JENSEN'S AT DUNGA BEACH

March 25, 2014

Elder and Sister Jensen are the missionaries

for Public Relations and came to Kisumu

to train the members on 

Helping Hands that takes place each August in Africa.

They had the training here coincide with the inauguration

of President Okila to a government post so they 

could also report on that great event.

Leaders of the Kisumu Branch and also the Busia Branch

met together and in the afternoon we took 

Elder and Sister Jensen to DUNGA BEACH

and the Dunga fishing village.

Here they are at the beach with Winam Gulf behind them

which is a part of LAKE VICTORIA.

A woman washing at the edge of the water.

Children are usually here finding something to do.

You have to love the EGRETS!!

With the village in the background.

It was a good visit to the Beach.

BAPTISM

March 23, 2014     

Josephine is the Primary President in

the Branch and she shared the gospel with her 

nephew and then the missionaries taught him. 

Then the day came for the Baptism!!

Elder Nyambita baptized Steve and later confirmed
 him in Sacrament meeting.
Steve is 13 years old and read the Book of  Mormon TWICE
before he was baptized!!

Josephine, Steve and Elder Nyambita.

Other members at the baptism

What a great Sabbath day to end with a baptism.

MARY UP-COUNTRY

March 21, 2014

Mary is the Relief Society President

In Kisumu and she  is a wonderful woman.

She has often said she would like us to come to 

her up-country home so today was the day.

 We met her on the highway and she showed us the way 

to her home.

She cooked us a delicious dinner

(she is a really good cook!)  and we had a very 

spiritual meeting with her and her brother-in-law George.

 Sister Moon with Sister Mary

Mary's brother-in-law is building this home near Mary's in 

the compound of his father's family.

 

 Mary in front of her home. She also has a small home in 

Kisumu but she loves to come here. It is a beautiful and 

peaceful and quiet area. We could live here!

Straight in front of Mary's home is the home of her 

mother-in-law. She passed away about a month ago

but the family still use her home to bring guests and have

family meetings.

BONDO IN MARCH

March 20, 2014

We had a great visit with the Saints in Bondo.

Sister and Brother Samuel, Sister Lusia, Lusia's sister-in-law Monica

in Samuel's home.

We first met with Sister Lusia and her sister-in-law and had 

some hot chocolate and bread. Then together we drove to the 

area where Brother Samuel and his wife live. 

We parked the truck and walked up the hill to their home.

Sister Lusia and Monica

Sister and Brother Samuel.

What a wonderful experience we had today with these
people. We love them and are so glad we knew them here.

After giving a lesson to them all we were going to return Lusia and
Monica to their home and Lusia asked us to visit a
neighbor and share a message of the gospel with them so
we went to their compound area.
There were several members of the family there discussing
the arrangements for the funeral of the wife of one of the
young sons in the family.
We were welcomed and gave a message on the
Plan of salvation and gave hope to them of its
truthfulness.
When I mentioned the death of our young married daughter
they were surprised that we as Americans had difficulty and
trials in our lives, We were able to share with them that ALL
people have challenges and trials - even Americans!
People are much the same all over.

NEW MISSIONARY

March 20, 2014

We met Sharon early this morning at her home to take her to the 

airport to fly to Nairobi so she could be set apart as a missonary.

Here is Ruth, her sister, and other family membeers including her mother.

On the right is Ruth next to her mother.

Ruth will serve in Ghana.

NYABONDO

March 16, 2014

We had a great meeting today in Nyabondo.

There were many who came and we took 

pictures of some of the families there.

Raymond and his wife Janet and their children.

Dennis and Bathsheba

Jane and her sons. We were able to give mission papers to 

John to prepare for his mission.

Brother Zaddock and his daughter.

Stephen and Magdaline and some of their children and 

grandchildren..

They have 10 children most of whom are married.

Kenneth and Judith and three of their children family.

These are great people and faithful to the Gospel of
Jesus Christ and we will surely miss them!!

ZANZIBAR DAY TWO

MARCH 12. 2014

SPICE FARM

The next morning we went to a Spice Farm. 

There are many such farms in Zanzibar and we visited a privately

owned one.

The tree climber climbed high to get s bark sample for us to see.

We saw dozens of spice plants.

This is a cocoa "bean" plant. The brown beans are encased in the

white nodules and when released they look like beans.

A woman in the next field was planting her garden.

A star plant so decoratively displayed on the assistant's hand.

While we were following and listening intently to the guide his

assistant o and others were making us crowns, corsages, ties,

and bags from leaves and flowers.

 The weaving on them was very nicely done and they were 

very sturdy and strong. 

We felt like kings and queens of the spices.

Again we were given fresh coconut milk from coconut the 

assistant climbed the tree to get for us.

Later we also were treated to other nuts and fruits that were

also grown on the farm.

SLAVE TRADE IN ZANZIBAR

HOTEL MTONI AND BEACH

Near our cottage at the Hotel was a small cabin on stilts.
Sister Knecht and Sister Moon took the opportunity too climb
up and see what we were missing there.
Our rooms were much more comfortable and
more easily accessible.

Sunset from the beach near Mtoni Hotel.
It was a beautiful evening!!

Elder Moon and Elder Knecht on the beach.

Young people playing on the beach.
WOW it looked like so much fun!!

The last of the sunset.

We ate our dinner at the hotel and what a great meal we had!!
Good friends, good food, great atmosphere and
wonderful memories to take home with us.

from the ferry taking us back to Tanzania and then to the
airport to return to Nairobi then Kisumu
in time for a meeting tonight
and back to work tomorrow.

We had occasion several times to tell people
about our purpose for being in Africa.
Love being a missionary.