Kyambeke branch had their branch Christmas Party on Thursday.  Every auxiliary presented but the Relief Society put on a play and it was just hilarious and I just have to share.

This is King Herod and his guards with a sheep before they entered the church.

The Angel appearing to the Shepherds (notice the sheep)

The Wise Men being led by the Star (flashlight)

The Wise Men greeting Baby Jesus

Mary and Joseph with Baby Jesus with Sister Bernice doing the narration

December 17, 2012

For family night the couples put together 10 beautiful plates of Christmas treats and took them around to different apartments close by.  We sang "We wish you a Merry Christmas" and handed them the plates.  It was so fun and the response was wonderful.  One lady came to the door with a shower cap and a big towel wrapped around her and she said "Oh don't go away I'll be back".  She came back quickly all dressed and was so happy with the plate and the visit.  Oh it was just fun and we all laughed.  I bet it was quite a sight for them to open their door and see 12 white people and singing no less.    

Sister Harris is  one of three artists serving mission with their spouse.  She painted the pictures hanging on the wall and she also made all the cards we took around for Christmas.  She is very talented and just as sweet.

December 8th 2012

Today is the first day we have had to really work at home and get caught up.  This past week we had Relief Society and Branch Presidency training at each branch with our other classes.  In my training I really tried to emphasize how important it is to prepare the families to store some of their harvest.  “Prepare as if there will be a drought next harvest”. The Relief Society President in Kyambeke said “Sister Hall you don’t understand the harvest looks good for January but we only get enough food to feed our families for four to five months.  There is not enough food to save for the next harvest”.    I feel foolish and embarrassed because I really don’t comprehend all their burdens and trials.  In Bruce’s training he focused on reviewing the past year and use it to set goals and plan for the new year.    It was a good week but happy to have a break.  Tomorrow we are headed for Mitini and we will see Primary Program.  

This is Emily's Tailor Shop.  She is teaching Lucy how to sew.  She is holding up a paper blouse she has made.  Emily told me you learn to sew everything with paper first then cloth.  Emily always looks fancy.

This man is plastering and then he hand draws the lines on the wall to make it look like bricks or blocks.  He will do this all around the house.

Posters  advertising our activity with the youth.  Hope it goes well.

Big baptism and great spirit.

This is a Tutut.  Very few found in Nairobi but big in Machokos. Machokos is where we stop for a Chipati each Tuesday on the way to Kilili. 

 Old missionaries leaving us

 New missionaries joining us

Cute sleeping Elders coming into Nairobi for transfers. This ones for you Moms!

December 3, 2012

The last of November was family visits and again it was a priceless experience.  We treasure these memories.  We did a lot of climbing up the mountainside and I think I’m getting stronger.  Each day, the weather was pleasant and coolish and that helped.  We would come home very tired and happy when it was time to climb into bed.  Saturday we again traveled out to the Hills for the baptism of five youth and nine adults (from three branches).   The men, who were baptized, speak English and will be such an added force to their area.  Wow it is growing so fast.  I just get so happy and the spirit is strong at these meetings.  Our Elders are just the best.  Transfers were Saturday and although we are losing four wonderful elders, we are also gaining four more and this will be the group of elders that we will spend Christmas with out in the Hills.  It will be an amazing day. 

We had a special surprise last Friday when Johannesburg Temple sent an email to the office saying because of  a cancellation there was an opening December 27^th for the Mitini/Kyambeke Temple Group.  So we must quickly apply for Visa’s and get the family histories updated.  I am elated and Bruce is pretty overwhelmed but we both know it is a blessing that will conclude our mission.  

Members from Ilima picking up their relief food at the Kyambeke Chapel.  Athough they had to carry it up steep hills to their homes, they we so happy to get food.

 These are the four future missionaries waiting for their calls.

Some of our favorite family visit pictures in November

November 26th 2012

Last Monday we put together our first history book.  It was pretty exciting and by Thursday we had 11 completed.   We still have more to bind but we can only do it when it’s our Prep Days.  We are so happy and feel relieved.  Now we just have a lot of person histories to type us but they will continue to come in until the last of December. 

This week was Thanksgiving and Couples Mission Conference.  All the couples came in from their areas.  Some drove, others had to fly in.  Some came for five days others just three.  We enjoyed everyone so much and it was fun and inspiring.  Thursday we ate great food and Friday we met together for our meetings.   Those of us who live in Nairobi, tried to take others to fun places and do a little sightseeing on Wednesday and Saturday.  Three couples wanted to come with us to Kilungu Hills Sunday for church.  We were more than happy to show off our people as we visited the Kyambeke Branch.  By the time everyone left for home Sunday night, Bruce and I were really tired but it was an added sweet experience to our mission. 

 The collected history of Kilunga and Kilili Branches is finally copied and bound and ready to read.   I was almost as happy as delivering a new baby and Bruce was maybe more happy

 When it rains the termites come out full force.  The Kenyon's love to eat them live. This young man was collecting them at the church and he was just so pleased with his treasure.

 

Singing the KNM song with the Broadbents and the Assistants at our Couples Mission Conference.

Some of us visited the Kenya Nairobi Museum on Saturday.  It was wonderful ( smelled clean too)

November 18th 2012

Ilima’s Primary Program was so great.  After the Primary President said her introduction the children ran the show.  All talks were memorized and the many songs were clear, loud, and led by different children.  They get nervous and start going fast but it was so enjoyable to watch and listen.  This year’s theme “Choose the Right” was such an important one for life.  These kids love primary and the gospel.  While the program was going on, the rain poured down outside and everyone was happy because it means the shambas will continue to grow.  By the time we started home the sun was out and the roads weren’t too bad.

This week we received a needed and appreciated text from a young man from Kyambeke branch.  He has been home from his mission to Uganda for 16 months and is serving as the Elders Quorum President (oh yes and he is in love but until he talks with her father it is a secret).  I want to share it on the blog so I will have it always.

“It was such a great day for us today priesthood class was awesome Matthew 25 has never been as live to us as it became today, family classes have become indispensable to us last week’s lesson was not only teaching us about forgiveness but it also served as a healer of our hearts. Today it was another great strength to our families. Thank you so much Onesmus” 

Our hearts were so full and encouraged.  Sometimes you are not sure you are making a difference.

Ilima Primay after their program.  The rain had finally cleared.

Bruce feeding the monkeys Saturday as we were on a morning walk at the Arboretum Park.

November 12th 2012

 It is Cowboy Dean’s birthday today.  We have been blessed with great son-in-laws that are just right for the girl/daughter they married.  We love all four of them.  Happy Birthday Dean, I’ll buy you some cold Chocolate Milk when we get home!

I keep saying the History is about finished but it really is, twenty four pages of history information and seventy-five pages of pictures.  We have had it edited and check and rechecked.  We have hit a snag because we need to combine the two (information with pictures).   Hopefully we can find someone to help us.  We have 163 personal histories all typed and in branch books so little by little we are bringing things to a close.  We don’t talk about coming home a lot even though we have seven weeks left.  Other couples say it is so bitter sweet and we can already feel that.  Classes are going really well and we appreciate their commitment to come each week.  Shamba’s/gardens are growing and we hope moderate rain will continue for them.  We sure love the saints and have a great respect for them.

This little girl is Purity, her sister Marcie is to the side.  You have probably seen her on our blog before.  Her mother made this doll for her and she loves it so much.  Her mother is confused in the head but is expecting her ninth baby very soon.  It is a sad situation.  Because she is the oldest girl, Purity is given so much work.  She doesn't get to go to school because there is no money for school fees.  When there is money the brother go. 

We have come to love the different types of trees and their great colors

This first tree is the closest thing to a pine tree in Utah.

These are the Kenya skys as the rain rolls in.  As we drive I just love to watch the clouds and how they change.  I hope I can remember how amazing they are.

October 30th 2012

This weekend we went on another 2 ½ hour Saturday morning walk, worked on histories, went to Niavasha for Sunday and attended a Public Affair Banquet with Kenya dignitaries and Church representatives from South Africa.   It seems that our missionary experiences have such great contrasts.  Today, Tuesday we went visiting at Kilili, visiting 3 homes. The conditions were so meager; some were ill, one was blind and two with new born babies.  There has been some church relief food but there is no rain relief in sight for their shamba’s/gardens.  We shared the 13 Articles of Faith Card with them and Brother John helped with some translation.   We left to return to Nairobi feeling helpless and sad.  President Broadbent told us we were not here to overcome poverty but to strengthen them with the gospel, but as we drove into the nice apartment compound in Nairobi I just felt selfish.   We have been without electricity for two days now and we think we have it hard.   

Tonight another couple is headed for home.  We will have a dinner at the Broadbent’s before they leave for the airport tonight at 9:00. 

The apartment compound we live in at Nairobi

Looking out our back window

After a three hour drive to Kilili, you see a real extreme comparison in life-style

The long basket hanging from the tree is the kitchen cupboard and on the right side is a new goat barn

First child born to this mother and she has little food and asked for a hat (called monkey face hat)for the baby.  I got her two.

 An older sister who is having trouble breathing. Her daughter has no money to go to the dispensary. She showed me a large sore in her mouth. I'm sure she needs her tooth pulled out. 

Very young mother with her mother-in-law and new baby.  The mother in-law delivered the baby in their hut.