South Africa Revealed. . .

We watched a very interesting program last night titled "South Africa Revealed." It was on the Discovery Showcase. It talked about the 40% unemployment in SA and how 1/2 of all SA lives below the poverty line. Over five million live on less than $1 a day.

Joburg is one of the most dangerous cities in the world. There are 30 murders or violent attacks every day here. Joburg is 1/3 the population of London but has 16 times more murders. People have even been known to hijack the emergency vehicles on the way to the hospital with patients in the back! Every night by midnight the General Hospital has 6 murders and as many stabbings. By morning they have to close the doors to more people because the hospital is full.

South Africa has more people living with Aids than anywhere in the world. 1,000 die every day from Aids related illnesses yet very few of them will talk about it so their children have no idea what is going on and then they suddenly lose their parents and become orphaned. Then kids end up taking care of brothers and sisters or living with an auntie or a friend or going to an orphanage. Many, many children are born infected. 10,000 teens got pregnant here last year. At least 3 babies are abandoned every week.

We are fairly sheltered here at the MTC and don't witness a lot of what goes on. We feel very safe here. We rarely go out after dark and we stay away from downtown Joburg and other dangerous areas where most of these crimes occur. We drive to the malls and other areas of interest with no problems. South Africa has a lot of beauty and a lot of interesting places to visit. Here where we are is such a great climate. In the summer everything is so lush and green and many of the streets are lined with beautiful trees. They have amazing hotels, wonderful game drives, incredible malls, beautiful botanical gardens, talented wood carvers, very crafty beaders, and many, many humble, beautiful people that we have come to love.

Our hearts are heavy and sad as we learn of all that goes on here and wonder how and when it will change. I really do believe that along with education, the only thing that will save Africa is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. People are hungry for it. They stop and ask us about our badges and often want to know more. In Madagascar recently someone had a Book of Mormon, read it, and passed it around to 21 different friends who also read it. (A fairly common occurence). After the last one had read it, they went to the District Conference and asked to be baptized. Our missionaries bear testimony all the time of how the Gospel changed their lives. They were drinking, drugging, stealing, etc. and conversion to Christ literally made an amazing difference. They have learned there is a better way than drugs, sex, and crime. They feel a peace that they have never before experienced. They tell us they are happier than they have ever been. The Gospel of Jesus Christ transforms people when they are truly converted and diligently live it's principles.