Blakes' Kenya Mission

Update 3.14.2011

2011-03-16T15:30:00.000-07:00

Endings and Beginnings - This has been a busy and full week! After saying goodbye to special friends in Ilima and Kyambeke on Sunday we returned to the Hills on Tuesday for a final farewell-teaching session with Kilili. As we drove through the beautiful country that we love we were cognizant that this would be the last time to see so many things - the oxcarts, hut homes, children waving and greeting us, and some still bolting off the narrow, dirt roadways to hide in the bushes for fear of “Mzungus coming!” What will be missed most is the relationship with the wonderful saints we've grown to love in this almost year-and-a-half. They sang and danced (African style) for/with us, and exchanged thoughtful tributes, home-made gifts, and expressions of love. Tears were close to the surface as we bid goodbye.

We traveled through the 1 ½ hour short cut from Kilili to Kyambeke, to our Precious Blood flat to prepare the “last supper” with the missionaries, Elder Trickett and Elder Hayes. They were fun company and we talked of plans and how they could continue on some of the teaching/member development initiatives we had started. They work hard and are dedicated to helping the saints grow in Kilungu Hills as well as teaching the gospel to investigators. They are also fun to feed as they love to eat! The spaghetti, jello salad, beans, bread, brownies and banana pudding were consumed with happy, appreciative sounds! We also brought groceries we wouldn't be needing, including a large brick of cheese that was “the best gift ever;” with the possible exception of the shower head we gave them that heats water. It never worked for us in our Precious Blood flat because there wasn't enough water pressure; but they assured us it would work on the hose at their apartment! As we took them home they looked like it had been Christmas. We will miss them and keep them in our prayers as they continue their work in the Hills.

Wednesday we picked up President Kaseve who is still recovering from surgery and took him to Mitini for a fun, branch farewell party there. This was also the day we gave the R.S. sisters the treadle sewing machine – a Christmas gift from our family. They had kept their end of the agreement by saving up l,500 shillings (about $19) from their many small donations and from not spending some of their church LUBA for Relief Society. It was an exciting day and they have great plans for using it. There were more fun songs with dances, gifts, and tributes. How we will miss these friends – dozens of new members in the past year plus. We talked again of the certainty of a grand reunion in the spirit world. After some special "goodbyes" some of the brethren rode with us to Kikoko to help move our things to the truck for a last ride back to Nairobi. With a warm goodbye to the nuns we were on our way.

Our last Monday night was at President and Sister Broadbent's home where we had dinner, shared some mission experiences and pictures, and enjoyed the evening together. One of the great blessings of a mission is being able to association with such wonderful couples with shared purpose. They will be life-long friends and we'll miss them but hope to see them again when they return. The next few days were spent packing, cleaning, shopping, and just trying to enjoying the "present moment" before leaving. Friday afternoon we met with President Broadbent for a final interview and truly memorable priesthood blessings. Saturday evening we had a final dinner out with the couples and Elder and Sister Nevin took us to the airport to begin the long journey to our beautiful, beloved USA!

Beginnings – We flew to London and during the 9 ½ hour layover took the Underground to central London where we renewed memories of our visit there in 2002. A trip on the London Eye (huge tourist Ferris wheel to view the city) and a lunch stop at Beautiful Burger King(!) was about all the time we had before resuming the second leg of our journey -- the almost 11 hour flight to Phoenix. It was long but gave us time for reflection on wonderful blessings and life-changing experiences from serving as missionaries to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ during these days known as “Africa’s time to receive the Gospel;” and help prepare future leaders for the Church in Kenya.

We were met at the airport by our son, Lane, and two grandsons holding “Welcome Home” signs. How we love our family. We count our blessings and savor our wonderful mission experiences as we begin a new era of our lives.

Thanks for sharing this time with us!

Update 3.7.2011

2011-03-07T11:01:00.000-08:00

Busy Week! - We met with all four branches enjoying the last full week of classes and trainings. We tried to live in the “present moment” and enjoy everything to the fullest. Keyboards needed to be turned in to the mission in areas where there was no one to teach. It was hard to pick them up as the people have loved the experience. We have recorded their names and are keeping a record for other missionaries who may come, and hope they will be able to continue with keyboard classes at a later time.

It was also a week of finishing up pedigree charts, family group sheets, and especially life stories. We wish we had started life stories earlier so more could have participated. What a wonderful experience this has been learning about the early life of these saints and how they learned about the Church. We have especially enjoyed helping them write their testimonies. It's been exciting as we have taken precious, small, old photographs and enlarged them a little to add to the history.

Goodbyes – This was the last week meeting with the Matua area where there isn't a branch yet. We love this huge family group! It's been a blessing in our lives as we have seen so many baptized – about 75 in one extended family, who all live close by each other, some like 1 to 3 meters in between – and watched them grow in strength and testimony as they have learned to serve in the Mitini Branch. They are so dedicated to walk there through the valley and up a high hill just to get to church. We've helped bring new babies from the hospital; suffered with them through trials and temptations; and celebrated their successes. It feels like they are part of our family! As we met this last time we talked about early pioneers and that they are the African pioneers. They loved the Legacy movie and related to the living conditions as that time as many things are similar to how they live and what they are experiencing. We will never forget them.

Sunday we shared our time between two branches for a last meeting. In the high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima, we attended testimony meeting and enjoyed the spirit and love of the people. After meeting the choir sang God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again as we were departing – it was hard to control the tears. We have special memories in each branch. We left part of our hearts there also as we drove down that primitive trail but beautiful hill for the last time.

In Kyambeke they had a combined relief society and priesthood meeting where we all shared memories and thoughts. We felt such an outpouring of love as we relived so many wonderful memories. After meeting they asked us to go outside where they tied a kanga around Sister Blake and then added a scarf on the head and a basket with a strap to carry on her head! Next came the traditional, African-style celebration dance with the sisters, as the whole group enjoying the proceedings. What a fun day with the only problem being our camera batteries were low and our pictures didn't turn out very well. We'll have to keep the picture in our minds.

We also shared with the branch the news that the video Lisa took of the young women singing their special rendition of the YW theme has been viewed by the whole General Young Women Presidency and they loved it! We have the permission slips from each of the girl's parents to send to Salt Lake in case they use the video for training or other purposes in the future. The girls and leaders were so excited.

Next blog will be the last from Africa, as we fly out late Saturday night. We will leave part of our hearts here but are also getting excited to see family and friends again. Our love to you and have a good week.

Update 2.27.2011

2011-02-27T20:50:00.000-08:00

“I can see the letters!” - Many of the branch members and investigators can't see well enough to even see the page numbers in the Hymn Book, let alone see the letters of words. Friends and family have helped send or bring glasses and what a blessing these have been. This week Christine a ZEE (Zero English Experience) student was delighted (!) when we helped her with some glasses and she could see the letters she had been trying to learn. Margaret was having a hard time with the keyboard and we didn't know why. She was too shy to say she couldn't see but her husband finally told us and what a big difference it made when she could see the notes. Thank you. Thank you.

Life Stays Interesting. - We had a fun lesson in Matua Wednesday afternoon but when we got back down the hill to our truck we had a totally flat tire. It was hot and late afternoon but Elder Blake rallied the group and had a tire changing lesson (with the help of many children!) I was amazed at his patience. With spare tire in place we picked up the Elders and took them to Nunguni for “dinner.” (The stew was made from the cow tongue – very little meat.) While we ate the flat tire was checked out down the street. They didn't find a problem and said that someone let the air out. Also,Wednesday at Mitini President Kaseve was not feeling well. A matatu trip to Nairobi found that he had acute appendicitis. The next day we took his wife in to be with him and our spare tire went flat during rush hour in the middle of Nairobi. Not good! It took us two hours to find the medical center we needed. There are no addresses in Nairobi, few street signs, and no maps of the city accurate enough to locate a certain area. No one knew where it was. People running shops, gas stations, etc. seldom know where a neighboring business (or hospital) is, even if it is just across the roadway or two shops away from their own. All's well that ends well. We arrived late, but safe.

Sewing Machine Shopping Trip – We have been looking for a treadle sewing maching for the newest branch that doesn't have one. (This gift is from you family who contributed at Christmas time.) We were told where to get the best deal but didn't know how to get there without someone who was familiar with the area. While visiting President Kaseve in the hospital we saw President Onesmus who said he could help us. When he heard the address he said no mzungu should ever be in that part of town! [We told him we had accidentally been in a lot of places no mzungu should ever be (!) so he agreed to help us find it.] What an experience. We now know why not to go there! Even where we've traveled in Nairobi we have never seen traffic jams like we experienced all afternoon and into evening. It was only through blessings of heaven we made it home without incident and with a new Singer treadle machine. We now need to buy the table and treadle. We don't think we will try returning to that area even if we pay more! We are excited to present the machine though. The sisters have been saving a little of their own money and not spending all their church relief society funds to pay a little, so that they feel ownership. They are excitedly talking and planning what they will do when it comes.

Bitter-Sweet Time – We have our release date and travel arrangements and will be returning home from our mission March 12^th. We knew this time would come and are excited to see home and family but we will miss these wonderful people and the experiences we have had here. It still doesn't seem real. We are working hard right up to the end and will be in the Hills most of the remaining two weeks. (We'll have to pack fast!) Today was our last Sunday at the Mitini Branch and we told them how much we loved them, and that we look forward to seeing them again at a “grand reunion” in heaven; where we hoped it would be like Alma and the sons of Mosiah when they met after being away from each other for so long: “...therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord:...” (Alma 17). We promised we would try hard to stay true and asked that they do the same so we could meet again and have these same wonderful feelings.

Have a good week and know we are thinking of you with love.

Update 2.21.2011

2011-02-21T01:52:00.000-08:00

“Payoff” Week – We visited all four branches this week and brought a missionary to Nairobi to be set apart for her mission. We have worked with Sister Elaine for about nine months and have grown to love her as we do all her family. She served a two-month mission in Nairobi when there weren't enough sisters here so she's already had some good missionary experiences. Wednesday when we were to pick her up it was raining and had rained all night. When that happens the road to Kyambeke is terrible (understatement!) but she had to be in Nairobi to be set apart by the mission president before he left town, so we pushed through. As we slid off into a ditch, guardian angels caught us in time and set us back up on the mired roadway. (How often has this happened to us??? No one could persuade us to believe that angels are not involved in missionary work!) Sister Elaine's blessing was beautiful and she'll do a wonderful job in the Ghana Cape Coast Mission. This is the seventh missionary we've helped prepare since we've been here. One more leaves in March and two more have their papers in. It's an exciting time for the Church in Africa.

We enjoyed our visits to the branches, and while progress in some areas is very slow we were so excited Sunday to see the growth in the primary and YM/YW at Ilima. In primary, there are over 120 children who come and reverence has been a huge problem – indeed, chaos has reigned! Primary is held in a building separate from the church, where there are broken windows that children climb in and out of during the meeting. All the children ages 3-12 are crowded in one room, mostly with two children seated in one small chair. The leaders are all new members not knowing how things should go and what they should expect of the children. And they aren't familiar with the primary songs, since even the longer term members haven't grown up in the church. We have been working very hard with the new Handbook of Instructions and teaching reverence etc. Sunday when Sis. Blake climbed down the hill to the primary room and went in it was so quiet she wondered if the children had come yet. What a great surprise to see they had divided the children into groups and they were reverently going about the beginning of primary. The second wonderful surprise was to hear them sing the new primary song for this year – all three verses – and right on tune! The leaders were so proud of themselves, and we all wanted to shout for joy...our hearts were so full.

In the joint YM/YW class, the 35 youth were actually persuaded to respond to simple opinion questions, where they talked to each other in small groups. As they loosened-up and gained courage to speak, they really enjoyed becoming actively involved. (In Kenya, public school classes are all rote-learning and group recitation; and scarey humiliation if a student were to give a wrong answer. Thus, young people are conditioned not to talk, and seldom to voice their opinions.)

The next experience was in Relief Society. Most lessons in all classes are taught by reading right from the book. Elder Blake has worked hard to teach some different ways of involving people and getting them to think and feel the spirit. The teacher wrote on the chalkboard, asked questions, and even divided the group for discussion! She taught with the Spirit and it was wonderful.

We also see excitement as those in the temple classes are feeling the Spirit of Elijah and working hard on their family history. Several are even writing their life histories. We hope we can get them all typed before we leave! What a blessing this will be to their ancestors and to their posterity!

These are days when the long bumpy roads and peanut butter sandwiches all seem worth it!

Have a good week and know we are thinking of you with love.

Update 2.14.2011

2011-02-14T04:38:00.000-08:00

Drought and Relief Food – We didn't make our Tuesday work day as Elder Blake had a toothache that resulted in the need for a root canal that day. Wednesday we made our regular visit to Mitini Branch for temple and new member classes but the rest of the time was spent in the branch as they distributed relief food from the Church to members who have been hit hard by the lack of rain during the last part of the growing season. The maize crop this season looked beautiful and green at first, but then no rains came and things dried up and didn't produce. Where people depend almost totally on food from their shambas drought creates a problem in just having food to eat. What a blessing it is as members of the Church world-wide contribute monthly to the fast offering fund and make it possible to help people in need. We wish that faithful members could see their donations used and appreciated so much.

Baptism in Kyambeke – Saturday we picked up the Elders and went to Kyambeke for the baptism of Wilson and Duncan. Duncan is in his early twenties and was baptized by his younger brother, Nicolas, who is about 18 and the young men's president in the branch. It was a very special day for them. Wilson was baptized by Elder Hayes and both bore humble testimonies after. I was impressed as Duncan bore his testimony and said now that he knew he was a child of God he didn't worry about getting “lost” as he knew his Father would come looking for him. My thoughts went to how faithful members are the ones the Father sends looking for those who are “lost.” It made me want to try harder and listen to the Spirit as it whispers where to go and look.

Elder Holland and Opening Burundi – Last October we mentioned a visit by Elder Holland to our mission. He made several visits to different African missions and then went with public affairs missionaries dedicate the land of Burundi for the preaching of the gospel. The February Liahona says: “Elder Holland expressed his feeling that Africa had been held in reserve by the Lord in the spirit of 'the last shall be first' and that Africa would someday be seen as a bright land full of gospel hope and happiness.” We see this in the Hills where we meet so many people who are hungry for the gospel of Jesus Christ and when they are taught it's almost like they've heard it before and accept the teachings. This is wonderful but it also creates a great need for building leaders from new members who have not seen how the Church functions. That has been our quest and challenge during our mission. The new members are mostly willing and anxious to do things right, but long engrained cultural changes come little by little and take time.

Sunday in the Hills – Saturday after the baptism we spent the night in Kikoko and had a nice visit with the head nun, Sister Mary Joyce. We thanked her for making it possible for us to stay there which has made our work so much easier not having to travel back and forth to Nairobi each day. She didn't know we were leaving in April and asked if it would be possible for us to extend! They've been so good to us there. Sunday A.M we traveled through the shortcut (about 2 hours on bumpy road!) to Kilili Branch. As we were leaving Brother and Sister Maneno (couple we took to the temple) gave us a box they said contained a gift for us. It was all tied nicely and we didn't open it until we got home. (We were concerned that it might contain a live chicken as the last time we took a box that size in our truck from Kilili that's what it contained!) When we arrived home we found beautiful mangoes from their trees. Especially during this drought we appreciate this loving gift of sacrifice. How we will miss friends such as these!

On the way home we visited one of the members in the Machakos prison for one last visit. He hopes to be released when he finally has his hearing the end of March; but this is the fifth time the hearing has been delayed. We visit through bars in the outside prison wall, and then heavy chain link fence lined inside the bars. Thus, the closest conversation we have with him is one meter distant, and it is always monitored by guards who stand on each side of the handcuffed prisoner and monitor all conversation (about like in the US we suppose).

Have a good and safe week and know we are thinking of you.

Update 2.7.2010

2011-02-07T02:34:00.000-08:00

Good Work Week – It seems there is a rejuvenation in classes at the beginning of the year and also finishing up before we leave. Elder Blake's Mitini new member class is going strong. Also, instead of winding down slowly with keyboard classes, we are preparing one last keyboard party in each branch. At that time we will collect keyboards in branches that don't have anyone within the branch advanced enough to teach and be responsible for the keyboards. It's sad as members have enjoyed the opportunity so much. We will leave detailed information for the next missionaries as to what has been done and who has been taking lessons and hope they will be able to continue. The problem is that there are six areas that will not have senior couples by April (Mombasa, Chyulu, Kilungu Hills, Kisumu, Eldoret, and new Tanzanian area), and only one couple coming that we know of! If anyone is able and interested it would be the experience of a lifetime! You are so needed.

Written History – There is very little recorded history of individuals in Kenya. Most history is oral and passed from generation to generation. In temple classes we have worked on pedigree charts, family group sheets, and now life stories with a promise that we will type and return anything they write! We are trying to add pictures as well. We've asked members to include how they learned about the Church and to share their testimonies. We are also doing oral history interviews with three of the grandparent generation who are definitely the “pioneers” in the church (although the longest baptized is just over one year now). Some of their younger children who have had schooling serve as interpreters. At first they were uncomfortable – lots of one-word responses to our searching questions – but they are gradually warming to the ideas of sharing their life experiences. When they see their words typed, along with a picture that should get them excited!

Welcome Gifts – A few weeks ago one of the branch presidents asked us if we liked chicken. We assured him that we did and he said the next time we came he'd have one for us. We weren't sure if it would be alive and crowing – a “do-it-yourself” project for us – or just what. When we left after classes he presented it to us very fresh, killed, cleaned (still warm – no refrigerators), and ready to go. They also included a huge avocado to go with it. People are so good to us. We're going to miss them all!

Initiation of New Elder - With the transfer of Elder Atkins, Elder Trickett from Roy (just a mile or so from our home) was assigned to our area . We hadn't known him before, as we haven't lived there long ourselves; plus he lives in another stake. The senior companion, Elder Hayes, assured him that he wouldn't need a rain coat as this was the dry season. Promptly upon arrival it began to rain like the bottom had fallen out! We had planned to pick up the Elders and take them to Nunguni for “dinner.” It was pouring rain as they left their apartment, so Elder Hayes gave his new companion his raincoat, since he'd told him not to bring one. Then, on the way down the hill, he slipped and fell “splat” in the red mud – all 6' 7” of him! Now they were soaking wet and covered with mud. We helped him dry off a little before dinner as we also needed to make a hospital visit on our way. These two Elders really stand out as one is 6' 7” and the other about 6' 2” and both blond and blue-eyed. It is a privilege to serve with them.

They have been working on the roads (hand-shovel crews) using the soft red dirt which becomes like pudding when wet. We got stuck right behind a stuck matatu so everyone had to get out and assist the crowd who had gathered to help get the vehicles back on the road. In the confusion, a woman helped herself to our tow rope and started down the road (away from the scene). Sister Blake had gotten out of the truck (in the mud) just in time to retrieve the tow rope before it got “lost.” The day was a fitting welcome to the adventures of Kilungu Hills!

Blog Days are Numbered – We have been working on our calendar and trying to fit in everything that needs to be done in these two remaining months of our mission. We will be excited to see family and friends but we certainly will miss our wonderful friends here, and the experiences we are having We know that our lives will never be the same... (but we just don't know how yet??)

Our love to you all. Stay safe and happy.

Update 1.31.2011

2011-01-31T07:29:00.000-08:00

Family African Mission Experience – It's been a wonderful two weeks with Scott, Lisa, and children visiting from Idaho! Many pictures have been taken and it will be hard to decide which to include. The following summary is maybe 1/10^th of significant, spiritual and adventureous events we witnessed during their stay. Visits were made to all the branches we serve and the family was able to to interact with the wonderful members. The Kilili Branch presented a keyboard and choir program and all the Blake children also participated on the keyboard, including Max (6) with Lisa's help. The members really enjoyed the little “Mzungu” children and they received lots of African hugs on both cheeks and pats on the head to feel their blond hair. While the language was hard for each to understand, the love of the members was so strong, and the family could feel of their faith and testimony.

In Mitini Branch and again in the Matua Area we introduced the family and then we presented a home evening so the members could see how it could be done. Scott and Lisa's family conducted the FHE just as they do in their own home, included songs, prayers, scriptures, and the story of King Noah, Abinidi, and Alma in King Noah's court. After the scripture story we acted it out with simple props (just items found in or around an African home), and the members loved it – especially when Abinidi (Max, age 6) was tied to a tree and melted with the fire! They also enjoyed the game Scott's family demonstrated of sending one of the children from the room and then hiding something and saying “hot hot” or “cold cold” to help them find it. It was fun interaction with the members.

Another fun interaction was with the greeting to the children. In Kikamba, they greet children by saying “Wah-cha” and the children respond by saying “Ah.” We had prepared the Blake children, and as they were greeted they made the appropriate Kikamba response and the members laughed, clapped and loved, it as did the children.

Sunday we were able to visit the high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima for Sacrament meeting; and then Kyambeke Branch for the last hours of the meeting block, as they combined the last session so all could meet the family. The primary children sang songs; and the YW recited and sang their theme. Elder Blake had Madyson go up and join with them. She didn't know the music but she was a good sport and said the theme with them. The family members were asked to speak and bear testimony which they did. We could see their testimonies strengthened and also those of the wonderful Kilungu Hills saints as we shared that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same all over the world because it is God's church on the earth today.

Camping in Kikoko – The family were good sports as we camped two nights at our Precious Blood flat in Kikoko so we could work with the branches there. With couch pillows used for mattresses and borrowed foam mattresses on the floor we “camped out” and experienced the beauty and adventures of walks in the Hills, cooking over a “jiko” (small charcoal cooker), and interacting with the students at Precious Blood. Bucket baths were a new experience and some preferred cold showers (very brief showers punctuated with loud squeals!) We were blessed with water and electricity working both nights! Scott's back has been giving him a lot of trouble again (The rough, bumpy roads didn't help!) and he had a treatment from Boneface, the blind chiropractor who worked on Sister Blake. They both enjoyed the visit and the treatment and Scott thought it helped. While he was being treated the rest of us visited the young Elders and “toured” their flat. Pit toilets, bucket baths, kitchen sink that drains into a bucket—good early mission preparation for Isaac and Max—but seeing the Elders and feeling their enthusiasm and testimonies was wonderful.

We also visited the neighboring Kikoko Girls' Primary School where the children enjoyed delivering the library books purchased with Christmas money donated by all the Blake grandchildren. More special experiences as they could see the need for books and supplies and feel the spirit of helping, and the love and excitement of the children and teachers there. This was repeated by a visit to the Kasarani Primary School (suburb of Nairobi). The school is run by a family in Ilima Branch. Most of the children are very poor and many can't even afford 15 shillings (about 18 cents) per day for food at school. This includes porridge in the morning and rice and beans or ugali and cabbage for lunch. The only food some get is what they have at school. Part of the grandchildren donated money also went to this school for school curriculum materials- math, english and science books. The students in each class sang and recited poems, etc. The grandchildren also were asked to do something, so the “Hokey Pokey” etc. were introduced to Kenya! The young “baby class” as they call it (3 and 4-year-olds) was the favorite and they all wanted to shake hands and touch the “Mzungu” friends.

Kenyan Wildlife - We were able to see animals along our drives which was exciting, especially the giraffes, but we really expeienced the famous Kenyan wildlife with a visit to the Masai Mara where we flew by small plane from Nairobi and spent three days at the Aruba-Mara staying in tent cabins which opened with a view of the Mara River (populated by troops of baboons). Our guide (Christian name, Julius) was traditional Masai and he knew the area well. We saw and experienced things we hadn't even expected to see: such as three cheeta brothers who had just taken down a hartebeest; a whole pride of 15 lions, including lion cubs and father Simbas, eating a freshly killed African buffalo; and a small baby elephant nursing from its mother. (The two hartebeast bucks were fighting, and the cheetahs sneaked in while the bucks were distracted and took one of them.) We saw a total of about 22 different species of animals and birds that we were able to name and felt like we were experiencing a National Geographic tour! We enjoyed our guide so much that Scott gave him a small copy of the Book of Mormon with his testimony written inside that the family brought with them. He accepted it graciously and we hope he reads it.

New Friends – During the evenings we stayed in Nairobi, Scott's children made many friends among the black neighborhood children in our compound , who showed up as soon as the van arrived home! They played games (especially loved hide-and-seek) and learned many things from each other. Before leaving the grandchildren gave their friends (about 8-10) copies of the Book of Mormon they had written their testimonies in and told them about what was in it. One boy, about 12-years-old came the next day and asked if he could have one. He had seen the other children out the window and wanted one also. Seeds are being sewn.

All Good Things Must End... - Late last Friday night we took the family to the airport to begin their long journey home. Our house is empty and too quiet now. With only about 5 hours sleep, we got up early the next morning to drive to Kyambeke for a special baptism of a prominent teacher and shop- owner in that area. It was a beautiful baptism and he shared a wonderful testimony that sounded like he'd been a member for many years. He will be a strong member and leader. His wife is not a member and we hope to friendship her and prepare her for the Gospel as well. We next made visits to families in Ilima Branch as we climbed the mountain to their homes. We showed “Finding Faith in Christ” again. They then fed us a late lunch of rice and beans as we visited and then walked us back down to our truck. We finished the weekend Sunday by teaching PH and RS on home and visiting teaching. It was a good day as we celebrated our 47^th wedding anniversary in the Hills – no gifts, no cards, no flowers (no time!) – but a wonderful day of remembering how blessed we are. We have only about two more months here and we hope to make the most of them as we work hard and love the people. When we arrived home about 5:30pm, our couples missionary friends brought us dinner, to which we teased, “How did you know it was our anniversary?!”

We love you all. Stay safe and happy.

Update 1.17.2011

2011-01-17T11:04:00.000-08:00

Short Blog – Scott, Lisa and family arrived safely last night and we have had a fun reunion! We stayed up very late and have much to do today so this will be a short blog entry this week.

Success Stories – We have been working with the branches to teach leadership and how to plan activities, etc. Thursday we met in Kyambeke for a 3-branch relief society planning meeting. They are planning a joint RS birthday party in March. We did a little training from the new Church Handbook about the purposes of the meeting and what it could include and turned the planning over to the sisters with one president in charge. It was wonderful to see how they caught the vision and enjoyed planning together. I had taken copies of a RS history reader's theater to see if the wanted to use it. They did and divided out the parts and all the assignments for the rest of the activity between the three branches. We wrote on the board and they all made notes of their assignments and set a date to meet one more time to finalize. Yes! It's working and wonderful to see the leadership getting a vision of working together in presidencies and with other branches.

Elder Blake works with leaders each week, endeavoring to deepen and strengthen branch Melchizedek, Aaronic and Sunday School Presidencies, to prepare them for present and new leadership callings as the branches grow and divide. Sunday it was with combined Priesthood and R.S. members, trying to help people look for solutions rather than just so many life problems. Presentation title was “That Which We Focus Upon Increases.” By seating English speakers with non-English speakers and with lots of time for partners to talk, many timely examples were shared, and personal goals written.

In December we wrote about having McBrides from Mombasa area and Bergners from Tanzania visit the Ilima Branch with us and teach the sisters how to make African paper beads. It is quite a process and we had a fun time but left thinking with just one lesson there's no way they will be able to make a finished product. What a wonderful surprise when Sister Elizabeth (RS Pres. from Ilima) and Sister Lucy (YW Pres. from Ilima) showed up early to the planning meeting, each with a paper bag full a beautiful necklaces they had made, and shared with us plans for helping the sisters in their branch and teaching sisters in the other branches how to make them. They are looking forward to marketing them as a means to help the sisters earn money working toward self reliance. The necklaces were just as beautiful as those they had seen as samples at the workshop! They are catching the vision.

We can't take credit for these success stories – only that we have been praying daily for couple missionaries to be prepared and accept calls to Africa. Elder Blake's brother, Karl, and his wife have been called to Johannesburg, South Africa on a mission! We're excited and happy for them and know how needed they are. With their strong faith and all their talents and abilities they will be a wonderful asset to that mission, and we know from experience how many blessings they will receive for their service.

Have a good week and know we are thinking of you.

Update 1.10.2011

2011-01-10T00:18:00.000-08:00

Four Days in the Hills – Early Tuesday we left to meet with the saints in Kilili. It's getting dry everywhere and we could see signs of the maize wilting when it should be tassling. We pray for rain soon. The music classes enjoyed preparing to present a little program to our family (Scott, Lisa, and children who will be here next Sunday!) when they visit there on the 18^th. It helps to have a fun goal for people to practice. We took our usual shortcut from Kilili to where we stay at Precious Blood (1 ½ hours instead of 2 ½ ) to see if we thought the mission van could make it. (We are borrowing it while family is here.) We decided that it might be a little too much of an “African experience” and that our company might decide to pack up and go home!

Classes weren't as large this week as it is harvest time for mangos and people are getting their children back in school . This is the beginning of the school year instead of August or September in Utah. We enjoyed the days however, as we did primary and relief society training, and started a new temple class in one branch while continuing a class in another. In one class we are working on family history (family group and pedigree charts) but also helping them start their life stories. There is very little recorded history here. Many haven't had access to pencils, paper, or education to learn how to read and write. The next generation in the church here will be easier because most of them learn English in school, which most attend. Right now is a transition period. We gave the class members papers, pencils, and a list of “suggested life story information” (including testimony) to put in a history, with a promise that Sister Blake would type anything they wrote and get it back for correction if they would hurry before we leave in early April. We'll see what happens.

One afternoon was spent visiting. On one visit the new member wasn't home but we got lost on the way and met some of his very nice neighbors. We'll send the missionaries there. The other visit was to Josephat's family. He was baptized one week ago. His blind son has studied to be a chiropractor. He would like to work out of his home and Sister Blake was his first customer! It was an interesting experience. During the last part of the treatment Elder Blake showed “Finding Faith in Christ” on our battery-operated DVD player to Josephat, his wife, and a neighbor lady, while Boneface listened as he worked on Sister Blake. They all seemed to really enjoy it as they are very familiar with the bible.

It was a good week and staying busy was therapeutic. We were able to be in touch by cell phone each morning (evening in Idaho!) and hear a report on Dad's funeral. Thanks for your kind thoughts and wishes at this time. We are grateful for our many blessings, and we count you as a major part of them. Stay safe and happy.

Update 1.3.2011

2011-01-03T06:13:00.000-08:00

Love, Loss, and Memories – This has been a different kind of week as we received word of Sister Blake's father passing away. He was hurting and it was expected but still leaves a hole in our hearts as we miss him. We love him and have spent time reminiscing of all the wonderful memories we have and the example he has been throughout our lives. We feel blessed for the Gospel of Jesus Christ which gives us the peace and assurance that he is okay and that we will be with him again one day. We will miss being with family and friends at this time but know we are where he wanted us to be and doing what he wanted us to do.

Time in the Hills – We spent Tuesday and Wednesday with regular classes. The drive is beautiful right now with everything so green. We were told yesterday, however, that they are praying for more rain as it is really needed now for their shambas to produce.

Friday night was spent with the other couples for New Year's Eve but we were up early Saturday to drive to Kyambeke for a baptism including investigators from two branches. One brother, Josephat from Mitini, lives a very long ways away and has a blind adult son so we went early and picked up Josephat, his, wife, and son. We had only been to their home one time and were lucky to be able to find it again! They were waiting and had prepared “cocoa tea” for us before we could leave for the baptism. (They assured us it was not tea.) We were in a hurry but didn't want to offend them as it is the custom. He had asked Elder Blake to baptize him. We have been trying to have the members do the baptizing but this was a special request. He is a strong and educated man and will be a wonderful help for leadership in the Mitini Branch. About 10 people were baptized and it was a special day.

The rest of the day was spent making visits to homes and helping the missionaries. We gave them a ride home as Elder Hayes was taken sick. We had arranged dinner for them and a planning meeting at our flat, but we took dinner to their home so they didn't have to go out (Sprite for the sick Elder!) We talked about how blessed we were to have a flat in Kikoko to make it possible to spend more time serving instead of driving back to Nairobi. We attended church in Kyambeke Branch Sunday before returning home.

Our distinct impression was that Dad would be pleased with the service we were able to render and that's what he would expect us to do even as the family were gathering at home for his funeral. We are grateful for the peace we feel at this time.

We love you. Stay safe and well.

Update 12.27.2010

2010-12-26T22:32:00.000-08:00

Couples' Conference at Nakuru – All couples, twelve from the Kenya Nairobi Mission, including President and Sister Broadbent, enjoyed being together at Nakuru National Game Park about 2 ½ hours north of Nairobi. It was a wonderful chance to relax, enjoy the animals and beauties of this country, and share thoughts, ideas, and experiences with the other couples. We don't know where we would find a group of more wonderful and thoughtful people. We learn so much from them.

Visit to an Orphanage - Wednesday, on our way home we all drove another hour north to visit and help at an orphanage in Eldama Ravine. There were 13 girls and 17 boys living in dorm-type areas ranging in age from young children to 16 years old. They were waiting for us and sang their welcome as we arrived and then we were able to just spend some time visiting and playing with them. The older children spoke quite good English. We asked one young 11-year-old boy how long he had lived there and he said “9 years.” We taught and sang songs with them and had a little program which included showing them the DVD of the nativity. They had planned a meal to share but it was a long drive back to Nairobi and we needed to leave to arrive before dark. We had prepared little bags for each of them with crayons, pencils, treats, picture of Jesus and the children (the one with the cute little African boy in front), and other things. The children really enjoyed and appreciated them and it was a fun experience for all of us. Another experience that makes us “count our many blessings.”

Christmas Eve in Africa - Christmas Eve we invited the sister missionaries who live in our Nairobi housing complex over for dinner. They brought two more sisters who were staying with them for the mission Christmas social so we enjoy eating with four beautiful sisters from different parts of Africa. One sister from the D R Congo had only been on her mission for eight days and is still trying to get her bearings; but we had a wonderful evening. After dinner we all, including the other couples and two of the Elders who joined us, went caroling in our complex. The Elders and sisters then joined us for pie and we watched the “Joy to the World” dvd together to end the evening. We'd forgotten how spiritual it was with the Tabernacle Choir and Christmas story. It was perfect for missionaries and there was special feeling as the eight of us, all missionaries away from our homes, felt the spirit of why we are here teaching about this Jesus Christ whose birth we were celebrating.

Christms - Christmas day was spent with the other missionaries, Elders, sisters, and couples for dinner and program, etc. We enjoyed the week but were getting anxious to get back to our special friends in the Hills which we did Sunday. We love these people and are surely going to miss them.

Have a good and safe week.

Christmas Greeting 2010

2010-12-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

(Note: Many couldn't open our Christmas letter so we have published a version of it here. Have a wonderful Christmas.)

A Mission Christmas Greeting to Family and Friends
Kenya, Africa - 2010

At this season of the year when we

celebrate the birth of our Savior,

our thoughts go to

dear family and friends.

In remembering you at Christmas

we share this poem that

has been meaningful to us.

******************

I WASN'T THERE

I wasn't there to see the star

That brightly led the way,

But I can have the Savior's light

To guide me every day.

***

I didn't feel the gentle peace

That fell on earth that night,

But I can feel His Spirit

When I'm doing what is right.

***

I didn't watch while Mary held

Her precious little one,

But I don't have to see to know

He is God's Chosen Son.

***

I wasn't with the shepherds

When they learned of Jesus's birth,

But I can learn and share His word

With others here on earth.

***

I didn't know the Wise Men,

With their treasures rare to give,

But I can give a priceless gift

Just in the way I live.

***

I didn't hear the angels sing,

Hosannas sweet and clear,

But I can praise and honor Him

Each day throughout the year.

by Wendy Ellison

******************

Please accept this letter as our Christmas

greeting, and know that we

are thinking of you with love.

May this Christmas

be special, and memorable,

and the new year bring you

peace and joy.

***

Merry Christmas with love,

Elder and Sister Blake

Update 12.19.2010

2010-12-19T11:53:00.000-08:00

Farewell to Dear Friends – Monday night we spent the evening at President and Sister Broadbent's home for a farewell dinner and tribute to Elder and Sister Pucket who are returning home this week. We have been blessed to serve with them and wish them well and hope they will tell everyone how wonderful serving is here so others will want to come!

Christmas Celebration in Matua – Wednesday after teaching in Mitini we traveled to Matua in the afternoon to celebrate Christmas with the families there by watching “Finding Faith in Christ” together along with singing carols and sharing testimony of our Savior as we prepare to celebrate his birth. We took the TV, generator, etc. and set it up outside . The children sat on the ground while the adults sat on various chairs and benches. All were reverent and enjoyed watching the birth and life of Jesus Christ. There's no TV in the village so this was a very special occasion. Non-member friends were also invited and joined in. After we gave them each a sucker to celebrate. What a special day!

Camping in Kikoko – Friday evening we met Elder and Sister McBride from Mombasa on the Kenyan coast, and Elder and Sister Bergner from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (which is also in our mission) in Salama, to travel to our Kikoko flat and spend the night. We warned them it would be like camping as we took the mattress off our bed and put it in the spare room and the couch and chair pillows on the floor in the living room for another bed. We slept on the box springs with thin foam on top. There wasn't great comfort but we enjoyed being together. After we arrived, we all hiked our favorite mountain trail through the homes and shambas of the Kamba tribe's people, which attracted a lot of attention with 6 mzungus together; and a host of 30+ children who tagged along in procession after us, chanting “How are you?” (They have learned this in school as an appropriate greeting to foreigners.) Upon return, we fixed spaghetti dinner on our one gas cooker (like camping). We put the beans in a frying pan and used that for a lid to the cooking spaghetti as both were warmed. It worked and added to the adventure. It was enjoyable sharing the beauties of the Hills with these special friends. We talked and played games into the night.

Saturday morning we drove to our high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima where Sister McBride demonstrated how to make paper beads. The thirty-two sisters who attended loved it and were excited as they all sat around the tables creating their own beads for necklaces. The three missionary sisters of us helped with the beads while the three Elders went to the Kyambeke Branch for the baptism of a good friend there.

After a delightful experience, McBrides and Bergners left for Nairobi to go to dinner with the other couples. Elder and Sister Blake stayed to attend and speak at a Young Women in Excellence meeting in the Ilima Branch. Each of the young women told of a special project they had done during the year. They ranged from planting seeds in a “faith” garden or shamba, to canning mangos, to sewing skirts, scripture bags, etc. It's wonderful to see these young women so far from the center of the church working on the same Personal Progress goals and activities as other young women all over the church. It's an inspired program. We arrived back in Kikoko in the late afternoon to spend the night – tired but happy for the experiences of the day.

Another Keyboard and English Christmas Program - It was an excited group who presented the Christmas program after the block of meetings Sunday. They had been practicing and preparing and were nervous but ready for the day! The keyboard students played hymns and Christmas carols, led the congregation in singing, and conducted the good-sized branch choir. They were so proud of themselves and relieved that it went as well as it did! The English students had a good time reciting a short Christmas poem that they have been memorizing in English, along with presenting the nativity with donkey, sheep, and Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, while the others sang the first verse of “Silent Night” in English. There were about 20 of them and they enjoyed being part of the celebration. After pictures and suckers we headed home to Nairobi – another good day.

Enjoy this last week of preparation for Christmas. Stay safe and happy. We love you.

Update 12.13.2010

2010-12-14T01:03:00.000-08:00

This is a School !! Monday we visited a little elementary school in Kasarani – half-hour drive on outskirts of Nairobi. As we approached this little community scores of children flocked into the narrow, dirt road – pocked with rut-hole up to 16 inches deep – as they saw our nice, white pickup truck drive into the heart of their community. This little school was started and run in this area by Sister Elizabeth, relief society president in the Ilima Branch, and her husband, Isaac who lives in Nairobi where he works hard as a driver. This school isn't government sponsored but was established maybe 6 years ago to help up to 230 students – many of whom are HIV victims with sick parents – to attend.

The school building also shares rooms where some of Elizabeth's family members live and help with the school. It has about 18 small “classrooms” (and apartment bedrooms) joined on three levels by interior cement steps. Bro. Isaac and Sis. Elizabeth raised their family in a comfortable African home and shamba high in the Kilungu Hills (she walks 1 ½ hours to the Ilima Branch every week, where she serves faithfully as relief society president – their youngest son just finished his high school and is preparing for a mission); and they started this school on the far outskirts of Nairobi (2 ½-hours-ride by matatu from their mountain village). Bro. Isaac attends his church branch in Nairobi where he lives because of his work.

Sister Elizabeth and her family do an amazing job of helping these children. School is out for the Christmas holiday but when we visited there were sewing machines set up in one classroom and some of the teachers were busily cutting out and sewing school uniforms. They bought a huge bolt of material with money from the students who were able to pay tuition and were sewing the uniforms to save money and help those who couldn't afford them. They feed the children each day with beans and maize they grow in their mountain shamba, and with help from some donors in Finland and America. For many of the children this is all they will eat in a day. As we saw the untiring dedication of this dear family, our hearts filled with loving gratitude that we are unable to express in words. “Count Your Many Blessings” came to our minds. It's hard for us to even imagine the poverty. We forgot to take our camera but Elizabeth's son took pictures and we will send them later.

Kilili and Mitini – Tuesday we visited Kilili to help prepare for the music and English Christmas program on Sunday. Students weren't quite as prepared as we hoped be but “The show must go on!” Sister Blake also tried on her African dress being made on a treadle sewing machine next door to the church. It fit just right but needed to be pressed and finishing touches added. Elder Blake told her go back to the church and forget about it for now. (Maybe it will appear under the tree for Christmas – who knows?) She'll have to start wearing it soon. Time in Africa is running out!

After class in Mitini on Wednesday a visit was made to the home of a recent convert, Edward. He was a school teacher and faithfully attends the new member class taught by Elder Blake along with up to 8 other convert village elders (ages 45-58). He has wanted his wife and family to join him at church but his wife had been hesitant. The last time he had invited Blakes to visit she had said “no.” This Wednesday he said she had agreed, so after class we started the drive down the hill to their home. We drove as far as possible and then hiked the rest of the way. Elder Blake fixed a walking stick for Sister Blake and then Edward helped make one for him. (These old senior missionaries are starting to forget their pride and realize they could use a little help walking up and down hills. Walking sticks are a big help!)

Some of the children walked up the hill to greet and welcome us. We could also tell someone had done a lot of work on the trail to make it easier walking. Edward's wife was very warm and friendly and had prepared a nice meal of beans and rice which she shared after which we showed “Finding Faith in Christ” on our little battery-powered DVD player. There was a strong supernal spirit there as the whole family watched quietly. He was so happy that his wife felt the Spirit; and she invited us to come again soon and show the Finding Faith in Christ DVD to her brothers and sisters and their families. She said, “Come again and we will eat together and you can talk to them about this 'good word of God.'” We hadn't been expecting such a warm welcome. What a special day. They all walked us up the long hill and carried a nice bag of avocados for us to take home. It's such a nice family. We'll also send the young Elders over to visit.

Primary Conference in the Rain! - Saturday morning we left Nairobi early to pick up the primary leaders and teachers in Mitini and take them down the hill to a 4-branch primary conference in Kyambeke. It was raining as we left home and continued as we traveled. The conference had been planned for a month, and the sisters were looking forward to being together to learn about next year's program, especially the new music. When we arrived in Mitini President Kaseve called to tell us he was walking up to the church and that the road was too bad for us to drive. He said, “You must be very careful; but his statement of faith was: I know you will make it.” We were concerned for safety but we also knew sisters were walking long distances to attend and we couldn't disappoint them by not being there. Elder Blake put on his gum boots and we started down the hill. Pres. Kaseve was right, the road was muddy impassible; but with prayer and Elder Blake's good driving we made it through with just a few problems, one being a primary sister who got car sick and “lost her cookies” two times on the way.

We were so glad we persevered as the sisters all showed up – all 24 from the four branches (except one we knew about early who was helping a sick grandmother). The sisters from the farthest away branch, Kilili, had taken motor bike taxis in the rain and mud to get there. Others had walked 1 ½ hours in the mud. What dedication! Their sacrifice made the conference even better. We enjoyed learning new music, planning together, and practicing activities in the new Sharing Time Outline for next year. And, you guessed it, we served peanut butter jelly sandwiches and banana bread. What a wonderful group of sisters. We just felt bad that we didn't get a picture of this first ever Kilungu Hills Primary Conference for all branches.

Kilili Music and English Program – Sunday finally arrived for the Christmas program in Kilili (after the 3-hour meetings block). The keyboard students each played two numbers, the conducting class students (in groups of three) lead the congregation in singing Christmas carols. The English students (mostly older grandmothers) gave a short choral recitation (“At Christmas time we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior”), and ended the program by singing the first verse of “Silent Night” in English before the congregation joined in the last two verses. They stole the show and were so proud of themselves. It wasn't perfect but seemed to be enjoyed by the whole branch. What a fun experience! We started the three-hour trip home tired but happy and feeling blessed for heaven's help when we needed it. We know the Lord watches out for all his children (including missionaries) as we are in need and ask for his help, and then “move our feet” in faith.

Have a good and safe week preparing for Christmas!

Update 12.6.2010

2010-12-06T10:09:00.000-08:00

Self Reliance in Kenya – We skipped one day in Kilili while Sister Blake recuperated from her cold but left bright and early for Mitini on Wednesday to help with a Self Reliance Workshop in that branch. Elder and Sister Byrd, Employment Missionaries, conducted the workshop which we appreciated, since that is one of the biggest challenges here as there is so much poverty. A quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley in Cebu Philippines in 1996 was a perfect promise to these saints. He said: “If members even living in poverty and misery...will accept the gospel and live it, pay their tithes and offerings, even though those be meager...they will have rice in their bowls and clothing on their backs and shelter over their heads. I do not see any other solution.” Already we see remarkable changes in the countenances of the saints as they accept and live the gospel.

As usual, our day didn't go as planned and we made another couple of runs to the hospital for a sister who joined the church right after we came to Kenya. She had a bad kidney infection and was expecting a baby in two months, which they determined at the hospital to be twins. We left her with a friend to be treated and then returned to pick her up and take her as close to her home as we could drive. We commented when we left that she was so far away from the hospital if there should be an emergency she would never make it. When we went to church there Sunday we learned that she had lost the twin girls on Friday. The branch organized, and after the 3-hour block of meetings on Fast Sunday, about 50 members walked clear from the church to her home to show support and love to this sister. A short meeting was held with talks of comfort from one of the Elders, Elder and Sister Blake, President Kaseve, and several of her branch friends. They brought bags of maize and beans for the sister and her family and chocolate drink to fix for the group. We had to leave early to climb back up the hill and try to make it to Nairobi before dark, but there was a good spirit there and peace and comfort were felt.

Leadership and Handbook Training – Thursday, at the request of President Broadbent, we held a leadership training on the new General Handbooks of Instruction with the DVD from Salt Lake. There were about 60 people from three of the branches in attendance and it was enjoyed by all. We had previewed it two times and got even more from it the third time. It was powerful, and stressed the importance of councils in all we do in the church, including in families at home. We hope the members were able to understand the English well enough to really benefit from the training. They seemed to. After, we served biscuits (cookies) and soda as they had to walk back up hill to their homes – some as far as 1 ½ to 2 hours. We should never complain!

Ilima Visit – Friday we visited Ilima finally as the rain had stopped and the worst spot in the road had been fixed! We love being high on the hill – especially now everything is green and beautiful. School is out for Christmas holiday so some of the young women were there for music conducting and then keyboard class. This was followed by auxiliary training for YM and YW leaders. Pres. and Sister Simon sent us home with another large sack of huge, beautiful avocados. We're getting spoiled and enjoy eating them on almost everything!

Christmas Decorations – Friday when we returned home we got our little Christmas tree out of the box and decorated it. We also put out our little clay nativity that April's and Brian's family sent us last year that arrived the end of January! We added the advent calendar Scott's family sent last year and we are in as much of the Christmas spirit as we can be with weather in the 70's and 80's and flowers blooming everywhere! We do think of family and friends especially at this time. We love you all and keep you in our prayers. Stay safe and happy.

Update 11.29.2010

2010-11-29T10:50:00.000-08:00

Amazing Temple Trip! - It's hard to briefly describe such a week full of experiences and emotions. With 19 of us traveling together with people of differing ages, including youth and infants, who had never even been inside an airport it was an “interesting” experience. Previously we had collected all important documents and airline tickets which we distributed as we arrived at the Nairobi airport about 5:30 a.m. Monday morning having been picked up by the mission service van. It was a race filling out the immigration papers but we made the flight and heaved a huge sigh of relief! It was a fun experience watching faces as the plane lifted into the air and we soared above the clouds; and a double treat to have breakfast served in flight.

We were picked up in Johannesburg by the church van and taken to temple patron housing for more new experiences including indoor toilet facilities, electricity, running water, washing machines, can openers, toasters, and especially microwaves! A few “accidents” occurred in the toilet rooms before the housing director, Sister Taylor, gave a thorough training! Groceries were provided and the young women and YSA's took over food preparation with the mothers just helping as needed! We encouraged the young men and dads to help with dishes which isn't quite within the African cultural, but they saw Elder Blake pitching in and decided it must be an acceptable thing to do. Meals were mostly rice or ugali and stew for bigger meals; eggs, bread and maize porridge for breakfast; and sandwiches and apples for small meals. They were mostly used to maize and beans for their dinner staples (except for special occasions), so this was a little different diet.

Monday we settled in our rooms and had a special temple home evening together, where we watched a short video on temples and then shared feelings about what we were expecting to experience on the morrow and in coming days. It was a tender and memorable time, with new and often strong emotions brimming to the surface from time to time.

Most Important Memories – The mornings were spent in preparation as most temple sessions began in the afternoon. Each couple had completed a pedigree chart of their ancestors and visited the Family History Center located in our same building where they were helped to prepare family names for temple work. They all enjoyed this experience and were excited to begin.

Tuesday afternoon we went to the temple where the three young children (4, 2, and 10 mo.) were kept in the nursery until time to be sealed to their parents, while the parents participated in the temple which had been their dream for so long. Many months, and in some cases, years had been spent in preparation for this day. When we arrived we found they had a power outage and were using a generator which they weren't sure would last until we were through! Also, the only temple recommend we hadn't checked (the returned missionary) was found to only have one signature as he didn't know he needed the Stake President's signature! We waited with a prayer in our hearts. After some time the recommend was cleared and the generator lasted long enough since they turned off the air conditioning! As we shared this experience with those we have come to love so much we could feel a warm spirit of peace. The crowning experience was to see the expressions as families were sealed for eternity – two families with teenagers and young adults, and one family with three precious little girls all dressed in white dresses and white headbands contrasting with their beautiful black skin. We haven't seen many tears of emotion since we have been here – not even during family funerals – but tears of joy were shed. What a blessing to witness and be part of this special time.

During succeeding days the youth were able to be baptized for their ancestors and relate to them as they could see where the names fit on their pedigree charts. The fathers and Elder Blake helped conduct the baptisms and confirmations.

The week flew by as the couples attended the temple as often as possible, knowing that they will most likely never have the opportunity again. We also attended sessions, and helped with the children during other session times.

The young people spent a lot of time playing Chicken Foot with dominoes and games with Phase 10 cards which really helped during the wait times. (Elder Blake is a good play maker and makes games fun!) The little girls were amazed and excited to find little white and black baby dolls, each about 10 inches tall, in the toy box. (They've never had or seen a doll!) They immediately found the little blankets and tied “the babies” on their backs with kangas, like the moms always carry their babies. They were patient and all got along well and assisted each other. As we visited in their dorm-type family rooms we found things neat and tidy and saw copies of the temple Liahona and other such reading material around. What an example they are to us! (We slept upstairs in smaller “couples” rooms.)

We had heard of some people going to the temple and then going on shopping sprees down town. Nothing of this nature occurred with this group. In fact, the only trip to a mall was by taxi with Elder Blake and one father and his daughter for some needed medication! We also passed around a 24-hour flu bug but that didn't seem to stop anyone. Elder and Sister Blake had been invited to Thanksgiving dinner with the Johannesburg Service Center couples but food didn't look or smell too good that day (flu bug) so they missed that opportunity!

Shaking Hands With General Authorities - Another wonderful opportunity occurred Thursday as our group attended the temple together and found Elder Kolliker, S.E. Africa Area 70, and his counselor Elder Watson, and their wives. After we all attended the endowment session together, these general authorities shook hands and greeted everyone warmly. That will also be a special memory.

“Small” Miracle on the Way Home – Friday we checked out of our rooms, attended the temple one last time and began our journey home arriving at the airport two hours early. It took a long time to check in and then we were directed to the departure gate. An airport employee assured us that we had satisfied all check-in procedures; and said the gate wouldn't open until ½ hour before flight time, so he directed us to where we could all sat down to wait. As the time grew short and no one came to open the gate, we checked with another official and found we had been given wrong information – that our departure gate was in a distant terminal – and that we probably would miss our flight. We all sprinted in the direction we were shown, only to be confronted by a long line for immigration clearance, before we could even got to the correct gate which was an 8 minute fast walk away! We just couldn't miss the flight and sit in the airport all night, especially with the young children! Sister Blake and one of the young men cleared immigration first and ran for the departure gate where Sister Blake explained the situation and pleaded with them to hold the flight as 19 people were involved, including three young children. She explained the misinformation that was given but still didn't expect much help – they never hold flights except maybe in the movies! After checking in at the gate we still had to board a shuttle bus to transport out to the plane. There was a lot of silent prayer going on. Miraculously, they helped and we all got on the plane which departed 15 minutes late with all on board. Whew! That was a miracle.

Highlight of Our Mission – We've had many wonderful experiences here on our Kenyan mission; but even counting our amazing safari trips with beautiful scenery and animals, this would have to be the “crown jewel” event, the likes of which we will probably never experience again in our lives. How blessed we are.

Have a good and safe week and know you are loved.

Update 11.21.2010

2010-11-21T10:24:00.000-08:00

Short Blog – Just a note before we leave in the morning. It's been a good but very busy week!

Last Temple Training and Preparation – Tuesday in Kilili and Wednesday in Mitini we finished the last preparations for the temple trip. What an exciting time for these three families who have worked so hard to prepare. Sunday was the gathering day in Nairobi. We visited Mitini Branch so Wambuas rode into town with us after the block of meetings– more peanut butter sandwiches! All three little girls were wonderful travelers and we hope that continues on the plane tomorrow! The others traveled by Matatu and we all, including President and Sister Broadbent, met at the mission office this evening. There's excitement in the air and there probably won't be much sleep this evening (especially since we will be picked up to leave for the airport by 4:30 a.m.!) We hope all goes well checking in that many people. We feel like we have a large family.

Primary Program – Elder and Sister Beecher who are serving in Kitale came to stay with us and will be in our apartment for Thanksgiving. They arose early and went with us to the Hills for church today. The primary program at Mitini was fun. We love the children and they really know how to sing (not always the right melody) but they enjoy it. They even learned actions to some of the songs and were so proud of themselves.

Stay safe and well and know we love you. We'll let you know how things went at the temple next week!

Update 11.15.2010

2010-11-15T01:16:00.000-08:00

Wet Week! - This is the rainy season and it is living up to its name! We had heard this year was expected to be dry but at least for now we are getting the needed moisture for crops to grow. The problem is that it also makes some travel hazardous and even prohibits it. Wednesday we met with Mitini Branch which isn't as far off the paved road. It was rainy and cool but there was good attendance including three wonderful new investigators (Josphat, Barnabas, and Catherine) Sister Blake was asked to teach them at the last minute. She's a little rusty because this has now been delegated to the full time Elders but they were not back from Nairobi. Elder Blake loves teaching the 5-8 new convert “village elders” each week. They just thirst for knowledge and are enjoying marking their own scriptures. (As soon as they bring their scriptures to class – the Branch has issued each one his own set of scriptures – They are “gifted” by the teacher with their own personal scripture making pencil!) The class in Matua was canceled as the rain made travel there -- even by foot for us -- impossible. We stayed in Kikoko to see what Thursday's weather would bring and were delighted as morning dawned bright and clear – not even misty!

Hospital Run – Before teaching in Kyambeke we were asked to take Margaret, a good friend and recent convert, to the hospital. She had fallen on the slick trail and they feared she'd broken her wrist. No x-ray facilities are available in the Hills so we took her and her husband down the mountain to a matatu stop before going to Kyambeke to teach. On the way we stopped and walked up the trail to visit a non-member family and another sister, Victoria, who had recently lost her husband (where, at the invitation of the presiding Catholic priest, Elder Blake spoke extemporaneously at the funeral a few weeks ago). It was a fun visit and we took pictures before inviting her to ride down to English class with us.

The classes were a little smaller and we didn't know why until on the way back we saw huge crowd of people and about 40 donkeys crowding the road. We didn't know what was happening, and this large crowd was a little intimidating as we could hardly drive through the mass of people. We learned that the government was issuing free fertilizer to families and they were there waiting (for hours!) to pick up their ration. We found another group just as large farther up the road in Kikoko as we passed through on our way to Sultan Humud to pick up the couple who were waiting for us after having a new cast put on the broken arm.

As we returned the biggest dilemma was that many (dozens) of the people waiting for fertilizer (we had seen them and visited with them on our way back to the hospital) were friends from the different branches and they all would like us to take them and their heavy fertilizer (50 kilogram sacks – approximately 100# each) to their homes. We felt tremendous concern, because there was no way we could help some without others getting their feelings hurt. There was also no way we could get through village without being seen, as there is only one road! We stopped and had a prayer for help and guidance and felt impressed that we would do more harm than good to show favorites by helping some. As we drove back through the village (the crowd still numbering in the hundreds), we considered it a miracle as we recognized only one of the many members (far off) we had seen earlier! We were so grateful that we did not have to choose to help some, and not others.

Temple Trip – More preparations are being made for the temple trip and we are only waiting for visas which we hope will arrive this week, as our excursion of 19 people will depart from the airport early AM next Monday (11/22). It is exciting to see the anticipation and joy on the faces of those who are going. They are reading and studying to be spiritually ready; but some express trepidation at the thoughts of flying in an airplane.

Change of Plans – Friday brought even more rain and the roads were impassable. In talking with the branch president, he agreed that before we drive up to Ilima again they will need to fix the road where it has washed out on both sides! Last time we visited there, even in dry weather, the road was getting precarious. They assured us they will repair the deep wash-out holes this Thursday. We're not sure how they will do it but we'll see how it goes. We also had to cancel plans to attend a party at the home of the Ilima Relief Society President on Saturday – just too wet!

Primary Program – Sunday we attended church in Kilili for their primary program. This is the second program of the four branches we have attended and it is always fun to see the children and hear them sing and speak. The tunes and rhythm of most of the songs were not quite as they are written, but they were sung with enthusiasm and enjoyed by all. A special twist to the program was to see the children conducting the music. Their mothers have attended conducting classes and the children were leading 3 /4 and 4/4 time as taught by their mothers and enjoying the experience. It was fun.

Have a good week and know we are thinking of you!

Update 11.8.2010

2010-11-08T19:42:00.000-08:00

Faith and Prayers – Last Sunday was Kyambeke Branch conference and we have been watching the rain to see if it would be possible to make the trip down the very slick mountain to reach the church. We were especially concerned because President and Sister Broadbent would be coming. The last branch conference they attended in the Hills was right after they arrived, and the road was mighty slick – we had the adventure of pulling each other out of the barrow-pit. Sister Broadbent was brave but really just wanted to get out and walk! It rained Saturday so we couldn't get to a Family Benefit Activity we had been requested to attend and support, for a family who lost their home and two children in the heavy April rains. They are trying to rebuild. // When we talked to two branch presidents in the area about Sunday they both assured us: “You will be okay and you will make it. The weather will cooperate.” With their great faith and prayers what could we say?

We went early to pick up the missionaries from Kalongo, the village where they live, and the road was horrible! I got plenty of prayer practice while Elder Blake drove. We were very concerned about the group going down the steep hill, but just as the presidents assured us, the rain subsided in that area so that we were able to drive the road; it was very slick but we made it. We are continually amazed at the great faith of the saints here. What a lesson for us. The conference went very well with even one of the keyboard students accompanying all the hymns! It's been fun to see her growth in both skill and confidence.

Plan and Prepare – Much of this week, other than teaching, has been spent in preparation for upcoming events such as special Christmas keyboard and conducting programs in two branches, missionary training, a four-branch primary training for next year's Sharing Time program including music and teaching helps, and planning a training for teaching how to make paper beads to sell at the market places.

The biggest preparation has been for those going to the temple. What an exciting, but stressful, time! There will be 19 of us going on November 22^nd. Six members of the Maneno family, six members of the Kithangu family and five members of the Wambua family. One family has a recently returned missionary son who will be able to help his father who is going for the first time. It's a wonderful experience to see a family sealed to each other for eternity, and a triple blessing to witness three families. There is still much to do as we are applying for Visas now and praying they will all arrive on time. We are trying to locate suitcases to borrow etc. as most don't have access to such. The most important part is completing spiritual preparation. This will probably be the only time they get to a temple in their life-times unless they get a temple in Nairobi in coming years. We'll be gone five days – Monday through Friday – and will attend as many sessions as possible while we are there, for their ancestors. The flight is about like going from Utah to New York and will be quite an experience for those who have never been inside an airport, much less an airplane!

As we see the blessing made available to these saints going to the temple and to the young missionaries leaving for missions, we are humbled at the generosity of thousands of members world-wide who donate to the Missionary and Temple Patron Assistance Funds of the church. There is no other way that African missionaries could serve, or that saints could be endowed in the temples. But we also recognize that the people must also learn principles of self reliance to grow in living the gospel.

Attacked by Winged Termites - At the first big rain of each season, winged termites (about the size of small dragonflies) come out of the termite mounds in the ground by the millions, and fly toward any light. Within a couple of hours their wings fall off, leaving the large termite adults to attack whatever wood is around; mate, start new burrows where they lay their eggs... and the cycle continues.

Tuesday night it started to rain while we were staying in our Kikoko flat. We looked up and scores of large winged termites were flooding in under the doors. It reminded us of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds or something like it! We hurried and stuffed a towel and old shirt under the doors to fend off the invasion. By next morning there were just 1000s of wings outside our door, sort of like snowdrifts . . .reminder of the last evening's episode. A cool event to witness. Our native friends tell us that in some places they collect the insects and eat them as a tasty treat!

Thanks for your love and support and for being in touch. It means a lot to us.

Update 11.1.2010

2010-11-01T01:14:00.000-07:00

Regroup - This has been a week of regrouping after the departure of the four missionaries from Kilungu Hills. They had been very involved in leadership and especially missionary work in the various branches, since it is the YSAs who speak and understand English. Many changes are happening as others need to grow into leadership. Wednesday we taught at Mitini and then went to the hospital to visit a Matua sister who had delivered a baby the evening before. Her husband has been temporarily working in Nairobi but had hurried home to welcome this new little baby. They are recent converts, and when asked if it was a boy or girl and they told us, “It's a boy – a missionary!” The mother transported herself to the hospital on a motor bike taxi over about 6 kolometers of very bumpy road. She was picked up at 3:00 and the baby was born at about 4:00! As we took mom, dad and the baby home the next day, they received a warm welcome by all their extended family in the clan. It was a fun trip back to the village and a nice visit in their home.

The Matua group then gathered for scripture lesson where we learned the names of books in the Book of Mormon by Sis. Blake teaching the primary song(while looking at the BofM. Contents Page); and then practiced finding particular scriptures about favorite BofM. Stories, while showing relevant pictures. They are so eager to learn and have strong faith. What a blessing it is to us to be with them. We feel of their love and always leave with eggs or avacados or bananas. There's also always a group planning to ride back to Kalongo with us. They love riding in the truck.

Sisters of the Precious Blood – The Catholic Sisters have been so good to us and we wanted to make sure we had their pictures before we leave. Wednesday we had a photograph appointment just before prayer time but not all were able to be there. They have a small chapel in the convent and allowed us to take the pictures in there. They are dedicated and hard-working people involved in the school and the hospital. It's been a good association for both of us. The students are also very friendly to us. They leave the end of November for their holiday and won't return until early January. We miss them when they are gone. There's a noticeable loneliness about an empty school!

Unplanned Funeral – Thursday we taught in Kyambeke. There are eight keyboard students planning to participate in the Christmas program! They will each play one Christmas piece and a hymn and then take turns leading Christmas carols. They are also preparing a choir number. It gives a good reason to practice and they are excited. When we arrived the branch president was not there but had left word asking us to represent him at the funeral of a non-member husband of one of the English students who was baptized in September. We went after classes were over just planning to pay our respects and, instead arrived during the outside funeral service that was officiated by the Catholic Priest. They had us come up to the front area and asked Elder Blake to speak for a few minutes through an interpreter (one of the branch members who went with us). As he was speaking you could see the people agreeing and appreciating the peace the gospel brings regarding the death of a loved one. We weren't sure how the Catholic priest felt, but Elder Blake did a nice job and we didn't think he was offended. Victoria, (the wife) a favorite English student, was so appreciative and felt the love and support. We never know when we get up in the morning where the day will take us! Attending a funeral certainly wasn't in our plans.

Waiting for Rain – Crops are planted and awaiting the much needed rain so the seeds don't rot in the ground. We keep watching the banks of clouds pass over, but not much moisture has come yet. These aren't just nice “obedience gardens” like saints in America plant; but the total means of existence for most of the the Kilungu Hills people. We tend to worry for them (since they suffered severe droughts in 2007 and 2008), but they keep strong faith: saying “The rains will come.” We keep them in our prayers.

Roads Blocked – Sunday was the annual Kenya National Marathon Race through Nairobi where they close all of the roads out of town where we need to go! We wanted to stay and have Saturday evening out-to-dinner with the Sr. Couples for Sister Blake's birthday; but decided we'd better head for the Hills while we could still get out of town. Thus, we celebrated Carol's birthday alone (together) in Kikoko; and enjoyed Sunday morning conference session in the high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima. The talks and spirit were wonderful. We especially enjoyed President Monson's talk on gratitude. We feel so blessed and hope we express that often enough to friends, family, and our Heavenly Father. Thanks to all of you for your love and encouragement.

Have a good and safe week!

Update 10.25.2010

2010-10-25T00:50:00.000-07:00

Evening with Elder Holland – Elder Holland made a brief connecting-flight stop in Kenya on Monday. Only missionaries in the Nairobi area were invited to attend the evening training and what a wonderful privilege it was. He shook hands with each missionary said with sincerity and conviction that he had a “personal interview” with each individual as he looked into our face and eyes. (We guess that everyone passed, because none of us were sent home.) He was accompanied by Elder Snow of the Seventy who spoke with warmth and love and gave good counsel. Elder Holland then spoke for about an hour and asked us to “get a vision” of what was happening in Africa right now. He noted the believing hearts of the people and great success of missionary work in Africa, and reminded us what a blessing it is for us to be involved here at this time and season. He mentioned Africa finally being opened for teaching the gospel and that many more leaders would be African as Africa blossoms.

Leadership – We are working hard to help train branch auxiliary leadership. Tuesday after classes in Kilili we took the branch relief society president with us to Kyambeke where the RS presidents of all four branches met and were able to share ideas and question each other about “how to” matters, for the first time ever. It was a wonderful meeting as those who had been in their calling for several years were able to share with newer presidents in their callings. They all expressed the desire to have a meeting with sisters in the whole Kilungu Hills area to celebrate the birthday of Relief Society in March. That will be a big undertaking because of distance, but it would be a good opportunity for the sisters to meet and celebrate together.

Long Awaited Day! - Wednesday we picked up all four Kilungu Hills young men who were leaving on their missions. We picked up the two brothers, Elder Gerald and Elder Christopher, from the high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima first. The whole family, branch president, and some friends met us at the church. The family members were all wearing signs telling them good-by or giving advice, even the baby! They've waited so long and had so many problems getting ready to go and it was a great farewell celebration for them. We next picked up Elder Kennedy and Elder Dominic with their travel cases, where family and neighbors were there to wish them well. Our next stop was Mitini Branch where we taught one class and then packed all four members of our “precious cargo” into the truck for the trip to Nairobi for them to be set apart for their missions - two going to Uganda Kampala Mission and two to South Africa Cape Town Mission. They had their last “Blake's peanut butter sandwich” on the way as we visited and enjoyed the time together. All of them expressed appreciation for helping them prepare. We've seen so much growth and feel almost like we are sending our “sons” on missions! There was a special spirit as each was set apart by President Broadbent. Sister Broadbent mentioned that they represent “vision” for Africa's future that Elder Holland had elaborated. As return missionaries they will be future church leaders – possible even general authorities – in years to come.

More English Training – Friday we traveled four hours south of Nairobi to Chyulu District and Saturday worked with the District English specialists to prepare for another training of the teachers in all ten branches. Progress is being made but it is always slower then we would wish. The leaders are trying hard but the branches are so spread out that it is impossible for them to visit each branch; or for that matter, to even make telephone contacts with the branch English teachers, because of the travel and telephone expense. There are some lessons we are trying to learn about everything we do: “Be patient and appreciate any successes. This is Africa, and few (if any things here) can be rushed.”

Miracle in Immigration Office – We have learned that the Wambua family passports have arrived in the Immigration Office! What a miracle as they generally take two or three months and they were here in 3 weeks (unheard of), we feel due to the prayers of so many. There is still much to do but now it is possible. The scheduled departure date for the 19 of us (each family has 3-5 children who will be sealed to parents) is November 22^nd. Things are coming together for this long awaited blessing.

Thanks again for your love and prayers. Have a good and safe week.

Update 10.18.2010

2010-10-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

Five Days in the Hills! - This was our longest stay. It worked well but by Sunday Elder Blake pronounced it time to go home as he couldn't find anything to eat! Staying allows us to make visits after classes rather than have to hurry home to Nairobi before dark. Classes went well in all three branches, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Keyboard classes in two branches are busily preparing for a Christmas program. Our high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima, is losing two of the star keyboard students who are leaving for their missions this Wednesday. After keyboard the English class joined us as we celebrated with cupcakes and punch and sang “God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again.”

Special Visits – Wednesday after class we drove to visit Margaret, a special sister in Kyambeke Branch who has 4 children and recently married a non-member. They live near his family as is the custom, and the family members are giving her a hard time about going to church. She is a strong member and helper in the branch as she plays the keyboard for sacrament meeting and also holds the primary together! We made arrangements to show Finding Faith in Christ at her home. When we arrived the mother-in-law was not there but her husband and seven of his friends (about 12 of us altogether) all joined us in their little kiosk (about 6' x 9') as we watched together. There was total attention and a special spirit as we viewed experiences from the life of Jesus Christ. Margaret's sister, Elaine our good friend, also went with us and helped interpret. We could see a softening and were grateful for the opportunity. We only wish we could have taken a picture but our picture will be a wonderful memory in our minds.

Thursday after class we did something similar and walked (almost straight up a hill in Sunday shoes!) to show the same DVD to a home-bound member sister and her young daughter-in-law whose husband is a returned missionary. They also felt the Spirit and the young sister would like to finish the missionary lessons she started over a year ago, but has been lost from missionaries since then. She says she wants to be baptized.

Mitini Family Missionary Activity -Saturday we spent most of the day at the Mitini Branch activity. All four young men from three branches who are leaving for missions this week were there and honored. Members enjoyed watching The Other Side of Heaven and Tabernacle Choir and other church videos while the sisters prepared a wonderful dinner. There were huge kettles of rice and stew cooked over fires in the hot sun. In the primary room there was a mass production of chapatis (like flour tortillas). They know how to celebrate (and how to eat). Even the children are given a huge amount of rice. We never see any leftovers. They just rinse out the dishes with water out of the rain barrel when people finish and someone else uses them. Before dinner they had a meeting like sacrament meeting where several people spoke briefly, including the new missionaries. It was wonderful to see them get up and express their love of the gospel and of the people and ask for the prayers of the members for them while they are serving. After Sis. Blake spoke, Elder Blake sang God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again for the closing hymn, as all joined in the final chorus. In this culture we don't see much emotion shown but we identify with what they were feeling.

In and Out the Window! - Lest we get all puffed up and think everything is going well and everyone loves and accepts the church we also have had some other “interesting” experiences. After making one of the nice visits we were headed home when we saw a middle-aged lady walking up the long hill. We stopped and offered her a ride as she said she was also going to Kikoko. She spoke very little English so when we saw one of our members along the road we stopped so he could explain who we were and what we were doing there. He did this in Kikamba (which we didn't understand, of course), and part way through the explanation she became very agitated and stood up and jumped around trying to get out of the truck. Elder Blake was trying to unlock the door for her as we weren't sure what was happening, but it wasn't fast enough. She stood on the seat and dove out the far-side window. He leg got hooked for a minute and she quickly pulled it out and ran over to the side of the road! We aren't sure what panicked her – maybe she thought that we were going to kidnap her; or that she believes the rumors of Mormon witchcraft - but it certainly startled us. This was the “Out” experience.

Saturday, after the family activity in Mitini we were starting back to Kikoko when we saw some of the members on the side of the road. We could tell something was wrong so we stopped. They hurriedly climbed into the truck (there were 9 of us) as a drunk man was trying to get in the window to accost one of the members. He had been waiting for him when he left the activity. We were finally able to get his arm out of the window and drive away. That was the “In” experience . We are never sure what is going to happen next but we are being blessed with safety and protection beyond measure. All ended well!

Things are going well. We just returned from a fireside with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Elder Snow of the 70. There was just a small group of missionaries invited to be there, and what a special experience. We will tell more about it next week.

We love you all and keep you in our prayers.

Update 10.11.2010

2010-10-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

Market Day in Nunguni - Tuesday in Kilili we taught conducting, keyboard, English, and temple classes. The keyboard class members are excited to begin learning new music for a Christmas program. It makes it more fun to practice with a purpose! After, we visited Sister Morris whose husband passed away and then took the shortcut to our Kikoko home. They have completed the bridge now which we hope will enable us to travel that way even in the rains! We'll soon know as the rainy season is almost here! We were tired but Elder Blake has wanted to visit with the man who made his bow and arrows. (Guns are not allowed except for official use so bow and arrows are weapon of choice!) He's only in Nunguni on market day (Tues.) so even though it was late we went to find him. He explained to Elder Blake how he made the bow and what he does to make the arrows so straight. He wasn't sure he wanted his picture taken but finally agreed. We bought tomatoes, peppers, carrots and a stone to sharpen our knives. They sell everything out on the street. Market Day is quite an adventure, but we reminded ourselves after that we need to be aware of safety. We do stick out in the crowd!

A Mitini and Matua Day - We taught in Mitini in the morning and traveled to Matua to teach in the afternoon as we do about every other week. This is a family village and we are teaching mostly the sisters as the husbands are working in the shambas and other places. What a special experience as we sing and talk about the gospel. They are so receptive and eager to learn. This time we took pictures and crayons for the children to color and some of the sisters who tended the children called it their “primary” as they used the Book of Mormon Story Book and told them about Christ's visit to the Nephites and then helped them color a picture. The children loved it; we wish we had a picture. After class, Sister Blake began a keyboard class while Elder Blake fitted four sisters with glasses so they can read. We have given almost all the $1. reading glasses from All-a-Dollar glasses away to very grateful brothers and sisters. April brought these, and we need to find a way to get some more here from home.

Another Wonderful Baptism Day – Saturday we picked up the Elders and went to Kyambeke for the baptism of 7 members of the ZEE (Zero English Experience) class. They were so excited as they didn't know if they would ever learn enough English to pass the baptism interview, and now they have been given permission to be interviewed in Kikamba. What a blessing to them. Also the husband of another new member was baptized and a sweet little 8-year-old primary girl. We love these people and our hearts are full as we see their progress in the gospel.

Helpful Translators?? – Understanding the words spoken by a majority of Kenyans continues to be a challenge for us. Likewise, "up country" people have major difficulty in understanding our Mzungu English – we tease each other a lot about our "strange accents."

Sometimes a member will translate lessons, sermons, etc. that we speak into the Kamba language, and we have often wondered what ideas they actually convey in their translations. (Obviously we have no clue. Well, not many clues we should say. For example: When we teach a very serious doctrine, then the interpreter translates our words and the people laugh, we do have to wonder what was really said!)

Yesterday we did get a glimpse of what was said by an interpreter. We picked up a member brother whom we passed along the way as he was walking home from church. When he got in the back seat, two other unknown teenagers who were passing by, climbed in also (a rather usual occurrence). As we drove, Elder Blake said to the boys three different times, "Tell me where you want me to stop so you can get out." but the boys just couldn't understand. Finally the member spoke to them in his English-Kenya dialect, to help clarify the message and said: "He wants to know if you want to join the church." Sister Blake and I were so startled to hear his "translation" that we about choked on our laughter. The member was very earnest is his interpretation, and couldn't understand why we were laughing.

What we learned from this was that some of our "translators" don't understand very much of what we say either! ;-)

Update 10/4/2010

2010-10-04T05:37:00.000-07:00

Temple Excursion in Nov. – We have been on our mission for one year. Is it possible? Time passes so quickly. This past week was filled with classes and even though it rained people came – with or without shoes! We taught the regular classes plus a new temple class and a marriage and family class. Those who are planning to go to the temple in November are working hard to finish their papers that will make it possible. One family just applied for passports last Tuesday – a month past deadline – so we're keeping them in our prayers. When passports arrive we start on visas and letters of invitation from South Africa plus letters of consent by the parents for the children to leave the country. We have to work hard that the “business” doesn't become more important than worthiness and spiritual preparation. We're excited to share the temple experience with these wonderful families in the Johannesburg, South Africa Temple. We will miss Thanksgiving Dinner with all the couples and Mission President, but will be back for the mini-conference on Friday if all goes well. With something this special there is always opposition and we know who the antagonist is!

Sickness – We made four trips this week getting people to doctors and hospitals. Even our new Elder, Elder Atkins from Johannesburg, was sick. We had to pick him up up-country and help him home. He seems to be feeling better now but President Kaseve's wife, Agnes, is still in the hospital. We appreciate the opportunity to help with rides. People in the Hills have to go so far to get medical help – and that usually means walking long distances when they are sick. // Sunday, after attending church in our high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima, we went to visit Sister Agnes at the hospital. When we arrived we found about 40 of the branch members there visiting and waiting for us to arrive to have a prayer together. What love and support. I told them if I ever get sick I'd like to feel that same love and support and faith from friends. The members had already been in church for the full block, then walked 45 minutes to the hospital. It would take some of them 2 hours to walk to their homes. Would we do that? Sometimes visiting or home teaching someone around the block seems hard to do. What wonderful lessons we are learning from the African saints.

Conference, Memories, and Blessings - We will have to wait until the Oct. 30^th and 31^st to watch conference on DVD, but we were able to listen to Saturday and Sunday morning sessions on our computer on KSL.com. I think we appreciate it even more when it isn't so readily available. Both sessions seemed to be just what we needed to hear. We also had many memories of Matt as it was six years ago Saturday that we came home from conference on our mission in Tacoma and learned of his death. We thought of him and the love we have for him. How grateful we are to know we can be together again and that this life isn't the end. // The great blessing that shared the conference day was news of the birth of Lane's and Jamie's new little daughter, Abbey. We've been racing home after each trip to check the email and see if she was here yet. She's a beautiful answer to many prayers and is home bringing great love and joy to her family!

Update 9.27.2010

2010-09-27T01:47:00.000-07:00

Keeping Busy – There is a lot going on in all the branches right now. At Kilili Tuesday Elder Blake had a wonderful meeting with those planning to go to the temple in November. They are so excited after waiting several years to get things in order. After a fun music conducting class we started keyboard class and looked out the door to see Brother Joseph (from conducting class) teaching all those waiting for temple meeting how to lead music! They were having a wonderful time. (Sunday at conference in Mitini, while Sister Blake was playing the prelude of hymns she looked at the children on the front row and caught the eye of a cute little girl from Matua, about 5-years-old, who was enjoying leading the music from her seat. They exchanged smiles.) It's fun seeing young and old learning and enjoying music and the gospel teachings!

Answers to Prayers – One family who has been planning to go to the temple has been having struggles getting copies of birth certificates. The Kenya bureaucracy is almost impossible to work with. We spent much of one afternoon miraculously getting two birth certificates; but were still missing one, that had to be obtained from a different village center. (We are so close to the deadlines for passports, visa, etc. that we still may not make it.) Thursday we took Brother Francis to Machakos. Before Elder Blake went with him to the records office we all had a prayer for help. They went to the wrong office but the man listened to their need and his heart was softened. He took a short lunch and worked hard to prepare what was needed. We left with happy hearts with prayers answered.

Wonderful Conference – Sunday we rode to Mitini Branch conference with President and Sister Broadbent. It was a special day as there were more than 300 members present crowded into the small chapel and sitting outside. We were able to borrow a sound system, which they ran with a generator, and all could hear. Broadbents are so warm and loving and the members just soaked up their words and the spirit that was there. We enjoyed having the opportunity to get better acquainted with Broadbents as we traveled also. The only glich for the day was when Elder Blake was giving the closing prayer for the leadership meeting after the block of meetings, a drunk man wandered in and caused a commotion. He was tugging on E. Blake's clothes from the back, then fell to the floor; the jolt revived him enough that he scooting around chairs to pull himself up into sitting. After prayer, he was firmly guided outside with no spirit lost, since he passed out on the ground. (I think Elder Blake was the only one who kept his eyes closed. He just kept praying.)

African Jungle – Saturday we enjoyed a visit to Abedare Park north of Nairobi near Mt. Kenya in the company of two other senior couple missionaries. What a beautiful day. We saw some animals but mostly just enjoyed driving through lush green jungle forests (tall trees, and hanging vines like the Tarzan movies picture) with beautiful streams and waterfalls. We stopped on the way to visit the cemetery where Lord Baden Powell (started the Boy Scout Program) is buried. His wife was also involved with Girl Scouts or Guides. (See pictures.) We didn't know he was buried in Africa. We made a nice contribution to Boy and Girl Scouts in honor of our favorite scouter ever, Rex B. Blake – our dad!

We are enjoying this mission experience and realize we are on the short side now. We are praying that somewhere there is a couple preparing to go on a mission who will come and love and serve here when we return home. We love you. Stay safe and well.

Update 9.20.2010

2010-09-19T23:31:00.000-07:00

Work Hard/Play Hard - We've been working hard with classes, visits, preparing people for the temple, leadership; teacher training, training Kenyans to teach English,etc...so much to do. Some days we just feel drained.... We had an opportunity to go with Elder and Sister Byrd and Sister Byrd's sister to Amboseli Park for a couple of days. What a grand adventure! We drove our own truck so we could stop on the way home to teach at our “high-on-the-hill” branch, Ilima on Friday.

Amboseli National Game Park (wild habitat Preserve for 1200-1500 elephants) is about a 3 ½ hour drive south and west of Nairobi into the flat savannah Masaii Tribal lands. The scenery looked more like the picture we had in our minds of Africa. This is the dry season and there was a lot of dry, powdery dust but the animals were amazing and the lodge food delicious. Our game drives (we drove ourselves) were like being present in a National Geographic African documentary movies you might see! Even Mt. Kilamanjaro in neighboring Tanzania put on a show for us just by being visible, as it usually hides under the clouds. This blog is mostly pictures of a few of the variety of animals in their natural habitat that we never expected to see in our lifetime. We also enjoyed meeting members of the Masaii tribe in the area. They work at the lodge and sell a lot of bead work and carvings to tourists to help care for themselves and their families.

We enjoyed the scenery and animals, wonderful food, and good company but were ready to get back to missionary work (except the peanut butter sandwiches). We love what we do even with the challenges.

Have a good week and remember we love you.

Update 9.13.2010

2010-09-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

Attack of the Safari Ants! - One morning last week as we were staying in the Hills, Elder Blake went out to organize the truck for the day and he felt something bite his leg. Within seconds there were more bites up his legs... then up under his shirt .Soon he was slapping at his legs and looking to find the problem. He was standing in the midst of a huge “sea” of migrating safari ants on the move. The “sea” was about 5-6 meters in diameter, with octopus-like arms extending out from the mass several meters in all directions. They were surging past the truck on their way somewhere and stopped off for an “Elder Blake snack!” // He ran into the flat and tore off all his clothes to pull off the attackers who were eating him. These critters didn't just nip and then move on -- they bit and kept chewing. He reported that as he pulled them off one at a time, he had to pull their teeth out of the meat. That was quite a thing, but Sis. Blake questioned his claim that their mouths were so big he could count the teeth! // When he returned in about half hour, the whole mass had migrated about three meters away from our truck. His retaliation was swift as he returned with a can of bug spray and let them have it. There were so many it didn't do much good, but he reportedly felt better.

Watch Out for Wildlife – On the way home Thursday we saw a huge bull giraffe right on the side of the road enjoying an acacia tree dinner. He didn't seem bothered by the trucks and cars zooming by or by Elder Blake stopping to take a picture. It's always a treat and surprise when we see these beautiful animals as we are never sure if or when they will be there.

Visit to Matua – Matua is the village where many are joining the Church even though they have a long hike to the meeting house in Mitini. We have met with the extended family (about n=60) and are starting to teach there on Wednesday afternoons after we teach at Mitini. It makes a very long day but is so worthwhile. The members there are young in the Gospel and hungry to learn. There are many children and a wide age span from grandparents to at least a dozen babies. We met with the family and made a plan to have a song and prayer with the whole group (and lead the music while we sing), and then have a lesson with just a small group. The families were divided into groups of about three sets of parents. Sometimes the children will attend the study group and other times they will be cared for by other families until it is their turn on a later week. Wednesday we showed the Joseph Smith Story video on our DVD player the family gave us, and then when the children went to play we studied the Book of Mormon with their parents and left two copies of the B of M Story Book to help them teach their children and guide their scripture study. What a wonderful spirit was there and we feel blessed to be so warmly welcomed into their homes and lives. Elder Blake then trained the new YM President while Sister Blake started the keyboard class. One keyboard will be left in the village with a sister who will be responsible to care for it and supervise practice. We'll see how that works. The class is limited in number, at least right now until we have some experience.

We left with full hearts and a bag of bananas off their tree. The children all helped carry our things to our pickup truck and the family members walked down the trail with us as is their custom. We were so tired it was quick scrambled eggs and then to bed that night!

Baptism “Celebration” - Two weeks ago we told of a large group baptism which included members of the ZEEs (Zero English Experience) class that had now learned enough English to pass the baptism interview. Many others have also been diligently attending church and English class, but their progress has not been steady and their confidence is low. These had almost given up on being able to be baptized before they died! The Mission President and Elder Watson discussed this problem during the mission tour and it was decided to allow the older people over 55 who had been attending church and English class regularly to be interviewed in Kikamba and baptized. One man is reportedly 105 years old, and thought baptism would never be possible for him. We drove from Nairobi and arrived early to help taxi several loads of these older people down to Kyambeke where the font is located. It was an honor to be involved. The day was cool but the spirit was warm as eleven of these wonderful people dressed in white to be baptized. It was hard just getting some of them into the font and took several men to help them, but what a rewarding effort. After they were baptized they were given an opportunity to bear their testimonies in Kikamba. We couldn't understand what they said, but we could feel their love of the Gospel and their gratitude for the opportunity to be baptized. There were several husbands, wives, grandmothers, and grandfathers whose families were there to witness the occasion. We were grateful for the inspired decisions of those in authority so this could be made possible. Another wonderful day!

Sunday in Kilili – Sunday we spoke in the Kilili Branch Sacrament Meeting. Then Elder Blake taught a Self Reliance lesson in combined Priesthood and Relief Society, while Sister Blake taught the children their last primary song in preparation for the Primary Sacrament Meeting program. We got away early enough to stop at the Kenya Penetentiary to visit a young man from one of the branches. He was so appreciative of the visit. Guilty or not of the serous criminal charges, our hearts went out to him. African prisons are not a very good place to be! It was another full day. // Sister Blake practice-drove a good bit of the way on the remote dirt roads. She didn't do too badly, only hitting one speed bump hard enough to knock the lid off the cooler and a few close calls with the bushes on the left side of the road. Elder Blake just gasped and hung on to the ceiling handle for security – not bad for a beginner.

Have a good and safe week and remember we love you.

Update 9.6.2010

2010-09-06T08:31:00.000-07:00

Short Blog! - This was a week of preparation as some of the branches took their YM/YW on an outing. We thought we'd get so much done but our problem was making a list that was too long... (some of you will relate: like the list of things to do after you retire, but never can get to)! We have been working to help some families prepare to go to the temple in November. Many couples have had “traditional marriages” which were not recorded (nor recognized) by the government – thus no marriage certificate. To go to the temple they must have a marriage certificate. It was our pleasure to be witnesses as Brother and Sister Maneno were married last Wednesday in Nairobi. The only other people present were some of their children and Bishop Kyulu who performed the ceremony. They are a special couple who have been trying for a long time to get their papers in order for this special occasion. The government had lost Sister Beth's ID papers and they were just located in July! Their son recently returned from a mission and they are anxious to finally be sealed as a family.

No More Bites – We are happy to report that after a double dose of lotion and oral medication, Elder Blake is bite-free (at least at the present time). The doctor cautioned him to be careful not to go where he'd get them again. Our problem is that we don't know where that is! We're just grateful for a reprieve for now.

Home Visit – After teaching classes Thursday we walked down to Brother Francis' and Sister Sarah's home to help with some temple preparation. One of their sons did not join the Church with the family so we took the missionaries with us to teach him while we visited with the parents. They live in a very simple home in a beautiful area with a marvelous view. We feel privileged to be welcomed into people's homes. We followed the little barefooted children down the trail to their home. They ran down like little mountain goats. Sister Blake's slick shoes didn't do too well but Elder Blake helped keep her from falling. (He's good for all kinds of things!) Back up was not as hard. Their baby was named “Ann”after Sister Blake, so there's a soft spot in her heart for this sweet little one.

Testimony Meeting - Sunday in Kyambeke was testimony meeting. What strength we felt from the young people who bore the majority of testimonies. We could just imagine what the Church will be like when they are the strong leaders! There are over 50 YM and YW in the branch. Most of them plan on missions. By the time we leave there will be at least 7-10 missionaries who have left from the branches we serve during our time here.

Have a wonderful week! We think of you often with love and appreciation.

Update 8.31.2010

2010-08-31T07:37:00.000-07:00

Mission Tour – After spending two days in the hills we returned to a wonderful and inspiring day spent with Elder Watson (First Quorum of Seventy) and his wife. Counsel, advise, and training was given by the Watsons, President and Sister Broadbent, and the Assistants to the President. You could feel the strength and unity of purpose with all the couples and young Elders and Sisters. That evening the couples met at the president's home for dinner where, at our urging, Elder Watson shared some of his experiences (that he could share) as he has been Secretary to the Quorum of the Twelve and First Presidency for some 20 years. He's a good friend of President Monson and has been hunting and fishing with him. It was fun to get a glimpse of the personal side of General Authorities. We didn't want the evening to end!

New Kenyan Constitution – Thursday was an exciting day for Kenya as they celebrated a new constitution – the first ratified changes in Kenyan history. Declared a national holiday, many thousands gathered at Uhuru Park near us, where music and loud speakers could be heard from our home. We wanted to watch but have been cautioned not to go near crowds for security reasons. Everywhere we went we could feel excitement and hope in the air. We learned that day that Roger Whitaker was born in Nairobi. He has a beautiful song accompanying a video of many of the scenes that have become part of our lives here in Africa. It made us feel nostalgic and we haven't even left Africa yet! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksy5A-VSNik ).

Elder and Sister McBride from Mombasa stayed with us a couple of days; and along with Elder and Sister Byrd, we had a day of shopping at the Jogo factory market and Kazuri Bead Factory. We ended the day at Bomas of Kenya where the native dancing and acrobatics were the best we've seen. It was a fun change of pace with good friends and fellow missionaries.

Now the Best Part! – Saturday was a cold day with warm hearts. The “old mamas” (as they are called) and grandpa-age men have been working so hard for almost a year in the ZEE (Zero English Experience) class to learn English enough that they could to pass a baptism interview. Many feared they would die before their hopes were realized! Saturday, 24 people from Mitini Branch and three from Kyambeke Branch were baptized. This included nine from the ZEE class! What a strong spirit was there as they dawned their white clothes and prepared for this sacred and important ordinance. They were so ready, most having been faithful meetings attenders for a long time. Many had to be helped carefully into the cold water of the font so they wouldn't fall. With smiles and tears they completed the goal they had been working toward. After the baptism they were given the opportunity to bear their testimonies. In class they had been practicing in English but it is harder to say how they feel so they all spoke in Kikamba. We couldn't understand the words but we could understand the feeling and spirit of what they were saying. One older sister was baptized by her grandson, as her son and family watched with full hearts. Others watched as mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters were baptized. We will probably never experience anything quite like that again. What a humbling experience to be part of.

With 27 people being baptized plus four baptizers, there were many white clothes and towels to be washed and rinsed by hand, and then hung to dry. The Relief Society went right to work. It took quite awhile. Lines were strung between trees and buildings but wouldn't hold all the heavy wet clothes. Most were hung on bushes all over the yard or even placed on the grass to dry over night. We've never seen so many white clothes and towels hung in a church yard! Even a picture couldn't do justice to the sight. We went back to Kyambeke the next day to pick up the loaned clothes from the mission office and found all the clothes drying in the chapel after church. It was so cold and wet they hadn't dried. No one minded the extra work as we were all still remembering the wonderful baptism day when the ZEE's and others finally made it to what President Kaseve calls, “The Waters of Mormon in Kyambeke.”

We feel great gratitude for the many experiences we have been allowed to share on this mission and our previous mission. There is such a need all over the world for couple missionaries. When you are “old” you can say and do some things the young missionaries can't.

We love you and keep you in our prayers. Have a good week.

Update 8.23.2010

2010-08-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

Bites and Blessing - Elder Blake's bites were getting worse – more numerous and frequent. He was referred to a dermatologist again who performed a biopsy which was just returned and indicated extreme insect bite reaction. We just don't know what kind. Wednesday morning at our prayer meeting in Mitini he was given a priesthood blessing. We are going back to the doctor today. Things will (must!) get better.

What? No Clothes! - We packed for a five-day trip to the Hills, and after many trips loading things in the truck (food, suitcases, lesson materials, branch supplies etc.), we were on our way. Wednesday evening we finished our teaching day and began putting things away in our Kikoko flat. Our conversation went like this: Elder Blake: “Where are our clothes in the hanging bags?” Sister Blake: “I haven't seen them. They must still be in the truck.” Elder Blake:”No, they aren't in the truck. Didn't you load them?” Sister Blake: “No, I thought you did. Didn't you?” Blaming each other didn't seem to help. We were stuck with one set of already used (worn that day) clothes to last for five days. // Thursday we wore what we called our “cleanest dirty clothes.” By Friday we were really ready for a change and luckily the Elders were driving a truck to Kikoko to deliver something to our Kilungu missionary's flat before going somewhere else. They got up early and delivered our clothes before we had to leave. We were two very grateful missionaries!

Music and Pictures in Matua – Wednesday afternoon we went to the new Matua area and met with about 30 family members who were waiting for us in their yard. We are trying to help build leadership and gospel knowledge as this area is being prepared for a new branch. How do you teach music to a group from babies to older grandparents (neither of which speak English!)? We took a large laminated poster that is white on the back to use for a whiteboard. One of the brothers stuck a stick in the mortar of the house for us to hang it on. We took songbooks and the keyboard (which they love), and after an opening hymn and prayer, began to teach them how to lead three beats to a measure hymns. They all practiced and laughed and enjoyed themselves – even getting brave enough to stand in front in groups of four and conduct one verse. // This was followed by dividing the gospel pictures and telling scripture stories about Christ and about pioneers with a little church history. They seemed to enjoy being together and learning and we were invited to come back. We'll probably go every other week.

Cardboard Keyboard – School is on break right now and many of the young people come to mid week classes. One young man (about 12-years-old) came to Kyambeke two weeks ago prepared to learn to play the keyboard. There aren't any extra keyboards and I wasn't sure how serious he was. He listened intently and I gave him a little cardboard picture of a keyboard and some exercises to do. This week he was back with his “keyboard” in hand ready for the next lesson. We wish we could teach the young people as they learn so quickly but with school, especially boarding school, they aren't around. He assured us he would be back at the next break!

Visits in the Hills – When we stay in the Hills we don't have to hurry home and it allows us to make home visits to the families of new members, investigators and others. It's one of the best parts of our mission! Thursday, two YSA's from Kyambeke, Phidelis and Catherine, rode with us to show us the way along narrow, steep, mountain trails to visit one of our friends, Margaret, who married recently. Her husband is not a member and we had not met him. She lives almost 5 kilometers from the church and walks. It's uphill all the way home! What a wonderful visit with her, her husband and mother-in-law and neighbors. They have a little kiosk on the top of a mountain. We felt so welcome. Even her shy husband warmed up to Elder Blake as they looked through his binoculars! We hurried from there to show “Finding Faith in Christ” (on the family Christmas gift DVD player) in the home of the carpenter at Precious Blood and his family. There was a wonderful spirit there.

The next day we went with Sister Elizabeth, RS President in Ilima, to visit her elderly parents who are not able to walk the long way to church. They live by Elizabeth, who walks around and over a mountain about 1 ½ hours each way to get to church. They have recently carved a “road” (trail) into that area (the kind I shut my eyes most of the way!) with hand tools. If they walked on the road to church, it would take them 4 hours. Her parents were so gracious and wanted us to come in and visit, and Elder Blake to bless their home and family.

Our next stop was the Jackson family who have brand new twin girls. They were born at home and twins were a surprise! What beautiful little babies born in a humble, tiny two-room mud home. (Total measure of the home is 9 by 12 feet.) That makes 7 children. Humble home, but sweet spirit in the family. We took biscuits (cookies) to share with the family and it was a special treat for them. Have we mentioned before, “We'll never be the same after this??” When life essentials are met, “things” just aren't that important to having the Spirit in a home. We also had a prayer with the family.

Our final visit was at Sister Elizabeth's home where we parked at the top and walked far down into a valley. (I kept saying to myself, “What goes down must come up.) Where we parked there was a family gathering of some non-member neighbors who were preparing for a wedding. They insisted we come and greet everyone. We kept thinking that we'd met everyone, but walking from hut to hut there were a dozen more people around each hut, totaling probably 60-70 people. It was a nice missionary contact. Not many Mzungus (if any) have ever laid their feet in that area. Sister Elizabeth fed us rice, stew, chapatis, and bananas out of her shamba. Elder Blake was asked to bless her home and shamba. She's a wonderful, strong sister and feels like a real sister to Sister Blake. She's a great RS President and is teaching the sisters so many new life skills as well as spiritual training. We arrived home late, after dark, tired but so full of love for and from the people.

Cookies in a Charcoal Oven – For RS on Friday Sister Blake was asked to demonstrate how to make cookies. None of the sisters had ever made cookies and they only have the charcoal oven at the church. We made snickerdoodles and had a wonderful time. No electricity, no mixer, no one had ever used vanilla, cinnamon, or cream of tartar. They'd never even smelled cinnamon. Talk about down to basics. It was so much fun. They loved rolling the dough in balls and dipping the balls in cinnamon and sugar. It was hard to explain leaving room between the balls on the cookie sheet so they could spread out. They loved the cookies and they cooked very well in the charcoal oven to my surprise. I gave them each a little bag of cream of tartar and a recipe. They could make their own cookies without vanilla and cinnamon, but not without cream of tartar!

All-Africa Helping Hands Day – Saturday was the All-Africa Helping Hands Day. We took the missionaries (new Elder Thornton) with us to help a little at all three branch projects. Luckily, two branches were working in Kyambeke. We cleaned the villages and helped renovate and paint the public toilets. The brooms we used were made of branches tied to a tree limb. They worked quite well! The Mitini saints had to walk from their homes to church (some, over an hour away) and then walk to Kikoko (1 hour) before they even started to work. They worked so hard and loved being together. It was a good introduction to the Church for the villagers and so appreciated.

Too Long – Sorry this is so long! Please just view pictures or read in sections. There's just too much to tell! We love you and keep you in our prayers. Have a good week.

Update 8.16.2010

2010-08-17T02:23:00.000-07:00

Chicken in a Box – Not Kentucky Fried! - Tuesday after classes in Kilili we took four sisters back to Nairobi with us for a special leadership training. As we were loading their bags for the trip we noticed a box containing a live chicken as a gift for a Nairobi relative's dinner! [Picture] We had a delightful trip except for some sisters' being car sick.

Leadership Training – The training included all priesthood leaders as usual but added all Primary, YW, and RS Presidents and one RS Counselor. Elder Blake and President Broadbent taught the Priesthood. They discussed welfare and self reliance issues that are a great concern to leaders here where members have so little. The sisters enjoyed getting better acquainted with Sister Broadbent as she did a wonderful auxiliary training for them. The sisters had never been invited before and really enjoyed this special occasion.

Funeral in the Hills – Early Friday morning found us at the Machakos mortuary preparing to lead a funeral procession for John Masila. After an hour's drive we met in Kikoko with the motorcycle honor brigade who led the way with lights flashing and sirens blaring to his final resting place at his home near Mitini. After parking the vehicles in the valley, the grandsons carried the casket and all walked up the steep hill to his home where the funeral was held. The Mitini Branch was in charge of the services though a village elder conducted. John's wife and daughter-in-law are members of the Church. John had been attending and learning English to be ready for baptism. (Elder Blake had taken a picture of John in the English class and we were able to make a nice picture for the family for the funeral.) About 200 family members and friends attended and were fed by the Relief Society. (No disposable dishes – just rinse and reuse.) Family and friends spoke, then President Kaseve and Elder Blake. Elder Blake essentially explained the Plan of Salvation and showed a picture of the Savior. People, most of whom were not members, seemed to feel the spirit of the message even if they didn't understand all of the English. The branch choir sang many hymns while people were eating and during the actual burial. Family members were so appreciative and many said they will join us at Church.

Baptism in the “Waters of Mormon at Kyambeke” – Many of the Kilungu Hills baptisms take place in the Kyambeke font and President Kaseve likes to call it the “Waters of Mormon in Kyambeke.” This was a special day for Brother Simon (age 50?) who is the only member in his family (we visited his home last week). As he came out of the water he was heard to reverently exclaim “Halleluah, praise the Lord.” as he humbly looked skyward. Sister Mary (age 20?) who has been studying English and studying the gospel diligently, was also baptized. Her husband is seriously investigating and will be baptized soon. What a beautiful day and a nice ending to Elder Berg's mission as he is leaving for home this week. After the baptism the new members each bore testimony and you could feel their happiness and love for the Gospel [Picture]. What a blessing to be involved in seeing lives change and growth occur in people's lives.

Youth “investigators” – While waiting for the baptism to begin (about 90 minutes), many young neighbor kids come cautiously peering into the church. Elder Blake invited them in (two groups at different times) and sat them around a table to look at the scores of beautiful pictures in the LDS Gospel Picture Kit . To about 10 youth seated around the table, he handed 2-3 pictures to each person for them to look at; and told them gospel stories about selected pictures. They smiled happily and listened intently to the stories of Jesus, Book of Mormon stories, etc. As he left one group to visit with others, he happened to glance up as the first group was marching out of the building... and lo and behold, there was not one picture left on the table. They thought the pictures passed to each of them were gifts, and were excitedly carrying them to their homes! We all laughed about the misunderstanding; and they were not terribly disappointed to each be given their own pass-along card instead. [Picture]

Mombasa Promise Fulfilled – When we visited Mombasa in July we met a convert member of the Church living there (age 26?) whose family are not members and live in the Kyambeke area. We took some pictures of him and he wrote a warm letter for us to deliver to his parents, along with an Ensign magazine. We didn't know exactly which was their home, but as we were climbing the path on a long hill, we saw an elderly lady in her yard and showed her the picture. Her eyes lit up, as he grabbed and caressed the picture to her heart. It was her far-away son and she was so happy. She called the family together and put chairs in the yard for us to sit down. We met her husband and other teen-aged family members (thankfully some knew English) and had a very special visit. We left with gifts of two eggs and an avocado the children climbed the tree to pick. The Kyambeke Branch President and some of the young men will visit soon, and invite them to learn more about their son Emanual's new church.

More Time in the Hills – We are spending longer periods of time working in the Kilungu Hills branches, where we stay at Precious Blood Girl's School up to five days some weeks. It has made a big difference in our ability to visit in people's homes and meet their extended families. What a blessing it is to us. It's a lot of work getting food, clothes, and everything we need to teach prepared ahead each week but we think it is making a difference. We love the people and are learning so many lessons about what is actually important in life. There are many cultural differences, but we are more alike than different. We will miss these friends when it is time to return to our home. We will probably never be able to return but there will be a wonderful reunion in heaven!

Have a good week and remember we love you.

Update 8.9.2010

2010-08-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

Voting Day Holiday – In Kenya, voting day is a holiday. In 2008 presidential election, 1000 Kenyans from opposing groups were killed and many others displaced from their homes. This year the election was for adoption of a new national constitution, and thankfully the violence was avoided. // Where we were in the Hills, we hardly knew the polling was happening except for seeing people with black dye on their left little finger which signified they had voted. Our day was spent in Mitini with the YM and YW of the branch (about 62 of them!) who are on vacation from schools. We had a scripture and LDS pictures activity for them, and then watched Man from Snowy River. They could identify with the mountain country and enjoyed the horse scenes and it was fun for a change. From Mitini we went back to Precious Blood where we had an appointment to show Finding Faith in Christ to Sister Mary Joyce, School Principal and Head Nun at the convent. It was a very special experience as the spirit was there and she seemed really moved by it.

Visits in the Hills - Along with teaching classes in Kyambeke and Ilima, we were able to make some home visits to some new converts and investigators, since we were staying at Kikoko and not trying to hurry back to Nairobi. What enjoyable experiences. We visited Tom's family (convert we found along the road on baptism day a couple of months ago who had been praying to find us so he could be baptized). His wife was there and several of his 8 children along with his mother who lives next door. We took cookies (biscuits) for the family to share and they served a hot chocolate drink. They started and ended our visit with prayer and all walked us back up the trail to our car.

Another visit was to Brother Simon (investigator who lives a long way from the church but is looking forward to his baptism this coming Saturday with excited anticipation), and Brother Julius (baptized 2 weeks ago) who are good friends, and have lived on the same side of the hill as neighbors to each other all their lives. They have just recently put in a road quite near their homes and told us we were the first Mzungus to ever visit their homes, and the first vehicle to drive the road. Brother Simon's family was not home but he accompanied us to Brother Julius' home and we enjoyed meeting his wife (non-member) and some of his 8 children. We also took cookies to these homes and were served more hot chocolate plus pumpkin (squash) and bread. They wanted us to stay longer to visit and talk more about the gospel but it was getting late and we wanted to get back to Kikoko by dark. We wished we had had our camera with us as they live in such a beautiful place and grow pineapple along with the rest of the regular shamba crops. They seem hungry to learn more about the gospel and appreciated a visit at their home.

Dinner with the Elders – Thursday night we picked up the Elders and had a nice spaghetti dinner with them as Elder Berg will be leaving for home (in Soda Springs, ID) soon. (He says he doesn't want to think about it.) As the first young missionaries in the Kilungu Hills area, he has loved his Kenya mission experience. He enjoys adventure, and Sunday we asked him if he had prayed for the adventure he had with us that day! (see below).

Kilungu Hills Four Branch YM/YW Activity – Nestled in a valley in the beautiful Kilungu Hills is the Kyambeke Branch which was the gathering place for over 200 YM and YW and their leaders on Saturday for the first ever combined activity. (August is vacation from school month, so we saw many youth who are away to boarding schools that we don't regularly see.) Many walked up to 1½ to 2 hours to attend, and the Kilili Branch rented a bus to bring their youth. They were greeted by youth leaders as they entered the gate of the church compound; who also helped them with color-coded name tags for “mixer” games throughout the day. To start, they were given a pencil-paper “get acquainted activity” where they were to find someone in a different branch, who: had a brother or sister on a mission or could say an Article of Faith, etc. There was great excitement as they met new friends with same beliefs, standards, and values!

During opening exercise, branch presidents and leaders were introduced and instructions were given for the morning activities. Each of the four branches had prepared a workshop session and the youth were able to rotate to each session each half hour. Their color-coded name tags helped divide them into random groups to meet new friends. The workshops were wonderful. They included: scripture chase, how to lead a hymn, how to be a member missionary, and an inspirational video Finding Faith in Christ. We enjoyed seeing how much they enjoyed the workshops and also seeing the growth they experienced by preparing their own workshop.

After lunch (bread and soda) each branch had prepared a game to present for the group. We were going to have them going on simultaneously but they all wanted to watch each other so the games were short sessions of musical chairs, tug of war, balloon relay, and volley ball. This was all followed by the movie The Other Side of Heaven about Elder Groberg's mission. They hated to leave and wished it could have gone on longer and are already planning for what they will do next time – mainly, have more time together, like a couple of days.

Our hearts were full as we sat at the front of the chapel and looked out over the group of over 200 beautiful young people and saw them with their scriptures and enjoying being together and learning more about the gospel and socializing and making new friends. We could almost visualize what the Church will be like here in a few years when they are the leaders and are able to teach and raise their children in the gospel. We also loved seeing the leaders from the different branches visiting and sharing ideas more than they had been able to do before.

We were exhausted by the time we arrived back in Kikoko but felt very blessed and HONORED being able to be involved in the lives of these beautiful young people.

Sunday Adventure with New Mission President – Sunday dawned with a misty morning the day for Ilima Branch conference to be attended by the new Mission President and his wife. Since we had stayed the night at Precious Blood School, we received a call about 7:00a.m. asking if it was raining, since we had previously warned them about what the roads are like in the rain. We assured them that we were just experiencing mist (fog). Shortly thereafter it began to rain in earnest! We picked up the Elders in Kalongo and started for Ilima calling to tell President Broadbent and the Nevins about the rain, and that we would go ahead and check out the road conditions before they got that far. We made it through the first slick spot, then had a feeling we should go back to help them if needed. We arrived just in time to see them slide off the road. The next half an hour or so was spent taking turns falling off the road and helping each other get back on. The young Elders got out (Elder Berg got the adventure he was looking for) and were helping with ropes, and Elder Blake and Elder Nevin took turns also. They were all sporting red clay-mud on shoes, pants, and even shirts before we were through! Sister Broadbent kept saying she would rather get out and walk all the way there. On one of the slick spots when they went off the road she told us her eyes were shut and she said, “Are we dead yet!” What an introduction to the Hills.

We called the branch president and reported that we would be late, so they switched the meetings around so that Branch Conference Sacrament Meeting was last. After another prayer for safety we continued on our way and made it to the high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima. President and Sister Broadbent were both able to go first to primary and greet the children. They are such loving people... the children, parents and leaders could all feel it. It was a wonderful experience for all. The other meetings were very inspirational and we were all glad that we didn't give up and go back. We wondered if the attendance would be small because of the weather but the building was crowded as usual and members were so happy to get to meet the new president and his wife. The branch choir sang and everything went well. We feel their love for us and for the Kenyan saints. Theirs is an inspired call to serve here.

Thanks for your love and prayers. You are in ours. Have a good week.

Update 8/2/2010

2010-08-02T19:44:00.000-07:00

Rededication – Whenever there are good things happening, such as a new temple or increasing missionary success, the adversary works extra hard to oppose the good. We have seen signs of that occurring in the new Matua area (60+ baptisms in past 8 months). It's hard on ministers of other churches who depend on donations for their living, when another church is gaining new memberships. One of the new Matua members has been listening to this opposition and is faltering.

After a good morning working with the Kilili Branch we picked up President Kaseve and Brother Francis from Wote where they were completing government forms to prepare for the Francis' family's trip to the temple. They showed us a shortcut through the back roads and valleys to Kalongo where the missionaries live. We piled eight of us into our truck and headed for the new Matua area for a large family meeting. The family all gathered outside in the shade where a very special meeting ensued, where expressions of love and support were given by the branch presidency, elders quorum president, missionaries, and Elder Blake. Counsel was given to help withstand opposition and stay true to the course. Sister Blake gathered the children around and told them the story of Christ's visit to the Nephites and His love of the children and sang the new primary song with them as she talked of the importance of taking the children to primary where they could learn more about Jesus.

We think these special new members could feel the Spirit there and hope they can be strong in the gospel while they wait for a new branch in their area.

Ups and Downs – During our early walk we heard the Precious Blood girls beginning their morning devotional. We slipped in quietly to join them for a few minutes. Sister Mary Joyce asked Elder Blake to greet the girls and told them that we were missionaries and that we were doing good things in the area. We really appreciate the association we have with these dedicated nuns and the mutual respect that we feel. Next Wednesday we are going to show the nuns the Finding Faith in Christ DVD. (Thanks Dad Blake and Ruth for the DVD.)

Besides teaching our classes we made one scheduled trip to take an investigator to the hospital. After Mitini classes we were taking the Chuvi brothers to meet with their branch president as, unbeknown to them, we had brought their mission calls with us from Nairobi. As we started down the hill we saw a large group of about 25 people hurrying up the hill. Several were holding the edges of a blanket like a stretcher with a body inside. They were carrying an unconscious man to the hospital about 4 miles from there! The Chuvi brothers got out and we loaded the man and two relatives into the truck for a trip back to the hospital!

On our return we found the brothers and took them to the high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima for the exciting moment of receiving the long awaited letters from Salt Lake. We walked with them down the hill to their home where they opened their letters and will be serving in Uganda and Cape Town South Africa. What an exciting time for them and for their family (and for us!)

Missionary Ministering – Thursday we didn't have classes but had felt impressed to stay in the hills and make some visits. We visited with two families. One was the Relief Society president in Kyambeke who had just returned from the hospital in Nairobi. We found her sitting alone in a dark room of her house (no electricity) listening to her battery radio. Elder Blake was able to give her a blessing of comfort, which she received with gratitude. We had a wonderful visit which would have been worth the whole trip. He husband died 2 years ago as they were preparing to go to the temple (she went alone); and her son is serving a mission in Uganda.

As we were starting down the hill toward home we received a call for an emergency hospital run to a larger hospital in Machakos with the investigator we had taken to the Kikoko Hospital the day before. We rushed to the hospital and picked up the patient, his son, and President Kaseve. Another priesthood blessing for peace, and we were on our way 45 minutes over bumpy back roads. After the patient and family were settled, we started for home and were met in Nairobi by long traffic jams, where it took us about an hour to get to our flat in the dark. What a rewarding work we are involved in. We feel deeply the blessings that come from service. These same feelings have come to us at other times but they seem to be magnified when we are able to spend more time up in the Hills with the people.

The patient in Machakos hospital died the next day. He was one of our English-learning investigators , not yet baptized because he couldn't understand enough English to pass the interview. We'll participate in the funeral next week; and likely serve as the hearse to take the casket from Machakos to his home, where he will be buried in the shamba near the house. Kenyans in the Hills guard the graves of their loved-ones with much reverence.

Have a good and safe week. We love you.

Update 7.26.2010

2010-07-26T04:15:00.000-07:00

Meeting Along the Road – We taught in Kyambeke on Tuesday. The Elders didn't go this time as they thought there wouldn't be many people to teach because it was market day. Our surprise was that there were people there for five classes at the same time – investigators, large temple class, two English levels, and keyboard! We were able to shift around and get by, but we'll have to do some adjusting for another time. We drove up the hill to Ilima to talk to them about the four-branch YM/YW activity planned for Aug. 7^th. We still needed to talk to two more branch presidents about the YM/YW activity and happened to run into them along the dirt roadway! We stopped and sat on rocks and had our meeting right there. It was fun. Maybe we should conduct more meetings outside in a less structured atmosphere!

We shopped at the Nunguni Market Day on our way home and bought Elder Blake a couple of pairs of casual pants. There are some new things and food for sale, but much of what is for sale is like a king-sized garage sale, mostly laying on the ground on a tarp or blanket. We picked up the missionaries there and took them home.

Training – Wednesday Mitini classes went well and Sister Blake did a Relief Society training with the presidency. As they were talking about the change in name for the week-day Relief Society, the sisters had a confused look on their faces. They didn't know there were any other R.S. meetings except on Sunday. They are very anxious to do things right but there is much to learn!

Trip to Mombasa – After classes we headed for Mombasa which is a large seaport city (as was Tacoma). We stayed in the empty, couple-missionary apartment in Chyulu along the way, as it is an 8 hour drive. Elder and Sister Byrd were also staying there doing employment training. We played games and enjoyed our evening with them. We love the other missionary couples and learn so much from them.

Thursday we visited a branch in Mtito Andei where Byrds were teaching employment skills; and then drove to Mombasa where we met Elder and Sister McBride. With peanut butter sandwiches in hand we drove to the ferry and crossed over to where there was a beautiful beach on the Indian Ocean. It was just like the travel posters with warm, aqua colored water and soft white sand. We took off our shoes and waded out enough to get wet up to our knees. If we weren't on a mission we would have taken a book and sat under a coconut palm tree by the beach for the afternoon. What a beautiful place. The only drawback was the “sharks” as they are called – young men on the beach who won't take “no” for an answer to give them money or buy something from them that is inflated up to 5X for Mzungus. We then met with the young missionaries so Elder McBride could interview an investigator for baptism who has family roots based in polygamy.

While we were in Mombasa we visited their English class and got some new ideas. Many of the students are not members of the Church but they all love being there. McBrides were also preparing for a pioneer celebration party on the 24^th so we helped with that. Usually senior missionaries only help and advise local leaders, but Elder McBride was called to be branch president because of tribal contentions that were tearing the Branch apart.

While there they also took us out to a wood shop where native artists do their carvings. Artists sit on the ground with hand tools, and each one has a specialty, such as elephant carver, giraffe carver, etc. It was a fun day and we were able to purchase some nice African animal carvings to remember our Kenya mission experience. McBrides were so hospitable as we ate, visited and played games in the evenings. Saturday we helped finish party preparations and attended the first part, where we had been invited to share pioneer stories. We enjoy seeing what the other missionaries do, but we love where we serve and what we are doing. We haven't seen anyone we would like to trade with.

Have a good week. You are in our prayers.

Update 7.19.2010

2010-07-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

Kilili Progress – We made delightful visits to Kilili Branch two times this week – Tuesday and Sunday. More new brothers and sisters are coming to conducting and keyboard classes, and joining the choir. (Notice that Mzungu tenor.) The building has had a new paint job. Sister Miriam said, “The building is 'smiling.'” That's the feeling we have when we visit there. They have suffered with the loss of President Morris Makiti and they are now pulling together and making some good progress. We took Sister Phyllis (President Makiti's wife) home Tuesday and visited there. She gave us a tour of the tangerine orchard and we had a good visit. She's lonely but doing well.

Temple Preparation - We are working hard getting 5 couples and their families ready to go to the Johannesburg South Africa temple in November. The lessons and worthiness seem to be the easiest part. There is so much red tape involved with ID cards, birth certificates, passports, etc. Then there's the application for the Temple Assistance Fund which all the families from this area need. (We are so grateful for the many members who donate to this fund to help people who live far from a temple and couldn't afford to go without help.)

YM/YW Activity Day – We are in the midst of helping put together a large four-branch YM/YW Activity Day in August, since school is out then. It's difficult because of the large distances to get a group together to plan so we are facilitating the communication and planning. It will be Saturday, Aug. 7^th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with each branch preparing one ½ hour workshop (four going on at the same time and rotate) and one group game. It will include get acquainted activities, service, food, and the movie The Other Side of Heaven (about Elder Groberg's mission) that the young people here love. We're excited but a little nervous as one branch said they have 50 young men and young women! It's hard for us to tell, as most of the young people go away to boarding school when they are high school age.

Shopping Day – Saturday we took a break and went the new couple, Elder and Sister Byrd, shopping at Jogo Market (factory where you watch the clothes, purses, hats, soccer balls, etc. being made). We also went to the Hilton Arcade where they sell African crafts. Elder Berg (missionary we work with in Kalongo area) is leaving in August and asked if we'd get 4 bone-handled knives for him there. We ate lunch in a little “Taco” shop in town. It certainly wasn't Taco Bell, and nothing was taco-flavored, but it was good.

Indian Ocean – This week after classes Tuesday and Wednesday we are heading for Mombasa to stay with the missionary couple there. We 'll go to their English class to share ideas and then to their branch Sunday. We're looking forward to seeing a little different view of Kenya, including the ocean.

Stay safe and well. We love you.

Update 7.12.2010

2010-07-14T21:15:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving Dinner With the Elders- The Elders in Kalongo invited us to “Thanksgiving” dinner last Tuesday night. It was a wonderful evening but the closest thing to Thanksgiving was the turkey in the stew! One of the members who has a few turkeys walked 4 kilometers to their flat carrying a big tom turkey under his arm which he promptly killed and prepared as a gift for them. They shared that gift with us in the form of a nice dinner of rice with turkey stew on top. They also served “pumpkin” which is what they call squash here. We made popcorn on our gas burner to contribute for the evening and watched The Other Side of Heaven about Elder Groberg's mission. (The elders said they enjoyed watching, as they previously had thought their mission was the most primitive in the world! Of course, the movie took place at least 45 years ago.) What a fun evening. We love the young missionaries. They are working so hard – especially since they walk many miles each day.

Missionary Training - We held a three-branch missionary training with six young men and one young woman from the branches we serve, who are preparing for missions. Since we have been here our good friends, Claire and Michael, have left to serve in South Africa and Uganda. Two more have their calls to the same mission fields; two others are expecting calls any day now; and six more are preparing their mission applications to receive calls in up-coming months! There is an explosion of African missionaries going throughout the continent and elsewhere. It's exciting to be a part of it.

Chyulu English Training – We were asked by President Taylor to train English teachers in each of ten branches in the Chyulu District (four hours south of Nairobi). The missionaries are trying hard to work with the people there, but lack of English is really a problem. It is also hard in meetings as they are to be conducted in English and many, especially the old people, do not understand what is being said. Elder Blake has been preparing and shopping for supplies for some time and we finally presented the training this week, first to the two district leaders and then to facilitators from nine of the ten branches. They were so receptive to the “hands on” learning centers and new ways of presenting things. It was fun being part of it.

President Andrew of the District Presidency spoke to encourage the leaders and told the following story which has implications to almost any learning. He said, “A mother goose took her goslings, parading in a line, out for a flying lesson. They worked hard and had good success. They could finally fly! How exciting!! They then got back in their line and walked back home.” How does that apply to new learning in each of our lives?

Little by Little/Small Successes – Sunday we took Elder and Sister Byrd (new missionaries from Blanding, UT – Dad, you knew and taught them in the MTC a couple of months ago.) up to the high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima to meet the people and prepare for an employment class as that is their calling. It was fun seeing things through their eyes as we saw giraffes, camels, ox carts, etc. It was a good day as Sister Byrd and Sister Blake visited primary (about 80+ children with only three leaders). The members are trying so hard to follow the program of the Church. The children gave their talks in English and then the leaders helped the younger children understand in Kikamba. They sing the primary songs with all the energy of heart – not always the right melody – but with enthusiasm!

We next visited Relief Society where the first counselor conducted for her first time in English. She's been attending the English class. She was so proud. It was fun to see.

We love the work here. It's an adjusting time as many of the young single adults who have been helping in our teaching are moving on which is exciting to see, but a change. We also are adjusting to doing more leadership training instead of working with investigators because of the new Elders placed up in the Area last month. All these things are good and show progress, but we are making adjustments as well. We are being blessed and guided as to what we should do. Sometimes we don't even recognize it until later. We hope we can stay open and receptive to inspiration.

We love you. Have a good week and stay safe and happy.

Update 7.3.2010

2010-07-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

New Mission President - Last week we bid good-by to our dear friends, Elder and Sister Randall, and President and Sister Taylor who returned home to families who were anxiously awaiting them. We will miss them and appreciate their influence in our lives. President and Sister Broadbent from North Ogden arrived this week, and to say they are overwhelmed is probably an understatement! They will be wonderful. Elder Blake has known President Broadbent since working with him in the Weber State University Stake. We look forward to getting better acquainted.

Funeral for Beloved Friend, Morris Makiti – The funeral last Saturday for President Makiti was a wonderful tribute to him and to his family, as 500 to 600 people attended, many of whom stood 5-6 hours for the whole service, which culminated with the burial behind the house in the family shamba. // The death was so sudden: Pres. Makiti, a Primary level teacher, aged 51, taught his class as usual on Monday, was rushed to the hospital by his school principal during the night, and was deceased by Tuesday morning. Causes of death are not discussed in this culture, but Elder Blake saw evidences of what we would call a brain aneurism. A funeral here is a community event, especially for a prominent family. We felt honored to take part in the services and observe first-hand the culture of the Church working with the village/tribal culture. // This was the first death of someone in the whole area who had been to the temple, and Elder Blake helped dress the body early in the morning in the temple robes. We then escorted the hearse from the mortuary to the home compound – a drive of about one hour over primitive, bumpy dirt roads. As we neared the village, we yielded to a motor cycles escort of about a dozen motor bikes (local “taxies” in the area) which announce the arrival by sounding their horns. We (family) were ushered through the crowd and into the home where they brought the casket while the family gathered and were fed. Two of the Makiti children are serving foreign (Africa) missions and were able to come home for a few days to be with the family.

Sister Blake was asked (impromptu) to play the keyboard for the services, on a jazzy(!) keyboard set up by another church in the village. Elder Blake finally substituted Sis. B's keyboard, which provided a much more reverent atmosphere as the crowd filed past the casket // The service then began with speeches by close and distant family members and friends; co-workers and some of his students; and many politicians and community leaders – all before the LDS part of the services – where Elder Blake became the 26^th speaker of the day! His short explanation of the Plan of Salvation seemed to be appreciated by family and warmly received by friends from near and distant villages.

Safety and Protection – It was getting dark as we followed a matatu full of branch members home through a “short cut,” part of which was over a bridge in it's early stage of construction. They placed boards over the big ditch to get up on the construction; then carried the boards to the other end to span another large gap to get off. // We pressed on in the evening darkness, and as we went around a curve the truck skidded on gravel and didn't quite make the turn. We ended up tipped over on the down-side of the mountain, with the truck on it's side. Sister Blake's door was at the top side and people came running to help us out of the car before it might continue and roll down the hill. We were able to climb out but couldn't reach Sister Blake's purse which had the phone (and camera) with phone numbers to call for help.

A group of about 40-50 people began to gather. We said silent prayers and Elder Blake was able to contract with one of the drunken men for a “truck” to help roll our truck back up on it's wheels and pull it back on the road. We found the “truck” that he finally contracted for 4,000 Kenya schillings was 18 men pulling on ropes. They shoveled and pulled and tugged until it was finally on it's wheels and stable enough to drive and pull it back on the road. // After Elder Blake paid the spokesman, who said he would pay his helpers, they all crowded around and started assaulting the man to get the money. We could see what was happening, but couldn't leave because one rope was still tangled in our tire. Someone finally cut it with an ax and we hurried away.

After getting in the car we found the phone had been ringing. Someone had called President Kaseve, who had called members who were literally running to our rescue. We later learned they had arrived just after we sped away. They are so good to us and would help in any way. We feel blessed for the love we feel from the people and for the answers to prayers for safety and protection. Viewing the truck on it's side hanging over the hill for about half hour, we had a strong realization that angels were holding it in place until it was stabilized.

More Animals – For the grandchildren, we have been seeing more animals again in our travels. Along the roads this week we have seen journeys of giraffes; herds of gazelles, heartabeasts and bushbucks; and families of ostriches. It's exciting like going to the cabin and not knowing what's around the next corner.

Thanks for your love and prayers. Have a good a safe week.

Update 6/24/2010

2010-06-24T03:48:00.000-07:00

Baptisms – We've had some thrilling baptism experiences recently. Sister Florence, mother of a special strong family in Kyambeke was rebaptized after church on Sunday, June 13^th,, after being out of the church for some time. It was a joyful, spritual occasion for the whole family and branch. President Onesmus baptized and Elder Blake confirmed her (picture). The next Saturday at a Mitini Branch baptism two strong men were baptized: President Kaseve's brother Leonard (about age 35 ?), and a friend of Leonard's, whose wife is also a member. This also was a joyful occasion as the fathers in these two families completed their family circle in the church. They each bore strong testimony after. They'll be strong leaders (picture).

Mitini Branch Anniversary Celebration – Monday, June 14 was the first anniversary of the Mitini Branch in their own building. They started with 70 members and are now having 220 to 270 attend on Sundays. People have to sit outside as there isn't enough room in the building. We joined their celebration as they chose to watch a 2 ½ hour Church Leadership Training DVD and serve soda and peanut butter sandwiches. How many celebrations have we Americans attended where they celebrated by teaching leadership to the members? They enjoy being together and hearing the words of prophets and leaders.

Death of a Great Leader and Friend – While staying in our Precious Blood flat we received a call at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday morning from President Davis of the Kilili Branch where we were going to teach that day. He asked us to come speedily to the Wote hospital and help give his brother, former branch president Morris Makiti, a blessing. They had taken him to the hospital during the night. We were about a two hour drive away plus getting ready and packing the truck. We arrived just before 9:00 and helped with a blessing of peace to Brother Morris and to his wife. He never regained consciousness and passed away later that day. He was a teacher, who taught his class of 30 children as usual, the day before he succumbed. // He had just been released in April after serving as the first branch president since the Kilili Branch was organized 11 years ago. What a strong, loving, and caring man, with children still at home – age maybe 45 years(?) He was a leader in the community as well as the church. He and his family had been sealed in the temple and they have a son and daughter presently on missions. What a shock and loss. We were able to be with the family and help with transportation and comfort as best we could. We're so grateful for the gospel and knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. // When April was here the Makiti family wanted to have their picture taken with her. We were so thankful for that picture as we were able to make a family picture for them that they would not have had otherwise. Elder Blake is speaking at the funeral this Saturday.

Last Leadership Training – President and Sister Taylor will be released July 1^st as President and Sister Broadbent from North Ogden will become our new mission leaders. The last leadership training was June 17^th for all Chyulu and Kilungu Hills priesthood leaders. We were asked to help in the training. It was wonderful to look out over that group of strong African priesthood leaders. You could just feel their strength. They are the African pioneer leaders. (See picture.) We also trained Chyulu English teacher coordinators, and Sister Blake taught keyboard lessons to the CES secretary. It's a busy life!

A New Home – Our friend, Anthony, wanted Elder Blake to bless his new home that the branch helped build when his old one washed away in the March-April monsoon. After the baptism Saturday we drove as far as we could, then walked quite a distance down to the home. They are so happy to have it and wanted to make a celebration of our visit. They wanted us to tell stories to the family (most of whom speak little or no English)! Since we were there for their home Elder Blake told the story of the Three Little Pigs (I wish you could have seen him demonstrating “huffing and puffing” etc. ) Anthony would help translate to Kikamba. We then told scripture stories. They wanted more stories but it looked like rain and we didn't know how we'd get out of the valley if it rained so we blessed the home and then they served us the box of cookies we brought brought to them as a house-warming gift; along with sharing three small bottles of soda, they had sent the son running to buy. They only owned three glasses and we all shared. I don't think we know what “humble circumstances” mean, even now. They sent us home with a bag of avocados from their shamba that they carried for us as they all climbed the mountain to accompany us to our truck!

New Missionaries – Two of our special YSA friends have received their mission calls, Dominic Kaseve from Mitini to Uganda Mission and Kennedy from Kilili to South Africa Capetown Mission. There are now about 40 young missionaries from our mission-area serving full-time missions in other parts of Africa – and six more in our area who are preparing for (or presently expecting) calls in coming weeks/months. We are so blessed by their faith and commitment to follow the Savior.

Animals – We have been missing the animals lately but we saw a journey of eight giraffes on the way to the Hills and bushbucks, ostriches, and Thompson gazelles on our way home. We hope they are returning!

We are healthy, well, and happy and hope this finds you the same. Our love and prayers to you all.

Update 6.12.2010

2010-06-12T05:25:00.000-07:00

Home Evening with Sister Missionaries - For our home evening turn we invited the sister missionaries to come and tell us about themselves and about what missionary work is like for them in Nairobi. Most of the couples in our housing complex have special area assignments in Public Relations, CES, PEF, Employment, etc. and aren't involved in regular missionary work. Sister Ngosi is from Johannesburg, South Africa and the other sister is from Chyulu here in Kenya. They are beautiful girls and hard working missionaries. Sister Ngosi's father passed away a few years ago and her mother passed away just before she came on her mission. We love them and appreciated the special spirit they shared with us.

New Elders – Tuesday we headed for the Hills to stay for two days. The Elders had Zone Conference in Nairobi and were not available to help with classes. We are trying to learn how to best help them. Everything is so far away from where they live and they are just getting acquainted in the area. Elder Berg is the only white person in Kalongo where they stay, and in the area! They don't complain but we see their challenges. We took them with us to our high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima, on Friday and invited them to dinner with us in Kikoko (Precious Blood) on Sunday. They were so excited. We'll see how we do with one gas burner and a plug in pot! It could be an interesting dinner. We'll plan with them and see how we can work together.

More Hospital Patients – On our way to the Hills Tuesday we were hurrying because we were late when we received a call from the Ilima Branch President who had a member in Kikoko hospital. He asked us to check on his branch member who was very sick. We did make the visit and talk to Sister Mary Agatha at the hospital. We were amazed that even though we were late we were able to do what we needed to do and be on time to our classes. It was almost like the clock stood still. We're still not sure how that happened.

Progress – We enjoyed our classes and can see some progress being made. It isn't as fast as we would hope and we are learning patience, but it is happening. It's fun to see the new members reading their scriptures and marking them. We enjoy seeing the English students starting to speak a little and understand some English, and some of the keyboard students are really taking off . There are some who will never really be able to play much but they are “enjoying the journey” and love being involved.

Ilima Relief Society – High-on-the-hill, Ilima, scheduled their Relief Society meeting while we were there. It was nice to see them instruct the sisters in visiting teaching and then they divided the sisters into two groups. One group was teaching the sisters how to use the treadle sewing machine and the other group was learning to make bags to hang on the wall to organize their clothes. All sisters were involved and enjoying just being together. Most don't speak much English but they all made Sis. Blake feel very welcome and needed.

It's been a good week. Again, thanks for your encouragement, thoughts and prayers. It almost seems trite to mention it each week, but it helps more than you could know. We love you.

Update 6/7/2010

2010-06-07T04:42:00.000-07:00

New Week - After being home-bound for awhile it felt good to hit the road for Kilili on Tuesday. We were tired but enjoyed being with the saints working on playing and conducting music, speaking English, and helping with YW and branch presidency leadership. We gave the Branch President's son a ride as we left toward the town where he will be doing some schooling. (Remember the lunch with the loaves and the fishes?) We spent the night at Precious Blood with no water or electricity but made a fun evening of it by sitting in bed and watching a movie with our battery DVD player (Christmas present from family). No popcorn but it was fun!

Our day at Mitini went well and after we took Elder Jackson and Elder Berg (new missionaries opening the area in Kilungu Hills) up to the high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima to meet the Branch President as we also had some business there. The missionaries were impressed by the beautiful view but a little awed by the responsibility of traveling so far (no car or bike) to help in that area. We will pick them up when we visit there but there are a lot of details (especially transport) to work out!

Change of Plans in Chyulu - At President Taylor's request, we were to travel to Chyulu District (about 220 kilometers south of Nairobi) and train the leadership in English the next day (Thursday), but they called and changed to Saturday which was better as Elder Blake's cold was worse and he needed the rest. Instead we left on Friday to spend the night in the other half of a duplex where Elders stay in Kambu Chyulu area. They met us on the main road on their bikes and guided us in or we never would have found it! It's walled in by a 10 foot high cement wall with pieces of sharp glass on top and a locked gate for security. There's a huge baobab tree right next to the compound. (See Picture. Baobabs look like upside down trees with roots on top!) It was fun getting to know the two sets of Elders living there who enjoyed our red licorice (Scott's family sent with April.)

The next day the Elders helped us find our way to Makatano where the beautiful, new, LDS-style Church is right out in the middle of the open African country – 7 kilometers from paved road – by a small village. It was amazing to turn the corner and see a church like at home! This is the area where the Church first came to Kenya. The District President, two counselors and two clerks, Relief Society President and counselor, the newly called English specialist, and one branch English teacher were all there ready for the training. Elder Blake had a fun schedule planned where they worked as if they were English students. It was a good training with a lot of laughing and some good questions and suggestions as to how to help members and investigators in the 10 Chyulu Hills Branches make progress in learning English. We'll be back in July for a Workshop for all branch English facilitators. We love our Kilungu Hills friends so much we wondered how we'd feel in Chyulu, but we found the same warm, friendly church members there. How blessed we are to work with them!

“Monkeying Around” - On our way back we stopped to eat lunch at the Hunter's Lodge. We ordered and then looked over at our truck where the back window had been left down about 1”. The monkeys were climbing all over it, reaching their arms in, trying to get our travel food! Across the river there also was a baboon family with a mother and baby. We missed the picture as the waiter was taking our picture on the bridge. It was a fun stop!

Interesting Testimonies – We slept at our Precious Blood flat again and went to Mitini for church Sunday. It was fast Sunday with a good testimony meeting. It was interesting, however, as some of the children stood on a chair to see over the podium and bore testimony. These individual testimonies consisted of a scripture or Article of Faith, then the singing of a song. The interesting part was the choice of their “testimony” songs: “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” “Roll You Arms,” and “Do As I'm Doing.” (The prayer song in Primary was also “Roll Your Arms.”) The people have wonderful testimonies and a great desire to follow the programs of the Church; there are just so many things to teach and learn about how the Church runs and what is appropriate. It's a great work!

Baby Dresses – At Mitini we were able to give some cute, soft, hand-knitted dresses for babies to some of the mothers in the branch. (Aunt Norma sent them with April and they were made by some non-member sisters in the mid-west who make them for places like Africa, but have never seen them on the babies.) The mothers were so proud and happy to have the dresses – even though the babies were a little larger, and they were more like blouses! (Picture) We also finished distributing the CTR bracelets to this last branch. They will probably never see a CTR ring but the bracelets serve the same purpose and they loved them! We gave them to all primary children and Young Women. (Picture) It was a special day.

After church we drove to Kyambeke and picked up the new Elders to take them back to Nairobi with us for their Zone Conference. We love these young men – Elder Jackson from Zimbabwe, and Elder Berg from Soda Springs, ID. They feel like our sons and could almost be our grandsons! We appreciate their strength of faith and their cheerful, positive attitudes as they face many challenges in this new area.

We are still coughing but feeling much better. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Update 5.30.2010

2010-05-30T18:01:00.000-07:00

Call from the Mission President – Late Monday evening we received a call from President Taylor telling us he was seriously considering placing Elders in Kilungu Hills. The question was where to place them that was safe and central for the large Hills Area. We had already been doing some investigation but didn't know it would be so soon! He asked: could we check out possibilities and be in touch with him the next day?

Right Place at the Right Time – One possibility for Elders' housing was near Kikoko hospital by our Precious Blood flat. We were a little early for teaching in Kyambeke and decided to stop at the hospital to investigate. As we were visiting with our friend, Sister Mary Agatha (hospital administrator), she mentioned that she had “one of our people” in the hospital that she was concerned about. The lady had been in labor since Sunday (this was Tuesday) and wasn't doing well. They had an ambulance standing by and were deciding whether to declare an emergency and send her 50 miles to Machakos hospital. We went in to see the lady who was all alone, and visibly distressed. At first we didn't recognize her but realized she was Mary, a special friend and helper with English teaching. Her husband had been to see her early in the morning but didn't stay as the custom is for only women to be involved with the birth of babies. Elder Blake asked if she would like a blessing and she said she would. He gave her a beautiful blessing before the midwife and doctor came to make a decision what to do. After examining her again, the doctor came out to report that things had changed for the better and they would go ahead with the delivery. Two hours later Sister Mary Agatha called to report a healthy baby boy! // After classes on Wednesday, we took Mary's husband and the RS president to the hospital to take the new mother and baby home. When alone, Mary told Sister Blake that after Elder Blake had given her the blessing she was completely at peace and knew everything would be okay. What beautiful faith.

Elders Across Canyon – Wednesday Pres. Taylor decided that Elders would be placed in Kalongo Market Place (Matua Area) on Friday! Hopefully a new branch will be approved for the Matua area, where so many are joining the church but have to hike so far through a deep canyon to get to church in Mitini.

Longing for Baptism – Wednesday, Brother Boneface, one of the teachers in the Zero English Experience class, reported that some of the older people in his class who simply are not progressing well, had asked him that day what would happen to them if they died before they learned enough English to be baptized? We told him that Heavenly Father knew the desires of their hearts and things would be made right for them. We just love these wonderful people.

Happy Birthday – Thursday was Elder Blake's birthday and we celebrated by preparing things for the English training next week in Chyulu, then went out for birthday lunch. We ordered “mushroom burgers,” which were interesting: They were bean patties shaped like a burger, with a couple of mushrooms inserted; at least there was a bun! (He did get a home-made lemon meringue pie.)

“Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall” - Friday was spent at the doctor instead of teaching at Ilima. Sister Blake's chest cold got much worse and Elder Blake got attacked by a host of new itchy bumps. They wonder if he is developing an allergic reaction to the malaria medication the Church provides for us; so they changed his medication to one that often causes hallucinations; maybe we'll let him write the blog for awhile... it could be entertaining! We were advised not to go anywhere until we checked back on Monday, so we've been home for three straight days. We felt bad not to help the new Elders move in at Kalongo; and Sister Elaine Dalton, YW General President, has been in town and we missed seeing and hearing her speak. We did watch two sessions of conference together on DVD and had the first real Sunday dinner since we've been here since we travel 6-7 hours each Sunday. We're glad we like each other as that's a lot of “togetherness.” We're too busy to be sick!

Update 5.24.2010

2010-05-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

Health Report – No new bug bites this week! Maybe we've solved the problem. Sister Blake has a chest cold but missionary overall health is good.

Classes – Keyboard, after baptism, music conducting, temple preparation classes – all were enjoyable this week. What a fun experience to see people progressing and so anxious to learn. While traveling to our Precious Blood apartment we realized we needed some bread, so Elder Blake stopped to buy a loaf at one of the little kiosks near where we stay. We had a good laugh as it was about the size of thee dinner rolls. It was cute and we made toast on our little cooker. (See picture.)

Visiting Teaching Workshop – We helped with a visiting teaching workshop at Kyambeke which was delightful. To make sure the sisters understood visiting teaching suggestions Sister Anna (Relief Society President) interpreted Sister Blake's talk into Kikamba. They also played a game like musical chairs except it was called “Do You Love Your Neighbor.” The sisters really got into it and it was fun. When the brothers are around they seem a little quiet and shy but on their own they really have a good time. Refreshments were... you guessed it - bread and soda! (Picture)

“Beautiful Outing”– Friday we taught at our high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima. It was perfect weather. On the way up we said, “Here we are having a drive in the beautiful, green mountains; going to see some good friends, and then planning to have a picnic on the way home. What could be nicer? After class we hiked down (and back up!) to the Chuvi home to take missionary application pictures for the two sons turning in their missionary applications. We also took a picture of their mother and three younger sibling who were sitting in the yard watching the funny Mzungus take pictures.

New Baby - On the way home we were tired and when we got to Nunguni we saw the Mitini Branch President who waved us down. He had been about 80 kilometers away to help one of the branch members home from the hospital after having a C-section. There were 5 people all needing rides the rest of the way to Matua (new Mitini area) – mother and baby, father, grandmother, and President Kaseve. We loaded them all in (with Sister Blake sitting on the center hump between driver and passenger!) as we headed into the back country over very bumpy “roads.” The poor little mother who had just had a C-section hurt over every bump. When we finally arrived we hiked her up the mountain side through 3-4 shambas to get to her hut. We thought we'd just hurry her in and leave so she could rest, but President Kaseve had other plans. He called all extended family members together for a short devotional and prayer for the family and new baby. What a special spirit was there.

“It's a boy – a missionary!” On the way to Matua Sister Blake asked if the baby was a boy or girl. The mother, who was only baptized in December, said, “It's a boy – a missionary!” Her husband has been working in Nairobi and isn't a member, but that was her testimony, that her son would be a missionary. Thirteen children followed us out to the truck and Elder Blake gave them each a little treat. We can't do it at the church or we'd be trampled, but there is was fun. What beautiful children.

Utah Jazz in Africa? - On the way to church Sunday we saw a matatu with Karl Malone's name in big letters and Utah Jazz stickers. We thought Grandma Maxwell would enjoy this picture.

More Bracelets – We attended church at Ilima also this week and gave CTR bracelets to primary and young women. They were so excited. We wish April could have seen them. It has become a living legacy on the mountain.

It's been a good week for us and hope it has been for you. We give you our love and keep you in our prayers.

Update 5.17.2010

2010-05-17T06:26:00.000-07:00

Two Good Days in the Hills – We had two good days with Kyambeke and Mitini branches this week. Elder Blake is working with four new prospective missionaries (2 are new converts) in one branch, and we started a new class for family relations in another. We're also working with auxiliary leaders on implementing home teaching and visiting teaching, and are trying to learn patience as changes don't happen quickly here! We struggle with the language but the people are so humble and willing to try. On Wednesday it was so foggy that we completely by-passed the Mitini church building and were headed down the road away from it, when we came upon members walking on the road – but to us they seemed to be walking the wrong way. After several minutes of trying to understand (we still don't understand their speaking very well) we finally understood that we were disoriented in the fog. The members got a good laugh out of that! And we had to back-up far to the church because there was no place where we could turn around on the dirt roadway.

African Ways – The culture in Africa isn't quite the same as what we call “the culture of the Church” in relationships between men and women. When we were serving refreshments after one meeting Elder Blake was saying, “Serve the sisters first.” One of the men protested, “In our culture, the men eat first.” In Church meetings husbands and wives don't sit by each other. We made a sign that the leaders have permanently posted at the front of their chapel: “Humble Request / Please Sit Together as Families.” The branch presidents are now working on that. It just takes time to change traditions.

Too Much and Too Little Water – We have had a lot of rain this week. It was like the bottom fell out of the sky! It made it impossible to get to our Ilima Branch safely so we missed going there Friday. While we had so much water from the sky, we were without water in our apartment for most of three days. Some of the neighbors were putting tubs outside to catch rain water to do their laundry. We had to use some of our storage water to finish the batch we had started in the washer before the running water was finally restored. It made us appreciate the nice warm shower when service resumed!

More Bugs – Elder Blake is having his third bout (February, April, and May) with bug bites! We're not sure what kind of bug is biting him but we spent all day Saturday going to two different doctors. The dermatologist said he was sure it was a bite of some kind and gave him a different kind of medicine to put on them. We have put permetherin (flees/lice/bedbug insecticide for missionaries) on everything in both apartments to kill any bedbugs or anything else and are wondering if it is something in the grass where we walk. They don't bite Sister Blake (and she is grateful!) They think he is allergic to the bites and then he breaks out in other places. We hope we figure it out soon. He's getting frustrated with the incessant itching!

A Walk on Village Trails – Sunday we were a little early going to church so we stopped on our way and walked up a trail (staying out of the tall grass!) into the beautiful mountain country. We saw people in their yards and children playing. We hope we don't ever become so used to this scene that it isn't special to us any more. We came upon a boy playing near his hut (we watched for a few minutes before his siblings spied us), and he was building a miniature stick “fence” on his make-believe shamba. He was using a piece of magnetic tape from an old cassette tape he had found for the “wire” of his fence. (See Picture)

Church was enjoyable except we never know what we will be asked to do when we arrive. Sister Blake ended up playing the keyboard for the meeting and speaking in sacrament meeting! There's a lot of stretching and growing happening on this mission!

Bracelet Pictures – Several people have asked to see pictures of the bracelets April made for the children here. (The young women are also enjoying them, as well as the leaders.) We have included a picture of the bracelets and a lion picture from the Mara, taken a couple of weeks ago.

Have a good week. We love you.

Update 5.10.2010

2010-05-10T03:15:00.000-07:00

Morning After – After April and Devan left we were on the road by 6:30 a.m. the next morning for our far away branch, Kilili. It was good we had to stay busy to keep from being lonesome. Prospective missionary, Kennedy, rode back with us toward Nairobi as far as the turn-off for Precious Blood where we were staying the night. He could catch a matatu there and go to to complete paperwork for his mission. He was so excited to finally have almost everything ready. We stretched our lunch again. I told Elder Blake our lunches are often like the “loaves and the fishes” since we are not sure when someone will be riding home with us! He liked the peanut butter and jelly but egg salad with pickles was a stretch! // On the way to Precious Blood we had to pick up the generator and TV from Kyambeke and take it to the high-on-the-hill branch, Ilima so they could watch the general conference CDs on Saturday and Sunday. We finally made it to our second home tired and ready for a rest when the rain began to fall. It was a blessing we were off the roads that are bad when wet.

Mitini in the Rain – Wednesday morning it was raining heavily in Mitini. We wondered if people would show up because they walk so far on mountain trails to get there; we needed to help the investigators prepare for their baptismal interviews. When we arrived, the ZEE (Zero English Experience) class had already started and most of the investigators were there. It was a blessing to work with them and see their strength and faith. One young sister has only been married for one month, to a recent convert young brother from Matua. We were concerned that she might be joining the Church just because of her husband, but after visiting with her I could feel her strength and conviction and know that this was her own decision.

Humbling Moment – I visited the ZEE class for a few minutes. This is a class made up of mostly grandma and grandpa age people (some even older than we are!) They work hard and are so willing to try new things (including speaking strange-sounding English words before a group). It was raining which made the small room they met in quite cool and not too light. We could hear the rain pounding on the tin roof, but that didn't stop the class. At the end of the session each student was asked to come up and bear a simple testimony in English with their native teacher helping. (Somewhat like when we teach a small child how to pray.) One little grandma was quite shy (especially with me there) but she went up and bore her testimony. As I was watching and listening to her I looked down at her cold, bare feet. She had walked all the way in the rain without any shoes. What a humbling experience for us. We hope we can remember these experiences, what is really important in life.

Grateful for Spirit Promptings – Saturday we drove back to the hills for the baptism service for Mitini and Kyambeke. As we were on the road past Precious Blood I thought I recognized one of the men walking on the side of the road (tribal leader) who was supposed to be baptized that day. Elder Blake said he didn't think it was him because he was walking to the wrong way. / I had a strong feeling we needed to go back. Elder Blake humored me and turned around to see if we could find the man. We passed him again and I still felt it was Brother Tom. Elder Blake still wasn't sure but drove until we found a place wide enough to turn around and went back for a third pass. As we got closer we rolled down the window and he came over to the car. He told us he hadn't been able to be interviewed by the AP's (Assistants to the President) the day before because he had been called to report and testify at the police station and he was there all day. He was upset to have missed his interview because he wanted so badly to be baptized. We called and got permission from President Taylor for Elder Blake to interview him and took him with us to Kyambeke to the baptism. Later, when he bore his testimony after being baptized, he said he had been praying that he could find Blakes in the little village where he was headed, so hopefully he also could be baptized. What if we hadn't stopped? We are trying to listen to the Spirit with more sensitivity. The baptism was wonderful. There were two sisters and four brothers baptized.

Working ourselves out of a job! - We took the keyboard to the baptism so I could play prelude and music while people were dressing. When I came into the chapel after helping with baptism clothing, I heard soft music being played and found one of our keyboard students who had set up my keyboard and had begun playing prelude music. When we first arrived on our mission, the branches asked Elder Blake to do the baptizing; now they had three new convert priests do the baptisms. We are working ourselves out of a job! It's wonderful to see the members growing and taking over. (It's kind of like raising children to care for themselves so they don't need us.) There is still plenty to do and teach, but we love to see their progress and growth in confidence.

Thanks – Thanks for remembering me for Mother's Day. We loved hearing from you. Elder Blake surprised me with some beautiful flowers. I'm a blessed wife and mother. Thanks for all letters. It makes us be able to work harder when we can stay connected to those we love.

We love you. Stay safe and well.

Update 5.3.2010

2010-05-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

April and Devan Arrive! - The eagerly anticipated time finally arrived and after much worry (because of the Iceland volcano) and a changed reservation, April and Devan were both able to travel successfully – Devan through Amsterdam and April through Dubai. Devan arrived Friday evening and we enjoyed a day shopping and visiting with him before the three of us picked April up on her birthday at the airport Saturday evening. We greeted her with birthday flowers and came home to birthday dinner – even Italian chicken with our last two cans of real cream of mushroom soup! (We may never see it again here.)

Early morning trip to Kilili – Braving confused sleep schedule, we awoke early to prepare for a trip to our farthest away branch, Kilili. We got ready in darkness with just one lantern between us as there was no power! April showered and washed her hair by lantern light. We couldn't find the matches to light candles as we had used them for birthday candles the night before. Welcome to Africa! We were glad we prepared most of the lunch before going to bed. We headed to the hills and enjoyed seeing everything through new eyes. What an adventure and culture shock as the beauties and differences of culture were experienced for the first time. Pictures we have sent home just don't do justice to the real thing – from mud huts with thatched roofs to ox carts and people carrying things on their heads. One big giraffe almost walked onto the road before us – we were looking at a further distance before we noticed him.

At the Kilili Branch people were so warm and welcoming. They loved meeting our children. Elder Blake and I were both supposed to speak in Sacrament Meeting but President Makiti just had me speak as Elder Blake was busy interviewing two sisters to be baptized. At the end of the meeting April and Devan were asked to say a few words to the people. They did a nice job of greeting the people.

April had made 300+ CTR bracelets – enough for all the children in our four branches (she made and baked clay CTR beads) and even enough for the young women. The primary president had her greet the children as she translated for them. April also told them “Waja” (Kikamba greeting to a younger person) and the children answered, “Ah.” It was fun. After the meetings the presidency gave the children the bracelets and helped them put them on. They were so proud of them as they showed them to family and friends. It was a fun experience after all the work and effort.

Baptism - After sacrament meeting there was a baptism for two special sisters who had been waiting and preparing for a long time. They were very ready and excited. The whole branch stayed for the service out in the courtyard of the church where the baptismal font was surrounded by the water tank on one side and banana and papaya trees on the other. It was hot with the African sun beating down, but the Spirit was there.

African Shopping Trip - Monday we spent shopping and preparing for the Masai Mara Safari with the other couple missionaries. We visited Jogo Market (after getting lost in the Nairobi slums!) It is like a factory with small booths where they make what they sell. You can watch them cut out and stitch (on treadle sewing machines) almost anything – even soccer balls! We bought one (soccer ball) for Mitini Branch with the family money from Christmas. April and Devan bought safari hats and a few other things for friends and family. We next visited the “Zebra Market” where they have many beautiful African arts but they start the price very high (especially to Mzungus) and you are expected to dicker on the price. Devan really got into it and they enjoyed the experience (for one time) but said they thought we “fed them to the wolves!” as people were clamoring “Come to my booth, Come see my things for you!”

Unbelievable Adventure at the Masai Mara – Tuesday morning we climbed aboard the bus for the airport to begin our 1-hour flight trip to Masai Mara, the most loved safari park in Africa. All the couples from the Kenya Nairobi Mission, a couple from the D.R.Congo Mission, and five family visitors traveled together – twenty-nine of us. The weather was perfect for flying and we flew on three small planes. Devan and April both got to sit in the co-pilot chair for the flight as we were on different planes. Looking out the window we could see the scenery change and become more like we had pictured Africa from the National Geographic pictures we had seen. It was beautiful. As we landed on the dirt runway we were were loaded into safari vans and taken to the Intrepid Lodge where they gave us hot washcloths to freshen up and cold juice as they oriented us and assigned tent cabins. The four of us were assigned a double tent with a sitting room in the middle so we could be together.

There began three days of safari rides and delicious buffet meals together in the open dining area. Devan and April even enjoyed swimming in the pool (Devan had a sunburn to show for it!) Our guide, Rafael, was a Masai and we learned much from him about the culture of his tribe. He was a wonderful and knowledgeable guide and could answer any question about birds, animals, trees, or plants. We kept pinching ourselves to see if it was real and not a dream. The country was so big and beautiful that as we viewed God's handiwork we thought of the scripture in Alma 30:44 which says “...all things denote there is a God;” We could feel that.

As with all good things, it ended too soon and on Thursday late afternoon we were headed to the small runway for our flight back to Nairobi. We'll share just a few of our favorite animal pictures. Our biggest adventure was when we were viewing a large group of elephants, and one of the herd (which we hadn't seen and who had been separated from the others) came running up behind us trumpeting loudly. I don't think we've ever seen April's eyes so wide! Even the guide was surprised.

No Time to Rest! - Friday morning early we left for our high-in-the hills branch, Ilima. I think April and Devan may have thought we were exaggerating about roads (trails) we drive to get there, but they don't now. It was a beautiful day and we were greeted as usual by a large group of children who are always excited to see the funny visitors and the white truck. The members enjoyed meeting our family and April helped teach keyboard class while Devan entertained, and was entertained by, the neighborhood children. He looked like the Pied Piper – especially since he had treats in his pockets. As we saw the scenery through our children's eyes were were again awed at the beauties of these hills – of the majesty of God's handiwork. We ended with a temple preparation lesson and headed home to rest.

Baby Elephants and Shopping – Saturday we visited the baby elephant orphanage just outside Nairobi. We were delighted by the antics of these little orphan elephants and how much they liked their caretakers. (See pictures.) We finished the day with some shopping for souvenirs as the week was drawing to a close and it was getting time for family to depart. We ended the day with a game of Rook – Isn't that family tradition?

Last Day in the Hills – Sunday we went to Mitini and Kyambeke Branches where the greeting was the same, warm and friendly. April was asked to pray in prayer meeting before church and lead the music for sacrament meeting (which is okay except that you have to sing a solo of the first line as an introduction before people join in, because there is no accompaniment! They also sing most hymns differently than they are written which is interesting to lead.) It was testimony meeting and what a thrill to see these new members (most of them just months in the Church) bear such strong, simple testimonies. The Church is the same all over the world.

We left shortly after meetings were over to get home and get Devan to the airport. Monday we enjoyed time with April visiting and preparing her things to go. We took her to the airport that night. She was ready to get home to Brian and the children. He was so good to encourage her to go and make it possible. It is now so quiet around our flat! (We have heard from April and Devan and we are thankful that they are both home safely.)

We love and appreciate our family and friends. Thanks for the fun surprises you sent to us in April's suitcase! The only thing that could have made the week even better would have been to share it with you also. Have a wonderful week.

Update 4/19/2010

2010-04-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

2010-04-12T10:43:00.000-07:00

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! <-- Elder Blakes note.] 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.

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 limb 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 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

2010-04-05T01:51:00.000-07:00

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!

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!

YSA Camp Conference: Sunday we went to the YSA Conference to see the young people we know and love. We had 49 attend from the four branches. We thought we knew how to get there and left home at 8:30 a.m. to be there early – about a 35 minute drive. We took a wrong turn (no signs here) and ended up 10 kilometers into the bush country in the mud. There were trucks off the road all along. We asked people all along the way for directions, but they always answer “yes” to any question – they can't understand us any better than we understand them. Finally we stopped at a little house where there were about 10 men of various ages all sitting on the porch while one of them was reading to the group out of the bible. We wish we had taken a picture. Two of the men offered to come with us and help us find the camp. We saw wildebeests and antelope and three giraffes as we traveled so that part was fun. The men took us clear back to the main road and across the road to another camp. The tall security gate was locked. Elder Blake climbed over(!) and walked 1 ½ Kilometers to the camp itself and it still wasn't the right one! We finally reached someone by phone and arrived 3 ½ hours after leaving home. We missed sacrament meeting but attended a fireside and enjoyed being with our YSA friends. We see great leadership coming in Africa as these young people grow and go on missions. We just hope when they return they can find employment to take care of families so they can stay in their branch areas.

Easter and Conference – We enjoyed our Easter Sunday even though we were lost and missed sacrament meeting. We had arisen early and read of the resurrection in all four gospels. How blessed we are to know our Savior Jesus Christ and be here on a mission teaching of Him and of His restored gospel. We were also able to listen to Saturday and Sunday morning sessions of conference on KSL radio on the computer at 7:00 p.m. We were “hungry” to hear the conference messages and they were wonderful.

Our love to you all and have a good week.

Update 3/29/2010

2010-03-29T07:27:00.000-07:00

Kilili Music Recital: We visited the farthest away branch, Kilili, yesterday and spoke in sacrament meeting. During Sunday School we met with the two couples who are preparing to go to the temple to begin work on their family group records and review their progress to get passports. It is such a long procedure and they are anxious to be ready. It looks like it will be November before everything is in order. We're excited for them. There are two neat Sisters there who are ready to be baptized too. Good things are happening.

A special part of the day was a first ever “keyboard recital,” after the church block of meetings; presented by five of the branch sisters who have been studying keyboard with Sister Blake. The event was enjoyed by about 80 branch members and friends who cheered on the budding musicians. It was great!

Teaching and Leadership: Tuesday an English Teachers Workshop was held in Kyambeke for English teachers from three of the branches, where they practice taught and prepared teaching materials. The teachers seemed excited to have new materials and enjoyed working with each other. Wednesday we held a leadership/teaching conference in Mitini for all leaders and teachers. The leaders there are eager to learn and open to suggestions. For both of these activities we served sliced white bread with peanut butter and jelly and banana bread with an orange drink. This seems to be the favorite refreshments and they are so appreciative.

New Missionaries: Wednesday we brought our good friend, Michael (Elder Nzuki) back to Nairobi to go on his mission. Elder Blake was able to stand in as he was set apart and given a beautiful blessing by President Taylor. He will bless many lives as he already has here with his missionary work. We will miss him. Another special young is awaiting his call, and five others are in various stages of preparation for mission calls in the next few months. The young people here are preparing and look forward to the opportunity to serve. It's fun to be part of their enthusiasm!

African Culture: On Friday afternoon we took a little diversion and went to Bomas of Kenya, an African Cultural Center just outside of Nairobi. On a kilometer-long walking path in the jungle setting they have authentic village displays of early huts for many of the tribes. It was interesting to see them – especially the Kamba Village, as the people we work with are of that tribe and speak Kikamba. What was interesting is that up in the Hills where we work, every day we see the same types of villages and huts that are present dwellings of the members and their neighbors. / There is also a large hall where they perform African music and dancing and even had an acrobatic troupe that were amazing. The most fun part was watching the 100s (thousands?) of school children who attended for their “field days” or whatever they are called here. They laughed and clapped and moved with the rhythm of the music. During one dance the performers invited all who wanted to to come and dance with them and many of the children (and adults) joined. During one of the dances an African dancer girl invited Elder Blake to join them but he “respectfully declined.” He said he didn't have his dancing shoes :-)

We hope you are all well and happy and keep you in our prayers. Stay safe!

Update 3/21/2010

2010-03-22T07:03:00.000-07:00

Relief Society Birthday Party: The sisters here really know how to celebrate. We enjoyed two Relief Society activities this week. Wednesday in Kyambeke they spent the day fixing rice, soup to go over it, and chapatis. They taught me how to make chapatis and laughed because when I rolled mine out they said it had “horns.” Everything is cooked outside over a wood fire or charcoal. It was hot, hot, hot, but they enjoy working together. They had a short meeting and displayed what they had been doing this year. They also had a beautiful Relief Society table cloth they had made and some other carrying bags and weaving – all things they could use in their homes. After the meeting we went outside for a game. The sisters (three at a time) had to run up to a gunnysack type bag, get in the bag and hop to a station where they had to eat a chapati and drink a bottle of soda and then run to the finish line! There was a lot of laughing and good fun. Sister are the same all over the world. We love being together and having a good time.

Sisal Rope – One sister was braiding a rope from sisal. Sisal plants dot the landscape, because thy are the method of choice for marking borders of their shambas (subsistence gardens) and property lines. They harvest the leaves from which they dig out the sisal fibers and braid ropes. She showed me how to make a rope, so I bought it from her for 25 schillings (about 33 cents). The sisters wondered if we had a cow because the kind I bought is used to tie on the cow's and goat's leg to tether them out to graze. (Thousands and thousands of animals – tethered out each morning along the roadways and hillsides, and retrieved to the safety of their homes each evening.) I told them Elder Blake grew up milking and caring for cows but we didn't have room in our backyard at home for a cow!

“Community” Sewing Machine: The sisters each have saved up and contributed their money to a fund over many months to buy a treadle sewing machine that they keep at the church. They are very proud of it, and those who know how to sew are teaching those who don't how to sew clothes, etc.

Legacy (Mormon Pioneers): Friday in Ilima the meeting was much the same only they read some of the RS history and then watched the Legacy DVD, as it was their turn for the generator. They love the Mormon pioneers and really enjoyed the movie though many wouldn't be able to understand the words. The RS president would intermittently tell what was happening in their native language. They served the same type meal and added bananas and mangoes. We ate outside at the church house, overlooking some of the most beautiful, green hillsides one can image. We can hardly wait for April and Devan to come in April so we can show them.

Tender Mercies: We've had two experiences this week where we feel we were particularly watched over. On the way to Kyambeke from Kilili we took the valley shortcut (about 35 kilometers). The members in Kilili said it hadn't been raining so we should be fine. They didn't know it had been raining on the other end and when we had been traveling about 2 hours we came to a very large mud hole (about 100 meters long!) There were about 7 or 8 workers standing on the side of the road as they had been doing some work to start building a bridge over this area. They were just waiting for us to get stuck so we could pay them to help dig us out. Elder Blake got out and spent about 10 minutes just walking up and down surveying what to do. We didn't want to go all the way back and start over a different way which would have taken 5 hours at the least and we were so tired. We had had a prayer earlier when we had seen the clouds and rain begin. Elder Blake got back in the truck and said my job was to pray and he gave it the gas and drove right through the mud. I couldn't see how it would ever be possible – it was like there was a rope from above holding us up and getting us through! What a blessing. The vultures (men) waiting for their payola were dismayed and disappointed that we made it!

The second incident was that the clutch on our truck went out again – the second time in 6 weeks. The amazing thing was that we were in Nairobe again – just like the first time – where we could get help; rather than on top of a mountain somewhere. These incidents are particularly amazing since we are in remote localities for 80+% of our driving time. We are being cared for beyond what we would know how to do! (If a vehicle stops anywhere, the cardinal rule is: “Never leave your vehicle!” as it will not be there in serviceable condition when you return. It would have been a long night for us in the mountains... can't lay down on the ground for fear of chiggers; plus it is not safe.)

Inspirational Baptisms: Saturday we attended a baptism for the Mitini Branch held in Kyambeke. Seven people were baptized. Most of them were members of families. The large family we mentioned before who live in Matua had two more baptized. One new member who is a priest now was able to baptize his brother. I stood by another brother, James (baptized in February), and as they were ready to enter the water, he looked at me and said with emotion “That's my brother baptizing my brother.” Another father, Anthony, who was just baptized in December was able to baptize his wife and two of his children. His wife didn't pass the interview last time because of her English. He has been helping her learn English at home and she was ready now. Two other sisters were baptized and their non-member father was there. He is a respected village elder who is now taking the lessons and should be baptized soon. What a special spirit attended the meeting. Those who were being baptized had to walk many miles up and down hills to get to and from Kyambeke from their homes. We have it so easy at home. Their sacrifice brings them blessings.

Because of the rain we couldn't get to the another branch as planned for Sunday meetings, so attended Mitini, where Elder Blake helped confirm them.

Animals are Returning: The animals (zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, gazelles, ostrichs, etc.) had migrated away about six weeks to two months ago; but on the way home this time we saw a herd of Thompson gazelles, wildebeests, a field of ostriches, and a large herd of camels. We also saw a giraffe off the left side of the road, and while I was watching it, two more in front of us started across the road and almost ran over us! It made a fun trip.

Have a good week. We love you all.

Update 3.15.2010

2010-03-15T04:26:00.000-07:00

Rains and Planting Season: We are going into the rainy season and this is a busy time in our areas because everyone is cultivating (by hand) and planting. We had rain and slick roads this week and wondered if we should cancel classes because everyone was so busy. Classes were smaller but we enjoyed those who were able to come.

After the temple class in Mitini (just five men came because the moms didn't want to bring the babies in the rain), one of the brothers asked how our son (Scott) was doing. We had told them about his second back surgery. We reported that he was healing well and he said they knew he would be okay because they had all been praying for him. They didn't know (Scott's) name so they prayed for Elder and Sister Blake's son. They have such strong faith and are an example to us.

New Missionary: Our good friend, Michael, will be leaving shortly for his mission to Cape Town, South Africa. He rode home with us to Nairobi so he could shop for what he needs for his mission. He's only been a member for a little over a year and has been a great influence in the growth of the Church in the Kilungu Hills. He's also helped teach and prepare investigators for baptism in two branches. We will miss him and we know he won't return until we have already gone home. There will be a grand reunion in heaven someday with these wonderful people.

School Fire: Saturday we took a truckload of blankets and cleaning buckets up to Kyambeke where the Boys Secondary School dormitory had burned down. LDS Charities also had a load of mattresses delivered. The principal and students were so appreciative. We wish members of the Church all over the world could see how much their contributions to fast offerings and the humanitarian fund are appreciated. The Church is really making a difference in many people's lives and there is such a need.

Sunday: We spoke in church and Elder Blake taught the new member class while Sister Blake attended primary. We love the beautiful children and the leaders are trying so hard to teach them. It is especially hard with the music as the teachers and leaders don't know any of the songs and don't have a good way to learn them! Mitini Branch got a CD player just this week but they can only use it at the church with batteries so it's hard to memorize the music to teach to the children. We've set up a three-branch Primary Leadership Conference in April to teach the music. We'll see how that goes!

A few more animals: We see that most of the Savanah animals have migrated – far fewer sightings in the past 6+ weeks. We haven't been here long enough to predict the migration patterns yet – we'll just watch and wait for their return. We did see four giraffes and a herd of about 100 camels near the roads on our way home yesterday. It makes the drive interesting.

Have a good week. We will be thinking of you!

Update 3/8/2010

2010-03-08T11:35:00.000-08:00

What's Happening in Kilili? – Tuesday we traveled to Kilili (farthest away branch with a new branch presidency). Elder Blake finished the audit and did some new leader training, and worked with the English teachers while Sister Blake enjoyed the keyboard class. They are preparing for their music “recital” program on Sunday, March 28^th after the block of meetings. Each of the six sisters will play two numbers and they will be singing a new hymn as well. It's been a fun reason to increase practice which has been especially hard as we just finished harvest season and now are into planting season. They are busy. We have also written a thank-you letter to the Harmon Grant administrators who furnish the keyboards, music instruction books, and accompanying practice CDs. This includes books for music conducting. All the students are writing notes and signing the letters – one for each branch. We will send the notes and pictures of each class plus a letter telling of progress. We hope this will help the Harmon people know what a difference this music is making in Africa.

Going to Temple, a BIG DEAL – We also started a temple preparation class with three couples from Kilili, plus two more couples from other branches we serve. There was a good spirit there and they are anxious to make all the preparations necessary to go to the Johannesburg temple (which is a four-hours flight time from Nairobi). As senior missionaries, we will escort the group to the temple and help with children during the days while they attend temple sessions for three days. We have a temple-housing reservation for five couples planned for June 28^th through July 2^nd. There is a lot of paperwork to get national I.D. Numbers, birth certificates, passports and visas; family group sheets; as well as application for the church's Temple Patron Assistance Fund which covers all costs for airfare, meals, housing and ground travel for first-time temple goers, including all children who will be sealed to their parents. One temple visit in a life-time is all that 95% of these saints will ever experience. Hopefully others attending temple preparation classes will be ready to go in years to come.

Kikoko “Home,” or “Water Water Everywhere” – We were tired after a long day of teaching and travel. We were looking forward to warming our dinner and resting. When we arrived at the Kikoko Girls School we carried our belongings to the flat, unlocked the door, and to our surprise were greeted by water in three of the four rooms – at least 2” to 3” in one room – and there still no electricity! Sister Mumbi (Cattholic nun) sent over four of the students with rags and buckets and they worked very hard to help us. African neighbors let us plug in our electric pot to warm our soup and we had another early night to bed as our lantern and candle were not bright enough to read or study! We detected a leak in the plumbing which no one knew about because there had never been water in the pipes. We hope this week is the charm and we will have electricity and water in the right places! At least the bed is comfortable the the view is still beautiful.

Early Rains – It looks like the rainy season has started early. Friday we went to Ilima, our branch highest on the mountain. It was slippery but we made it up. That morning when Sister Blake woke up her first thought was, “It's so far to travel and maybe there won't be many there. Is it really worth the effort?” When we arrived after a beautiful drive we were greeted so warmly by the members who had come for keyboard and English classes. Those classes were worth the trip but there was also a temple class with a couple who are very ready to go to the temple, and four young men whom we are helping get ready for their missions. What a wonderful spirit there was there. The young man who offered the closing prayer gave special thanks for the missionaries and asked a special blessing for them as they traveled home.

Relief Society Work Meeting – We didn't know beforehand that the Relief Society had planned their meeting to coincide with our visit and Sister Blake joined them as they tied a quilt and wove a table cover. All the sisters enjoyed being together and visiting. They especially laughed when Sister Blake tried out her few words of Kikamba on them! What special sisters – we are the same all over the world.

As we were ready to leave the Relief Society President gave us a loaf of bread and two orange sodas to have for lunch on our way home. That is their preferred refreshments at any gathering, and was a special offering for us. What if we hadn't gone?...

Take a Hike- Sunday we weren't so lucky and had to park at the bottom of the hill and slog about a kilometer in the mud up to the church! We were glad we grabbed our walking shoes at the last minute before we left home. We hired some young boys to watch our truck and hoped all the parts would still be there when we returned!

There is a new primary presidency (just called one month ago) and none of them have been members for more than one year! There are about 120 primary children and visiting is quite an experience. The leaders are so humble and teachable. What a pleasure to work with them. They are trying as hard as they can. None of them know any of the primary songs. What a challenge.

Elder Blake practiced the young men (YSAs) and they sang a special musical number in Sacrament Meeting. He enjoyed it and they enjoyed singing with him. We were touched by the wonderful, simple testimonies of the Ilima saints, most of them new converts. It's very humbling to witness the miracles that are happening here in Africa.

Stuck in the Mud – On our way home we were asked to take the Branch President to a certain city for a training he was to start on Monday. It was a different way home but we were assured it wouldn't be any longer and that some of it would be on the tarmac. They didn't explain that much of it was clay dirt and wet! We got stuck just once but it was a doosy? When Sister Blake opened her door the mud was up to the floorboard! Elder Blake had to change his suit pants (in the bushes), get out the shovel and tow ropes, and enlist the help of anyone passing by to help pull and push us out. We did make it back on the road and arrive home safely none the worse for wear except for all the red mud on and in the truck and on us, particularly Elder Blake.

We feel greatly blessed to be serving here in Kenya. We are grateful for good health and the many answers to prayers asked verbally and in our hearts. We know we are blessed and protected and that this is the Lord's work. We love and appreciate our wonderful family and friends. Have a good week.

Update 3/1/2010

2010-03-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

Mission Tour – We experienced our first Mission Tour this week. We wondered what that was and learned it is when General Authorities of the Church visit the mission and speak and encourage missionaries in the work. Elder Marlin Jensen and his wife, Elder Turley (Assistant Church Historian), and Elder Koilliker (Southeast Africa Area President) came on Wednesday. What a feast of knowledge and spirit. They told us that more than ½ of the people in the church today are first generation “pioneers.” He asked the missionaries how many of them were in that group, and ½ raised their hands! We were encouraged to help retain the new converts. Elder Jensen said we should “Own our converts forever.” This is important all over the Church. The African people (at least those we work with) aren't naturally outgoing, and fellowshipping is a challenge. Elder Blake and I are trying to find ways to encourage more interaction and warmth among members. (Any suggestions?)

Another statement at the conference about missionary work impressed us: “A missionary is someone who leaves their family for a little while so others can be with their family for eternity.” We see so many wonderful convert families with beautiful young children and our prayer for them is that they can get ready and go to the temple to be sealed together. It's quite a process as the closest temple is in Johannesburg South Africa, about 4,000 miles away!

Missionary Friendships – One of our favorite parts of the conference was being with all the young elders and sisters. It's a thrill to all join together and sing the missionary songs: “Hark All Ye Nations” and “Called to Serve.” They look so young to us, (We have grandchildren near their age!) but when they speak or teach with the spirit, a transformation seems to take place and you feel their strength and testimony. // We love the 12 other senior couple missionaries and enjoy sharing ideas and feelings with them. We are making eternal friendships and learning so much from others. Another couple will be leaving tonight to return home to Bountiful, Utah. The tradition is that we all stand outside when they leave and wave white handkerchiefs. Two more couples will leave this month. Couples are need so badly all over the Church. Anyone like to join us here in Africa?

New Branch Leadership – Saturday Elder Blake traveled with President Taylor to Kilili (three hours south of Nairobi) to interview priesthood leaders for a change in the branch presidency and elders' quorum presidency. They left early and returned home late. Sunday Sister Taylor and Sister Blake joined them and we returned to Kilili so the change could be made. It is tricky here in Africa because there are so many cultural and tribal rivalries. It is very important to be in charge and in some branches as many as 30 people have raised their hands to object to a person who has been called to lead! President Taylor has had to explain that they are not voting, but that they are saying whether they agree with who the Lord has called and will sustain them. President Taylor was so warm and appreciative of the outgoing presidency and gave a beautiful explanation of what was happening as the new presidency was called. What could have been a difficult experience went very smoothly and we believe the newly sustained presidency will grow in leadership and do a good job. Our job now is to help with leadership training!

They will be needing a new building soon as two primary groups and all the young men have to meet outside because there are not enough classrooms!

We will be up in the hills most of this week. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Update 2/21/2010

2010-02-22T10:16:00.000-08:00

Report from DR Congo, Africa – We had home evening in our apartment Monday and heard a report from the Public Relations missionaries who had just returned from an assignment in the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the largest countries in Africa. Living and travel conditions there made Kenya sound easy! The exciting part was the extreme growth in the Church in the area. In areas where there aren't even missionaries people have gotten copies of the Book of Mormon and whole groups are coming and wanting to be baptized. It's still amazing to us what is happening in most of Africa despite poverty and corrupt governments. Indeed, as it has been said: This is Africa's Day to Receive the Gospel.

Maize Harvest – Tuesday after class in our far branch, Kilili, we took the “shortcut” through the valley to Kikoko where we were planning to stay the night. On our way we stopped at one of the branch president's areas to help load his maize into the back of our truck and haul it up the mountain where he'll store it to dry and make maize (corn) flour. It was fun working with the president and some of the branch members. After the last load they invited us into their home. They are so proud of it as they have been building it themselves. It was very clean and nice. The kitchen was in the house and consisted of a couple of small charcoal burning stoves. (Usually kitchens are outside in a fire house, covered with corregated tin.) They have one bedroom finished and two more that are not finished yet. In one area they had a turkey sitting on her eggs. They are raising rabbits and turkeys and also have a heifer calf for milk when she gets older. They live on the same shamba as the president's parents and brother's family.

Trip to the Kikoko Hospital - We never know for sure what we'll be doing when we arrive to teach somewhere. Wednesday at Mitini when we arrived to teach we were needed to take a sister to the hospital to get her stitches out. She had had a C-section the week before. She had to climb clear up the hill to the road with the baby; wait at the hospital to be seen, and then walk clear back down to her home. She was so tired we hurt for her but she didn't complain. The baby girl was darling and Sister Blake got to hold her the whole time! We returned to finish our classes. Temple class was teaching about family history and preparing pedigree charts before filling out family group sheets to submit names for temple work. What we thought would be easy turned out to be very difficult for them to understand. When a woman marries, her husband's first name becomes her last name! We will need much more work in coming weeks, but they were very interested and wanting to do their best. Many of them don't know when they were born – often just the year, and sometimes that is a rough estimate. We sent them home to find out information from their relatives regarding names and dates. Even birthdates are hard to pinpoint here! There will have to be a lot of work done for the African saints during the Millenium.

Trip to Pick Up a Bed – Thursday we borrowed President Taylor's truck which doesn't have a shell on the back and drove to Eldoret (5 hour drive north of Nairobi). It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed seeing a different part of Africa. It is a little higher altitude and they were harvesting different crops (potatoes, carrots, peas). It seemed a little more modern and we even saw a pivot sprinkler for large-field sprinkling in one place. The cows were more like we were used to and didn't have the “brama bull humps” on their necks, like cattle we see here; and we saw our first horses that we have seen here. // We had heard about the Great Rift Valley but hadn't seen it and we were able to view it along the way. We enjoyed our visit with Elder and Sister Littlefield in Eldoret. They have a beautiful home rented by the Church. Their mission is over in March and there isn't a new couple coming so they will have to close up part of the home and young Elders will live there. They didn't need the extra bed so we were able to pick it up for use at the Kikoko apartment. Elder Blake was having a “fast food attack” on the way. When we travel in the US, he enjoys stopping along the way to eat. When we go south there isn't anywhere safe to eat but going north we found a little restaurant at the gas station and enjoyed delicious beef stew and scones. What a treat after so many sandwiches on the road!

New Apartment at Kikoko – Saturday afternoon we drove to Kikoko to deliver the bed and a few things to the apartment at Kikoko Girls School. Things weren't quite as ready as we had hoped. We spent the night with no water and the electricity blew out before dark. We thought we'd be okay because we brought a lantern, but it only lasted about 10 minutes. Thank goodness we had a candle. We didn't take our mosquito net because we had purchased a mosquito repeller that plugs into the wall; but with no electricity, well... We just have to remember it is at least safe and friendly there and the landscape is beautiful!

New Beginnings – Sunday we attended Sacrament meeting in Kyambeke. Their main speaker didn't show up so Elder Blake was the speaker. During the sacrament, before he knew he would be speaking, he says that he had inspired thoughts flood into his mind. // After the block, the New Beginnings was held. The Young women sang a beautiful rendition of the YW Theme and then Sister Blake was asked to speak (which wasn't planned!) This was another answer to prayers for inspiration. On our morning walk we had been discussing the story of Esther in the Old Testament and Sister Blake likened the young women to Esther as being born “for such a time as this” in the history of the Church in Africa. We feel so blessed and are reminded of what is says in D & C 100:6: “For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea in the very moment, what ye shall say.”

New Mission President - We have learned that our new mission president in July will be Steven Broadbent, a dentist from North Ogden. Elder Blake served with him in the Weber State University Stake, and thinks very highly of him. We'll miss President and Sister Taylor but will look forward to working with President and Sister Broadbent.

Have a wonderful week. You'll be in our thoughts and prayers!

Update 2/14/2010

2010-02-15T03:07:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day! We are thinking of family and friends with love on this Valentines Day! Sister Blake wore her red jacket to church especially for the occasion. That's about the only celebrating we did as we were away in the back-country hills for two days. It's hard to make the traditional lemon pie with an electric pot that only boils water! Elder Blake wanted to buy a bouquet of beautiful roses that are so plentiful here but we weren't going to be home to enjoy them. We think we'll have a belated celebration later. We did have good news as electricity has finally come to the new apartments at Precious Blood girls' school. They are preparing apartment #5 for us and let us look inside. The floors are raw cement with no floor coverings. The kitchen has one small open cupboard with no front and a very small kitchen counter with a sink about 14” x 12” x 4”. No stove or fridge but maybe we'll buy a propane hotplate. The tiny bathroom is a shower room with the toilet in the same room (cold water only and a very small sink outside the door (no mirror). However, the view is beautiful! The teachers share a shamba and there are watermelons, maze, squash, and beans growing. One of the couples' flats about a five-hour drive north of Nairobi has an extra bed. We hope to drive up this week to get it. We would like to see north of Nairobi as we always go south!

While at Precious Blood a few weeks ago we could hear children singing at a school across the valley. We walked over before leaving for teaching and listened to the children. It was wonderful. They invited us to say a few words of encouragement to the girls (all girls school – about 500 students from preschool to about 13 or 14). Elder Blake stood on a riser and spoke to them encouraging them to study hard and prepare for life. We took pictures. This week we went back over and gave the principal copies to post. She invited us to visit some classes. As we entered each classroom the students would stand and say, “Good morning, sir” and “Good morning, madam.” What an experience!

Leadership Training – Tuesday we held a leadership training in our Kyambeke Branch. We furnished the light breakfast before. We checked with some branch members and found that what they really enjoy is bread. They don't have ovens to bake their own. We took large loaves of white bread and cut them in slices about 2” thick with peanut butter and jelly mixed to put on top. Sister Blake also baked banana bread not know if they would like it because it is sweet. It was a big hit! Elder Blake was lucky to get some after it was over. To drink we had the African version of Sunny Delight.

The conference was nice as we are teaching about having correlation meetings and presidency meetings. They were not having either one. We just have to take things a step at a time to not overwhelm them. They are so willing but it takes several times to get started and see the value of planning/organization meetings.

Mitini Baptism – Saturday we traveled again to help with a baptism for 6 more family members from the Matua area (two sisters and four brothers). What a special day. They were so well prepared and anxious to be baptized. They had to walk about an hour over and an hour home after up and down hills. One of the sisters is the mother of nine children. Her husband had been baptized earlier, and they were so happy that she has learned enough English that now she is ready. The grandfather/patriarch of the clan walks with a cane and he walked all the way there (except for a little ways when we saw him and loaded him in with us as we were driving).We feel the strength of their testimonies. It has been a blessing to us to teach them. They will be strong leaders. Sister Blake was asked, after she arrived, to give the short talk on baptism and confirmation. She's learning to be a “minute-woman” but also learning that she can't do it herself and needs the help of the Spirit. There's a lot of stretching and growing going on here for the missionaries!

High on the Hill – We spent the night in the hills and drove to our highest on the hill branch, Ilima, this morning. It was a beautiful drive which made the bumpy 4-wheel drive in Lo Range not so bad. Sister Blake would never make it if she had to drive! Elder Blake has good experience from driving on the farm. The road is more like a trail but worth the trip. We were met as usual by a group of children. They all want to carry our things down the hill to the church. We spoke at sacrament meeting, then prepared members of an investigator class for their baptism interview. Sister Blake visited Young Women class. They were proud to show her the mangoes they had bottled Saturday. They looked like peaches in the bottles. After church we held a teacher development class. We were tired and ready to go home and they still had other meetings scheduled! They try to accomplish a lot on Sunday when they can so people don't have to walk so far other days.

Prayers - We love the prayers of the people. They are so sincere and you feel like they are praying with child-like faith to a loving Heavenly Father. They almost always pray for us, especially as we travel. We feel the benefit of their prayers and are humbled by them.

Our prayers always include you, our family and friends. We love and appreciate you. Have a good and safe week.

Update 2.7.2010

2010-02-07T19:21:00.000-08:00

Sis. Blake Rebaptized – The week started with a bang as we traveled to our farthest away branch, Kilili. (The picture of the grass huts at the top of our blog was taken on one of our first trips there.) We enjoyed our classes of English, music, investigators, and leadership; then traveled a shortcut through the mountains to Kikoko to spend the night at the girls' school. // On our way we stopped by a small river and dam where early Kilunga Hills church members were baptized before there were any fonts. We walked over to take some pictures of the beautiful green valley and came upon some young boys “skinny dipping.” You should have seen them streak to find their clothes when they saw mzungus taking their picture! While Elder Blake was taking in the beauty of the valley, he about got run over by thirsty cows that charged to the stream to drink. // Across the stream we saw women washing their clothes in the river and hanging them on the bushes to dry. Elder Blake suggested that Sister Blake go down and join them so he could take a picture. Sister Blake, in her missionary clothes and slick shoes, stepped on some wet moss and slid right into the muddy stream, and came up just a sputtering. (An unplanned baptism!) Elder Blake, who was a ways away, didn't know whether to laugh, snap a picture, or rush to pull her out. As it turned out, the wash ladies ran and pulled her out and proceeded to wash off her clothes and shoes as she tried to compose herself. Elder Blake was too busy to help as he and the young African boys were laughing and taking pictures!

Rain, Rain, Go Away – Friday we taught at our branch high on the mountain. We love to see the children there as we have mentioned before. They have been a little shy buy they got brave enough to let Elder Blake give them a little hug. // There are four young men there (all converts, of course, since the church has been there just a few years) who are preparing to go on missions. They take keyboard and conducting class and help teach English. They also have joined the temple preparation class. We feel their strength. Young men have big responsibilities here and rise to the occasion.

It had rained hard in Nairobi before we left in the morning. Later, as we were getting ready to drive home. Thunder, lightning and rain pelted us, and the clay-base road became slick as pudding. Water was just running from the mountain and down the road. The road was like ice skating. Sis. Blake claims to never have prayed so hard for safety in her life. There are no barricades off the side of the road, it's just straight down. We tried to help another car that had gone off the road. I wish I had a picture of Elder Blake holding an umbrella, standing in deep, red mud, and trying to help hook a tow rope to the car. We finally decided it would never work and offered to take the owner to the next town. He didn't dare leave his car for fear the car would be dismembered and carried away by thieves (common practice for abandoned cars) before he got back to it. We never know what to expect when we leave home.

New Prelude Music – Today we attended church in Mitini Branch. They are a very new branch and are still getting organized and learning how things go. They are growing fast and we are trying to help build the new leaders. It's hard when so many have never experienced what a regular church meeting is like. They are so humble and we love attending there. // Wednesday, after music conducting class Sister Blake forgot and left our CD player there. Since they don't have their own CD player (battery operated, of course), they borrowed ours. As we arrived, we heard prelude music being played for the Sacrament Meeting and soon realized they were playing an old Jim Reeves cassette tape we had left in the CD player – featuring “I Love You Because,” “Have You Ever Been Lonely,” “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You,” etc. I guess they thought if the missionaries have the music it must be okay! We're not sure that's on the approved prelude list.

The Good Stuff – There is another group of nine investigators from the Mitini Branch who will be interviewed tomorrow for baptism. We mentioned before about the Matua area and the strong family there. Most of these people are from that family. What a blessing it has been to teach them. They have been hungry for the gospel. One young man from that family, James, was baptized a few months ago and is already planning on a mission and studying everything he can get his hands on. It's humbling to see. The baptism will be next Saturday. Fast and testimony meeting in that branch was wonderful today. Most of the young Aaronic Priesthood young men bore their testimonies. Also, just as a note... the young family that asked Sister Blake to help name their baby is naming her Anna, in honor of “Carol Ann.” It's a special honor.

Elder Blake is busy helping with audits for all the branches and we are working hard on leadership training. Right now that is almost more important than working with investigators. Branches need to be divided, so new leaders are urgently needed. They are eager to learn, but just need to be trained (and retrained) since they are all new to priesthood procedures, church operation, etc.

We love you all. Thanks for your love, letters, and prayers.

Update 2/1/2010

2010-02-01T06:33:00.000-08:00

Missionaries Preparing: There are several young men in our branches preparing for missions. It's exciting to see how spiritually prepared they are and excited to go serve the Lord. The problem is financial preparedness. In the outlying areas the Church has been helping the missionaries for almost the total cost but they are trying to get the families to start planning early as we have had to in our families. There is so much cost involved just to get ready to go – passports, physicals, dental work, clothing and supplies, etc. Again, we are impressed about the importance of those of us in more developed countries contributing to humanitarian, mission, and PEF. We are trying to teach self reliance here but it is difficult when there is no income for some – just subsistence farming!

Good Week: We have enjoyed teaching this week and love the association with the wonderful people. We are learning many lessons! We are trying to do more training of the branch saints to do their own teaching which is a step beyond doing the teaching ourselves. It doesn't work in all cases, but again, we are trying to teach self reliance. They won't always have couple missionaries to help. I had a special invitation this week as one of the young fathers in our Temple Preparation class spoke to me after class. His wife hasn't been there for the last two weeks. They simply do not talk here about maternity things, such as when a woman is due to have a baby; but he said he had a message from his wife and she would like me to name their baby. In their culture they have a Kikamba name and then a Christian name which the wife chooses. It is an honor to be asked to name a baby and I felt that special honor. (I just don't know what name to choose!)

Wedding Anniversary: Saturday was our wedding anniversary and we celebrated Friday by leaving at 5:30 a.m. and going with another couple to Nairobi National Park for a game drive (self-guided safari in our own vehicle). It was a beautiful day with the weather just right. We saw dozens of giant water buffalo (Vicious! And Elder Blake kept getting out of the truck for pictures!), all different kinds of antelope and gazelles, beautiful birds, giraffes, and the crowning sighting, a cheetah. We had stopped at a memorial for the ivory burning (The government is trying to stop elephant poaching which is done for the ivory, so they have a memorial for the burning of all illegal ivory they had collected.) Elder Blake was taking a picture and I saw a large cat-type animal run between two trees. We jumped in the truck and headed that direction just in time to see it bound across the road. As we approached we could see it hiding under some trees. When it saw us watching, it took off. It was huge and beautiful. A sighting is very rare. Of course we couldn't get a picture except in our minds. It made our day.

Sunday at Kilili: We attended church at our farthest away branch, Kilili. As we were sitting in sacrament meeting I looked out the door at the chickens and goats looking in at us and realized that it didn't even seem unique to me. Until then I hadn't noticed the music from the canteena across the street and hadn't even thought about using the pit toilets. I guess we're becoming “Africanized!” The branch choir sang and we were signaled to come up and join them. When I taught the primary leaders about presidency meetings the president said, “We'll do that. We didn't know about it before, but now we'll do it” - and they do! Don't we wish everyone was so willing? We took pictures of the Young Women who have written their testimonies to share with our home ward, and of the Young Men who sit on the steps and teach each other the priesthood lesson each week. We feel greatly blessed to have these wonderful experiences.

Have a wonderful week. We love you.

Update 1/25/2010

2010-01-25T10:43:00.000-08:00

New Experience: On Tuesday we visited our farthest away branch, Kilili, for classes in English, keyboard and investigators. It was an enjoyable day starting very early with travel from Nairobi. Keyboarding has been bogging down a little so we planned a church music program where all students would perform 2 hymns plus we would learn a new hymn to sing at the program. We set a date the end of March after sacrament meeting. I suggested just family be invited but the class chose to invite the whole branch! We'll see how it goes.

After classes we were to pick up some mangoes from Pres. Makiti's home to transport back to Nairobi for a young man there to sell to help pay for his PEF (Perpetual Education Fund) loan. When we went to the president's home women were working there to get the bean seeds out of the shells as he sells them for seeds. Everything is done by hand, even picking up every little seed after they are separated by hand. Then the sorting is done by hand. Sister Blake participated with the sisters and we all enjoyed a good laugh!

Some days are harder than others: We are struggling with teaching English to some who have no English experience. Elder Blake calls them ZEE's (Zero English Experience). One problem is preparing African members to understand how to be the teachers. Another is: Where do you start with so many at different levels? Especially when the same 10-25 people don't show up consistently from one week to the next?? Other classes are going well with a very special group of investigators who are getting close to baptism. They speak enough English to understand and ask good questions. Sister Blake and three young branch missionaries are working together and we almost hate the classes to be over!

Three more days in the hills: Friday we taught in Ilima (highest on the mountain). We are met when they hear our truck approaching by 20-30 little children (when they are out of school) who live near the church. They see and hear us making our way up the mountain in low-range 4-wheel drive for about 20 minutes before we arrive; there are no other vehicles that drive up there. We try not to give treats or we almost get attacked, but this time we couldn't help it. They have so little and sat down and ate the cookies right there. We will pay for it in weeks to come by being mobbed by them and dozens more like them as we arrive but it was worth it.

We had to hurry after class to go to a baptism in Kyambeke Branch. The Branch President called and asked us to see things went well. He was on the way in a matatu (taxi van) to take his brother to the hospital as he had been in an accident that morning in another matatu that had swerved to miss a person in the road and had rolled down the mountain! We saw the accident as we drove by earlier. The baptism went well, though on “African time” as two of the girls who were baptized didn't arrive until 45 minutes after the baptism was scheduled. Elder Blake just started his talk over and we went on. There was a good spirit there and they will be good members. We pray the members will help them feel part of the branch and that they will continue to grow.

We left the baptism to go with Pres. Kaseve from Mitini to visit a new area, Matua, where there are many joining the church and attending Mitini Branch. They are all from one large family. (All but one person in the investigator class belong to this family.) We thought we were just going to see the area but found that the people had all gathered and the women were waiting for us for a relief society meeting and the men were waiting at another home where Elder Blake was announced as the speaker! (We're getting used to this type of surprises... (sort of!) In the R.S.meeting they said something in Kikamba, and the sisters started each giving a few shillings of money to the RS president while someone recorded who contributed. I asked the sister next to me what the money was for and she said it was “fast offerings.” They have so little but they pulled coins from here and there. At the end of the evening they gave the collection to the young mother with a new baby who lived there. (Interesting use of fast offerings but appreciated.) She brought the baby out and gave her to me to hold and you know how much I loved that! They then gave us a tour of the area where all the families lived and Elder Blake took pictures of the families. It's a whole little community belonging to this family and they have joined the Church. They have to walk 40 minutes across a valley and up a mountain each time they go to meeting! It was nearing dark when we finished the very full day. Two young men rode back to Kikoko with us to make sure we didn't get lost (which we appreciated). We were exhausted and almost on overload with all that we had experienced.

Another Water Turnover: The Church turned over another water bore hole in our Kilili area. The celebration wasn't quite as large, but the branch choir sang (which included Elder and Sister Blake). They requested that I wear my bright flowered dress so I could “fit in.” The people are so appreciative of the water. As they said “Water is life.” We understand more now.

We spent two nights in a row at Precious Blood so we didn't have to drive back to Nairobi before speaking in sacrament meeting in the hills on Sunday where those who were baptized were confirmed. We were happy to arrive home safely Sunday evening for a hot shower and good bed! Our bath in Kikoko was standing in a dishpan size tub of hot soapy water (heated in our cooking pot) and scrubbing and then stepping into another tub of rinse water and using a cup to pour over and rinse the soap off. It was quite an experience but better than we thought it would be! At least there was water.

Our love to you all. Have a good and safe week.

Update 1/16/2010

2010-01-16T06:36:00.000-08:00

“...Sleep tight, Don' let the bedbugs bite.” This little phrase we have said to our children over the years has a whole new meaning to us now! Elder Blake's legs look like a hoard of hungry mosquitoes had a feast. We didn't know what was wrong until someone mentioned bedbugs and in looking on the Internet the welts looked just like his legs. We think they were in the old mattress under the foam pad at Precious Blood. He tried sleeping on that to see if it worked better and they must have been hiding out waiting for him! They must not like me (and I'm grateful). We are now prepared with a chemical spray given to missionaries. We are to spray everything and then let it dry three hours. We will use it Tuesday when we go again. Watch out bedbugs!(You don't want to see pictures of this!)

“You're going to buy what on that street corner?!” Elder Blake's mission suit is ready for retirement. This is its third mission (given to him by Brother Bergeson's wife when he passed away after their mission to South America) and the fabric is going the way of all old cloth. He didn't think he'd use it much here and he enjoyed the light, cool fabric. I gave him a certificate for Christmas for a new one. On the way home last week we saw a man, along side of the road, with suits laid out on the ground – pants on one side and coats on the other. We pulled off the road (the best we could) and Elder Blake went to investigate while I waited in the truck and prayed no one would run into us! They measured his legs, waist, etc., tried on several coats, chose a likely one, and then began to dicker on price. We had heard that “Mzungus” (white people) are charged way more than native people, but Elder Blake can bargain with the best of them. The result is a nice new suit (at a good price) which Sister Blake took in and up, gave a good press job, and is ready for church tomorrow. “Merry Christmas” Elder Blake. (We wish we had pictures of this event!)

Best part of the week. Wednesday we had one of the most rewarding, spiritual days of teaching on our mission. Elder Blake has been training members to teach each other English (to learners on different speaking levels). Wednesday the new teachers were with their groups separated into three competency levels in different corners of the room and having a wonderful time teaching while Elder Blake enjoyed watching them. Sister Blake taught investigators and showed them the Restoration DVD. The spirit was so strong that they didn't want to leave when the class was over. // As we were ending, another man came. Elder Blake met him a week ago as he was trying to get his daughter enrolled in Precious Blood school. He'd invited him to the branch and he had shown up. I had to go teach a music class but the YSA branch missionaries whom we have been training taught the investigator class again to this man and the rest of the class stayed to hear it again! It was a perfect experience to show them what the spirit feels like.

Watching over us. On our way home we stopped down the road a little ways to get organized and get out our lunch (it was time by 3:00!). As we were just getting started again our phone rang. It was the branch president. Someone had called him to tell him we were stopped on the road and he wanted to know if we were okay. They take such good care of us. (We must seem awfully old to them :) ) We feel blessed.

Another blessing. Our son, Scott, had emergency back surgery this week and is healing well (although not as fast as he would like). They were blessed as the neurosurgeons they needed were available and they were able to perform the surgery that very day. Our prayers are that he will continue to get better. How we love all of our family and keep them always in our prayers.

We wish family and friends a good week!

Update 1/8/2010

2010-01-09T04:22:00.000-08:00

Challenges and Blessings: The clutch on our truck went out. (Not good!) The blessing was that it happened while we were in town and not in the mountains somewhere! They let us use a little gray one but we're glad our white one with the cattle guard is now repaired.

The Girls Came Back: Holiday is over and the 420 girls at Precious Blood School started to return last Tuesday. Some couldn't get back on time because of a matatu (small bus) strike. We were concerned that we wouldn't be able to stay when they returned, but Sister Mary Joyce made us feel welcome, at least for now. She's hoping the electricity will come soon to the new apartments where she has indicated we can rent a flat when they are ready. (We don't know when that will be! “African time” can be very long.)

Temple Preparation Class: We started this class in the first branch this week. If things go well we hope to take a group to the Johannesburg temple the end of June. We told them we had been sealed in the temple 46 years ago this month! That was unbelievable to them. (We can hardly believe it's been that long ourselves.) The flight to Johannesburg is four hours from here. The church “First Time Temple Attenders” fund helps pay for the trip when they cannot afford it and the nearest temple is so far away. We would pay our own way to accompany them.

Investigator Class: We're starting new classes and had two mothers, each with five children, in our class in one branch and three adult brothers and their sister-in-law in another branch. There was a special spirit in these meetings. They spoke minimal English but we seemed to be able to communicate with the help of young single adults members in both branches. They enjoyed the story of Christ's visit to the Nephites and His blessing of the children, read first in the picture storybook and then in the scriptures. . The brothers and sister-in-law live in a valley where people from a small church there are joining the church in groups. It reminds us of experiences in early church history when whole congregations were prepared and just waiting to hear the gospel.

I practice my Kikumba on them by telling them “weka nessa” (well done) or asking them their name “wetta-whatta.” They laugh at my funny accent but it breaks the ice and we have a good time.

English Class: Elder Blake makes teaching English fun for the teachers and students. They practice alphabet sounds, words, and actions such as: stand up, sit down, turn around, and walk, etc. He works with them to use their diaphragm to talk louder as their culture is to speak softly. We can hear them hollering in the other classroom and having a good time. This is so important as they cannot be baptized without English here.

Keyboards Arrived: There is excitement in the branches as we are beginning to distribute the 10 new keyboards. In the new branch we are still teaching music conducting in preparation for keyboarding. We have a good time as we clap and count and try to teach correct rhythm. It's hard work (harder for some than for others!) but we tell them to practice and it will be worth it. The Harmon grant that provides keyboards generously is wonderful.

We get tired, but we love this wonderful missionary work and are being blessed in so many ways. Best wishes to all of you and know we are thinking of you.

Update 1/2/2010

2010-01-02T06:20:00.000-08:00

Christmas and New Years week . . . where has everyone gone?? Streets and roads not crowded; people more laid-back – always a cheerful greeting of “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Year!” Majority of people have “gone up-country,” which means out to their native villages for the holidays.

Last Sunday we attended Kyambeke Branch. The Young Women wrote their testimonies to send to our home ward and we took pictures of them and their leaders outside the church to send home with the testimonies. What a fun experience. It was also the last Sunday at church for Claire, our good friend who has helped us so much with our teaching here. She bore her testimony and said good-by to the branch. She is the first missionary in her family and the first young woman missionary from the branch and will be going to Uganda. Her feelings were tender. There are nine children in her family.

Tuesday night we stayed at Precious Blood (for the last time before the 420 girls return to school!), and then drove to Mitini Wednesday for a big ceremony. / LDS Charities does so much for the people here and they had completed a water project for the community which purifies the water and pumps it clear up a hill to be available for people to use right at the village crossroad. The whole village came to celebrate including the tribal chief and government dignitaries (in their Kenyan military uniforms) from all over. And do they know how to celebrate! They had set up shade awnings and used the Mitini Branch chairs. The program was two pages long and lasted from 9:30 a.m. (which included a walk down the hill and back to see the actual water site) and ended at 2:00 before starting the lunch! There was music and native dancing from the Tribe and local churches. Mitini Branch choir sang a spirited “Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel.”

The villagers are so appreciative for the water. We see women carrying large barrels of water on their backs - so heavy they are bent way forward, their chins about the height of their knees, up hills and long distances. We'll never take water for granted again. When Elder Esplin (LDS Charities Missionaries) spoke he explained to the people that the money used to provide the water didn't come from rich people, but from many people all over the church who gave small amounts because they want to help. The Humanitarian Fund of the church is blessing the lives of many people all over the world. When we put the money in the contribution envelope we see here that it is being used wisely and helping where it really is needed!

After the ceremony we took Claire back to Nairobi to be set apart by President Taylor for her mission. It was tender time for her as she left her family and friends. We took pictures and there were a few tears shed. She and friend Michael - a convert of 14 months, age 24 - have been teaching all the investigators in two of the branches for the past year+, which accounts for most of the baptisms. Michael is expecting his mission call any day now. They both will be sorely missed by the branch presidents and new members. // We made it back to Nairobi in time for her interview and Elder Blake assisted as she was set apart. She will be a wonderful missionary but there are great changes ahead for her; from living in a small village with no electricity or running water and never being out of the country to flying in an airplane to South Africa and three weeks in the M.T.C. She stayed with us for the night and was so nervous she didn't sleep. We took her to the airport Thursday at 5:00 a.m.

Thursday was New Years Eve and we had a progressive dinner and games with the couples. It was fun but being "very old" as we are, we celebrated an hour or so before midnight! New Years Day we visited a giraffe center and a crocodile farm just outside of Nairobi. They said that giraffe saliva is sterile, so a kiss would be okay; but hugging and feeding by hand was plenty for me!

"Happy Birthday" to Devan on Sunday and a "Happy New Year" wish to family and friends. We love and appreciate you all.

Update 12.26.2009

2009-12-26T10:41:00.000-08:00

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!)

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!

We saw many animals, like on National Geographic, including elephans 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, vervet black faced monkeys, giraffes, zebras, hippos, impalas, Thompson gGazelles, Common Watgerbuck, dik diks (little tiny deer -looking animals about the size of pigmy 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 Maasai 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

2009-12-16T19:18:00.000-08:00

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!

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, delapidated 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 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. After the baptisms were complete and all the people had reassembled int he 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.

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

2009-12-09T22:40:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-09T21:27:00.000-08:00

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!

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

2009-12-05T00:31:00.000-08:00

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 isthard 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 beef 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.

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!