Warm welcome

When we arrived at the Africa Southeast Area Office in October 2009 we were welcomed by our Area Presidency who are all members of The Quorum of the Seventy in Salt Lake City and on assignment in Johannesburg. They are F. Michael Watson, lst counselor; Paul E. Koelliker, President; and Dale G. Renlund, 2nd counselor. Elder Koelliker gave us our welcome interview, Elder Watson a six month interview and Elder Renlund interviewed us after our year mark. It is a humbling, supportive experience visiting for an hour with these good men.



Every few weeks when she is not traveling to missions with her husband, Sister Ruth Renlund and I team to take newly arriving senior missionary women for lunch and shopping excursions as a way to become acquainted with each other and familiar with services near our apartment building. This photo is of one such outing.



A wonderful tradition we became a part of when we arrived in Johannesburg was being mentored by a host couple, Klane and Kaye Forsgren. They had stocked our refrigerator and kitchen cupboard with familiar basics to tide us over for a couple of meals--milk, yogurt, juice, fruit, vegetables, peanut butter, cold cereal, bread and soup until we were cognizant enough to go grocery shopping. At the office we were oriented by the couple we were replacing, but our host couple "took us under their wing" acquainting us with grocery markets, mall stores and nearby restaurants to which they took us our first week in Johannesburg. We felt their warmth and caring in helping us get acclimated to our new environment.



Every three weeks a delightful part of our assignment is teaching a Security presentation to each group of young missionaries attending the Missionary Training Center (MTC) prior to their service in countries across our area. Similarly, we give an hour's briefing to each new senior couple as they arrive.

In November 2010 we were asked to give our presentation to newly arrived seniors serving in the Johannesburg Temple. It was especially rewarding meeting with these 13 senior missionaries and our current SLC security manager for an orientation to city life here.




The oldest (in terms of longevity in the ward) member of our Johannesburg 2nd Ward is Sister Alison Mann who immigrated from Zimbabwe 16 years ago. She has seen a total turnover in members since her arrival. Each Sunday she provides flowers in the chapel and during our year has never repeated an arrangement. Her creativity is fresh and edifying.





Each one of these activities have been encouraging and validating in making us feel welcomed on our mission in Africa and being welcoming to others in return.