Thank Heavens for Good Medical Care

After a month of fighting illness, we decided that we really weren't going to get my high blood pressure issue solved in DRC.  The thing that we needed to find out is if the high blood pressure was a symptom of something more serious or just the problem itself.  So, we determined to cancel a trip to Cameroon, send Brent's counselor to stand in his stead at the District Conference there and go to Johannesburg. We left the world of DRC and headed for the  modern world of South Africa.

We arrived on Friday night and were met by the area medical adviser  Dr. Hoffman and by the area Executive Secretary, Elder Curtis, with whom we were to stay.  They were so kind and helpful. Dr. Hoffman had already set up an appointment with Dr. Milne, a local Dr. and Bishop for Sat. morning.  So first thing Saturday morning we were at the Doctor's office getting all kinds of tests done-blood work, EKG, stress test, etc.  Then we had to just wait until Tues for the results.  Then it was wait some more to see if the new medication would do its job.  We could do some of our work while there, but there was also a lot of down time and we must admit that we enjoyed the 2013 lifestyle of S. Africa while we waited.
We attended church on Sunday in a ward in what you would call the suburbs of JoBurg. It was a beautiful building. It was as nice as any building I've ever seen in all the world and beautifully maintained. The area around the chapel was much like a walled community in Arizona.  There were nice homes and many of the people were Afrikaners, descendants of the Dutch who originally settled South Africa. Many still prefer to speak in Afrikaans, which is a language close to Dutch, but that has been changed through the years of isolation for original Dutch. Language is interesting all over Africa. You can hear conversations going on in two or three languages at a time almost anyplace you go.

Because we were in waiting mode we had time to enjoy the company of the couples in Duke's court.  What an amazing place Duke's court is. There are 21 senior area office couples and 17 temple couples who live there. It's lovingly called  "Helaman Halls South for seniors."  They work hard during the day and at night and on weekends they have a whole lot of fun
We stayed in the lovely apartment of Elder and Sister Curtis. They are the area executive and assistant executive secretary to the Area Presidency.
They treated us with such kindness and made our stay a pleasure.

 Sister Curtis and I had a lot of fun together. We stirred up yummy things in the kitchen.

                                                                                                                                       We worked on baby throws to take to a maternity hospital and since both of us are "compulsive finishers' we got a lot done. We even got some from the non-crafters and finished them for them.  We talked about all the good places to shop, talked about family traditions and holiday fun we had with grandkids. They have 22 grandkids.  We just generally enjoyed being together. Brent and Elder Curtis were not sure by the end of our visit that they wanted to leave us alone together. She and I could have been a dangerous pair if allowed too much time together.  Brent and Elder Curtis just grimaced when we told them that we had an idea.  

  Elder Curtis and Brent also enjoyed each other and had much in common. Being in their home was a true pleasure. We couldn't have asked for a better place to stay. 

We had dinner at the homes of the Hoffmans, the Curtises and the Larsens, who is part of the area legal team.

Dinner at Hoffmans

Dinner at the Larsen home with them and Petersons, Humanitarian missionaries

We went shopping for things to take back with us. Killarney Mall is a great little place to find things. They have everything, clothing stores, pharmacies, shoe stores, grocery stores and it's right across the street from Dukes court. There are restaurants and a post office.  We even went to see "Les Misérables" one afternoon.  You can do just about anything at Killarney Mall.

We spent an afternoon at Bryanson's Organic Market. It's an open air boutique held at a school in Bryanson. 

 We bought a great African basket and a table cloth that I've been eyeing since our first visit there over two years ago. Both are treasures. 

  We spent a great deal of time in the Area office. We always get so many things done there when we meet face to face with Area workers.  

Since Elder Soares is now in SLC as one of the seven presidents of the 70, we were graciously offered the chance to work in his office. 

Reception at the Area Office. I love the statue of the Family

Our office away from home. It sure is a nice place that they loan us. 

  We have come to know, work with often and love many of these people. We enjoy the chance to be with them whenever we go to Johannesburg.  We somethings think that we'd love to go to a S. Africa area office reunion when we get home to see the couples that we've worked with and learned to love.

Joy Bester, area travel office worker.

                               Hatches, Public Affairs missionaries                                    Knudsens, Historical Missionaries

                                                           Danila  Jordan, Elder Renlund's secretary 

Diane Brear, Secretary to the Area Presidency 

  

Marius von Mullendorf, Materials Management                                             Rob Milne, security 

Graham Walker, our friend the IT guy.

We were sad that the temple was closed while we were there, but still loved to see it every time we entered the Area office grounds.

I spent a morning shopping with Sister Reber, the wife of the MTC president. We visited one of the many Oriental markets in the city.  They have things made in China that are interesting and inexpensive.  She was looking for clothing to have on hand for the missionaries who come on their mission with very little.  She bought half a dozen belts, some ties, pants, etc. for those who come without the needed items.  We also had dinner with the Rebers and several other couples one evening. They are great people and we were happy to spend time with them. 

She and I got a little lost and had a nice tour of the city. Johannesburg is a beautiful city. It feels like one is back in the US and I enjoyed a little driving around since we had the time to do it and weren't so lost that we were worried about finding our way back home again. There's a lovely skyline of the city that you can see from the freeway.  

                                       

                                                   There are beautiful tree lined streets in communities all over the Johannesburg area and it's just a gorgeous place to drive, even while a bit lost.   A big, bright  pink ball on top of a tower can be seen from all over the Johannesburg area. If you just follow the ball, you find the Area offices. It 's a good guide for wanderers.

                                                                     

While in JoBurg we were able to spend some time with the Robinsons. They had begun their mission in Kinshasa and because of health concerns had been transferred to the Johannesburg temple.  It was wonderful to see them again. Sadly, her health issues were not sufficiently resolved to allow them to stay on their mission. It was a special blessing to be able to spend a little time with them before they headed back to the States. We're grateful for a few more visits and wish them the best as they return to Wyoming.

Another little drive to an outlying area led us to Cabona and Sons African Arts. It was another great place to find African things. They had skins of all kinds of animals, and lots of other African gifts.  We did succumb to several things. One was an elephant hair and silver bracelet.  I've admired them for all our years in Africa, so, I was thrilled to finally buy one. 

                  

 Another day of our time in S. Africa was spent in the Milpark Hospital ER. Not such a fun day, but it was needed and we got the treatment that was required.

   

 Finally, after 12 days of tests,waiting for results, treatment, etc. we headed back to Kinshasa. Our couples' conference there had started without us. They'd done a day of training with the financial advisers by the time we got home. So we were happy to be back, feeling better and ready for the wonderful week with all our couples. We're very grateful that good medical care is just a plane trip way. It was reassuring to us and to the other seniors that if needed, we could get help in Johannesburg.  But we're very glad to go back to work. Our time in Africa is getting short and we need every minute!