Cape Town, South Africa Mission

Cape Town Mission Field       27 June 2018     Day 200 Wednesday Day 200 of our Mission. Can you believe it. We got some pictures of the kids all dressed up as they attended the wedding of Jackie's friend, Sheridan. We had the Cape North and Cape Flats Zone Conference today at the Meadowridge Chapel. We had a great discussion and wonderful lunch. During the afternoon discussion we talked about the plan to reduce the number of vehicles in our mission by having the missionaries work in the centers of their assigned areas. These are 30 minute walking zones or they can use public transportation and some may even begin using bicycles. Their finding experience has proven to be more effective on foot and there's also a safety factor. There was an amazing story of how two missionaries were walking and were stopped by a man with a knife and had them empty out their pockets. Our cell phones we use are very basic and not worth much as verified by this man wh...

Cape Town Mission Field       26 June 2018     Day 199 Tuesday Had to get up early and take Elder Hamilton's car in for service. We then had to drop the trailer off the Ford Ranger so he could use it today. The Aloe's are blooming. We had to do a Sim Swap on one of the elders phone that was stolen. We also picked up a couple of vacuum's at the Makro store for the elders. We found out that the Makro store has a "pensioner" program for those over 60 who get a 10% discount on Tuesday's. We saved R80 on each of the vacuums we bought today. Woo Hoo!

Cape Town Mission Field       25 June 2018     Day 198 Monday Sister Courtright was astonished today when a large box arrived and she thought it was several binders of the Braille Book of Mormon she ordered for a blind investigator. Turned out there are 8 volumes for a single Book of Mormon. Incredible. And, even more incredible is that the church only charged the same dollar amount as a regular Book of Mormon (R14). Which seems so compassionate.

Cape Town Mission Field       24 June 2018     Day 197 Sunday Today we had a wonderful Sabbath day. The lesson we gave on David and Jonathon was well received and Sister Courtright had a spiritually charged Relief Society lesson with the sisters. We only connected with Kerry and missed calling our other children, but enjoy the pictures that Jackie has been sending of the grandchildren. When we have a spare moment we are watching the Star Wars series. There's some insightful messages regarding the Dark Force and its motivation. Much of what paralleled our Sunday School lesson and the choices we make for good being motivated by our love of the Lord and not for power or the praise of man.

Cape Town Mission Field       23 June 2018     Day 196 Saturday We didn't do much today. We met with the owner of the flat in Milnerton and turned over the keys. He will be turning them over to the new agent that bought the flat. It was a cold and drizzly day so we went to the mall for a bit then went home and studied for the Sunday School lesson tomorrow. Sister Courtright attempted to make our broccoli-dressing-chicken casserole. But they don't have dressing here so she made it up. It wasn't like what we were used to but not bad either.  We are glad that the Winter Solstice took place 2 days ago so we expect that the daylight hours should be getting longer now. The sun now is up around 7:50 am and down around 5:45 pm. We've already gained 4 seconds in the last two days. Woo hoo!

Cape Town Mission Field       22 June 2018     Day 195 Friday Today we moved the Milnerton Elders furniture to a spare room in the Tableview Elders (Gibbons and Wabwire) flat. The Milnerton Elders (Pavlavi and Duma) will be staying at the Rondebosch boarding for a month or so until their new flat becomes available on the 1st of August. We only had to make 2 trips with the Bakkie and trailer. It was fairly easy moving the items from the third floor with Elder Pavlavi. He's a big boy from the islands, Tonga I think.

Cape Town Mission Field       21 June 2018     Day 194 Thursday Today Sister Courtright had Neil Slater stop in with his boys to do some facility changes. They moved some shelves, supported some other shelves, added a Masonite board for her transfer board, and sealed a leak in the roof. She keeps them busy. Elder Courtright submitted an incident report to the Church headquarters. This is done for any injury, accident, assault, threat, or violent act. Elder Lane was stopped by a man with a knife last Saturday and he emptied his pockets and the man took a R50 note then told him not to say anything then left. We are sure grateful that nothing serious happened to Elder Lane. After all, he's been through quite enough. (Early on in his mission experience he was stabbed in the back by someone attempting to take their car. He has an issue with knives, I think.)

Cape Town Mission Field       20 June 2018     Day 193 Wednesday We picked up the Assistants car from Mullany's panelbeaters (body repair) shop. It was having the door fixed where someone backed into them at the Mowbray Chapel. They are in the East Cape for a few days doing some exchanges with the elders out there. The President is also in the East Cape this week doing conferences and interviews. We get our car back that the Assistants were using while we were driving the Ford Ranger. On our way back from the Printers at the Howard Center I gave Elder Reedy the keys to the Ranger. He and Elder Sibiya were all excited to be able to drive the Ranger back to the office. We have a fat squirrel enjoying the Mulberry fruits on the tree outside our window at the office.

Cape Town Mission Field       19 June 2018     Day 192 Tuesday This morning we stopped at the Post Office. Still no mail. It turns out that the international mail coming through Johannesburg is being held up for some unknown reason. At least the post office folks aren't commenting as to the reason.

Cape Town Mission Field       18 June 2018     Day 191 Monday Sister Courtright showed me an email she got from our daughter Stephanie who sent us an announcement of our granddaughter Sage graduating from High School. Woo Hoo! (Can't believe how fast time flies.) Today was a very quiet day and the rest of the week looks pretty quiet too. Sister Courtright had the facilities guys stop by and fix a few items around the office; including hanging a whiteboard. They also looked on the roof because a bit of water was running down the hallway wall during one of the blowing rainstorms. They found a gap where it may be coming in and will seal it up.

Cape Town Mission Field       17 June 2018     Day 190 Sunday Today was an amazing day at church. Sister Courtright really was blessed by the Lord for all she reached out to do to help a couple of young children that really needed some attention. Elder Courtright was given a special letter from Mbali (which means flower) on the meaning of the word Father.

Cape Town Mission Field       16 June 2018     Day 189 Saturday Today we went down to the V&A Waterfront to the Springbok Experience Museum. It was a wonderful museum showing the history of Rugby in South Africa and all the turmoil the teams experienced during the Apartheid Era. We met a wonderful couple manning the store. They encouraged us to see a live match. One is scheduled next weekend at the Newlands stadium, near the Mission Office. We bought Springbok hats then went to the Quay Four for dinner and watched the Rugby match on the TV screens in the restaurant; the Springboks were playing England in Johannesburg. There were a lot of people doing the same thing. The Springboks won! Museum Pictures: Here's picture on the big screen of Elder Courtright's face placed among the Springbok players. Here's a painting of an 1880's rugby match in Rondebosch by Otto Landsberg at the base of Devil's Peak and Table Mountain. Here's the Cecil R...

Cape Town Mission Field       15 June 2018     Day 188 Friday Today was the North Zone Conference at the Bellville chapel where Sister Courtright arranged a luncheon with the El Greeyo restaurant. They made chicken schnitzel. It was another rainy day with intermittent showers all day long. We stopped at the restaurant on the way back from the conference to pay for the bill then back to the office to finish up more paperwork. We finally wrapped up late in the evening.

Cape Town Mission Field       14 June 2018     Day 187 Thursday This morning it was raining hard again. We're loving it.  We did boarding inspections this morning at Howard Hamlet and 22 Rhodes View. We asked the Howard Hamlet elders to reorganize their kitchen but otherwise the rest of the boarding is looking good. The Rhodes View elders impressed Sister Courtright with tidiness. On the way back we took a picture of the Liesbeek waterway running in front of the Mission Office. They are really clearing out a lot of vegetation. The Sacred Ibis are really enjoying their new found digs.  This evening we drove to Milnerton to look at two flats with the local real estate agent. The first looked like it would be safe and secure and large enough. The second was too small. We stopped at a local favorite spot, "Mike's" for dinner. Sister Courtright had a prawn curry dish and Elder Courtright had a steak stuffed with mussels and topped with garl...

Cape Town Mission Field       13 June 2018     Day 186 Wednesday Today we prepared a luncheon for on-going MLC meetings at the Mowbray chapel. We stayed up late last night and prepared Sloppy Joe mix in the crock pot. We stopped at the bakery up the street for rolls and dessert before going to the office. We met Esther Kintu at the chapel. She brought the potato salad. We also served cut up fruit with Vanilla Custard. The Vanilla Custard comes in a carton and is a very popular topper for cakes and fruit in South Africa. It's a mild pudding like substance only a bit thinner. Elder Sibiya loved the Sloppy Joe's at our last MLC meeting and made a special request for it today. After which we returned to the office to unload the truck and take care of some outstanding emails and paperwork. We then went to the store to pick up some food items so the Assistants could cook for the Zone leaders that are staying with them tonight. They're having chicken curry. ...

Cape Town Mission Field       12 June 2018     Day 185 Tuesday Today we had our Senior Couples Skype call to all in the mission. We showed up a few minutes late due to the heavy traffic on the N1 coming back from the Makro store where we had to pick up this weeks supplies for the elders. While waiting for the store to open we had a little visitor with no toes on one leg. He (or she) was enamored with the side mirrors and kept pecking and flying into the mirror. Must have been lonely and wanted some attention. According to the bird book we picked up at the Howard Center Book Store it is a Cape Wagtail. After the Senior Couples meeting we went into the kitchen area and all had some Shredded Chicken Taco Soup that we prepared last night. While we were eating we had our Office Staff meeting. We focused on preparing for a disaster drill then went over several office issues that Sister Courtright had concerns over and received some great advice f...

Cape Town Mission Field       11 June 2018     Day 184 Monday Today we stopped at the Cape Town (Open-Air) Market to pick up fruit for several meals we will be preparing this week for all the zone leaders (some flying in from the East Cape) who are gathering for their Missionary Leadership Conference (MLC).  It will be a very busy week. We picked up all this fruit for R335 ($26). We then took a car into the body shop for repair. We had to give the assistants our car since the spare is being used so we are back driving the Ford Ranger. The assistants volunteered to take the Ranger but something inside me told that was a bad idea.

Cape Town Mission Field       10 June 2018     Day 183 Sunday Today was a great sabbath day. We heard from the new elder assigned to the Langa Branch. His name is Elder Khoza from New Castle, that is near Johannesburg, South Africa. He joined the church 3 years ago and is now on mission. Amazing people!

Cape Town Mission Field       9 June 2018     Day 182 Saturday We spent all day at the office catching up on paperwork. It was a rainy day again, which we do not mind at all. The gopher eating 'black-headed heron" caught another one. He can be seen in the foreground of this picture of the peak covered with rain clouds. We then went to the mall late in the afternoon and watched the new Star Wars Story about Hans Solo.  We thought it was a great story. Sister Courtright stopped to get a picture of her with the Hulk at the Lego store. We got pictures from our daughter Jackie this past week. Logan (5) just graduated from pre-school. Alena (7) and Boston (9) also finished their school year. Awesome group.

Cape Town Mission Field       8 June 2018     Day 181 Friday Today we picked up the post then ran down and picked up the Ford Ranger while Sister Courtright followed Elder Courtright back to the office. Sister Courtright was real busy trying to get the baptism records in and the Crest Newsletter published and the birthday wish emails out. Our son Kerry sent a picture of the backyard with the Iris' in bloom.

Cape Town Mission Field       7 June 2018     Day 180 Thursday Today Elder Courtright had to take in the Ford Ranger for service. Once the shuttle dropped him off at the office he realized he left his phone in the shuttle. Then it got hectic. He had to get hold of the Area office to get proxy papers sent to the elders in Zwide in order to get their car that was hijacked released from the police station. The windscreen (windshield) repair man showed up to fix a rock chip in the Mission Van. The missionaries exchanging new companionships with the transfers were all gathered in the parking lot and took a picture. In the afternoon we went to the Howard Center to have our teeth examined and cleaned. We met Dr. Burmeister. He was very nice and all went well.

Cape Town Mission Field       6 June 2018     Day 179 Wednesday Today was our crazy day. Elders being transferred between the East and West Cape and it's also supply day where all the zone leaders come into the office and pick up supplies while the transitioning elders are also bouncing around the office. We started by picking up the sandwiches for the elders lunches that are traveling today. We drove to the Guguletu chapel and set up the snacks and lunches. We enjoyed a wonderful discussion with those elders that were there and President Lebethoa on one verse from Moroni that really had a powerful message once you begin to dig into it. Sister Courtright followed me back to the office as I had to drive one of the missionaries cars back to the office for the transfers. I also found that they have Praying Mantis' here as well. There has been a sewer line leak at the far end of the property and they are replacing some old pipe to clear that up. We'...

Cape Town Mission Field       5 June 2018     Day 178 Tuesday Today we picked up the Post then stopped for boarding supplies and some fruit for the those being transferred this week. Sister Courtright provides breakfast for those coming and going. They eat at the Assistants boarding and she just provides the food the night before. She also arranges dinner for the new arrivals in the evening. Elder Courtright is trying to catch up on vehicle service records and arranging for some new leases for boarding replacements in Uitenage, in the East Cape and in Milnerton, in Cape Town. While putting away the supplies in the shed Elder Courtright noticed how the moss is beginning to fill in pockets between the pavers in the parking area because of the rain we've been getting along with the cooler weather. Check out the photo. This afternoon we briefed the new elders on their passports, financial items, English Learning Language program, vehicle and housing maint...

Cape Town Mission Field       4 June 2018     Day 177 Monday This week is transfer week. We only have 3 new elders coming in and 3 going home. Today was preparing for the week. Elder Courtright received new registration disc for several cars. He replaced the one on the Ford Ranger and trailer. These registration discs mount inside the windshield (or windscreen as they are called here). They have the VIN, Plate Number, and expiration date on a small disc shaped sticker which acts like the registration paper we keep in the glove box in the states. Many of the elders came into the office on this, there Personal Day, to clean up a few items. The Milnerton Elders returned the spare car and picked up their car that came out of service last week. The Paarl Elders brought in a spare key to their boarding and some car service invoices. Elder Courtright gave them a box with a block plane, chisel and hammer, and block with sandpaper to shim down their front door t...

Cape Town Mission Field       3 June 2018     Day 176 Sunday Today we had wonderful testimony meetings in both the Langa 1st and 2nd Branches. We met with President Mdaza afterwards and he'd like us to help organize the Sunday School classes and teach the Gospel Doctrine class until he can call a member to the position. He would also like us to consider helping with Institute class in the evening and perhaps helping the elders teach the first discussions to investigators. Things could get very busy real soon.  This evening Elder Courtright attended a Stake Priesthood meeting where they watched the broadcast from last Friday of the 40th Celebration of the revelation that all worthy male members could receive the priesthood. It was a wonderful program, full of insights and emotion of those members that sacrificed so much to stay true to their testimony. The music and dancing was powerful. Gladys Knight did a terrific job, along with Alex Boye, and th...

Cape Town Mission Field       2 June 2018     Day 175 Saturday This morning we met Elder Milne and Ondracek at John Paul's house in Bellville South to introduce him to the church. He read the Restoration pamphlet and had some wonderful questions. He's from the Congo and therefore speaks French but has very good English. His wife however speaks very little English. He offered a wonderful prayer in French, not that we understood it but felt his spirit. The Elders invited him to church and set up a follow-up meeting with him next week to answer more of his questions. We then went to the V&A Waterfront to look for some unique African gifts that we might want to send home with a Sister that will be traveling to Salt Lake City in several weeks. We looked through an African antique shop that is really like a museum. We met a gentleman there that has been carving very intricate African animal carvings out of ironwood. Including some very large pieces, che...

Cape Town Mission Field       1 June 2018     Day 174 Friday It rained hard last night and the wind was really blowing. When we arrived at the office after stopping to pick up Sister Courtright's new "office" glasses and picking up the post we noticed that the marshy area across the street that was filled with browning reeds was now full up with rain water. Devil's Peak had a nice fresh glow as the sun hit it and Lion's Head. We also noticed that one of the empty rain barrels had blown over and rolled up alongside the building. Later Elder Courtright noticed that the Cape White Eyes then the Squirrels were helping themselves to the ripe mulberry's.