Heritage

 Saturday Sept 24 was a holiday called Heritage Days.  Our branch in Ezakheni was having a celebration at the chapel, so we decided to go--at 10.  It didn't get started till 11 and we were the 3rd group there. .  The missionaries were there and were apparently in charge of the activity.  One missionary had been to something similar and knew what it was supposed to look like so he took charge.  When it got rolling we had two fun group games- "Zoom" and "Love your Neighbor".

We then had a ward Talent Show with dancing and song.  The Zulu take their heritage serious and many kids, moms, and teens, came dressed in native dance costumes and performed.  It was so fun that I'm including a video if we can figure it out.

   After the fun and snacks of fruit, we followed the Elders (never would have found it) to our new enterprise with the Branch President.  "The Fry" shop is a "tuck shop" (very small store selling snacks, etc) near two other tuck shops (a mall?)all in the middle of residential homes (shacks).

The fry shop is really a cover for chips or french fries.  He thinks it sounds more American and people will come and buy better.  It really is a job-making venture for the 3 Elders and 1 sisters to work and earn money for their missions.  They must put at least 400 Rand towards their missions.  That is a very minimal amount and would not even buy a pair of shoes and dress for one sister.  The President came to us and asked us to invest in the oil and potatoes so he  could teach the kids how to run the shop.  It is an attempt to solve a huge problem for this President.  He has 10 missionaries out  currently, and only a few  are paying a small part of their portion.   He has finally realised, the church can not finance all of Africa  on missions.  It's not that the Church can't afford it, but it feeds into the entitlement mentality and attitude that already exists here.  He sees this and doesn't like it either.  (The big "rich church" will take care of you, is the impression it gives to some of the people.)  It's his attempt-- and we will probably always help these self-reliance projects.   Transport is another big issue for the people.  This is such a process....
   Next came lunch at the local KFC.  While waiting for Kent and the order, I found a table .  A couple of minutes later a baby stopped walking (about 2 years old)  with her mouth open and just stared at me.  I started to talk to her because she looked like she would cry.  Her older sister started to laugh   and picked her up and sat her on my lap, whipped out her phone, and started to take pictures.  Again I was without words and just gave them the mug shot they wanted.  Before I knew it I had a different baby and sister doing the very same thing. I started to laugh when I realised what was happening. These babies have never been out of Ezakeni in their short lives and never seen a white "GoGo"(grandma).  It made me rethink my picture taking habits and I don't have a picture of this!