SOCIANO BRANCH

Welcome to the Sociano Branch here in Eldoret where we attended last week. This is our home branch but we will be working with all four branches in this area. We attended this little branch wondering how we might be of help; we left thinking wow, what might we learn from the Sociano Branch. We felt the same spirit in Sociano as in our lovely Harbour Pointe Ward, we participated in a sacrament meeting that was like the HP Sacrament Meeting, the gospel classes brought good discussion and learning, and (of course) I attended Primary. This Sociano Branch Leadership gets it! The saints here were very accepting of Elder & Sister Babcock and we are delighted. Today we attended the Eldoret Branch but already I miss our home branch.

IN OUR LOVELY ELDORET

We have not yet moved into our flat (home) as yet. It is undergoing some plumping and electrical work so we have been staying at the Poa. The people here are super friendly plus we have been able to talk with several about the gospel. We've handed out pamplets and talked with 10-12 people so far; that's been in just six days. We are looking forward to move-in-day. It is difficult to describe the experience of shopping to furnish a new home in Kenya. The shops are all over town, town traffic is unreal, and usually we need to drive the workers to the shops to get plumbing supplies etc. Later I will get some shots of Eldoret shopping, all I can say is it is definately not at all like shopping at home.

There is what is called a Nakumatt, a Kenyan Wallmart. We have been there many times. A picture of the Poa:

ON OUR WAY TO ELDORET

President and Sister Broadbent have been so kind. They drove us to our assignment in Eldoret, Kenya. It was quite an experience! Driving here is absolutely crazy. There doesn't seem to be a speed limit; if the car behind you thinks you are going too slow he will pass on either side of you and barely make it back in his lane before crashing into a vehicle driving from the other direction. There are enormous speed bumps that just creep up and send you out of your seat to the ceiling, and ruts in the road that made Bruce, the engineer, shake his head in unbelief. I must say the President is able to drive with the best of Kenya drivers. Along the way we spotted zebras, baboons, and water buffalo. I keep shaking my head, “We are in Kenya”! All is well, we are happy, we are safe, and we love you all so much! The little red duka (Swahili for a shop) can be found all along the Nairobi Highway, most likely Kenyan homes are located behind the stonewall. How do you like the bicycle transport?

KENYA ARRIVAL--MISSION HOME

It took about 24 hours to travel from Salt Lake City to Nairobi and it has taken a week to sort out our days from our nights. Bruce and I are standing in front of the Kenya Mission Home. In the group shot the couple on the far left is President and Sister Broadbent, in the middle we have Elder and Sister Schawb who traveled with us to Kenya. Nairobi surprised us with the population, somewhere around 3-4 million people. The church has grown to one stake with six wards.

MISSIONARY TRAINING CENTER

We felt the spirit as we entered the MTC with 78 senior missionaries couples all heading to different parts of the world. During the week the spirit just continued to grow and grow, I’ve never experienced anything quite like it before. It was definitely a “heavenly experience”. The picture with four couples was our team and we met together throughout the entire week. Amazing how you can come to love people so quickly. Certainly we needed to have the map pictures!