Thursday, January 28, 2010

Saturday there was one baptism. We had no water from the city for a few days, so we went to the resort and he was baptized in their pool. Fortunately there were not rowdy swimmers at that time. Sunday I spoke in Sacrament meeting.

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Monday is normally preparation day, but we decided to go to Busia instead. Tom met with the Branch President, clerk, and later a counselor. He helped them with the branch list and getting the records up to date. I worked with the relief society president discussing visiting teaching and how to get the sisters to do it. They all want the President to come and visit them. I think the tradition in Africa is the the Chief does it all. So it is a learning curve to learn that everyone helps out. And many think they can't teach if they are not a trained teacher, so again, the process is to teach that everyone is a teacher. "How did you learn to make ugali?" "From my mother." "See you are a teacher. You are teaching your children many things." It was a new concept.

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I drove most of the way home from Busia. I thought I did okay, but it was a bit stressful for Tom. I'd forgotten what it was like to be in the left seat for the first time. He'd say, "You are really close to the left side." I'd check my mirror and see a foot or two of asphalt and think, no, I'm okay. But from his side, you can't see the pavement. It seems like you are nearly off the edge and really close to the bicyclists. And there were probably times where we were really close to the cyclists. But we survived-- and I drove all the way through town, too.

Tuesday we went to see Brother John's school. I interviewed him for a story about his work. He started this preschool under an awning in a back yard. Gradually it's improved to its own lot and metal building made of scrap materials. They have benches, dirt floor, and posters made from recycled potato bags. But they are well designed and the children are happy.
The children in this school are from ages 3-6. They are trying to expand the school into two rooms. They also want a "loo" or latrine (currently they need to borrow a neighbors or use the woods) and they want a fence around the school to keep the kids in and the tuktuks (3 wheel cars) out. Money is always a problem. These children are the poorest of the poor-- orphans, abandoned, single parent. But they are learning and are graduating to go to regular school.

The truck continues to fascinate. Most places don't have mirrors and so the reflection of themselves is fascinating! Whenever we get back into the truck, Tom has to adjust the mirrors. The one little girl is cleaning the dust off the window.

After visiting John's school we went to see Evelyn, an investigator. I shared my conversion story. I told her I was raised Presbyterian and really wasn't looking for a new religion. But when the missionaries came, they talked about the prophets God sent in the Old Testament to teach, warn, and share God's word with His children. Do we still need the Lord's guidance? Yes. Does he love us less than he loved his children in the Old Testament? No. Then doesn't it make sense he would send prophets again to teach, warn and guide? Yes it did. But it was new and strange doctrine.
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But when I was younger, I'd told myself if I had lived in Jesus time, I would have listened. I wouldn't have been like the Pharisees and Sadducee's who were so concerned with tradition and what they thought a Messiah would be like that they missed the spirit whispering the truth. So I couldn't just dismiss this strange idea out of hand. The missionaries had a way for me to find out for myself if this was true. The Book of Mormon, they said, was translated by Joseph Smith. If I read it, and prayed about it, and the Lord said it was God's word-- then Joseph Smith must be a prophet of God, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must be Christ's church restored, once again, back on the earth. So I took their challenge-- read, and prayed-- and the Holy Spirit confirmed it was true. I've followed that truth and it has been a tremendous blessing in my life. I am a much better person for the teachings I've learned. I know it is true.
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Evelyn is a neat lady. She's spiritual. And she needs to find out for herself, too. It was fun visiting her. We came home and prepared to teach Institute that night. We have about 12 students and they are eager to learn.
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Wednesday we had district meeting. Tom spent much of the afternoon updating records. I worked on getting Seminary enrollment going. We celebrated the evening by watching a DVD movie and eating popcorn.
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Thursday Tom worked on an audit for the branch. My cleaning lady was supposed to come on Wednesday, but she was sick and so I AAKKK had to clean the house myself. I might have waited, but the winds blow the dust in... and President Taylor and his wife (Mission President) were coming to visit. He did interviews, and she and I had a great visit. We fed them Carbinara-- Thank you Rebecca for a great recipe-- and had wonderful conversation. Now it's late. So I will go to bed.

1 comment:

  1. I loved reading about how you gained your testimony of the gospel--you seem to have had a lot of experiences that help you understand the people you're working with and how to reach them and help them. A mission is such an amazing thing. Sounds like you guys are having a great time!

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