8 Months in Joburg

GREETINGS FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
Yes it really has been 8 months!  Doesn't seem possible for us either. What an exciting time to be here.  A few weeks ago our ward, Kagiso Ward, was divided!  The members were so thrilled.  Now there is room for their less active and investigators to attend but guess what happened?  The first week after the division and the chapel was full to capacity again!  We now meet at 9:00 (Kagiso First Ward) and the Kagiso Second Ward meets at 11:00.  It is so thrilling to see how the church continues to grow in Africa but it's not  surprise.  These people love the Gospel and they set such an incredible example for all.   This is hard to explain unless you have been here but they are so good and so faithful. Even though there is great poverty the church does continue to prosper and the people truly have a desire to be self sufficient.  We have noticed a great spirituality among the people....especially those who come to the temple.  They are so in tune and consider the temple the most important blessing in their lives.  Elder Holland recently said that even though life hasn't given them much in the way of material goods heaven has blessed them with remarkable spiritual gifts!  And the children...they are some of the most beautiful children I have ever seen.  I love the smiles of the people.  Often I feel like I have met them before! 

We now have 5 US senior couple missionaries and 1 South African couple working full time.  We do have a few South African workers who come one shift a week or so but they are not very dependable because of schedules and so we know that it definitely is a miracle that we manage each day!  Last week we had several days with sessions that had to be split and so many coming to the temple for the first time.  One day we had 16 sisters there for their own endowments and there were only a handful of workers to help...but it worked and I still don't know how!

I have a big problem now with piano lessons after church.  Before I could teach everyone after the block but the Second ward doesn't end until after 2:00 and we have no place to meet for lessons before that....I'm sure it will work out but we are still "sorting it out" as they say here. I have one student, Nora, who has played prelude for Sacrament Meeting and she did so well.  My goal is to have her playing for the congregational singing by the time we leave....9 months to make it happen!

Our weather now is gorgeous.  Everyday in the mid 70's and nights and early mornings in the low 60's so it is perfect for me! It is called "Fall" but I don't know if there truly is a winter here.  On our Pday we have had some interesting day trips.  We all went to the Mosque here in Joburg and had a tour by such a refined pleasant man.  It was a beautiful building and the people love it so.  We also went to a fun nature reserve and saw many zebras, ostriches, and elephants...yes and one even charged our van!  Very exciting day. Elder Jarvis and I continue to run away whenever we can to the birding areas where they have hides set up for viewing.  We have seen flamingos, marsh owls, goliath herons which are enormous....about 5 feet tall and beautiful, colorful kingfishers...,gorgeous!  and so much more.  We are becoming avid bird watchers!

We are well and enjoying every facet of our work here...(even the mornings we have to report at 4:30 a.m.)
We send our love to each of you and thank you for your emails, cards and prayers.  Thanks to the Mink Creek Ward Teacher's quorum for the thoughtful Christmas package....yes it finally got here.  Such a sweet surprise! You guys are great!

We love the people so much.  They have certainly changed our lives forever and we will never be the same! 
Have a wonderful week!

Love,
Sister Jarvis
Kathy
Mom
Grandmother