JUNE IN JOBURG

GREETINGS EVERYONE: Yes, it's June in Joburg but not the June you are used to. More like November in South Africa. However, the weather is still quite nice even though the mornings and evenings are quite cool we still have lots of sunshine during the day. The locals go around all bundled up in coats and hats and even ear muffs but it's only in the 60's so not sure what that's all about. We have had a very exciting few days. Last Saturday our daughter, Mary Kathryn, and some of her family (husband Leon and 3 of her boys) arrived in Johannesburg on their way to Zimbabwe. They were traveling with Leon's parents and brother and his family and sister and her family. As you know Leon's family is from Zimbabwe, or as it was called Rhodesia. Anyway they were on an exciting trip to work and assist a charitable organization doing humanitarian work in Zimbabwe .We were thrilled to have them stop over in Johannesburg for a short visit. We were able to house them here in our complex and were privileged to take them all to church on Sunday. The young people gathered around Ryan, Dawson and Nick and exchanged FaceBook pages. I think the boys had a wonderful time with these African teens. There was a total of 23 in the "Erasmus Clan" and our fellow senior missionary couples helped us with food, transportation and housing.In fact our Temple President traveled with Elder Jarvis to the airport to greet the family and also insisted on the return trip on Monday when they had to leave at 4:00 a.m. Two of our senior missionaries drove vans to pick up the other members of the family. The Erasmus family brought bags of wonderful children's clothing and many new soccer balls with pumps to distribute to the branches and wards. They moved on to Zimbabwe on Monday morning and have been there all week organizing and providing various medical clinics and other help. If all goes well we will be meeting them tomorrow and travel with them to Kruger National Park for a few days. What an exciting thing to share a little of our mission with them. It was wonderful! This has been a very busy month at the temple. Saturday was one of the busiest we have seen since we arrived. We divided session after session and had to add others. We have welcomed members from Botswana, Mozambique, Congo, Madagascar, Uganda, Zambia, Namibia and others. Our Kagiso Ward which was split last month is doing so well. We continue to fill up the chapel each Sunday and my piano students are doing well. Today's Sacrament Meeting was another amazing hour. Great talks by two sisters and one brother. Each one so well thought out and prepared. I began playing prelude music about 8:40 and everyone was so reverent. Yes there are young children and many many teenagers but they are so respectful of the chapel and I have to be sure my prelude is very well prepared since EVERYONE is listening! Even though it is South African Winter now there are still beautiful flowers in bloom and many flowering trees. On the way to church this morning we saw a poinsettia tree. It was covered in huge red flowers! Too bad I didn't have my camera. The roses at the temple just get more beautiful every day. They have never stopped blooming since we arrived last September. As you many know Elder Jarvis celebrated his 77th birthday last month. It was a grand affair. The Senior couples took us out to lunch at a African Restaurant. We were entertained by the dancers and singers who put a crown on Joe's head and sang "Happy Birthday" in Zulu to him. ( On the following day we were invited to a South african couple's home for a (bar-b-que). They cooked calamari, hake(favorite fish here), muscles, steak and shish-ka-bobs! One of our senior sister missionaries baked the most beautiful cake....and a carrot cake to boot! She decorated it with beautiful exotic birds and again everyone sang and teased Elder Jarvis a little about being the oldest one here....guess that's true. All in all I think he had a great day! We will be getting another couple in September so that will be great but we are in need of French speaking missionaries. So many of the Congo only speak French and of course we have some French Speaking from Mozambique too. I wish I had worked harder to learn French a few years ago when I had the opportunity. I could certainly have helped here. The temple will be closed for cleaning and repairs in July and we are planning a trip with our South African friends during that time. They are taking us to San Lucia. Wonderful birding place and also the big five are there....lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard and rhino! We love the people here. They are so beautiful, humble and happy. So blessed by the spirit and so grateful for life! They are teaching us so much. Love to all of you dear friends and family. May the Lord bless you and your families. Sister Jarvis Kathy Mom Grandmother