Our last scheduled survey of buildings and security training with stake presidency, bishops and branch presidents was 25-31 March 2011 along South Africa's Indian Ocean coastline.
Flying to Port Elizabeth (PE) we drove four hours west to the town of Wilderness. Along the way we stopped at Storms River Mouth as it surges into the Indian Ocean in the Tsitsikamma rainforest along the Garden Route. We walked along the ocean's edge gathering seashells at sunrise then wend our return drive to PE.
Enroute we watched two daring participants in the world's highest commercial bungy jump plunge headlong into a gorge below from Bloukrans Bridge, the highest single span concrete arch bridge in the world. Yikes!
Walking 500 meters on a boardwalk into the forest we marveled at an 800 year old Yellowwood tree.
In a drive into Addo Elephant National Park we watched elephants wallowing in a dust hole and two young ones tussling in the water. Cape Buffalo noticed us as they grazed on a hillside.
Along our drive through the countryside we encountered Grahamstown, a vibrant university town established in the 1820s with a cathedral prominently situated in the center of its thriving business district.
After making security surveys of buildings in East London (a three hour drive east of PE) and the adjacent township of Mdantsane, our final training with priesthood brethren was in the East London stake center.
We arose to a spectacular sunrise across a view of ocean, beach and tropical foliage.
A young woman wearing a traditional Xhosa dress with face paint decoration greeted us.
Our return flight on Thursday, 31 March arrived at midmorning and we drove 40 minutes westward to teach a final hour's security presentation to missionaries at the Johannesburg Missionary Training Center. That evening we enjoyed an informal farewell for us and three other senior missionaries soon to leave full-time service in the mission field (Elder and Sister Keith and Diane Merrill, Medical Advisor, and Sister Ellen Lee, Public Affairs).
Dinners our final three nights in Johannesburg were with senior missionary friends.
On Sunday, 3 April 2011 with testimony and hugs we shared final expressions of love with our Johannesburg 2nd Ward Young Single Adults and ward members. The choice experiences and relationships of our mission have been enlightening, refining and wonderfully satisfying as we watch members relatively new to the Gospel of Jesus Christ confidently take on roles of leadership.
Through mission service gifts of great joy have come into our life. Flights on 4-5 April will return us to our North American home, but memories of the good people of Africa will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
