Off and Running in June

The couple whom we replaced are from Salem, Oregon.  We have appreciated their helpfulness in getting us acquainted with Africa and for their patience in providing training to us.

Sister Howden with Elder and Sister Cinquini

We continue to be amazed at the beautiful people and gorgeous country that we have immersed ourselves in. Our mission as Public Affairs Specialists keeps us with full days, weeks and soon to be months.  Our assignment includes five countries.  We drive to some assignments and fly to others.  

Flight from Johannesburg to Lusaka, Zambia

What can be more special than wearing this badge?

One of our assigned countries is Zambia. We were recently in the capital city of Lusaka.  On this particular visit, we drove from the airport to the hotel then to the church for training then back to the hotel and then to the airport.  We focused on the sweet people and as a result had no time for sightseeing.

Lusaka, Zambia from the Air

Our assignment of training their National Public Affairs Council went well and the people involved were eager and delightful. 

Training the Zambia National Public Affairs Council Members

Sister Howden's Favorite Zambian, Rosemary and Her Mother

 Zambia is the size of Texas and has Victoria Falls on its border (which is one of the "Seven Wonders of the World") plus some of the most remarkable game drives.  As missionaries our time is precious so sightseeing is very limited  Hopefully, someday we will be able to return and have some time to see some sights.

Monday was back to the airport then home to Durban, South Africa. 

Sugar Cane Fields on the Approach to Durban

Month of May at a Glance

The transition to South Africa has been very easy for us.  We have found the people to be exceptionally kind and helpful.  Our furnished flat along with a new laptop, car and cell phone were waiting for us, so we got to work immediately. 

Drizzling chocolate on hot croissants at a Farmers Market
Our first MAJOR discovery in Durban!!

 

We are replacing Elder and Sister Cinquini from Oregon.  They transferred to the Area Office in Johannesburg until they go home in July.  We had a few days with them for orientation and training, and then we were off to drive six hours to JoBurg to meet our Area Public Affairs Director, Sean Donnelly

After our first meeting with him, we knew that he was special.  He has an amazing spirit about him.  Before taking this position, he served as the Mozambique Mission President.  He took a simple spiritual thought by Elder Howden and turned into general authority-level, quality gospel lesson.  We are in good hands. 

All handmade with wire and beads

Our ecclesiastical leader is President Zackrison who is the President of the Durban Mission.  We went out to dinner with him, his wife and the Cinquinis our first week here and thoroughly enjoyed meeting them.  We also had a dinner that first week with 7 other senior couples who all live within a short distance of us.

In our Public Affairs assignment, we have been given the responsibility of the Durban Mission, the Cape Town Mission, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zambia and Malawi.  That means five African countries!   Needless to say, we will be traveling quite a bit to meet people, train people and attend Public Affairs Council meetings at both the National and Stake levels.

This gal crossed the highway in front of us

We certainly have been in training for this mission for some time.  Our travels to foreign lands the past several years have made the transition to Africa fairly easy.  Even driving on the LEFT (wrong) side of the road hasn’t been too much of a challenge.  Dick had practiced in the United Kingdom and New Zealand so he was off and running.  I personally have not felt the need to try it yet.

More later.......Thanks for your support.  The stone continues to roll down the mountain and we are grateful to be a small part of this great work.   

Sister Howden

 

 

 

Helping Babies Breathe

As Public Affairs Specialists, we were included in a Helping Babies Breath training program sponsored by LDS Charities.  .  LDS Charities is a Humanitarian division of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).  They partnered with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health in Lesotho.

The trainees included midwives, nurses and a pediatrician.  They were taught how to react immediately in cases of respiratory distress.  The training focused on the “Golden Minute”.  The treatment received within 60 seconds of birth determines whether the baby will live, die or suffer from permanent brain damage

The training equipment was donated by LDS Charities.  Each of the 44 trainees was given the training equipment necessary to go back to their districts to train others.  Over time hundreds will receive the training as it ripples through the country.  As a result the mortality rate of new-borns is expected to dramatically improve.

Missionary Training Center, Provo, Utah

After so many months of waiting and preparation we checked into the Missionary Training Center (MTC) on Friday afternoon, April 24th (one day before Connie's birthday).What a wonderful place.  We are surrounded by hundreds of other missionaries (both young and senior) who all exude happiness.  Joy seems to abound What fun it is to observe all the young missionaries with their youthful exuberance, energy and excitement to do the work.


View of the Wasatch Front from Provo, Utah

All the walkways at the MTC are covered

Dining at the MTC with the Chamberlains and


On Sunday we drove to Heber City, Utah to attend church with Morris & Nancy Christensen. They are great friends from 25 years ago when we were raising our boys in Tempe, Arizona.  After church we went to their home for lunch and had the added pleasure of visiting with their daughter, Jill, her husband Ben and their children.

Upon return to the MTC we attended a "devotional" meeting where we pleased to hear from Vai Sikahema.  He was a football star on the BYU team that won the national championship.  He also played several years in the NFL and was honored to be selected to play in a couple of NFL Pro Bowls.  He is now a news anchor for a Philadelphia TV station and is also serving as a Stake President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He gave a very entertaining talk on missionary work in which he shared several personal stories that were very interesting and impactful.

Public Affairs Training

April 22-24 we were fully engaged in Public Affairs training in Salt Lake City to prepare us for our mission.  There were four other couples in training with us:  The Chamberlains who will serve in Hong Kong, the Walkers who will serve in Frankfurt, the Davenports who will serve in Los Angeles and the Laus who will serve in Toronto.

These couples all have had amazing life experiences that have prepared them well to serve.  Elder and Sister Larsen, the Senior Public Affairs Missionary Coordinators, were awesome.  They provided great training that included the sharing of actual experiences which made the training not only very interesting but also extremely valuable.  At the conclusion of the training, heartfelt,  powerful and moving testimonies were shared by all. 

The meeting culminated with the presentation of our missionary badges.

 

The Journey Begins

Connie and Elliott

We arrived in Utah last week to visit our son, Ross, and his family.  Fortunately, we are here during Little League baseball season.  We have watched both Elliott and Wyatt play and will see one more game next week.  Ross and Annie have been taking good care of us with planned activities and great home cooking.  Its been lots of fun spending time with them and playing with their boys.  Its amazing how fast they grow up.  We can see significant changes in them since we saw them last in February at Elliott's baptism.

Wyatt

Elliott and Quinn

We attended Church at our old ward in South Jordan Sunday morning.  It was a thrill to see so many good friends and to be able to say goodbye before we leave for South Africa.  

Pres Bronson, Connie, Wyatt, Quinn & Elliott
Awaiting our Setting Apart

We were "set apart" by our Utah Stake President, Blaine Maxfield, on Tuesday evening.  We received wonderful blessings, heard touching testimonies and were given great guidance.

The Farewells Have Begun

Well, this mission "thing" is really getting real.  We attended our last sacrament meeting in our home ward today and said good bye to many great people.  Then we had our son Craig and his family, three young families from his ward that we have become friends with, a couple from our ward, our next door neighbors and Linda (who will be living in our house) over for dinner.  

All in all we had 15 adults and 17 kids. Lots of fun!!!  The kids  picnicked in the front yard then went to the basement to watch a movie while the adults had a quiet dinner with lots of uninterrupted time for visiting. A good time was had by all.

Thanks to Natalie Ipson for the great farewell banner.  We leave on Thursday for Salt Lake City, so yes, we are definitely in crunch time.