Hump Day Report

A year ago we left our home of 37 years forever, closed our businesses, said goodbye to our family and waved to the neighbours.  We were on our way to Africa via Arizona and the MTC.  After a 21 hour flight from Salt Lake City we arrived in a strange land, drove on the wrong side of the street, purchased petrol with rands, were confused by different measurements, sizes, temperatures and seasons and were introduced to new cultures, languages and people.  We set up house in an apartment building like we did when we were first married and our children were still being schooled in the pre-existence.  We adapted to living in tomorrow and being nine hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.  We were pleasantly surprised with our living conditions and were grateful not to have to live in a hut and shower under a bucket.

We are blessed to serve adjacent to the Johannesburg Temple in the Africa Southeast Area Offices complex.  We serve in the Employment Resource Center located on the floor below the Family History Center, next to the Patron Housing Office and a few steps from the Distribution Center and home of the Area Presidency:  Elders Renlund, Soares and (Carl) Cook.  All three are members of the First Quorum of the Seventy.  Elder Soares is our priesthood advisor.  We serve directly under the Area Presidency rather than under a Mission President.   It has been a great joy and honor to serve with the amazing, talented, friendly senior missionaries here.  Most of us are Americans and most of the Americans are from Utah.  The Larsens are the only other couple from California.  After a Family Home Evening on Family History, we discovered that Elder Larsen’s great, great grandfather baptized my great, great grandfather in Denmark.  The senior missionaries are true brothers and sisters to us and are our family here in South Africa.

Eighteen senior missionary couples and two senior sisters live in our building.  Chuck is on the Board of Trustees and oversees the “comings and goings” of missionaries, the maintenance of the missionary flats and the construction of a high brick wall around the city block that houses our building complex.  We serve in the Area Office with medical doctors, nurses, authors, lecturers, university professors, a psychologist, an orthodontist, lawyers, musicians, CPA’s, business owners, “stay-at-home moms,” teachers and a former senator.  Our collective callings include medical and mental health advisors, temple workers, auditors, real estate attorneys, historians, Perpetual Education Fund administrators, Family History Center directors and assistants, librarian, administrators, computer experts (IT), journalists/writers/researchers, Executive Secretary to Area Presidency and assistant, Distribution Center cashier/ assistant, Public Affairs, Humanitarian Aid (including short-term water specialists), and Welfare/Employment Specialists.  Our Area President is a Cardiologist and his wife is an attorney.  Not far from the Area Offices is a Missionary Training Center, the Johannesburg Mission Office and Seminary and Institute facilities (formerly CES).  Those facilities utilize the services of several other senior missionaries with a wide variety of talents and skills.  Two S & I couples in SA were our “small world” re-acquaintances.  One served in our same “young” mission (Northern Indian Mission) and another grew up in Maywood with Joy and mentioned how she appreciated Joy playing the organ for their wedding day in Maywood Ward forty-some years ago.  Senior Missionaries strive to share the gospel through love, service and testimony with anyone interested but they don’t proselyte here.  “If ye have desires to serve God, ye all called to the work.”  “There is work enough to do ‘til the sun goes down!”  Because of the high rate of crime here, we are advised not to venture out at night unless absolutely necessary.

The people here are amazed to witness the active lifestyle of the busy group of seniors dedicated to serving others so far away from their homes and families.  They see us out walking and climbing stairs beginning at 5:30am. We are always on the move in a country where most people our age are long gone. The Lord blesses and sustains us.  We are willing to do whatever is needed to help build the kingdom of God here in Africa to bless these humble people.  The church is growing rapidly here.  One small branch has eight full-time missionaries out serving. That branch has about 80 active members so that’s an impressive 10% of that African branch.  We see many bishops in their 20’s and Stake President’s in their 30’s.  This is a nation of relatively young people!  The first stake in the country of Botswana, our neighbour to the north, is being created November 4, 2012. 

Our day job consists of working in the Employment Resource Center, teaching Career and Self-Employment Workshops, coaching/mentoring, assisting with CV’s (resumes) and whatever else needs to be done.  On weekends we attend one of our 40 wards or branches, fulfill speaking assignments, present fireside activities, Career Fairs, Open House events, strengthen members and train Ward Councils.  We have been blessed to meet and train hundreds of people, mostly young adults.  It is particularly gratifying to see them gain confidence and obtain work.  Self-reliance is the goal.  Other projects include helping with an orphanage, teaching dance/exercise and music, giving haircuts, designing, repairing, building and “facilitating.”  Many hours are spent photographing events for the Public Affairs Department and doing photo sessions for CV’s, book covers, magazines and other projects.  We’ve photographed a wide range of people from the president of the country to an apostle of the Lord.  We’ve developed motivational and inspirational slide shows/videos and try to figure out how to do whatever needs to be done. Our favorite activity is sharing the good news of the gospel with anyone interested.  Positive changes and increased happiness always result when gospel principles are embraced and people commit to high moral standards and self-reliant lives of service.    We are just two lumps of clay in the merciful hands of a loving God.  Whom the Lord calls, He qualifies for His purposes.  We love this work and the people we serve and serve with.  Our assignments have been in three different countries so far.  Thankfully, the Lord has preserved and protected us.  The Spirit directs the work and helps us accomplish it.  We have learned so much and have made many new friends.  We are especially grateful for what we have felt that has deepened our understanding of the gospel, strengthened our faith and increased our love for Heavenly Father and His children.  We receive so much more than we give.  Anyone who has an opportunity to serve a mission could be blessed beyond measure by doing so.  We walk by faith, not fear.  Life happens.  It might as well happen while we are serving the Lord with all of our hearts, might, mind and strength.

So if your nest is empty and your hearts are full...retire, sell the motor home and serve God.  See you in Africa!

Elder and Sister Basso