Update 9.27.2010

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!

Brother Joseph Teaching Music Conducting

 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.)

Sisters Broadbent, Boneface, Kaseve and Blake at Mitini Conference

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!

Chania Falls in Abedare

Sister Blake "Filling her Reservoir"

     

Guess Who Came to our Picnic

Pioneer Scouter Baden Powel Cemetery

 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

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.

Hyena Pups

Warthog

     

     

 Jackel                                                                    Hippo on a Stroll    

Eagle on a Thorn Tree

Grazing Wildabeasts

       

Hunting Lioness

Mom and Baby Elephant

     

Grants Gazelles

African Buffalo

     

Giraffes and Zebras at the Waterhole

The Illusive Mt. Kilamanjaro

     

Elder and Sister Byrd - Rosemary (Sis. Byrd's Sister) and Blakes

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

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!

        

                                                             Mitini Baptism at Kyambeke

Papa John with Wife at Baptism

Elder Blake, Young Missionaries and Branch Leaders w/New Convert Brothers

            

                                          

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.

Moving Van :)  

Cart Picking Up Water for Family

      

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

Update 9.6.2010

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.

Marriage of Bro. and Sis. Maneno w/Blakes and Bishop Kyulu 

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. 

Walking back up hill from Francis Home

Missionaries Teaching Francis Son in Yard

        

Francis Daughters, "How much longer are they going to be talking in there?"

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

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.

Bomas of Kenya - Traditional Home

Masai Warriors

     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.”

Finding Baptism Blothes

"Waters of Mormon" at Kyambeke

      

Younger Group Baptized

Older ZEE's Baptized!

      

RS Sisters Washing Baptism Clothes

Baptism Clothes and Towels Hung out to Dry

      

Baptism Clothes Drying After Church!

Elder B Resting While Baptism Clothes Washed!

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

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. 

Family in Matua Watching Joseph Smith Story (Note Portable Battery DVD Player)

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.

Margareg in Blue with Sister B, Phidelis and Catherine

We love the little bare feet!

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.

Sis. Blake, Sis. Elizabeth and Sis. Jackson w twins

Elder Blake, Bro Jackson & Children w/Sis. Elizabeth

      

Elder Blake Showing Children their Pictures on Phone

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.

Sister Elizabeth and Extended Family

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!

     

RS Sisters Baking Cookies First Time Ever     - Charcoal Oven (One Per Each Branch)

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.

Above and Below - All Africa Helping Hands Day

              

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.