First Sunday in Orange Farm

I just realized that I forgot to mention how my first Sunday went in Orange Farm. We walked to church and as I walked by Nduduzzi's house he called my name so I came back and we embraced. I asked him why he wasn't coming to church and he said that he would come today. So I headed to church.   I was greeted shortly after we arrived by Rarisang.

It's funny because I wasn't sure that the children would remember me, or that they might be a litte uncomfortable but it wasn't long before Rarisang and a few of the others were holding my hand and carrying my bag. 

I brought my blog book and the two other books I made. One had several photos of Orange Farm so the members really enjoyed looking at it.

It felt like I had never left. Nduduzi and Nomkosi did come to Sacrament Meeting but there wasn't a place next to me and they sat in the back. After Sacrament Meeting I took the Nursery class for a walk because they couldn't get the classroom open and the teacher wasn't there. They were so cute, they kept talking to me in Zulu just babbling on and on as we went for our walk.

I had a great time at church reuniting with so many people. Sometime during the day it hit me that I was going to have to say goodbye again. Nduduzi's brother, Nathi came up to me to tell me that he hadn't been coming to church because he had been sick at at the clinic. Nduduzi's mother died last year and I wonder if Nathi has the same thing. So very sad, I love these two so much. Nathi stayed so close to me after church. I almost cried when I held him. I told him I loved him and would pray for him and to be a good boy and to go to church. He promised me he would.

When church was over it was just like it use to be. The children gathered around me for photos. If I asked one person to be in a photo before I knew it I was surrounded.

This little guy came to the church activity on Saturday and then returned on Sunday for church. I had never met him before. He came with a neighbor. I was told he didn't have parents.  He was so cute. He stayed really close to me and asked me lots of questions. He was running his fingers through my hair before we took this photo and asked me if it was my "real" hair. 

It was so fun to see everyone at church. I got lots of hugs. Then Sister Ellen, and Sister Mazwi and I went to Sister Leah and Sister Bathobile's for lunch. We had such a great visit and wonderful lunch.

I am so grateful for these sweet ladies inviting me to dinner. It was the first time I had dinner in a members home. I loved talking to Sister Leah. She told me about how she joined the church and the history of the church in Orange Farm. When I got back to the Lee's that night I was exhausted but so happy. 

COME AWAY WITH ME