Thanksgiving and South Africa

Thanksgiving is celebrated only in the U.S. so we went to the office as usual. The couples wanted to celebrate just to honor the day but to also see if we could do it here.

Ready for Thanksgiving on the top floor of our bldg.

The hunt began for a turkey for the celebration. Turkeys were on order, not for Thanksgiving but for Christmas. Shoprite market had turkeys of about six or seven pounds per bird and cost $14 per kilo adding up to $90 U.S. for two of them.

In the foreground, real whipped cream

 They were very tasty after being cooked by the master in the group, Sister Sneddon. The couples added to the fest with side dishes like sweet potato casserole, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, Jell-O, homemade rolls, (white and whole wheat) and great pumpkin pies made with canned pumpkin from the U. S. imported by the Gates. It was a great occasion and helped us appreciate all the wonderful celebrations we have had with loved ones on past Thanksgivings. 

The smell of those rolls coming out of the oven can bring tears to your eyes.

 We didn't have a lot of time between the holiday and our trip to South Africa. We are serving as PEF Self-Reliance missionaries. This program is being changed and adapted to the needs of countries like those in Africa that do not have stable economies with jobs and employers. The conference we attended was to help us understand how the program will work in countries like the Congo.

Modern airport in Johannesburg. Kind of a shock.

The flights were not too bad, but getting to the airport in Kinshasa was harder than I thought it would be because it was a Sunday. We used a door-to-door service called Jeffery Travel to get us there, and get us through the gates. We had to get ourselves on the plane but it was a little easier than when we first came. The plane was packed with people and luggage; the Kinois don't trust anyone, so they drag all their possessions onto the plane as carry-ons. The steward, in a snide voice said, "You are allowed one carry-on and most of you have three or more, hope you can find a place to stow it."

Our South African airport driver Abram speaks 11 languages.

The hotel in South Africa was more traditional than modern, with an estate feel as opposed to a high-rise. It was wonderful to have a tub that we could "soak" in. The food was great, a buffet, with different choices each day, no continental breakfasts but thirty or more choices each meal.

Many foods we truly can't get in The Congo

We asked if we could go shopping and we went to the Killarney Mall three times. We had to return again and again because the meetings ended around 5 PM and the mall closed at 6 PM, go figure. I guess like many African cities, it is not safe after dark.

The participants were mostly senior couples doing PEF in various places in the southeast region of Africa. We learned a lot from each other about the conditions they are experiencing in their area. One couple is serving in Kenya, one in Durban, Nigeria, Tanzania, etc. The staff conducting the training were South Africans, young and smart.

Our farewell dinner included exotic dishes like ostrich. We had steak and lamb chops with a side of peanut pumpkin puree, very good. The service wasn't nearly as good as the food, and three hours for dinner was a little much because the location was outdoors and it was cold, cold enough to need a blanket around your shoulders.

We are now back in our "home" apartment and that is good. The airport van with tinted windows allowed us to take videos without anybody on the street shaking their fist as usual.

We went to the Binza Stake conference after our return, and that was wonderful. We were the only white members in a congregation of 1,000 or more.

We learned that our dear nephew, Wayne, has been diagnosed with colon cancer. Please pray for him and his family.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.