October 29, 2011

A picture of the Kyambeke market from a distance, you can see the LDS Chapel it is blue. They are so proud it was all freshly painted.

Today we stayed in Nairobi and I was able to go to the Women's Conference, the first in Kenya. Sister Wendy Nelson, President Russell M. Nelson's wife was the main speaker. We also heard from the Area Presidents wife and also Elder Carl B Cooks wife, (they lived in Plain City at one time). It was a wonderful morning and experience for me as I needed the words of encouragement and comfort. The priesthood leaders met in the morning and then the Area authorities and Elder Russell talked at a Young Single Adult meeting at 3:00.

This evening we were able to go to a very fancy dinner at the Serna Hotel. The area church office had made arrangement to invite officials and dignitaries from Kenya to attend the dinner and meet with the church leaders. A wonderful presentation and video was shown "Strong Families build Strong Nations. Elder Russell M. Nelson then talked and in a calm and very matter-of-fact way, summarizing the proclamation of the family. We were then led into a beautiful dining area and served a nice dinner. We were all seated by people we didn't know but by the end of the meal we had been able to connect with each other. Tomorrow Elder Nelson will speak at the Stake Conference here in Nairobi. We will leave early hoping we can get a seat. I don't know if Carl Cook will speak or not, he spoke at the priesthood session but he didn't come to the formal dinner. It has been a great day and again a great opportunity to be with an Apostle of the Lord and feel his spirit.

* We did get a seat and really enjoyed the Sunday Meeting. Dad and I both took notes during the meeting. He typed them up and we’d like to send them to our children. He told the members they would never prosper until they started to be honest tithing payers. He also told them of things they must teach their children. The members filled the chapel and the gym and they sang to him and his wife as they left outside. The Church in Kenya will continue to grow. I feel the world will see great things happen here.

At Ilima, the Relief Society President Elisabeth,is wonderful and strong. She helped plan a day for the sisters to write their historys. Aren't the sister wonderful. Most all of them attended to our Teacher Development Class first.

That evening we were able to go to a very formal dinner with the "Big Names" This is Elder and Sister Lurf and Elder and Sister Byrd. The Bryds are leaving in 3 week and they have been such a ray of sunshine and comfort to us. We love them and will miss them deeply.

Just a sweet sister at the conference. Doesn't she just glow. The sisters loved being there and hearing from these wonderful ladies.

First Women's Conference in Kenya These are the wives of Elder Nelson, the Area Presidency, Uganda Mission President, and Sister Broadbent. I got in trouble for taking this picture, I didn't know you don't take pictures of important people.