CAPE TOWN MISSION

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

"Our 1st Vistor From Home"

    Ryan Taylor, the man that started this story. About 18 months ago Ryan, who lives in our ward in Utah and is a very good friend, was assigned to South Africa with his employment with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints. During his visits to our home he would show us slides and detail his experiences, as well as share his love for the people of South Africa. It was as a direct result of his stories that led us to choose this beautiful place to serve our mission. He was asked to come for a month for work and ended up flying down from Johannesburg to spend the weekend with us.
    We picked him up at the Cape Town International Airport on Saturday, February 18th about 9:30 am. After dropping off his luggage and showing him around our flat we drove to Mitchells Plain to see the elders and their boarding. A short walk down the street took us to Ruth Alfred's and her son Stephen's home. We were served some refreshing fruit juice, visited and left to pick up the elders. The next stop was to visit Joseph Smith, "Yes, you heard me right." Joseph is a very wonderful man with a most awesome conversion story. He was sleeping and his wife did not want to disturb him. We parted ways with the elders and headed for the beach. The view was incredible and after a very filling hamburger and chips (french fries) we headed home.
    We only had enough time to head right to the office to pick up the van after getting lost for the umpteen million time. It was exciting to pick up Angela and her children, Beverly and Mark. They knew we were going somewhere but didn't know where. TABLE MOUNTAIN. We first stopped at Signal Hill, took some pictures and then up we went. There is was! The cable car that would take us 3000 feet to the top of the mountain that would be where we would eat our dinner at a cafe. For a person that has agoraphobia this was probably that last of my choices, however, with Ryan only having one day to do something I felt this would be the best. What was I thinking??? One royal panic attach is all I can say. It was one thing to be in the cable car that could house up to 65 people but another to have to stand in it without holding on and have the car turning in a circle. Thank goodness in was only a 5 minute ride.
    At the top we (I) edge my way to the cafe. The wind was blowing like no tomorrow, as you can see by the pictures. After we ate and everyone went their separate ways I gathered the courage to walk very slowly towards the edge. I took hold of the telescope and gripping it with all my strength edged step by step until I looked over the waist high wall. As I looked over the edge I could see the city of Cape Town below, the ocean and then the massive jagged cliffs that held what seemed like a tiny bit of existence on top of it's windy peek. Only another person with the fear of heights could possibly know what I was feeling. The sweaty palms, my heart racing and the petrifying feeling in the pit of my stomach. Overcoming fear is not easy. Would I do this again.............don't ask!!! Angela and the kids had a wonderful time, as well as Ryan and Elder Henderson for that it was worth it. Mark hung out with the boys while the girls talked. All in all it was a Great Day!

Welcome to Cape Town

Beach at Mitchells Plain

Beggar boys..they made off with a candy bar and some money, just too cute!

Yummmmy

Beverly, Mark & Angela

Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean

I can't believe this was my idea......

Looking down as we started up.

I took a picture of myself by the edge.......yikes!!!!! Fake smile.

Angela


"Hang on tight dear, Ryan's got your back."

Another fake smile

Beverly

I would have enjoyed this view if I hadn't been so scared.

Ryan Taylor and President Brown, being funny!

Ryan Taylor

Thank you for the new Bibles Poplar Ward

Talent, Sis Henderson, & Precious

Talent, Sister Henderson, Precious & Elder Henderson

Sunday's meeting was incredible. You could hear a pin drop as Ryan spoke in sacrament meeting. After, we present a handful with a new King James version of the Bible that Ryan brought from the Poplar Ward in Farr West Utah....thank you sweet ward family and friends. Pictures, playing with the kids, home again, Sunday dinner and a nap before Skyping home to the family. What a great weekend in Cape Town, South Africa. WHO'S NEXT??

Mitchells Plain's "OPEN HOUSE"

President Brown

Elder Henderson

Elder Whiting (Arizona)

Elder Featherstone (Salt Lake City) & Elder Similane

Josh, Sister Henderson's new love!

Elder Similane & Elder Cowey

Two months in the planning and we felt like it was a smashing success. Held February 11th and 12th. Saturday from 11-2 pm and Sunday from 1-3 pm. The branch gathered the Monday before for Family Home Evening to canvas the neighborhood to pass out flyers announcing the event. There were probably close to thirty in attendance, counting the children. On Sunday we had our regular block meeting from 9-12 pm and started our "OPEN HOUSE." Many branch members brought family or friends and some neighbors came. In all there were 14 investigators. The missionaries will now follow up and hopefully this won't be the last open house we host according to President Brown. The chapel along with other room each told the story of just what goes on behind the doors during our meetings. It told of the restoration of Jesus Christ church and explained how many can be together forever. How Jesus died that we might live again and how "Everyone" is WELCOME.

Elde Cowey (England)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

D&C 18:15-16 and great will be your joy!

Ask us if we are having fun yet.

I love this ear.....well I love his tie!

Sweet reunion!

L-R: Beverly Retronnell Soko, Angela Nicollate Zenda Soko, Mark Elliot Soko & Sister Henderson

Joshua

L-R: Elder Mukasa, Beverly, Angela, Mark, Sis H & Elder Bryers


L-R: Beverly, Angela, Mark and cousin, Brian Fenga

    This trumps any P-Day any where any how hands down. Upon arriving in Cape Town Elder Henderson had to promptly return to the states for his mother's funeral. The first Sunday I attended church was with Elder and Sister Mahler. They were assigned to the Langa Branch, in Langa.
I was sitting by a woman and we started to talk. I assumed she was a member of the church but as we were talking I found out a little bit about her. She told me she had to work on some Sundays and her children, daughter Beverly 15, and son Mark 11, started to come to our church. They were not members. She said she had a hard time getting them to go to church with her. This particular Sunday she decided to come herself and see what it was that was attracting her children. Angela told me her husband, Elliot Soko, had died about six months ago. It was then I told her about Heath and his death. How the gospel had made such a difference in our life and given us hope for an enternal family. I asked her for her e-mail address and since that time we have been mailing back and forth.
    Today, January 22, 2012. ANGELA NICOLLATE ZENDA SOKO, along with her two beautiful children were baptised members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints. The joy felt this day has been amazing. This sweet woman and I have truly become sisters. She looks forward to going to Jonhannesburg to be selaed in the temple with her husband....we hope to go with her.
    I felt through the spirit that I should give her a set of scriptures. I had asked about ordering some but was told it depended on whether there were any available in the Johannesburg office. Then Sister Oldham remembered that there was a set at the office that someone had ordered but decided they didn't want. We gave them to Angela. Never have I given anyone a gift with such a reaction. She had been asking her cousin Brother Brian Fenga, who is a member, how she could buy some. She shouted for joy, not once but it continued for about five to ten minutes. JOY-JOY-JOY.......Pure JOY, what an a "Amazing" day!!