Wondering how I've been able to capture some of those closeup animal pictures?  Well, the answer is that 300 mm lens I bought. 

It has been a little cold in Johannesburg this winter so many of the grandmothers will wear blankets to Church. Mom was invited to join their warm circle.

While at the airport last month, I thought I was going to be visited by friends, Spencer and Dawn Gonzales.  Notice the sign behind me. But alas, they didn't show.

This is recent Mormon Helping Hands photo. The Church does a great deal of humanitarian service in the Africa Southeast Area. Even the smallest members of the Church pitch in.

Speaking of Humanitarians, last month the Country Directors of Humanitarian Services all came to Johannesburg for training. They asked me to come in to talk about various legal issues which they could face when putting a project together.

These couples are all senior missionaries. Some are living in hard places in Africa, but they will tell you the work has brought them great joy.

Sometimes I don't need the 300 mm lens. Up close and personal with Harry the rhino.

Africans have some of the best names. Here are just some examples of what you'll hear as you meet people.  SundayTimes and Koerant are both names of local Johannesburg newspapers.  How would you like to be named L.A. Times?

Maybe his dad was drinking at the hospital when he was born.

Victor Don't Worry Sambu has no problems.

On the other hand, Jeffrey Killmequick Sanderson has lots to worry about.

Over the past month I've made two trips to Gaborone, Botswana. This is a picture of 3 Dikgosi Monument. These three tribal chiefs, Khama III, Sebele I and Bathoen, in 1885 made the long trip to London, England. They went there to convince the leaders of Great Britain to separate Bechuanaland from Rhodesia.  Thereafter, Bechuanaland became a British Protectorate until it gained its independence on September 30, 1966 and was renamed Botswana.

Botswana has a population of just over 2,000,000 people. This is a picture of Gaborone from the air.  Botswana is very flat. 70% of the country is the Kalahari Desert. As you can see, it is a very dry place. Gaborone became the capital of Botswana at the time of its independence. Prior to that, it was Mafikeng. (You Boy Scouts out there should remember the importance of Mafikeng.)  Gaborone in the local native language means: "It does not fit badly."

As I said, it's rather flat and dry.

Gaborone has a very impressive courthouse. Notice the statue of Justice on top.

This is the first LDS chapel in Botswana.

While in a very long meeting with the Gaborone, Botswana LDS Stake President, Clement Matswagothata, he had to take a break and set apart a new missionary. He invited me to come along. This was the highlight of my first visit to Botswana. This wonderful family already has a son on a mission in Uganda and their 2nd son, in the suit, will be serving in Ghana. The mom is on the left. She had a tear in her eye as the family drove away to the airport. She will be missing two sons. I'm sure her sacrifice will be noted in heaven.

Last Sunday we had a wonderful baptismal service. 7 new members were baptized. Elder Kwabaisi on left is from Uganda  and Elder Bryner on right from Utah. Three of the baptisms were the direct result of Mom and I being at the Helping Hands service project a couple of months ago.

I'm standing next to Amanda and her two sisters. You may remember the Helping Hands service project where the Cosmos City Branch went to this Foster Home/Day Care Center run by Amanda. We worked in the yard and planted a garden etc. While there Mom shared her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and asked Amanda if she would like to know more and gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon. She responded affirmatively and the rest is history. 

The baptismal service was at the Four Ways chapel which is about 15 minutes from our little branch chapel. After the branch meetings Sunday morning, everyone just loaded up the truck and came to the baptismal service. No seat belts required in South Africa.