Letter from Feb. 5, 2012

Hello everybody;
        We just finished a busy week in Kwa nobuhle. When we arrived here we wondered why there were so many YSA joining the church. Heavenly father needs  missionaries for the great continent of Africa   .We asked for a list of young men  between the ages of 19-25. the ward clerk tryed really hard to get us a list and he did. We were given the list and It was decided by the bishopric that we would start a missionary prep class. Saturday we had a get acquainted Barbecue or Briaa as it is called in Africa. we gave out invitations to 27 young men and there parents. Well we had about 20+ young men and 30 adults attend. We had a small program first and then had dinner.  I was on the grill for quite a while. I had the butcher order some one inch thick steaks, I talked to the Bishop afterwards and they normally get really thin lamb steaks and burn them really good till crispy. He had never had such a flavorful steak before. they could believe how tender and juicy you could have a steak and not burn it.  Ten of these kids have been in an ADT security course for the last three weeks and had just finished class Friday. We have gotten to know a lot of these kids real close.. It will take another 4-6 weeks for them to get there card back from South African government. The Stake president wants them working before they leave on mission. They have got to earn some money before they go.  Several weeks before they went to class I had several openings for security guards which I could not find any body qualified to take the jobs. when they get there papers back from south Africa they will be able  to get jobs. Our next project is to get them all drivers licences. There are a lot of other members in the ward who don't have there licenses either.  Several members would have had a job if they had there licenses. Also with security they can make a lot more money if they have there drivers license and more opportunity.  Over the last month Sister Van Sickle and I have spent alot of time getting kids in college and university. We have spent so much time at school they know who we are. It is pretty amazing what a white shirt , tie and name badge will do for the kids. We get treated like kings when we our on campus. It is like we have a magic wand. Kids were worried about getting PEF loans from the church, which come to find out they did need after all. they qualified for full ride scholarships as long as they finished the course they don't have to pay it back.. It is a mazing how much  our Heavenly Father loves these people. Everything is so hard for them. Wow is he trying there faith. They are such a great people, we love them to pieces. The young full time missionaries are doing such a great job in the ward. there are about 600 members in the ward and a couple of months ago the mission president had them stop proselyting and concentrate on the less active members. Its is amazing what they have done. They have been busier than ever teaching part member familes and the less active. there were 180+ members at church today and growing. another couple of Sundays and they will have open the over flow. the ward is just buzzing with enthusiasm.  There is so much to do and so little time to do it. We got to Friday and I thought we were still on Tuesday or Wed. The weeks are just flying by. there are so many people out of work and it is so hard to find work.We have seen the hand s of our Heavenly Father and the Savior every day working with these people. they have opened so many doors and opportunities for them. We have learned so much in such a short time. Its like learning life all over again South African Style. I don't say this in a negative way, they are truly a great people and Heavenly Father and the Savior love them so much. What a blessing it has been to take it all in. Love Elder and Sister Van Sickle