We had a wonderful time at the temple this past Tuesday before these missionaries left on Wednesday. Elder Maruza (far right third row back) was able to have his grandparents sealed and he sat in proxy for his dad and had him sealed to his parents. Then we had Elder Maruza's parents sealed and he was sealed to them. We were proxy for his parent's and I went through for his mom. It was such an emotional and meaningful day for him and for all of us.

One of the African missionaries tells about how excited he was when he first heard the gospel about 7 years ago (Elder Zondi back row 2nd from left). He was living with his uncle at the time because his mom had passed away and he has no idea where his dad is. When he made the decision to get baptized, his uncle kicked him out and he has lived with members ever since. He is a fine young man and will be an asset to his mission.

Sister Nhlengethwa, (behind Dean in pic) is from Swaziland and is the first sister missionary from Swazi. She has never seen a sister missionary because they don't serve where she lives. Her mother didn't think she should, or could, serve a mission, but her grandmother helped prepare her by reading the scriptures with her and encouraging her.

Sister Semenya, (behind me in the pic) who is fairly new in the church, said that she was active in another religion and the pastor told her that all she had to do was say she receives Jesus Christ in her life and she would go right to heaven. That didn't set right with her because she had read differently in the Bible. She went to talk to him about it and all he said was, "if you don't believe it then leave." So she left that church and prayed for Heavenly Father to lead her to a church that he would want her to grow in. After a month she met the missionaries. She asked them all kinds of questions and they answered them all and taught her the gospel. She said it all coincided with what she had learned from the Bible. She said that because she wanted to be a member her boss said she can no longer work for him. So she was without a job and her mother was very angry with her for joining, but she is very strong and knows without a doubt that she did the right thing.

It's amazing what these African missionaries go through when they join the church. They get so much flack from friends and family. One of our teachers, Willy, has 10 brothers and sisters. They are all in different religions. One is a minister, one is a Catholic Priest, and I'm not sure about the others, but they ostracized Willy because he joined the Mormon Church. All the others with all of their different beliefs and religion are accepted well, no problem. Satan is working overtime in Africa!