October 9, 2012

Our four-day trip to Mombasa was fun, pleasant, and relaxing. We went with four couples, visiting the Tsavo Game Park and stayed one night at Kiliguni lodge.  We saw 40 elephants at one watering hole, many zebras, and giraffes, Cape buffalo and got close to a large crocodile.  Friday we headed for Mombasa and walked in the warm Indian Ocean, did some site seeing, and enjoyed the Scott’s (missionary couple in Mombasa).  The drive home on Saturday was a 9-hour drive but the good news is Bruce didn’t have to drive.

It seems as we continue to serve on our mission, things are more commonplace and so we don’t write about them.   We are trying to keep our energy and enthusiasm up.  We have been able to catch a couple of sessions of Conference and really enjoy it.  We won’t get the DVD’s for two weeks, and then the Branches will show it to their members.  Speaking of the branches, there is sure a lot of drama, especially Kilili.  Oh my goodness they are in each other’s business and marriages.  I guess they are not different than our wards and stakes back home.  But they do tattle on each other, like we have any control.  We love them and hate to see them have trouble. 

Three couples leave the end of October/November and three more couples are coming to replace them.  One couple is from Logan, the Moon’s.   Our replacements will not over-lap in fact we don’t know if anyone has been called yet.  Our branches will be fine, they are strong and the branch presidents seem to be doing well.  I need to go make some cookies and get them in the freezer for lunches.  An Elders mom sent him a package of brownie mix so I need to make that up and take it to him on Tuesday as they don’t have an oven (but they do have bed-bugs).    

 this cute bum shot is Sister Olsen getting a great view of the Elephants

 Baobaba trees look spooky and grow to be very big.

 This is an large ant/termite hill.  Bruce lets you see how big it really is.

 Bruce takes a turn assisting the carver with a bedpost

 Large boats in the port at Mombasa

 A man selling fried potatoes/chips on the corner and they were hot and so good.

 People getting off the ferry. I didn't get a picture of all the vehicles that came off later.

Ladies taking our traditional dip in the Indian Ocean.  It is so warm.

September 25-30, 2012

September 25th 

We have been on a roll since Casey and Alyson came in on Thursday evening.  It is so great to have a little bit of home here in Kenya.   We have worn them out and made Casey a believer of the terrible and scary traffic.  Friday we went to Ilima and they were a part of the priesthood and family lessons.  Alyson and I did a quick walk over to visit Sister Anastasia Bernard and her two children before Keyboard class began.  Saturday was another view of Kenya. We went to JoGo Market where they have 4 large buildings each three floors high, filled with small shops.  Each shop is constructing/making different items; purses, book bags, soccer balls, all types of adult and children’s clothes, blankets, curtains, and more.  It is poorly wired, no circulation, dim lighting, much garbage, and it is smelly.  Outside there are even more shops where people sell their goods and also food they prepared.  I call it a “Hot Mess” and I don’t know why but I love to go there.  It‘s just so African.  Bruce just keeps telling me “we are never coming here again” but I just keep finding friends that want to go.  

Next we went to Steven’s Nazarene Children’s Home/Orphanage.  We were able to share this experience with the Broadbent’s and their kids Jeff and Aly, visiting from Ogden.  They gave a presentation on personal hygiene and we all helped the kids make a bright love chain, which decorated the school room.   They loved their peanut butter jam sandwiches with juice and we just enjoyed being with them.  We delivered some school supplies and blankets sent from Plain City.  

Saturday evening Casey and Alyson joined with the missionary couples for dinner.  Sunday was church at Kyambeke and Monday we headed for Kilili for family visits.  On the way our truck rolled over 100,000 Kilometers.  We have done a lot of driving in the past 15 months.   Monday night was family night held at the Olsen’s.  Tuesday our guests headed for the Masai Mara for three day for a Safari.  We hope they have a great time.  When they get back we have more adventures planned.  While they are gone we will have the pleasure of family visits at Mitini and Kyambeke. 

September 27^th

While Casey and Alyson were on their Safari, we went to Mitini for a family visit at the home of Leonard and Christine.  They are new converts and very committed to the gospel.  She will have a new baby in October and they walk so far to church.  It may seem repetitive but it is up and down steep hills and takes them 1-2 hours one way.  Over 60 people came to the small compound and each bore a sweet testimony.  We hope that a new branch will be formed soon as there are so many people that are interested in the church and the distance is so far.   Thursday we found the same distance problem when we visited Joseph and his wife.  They have 5 children and two are very young, just too far to travel.  Joseph takes one family member each week with him to church on his motorbike.  So his wife can only attend once a month.  There is enough priesthood to start a group but President Broadbent will have to make that call.    The church really is growing the problem is “centers of strength” have to be considered.  They need to be close enough to a church enabling them to be strengthened, continue learning and keep their baptism covenants.

September 30^th

Casey and Alyson returned on Thursday evening and had wonderful reports of their Safari.  We were so happy to hear about their adventures but pleased that they returned safely.  Friday they went with us to Ilima where we visited President Simon’s home.  Sister Lucy made scuma wieki and ugali for the kids to try.  We also had chapattis and cooked beans.  After a fun visit we took a baby gift to Stella Mwende who lives on the hill above the Ilima chapel.  Saturday was a fun day spent in Nairobi.  We went to Kuzuri beads, the elephant orphanage, a craft shop, and the Junction Mall.  The traffic was really bad but the company was great.  That evening we went to eat with the couples and listened to their funny stories.   Sunday we went to branch conference at Mitini and there were hints of a new branch in the future with over 60 members representing the Matua, Kikoko, and Kilonga areas.  The future holds so much growth.  Casey and Alyson said their good bye to the wonderful Hills.   Monday is the last day we will have our visitors so we will go souvenir shopping tomorrow. 

Contributions sent from many in Utah   THANK YOU!

Steven's Orphange

At Steven's Orphange, we danced, loved, and decorated.  Then they had a feast of PBJ sandwiches juice and bananas.

Elder Schneider even brought up the keyboard

Notice all the colorful headwraps

Big group over 60 came

Just enjoying the moment

 Sister Stella Mwendi and her five daughters.  We took her some baby supplies.

Joseph and his family (2 daughter at school) are members of Kyambeke Branch. He is the 2nd counselor  

Humble home in Kilili.

 Branch Conference at Mitini with Casey and Alyson

 Headed for the plane. It was hard to see them go.

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.