August in South Africa

Greetings Friends and Family:
We are now in our 11th month serving in the Johanesburg Temple. We have had an exciting adventure these past few weeks.  I will try to share some of our amazing experiences with you.  The temple closed for cleaning and renovations on the 18th of July and we left for our trip on the 20th. We were blessed to travel with two of our South African friends, Ancie and
Richard  Dolldorf who serve with us in the temple. On the first leg of our trip we traveled to Mkuze, a nature reserve in Zululand. We traveled through such interesting country . The plants and trees were so dense and tropical.  We arrived in the early evening and checked into our "chalet". It was really charming with a thatched roof, 2 small bedrooms, a furnished kitchen, living room and bathroom with shower and huge bath tub. We also had
a nice patio with braii (bar-b-que).  We decided to take a little walk which didn't last long because all of a sudden we heard someone screeching and banging pots and pans. We hurried to see what was causing all th commotion. Then we saw it. A baby monkey had
gotten into the camp diner and couldn't  get out. The family of monkeys were trying to "break into the diner and set the baby free". The family of monkeys were really getting upset and the baby continued to yell and scream. Well the cook was banging cookie trays, and pots and pans trying to get the monkeys to leave. Well once Ancie opened the door and let the baby out the others left. Anyway  it was all very exciting. We spent our first evening eating our dinner on the patio by the light of the moon and stars. Our visitors were several nyala (a beautiful antelope), a few bats and many geckos on the screen door!
Little did we know the variety of animals that would visit us the next 4 days. During our wonderful time in Mkuze we were visited by impala, nyala, guinea fowl, monkeys, baboons,  a giraffe and an enormous bull elephant...yes right next to our Bar -B-Q. You could have reached out and touched him...what an experience. During the week we made several visit to the water hole where we saw herds of wildebeests, zebras, antelope of all kinds, vervet monkeys, several baboon families with their babies, a white rhino with her calf and even a lioness in the bush. We also saw many exquisite  and exotic  birds of every color. Several times I had to pinch myself and say "yes, Kathy, this is real! You really are in Africa Do you remember Zazu from The Lion King? Well we saw him. Yes an amazing southern yellow hornbill
and also Pumba the wart hog with dozens of others from his family. So many amimals I can't remembet it all. One day we drove to the pan, a large shallow lake/marsh. It was ful of birds; storks, flamingos, pelicans, and so many more as well as hippos, Crocodiles, water monitors and duiker (small deer about the size of a dog). In the evenings we enjoyed sitting on the patio listening to the nightjar (A bird that makes a sound like an ambulance...amazing) well you get the idea it was just unreal!  For the last 4 days of our trip we traveled  to  San Lucia. What an incredible  spot. We stayed in a tiny little cabin but it was clean and comfy and self catering  with a bar-b-que and surrounded by lush tropical  gardens and birds everywhere. San Lucia is a beach community right on the Indian Ocean  and oh the beautiful white sand and blue, blue sea. Gorgeous,   we walked the beaches, played in the surf and watched the gannets dive for fish. HEAVEN!
Well, less you think that we just play on this mission I had better hasten to tell you the temple opened again on Aug. 4th and we have been very busy. On the first day we had 24 missionaries from the MTC along with a group from DC Congo. It is wonderful to be back inthe temple but I must say I miss the sea air and breezes. Joburg is not kmown for it's  clean air.. We absolutely  love the patrons that come . They are so faithful  and sacrifice all to be able to come. While on our trip we attended church in Richards Bay and the people there told us they only get to the temple about once a year. It will be such a great help when they build the temple in Durbin.

We send our love and best wishes to each of you.  We  love our work in the temple and we love the people. This is an incredible experience. We pray you will consider serving too!

Love,
Elder and Sister Jarvis