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.) :)