Update 12.26.2009

Much has happened since we last wrote. We hope all have felt the spirit of love this week of Christmas as we have celebrated the birth of our Savior. We have felt of your love through letters, emails, and Skype visits. How blessed we are with modern technology!

We enjoyed our classes last week, and the Saturday before Christmas were able to attend and participate in another baptism in the Mitini Branch. Thirteen more investigators were baptized, making a total of 28 since we have been here. It was especially enjoyable because we had been able to participate in classes helping prepare them for this day. Many times the men are baptized but not the women because they don't understand English, but this time all were sisters except one! Elder Blake was able to help with the baptizing. After, some of the new converts bore strong testimony of the Gospel What a wonderful way to begin the week of Christmas.

When we returned home we had visitors. A couple from Kisumu, Elder and Sister Fox, came early for our couples' retreat, and stayed with us. They went with us back up the hill to Mitini for church on Sunday. All thirteen who were baptized were confirmed in sacrament meeting. It took all of the meeting with only time for a short testimony from Elder and Sister Fox. The branch has about 160 members but there were 296 present. (This branch was newly created in June of this year!) The rows of chairs were so close together it was hard to get in, and many had to sit outside and listen through the open windows and doors. I attended primary and enjoyed hearing the children sing. They sing with such enthusiasm. The melody wasn't quite as it is written but they do well considering they don't have a CD player or keyboard. Sister Fox came in and took a short video of the children singing. There were about 100 children and they all had to fit in two separate small rooms with two to a chair or sitting on laps. The leaders all had to stand. They need more room! Visiting the Young Women was also memorable. There were about 20-25 there and they sang, prayed, and said the YW theme just like other YW all over the church. It's exciting when we realize that most of them are new converts.

Monday morning we left early and drove to the Man Eater Lodge. (On the site where, in 1898, they were building the railroad and a bridge across the Tsavo River. Two large lions kept killing and eating the workers – about 100 of them. (There's a movie made about it – Ghosts in the Darkness. It is a dramatic, true story – perhaps not for young children!) It was very nice tent-cabins with large, king-size beds (with a mosquito net canopy over them), a bathroom, and a separate shower room. There was an outside veranda with chairs and lounge chairs overlooking the Tsavo River. (No swimming in it because of crocodiles and because it was muddy red water!) There was a very nice open-air dining room and another gathering room and a swimming pool. We had to pinch ourselves again to believe we were really in Africa on a safari trip! Ten missionary couples went. We enjoyed visiting with each other and sharing missionary concerns and ideas and just enjoying each others' company. It was hot like we expected Africa to be and the pool was a wonderful luxury. (Hard to believe it was snowing and freezing at home!)

Above, Termite Mound - Below, Safari Lodging

Tuesday we arose early, ate breakfast, picked up a box lunch and headed for animal country, Tsavo Park. Some chose to hire a safari driver But Foxes and Blakes drove the missionary truck with the driver inside and the passengers hanging out the windows to get a better look! Even the sisters took turns driving which was a first for us driving on the wrong side of the road with the stick shift on the left side. We didn't wreck or run over any animals but Sister Blake did get too close to a bush and almost wiped Elder Fox out the window!

Sister Blake and Elder Fox Outside Truck - Sister Fox Inside

We saw many animals, like on National Geographic, including elephants of all sizes (many of them), and they were all red. We thought that was quite interesting until we saw one rolling in the red dirt and realized they were really gray elephants in a dirt-red disguise! We also saw yellow baboons, velvet black faced monkeys, giraffes, zebras, hippos, impalas, Thompson Gazelles, common waterbuck, dik diks (little tiny deer -looking animals about the size of pygmy goats), kudus, and a large variety of beautiful birds. We only got lost a few times and not too seriously. We even arrived home in time for a swim before dinner. We were ready for bed however. The staff were so good and would always come in while we were eating and turn down the covers and put down the mosquito netting. At night we were protected by a Masai guard. What an experience!

We arrived home in the heaviest rainstorm I have ever seen. We could hardly see to drive. We thought we had made it home without incident and as we drove into our compound both heavy gates were open. Just as we entered the wind blew one gate into the side of the truck denting the door and tearing off the side mirror. We felt bad about that but were thankful no one was hurt on the trip and the truck can be fixed.

Foxes stayed another night and as they were leaving their comment was, “We enjoyed the whole experience, but our favorite part was the visit to Mitini Branch and feeling the spirit there and the love of the humble people in the beautiful hill country.” We had to agree with them.

Update 12/14/2009

This has been a week filled with experiences! Tuesday we taught keyboarding and investigators at Kyambeke in the hills and then stayed the night for the first time at the Precious Blood girls' school. They were so kind to us and everything was simple but very clean. The one single bed was very small, and mushy soft; but we increased the size by placing three kitchen chairs, topped with sofa cushions along-side the bed. The mosquito netting is large enough to put over both. There's a shower but it is cold water only and the toilet doesn't have a seat (but at least it is inside and flushes!) It was so peaceful and quiet there. (The 420 girls are on holiday during December.) We brought an electric pot that plugs in and boils water as there is no stove. We made macaroni and cheese and opened a can of pears for a nice dinner and only had a 20 minute drive the next morning which felt wonderful!

Picture above: bedroom before the mosquito netting in the Home Ec room at Precious Blood

We took a "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" sign to the Mitini Branch. They were so pleased as their building is an old, dilapidated school. The sign helps identify it as a church. I had 20 investigators in my class while Elder Blake taught an English Teachers' class. We then taught missionary prep and music conducting. Again, it's a wonderful experience but challenging because of the language - not just Kikamba, but also understanding their dialect of English and hearing them as they always speak softly. When the sisters teach RS or primary they speak right up; but in a class with men there they all speak in a whisper. It seems to be a cultural thing.

 Saturday we attended a baptism at the branch highest on the mountain, Ilima. Again, the road was difficult, but we made it and the baptism was wonderful. Thirteen were baptized including investigators and children. It was the first baptism in their new font which is outside. They had to remove the font in the building because they needed more room for sacrament meeting. They have people sitting clear down the hall and in classrooms. I don't know how they can hear because there isn't a sound system. They bring all the little primary chairs in to have enough places to sit. They then have to take all the little chairs outside, down a big hill, and into another building where they hold primary (about 120 children with 3 leaders!)

Elder Blake was asked by the Public Affairs missionaries to take pictures at the baptism and write a short article that will be sent to the Liahona (since this was the christening of their new baptismal font.)

Elder Blake had a touching experience: I was so touched by this little girl (pictured above). After the baptisms were complete and all the people had reassembled in  the chapel, I looked around and saw this little girl standing alone near the font. I approached her and saw tears in her eyes. Kneeling down, I asked, "Why are those tears in your eyes, little lady? Are you sad?" In nearly perfect English she replied, "No, I am not sad. My tears are not sad. I am very hapy!" // Evidently, she is a non-member neighbor girl who had witnessed the baptisms from the periphery of the crowd. After people had left the area, she had approached to touch the font, and it was then that I saw her. As she spoke her words about being happy, a Spirit of Love flooded my being like I have seldom felt before! I gave her a big hug which she warmly received. [SeePIX: "Little Girl at Baptism]

We went back and stayed another night in Kikoko. LDS Charities has helped the "hospital" next door with money to purchase an emergency generator. The nun in charge, Sister Mary Agatha, was so appreciative and wanted to give us a tour of what they are doing there. They try to be self sustaining and have some cows and chickens and a shamba (garden), etc. They were making chapatis in the cook house and gave us a sample of those and some of their little bananas.

Sister Blake with Sister Mary Agatha

There was a big electrical storm and hard rain all night and we were worried about going back up the mountain the next morning. We didn't have much choice as we needed to pick up the RS president and a little grandma who was scheduled for surgery, and take them to Nairobi. We made it to the bad part and just parked our truck in the middle of the road in the mud since no other vehicles go there. We had to walk the rest of the way up the hill to the church. Many of the members were on their way also so we walked together (in the mud!) The children all wanted to help carry our books, etc. We made quite a parade and were hot and sweaty when we arrived - muddy shoes and all - just as the opening hymn was being sung.

I was feeling bad about the little grandma having to walk all the way back down the hill to the truck, but she beat us there! Maybe I'm the "slow" little grandma. I made peanut butter sandwiches for us all to share on the way home. The RS president said the little grandma's son was supposed to bring her food the day before and never did show up! I wanted to give her all of the sandwiches. We have no idea how blessed we are. We hope her surgery goes well. (They brought a big gunny sack full of cooking charcoal and some greens from her shamba to eat while they are in town. I'm glad we have a big truck!)

We have a full schedule next week. We will be in touch.

Update 12/7/2009

Another week has come and gone. If they all go this fast we'll be home before we know it! Last Tuesday we went to our farthest distant branch, Kilili. I taught English to beginners the first hour while Elder Blake taught two members how to teach English and then they practiced (as student teachers) on the beginning English learners while I taught keyboard class. We enjoy it and especially working with the people, but progress is slow. They are so appreciative which helps make the drive seem worth it.

Wednesday Elder Blake assisted President Taylor in leadership training in Nairobi for branch and district presidencies. It was quite a sight to walk into a room full of 20-25 nice looking black priesthood leaders. It's something we never would have expected to see in our lifetime, especially prior to 1978.

Thursday we had the young sister missionaries over for dinner and to watch "Finding Faith in Christ" as one sister hadn't seen it and they may show it to investigators. They are both beautiful black African girls - both converts to the church and the only members in their families. One of them had lost her mother just before her mission. (Almost all the young missionaries here are from other parts of Africa.) They helped with the dishes after dinner and then helped decorate our little Christmas tree that was left here by prior missionaries. Neither of them had ever had a Christmas tree. It was a fun night.

Friday we went to our branch highest on the mountains, Ilima. It had been raining quite hard but the president said he thought we could still make it. We almost proved him wrong as we came the closest to getting stuck we ever had! The hill was steep, the mud was deep, and the road was so narrow that there was no room for error! We couldn't go around without going off the road! Elder Blake just plunged ahead, and I had a prayer in my heart that if we were going to do His work we couldn't do it without His help. We considered our making it to be divine intervention. The classes went well on the over all. It's just difficult teaching so many beginners keyboarding. They are mostly young men getting close to mission age. They take learning to seriously that they don't smile and they look like it is all work. I try to joke with them and get them to lighten up and they aren't sure how to take me. I think it will be okay when we get used to each other. The Assistants to the President went up there on Saturday and interviewed investigators for baptism. Ten will be baptized next Saturday in their brand new font. It will be a pleasure to join them.

Sunday we attended branch conference in Kyambeke. We rode with President and Sister Taylor in their SUV. (Even the back seat was a lot smoother ride than in our truck!) We enjoyed our visit going and coming and learned so much from them. They have been here about 2 1/2 years and just relax and love the people. We are thankful for their leadership. One of the keyboard students played for singing in sacrament meeting and then she and her three sisters sang a beautiful musical number acappella.

In Young Women they had about 25 girls from 12-17. I gave them the cards with testimonies from the young women in our home ward. They were excited to get them and will write their testimonies to return to Utah. We'll take their picture when we go to that branch again and send a copy with the testimonies.

On the way home on Friday we stopped by a large floral greenhouse that we pass as we travel all the time. There is high security there but they allowed us to go in and gave us a VIP tour. They gave me a bouquet of 20 of the most beautiful salmon colored roses I have ever seen.

Better run. We are packing to leave in the morning and will stay tomorrow night at the Precious Blood girls' school for the first time and see how that works. We had to buy a mosquito netting for over the bed. I don't know how we'll hook it up. With my claustrophobia it could be quite an experience!

We love you all and keep you in our prayers. Stay safe!

Update 11/30/2009

It's a beautiful Monday morning in Kenya and our thoughts turn to family and friends. We hope all is well with you and that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We had an enjoyable week. Tuesday after class in Kyambeke we visited the Precious Blood Girls' School and met with the principal, Sister Mary Joyce, at the convent. Our plan was to offer to volunteer at the school and, when trust was gained, see if there was a place we could stay on the campus one night a week to save travel time. She was a little aloof at first, but warmed up as we visited. (Elder Blake is good at visiting.) She hadn't heard of the church before and was interested that we were unpaid volunteer missionaries. We shared some of our beliefs and she had a hard time understanding that we didn't drink alcohol and wondered what we used for the sacrament. Not drinking tea was unheard of! School was out for the holidays that day with all the girls leaving the next morning. Sister Mary Joyce was also leaving for some additional Masters degree studies. However, she showed us around the campus and agreed to let us stay in the Home Ec. area of the school. There are four small rooms (that seem clean), one with a single-size bed (sloped in the middle!), a reading room, a room with a table (but no cooking facilities), and a bathroom (I think even a shower). They even have electricity so we can study at night. Because we are unpaid missionaries she is only charging us 500 shillings per night (about $7). We'll take our own food and water but it will be so nice to save the 5 hours+ of travel time and wear and tear on our bodies! We also feel safe as there is a guarded gate. At least we will try it out and see how it works.

We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with the other couple missionaries at the mission president's home. All contributed and the dinner was delicious. The best part was the meeting after. There were 11 couples counting the mission president and his wife. President Taylor is a very kind and loving person - very unassuming - a farmer from Idaho Falls. He has a wonderful sense of humor. We've learned so much from him. Another special part of Thanksgiving was Skyping with family. How blessed we are with modern technology!

Above: Top picture -  out to dinner with other couple missionaries and Bottom picture President Taylor and Sister Blake at Thanksgiving dinner with other missionaries.

I'd better run. We have an early morning tomorrow. We love the work and we love the people. Thanks for the love, support, and prayers of our family and good friends. Have a wonderful and safe week.

Update 11/23/2009

This is a beautiful morning and we are thinking of friends and loved ones at home. We know in our minds that it is the week of Thanksgiving, but the temperate climate here (60-72 degrees so far, both day and night) makes it hard to imagine the change of seasons! Just know we are thinking of you with love and wishing we could join you for the day! We will be eating at the Mission President's home with the other couple missionaries and having a meeting after. A couple from Mombasa (on the Indian Ocean) will be staying with us in our flat. (I'm making apple dumplings.)

This has been another full and eventful week. The young mother we mentioned last week as being in the hospital died on Tuesday of complications from premature childbirth. She leaves a husband and 6 young children. She was baptized (by Elder Blake) and confirmed just 1 1/2 weeks before she passed away.

Saturday we attended the funeral which began at the hospital where they had kept the body (no embalming here). We then traveled to their home (way back in the hills, probably 3-4 kilometers) for the funeral and burial. (They don't use cemeteries but bury their dead at the homes.) The family asked that Elder Blake take pictures so they could have them to remember her. The casket was a plain pine box which the pall bearers carried up the hill to the home after the van went as far as it could go. The casket was first taken into the small home where the immediate family was. The rest of the group stood, or sat on slab-wood benches in the yard (sort of like around our fire pit at the cabin), near the cooking house and overlooking the open grave site; for about an hour and a half. Sisters were busy cooking over open fires in big pots. Before the service began they served bowls of rice with what they called stew on top.The stew was mostly broth with a little meat - Rich says the meat was cow tongue. They also served ugali which is made from corn flour and water. We weren't sure if we should eat as our stomachs aren't used to the same things their are, but we wanted to be joiners with them, so we prayed we would be okay and ate a little. [Note: We felt a deep sense of humility and honor to be included in their intimate family gatherings on such a solemn occasion. They - both members and non-members- show us great love and respect. It is humbling to us.//To our great astonishment, we saw no tears (zero tears!) in the two days we were with them. The death was totally unexpected; Bro. George, wife and children have love in their home, and between them; but there were zero tears during these solemn hours - including closing of the casket, and burial with dirt. They are very brave and loving; and have total faith in accepting God's will above our own. It is hard for us to imagine.]

Next was the funeral itself conducted by a village elder, with the church helping with the songs and talks. Elder Blake gave just a short talk (the only one in English) and other leaders spoke and prayed. This was all out in the hot sun and was quite long. About 200 people attended from the village and branch. We were the only white people there but they were very attentive and kind to us. We then moved to the grave site where the casket was lowered into the ground. We had brought some roses from town and they had each of the family take one and put it in with the casket. They then placed some local flowers in the grave and the prayer was said. After the prayer they covered the casket with a piece of corrugated metal roofing, then filled in the grave with dirt as people witnessed.

The gospel gives hope for the eternities and is such a blessing, but our hearts were heavy for this young father. I don't know how he will take six children and walk an hour to get to church each Sunday. His brothers and their wives live in the village and hopefully they will help raise the children. They aren't members of the church, but are good people. He will need a lot of support which is hard for the branch members at that distance.

Above: Elder Blake with children at funeral; Pictures of  Brother George and his family; Next, cooking for the funeral guests; Carrying the casket up the hill.

Yesterday we took the TV and generator to the Mitini Branch so they could watch general conference on DVD's sent from SLC. They had sacrament meeting first and then watched for several hours. We are learning (the hard way) to be prepared to speak at any time a we are often called upon! This was the case yesterday. Elder Blake gets along okay but it is stretching me and helping me learn to lean on the Spirit to teach me what to say! (Just like the scripture says, "I will give you words to say in the moment of your need." We are gaining trust in this.)

Since the Oct. 2009 general conference was spoken (translated in SLC) in Swahili and the room was full anyway, I went outside and was sitting trying to read the Liahona. When I looked up there were about 10-15 children gathered around me sitting on the ground, all just watching me with their big dark eyes. I smiled and greeted them and they smiled and just continued to watch me..., not making a peep. They are so cute I want to hug them all. I didn't get much reading done!

Classes are going well on the overall. We had about 13 people show up for keyboard class on Friday. There were 5 keyboards. The branch president announced that next time we would have two sessions of the class. How do you teach 13 beginners anyway, and without enough keyboards? We're giving that a lot of thought. ' Many investigators continue to come to be taught - the major struggle is that they must understand English to be baptized. Therefore, we have selected 6 members who speak English best, and are training them to be English Teachers for the people. We feel that they can be more effective to zero-English speakers than we can.

One of our biggest concerns is our travel - 5-7 hrs. driving each day. We have been looking for some place closer where we would feel safe to stay. When we went to the hospital for the funeral we visited the Precious Blood private girls' school (dormitories and classrooms for 200+girls, ) next door, and met (Catholic) Sister Mary Joyce, the principal. She was busy with District dignitaries who were visiting, but had one of the teachers show us around. He was most cordial. There is a living area for the teachers there, including the convent, that is quite nice and it is a gated area with a guard. We are meeting with Sister Mary Tuesday after class and thought we might offer to teach something and get acquainted. As she gets to know us we might see if we could spend a night or two each week there. We'll see what happens, but we feel very good about the prospect.

Better run. Sorry to be so long again, but Elder Blake had to add his perceptions, so just skip read...

P.S. by Rich: We were standing around the open grave during the final prayer to dedicate the grave. We were on the mound of loose dirt, I standing behind Sis. Blake. During the prayer, I felt her starting to lean forward (down the slope), and I wondered if perhaps she was light-headed...starting to faint; so I grasped her shoulders to steady her. As I did, she was sort of thrashing around, sideways, up and down moving her feet, etc.; so I opened my eyes to see what was going on, and I saw a great big centipede on the ground by her foot (Here centipedes are big, like gigantic nite crawlers at home--this one was a centimeter in diameter, and about 15 cm. long.) I saw her kicking at it, and by now some other ladies near her were kicking to move it away from people (all during the prayer). After the prayer ended, Carol told me how she felt something crawling up her leg at her knee level (where her "cheater" socks ended) and brushed at it until it fell to the ground under her. Boy did we have a laugh-later. My companion is so brave, and such a good sport!

Update 11/16/2009

We hope all is well with each of you in your homes and with your family. We think of you often - you seem so far away! Some of the things we see and experience would be almost impossible to understand without seeing.

We are doing well and enjoying teaching in the various branches. We attended church in the last of our four branches yesterday, Ilima. We took gasoline up to use with kerosene to start the generator and watch the general conference DVDs. I was excited thinking we'd be able to hear and to understand a meeting. As the conference began we could see the various beloved general authorities but when they spoke it was in Kiswahili! What a surprise to us and a blessing to the members. With no electricity there is no TV and they all loved watching conference together. We were to tired and didn't understand what was being said and had to keep poking each other to try to stay awake!

We had a regular sacrament meeting before conference and then the children went to primary which is in another building (old house) down the hill from the chapel. There were about 80 primary children with only 4 sisters helping. One led the music, one conducted (in Kikumba) and helped with talks,and just two sat by each other with the children. I'm not sure if it was just a different day because of conference or it they always just sit together for two hours! They love to sing and it's fun to hear. They did get wiggly and some kept going in and out. It's a long time to sit! We'll be going there on Friday to teach keyboarding and conducting and another class to teach some members how to teach English.

Ilima is located way on top of a mountain. The members dug the road for the last distance to the church and we've never seen a vehicle up there except our truck. The children are all fascinated when we drive up. They peek in the windows, and if we leave it unlocked for a minute, they climb in. They love to honk the horn and listen when it beeps when we lock and unlock it. They stand and watch when we leave like it was a Macey's parade - some follow laughing as we drive slowly down the hill.

On the way back we stopped at another branch for a "pit stop" (literally) and found they had a young woman (mother of 6) in the "hospital" in the next village (new member Elder Blake baptized a week ago). She had just lost a baby at 6 months and wasn't doing well. We drove the father and two of the branch presidency to the hospital where Elder Blake helped give a blessing. The hospital was two large rooms with lots of beds, each with a mosquito netting over it - no privacy at all. She was worn out having had labor for about three days before getting to a hospital and getting help. We are keeping them in our prayers. We were gone from home for almost 12 hours and just made it home before dark. (We heard today she is doing a little better and we are grateful.)

On the way home we saw the most animals we have ever seen. We saw about 14 giraffes, a herd of gazelles, zebras, and wildabeasts. It was unbelievable. It was so late we didn't stop to take pictures. We're including some pictures of a giraffe we saw right by the road on our last trip. He just stayed and let us take pictures like he was curious about us too. (Pictures have the wrong dates due to camera error.)

Things are going well on the over all. We have many lessons to learn. After church I was visiting with a young mother and admiring her new little baby. She whispered in my ear that she wondered if I could help her with some money - anything would help. We are told not to give money but to refer them to the priesthood authority (branch president) who understands the need and the culture. It was so hard. They are trying to make the people self reliant and not dependent on others. Hard lessons.

"Happy Birthday" this month to Zoe and Calyx! We'll write before Thanksgiving. Maybe we will be able to Skype during the holiday. We'd love that. Someone is helping us tonight learn how to set up Skype phone calls (2 cents a minute from our Skype to your mobile phone.) We'll let you know how that goes.

Better run and prepare tomorrow's lessons. We love you all and love hearing from you. We really enjoy our book from the ward with letters for each week. Everyone who comes to our apartment is amazed with it (and that we are trying to be good and not sneak a peak ahead!) Thanks so much.

Love to you all.

Update 11/9/2009

We've had a wonderful and busy week. The crowning experience was the baptism of 16 new members into the Mitini Branch on Saturday. They don't have their own baptismal font yet so we met at the Kyambeke Branch. We took some towels and extra baptismal clothes from the mission to help. The Kyambeke Branch had some clothes but only three towels. With that many people they needed extra. The baptism was to start at 10:00 a.m. We made the 2 1/2 hour drive and arrived shortly after 9:00 to help prepare.

They filled the font with the water that was available. Since this is the rainy season, the water was red/brown in color and they added Jiks (bleach) to help kill the germs. We helped lay out the baptismal clothes on tables in one of the rooms so they (those doing the baptizing and those being baptized) could choose their sizes before going to dress.

Before dressing we met in the small chapel where there was primary music being played on a CD player for prelude. A member of the Elder's Quorum Presidency conducted and we sang an opening song (which seems to be their favorite) "How Firm a Foundation" and then had an opening prayer by Brother Kiika. The Branch President then gave a talk and called each person by name to go to the clothing room and prepare for baptism. [When we met with Pres. Kasave on Wednesday to review the baptism program he said he would like the priests in the branch to have the experience of baptising the new members so Elder Blake did not take his baptism clothes with us. When we arrived, Pres. Kasave told him he would like him to baptize the first four - (which ended up being 5). Elder Blake had to wear a pair of white pants under the baptism suit which was made by sewing a white shirt to a pair of white pants. It didn't fit the best and I helped him roll up the cuffs. I thought he look great in his make-shift white clothes, given the circumstances.]

We then met back in the chapel where Pres. Kasave gave a talk before we proceeded to the baptismal font outside. Elder Blake entered the font first and baptized an elderly man who is an important member of the Kumba Tribe clan council. What a special experience. He than baptized four others including one cute young girl who was so frightened she wouldn't bend her legs and had to be baptized twice. The Branch President's son (a Priest, age 16) next baptized some of the converts and then a branch counselor, Bro. Boneface, finished the group including his young daughter. What a wonderful experience on a beautiful day in Kyambeke, Kenya! One of the baptisms was of the husband of a young mother. She was so happy to have her husband baptized. No one seemed to mind they had to share towels or that the water was brown!

After everyone was baptized and dressed, we returned to the chapel for a brief talk and closing song, another favorite, "There is Sunshine in My Soul Today" and a closing prayer by Brother Muthenya. The confirmations were Sunday in sacrament meeting.

We met after at the font for some pictures of this special day and then drove up the big hill to the Ilima Branch and took Michael and Clair (the two young people who are preparing for missions), and all the wet baptism clothes and towels. They were going to wash them (by hand) up there because up higher on the mountain the water was cleaner. They then would hang them on the fence to dry. I don't know what the branch will do when these two wonderful young people leave. They depend on them so much. The youth here are strong.

Pictured above: 1. Clair and Michael washing baptism clothes, 2. Kyambeke baptismal font, 3. Branch President Kaseve in center with members and Elder Blake

Yesterday we attended church at the Kilili Branch again as it was their Primary program. We felt blessed to be able to find the village as we'd only been there once and had tried to write directions as we drove on the bumpy road! The program was fun and the children sang with enthusiasm. The melodies weren't always totally what we were used to, but they sang with spirit. We will be going back this Friday to teach keyboard and English. It is a long ways and we were gone for 11 1/2 hours with travel and meetings.

We are continuing to be blessed with good health and safety. We are enjoying learning the culture and seeing the different animals. We haven't seen giraffes lately, but this week we saw ostriches and yesterday we saw a large group of baboons along the side of the road. It was so much fun we had to stop and take pictures--although they kept fleeing away.

How we love and miss family and friends - especially as the holidays are coming. It's hard to think about fall and Thanksgiving as we are going into summer here!

You are in our thoughts and prayers. Ni muvea (thank-you) for your letters and prayers on our behalf.

Update 11.3.2009

We're a little late with this post (and it's too long again, sorry). We are used to writing on Sunday but now Sunday is one of our biggest days. Last Sunday we spent 7 hours on the road going to a little branch in Kilili. We were scheduled to go to Ilima Branch way up in the high hills, but it was too rainy and the roads were washed out. (Please see more about Sunday below.)

The Assistants to the Mission President slid off the road and got stuck Saturday on their way up to do baptism interviews. It took 15 men to lift their truck out! (No tow trucks up there. They paid them 100 Ksh each.) The A,.P.s had to walk all the way to Mitini and back to their truck in the mud.

The elders interviewed 25 people for baptism and passed 16 of them to be baptized. These are from the classes that Elder Blake and I have been teaching the last couple of weeks - before that, they were taught by members. They will be baptized next Saturday. What an exciting, spiritual time. (I wonder where they'll find enough white clothes. We wondered if they'd have to take turns wearing them wet .

(Sunday continued) We changed our plans quickly on Saturday evening and called a young man from Kilili (Victor) who has been going to the University of Nairobi. He agreed to show us the way. (We never would have found it alone.) We agreed by telephone to meet him at 6:30 a.m. at the mission home. We had never seen or met him. We arrived at 6:30 a.m. and didn't see anyone so Elder Blake walked down and around the mission office. On his way back to the truck he saw a nicely dressed young man and asked if his name was Victor. He didn't understand what the young man said so he asked him again. The young man looked confused but nodded his head "yes". Elder Blake walked with him back to the truck where I was waiting and introduced him to me, and then proceeded to put him in the back seat to go to Kilili. [In Elder Blake's words: When I returned to Carol in our truck, I saw a nice looking African man, I'd say probably 6'3" tall approaching our truck. I said, "Are you Victor?" and he looked sort of confused; so I asked again, two more times (Africans can't understand our English very well, just as we can't understand them very well). Finally he nodded "yes"; so I introduced myself warmly, took him to the truck and introduced Sis. Blake to him. I opened the back seat door and told him he could sit there; and since he was tall, I explained how he could put his feet over the other side of the floor. So he sat down in the back seat, and placed his feet where I had suggested. I closed the door, and was going around to get into the driver's seat, when Carol's phone rang. The voice identified himself as "Victor," who was waiting for us over by the British Embassy.// The look on Carol's face was one of shocked confusion that I shall never forget!! She told me that it was Victor on the phone! And as I looked around, I saw our passenger climbing (escaping) out of the back seat. // Come to find out, it was the compound guard, who had come to investigate what I was doing down by the office, that I had tucked into the back seat of our truck. // We both woke up in the night laughing about the confused look on the guard's (and Carol's) faces!]

Kilili is way off the main road but it isn't as high in the mountains, so we could get to there. We saw a large herd of zebras and wildebeests on the way as well as lots of impalas. After leaving the main road it was like visiting another century. There were many homes with mud or red clay/sand bricks and thatched roofs just like in the pictures of Africa - very primitive conditions but delightful to see.

We arrived at the church about 10 minutes early and what a special greeting we received. Since the last couple missionaries had left six months ago, they had been praying for missionaries to come to their branch to teach them and their investigator friends. The sisters would shake my hand and hug me on one cheek and then the other with such a warm welcome. As in the other branches, there is no music or electricity to play a keyboard - they just sit in silence waiting for the meeting to begin. They announce the page number and then the song leader gets up and sings the first line and then says, "sing" and the congregation sings. Without accompaniment it is often not quite the melody we are used to but is very nice.

It was fast and testimony meeting and we were asked to bear our testimonies. Many others bore their testimonies - especially young people. The branch president showed a picture of seven people standing outside a building and said that was the beginning of this branch in the 1990's and now there are over 200 members.

The worshiping conditions take a little getting used to. At one point the rain pelted the tin roof so hard it was impossible to hear. There are no windows in their "chapel," so they just open large doors on all sides (almost like garage doors) to let the air through and light in. A goat wandered up to the door and bleated during the prayer, but no one lets that bother them - they just go right on. The spirit is so strong with these people.

I visited primary in a small room behind the chapel. There were 30 wall-to-wall chairs filled with sweet, totally reverent children - no teachers sitting with classes - only the primary president and one counselor sitting at the front of the room. They were practicing for the primary sacrament meeting program for next Sunday. Different children were assigned to be the song leader for different songs. The president would announce who would participate next and then say, "Welcome" which I assume means "Come do your part ," because they would then get up and do their part!

We met with the branch president and will be going there each Friday. Elder Blake will teach investigator classes and temple preparation while I teach English and keyboarding. It's a long way there. We tried to write directions as we went and we hope we can find our way back!

As a note, on my birthday we didn't have classes to teach so we went to the baby elephant orphanage. It was such a fun and unique experience. They have about 30 elephants from the age of 4 weeks to 3 years old. At 3 years they take them and reintroduce them to the wilds at Tsavo Park. They brought the elephants out by three age groups with the youngest first. These young ones were so cute; they each had a "comfort" blanket tied on their back to keep them warm as they are susceptible to pneumonia. They fed them formula in big baby bottles with nipples. I only wished all the grandchildren could have been there and it would have been perfect! They then brought out the others and all were fed by baby bottles. They were playful and would try to put their trunks in the caregivers' pockets. One man put his hand in the baby's mouth while he was talking to us like a mom might put in a pacifier to keep the baby quiet and content. They could tell the story of where each one was found - down a well, or the mother died in the drought, or the mother was killed by poachers - each had a story.

                                                    (Incorrect date on pictures.)
We had a nice birthday dinner in a place that resembled the Congo Jungle, as we ate outside on the veranda. It was hard to imagine everyone at home raking leaves and some shoveling snow! The last stop was to Kazuri Bead Factory - a factory that hires 200 single mothers who hand-make every bead. Their bead necklaces, bracelets, and figurines are world famous, and sold all around the world. I chose a pretty necklace for my birthday. What a fun day.

We are feeling well and getting a little more used to living here. The other couples are wonderful. We had them here for home evening last night. I had a little homesick day yesterday but I think that is only natural. I just told myself what Pres. Hinkley's father told him, "Forget yourself and get to work!" (It mostly worked.)

Have a good and safe week. Happy Birthday Dad Blake last Sunday and Dad Maxwell today!

Getting Started

October 20, 2009 - It's hard to know where to begin! There are so many things going on and so many adjustments we are overwhelmed! This post will be a little long as a new beginning. We promise others won't be! Just spot read or read in segments or whatever works for you.

Sunday was our first experience going to our new assignment called the Kulungu Hills Area (four branches there). It takes about 2 1/2 - 3 hours travel one way (when you know where you are going!) The young elders, Assistants to the President, went with us the first time to show us the way. It has been raining hard here and the roads through the hills are clay-slick. The elders had been in touch with the Mitini Branch President who assured them that the roads were okay to come; but we were surely grateful for our 4-wheel drive pickup.

On the way coming and going we saw zebras, antelope, and about a dozen giraffes, close to the road like animals at our Sunridge property. Three giraffes were eating at one tree, close to the road. It's like being in a different world. The Masai tribesmen (men and boys) work dressed in their native red plaid blankets wrapped around them and are seen herding their cattle along the sides of the roads, in the village lawns and fields. It's almost like a dream and we have to pinch ourselves to see if it is real.

(Pictures have the incorrect date from the camera.)
People don't drive with rules here and there are few road signs. If someone's car or truck stops, they just leave it where it is, often unmarked or with big rock or tree branches along the road to signal a problem. Driving is very stressful (for the driver and for his companion!) We passed through several native villages that looked like what we would call slums at home, but it is where people live and have small, open front stores made out of sticks. They just sell produce or whatever they are able to get. As we drove through the villages they would all watch us as we were very conspicuous as white people in a white truck! The tribe in our area is very peaceful and we didn't feel threatened. We are just careful.

The country up in the hills is like I picture the country in Italy. It is mountainous and green with terraced farms. Part of the drive was up so high we were in the clouds or mist as we drove. The roads were wet and slick. Even with four-wheel drive I was glad Elder Blake was driving and not me. It took skill to stay on the road and out of the trenches at the sides! Even up in the mountains there were Matatus everywhere (small, van-like buses) taking the people here and there. (They drive crazy, like they were in a race!)

Pictured above: Terraced land where people live and their "shambas" or gardens for growing their food.

Now for the important part. When we finally arrived at the Mitini Branch there were people out watching and waiting for us. It was raining and the Branch President was out in his suit and gum boots to direct us where to park (the only vehicle there and on the side of a hill). They meet in an old abandoned school. They were proud to tell us that they had painted the walls of the larger meeting room (chapel) just that week and that they hoped to have glass in the windows soon. The president invited us to meet in his office before meeting for prayer. It was a small room, about 9' by 10', with just room for a desk, 4 chairs and a 4-drawer file cabinet (all provided by the church.) There was no electricity so if the door was pushed closed it was totally dark. We met with the president, first counselor, the elders, and Elder Blake and I. What a spiritual prayer. You don't have to have all the amenities of home to have the spirit present. They then took us on a tour of the different "classrooms" which were sizes up to about 12' x 12' (for the larger one), with dozens of small chairs packed together, to hold up to 50 people. Most of the rooms were leaking water through the tin roof. For restrooms (they call toilet rooms) there were two small outhouse looking structures with just a square hole in the middle - pit toilets - no sit downs.

We went back to the room where sacrament meeting was held. As we were 1/2 hour early we were able to greet people as they came in. They were so friendly. Some were quite shy. The elders had taught us how to greet the children by saying, "Watja" and the children would answer "aya", (sp?) The children would keep peeking at us and then smiling. They all came in clean Sunday clothes, many quite humbly dressed, and some without shoes. The priesthood boys all had white shirts and ties and took what they did very seriously. The children sat on their chairs very reverently, without cheerios, Crayons, or anything else. I'm sure many didn't even understand what was being said as it was all in English and many don't speak as yet, but they listened reverently.

People kept coming and coming until every chair was full and some were standing. There are about 150 members in the branch and they had 206 people in attendance that day because of the rain. Last week there were 266 because of investigators, which meant that 50-60 had to stand in the two doorways, or listen through the windows (because no glass). It is overwhelming. They read their Books of Mormon and are very serious about gospel study. The spirit is touching the hearts of these people like we've never seen before. We were totally humbled by what we saw and felt. It was a very moving, emotional experience for us, even before the service started.

The Branch President spoke and then all four of the missionaries bore our testimonies. They sang the hymns without any accompaniment (no piano or electricity for keyboards) and they sang with all their hearts. They sang from a few LDS Hymn books, and the hymn melodies aren't quite as they are written; but they put their hearts into it!

After sacrament meeting I visited the primary and fell in love with the cute little children sitting on their little chairs, some without shoes even in the cool and rain, and listening and repeating back the lesson and singing the primary songs (even "Once There Was a Snowman" which they loved, when they had never seen snow or ice!) The older primary class was studying the pioneers in Winter Quarters. They love and identify with the pioneers as that is what they are in this country. Elder Blake attended priesthood and was directed to teach the class on the "Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood" (D&C 84). We love the people already. I even got to hold a cute little baby about four months old for a few minutes. She'd keep looking up and smiling at me. It made me a little homesick.

Pictured above: Two of the Mitini Branch sisters with Sister Blake and the branch building in the background.

We will be going back up there Wednesday if it doesn't rain too much. (Some one will need to help us find the other 3 villages - branches, so we haven't been to them yet. There are no road numbers or maps, and names of villages we pass through are not evident.) Starting at 10:00 a.m., we've been asked to teach two of the three baptismal preparation classes of investigators, which means teach them to understand English, since that is a requirement for baptism here; and teach them the gospel for baptism readiness. We are a little nervous as we are used to teaching together; and because it is hard for us to understand what they say to us. We think of teaching one or two or a family and not as a group and alone. (Please pray for us. We can't do it alone. We also pray that we can find our way back there without the elders!)

Our hearts are full of love for our family and friends. Thanks for your love and support and email notes. The other missionary couples here are wonderful and have been so good to us, but we still are experiencing considerable culture shock and enjoy hearing from home.

Our love to you all.

Introducing blakeskenyamission blog

October 30, 2009

Dear Family and Friends,
Blogging is new to us, so you may need to be patient. :-)
We have so much to tell, but don't want to overwhelm, so you won't want to visit this sight again. Hopefully this will be a way to share with you some of the phenomenal things that are happening here, and some PIX of things we are seeing.

We will type headings so you can pick and choose what interests you.

We have arrived!

October 16, 2009 - Just a note this evening to let you know we have arrived safely in Kenya. People have been very kind to us. We are learning so much and experiencing culture shock! Our assignment will be working with four little branches about 2 1/2 to 3 1/2  hours away from Nairobi, but we will live in Nairobi and commute. We are looking forward to getting started and meeting the wonderful people there. Our computer is not working yet but we will write more when we can.

Our love and prayers are with you all.