***I am just typing these out of a book that my mom put together of all my letters that I sent home. This letter for some reason is out of order, it should have been before the last one .. but no biggie!:)***
Family-
Hello! I hope that you are getting my letters! Sister Merkley's boyfriend wrote and said that he has not received a letter in 2 months. I hope it's not taking that long for our mail to arrive there!
Things are well here. Each week I feel more and more confident with my teaching skills. The more I feel confident with teaching the more I enjoy being a missionary! Missionary work can be quite frustrating though. Yesterday at church, or for church, we had 4 investigators and 1 less active committed to attend. None of them showed up! It is really frustrating! The people of South Africa are very non-committal. Out of all 5 of them, only one had a good excuse. Her husband decided not to let her come. That's a bummer deal because she has committed to be baptized in March. I pray that her husband heart will be softened.
Sometimes it is a complete cultural shock to be here in South Africa. Like yesterday we had a dinner appointment with a family the Leeman's. They are a really cool family, but they are very old fashioned. Everyone here has a maid, a black maid. But usually the maid just does the house work during the week and sometimes prepares the meals, but is not treated as a slave, but as part of the family. But this family, not that they are mean to their maid, but she for instance, made dinner, served us on trays. I don't know. I can't explain it! I just felt like I was in the states before the civil war. It was weird! The reason everyone has maids, or at least one of the reasons is that in the Zulu culture, the women are the bread winners and then men for the most part, sit around and drink, and smoke all day. So there are hundreds of these Zulu women who need to be employed, but have no skills except as maids. It's really sad because the maids usually live in a township (or their families do) which is usually quite a ways away from town (20 K's or so) And so during the week they stay in the garage and then if they can they go home on the weekend.
Another interesting thing about the culture of the Zulu's is that they parents don't raise their own children. The grandparents do. Seriously, after the child has reached a certain age, they move in with their grandparents and then only see their parents on holidays. It's really quite sad! But it's because the parents can't usually afford to support all their children. Another sad thing about South Africa and this includes the whites also, is that they have to work SO hard to make a living. SO many men work 12-18 hours a day 7 days a week and that still does not get them by all the women work also. It is very rare to find a woman who does not work. If you do, that means they are wealthy. The people here generally are not wealthy. They really don't have nice houses here. There are a few in really elite parts of town, but I haven't yet seen or been in a home as nice as ours - not even close! It is strange!
It has been raining for the past 2 days, which is wonderful! It has really cooled down. It has been so hot here. It's not really even the heat that gets to you, it's the humidity. It is incredible! I have never experienced anything like it.
I am making a tape to send home right now, so I feel like I've already told you everything there is to be told. Hopefully I will finish the tape this week and then I will send it. Oh -will you please send me my Oh Lord My Redeemer tape? I need it. I've looked to buy one here, but they don't have it here. So, if you could please send it to me sometime. It's not an emergency or anything, but this branch is kind of hating it when it comes to music. I think they would enjoy that. I think my tape box is on the shelf in the closet. Also, could you please give me Mark's address! Thanks!
Well, I guess I had better end. We are going to Richard's Bay today to go on a tour of a factory there with the Elders. It is supposed to be a really cool tour. I think it is a mineral factory. It's called RBM.
I hope all is well at home! Thanks for your letters mom and dad. I've only received the letters written on Jan 21. But thank you for those. I love hearing about home! My prayers are with you! I love you all very much! I miss you all, but I know that this is where I am supposed to be right now. I am learning and growing so much. Missions are great! I believe that everyone should try one ! ) Oh, just a funny story- last night at an investigators house he pulled out an anti-Mormon book. I started reading through it while Sister Merkley was talking to him. I got so mad! I started crying! I was so embarrassed! But I think it made him stop and think a little. The Elders in my district tease me about being "tender hearted":) Well, take care! I love you!
Love,
Sister Michelle :)
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