Hello from South Africa!

Dear Family & Friends,

Hi to every one, this is our first official letter to everyone. We have been gone now for a little over a month including the MTC. 

Our Flying time to Cape town from Arizona was 201/2 hours. We are a long way from home and the people and things we know best. First off we want to tell our Children and Grandchildren how much we love you and miss you already. You are in our thoughts daily and we pray for each one of you always. We thank you for your prayers for us as well. We Love you all. 

We arrived in Cape Town S.A. On Monday May 30th. We were there for 2 nights and 3 days then we left to go to a place called George. (where we are called to serve) It is a 5 hour drive from Cape Town. The area is beautiful here. We have a large mountain north of us called the Outeniqua MT. The George area is so green and beautiful with the ocean (Indian Ocean a few miles below us. The route from Cape Town to George to Knysna to Port Elizabeth is called the Garden Route. Especially from George to P.E.
We haven't had time to tour much even on our P-Day, but we will. We do have to go to Knysen every Friday to take the mail to on set of missionaries that are serving there in our district. That is right on the ocean. The area is great far whale watching but we haven't had time yet. 

Our Branch is small but they are wonderful people. Our Branch President is Pres. Matsaluka and great man. We have been so busy helping and working with 6 Elders. Their last names are Farr, Ratelolahy, Corbitt, Haughen, Khuzwayo & Christoferson (He is compleating his mission this week). Transfers are next thursday.

We have been able to go on a number of lessons with the young Elders. We will be going on a few more this week. We have to move two Elders to a new Flat, because the lease is up and they have to be out. We have to find them a new home and do the lease. This is part of our job in taking care of the Elders. We also have to inspect each apartment regularly. 

We had 4 baptisms yesterday. We had the largest attendance ever today in church, we had to open the overflow. (This is the first time they have ever had to open the overflow. They asked Sister O'Dell to be the 1st Counselor in the Young Women's today. The new Young Women's Pres. Is Sister Vuyokazi (Wo-o-Kazi) she is only 23 years old. They are trying to get the people to be self sustaining in there training instead of depending on us for everything. They called me to teach the Gospel Essentials Class and also Priesthood for younger people in the Gospel and new converts. I told Pres. Matsaluka that I would try to do what ever he needed me to do. 

Again to our wonderful families and friends we Love You and MISS you all. We will right again and keep you posted and up to date
Love Elder & Sister O'Dell 
(Mom & Dad) Grandma & Papa Woody 
Phone (land line) 
100-27-044-873-2716
Phone (Vonage line - rings us here in S. Africa)
480-626-5770

Address is 
118 B Wellington Street
Denneoord
George 
6529 South Africa