We arrived in Maputo Mozambique on 5 December to do Public Affairs Training with Elder and Sister Humpherys (who are based in Lusaka, Zambia.) This was a handover from them to us for Mozambique, as our areas were reorganized.
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| Maputo, Mozambique airport. |
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| Sharon and Sister Humpherys |
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| Dinner with President and Sister Kretly (rear), Bro and Sister Tidwell (front), Elder and Sister Humpherys (middle) and us (next to the Kretly's). President Kretly is the Mission President in Mozambique and Swaziland. |
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| Sister Castenheira (L) and Sister Paulina Lassalette (R). Since Portugese is the language spoken in Angola and Mozambique, we flew Sister Paulina in from Angola. They were both such sweet ladies. |
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| Elder Humpherys (L) and Mike Jones (He works in the consulate and was our interpreter.) Mike served his mission in Brazil & married a native Brazilian. |
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| Elder Berg is advancing the powerpoint slides.... lots to do! LOL |
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| Sis C made this gorgeous flower arrangement to brighten our training room. |
Some Beach scenes in Maputo.
The area reminded us of the Galveston, TX seawall drive.
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From the net: This monument was conceived by the sculptor Ruy Gameiro and was inaugurated on the 11th of November 1935. On the upper side of the monument seats a statue of a lady holding a snake with her right hand. According to popular myth the snake lived amongst the trees in the square and it used to bite those who wanted to rest below the shadow of the acacia trees.
Attempting to kill the snake a lady prepared a pot of porridge and whilst hot carried it on her head.
The snake tried to bite the lady’s head and instead fell into the pot of hot porridge and died.
Therefore, it is believed that the statue standing in the centre of the square was built in honour of the lady, popularly known as Senhora da Cobra (meaning snake lady).
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| This view is from the balcony of the restaurant in our Hotel.... Yes, that is the Indian Ocean behind them! Really a beautiful site. |
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| Maputo Branch President, Solomon Smith and family. The Maputo Branch had over 200 people there when we attended! Their District will be made a Stake this Sunday, & they will become a Ward. They are very excited. The Smith's invited us to join them for dinner after church. They said they really enjoy having other Americans over, so they can use their English. |
We arrived home from Mozambique Monday afternoon, & that evening attended our Senior Couples Missionary Christmas Dinner at the Area Presidency's home.
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| The Johannesburg Temple President Eppel & his wife (center) |
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| Elder and Sister Stokes (they work in Family History) |
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| Elder Hamilton greeting guests.... yes he did some of the cooking! |
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| The man on the right is the counselor in the Temple Presidency & is from Madagascar. |
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| Elder & Sister Peterson (he is the Area Mental Health Advisor). Elder Cook shared a tender story about meeting with the Temple Pres, in which he shared concerns about how many members wait several months to have their families sealed in the temple, due to a lack of sisters available to watch their children while they are waiting for the sealing. Sweet Sister Peterson (above) came into Pres Cook's mind, & he spoke to her about helping organize missionary sisters to assist with this child care, so families may be sealed more quickly. Sis Peterson readily accepted & is so excited! When a missionary Elder is called to a specific assignment such as Medical, Legal, etc. often their wife is left trying to find somewhere to be of service. So this was a perfect fit. All of the senior missionary sisters are now being asked by Elder Cook to volunteer 2 hours per week (if possible) to serve in the "Temple day-care". |
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| Sister Cook is taking "Merry Christmas" videos from the balcony, so we can send home (the videos are below) One video is our "Merry Christmas" to all of our families & friends... The other is "We Wish You a Merry Christmas...Come Join Us Right Here!" That's our plug to encourage all of you seniors out there to come join us in the best mission ever ---- Africa Southeast Area!!! |
Following the dinner, we split into 3 groups & each went to one of the Area Presidency's apartments for a Christmas message & treat. Their flats are so cozy & nice, with their Christmas trees & decorations. It really made us feel "at home".
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| Sister KK Ellis led us in Christmas carols. |
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| Elder Ellis read the Christmas Story from the Bible. |
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| Elder & Sister Cook having some fun with different hats :) |
President Cook presented Temple President Eppel with this beautiful portrait of
a young family being sealed in the Johannesburg Temple. This was symbolic of the
Area emphasis on getting more complete families sealed for time & all eternity.
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| President Eppel was very touched. |
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| Sister Hamilton taught us how to make some fancy snowflakes to decorate their flat. |
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| Elder Hamilton serving yummy Christmas cookies! |
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| Some of our masterpieces! |
A couple of Sister Hamilton's beautiful African nativity sets
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| Elder & Sister Davis |
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| Sister Shupe, Sister Berg, Sister Kinghorn |
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| The Area Presidency (back row) Johannesburg Temple Presidency (front row) (This picture was taken in the breathtaking foyer of The White House - residence of the Area Presidency) |
Wednesday, 10 December, we had 40+ senior missionaries over to our flat for our Christmas Potluck Dinner. Yes, it was tight, but it was great fun! They are all such an amazing group & we've grown to love each & every one of them.
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| Everyone brought such yummy food! Sharon made a big pan of lasagne (Carolyn's recipe!), which was delicious! |
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| These three sweet members are from Madagascar, and the young couple were just married & sealed in the temple the day before. We were so blessed to have them join us. |
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| Yep, a packed house!!! |
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| Everyone's got their smart phones & iPads out recording the group serenading all of Duke's Court (our apartment complex) with beautiful Christmas carols :) |
Merry Christmas to all of you, from the missionaries of
the Africa Southeast Area!
May your holidays be warm & bright, with the true spirit of Christmas, which is the Savior Jesus Christ. His birth was the greatest gift a father could give the world. We have all been blessed by His example, no matter what religion, race or ethnicity we are. May we all use His example this Christmas, to be a light to the world...to #ShareTheGift...to make the world a better place.
We have a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We study & love the Book of Mormon, & know it is the word of God. We are grateful & blessed to have a living prophet on the earth today, President Thomas S. Monson. We are humbled each & every day, as we serve our Savior here in Africa. We feel His presence in our lives, & pray that He will also bless YOUR lives, as you grow closer to Him.
We love each & every one of you!
Merry Christmas!!!
Love, Elder & Sister Berg
You guys are so busy. But it looks amazing keep up the good work. We love you,!
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