Update 7.26.2010

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!

Ilima Children Want to Carry Bags down to Church

 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.

Girls Carrying Water

Carving Canoe of One Log

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.

          

         

        

       

Top two photos - Native Woodcarvers; Next two Sister B with children in English Class and Log boat in ocean; Next two Elder Blake with Sister Blake and Sister McBride wading in Indian Ocean and Elder B showing a Bomas or cattle enclosure made of sharp tumble weed type bushes; Last two are a large Termite Mound and one of many trucks found on side of road as we traveled.

Have a wonderful week! We love you.

Update 7.19.2010

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.

Kilili Choir Practice/Mzungu Tenor

Sister Mikiti w/Elder Blake - Tangerines

  

Sister Mikiti w/ Sister Blake and Helper - Beans

Kilili Primary Class

        

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. 

Elder and Sister Byrd w/Sister Blake at Jogo Market

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

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.

Dinner with the Elders

Chicken in Sack for Dinner

 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.
  

Dominic Kaseve's Mission Call/ With Father, President Kaseve of Mitini Branch

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?

Craftsmen Outside Chyulu Missionary Flat

Children Outside Chyulu Missionary Flad

 Little by Little/Small Successes – Sunday we took Elder and Sister Byrd (new missionaries from Blanding, UT – Dad Blake, 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.

Bro. Jackson, Ilima Branch - Church Transportation

Collecting Water in Dry Season

Water Transport If They Are Lucky!

Children Want to Carry Bags Down Hill to Church

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

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.

President and Sister Taylor with Sister Randall

 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.

Precious Blood Menu Every Night - Shared w/Us

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.

Loaded Matatu

Nunguni Market Day

    

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

Update 6/24/2010

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).
    
                         Sister Florence with President Onesmus and Sister Florence's Family
    

                           New Mitini Converts and Wives and Sister Blake With Wives

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. 

     

                             Mitini Branch Presidency and Refreshments Being Served at the Celebration

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 school 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. 

President and Sis. Makiti

April, G'ma Ruth Makiti, Makitis, Their Son and Daughter

     

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! 

Add caption

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! 

     

                       Anthony's New Home and Baby With CTR Necklace

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!

Home made African Soccer Ball

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

Update 6.12.2010

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. 

Future RS Sisters!

           

    

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

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!

Elder Berg, Dominic, Gerald, Elder Jackson, and President Simon of Ilima

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!

Sister Blake w/Chyulu RS Sisters

Baobab Tree

       

Sharp Glass on Top of Fense

Church Sponsored Water Pump

     

Boy Pumping Much Needed Water

Makatano Church and District Office - Chyulu Area

 “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.

Babies in new knitted dressed w/ Moms

More loved CTR bracelet recipients

 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.