This last Sunday was our last chance to go and visit the saints in Busia. It was a bitter-sweet day. The branch is growing. (picture of a baptism earlier in the year.)
There were about 60 people there. They are godly people trying to do what is right. We enjoyed the testimony meeting. Elder Fox taught the Elders Quorum and I taught Relief Society. The sisters participated and seemed to grasp the gospel principles. Those who have attended the temple have deepened their faith and are leading the branch. They are starting a new Temple Preparation Class so others can ready themselves to go to the temple. (One member brings all his family in this pickup.)
After the regular block of meetings, they met to wish us farewell. Oh. They were so grateful for all we had done. They reminded us of how small they were when we first came and how they struggled. They told how we’d uplifted them and taught them and blessed their lives. They only imagined and dreamed of going to the temple… and now they’ve done it. Some spoke of the struggle to go on a mission, of almost giving up, but through our encouragement, they made it. . Two are going, and two more are working to go—knowing it IS possible. This is Glory whose going to the NY, NY South mission.
And Robinson (in the vest) with other current and future missionaries.
President Odero recommended families name babies after us—and introduced Tom Freeman Imende, named after Elder and Sister Freeman who served about 12 years ago in Nairobi and blessed their lives when they were new converts. They sang: God be With You ‘Til We Meet Again. (This is Pres Odero and his family and Pres and Sis. Broadbent.)
It was rewarding. As we drove to Busia, we were looking at all the things we were leaving unfinished and still struggling. And we wondered…. Have we really done much since we’ve been here? So it was nice to hear we’d made a difference. ***(pretend the astrisks are paragraph breaks. For some reason blogger won't let me put in paragraphs today.) - It was also important for us to remember this was really gratitude to the Lord. One said, “you were heaven-sent to bless us.” That is really where the praise and gratitude should go. We were just His messengers sent to act as He would act… which we did MUCH less perfectly than He would have. But we’ve learned and grown. We, too, have gained love, faith, trust in God, understanding of gospel and administrative principles, and maybe even some patience. ***(pg) - Still, it was very nice to have so many people say “Thank You!”
There were about 60 people there. They are godly people trying to do what is right. We enjoyed the testimony meeting. Elder Fox taught the Elders Quorum and I taught Relief Society. The sisters participated and seemed to grasp the gospel principles. Those who have attended the temple have deepened their faith and are leading the branch. They are starting a new Temple Preparation Class so others can ready themselves to go to the temple. (One member brings all his family in this pickup.) 
After the regular block of meetings, they met to wish us farewell. Oh. They were so grateful for all we had done. They reminded us of how small they were when we first came and how they struggled. They told how we’d uplifted them and taught them and blessed their lives. They only imagined and dreamed of going to the temple… and now they’ve done it. Some spoke of the struggle to go on a mission, of almost giving up, but through our encouragement, they made it. . Two are going, and two more are working to go—knowing it IS possible. This is Glory whose going to the NY, NY South mission. 
And Robinson (in the vest) with other current and future missionaries. 
President Odero recommended families name babies after us—and introduced Tom Freeman Imende, named after Elder and Sister Freeman who served about 12 years ago in Nairobi and blessed their lives when they were new converts. They sang: God be With You ‘Til We Meet Again. (This is Pres Odero and his family and Pres and Sis. Broadbent.) 
It was rewarding. As we drove to Busia, we were looking at all the things we were leaving unfinished and still struggling. And we wondered…. Have we really done much since we’ve been here? So it was nice to hear we’d made a difference. ***(pretend the astrisks are paragraph breaks. For some reason blogger won't let me put in paragraphs today.) - It was also important for us to remember this was really gratitude to the Lord. One said, “you were heaven-sent to bless us.” That is really where the praise and gratitude should go. We were just His messengers sent to act as He would act… which we did MUCH less perfectly than He would have. But we’ve learned and grown. We, too, have gained love, faith, trust in God, understanding of gospel and administrative principles, and maybe even some patience. ***(pg) - Still, it was very nice to have so many people say “Thank You!”
Well done, thou good and faithful servants! You have done so much good work. Your influence will be felt for years to come. We are so proud of you and so happy to call you friends!
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