Once again, days keep seeming to jump ahead.  We are trying to get some things ready for District Conference this weekend to give to all of the branches here so there is work to be done.  We should be ending the first term of Institute at the end of May and starting the new term the first week of June.  Many will want to know their grades as certificates are in high demand.  What a great bunch of young people we get to work with - and with their awesome leaders and teachers.  They really put in 110% effort into their lessons and learning.  They do have a problem with the clock but they are trying to improve in that area.  We appreciate that they are willing to try to come within an hour of the start time.  Some do think that when class starts at 9:00 a.m. that that is when they are to leave home to come - so they do arrive (mostly) before the class is done - but not long before.  It is really a cultural thing that needs some work.

We had to go back to the grocery store today for a few things (ZMK625,000) when last week we spent over ZMK1,000,000.  We must be eating really well, or we should have the missionaries over less.  Hopefully this lasts a while now.  Food here, we think, is higher than at home.  We do appreciate that they have food that we will eat though so no complaints.

We have been working hard on some reports that S&I seem to need done - we aren't sure about doing someone else's budget for next year but they seem to think we should go ahead.  Hopefully we are generous enough that they can live with it.  We did hear through the grapevine that someone was offered and accepted the job (the full time S & I employee person).  What we haven't heard is when and what does that mean for us.  Patience.

Elder Shields has been wanting to email Khumbulani (our head in SA) to see what he knows - but I've been saying "if he knew anything he'd tell us".  Even though it doesn't matter, it does constantly play on our thoughts.  It is always on our minds that we can't plan too far ahead, or plan that meeting, or plan that trip.  Just wait.  Not something that we're really good at.

The missionaries in this mission are wonderful.  I'm sure that they are in Every mission but we know these the best.  They are very good at following the rules, studying, planning, and visiting lots of appointments each day.  Be nice to the missionaries.  They are doing the Lord's Work.  We are fortunate to be able to associate with them daily.

Today we went for lunch with Chiku (Aggie).  She had written her last exam for her bachelors degree in social work (she is also one of our best seminary teachers).  She (with persuading from Elder Shields), is going to take me to find fabric and have a Chitenge made (African Dress).  That should be interesting.

Today is Sunday May 20, 2012.  We attended our District Conference - it was to start at 10:00 a.m. - and almost did.  They did wait a few minutes because at 10 quite a few comvees(buses) with people arrived and it took a few minutes to seat about 80 of them.  Conference was such a great meeting.  We arrived about 8:30 a.m. and visited with many branch leaders, teachers and S & I students.  It was great.  The meeting was so spiritual that we were all in tears - and I mean All.  Whether members or not, everyone felt the spirit there and were touched by it - President Cook of the Area Presidency and his wife were here for the two days and they have such a wonderful countenance and way about them that you can feel that they are truly emissaries of Christ.  It is so strengthening for us to feel of their love and support.  What a Great Day.  We ran the Distribution Store yesterday by ourselves and that was an adventure.  The computer and scanner would not work so everything was done by hand - BUT of course, we were not too sure of the prices of some items so we guessed - tomorrow we will have to pay our shortage and balance up.  It's all in a day in the mission - just working for more blessings.

Enough of this talk, we want to send our love and our testimonies of this work to any and all who read this.  We are so blessed to be able to be here, to know this is where Heavenly Father wants us to serve.  We are grateful for all the blessings we receive and for His hand in our lives everyday.  We love and appreciate each one at home and are grateful for your prayers on our behalf.  Thank you so much.  We pray for you too and know that you are being blessed.  Keep the Faith.