CHRISTMAS GIFTS

This week we supposed to be in the Congo - but do to political unrest we were unable to go.  In fact all the airports were shut down and the senior couples from there were flown at the last minute here to Johannesburg.  The young Elders were left there but told they had to stay in their flats all day - every day - for the past 3 weeks. You can imagine how hard it must be for them to still be obedient to the missionary rules - get up at 6:30 - study etc. knowing that they would be stuck there all day.  Last Saturday morning two of the missionaries were up and studying at the table when gunfire came through the room - hitting one of the Elders bed!  He would have surely been killed if had decided to sleep in that day!  His obedience to the missionary rules saved his life! 

T

The Congo and DRC is the big spot of yellow on the map above.

Another story this week - everyday we drive to the office we pass an elderly man who actually lives on the corner near our flat. He hangs a few of his  belongings on the tree where he sits everyday.  He recently hung a few sheets of plastic to keep him dry when it rains. Yesterday we were walking by him and decided to stop and hear his story.  Jerry who is toothless and wears 4 layers of clothes that he won't take off for fear of them being stolen. A coat, a suit coat, a sweater and a shirt.  When asked how old he is he responded as all South Africans do by telling us the year he was born - 1931.  He is 80 years old.  We later brought him back a bag of oranges and a Book of Mormon in Zulu - something to feel his stomach and his spirit.  It is hard to believe that this is the spot he has chosen to live until he dies.

One more story of hope - about a little girl named "Hope."  As her mother tucked her into bed - she placed a board on her chest to keep her warm and dry for the night.  The little girl looked into her mothers eyes and said, "Mommy, what do all the little children do that don't have a board to keep them warm at night?"  


We feel so blessed - Matt and Mikelle had a little boy they named "Beckham."  He was born on Nov. 29th - a couple of weeks early but very healthy.  It is so hard not to be able to hold him and get to know him personally.  Such are the sacrifices of being half way around the world serving on a mission.

I heard a song the other day that tells the story of a little boy looking at the lines for Santa and the elves taking pictures at the mall - he asks the question, "Where is the line to see Jesus?" You'll love this wonderful song - double click on the link below.  I hope we are all looking for that line this Christmas Season and all year long. Merry Christmas!  We love you!  
<http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OExXItDyWEY&vq=medium>