Mission to South Africa: Acclimating to South Africa

"Our hearts are in Africa but our bodies’ clocks are in LA. After two days of flying, seat belt warnings, movies, nausea and eavesdropping, we landed at OR Tambo International Airport, a large airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa near Johannesburg .

We were lead to a white mini-van with the steering wheel on the wrong side of the road. A black African solicited the job of loading our baggage into the minivan and was paid in Rands – a monetary system unknown to us...

Almost more frightening than the turbulent flight was the ride on the 'wrong' side of the street to our new home, a flat on the top floor of a secured 'mid-rise' residential complex. The first recognizable product sign we saw was 'Fritos.'

With tools and toaster plugged into alien outlets, we prepared for a monumental day at the church service 'compound.' The 'compound' is a beautifully appointed group of buildings that house the area offices adjacent to the temple. Security was tighter than usual. Not because of the new Americans entering the grounds but because an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ was on the premises. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve, was in Malawi to dedicate the land for the blessings of the gospel and came to Johannesburg to visit the 'compound' to speak and leave an apostolic blessing upon the church service volunteers and employees...

We saw beautiful black families with some of the most adorable children we’ve ever set eyes on. Most made huge financial sacrifices to enjoy their only visit to that holy place from the far reaches of poverty . . . to acquire the riches of eternity. It was an inspiration to look into their hopeful faces and envision the wonders of heaven that await them. (Temple image by Clive Martin c/o Sean Bruton)

We waved to multiple security workers on our way out of the church area and proceeded down the 'wrong' side of the road on our first shopping adventure to procure some food and needed items. We paused for lunch at 'Mugg and Beans.' A lovely, ebony waitress served us and replaced our napkins upon each use. The food was tasty with some hidden flavors not previously savored by our American palates. We had a price-point shock at the grocery store and wished we could have brought the food storage we had to leave behind in California. We gazed with wide-eyed amazement at the new sights and sounds of an Africa mall then returned to the new place we now call home." - Sister Basso