Time Heals and Prospers

This is one of our favorite assignments, teaching a Security presentation at the Johannesburg Missionary Training Center (MTC) every third Thursday. Each group is at the MTC for three weeks prior to going to their assigned country. This was one of our largest groups, with 25 elders. The current one is quite small with 10 elders and 5 sister missionaries.

Although not used much for current construction, many traditional homes were built of brick with a thatch roof and metal cone at the peak. Skilled craftsmen keep these roofs in good repair.

The past two Sundays have been very thought-provoking for us. We attended two wards in the Soweto Stake which meet in beautiful brick buildings with well-manicured landscaping and surrounded by attractive metal and brick fences. The leaders of these wards are seasoned first-generation African members who serve with faithful, welcoming ward members in thriving congregations. Today the Gospel Essentials class (totalling 29 people) consisted of 13 investigators, a newly-baptized convert, 4 missionary elders, 3 Senior Missionaries, a Bishopric member and 7 member friends. Recalling historical events that happened in this township in the late 70s and 80s, one is sobered by the peace and power that have come into people's lives here through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is the entrance to a major mall and a typical street market we passed on our way home.