Letter from October 2012

Hi everyone, 

We are floating away here in south africa. It has been raining for 11 days. It has caused alot of damage to the houses and roads. We were in Bishop Tiam's

house when the worst downpour came the 4th day of the rains. We ran out and jumped in our car. The streets were flooded. one street

we tried to go on the water was so deep it started going over the hood of our car so we turned on to the sidewalk and turned down another street. We called the Zone

Leaders to see if all the Elders were okay. We were worried about the walking Elders and also both sets of car Elders especially if they tried to cross where it was flooded

like a river.  We would drive a few blocks down the road then we would be blocked by a river of water. Finally we were able to find our way out of town. We were able to met

up with the Elders on the other side of town a few hours later at a member's house that had been flooded. The Elders were just finishing  mopping up the floors and then the

power went out.luckily we had some flashlights. The next day wasn't has bad it just misted on and off during the day. Elder Van Sickle wasn't feeling well. We were

suppose to go at to the orphanage at night  to celebrate 4 birthdays.We had almost gotten stuck the other day it was like a mud bog there by the orphanage. We kept

getting negative thoughts about going out there. We said a prayer that if it was right to go out to the orphanage the negative feelings would go away and we would feel

good about it. The bad feelings went away immediately. When we got to the orphanage gates were opened. The mama's had told the kids we were coming. They

were so excited. They swarmed the car. They were yelling and screaming. The parking lot was completely dry. The kids were so happy to see us. They gave us

all hugs even the older ones. We were so glad we came. We had a wonderful birthday party for 4 of the orphanage children one of the girls was 12 and 3 boys 14,14,15. They were delighted that

we bought them sunday clothes. After cake and ice cream and blowing out the candles and Sister Van Sickle forgot the candles so Elder Van Sickle had to stick matches in the cake and light them. Which is not a easy task but it did the job the kids still got to blow them out. Then they all tried on there clothes. Some of them we had really guessed wrong one boy was drowning in his sunday pants the girl's skirt was to big But they wouldn't let us take them back. The mama's said that they would fix them. We had family

prayer with the orphanage children. We had taught them the four parts to prayer and a few weeks ago and asked if they remembered . They did. 

1. Dear Heavenly Father

2. Thank him for your blessings

3 Ask him for your needs

4. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

We love all of you. Have a good day. 

Love Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma. Elder and Sister Van Sickle