Our last adventure

After our visit to Bethel, we went to the Sisulu National Botanical Gardens. Here we saw a stunning natural waterfall. This waterfall is pictured in the paperback version of our Worship the Only True God book on page 4.

The whole time we were in Africa we just marvelled at Jehovah's creation: the beauty of the land, animals, and most of all his people. We are truly part of a loving and united spiritual family.

On our last day in Johannesburg SA, Katie and Corrine joined a few of our friends to go to another animal park. They were very excited to have the oppurtunity to pet lion cubs there.

Later that evening we flew out of Johannesburg airport on our 19 and 1/2 hour flight home! We had one stop in Dakur, which is in the NW corner of Africa, for refueling. The stop was about an hour and we did not get off the plane. However, workers did board the plane to check our luggage, which we had to remove from the overhead storage and hold on our laps. Then they sprayed for bugs with cans that looked like air freshener. They actually walked down the aisles while spraying. One sister had an averse reaction to the spray; she started choking and the flight attendants gave her oxygen.

Well, we finally arrived in NY the next morning and parted ways with our good friends from bus #102. Some were taking more flights, some went on the train, and some went in cars but we all took with us cherished memories of the international convention and our adventures in South Africa. We also have the treasure of new friends that we hope to see again.

It was truly a privilege and a blessing to have taken this wonderful trip. We hope that you all have enjoyed sharing it with us.

The branch in South Africa has about 760 volunteers that live and work there. They were so happy to have us international visitors that they put on a show for us; singing and dancing in their native languages and dress. It was fabulous! Each department had a display outside their area and had made gifts like bookmarks and magnets for us to take. We also got to have lunch there. A buffet was served and we helped ourselves then sat with the Bethel family. The pictue of Corrine and Karie with the elderly sister is a special one. A record about that sister, Maria, is one of three single sisters that can be read about in the 2007 year book. She has been serving in the translation department for over 40 years at Bethel. Corrine and Katie really wanted to meet one of these single sisters and they were looking all over for them at the convention. So needless to say, they were really happy when she came over and sat down right at their table to eat! She speaks 11 different languages and was a real "fire ball." How encouraging that was for Katie and Corrine.

The paper that is used in South Africa is donated from the brothers in France, otherwise it could never be afforded. That is just another part of the evidence that we truly are a world wide brotherhood. The South Africa branch distributes literature to most of the countries in Africa. They have trucks for hauling the literature and supplies. Many borders have to be crossed that are manned by guards and police. It is a common custom for truckers to bribe the police so they don't have to wait a long time to be allowed to pass. Needless to say our brothers don't take part in illegal activities, so many times they wait for days sleeping in their trucks. We did hear though that there are some areas favorable to us. The brothers in charge have made a good witness with the authorities and the witnesses are trusted. So when a truck arrives in these areas they go to the head of the line and pass right thru without a search. One time a truck was stolen and the robbers came to the border so, they got in line. Well, the border patrol got suspicious because those trucks usually just go right thru. So, the police caught the robbers and the truck and literature was returned to the society!

We came away from our visit at Bethel feeling so moved by the love and hospitality of our spiritual family there.

(This little excert was written for you by the other 2 travellers: Stephen and Nellie.) :)

Bethel

It's SUNday!

Hope you are all still checking in on us! Had trouble getting time to post while in Johannesburg - but we still have so much to say and share - so keep checking in! Will try to get everything up quickly and wrap it up. Stay with us!

So sunday started off with clear blue sky and sun shining! We were so excited! For about 39 seconds. Then we were hot. =) Walking into the sunshine here is like opening an oven door. It is HOT. Amazingly hot. I alternated between wearing my hat, and hiding under the umbrella. It helped to have the shade from the umbrellas - so they were put to good use by all once again. There was a nice breeze which made it tolerable. It was really a beautiful day. I saw some brothers handing out bottles of water to some of the older ones which was nice to see. Wouldn't take long to collapse in this heat.

Some brothers were complaining that they still got sunburn on the top of their heads through the umbrellas. Not Steven of course, but some others =) . I guess that shows the power of the sun here. Seems that my skin really likes the african sun and I have actually gotten a bit of a tan. In a nice crisp t-shirt pattern. Lovely. It will probably be with me for a while too. Corrine is very amused by it. I think I will call it a "convention tan" instead of a 'farmer's tan'. More accurate.

The drama was today, and we were happy to see them come out from under the canopy. Would have been difficult to grasp the gestures and emotion from under the cover. I felt bad for them being in the heat of the sun - but some clouds came out and provided some shade through most of it. The drama was just as emotional to watch here as it was at our home convention. Didn't matter that the Indian father had African sons. And that they all had American accents. =) I cried once again throught the new song they played at the end as well.

In the afternoon, we had more reports from other lands - which included interviews from missionaries here at the Durban convention. One of the couples was assigned to Tanzania. They have been building "expandable halls" there, which are kingdom halls with attached auditoriums that they can use for assemblies. They had to learn to like different food, as they live in a rural area and eat what is there. I appreciated that the sister explained the sacrifices they made to simplify for their assignment. They originally had to cut down from a house to a one bedroom flat. Now, they had to cut even more - from a one bedroom flat to a car. She said she mostly misses her shoes =).

I wanted to share too the report from Korea - There are 90,000 publishers in Korea. Of those - there are 43,000 pioneers!!!!! That is 44%!!! Wow!

Our closing talk was once again Brother Morris. He gave us the final count for the baptism = 96 here in Durban, 65 in Cape Town, and 163 in Pretoria, for a total of 324!

Then he told us that JW's are officially registered in Georgia! Yay! He also related the sad news from Russia, where we are now under ban. We had heard this already, but it was something to hear from a Governing Body member. What I appreiciated too was the way he explained it. While it seemed surprising to us, he said that the outcome of the case was not surprising to the brothers. There are 7 more cases pending, and they are expecting a similar outcome. As he stated, while not easy for them - the brothers there are accustomed to this opposition. They have banned 34 of our publications as Explicit in Nature, and labeled us "Extremists". Among the books banned - My Book of Bible Stories, and the Bible Teach book.

As he recounted the Convention for us, going through highlights - some dark clouds came rolling in. Ah, relief from the sun! Then a sprinkle. Umbrellas started shooting up. I refused, as I was sure it wouldn't rain. Then it sprinkled more. Suddenly - the heavens opened up! It was pouring! Then the wind began! It was raining sideways and even up! It was a monsoon! Brother Morris tried to continue - at one point laughing and saying "This is interesting!" =) The brothers went up and moved him back farther under the canopy - but with the wind - I am sure it didn't help! People's umbrellas were blowing inside out! It was hysterical! Then Brother Morris said "2 more minutes - hold on! You can't get any wetter!" So true. I managed to get my poncho on and umbrella up - but everything was soaked - including the page in my notes. It made for a hectic ending to an eventful weekend - and I don't think I would have wanted it any other way!

Here is a pic of everyone after the convention, and after the monsoon!

As the bus pulled away - we drove by many brothers and sisters - and they all waved "goodbye" to us. It was so sweet! Many of them had to walk through the massive puddles to get to their cars. We were one of the first buses out (go team!) but the later buses got caught up in more downpours. Somehow, it still didn't take away from the amazing experience, and while our clothes were wet and our feet were soaked - it didn't dampen the spirit!

Thanks again for checking back in! Stay tuned - we still have to report from Bethel! And then I have photos galore to share!

It was cold but the Zulu brothers came out!

Saturday morning started out with a bit of a scramble. There are so many brothers and sisters staying at our hotel that they had to open up separate “dining halls” to feed us breakfast. We have to catch our bus at 7:30, which means we have to be ready to load at 7:15, which means we have to get up super early. Anywho- Katie and I decided to go to the smaller dining area, and it was like a circus! We managed to get a muffin and a glass of juice and we scooted off to the buses!
When we got to the Convention we put our bags down and went off to meet others. We met so many wonderful brothers and sisters today, I’m sorry I can’t tell you about all of them. Here are just a few things that touched me-
Katie and I crossed the arena to go to the local side to visit our elderly and infirmed brothers and sisters. We figured it would be nice, since they can’t get p to walk and come visit us. We met so many ones. A mother and daughter in law who referred to themselves as Ruth and Naomi! A local white sister who’s been in the truth her whole life (I’m guessing 85 years) living in South Africa the entire time, I can’t imagine what she’s experienced and seen! Lastly, a BIG Zulu sister who was dressed in orange from head to toe, hat and all! She’s been in the truth 11 years. I spied on her regularly through the program (she was directly across from us and easy to spot). After talking to us for a minute or two she looked at me and in all seriousness asked if Katie was my daughter. I think her eyes were bad- Katie thinks I need to use more moisturizer. Anyway- it really made Katie’s day, considering I’ve been telling everyone here her age. Jehovah was correcting me!
Then we stumbled upon Tyrone. I’ve been stalking all the babies here, wanting to hold one. The problem is they are piggy backing their mothers, wrapped up so tight. They are so cute though so I’ve been on the lookout. When we were walking to the bathroom, almost at the end of the lunch break we spotted him. He was in a carriage, about a year old, smiling and grabbing people’s legs! Katie bent down to talk to him and I talked to his grandmother. I asked with a smile if he belonged to her and she said “yes, he’s my grandson but I’m raising him”. So many thoughts ran through my mind then she said “his mother died, right after giving birth to him. She was diagnosed with Leukemia and they wanted her to abort him. She sacrificed her life for him”. I started to cry and asked if she was her daughter. She was. Then our sister said “It was last December, right before the big assembly. It makes the resurrection hope so real. I can’t wait to hand him back to her”. I cried about that all afternoon. He was a beautiful boy and she was a beautiful sister. We have a wonderful hope. In the new system I would really like to meet his mother.
Today was FREEZING cold. I never thought in a million years I’d be cold in Africa! It was also the baptism. We had 96 baptized, including 2 sisters and 7 brothers from the deaf congregation! They set up 2 pools next to the stage and filled them with water using a hose. Our brothers and sisters lined up and went and changed and came back. Old ones, young ones, black, white, Indian, every race and nationality here! Most of them didn’t have swim suits, they changed into other clothes and sometimes other dress clothes and no one made a big deal about the cold water or cold air. They are amazing!
We met a sister in the Morningside congregation named Melissa Williams on Friday. She found us and Saturday and invited us to a “secret” gathering in the Durban Central Kingdom Hall. Some of our Zulu brothers were going to be singing there that night for the delegates, since they were not assigned to this assembly and some couldn’t visit! She offered to pick us up at the hotel! We were in. My parents came and we invited a couple on our bus the Kings. The hall was amazing and our brothers are amazing. I’ve never felt so much love in my life. The Zulu singing took our breath away. I can’t do it justice with words; again we’ll try to put it up. It lasted about 2 hours and then they fed us! KFC! Amazing. Everything is just wonderful!
Attendance on Saturday was 12, 112 in Durban, 8,324 in Cape Town and 18, 467 in Pretoria for a total of 38, 903!
Thanks for checking in we love you and miss you!

New friends and umbrella wars

Friday. What a day! Woke up to cloudy skies, which has pretty much been the norm here in Durban. Cloudy is OK, as long as it doesn’t rain. Had another successful loading/unloading of our bus. Yay! Can you tell that this has been a high priority concern here? Can’t help but mention it.
Since they try to segregate us as International Delegates, we have to make an effort to mingle with the local brothers and sisters – no staying in our seats! It is such a foreign experience to me, that people are so genuinely happy to meet us and to talk to us. I feel like I must dissappoint them cuz I have nothing special or exciting to offer them. But I have come to learn that our brothers and sisters here are just like us at home – working hard in their own personal territories, hearing about a world-wide brotherhood. And suddenly for a short time – the brotherhood has come to them. Its not about any of us individually. And the interchange of encouragement goes both ways. I have been genuinely happy to meet and talk to every single person that I have had the opportunity to, and am so glad to have been able to be a part of this.
We’ve met some interesting people. Met four young siblings from t he Durban area. They were very friendly and polite and so so sweet. We talked to them for a little while and took a picture with them. They said that they wished they could have a copy of the picture – so we got the oldest one’s email address so I can send it to her. They were so excited!

Had a very handsome brother approach me from afar with a homemade flower. He was super cute. His name is Sebastian.

Then we were walking along and two sisters approached us and took our picture with their cell phones. We talked with them for a bit and found out that they were from the local area – one of them is in an english cong and the other is in Zulu. We are happy to meet everyone – but the Zulu convention is actually next week. They were invited to attend this convention – so the ones that are there had to make a special effort to attend this weekend, and again next. Seems extra special. Only after we were talking to them for a while we found out that one of them is a Circuit Overseer’s Wife in the Zulu circuit. She was so young! Maybe in her 30’s. They are sisters-in-law and the other sister’s brother is her husband, the circuit overseer. That was pretty neat. They were super sweet as well.

And stumbled upon a group of our deaf friends as well. In talking with a brother in our hotel who knows sign, they communicate with SASL (South African Sign Language) which I guess is mostly similar – but with some minor, confusing differences. For example, what means ‘name’ in ASL means ‘toilet’ in SASL. I’m sure they have been having fun with that. It’s nice to have found out that there is a considerable group of deaf ones from the local area at our convention, and they have their very own private room with TVs and air conditioning.
As some of you have mentioned in the comments – the songs are absolutely beautiful! They always are at assemblies and conventions – but with the added flavor of the different languages and accents, the number of people, and the naturally talented voices that speak those languages – it is awesome. I did record one of the songs on Friday but am still unable to post videos. If I figure it out I will add it so you can see what I mean. We haven’t sang a song yet that I didn’t get choked up during.
In the morning, we had the symposium and guess who has a part? Sister Sharples is being interviewed! We felt like we knew someone on the program, even though we had yet to meet her in person.
Attendance on Friday morning in Durban was 9,774. They have been reporting the attendance for the other two conventions for us and totalling them. Cape Town had 7,077, and Pretoria is the big one with 16, 295. Total is 33,146.
Sometime during the lunch break, the rain began. Just spitting at first really. Pretty tolerable. The session got underway, and the rain did as well. The umbrellas went up. The ponchos came out. The rain continued. Many people started seeking cover. We were determined to stick it out in our seats. The rain was steady. And cold. And the breeze blew. It was a long afternoon.
Highlight from the reports from other lands – probably Milawee (sp?). Unfortunately I missed the exact publisher count (probably couldn’t hear over the rain), but learned that they spent 26 years under ban. Since the ban was lifted in 1993 – 542 congregations have been added. There are currently 1,200 congregations there. Delegates from Milawee were attending Pretoria – and we linked in to their convention for the report. Pretty interesting stuff.
As the afternoon progressed, our section cleared out quite a bit, as brothers and sisters sought shelter in the limited covered areas. Along comes a pair of sisters, who sauntered on down the aisle – choose the row in front of us and walk along toward the middle of the row. They planted themselves directly in front of Steve and Nellie, who were huddled under an umbrella in their matching ponchos. Not sure why they chose that spot, considering all the empty seats around. As they settled, the one sister proceeds to open what is decidedly the largest umbrella one could possibly carry, and holds it high above her head so as not to block her own view of the stage. Directly in front of Steve and Nellie. Corrine and I got quite the kick out of that. As time went on and rain continued to fall, the rain would flow off her portable shelter in a steady stream – directly onto the legs of Steve and Nellie. I imagine this umbrella was rather heavy and cumbersome – as she had to keep adjusting the position in which she was holding it. While doing so, it would repeatedly stab Steve and Nellie, or even simply rest on their laps. The sister was oblivious. At one point I watched as she played with her bracelet – which created a kind of spinning motion with the umbrella and caused the rain to kind of spray all over them. Of course they kind of tried to politely move the umbrella off of them – but she never noticed. She was too busy removing the gallon of water from her bag to pour some into her cup. Having only one available hand, she placed the bottle of water between her legs and squeezed it tight as she unscrewed the cap. SWOOSH! Water gushed all over her lap and shirt. Hysterical. I found this highly ironic, and therefore amusing. Good thing she had that umbrella to keep her dry. Eventually, in a spirit of mildness and brotherly love, Steve and Nellie moved over about four seats to put an end to the situation. About 5 minutes later, umbrella lady’s friend also moved over. About 3 seats. Directly in front of Steve and Nellie. (The plaid umbrella in the top pic above is the culprit).
Once again, Brother Morris gave the final talk of the day, and announced the release of the new song book! How exciting! They don’t get to receive their books yet though. English congs will be able to order at their very next meeting, but Zulu and most other languages will not be available until May 2010. I feel sad for them – but they did not seem to mind! They just clapped and clapped! And so did we =)

Thursday's events

My new ridiculous hat to protect my frying head from the sun.

Nellie, Corrine and I ready and waiting to load the bus in a cooperative and orderly fashion.Entering the stadium. Looks familiar, no? Except this spiral is a walkway, not for driving on.

Brother Morris

And the eager umbrellas.