September 25, 2012

Casey and Alyson arrived Thursday evening and it is so wonderful to have a little bit of home here with us in Kenya. We have been keeping them busy.

Sunday everyone at Kyambeke branch wanted their picture with the special guests

Monday on the way out to Kilili our truck rolled of 100,000 Kilometers WOW that's a lot of driving.

We visited with the Davis family before their children left for boarding school.  They have two on missions.

We shared lunch at Sister Jackie's home

When we arrived back at the Kilili Church building, Sister Phylis Morris presented Alyson with a woven basket. Everyone wanted to be a part of the action. 

September 17th 2012

Bruce was teaching a Temple Class lesson on Thursday at Kyambeke branch and the spirit was so strong I didn’t want him to stop for the next class.  I just love it when that happens.  The class was leaning forward with interests and asking some great question.  I have a testimony that we learn from the Spirit of the Holy Ghost but Bruce was definitely working with him that day.  He does a great job and he is very humble. 

I think I have mentioned it before but we are so pleased and excited with the response we get about from Family Class. So many of the members have never experienced a home where the parents are united and the father takes part in being with the family.

*It’s our turn for family night tonight.  I made chocolate snicker-bar cupcakes and we are serving ice cream (it’s more like a frozen custard).  We are playing a game between the Elders and the Sisters.  It should be fun.

*In our branches there are two leaving on missions in October and three getting their mission papers filled out.  Whoot Whoot!  We hope they get   their calls while we are here. 

*Casey and Alyson will be here Thursday SCREAMING EXCITED!!!

 Our Mission President is just a fun guy and so loved.

They love their sweet's (candy).

 They are happy and have these great big smiles for you that melts your heart

 These two would like to marry but because they were each married before their families will not accept it.

This young man just opened up a duka or shop by the side of the road.  He is an investigator of the church.

September 9th 2012

This week in family class we have been talking about prayer and kneeling for family prayers, it took me back when I realized that these families kneel in the dirt.  How blessed we are.  Sometimes I feel so selfish and ungrateful.  This week is transfer week so we brought in two missionaries and Thursday we will deliver two new ones.  In the Hills the missionaries get a workout with all the climbing and walking, they lose weight and get strong legs.  Kilungu Hills is one place they all want to serve.  They love it but are excited for a new experience after 6 months.  We sure love and appreciate them. 

 children gathering water

 these are hard working cows in Kenya

 gathering of awesome missionaries

Moms shaving their kids heads

September 2, 2012

Hurray it’s a new month.  We ended August with home visits.  We learn so much more about each family when we get to visit with them.  It was a great week.  On Saturday after three baptisms we went to Ilima where the Kasue family was holding a gathering/family reunion.  The Gideon Kasue family was the earliest pioneers of the church in Kenya, so meeting with five of the 9 children was wonderful.  They were very interested in the history we are writing and enjoyed seeing the early pictures we have collected.  It’s been a full week and we are glad it is Sunday Evening. 

 Ilima Visit  

(The sisters from Kilili with the knifes have been out cutting firewood they are sweet and harmless)

 Eating Kitheri (Maize boiled with beans) juice and bread at Mitini at Sister Jennifer's home.

Brother Paul and Veronica with their family in Kyambeke.  Very strong and committed children.

 The dogs in Kenya are very hard to enjoy but this momma looked busy.

This is Peter who had to be coaxed to come and talk with us.  He was fearful because of what he had heard about the missionaries and the Church. 

This is his mother Irene who is a member, and his brother and sisters.  Irene wants him to join her at church.

Jackson and his family who attend the Ilima Branch.  We love them so much and they are struggling for food.  They have such faith.  Can you see their twin daughters?

All six of the Kasue brothers (three didn't attend) were member but only the youngest sister Mary, joined the church (did not attend).  The other two sister in the photo are strong catholics but very proud of their family name in the Church's history.