Update 4/19/2010

Young converts and branches – Tuesday was spent traveling to Kilili where we taught the regular English and keyboard classes and met with Relief Society and the new Branch Presidency for leadership training and planning. After, we were invited to the home of a young man Kennedy, who is just turning in his mission papers. We met his mother and grandparents, none of whom speak English. They live in very primitive circumstances but were so warm and welcoming to us. This young man is a new convert of about one year and has been teaching the Gospel Doctrine class since he was baptized; is the Young Men leader, teaches English, and helps wherever he is needed. The young single adults here are leaders in their branches, because they have been to school. We hope when they return from missions they will be able to remain and build up the Church in the “up country,” which is what city dwellers call the rural areas.

Elder Blake With Kennedy, His Mother and Grandparents

Kennedy's Mother Helping Sis. B Tie Her Kanga

 Search for a new meeting house for a new branch – We drove to Mitini to meet President Kaseve and visit the Matua area where there are many people joining the church. It is so far to walk (and up a large hill!) to the meeting house in Mitini. The local leaders are trying to find a place near them where a new branch could meet. In a village called Kalongo we looked at a building that might work. Natives are living in the prospective “meeting place” presently, and are not at all excited to think about having to move. Other than that the people of the town were very friendly. They are very curious about these mzungus who visit their village market in their white truck! We picked up the “patriarch” of the Matua large extended family (of some 50-60 members who have been baptized in the past 1-6 months) – Elder Blake calls him “Papa John,” who went with us to examine the buildings, along with a couple of his sons. [ See heading below about 9 new Elders.] By the time we returned everyone to their homes it was about 8:00 p.m.. This was the first we had really seen the MAGESTY of the African stars because it is too dangerous for us to drive at night. (At night 100s of African people walk the roadways – all in the middle and edges of the dirt roadways – and it is very hard to see them in the dark.) As we walked down the trail to our Precious Blood apartment Sister Blake commented “Oh for a McDonalds or Wendy's right now!” Instead we settled for Top Ramen that tasted really good by then!

Papa John of Matua and His Grandchildren After Trip to Find New Branch Building

Primary On a Hill - Friday we went to our high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima. We taught our regular classes and then Sister Blake went to the primary activity. All the children were sitting patiently in rows outside on the grass as the leaders discussed what they should do. The music leader hadn't shown up and that seemed to be their planned activity besides refreshments which they needed to prepare. Sister Blake offered to fill in and loved singing with the children. Their favorite that she had taught them the Sunday before was, “Smiles.” They would giggle and laugh as, with Sister Blake, they all pulled “frowny” faces and sang, “If you chance to meet a frown...” For refreshments they were each (even young children) given half of a small loaf of bread, a drink of orange punch, and a small piece of candy. These are brand new primary leaders who have been members less than a year (and of course never seen a Primary conducted). It touched Sister Blake's heart when, as she was leaving, the young Primary president asked, “Are we doing okay?” The reply was, “You are doing a wonderful job. Look how happy the children are!” The leaders are doing the very best they know how.

     

Illima Branch Primary Activity - What a view! Children sharing refreshments -  pop and half a small loaf of bread.

New Elders and Converts - Saturday Elder Blake accompanied President Taylor to Mitini and Kyambeke to interview men for receiving the Melchezedek Priesthood and for a new branch counselor. It was a long a full day but very productive. Sunday we attended Kyambeke Branch where Elder Blake helped with the ordinations of five new Elders, several of them quite new members of the Church. We then hurried back to Mitini for the ordination of the 9 new Elders. “Papa John” was the first ordained, and thus with help, he was able to ordain his sons. What a spiritual experience! Another was Brother Anthony, baptized in December, whose house washed away in a mudslide 2 weeks ago. (See last week's blog showing the branch helping rebuild his home.) He's a special friend to us and wanted Elder Blake to ordain him. From there we went up to Ilima for a baptism of 13 new members! Another special blessing was that it had rained very hard during the night and we wondered if it was angels who helped us on the slick, sloppy road which we had to traverse three times during the day! We didn't think we could make it to the baptism. When we arrived one of the young men who had helped teach the new members said, “We prayed that the rain would stop so you could be here to the baptism.” What wonderful and simple faith and what an example they are to us. 

13 Baptized in Illima

Father's Baptism Unites Family

Once released, people never want to go to these jails again – On the way home we stopped at the jail to visit a member who has been there since last Tuesday. There were 11 men prisoners (with their heads all shaved) in one cell with no mattresses or blankets and just a bucket out in the open for a restroom. Guilty or not guilty, our hearts hurt for him.

We felt our day was like when you are on a cruise and there is so much food you can't really experience all of it fully. We felt “full” of wonderful experiences and this sad experience. It was hard to process it all. We are so blessed to be able to be here at this time serving our Heavenly Father's children.

Update 4/12/2010

First Ever Kilungu Hills Primary Conference – Tuesday, April 6^th, the anniversary of the organization of the Church, we held a primary conference for Ilima, Kyambeke, and Mitini Branches. Sisters walked long distances to attend, work together, and share ideas. We worked on learning the music for this year's sharing time and sacrament meeting program focusing on how to teach as well as learning the songs. [Sis. Blake demonstrated how to teach primary children, by having the leaders and teachers participate in the role of primary children. They had a wonderful, fun time! <-- blakes="" elder="" note.="" span="">] We also worked on fun action songs and prayer songs. We then divided into a teacher group taught by Elder Blake and a leader group taught by Sister Blake. One sister helped translate some things from time to time so all could understand. There was a special spirit there as we shared the common love of children and desire to teach them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the best way possible in word and music. The sacrifice of the sisters just making such great effort to attend helps bring the spirit. We ended with the traditional refreshments – peanut butter sandwiches and pumpkin bread that Sis. Blake made. The English class and investigator class joined us for refreshments. We're never sure how many to plan for so we just plan plenty!

Heavy Rains – During the prior week, it rained for 5-6 days – a wonderful blessing for their crops, but a perennial hazard for their mud huts. One of our new members, Anthony, lost his home. They felt blessed to get their baby out before the house went down. The home was made of sand-baked bricks, with mud used for the mortar. A flood just washed out the bottom layer and the house collapsed. Another family (not members yet) lost two children and the mother is in the hospital from a mudslide into their home. Saturday was their funeral, while we helped rebuild Anthony's home.

       

Anthony and Family                                 Site Where the House Washed Away

            

Inside Hut/Eight Lived Here                    Starting to Build - Passing Trees Down Hill

                

Installing Door From Church                  Putting on the Roof

Rebuild a Home – Saturday we left home early with any tools we had and food for the workers. We met at the Mitini Branch to load an old door and corrugated tin roofing recently removed from the church roof, and pick up some nails. We met in President Kaseve's office for prayer and headed for the site. We had taken Anthony and his family home after his wife and two of his children were baptized a couple of weeks ago. It seemed like a long drive to where we stopped and then a long walk for them down the hill to their home. This time Pres. Kaseve said this was a shorter way so we drove to the top of a hill and proceeded to unload supplies to carry down, what we understood was a short distance. We walked and walked and walked almost straight down hill before finally arriving! I had asked some sisters if we should take the food with us and I understood they said “no” so I guessed we'd all just come back to the truck to eat. Later I decided they just didn't understand what I said and we had to walk all the way back up the hill to the truck and carry everything back down! My legs were so rubbery I decided they may have to carry me back up if I ever went home!

There were beautiful flowers all around where the home had been and where the new home will be. It was as beautiful as any landscaped yard we have seen – beautiful and remote.

First Counselor, Boneface, began with a prayer for safety and unity among the workers. We weren't sure how they were going to build a new home on the pile of rubble that was the remains of the old one. I wondered where the rest of the supplies were. They began measuring and pounding sticks into the ground and then went to chop down trees with their pangas – known to us as machetes. They'd skin off the limbs and then pound them into the ground! All the wood for the frame was from what was available in the area. It was amazing and reminded us of pioneers who just used what they had and built a home. They used the same trees to build trusses for the roof and then just hoisted them up on top. Ladders they use are three-legged A-frames with horizontal limbs across for steps on three sides. To get on top to build the roof they just took off their shoes and shinnied up and climbed around where they were needed – young men as well as those in their 30's. I was thinking to myself how different it is in America. They were on the roof without shoes working and laughing... and at home I probably would have been saying “Be careful with that big knife!” or “Be careful not to fall!” This was just part of their daily lives and how they work. They know how to swing that blade!

Grass Thatched Huts – The sisters were busy cooking and serving water to the workers as it was hot. They enjoyed being together. Anthony and his family were so appreciative. He said, “This will be a good example to my neighbors who aren't members of the Church as they see how we take care of each other.” // Anthony's mother who lives near them is not a member yet because she doesn't speak English, but she comes to the English class each Wednesday, and to church each Sunday. She lives near and we fixed the lunch at her home. The living area had one very small table and a few home made chairs, with a dirt floor. Bedrooms were behind an interior mud wall. The kitchen was in a close by hut where they build the fires to cook. There were no outhouses – not even pit latrines – that we could see. They are very curious about our home and wondered if we cook on a fire. Someone also asked if we have to walk a long ways to our home. (It is hard to explain that we drive right to our home with a garage where the door opens automatically! It's a whole different world.)

Peanut Butter Sandwiches – Elder and Sister Blake were volunteered to bring the lunch. Sis Blake and the women made seven large loaves of bread into peanut butter sandwiches! We also brought bananas and a big box of cookies. They all seemed to enjoy lunch and were back to work trying to get the roof completed before dark. The next step will be to “mud” the walls. We have never seen that done but we hope they can complete it soon as the family, parents and 6 children, are all sleeping in the small round hut about 12' in diameter.

It was a wonderful and rewarding day. Elder Blake says that he forgets that he is old, and that balance, coordination and strength have forsaken him. He gets right in and works with the best of them, but says that he tires quickly. His companion helped him remember to take some breaks! We're not as young as we used to be! // We were both tired as we got ready to leave and Elder Blake got out the tow strap he had taken with us (in case we needed it to lift rafters) and pulled me up the long hill --probably only a kilometer, but it seemed like five)! I don't know what I would have done without him. President Henry counseled him to take care of me and he is. These members hike up this mountain to get to the church each week, carrying babies and young children; then at the top of the hill they continue walking 1-2 kilometers to get to the church. 

We stayed the night in Kikoko, so we would be close for church in another branch the next morning; then returned to Nairobi Sunday night. We saw three giraffes on the way home. We hope they will stick around, and bring their families with them for when April and Devan come in two weeks! We're getting excited.

Have a wonderful week. We love you.

Update 4/5/2010

Let Music Ring!: This has been a good week filled with continuing training and new beginnings. We started a new keyboard class in our Mitini Branch since the music conducting class finished. We had such a good time we almost hated that class to be over! Even with rainy weather 7 of of the conducting students came to start the keyboard class. All but one were men! Most of the wives have young babies and the weather was wet so they may come next time. Those who were there seemed to enjoy it and were excited to take the keyboards home and work with them. It's very hard to teach that many beginners! Some catch on quite quickly and with others it's almost like teaching a foreign language! One brother in the conducting class had said he didn't think he would try the keyboard. He showed up and said “I didn't want to be left behind!” It's fun.

Upcoming baptisms: There are active investigators in three of the four branches right now. Three men and one young woman in Mitini are coming to lessons each Sunday and Wednesday. They have good questions and seem to be making good progress. The men are leading men in the community (ages 40-50) and it will be a blessing to have their leadership in the branch. // The branch is growing so fast that they really need to be divided. Elder Blake is spending a lot of time developing maps of areas with indications of where members live – particularly Priesthood holders; and locating possible “meeting houses” that the Church could rent. Maps of the Hills Areas are very rough approximations (similar to those you see in old pictures that the Pilgrims had, showing general shapes of the Americas.) What looks close on their maps may be a long walk away, over or around two or three hills! 

Children we love in Illima - Take care of siblings

Primary Music – We love the primary children and there are many in every branch (from 80 to 120). Some of the leaders are very new in the Church and don't really know how primary should go and don't know the songs. The songs the children know they always sing with “gusto” and you can hear them clear out in the bush! It still seems interesting to hear them sing “Once There Was a Snowman” when they have no idea of snow or ice. It's even sung as a prayer song. (We are working on that.) Last week I was giving a training to the Kilili Branch as they are too far away to go to our primary conference tomorrow. We talked about a lot of things and learned the new songs for sharing time this year. We talked about how a prelude helps children sit reverently before primary starts. The primary president (a neat, bright member of several years) asked what a prelude was(!) I had no idea they didn't know or understand. We taught how to use the battery powered CD player and one keyboard student is preparing a couple of primary songs to play for prelude. They are so open to suggestions. Their humility is a good lesson to us.

“Rain, Rain, Go Away” – That song we used to sing is very applicable to us right now. While the rain is a great blessing to the newly planted crops there is so much right now that it is hard to get to our branches. We couldn't go to Ilima (our high on the hill branch) Friday for class or Sunday for meetings. We were to pick up three Young Single Adults and take them back to the YSA Conference. They had to ride a matatu and it took them all day to get there because of the mud and slick roads. We have a new truck for now and it doesn't have aggressive mud tires; but it takes the bumps a lot better! 

Termite Wings