After attending Richard’s Bay District Conference we drove
up the coast to St. Lucia where we had a boat tour to view the hippos and crocodiles.
Turns out this is the best time of year to go when the hippos are most active.
(The movement of the crocodiles told us that they were either dead or fake!
They didn’t move at all.) We are holding a hippo tooth in the pictures. Elwood
decided he needed an implant and chose a hippo tooth for dramatic effect.
These were the scenes we observed as we traveled down the
river…hippos and crocodiles in their natural environment.
We continued up the coast, drove through a game preserve on
our way to Cape Vidal and observed a number of other animals. These included
cape buffalo, the magnificent kudu antelope, a zebra family, the always
impressive rhino and the rare daytime sighting of a hyena.
This is a sign posted as a warning because in the evenings
these animals may be seen wandering the streets.
A night out of extravagant dining…calories galore!
This is a view of Ghost Mountain, which plays a significant
role in the culture of the region. Tradition says it is a great, strange and
haunted mountain. On top is a rudely shaped resemblance of a woman. At regular
intervals over the years, strange lights and flickering fires are seen among
the fissures and cliffs of the summit. Weird noises and strange sounds are also
heard precipitating Zulu superstitions.
These pictures were taken at a branch sponsored areawide
marriage conference at which we spoke. Decorations were done by a member whose
daughter is in the catering business.
This is the Ezakheni Chapel where Newcastle District held
part of the district conference. Since the district is so large (over 100
kilometers separate the two locations) and travel is difficult, conference is
held in two parts with the same message given in both locations. The theme of
the conference was taken from the Book of Mormon (Helaman 5:12): “ And now, my
sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is
Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil
shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when
all his hail and his mighty storm shall be upon you, it shall have no power over
you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless woe, because of the rock
upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if
men build they cannot fall.
We had the privilege of preparing 8 brethren to receive the
Melchizedek Priesthood and have them sustained at district conference. It was
Elwood’s honor to confer the Melchizedek Priesthood on four of them and ordain
them to the office of Elder.
These beautiful iconic acacia trees are seen throughout
South Africa…
We are continuing to enjoy our mission and being able to
assist in the work of the Lord. It is very rewarding to be assisting in the
progress being made.
Love to you all.
