Solo Traveler

When I started this blog I thought I would write more about my first solo traveling experience. I thought I would write about the first solo landing when I looked over at the man sitting next to me and wondered what he would think if I asked him to hold my hand while we landed because that is what my husband always does. I thought I would write about feeling scared when I got off the plane in Amsterdam and had to figure out how to get to the gate for my next flight, but I wasn't scared. It really wasn't difficult at all. I thought I might write about how awkward it was being alone when my driver picked me at the airport. I expected to write about  how strange it felt to spend 3 days in the back seat of the car in Pilanesburg with the Lee's. 

But, it DIDN'T feel strange.  

When I reflect on all the things I did as a solo traveler, I am surprised how comfortable I felt. I had a great time with the Lee's. I never felt like a third wheel. When I spent the day with Kenneth and Lesedi I didn't feel awkward at all. We had a blast. 

 Even when the three of us  went out to dinner, I had a great time.  There were even times when the Lee's were working that I went out to eat by myself. It wasn't uncomfortable sitting at the table alone. I  enjoyed people watching. I enjoyed the 45 minute ride alone with my taxi driver, Abram as we headed to Orange Farm.  

Now that I am home reflecting on the lessons I learned on this trip I guess I'd have to say, I found Melinda Leigh. I really liked being a solo traveler. I have always enjoyed having Bruce by my side. It is wonderful to share new adventures with someone you love. 

However, this experience taught me that joy can be found even when you don't have someone by your side. I found that I was more competent than I thought I would be. When I didn't have someone traveling with me, I talked more to strangers, I was more observant. I really enjoyed the quiet times of reflection I had as I sat at the airport or on the long airplane ride. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to take my first solo adventure. I hope you enjoyed 

Coming Away With Me.

Last Goodbyes

As I sat in my room listening to the distant thunder, I heard my phone ping. It was Candice sending me a sweet goodbye message on WhatsApp It brought tears to my eyes. It made me think of a quote I had on my mission blog. 

"You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place".

Candice said, "You have given us so much, without expecting anything in return but our gratitude.....

Your love n hugs will be missed, Hopefully there is a next time.

I love you so much and thank you for everything. And loving n being a friend to my daughter. "

My heart was heavy. The good-byes were hard. I got another WhatsApp message from Priscilla who is a young women in the branch who went to the temple with us. She had been reading my blog from my mission. She wanted me to know how much it inspired her.  She went on to say, "you have touched so many lives in marvelous ways, may Heavenly Father bless you for all the good work you've done for people" 

I was so humbled. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to come to Africa and to be welcomed into the homes of the people of Orange Farm.

A few minutes later I got a message from my dear friend Kenneth wishing me safe travel. Kenneth and Lesedi have been dear friends. We worked with Kenneth in the Area Office. They have always made us feel like family. 

When we were on our mission and  our children came to visit we had a wonderful dinner at their home. I love their sweet family. Their two younger children both asked me to speak at their baptisms.  I wish I could have spent more time with their family. When Kenneth picked me up to take me to see Mama and the tots he said, "we thought you were going to be staying with us." I was so touched that they would have considered having me stay with them.  

There IS a price you pay when you love people in more than one place. It IS so hard to leave. Sunday as I looked into the eyes of the people I have come to love,  my heart was hurting because I knew that I may not see them again, at least not in this life. 

It IS painful but I wouldn't change a thing. I am filled with gratitude that I had this opportunity to feel the love of the people of South Africa. My heart is full. What a blessing it has been. 

Come Away With Me

Johannesburg Zoo

Thursday the Lee's and I decided to go to the Johannesburg Zoo. I had never been there before. I was really impressed. It is a very nice zoo. The large animals had very nice enclosures. I had a hard time keeping up with the Lee's. I think we walked 4 miles and my legs were killing me. I think Brent could have spent another 3 hours there. He loves the "critters".

I finally got to see a Cape Buffalo

Brent bought Charlene and I Magnum bars, which just happen to be another Johannesburg tradition. 

Come Away With Me

Olives and Plates

Wednesday, February 15th 

We met Kenneth Mofokeng for lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Olives and Plates.

  I love the salads and desserts not to mention the beautiful setting

 I ordered a salad and Brent ordered a wrap, Charlene got a breaded chicken dish with roasted vegies.

We had Portuguese rolls served hot.

I went in to take photos of the beautiful dessert table.

The hostess said that they didn't have as much as they usually have because 

of Valentines Day, the day before.

The carrot cake and chocolate cake looked yummy, but we were too full to order dessert.

 It was so nice of Kenneth to drive out to spend time with us before I leave tomorrow. He had been in Bloemfontein and it was quite a drive for him. 

I loved visiting with Kenneth and the Lees, and listening to him share his dreams for purchasing a farm and raising cattle. Kenneth is a dear friend that we all worked very closely with in the Area Office. I will miss his warm smile and laugh.

COME AWAY WITH ME

Monte Casino Bird Sanctuary

Tuesday, February 14th

We headed to the Bird Sanctuary in Monte Casino.

What a blessing it has been to spend time with these two.  Brent and Charlene Lee have been dear friends. We met them in Ukraine when we were serving as a Humanitarian Couple. They were the Country Directors over Humanitarian Work in Ukraine. We have continued to stay in touch with them.When they arrived in Johannesburg to be Area Welfare Specialist they realized they would need help and Charlene wrote a letter that said, "when will you be ready to serve again"? The rest, as they say, is history. Last year when we returned to the States we joined them along with the Adam's and the Jones's who also served with us in the Area Office, for a cruise to Panama. 

The bird sanctuary has other "critters" as Brent calls them like,

 Dikers

 and Lemur's

 The birds in Africa are so colorful

After we toured the bird sanctuary we went to a movie "Collateral Beauty" and then dinner at

 "The Garage" 

We all ordered Chicken Schnitzel, one of our all time favorites in South Africa

another fun day with two wonderful host.

Monday visit to the Area 0ffice

Monday we went to the Area office to attend the devotional. Nicolette from the finance department gave a wonderful talk on love.

The Blake's who are the couple who replaced us as Area Welfare Managers asked me to come to their office after the devotional for a visit. While I was there Melvern stopped by. Melvern, works in fleet. Malvern is a wonderful young man who always has a smile on his face. After the devotional we went to lunch with Thabo and Phillip.

Thabo Lebethoa was the Area Welfare Manager when the Lee's first arrived in Johannesburg for their Area Welfare Mission. When we arrived in Johannesburg Thabo was the Self Reliance Manager and Phillip Moatlodi was the Area Welfare Manager. We had several meetings at Mike's with these two good men. So we decided for old times sake we would have lunch at Mike's. Thabo has been the Soweto Branch President but he was recently called to be a Mission President in Cape Town. He leaves in July. Phillip is still the Area Welfare Manager.

After lunch, we took Brent home and Charlene and I drove out to Topsy retail store but the shop has closed. So we  headed to Rosebank African Market. We decided to stop at McDonalds and have our tradional ice cream cone.  

 I remembered I liked the shop at the lake called Mayo so we skipped Rosebank and headed to Zoo Lake. I bought a handbag and two wooden bracelets.  We came back and I tried to lay down for awhile because I had a really bad headache. Then we went to FHE for the Blake's farewell talk. The Blake's replaced us in the Area Office so it was fun to hear about some of the experiences. 

My last Sunday in Orange Farm

Sunday, February 12th

President Nyama was working so much that I didn't get much of a chance to visit with him until Saturday night. After the children went to bed, the adults stayed up talking. We talked about the temple trip and how special it was for the ladies in the branch. We discussed self reliance and how important it is for the members to learn to help themselves. He told me a wonderful story about how he had attended a self reliance workshop as a young man and then decided to start a business selling envelopes. He and his pregnant wife would sit on their living room floor and cut out the envelopes with a small knife like blade. He said they made 1,000 envelopes that first night. He was successful with that business and then started selling envelopes for X-rays. He said they didn't need to seal the X-ray envelopes so they wouldn't need to buy paste for them which would allow him to make more profit. Eventually the business folded and he moved on to repairing cell phones.  It was really interesting listening to how he came to Johannesburg to work while his wife and children stayed in Zimbabwe. He said he slept on the floor of a small room in Johannesburg. He mentioned there were times he sent all of his earnings to his wife and he had no food. Since that time he has had several other employment opportunities. He is currently working for coca cola. He is a hard working man. I think we finally went to bed at midnight. 

I was so exhausted when we went to bed  that I didn't get much sleep. I think a part of me was excited about seeing everyone at church again but not looking forward to saying goodbye. When we left the house to begin our walk to church we noticed that it was a beautiful morning. 

The sun was out but it wasn't too hot.

We had to cross a few mud puddles from the recent summer showers

 I always love it when I see the ladies carrying things on their heads. 

Church

Church was hard today

I don't even know where to begin

I stood outside for a few minutes before church began and watched as families walked across the school yard to the temporary buildings the locals call speed spaces. 

A few members stood by the door and greeted everyone who entered the speed space that was designated as the chapel. The young elders were excited as they ran the hose into the font that sat between two speed spaces outside. They were preparing for a baptism that would be directly after church today.

I found a seat near a fan because it was already beginning to warm up. After a few moments a young man came and sat next to me. We chatted for a minute and I discovered he had been baptized a few years previous but had become inactive. His sister joined him in the empty seat on the other side of him. I still had an empty seat and when Siphokazi came in I asked her to sit next to me. She shyly came over but sat down and edged her way to the far end of her seat nearest the wall. It was really unusual behavior for her because Siphokazi was one of the children who always sat near me and traced the veins in my hand, or ran her fingers through my hair. She was the first to offer to carry my bag to primary. I didn't know what to make of this behavior. Siphokazi was the last child to see us leave Orange Farm. Hers was the last face I saw as I drove out of the parking lot. I couldn't help but think she was protecting her little heart from one more break. 

When the congregation began to sing, "I believe in Christ". The tears began to flow. I know God lives, I know he loves the members of Orange Farm. Life is hard in the township. Many struggle to put food on the table. I am so grateful that they let me into their lives these past two weeks. My heart is overflowing with love for the Saints in Orange Farm. They try so hard to live the gospel and to follow the commandments. It isn't always easy. 

This young girl, Tholakele, is a new member of the church. She went to the temple with us. She was so happy to go. She told me that it was a very special day for her. 

 After Sacrament Meeting the Makundo family and I posed for a photo together.

 Kelly and her baby, Palesa, sat with me for awhile during Relief Society. It was so hard to concentrate because I was trying to take everything in. I was studying the faces of the women I had come to know and love, the lady in front on me, Sister Viola in her beautiful Congolese print skirt and matching scarf, the mothers with babies on their backs gently rocking back and forth, the women sitting closely with one arm around the other, the Relief Society President, Sister Mazwi standing at the podium making announcements. I thought about the fact that two weeks ago I didn't know Sister Mazwi because I hadn't had an opportunity to get to know her before I left Orange Farm and now I loved her as if I knew her all my life. 

Kelly kept telling me she was going back to America with me.

 Sister Ellen, my dear, dear friend asked me to come and sit outside with her. She was already crying when I sat down. I remembered the last time I left when she and I embraced, I sobbed. I could feel the tears coming as Ellen told me how much she loved me and was grateful that I didn't judge her and that I was her friend. She asked me to continue to pray for her and Anna who is on a mission. We wept as we shared our deep love for one another. It was a sacred moment.

 My sweet Rarisang joined me after primary. She took my necklace off and placed it around her neck. 

Later Rarisang's mother, Candice came to say        goodbye. I gave Candice and some of the others CTR rings or bracelets that I had brought. 
                                                                           Candice gave me a necklace she had made.

 I was sitting in the back of the chapel with Kelly, Palesa and Rarisang taking pictures and before I knew it I was surrounded by  children who wanted to be in the photo.

 By this time I was a mess, I couldn't stop the tears

Sister Moyane, who is the Primary President, asked me to join her family for a photo. 

I just had to laugh when I saw the look on her teen age sons face. 
I guess teen aged boys are the same all over the world.

Then one final photo with the Nyama family.

I had been dreading this moment all day. A few days ago it hit me that I was going to have to say goodbye to my loved ones in Orange Farm all over again.
 It was wonderful to spend so much time with them but now I would have to part with them all over again. I had asked Abram, my driver to come earlier than I had originally planned. I just couldn't put the final goodbye off any longer. 

The Lee's and I went to see a movie called Collateral Beauty. The movie is about life, and death and everything in between. It made me reflect on how painful it can be to love. When we allow people into our hearts, we become vulnerable. There is a price we pay when we love. We risk the pain of losing them. I thought of the pain I felt when my father died, and when I lost my grandparents. I thought of how hard it has been for me to not have my children in my home anymore. I knew that I would see still see them but not having them in my home everyday was painful.

The movie made me reflect on both of our  missions in Orange Farm and in Ukraine. When I left my family for 18 months, it was very painful to say goodbye. I love my children and grandchildren with all of my heart. I couldn't imagine being away from them for so long.  However, Heavenly Father blessed me with a love for the people of Ukraine and Orange Farm. On both missions my husband and I served and attended the same ward the whole time and the people became our family. 

So after 18 months, when  I had to say goodbye to people I had come to love with all my heart. I wept. 

Leaving the children of Orange Farm and Tembisa was so difficult because I know that some of them don't have a mother to love them. Their life has been hard. Some of them have been abandoned by parents, some have lost them to death. 

The moments I had to spend with them were special. As I held some of those children in my arms  I could feel the Saviors love for them.  
Love is a gift that Heavenly Father gives his children. 

Although it is painful to leave, I am so blessed that my heart has been opened, that my Heavenly Father led me to Orange Farm and Tembisa to be his servant. I am grateful that I have a wonderful husband and children at home waiting for me. I am so grateful that I had a mother who I always knew loved me. 

  I pray that these sweet children and women in Orange Farm who I have come to know and love will feel the Lord's love for them and will know that I will never forget them. My heart is so full. 
When Abram came to take me back to Johannesburg and I climbed into his car I was completely exhausted. I was drained. I felt depleted but I was so grateful that I had this amazing opportunity to serve in Orange Farm and to spend the last two weeks filling my cup.

"My cup runneth over"

COME AWAY WITH ME