August 5, 2012

Monday evening we said good bye to the Lurf’s and hello to our new neighbors the Richardson’s they will be serving as the PEF missionary couple.  We had a nice dinner and they shared their testimonies with us. 

Tuesday we went to three families in Kilili to visit.  We shared oranges, rice, and goat meat, and heard many interesting stories.

We had regular classes the rest of the week but the highlight was. . . Catherine and James got their mission calls.  Same place and leave at the same day.   Everyone was very happy and excited.  It was transfer week so we had to say goodbye to our terrific Elder Diototi (excited to be going to Tanzania) and brought in Elder Gideon. Transfers are sad but good.  Saturday we went for another walk with the Olsen’s.   It takes 2 ½ hours and let me tell you the Olsen’s are both in really good shape.  I thought I was a pretty good walker but it really kicks me to stay up with Sister Olsen.  We have goods visits and share our grandchildren stories.  At 11:00 six of us headed out to go to the Reptile Farm but after 1 ½  hours of fighting traffic, we turned around and came back to the flat and stayed in peace and safety.  

The week ended with Fast and Testimony Meeting at Kyambeke.  You just can’t explain the deep compassion and sincerity expressed when they bare testimony of their love for Heavenly Father and the gospel.  People of all ages, including the very young, stood one right after the other.  Amazing and humbling, I hope I can hang on to these memories.  I kept turning around and looking at the congregation and trying to set a picture in my mind.  We love these people

It was very hard for Jacaline to come to Kilili to live when she married Benson.   She had many conveniences living in Nairobi.  Now she says there is no rest.

Here she is in her cook house.  She is very fortunate to have running water (see the hose).

Benson's daughter, his mother Ruth, and Benson who is the last born and in charge of his mother's care.   When Ruth was 15 yrs. Her parents traded her for a large dowry of 60 goats, 1 bull, and 55 gallons of honey.  The husband was around 50. She had no say in the arrangement.  Although she ran away, the Elders of the village returned her to his home.  She feared him and was so sad that he was old. I asked her how long did it take for her to be happy and she said three babies.  They had six children together.  

Geoffrey and Jackie are parents of three sons and very active in the Kilili Branch.  Here they are with his parents.  Geoffrey is also the last born and cares for his parents.  His father is retired and is over 100 years old.  His wife pictured is his second wife.  He exchanged a large dowry for her at the age of 17.   Because she ran away he beat her and locked her in his house.  

As we sat and visited she spoon fed him every bite.  He knew some English and did some responding.  They all were very kind to him.  I asked her how long it took her to be happy and he laughed and she giggled and then he said he didn't know if she was happy yet.  The first wife lived close by and I asked if they got along.  She told me they did because she taught her so much.  

Women were a commodity and really had no rights.  Dowry's are still part of the culture but women have more say in who they marry.  

Susan and children.  Husband left when hard times came.  Now Susan tries to find ways to pay for her children's school fees while they live in two rented block rooms.  

Scary Day

I had to take time tonight and write about our experience today.  While we were filling up with diesel at the gas station a semi-truck loaded with a large conix-box, slowly kept trying to turn a corner.  Bruce saw him struggling to make the turn so he got in and backed up a few feet.  Slowly slowly the truck kept coming.  Bruce got back in the truck to move our truck back a little more but before he could. . . the truck began to fall over.  It was like watching it happen in slow motion.  Wham! It fell to the ground missing us by a few feet.  We couldn't believe it.  I jumped out and took some pictures quickly and then got back in the truck and got emotional.  Weird I know, but I think it hit me what had happened.  The driver was not hurt.

Many people crowded around but as soon as we got our change and receipt we left for Kilili.  Coming home 8 hours later the truck and trailer were still there in the same place.

Banana Cup Cake Day!

The sisters wanted to learn to make banana cupcakes and maybe even sell them in the market.  Two branches have a gecko oven and they cook with charcoal. They have a lot of banana’s and eggs. I had to take baking soda and cupcake pans. They don't use measuring cups so we just guessed, they were a little well done but overall it was a success.

 Banana Cup-Cake Bake at Ilima

Discussing health and safety with the sisters.

July 26, 2012

Tonight as I’m writing, I’m baking some banana cup cakes for the RS activity up at Ilima tomorrow.  The sisters want to learn to make banana cupcakes and maybe even sell them in the market.  Two branches have a gecko oven and they cook with charcoal. They have a lot of banana’s and eggs so tomorrow we will meet, mix, bake and eat.  I’m making some to take so that they can all have one at the same time.  Sister Broadbent shared with me some simple booklets on family health, so we plan to pass them out and have some discussion on some simple first aid and also how to treat coughs and fevers.  Sister Elizabeth (we call her little Elizabeth ) is home from Nairobi with her new daughter Stella so of course we will have to stop by and see her as well.

Family visits don’t come around fast enough for me.  We started with Mitini, and wow what a steep rigorous mountain we had to tackle.   We had about 20 people follow us down the mountain and Bruce and I were the only ones that took a (slight) tumble.   It was a beautiful view and we had a over 35 people.  It was a great visit.  We sang and many shared their testimonies.  After Juice and bread, we headed back up the mountain.  It took us 30 minutes of steady climbing but the weather was coolish and that really helped.   Thursday we visited three families and the climb wasn’t quite as steep.  I feel bad we miss all the children who are in school but it seems nice to visit with the members and share a spiritual thought.

Elder and Sister Lurf leave in 6 days and a new couple come in Saturday to replace them.  Bruce and I are the couple who have been here in the apartments the longest now.

Family visits in Mitini

Brother Anthony with his glasses and tennis shoes just always warms my heart.  His testimony is very strong

Mareen is a new member and her husband is an investigator of the church.

Sister Elizabeth loves to lead the music on Sundays at Mitini.

Family Visit in Kyambeke

 Family Visit in Kyambeke took us to Puis and Lucy.They teach us as much as we share with them

Lillian wants to know when we will visit her home.

  Children all over the world love to play in the mud and pretend.

Jacinta's getting a new house built.

 Little Elizabeth's new baby "Stella"

Jacinta and Elizabeth's Mother-in-law Monica, in front of her home. Families live very close to each other.

July 22, 2012

To catch up on sum of our activities; Last week on Tuesday we attended Zone conference.  Although wedidn’t want to miss our Kilili Branch day, it truly was a spiritual feast and we were so glad we went.  I think we needed that spark.  The testimonies of the young missionaries are so powerful. Just loved it.   We had an opportunity to meet with three of the Kenya pioneer church members that Friday at the mission home and we talked for three hours and settled some conflicting stories and views.   We hurried home to update and change some of the history that had been written.  I’d still like to talk with two other members but not sure how that will happen. I just want it to be as correct as possible. 
We went to the “Ray of Hope Clinic” (where 30-40 babies a born a month to impoverished mothers), delivering blankets and hygiene kits,  attended two baptisms, 1 funeral, and two new baby visits.  These events just add frosting to our weekly branch classes. 

The “Family Class” seems to be encouraging family night success.  We have been getting great responses from the members.  When asked, “Whatchanges have you seen in your family since you started having FHE?”  a father raised his hand and told us that his children no longer feared him and he is now more a part of their lives.  Bruce and I noticed that having family counsel(family business) during FHE was a new concept that they liked.   It has been so rewarding to teach and share with them. 

It’s Sunday evening, after making the trip to the Hills 6 days straight we are ready for “P” Day tomorrow. Bruce the driver, is amazing.

It's bean harvest time in Kilunga Hills. These ladies work so hard. 

I'd like to introduce you to "Sharon Ndinda Boneface" isn't she beautiful? I felt very honored.

This is her family and her home.

Riruta Chapel

Elder and Sister Harris (their second mission to Kenya as Humanitarian Couple),

took us to the Riruta Chapel.  It is beautiful, has a place where the members can

plant food, water bore-hole and the grounds are keep so nice.  Not all the churches

are this nice.

Lately

This good Sister 60 years old, found this child as a (hours old) newborn left by the birth mother at the railroad tracks. He is legally theirs now and being raised with their grandchildren. 

On Friday I had a real blessing.  I was able to meet with Thomas Kasue, Paul Mweto, and David Mwanziu who are early converts in Nairobi. We talked for three hours and shared much. 

Fresh roses sold along the road, 20 for $2.50

Sister missionaries love to look cute and love their picture taken