmas too! We had been to the gardens before and it was so quiet and peaceful with beautiful birds everywhere. This day however there were hundreds of families with their blankets and picnic baskets in tow taking up every inch of green lawn and rolling hills. Actually it was kind of fun to see how these people celebrate the holidays. The groups were made up of extended families including the very young and the elderly grandparents. The children were carrying a favorite toy, probably received that morning. Also it was extremely hot...about 90 and the humidity must have been 90% or more. Definitely different than our Christmases in Utah and Idaho! On New Year's Eve we had a pot luck with the other temple missionaries and then watched "INVICTUS" a great movie about the South African Rugby Team and how Pres. Mandela used it to help unite his country following aparteid. We all were to bed by 10:30 so not too much celebrating. Joe and I
went to a beautiful , preserve located about 40 minutes from Joburg. We saw many, many beautiful and unusual birds. The widowbird, the hoopoe, the boubul, the go-away, the weaver bird including watching them weave their incredible nests and many exquisite warblers which we haven't identified We also had a whole troup of baboons cross just a few yards in front of us and saw a group of Kudu and a herd of zebras. It trully was magical and we are anxious to go there again.
The temple was very, very busy during December. We have been so short of workers I don't know how we managed but we did. We only had 5 senior temple couples and 3 or 4 South African helpers that showed up occasionaly to help us. We had groups from the Congo, Mozambique, Uganda, Madagascar, Zimbabwe and Cape Town and Durbin during December. It was amazing. They all brought their own family names to do the baptisms, and other work. What amazing people they are. They give up everything for the Lord and the youth are particularly devoted. I love these people. Great spiritual experience to be priviledged to help them. We are considering driving to "Cape Town" with the two couples that we came here with in Sept. They really want us to go with them. It's a long way to drive but I guess the sights are amazing. There's the Boulders Beach where the penguins live...yes penguins remember we are not that far from the Antartic! Also some botanical gardens that is supposed to be one of the most beautiful in the world. Full of sunbirds, and bee-eaters and surgarbirds, etc. Also the cape dwarf chameleon and the Cape of Good Hope. Be sure you look this all up on the internet....amazing stuff!Beaches, mountains and one of the most beautiful coasts in the world...."the Garden Coast". Hope we can swing it. The temple is close for cleaning for two weeks in February.
We hope you are all well and enjoying a beautiful winter....yes beautiful. We really have missed the snow and all that goes with winter in Utah/Idaho. We are healthy and blessed to be able to do our work which includes 8 hour+shifts 5 days a week and also serve in our Ward. We send our love and appreciation for your love and prayers. Remember you can write to us at: Elder and Sister Jarvis (Temple Missionaries)
South East Africa Area (Temple) 50 East North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150.
Love to all,
Sister Jarvis
Kathy
Mom
Grandmother and PaPa Joe
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