February KwaZulu-Natal

First, an apology for not posting more often.  There have been a number of hindrances to making timely posts.  Slow computer uploads is just one of them.  As I write this we have been on our mission 10 months.  It does not seem possible.
Above is one of our students, Trever Nyikadzino and his fiancee,Londiwe, at the occasion of her baptism.  They are planning a June wedding and want us involved.  Her auntie and two cousins are also in the picture.  The little girl will be the flower girl.  So sweet, we are excited for their wedding.

On a recent trip to northeastern KwaZulu Natal, we had the chance to see some more of South Africa's amazing wildlife.  The area is low-lying with marshes and lakes and crocodiles galore!  Not sure what he is smiling about???

If you remember, we posted previous pictures of monkeys and their babies and how tiny the babies were.  They have grown quite some, but still ride the same way.  It's still a thrill to see them, even though they are quite common around some of the other couples' flats. They are so playful and naughty, sometimes reminding us of a few of our grandchildren, not naming names??!!

One way to beat the South African heat.  We took a little boat cruise and got really close to lots of hippos.  They mostly stay in pods of around ten, including babies.  Their babies are NOT that cute, but still fun to see!  They are encircled by the adults, so not that easy to see.

A Fish Eagle.  It is pretty much like our Bald Eagle. They catch fish directly out of the water and also scavenge dead fish along the shores.  They are beautiful in the air, so graceful.

Just had to include a picture of the largest dung beetles that we have seen to date.  They fly around looking and sounding like hummingbirds until they land in elephant or Cape Buffalo dung piles.  They really looked like the " Bug's Life" attraction at Disneyland only in real life.  They were really fun to watch  and so many of them.

A very nice Waterbuck buck.  I think he knew he was being photographed because he really "struck a pose"!!  They are quite large, wonder what they taste like, hmmmm?????

There are 12 Nile crocodiles in this picture.  Click on it to blow it up and see if you can find all of them.  Hint:  Look at everything that looks like a bump.  Imagine walking down to that beach!

We helped with a Young Single Adult Valentine dinner and dance for Durban and Hillcrest Stakes at the Pinetown Chapel.  On the right is Nokukhanya Mapumelo, one of our PEF students.  She's a "knockout,only 19 years old.  They were expecting about 100-120 people, over 200 showed up.  Good activity, though they ran out of food.

Eligible bachelors with Nkosingiphile Radebe, far left, another PEF student.  Note how nice they are dressed.  Sister Gunderson got to be a judge for the "Best Dressed Couple" and had a hard time choosing.

Nokukanya Msomi far right.  Pretty girls having a great time.  Nokukanya is also one of our students and loves Sister Gunderson's brownies.  The tall girl in the middle is Ernestine Paton and has an amazing voice.  She's had some training but mostly, just naturally talented.  They wear really fun wigs here or have the weaves mixed with their natural hair like Nosipho's below.

Nosipho Mkhungo left and Gugu Mjiyako middle.Gugu is one of Sister Gunderson's piano students and Nosipho, PEF.

Dance goers. It got very crowded and hot before the evening was over.  They all really enjoyed the food and we had a beautiful caked made for the occasion.  Sometimes, the guys gathered in a group and "did their thing" and the girls did the same.  Not too different than dances back home, huh????

It was Elder Masilela's last week before he was finishing his mission and going home to Johannesburg so we took him and the other Assistant to the President, Elder Shumway, out for a going-away dinner.  Elder Masilela will be missed--a wonderful young man who will go far. He ordered a big piece of chocolate cake for dessert and it was fun to watch him try to finish it.  We saw him give the leftover container to a homeless man as they were leaving. So sweet!!

Our graduating Planning for Success Workshop students from Bluff Ward.  Left to Right:  Gordon Majoni, Aphiwe Mpuma, Beverly Lupoko, Makhehla Mkhize, and Zama Dlamini.  We had a great time with this class and it is rewarding to see them be able to get educational opportunities.  Gordon and Beverly are both married and have children so they will be better able to provide for their families.  Aphiwe is planning to be a doctor--and in getting to know her, we are sure she will succeed!