First Letter in July 2010

July 8, 2010

Dear Family Friends & Loved Ones,

Well it has been too long since our last letter again BUT we have been really busy & involved in preparing for our move to a different flat, missionary work and Branch President work. Then our computer was down for about 2 weeks for our move. In SA service to get re-connected isn't like a fast food restaurant.

On Monday June 21, P-Day we went with Pres. Platero & his wife to “Fish River Sun” for breakfast which as we have said is about 20 to 25 min. away. It is simply the Best for the Price! The Platero's are serving in Grahamstown which is about 45 min away. Pres. & Sister Platero are the first Native America Indian Senior Couple to ever go on a mission. They are Navajo and live is southern Utah just above the Arizona border. They are fun to be with and he is always making jokes about the America Indians. On his first Sunday he told the congregation that he was proof that John Wayne didn't get all the Indians. HA!
After breakfast we went back to Port Alfred to play a round of golf at the Royal PA Golf Club. Sister O loves it so much we can hardly get her off the course. Elder Platero used to be a golf coach for a high school students. There is a lot of Africa game on the course. There is 17 species on the course and it is almost like going to a game reserve. The green fee is normally R305 but I talked him into giving us an African senior discount to R105 which is about $14 or $15 green fee plus we rent a cart.

That evening we had the Elders with the Zone leaders over and of course Sister O found something to feed them. One of the Zone leaders we had in George, Elder Hansen. Really a Great Elder from Utah. Then for lunch the next day she had like a Sunday Dinner for them. Meat Loaf, Backed Potatoes. All the Elders want to be where Sister O is because she feeds them so good and takes care of them like they were her own sons.

The next day we had interviews with Pres. Probst. Then I really started sorting an boxing things for our next move. We both really hate moving as does everyone and we hope this will be our last while here in SA.

I have been trying to re establish communication with Ndlambe Municapality for a lot on a new development area by the township. They are going to sell 4 parcels of land for churches and it would be so good for our branch, as it is close to most of our members. I've also been working quite a bit on negotiating on a lease agreement for a bigger place for our branch to meet right now. It would be so nice to have room for everything, classrooms, kitchen, etc. It is very nice but they want a really high lease price. We have the paper work in to the church attorneys etc and trying to settle on a lease price. It would be so nice for us so we just hope it will be approved. If not we will start over from ground Zero.

For P-Day on July 5th, we took our Elders to Grahamstowns to be with 4 Elders there and the Platero's. Every year they have a National Art's Festival there and it goes for 3 weeks and there really is a lot of interesting things to see and buy but thankfully we curbed down pretty good on the buying part.

We rented a trailer the next day and went to East London to get a refrigerator that was in Storage at another senior couples flat and we had dinner with 2 other senior couples. The Jones from EL & the Robinson's from PE . That is always fun to do. Sister O really likes the new frig as it was so much better than the one we had here at the new flat.

Then we went to Grahamstown to pick up a couch and chair for our Elders as they didn't have either. They have really been enjoying them. Now Elder Platero calls them “ The Cushion hugger Elders” it is his indian name for them.

On June 27th, Pres. Probst was here and we sustained 2 new counselors in the Branch Presidency and set them apart after church. For the 3rd hour I gave a lesson on FHE to our Branch and then had Sister Hynch give a little demonstration. I didn't think any of our members knew how to have FHE except for the white members. We are trying to get this started and we are working on it. Next we will try and work at getting our home teaching started and going. A few nights ago Sister O & I went with the Elders on some missionary visits and we had a FHE at both places, they really seemed to enjoy having it. One was a member and one was an investigator. Sister O made some homemade cookies and they always really enjoy this.

Well we are in our new flat now and we really like it so much better and it is actually a little cheaper in cost . It has 3 bedrooms, 21/2 baths. A large living area and dining area, a large kitchen, a garage and we even have a TV and have watched a few of the world Cup games and sister O is actually enjoying them. It is fully carpeted except for the kitchen and baths. There has been a lot of fixing up and repairing which is pretty well done & finished and we are also pretty well organized. It has nice grassy yards that is taken care of and we are right across from the Golf Course. Now I hope we can find time to play once in a while.

We just received 2 new large white boards and 2 new tac boards. Brother Juber & I hung. We also finally have a refrigerator and a new keyboard and cabinet which we are really going to enjoy I'm sure.(now all we have to do is find someone to play for us) Ha!

We have met with a lady a couple of times this week for the Ndlambe Municipality to try to set up a venue for our Branch to do a service for the annual “Mormons Helping Hands” which will be coming up on August 21.

Even though SA is out of the world cup there is still a lot of excitement over the event. There are only 2 games left. One on Saturday and the final on Sunday the 11 of July.

I forgot to mention that the 2 young girls that were baptized a few weeks ago were confirmed the following Sunday when Pres. Probst was here. After they were confirmed they both bore their testimonies and it was unbelievable how strong their testimonies were. That is so exciting to see. I had the opportunity to confirm one of them and this is always such a privilege to be able to do. We are so blessed to have the power of the Priesthood given to us that we are able to do our Heavenly Fathers work. It is so exciting to be a part of the growth of the gospel here in SA as the gospel is taken to all parts of the world. I only wish each of you could share in the blessing that is ours from giving of our service to Him. It is wonderful !

Well it is time to close. We want to thank those who have sent us e-mails it is always fun to find out what is going on at home and with family and friends. The other night while we were waiting for the world cup game to start on TV we found the movie “Gone With the Wind” and watch some of it. Then we had a e-mail from Trilogy and they were showing the same movie for “Movie Night” So I guess we are still in the loop. We are having fun but we do really miss everyone back home. But we are now on the down hill part of the mission. Only 10 months to go. April 2011 We are grateful for our families, grandchildren & friends. But most of all we are grateful for the blessings we receive form our Father in /Heaven.
We look forward to hearing from you all. We are cold and you are hot it really seems funny to have July be this cold and Christmas be so warm. Oh will such is life! Keep smiling and remember we miss and love you all very much.

Our new address is:
Elder & Sister O'Dell
17 Connaugh
Salt Vlei Road
Port Alfred 6170
Republic of South Africa

But if you are going to send us any thing in the mail send it to

Elder & Sister O'Dell
P.O. Box 179
Port Alfred 6170
Republic of South Africa


Love always
President & Sister O'Dell
Mom & Dad (Lind & Woody)
Grandma & Papa Woody