November 14, 2011
Dear All,
It was again an interesting week for us. We had planned to go and see William Kipsang again on Friday since all country examinations were complete on Thursday. William is a 'Head-School Master' at Kapsaret Primary School. You will see pictures of the school on the blog. We had distributed pamphlets and the Book of Mormon the previous week with he and faculty. They were wonderful people and greeted us with overwhelming love and warmth. It was touching indeed. Anyway, William had invited us back and we promised a return visit. We went into his office and I could see our pamphlets on his desk. We incidentally, had promised we would research the possibilities of getting water for the school of 253 students, we needed more information, following recording of additional facts we discussed the gospel for an hour or better. William is an evangelical minister on Sundays and a knowledgeable man.
He first challenged the Joseph Smith vision and layed John 1:18 on us and then I read to him John 6:46 while explaining John was my favorite book. He was astonished and on his heels and wrote the scripture reference down for later review.
He questioned what the reason for us being here from America. I told him we were among some 50,000 plus all over the world and that us sitting in his office was not coincidence. He was extremely intent on my response; it certainly was not my words that were spoken. I further explained the reestablishment of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to prepare people for the eventual fulfillment of Romans 8:17, 1 Cor. 3:22-3, Luke 12:44 and preparing the world for the Second Coming, he was shocked as if he had never read nor understood these verses of scripture before. We explained eternal families and eternal marriage, the necessity of the Book of Mormon, Temples, etc. He was overwhelmed and we were all touched as the spirit of the Holy Ghost filled the room. He committed to do some reading in the Book of Mormon and various church pamphlets. As we began to leave he came running out to the car and wanted another pamphlet we had. He had not heard of the church, ever but is very interested and is reading. He is a wonderful man.
Out by the school is another man that approached us by the forest, with others, wanting the Book of Mormon. He was intent on having the book we will have to drive out again and search him out. We will have to go out in the villages and we have the general area and another man now helping us to find him. We know we must take a trail and cross a bridge, no vehicle traffic in the area.
When we hired a weaver/wicker furniture maker to make some furniture recently we went to his humble little shop nearby his street corner work spot. A few car mechanics asked if I would buy them a soda. We refused and laughed with them. Later we went back to the West Indies, part of town controlled by East Indians where we selected a material covering for the furniture. Anyway, upon return I weakened and we purchased sodas for 3 or 4 mechanic Koskie, and ourselves. As we sat at the open-air cafe we were introduced to several connected to the operation. We are a novelty, needless to say and quickly the subject of the church comes up, we explained what we are about, immediately they wanted a meeting for us to teach them all. We went back to set a specific time last Saturday; Tuesday is the day. While there three other men came to eat ugali, they want to be there as well. Who knows how many will show up, we are bringing the full times for a backup. This will be interesting.
We went to the meeting at the open-air cafe and no one showed up today; however, we did teach Nancy the gal on the moneybox. She is a little arrogant, I would say, but I considered the meeting a bust. We taught the ancient church and need for the restoration, I shut down and my mind was on empty. She wanted a prayer given, I elected myself and asked for blessings of prosperity, health and gave thanks. We started to walk off and the cook, and waiter came out and wanted our phone number so they could call for an appointment. They were listening in the kitchen apparently. We were not disappointed once again. I was amazed. We gave a couple of pamphlets away and committed them to read.
During the week we were called upon to help a couple in the Eldoret Branch get their paperwork ready to make the trip to South Africa to be married in the Johannesburg Temple. Between passports, genealogy, civil marriage and various records it is a major ordeal for them. Anyway, we helped by transmitting genealogy records for them. The couple will ride the bus to Nairobi on Sunday, a 6 hour ride, stay the evening, get up at 4AM, get to the airport, and fly to Johannesburg to receive their endowment and then be married, then do temple work for their four generations of ancestors. It is a marvelous experience for them. They return later in the week. As we drove to church this morning Koskie identified them on the street walking, we visited with them for a moment. Just two youngsters off on a journey beyond incomprehensible proportions for them. They were aglow and charged with excitement for fulfillment of a great promise. As we drove a short distance we decided to find them and give them a gift. So we turned around and gave them some cash for their journey. They were so grateful and elated; it was so special for them. They went on their way, two kids pulling one little suitcase, no doubt borrowed, behind them off to do great and wonderful things for themselves and family members, to be greeted by strangers, in strange place and a strange country, to take a great step in being obedient to their faith. I was touched deeply. No family to be with them or anyone to accompany them and then to face hardship in carving out an existence for themselves upon return. In their like is the future of the church in Africa, it is impressive indeed. This is African faith.
On Saturday afternoon we were invited to a gathering of sisters in the gospel. I wasn't sure why I was there. At any rate, there were four of them and others were unable to attend for various reasons. All single, not meeting officially under the name of the church but as single women. One had lost her husband in the previous election terror. I asked them if they knew the reason to go to the temple, they knew it existed but couldn't connect the dots. After again a discussion of Romans 8:17, this seems to be the medicine scripture for all ailments they agreed to read Doctrine Covenants 132. One of our charges is to get the saints endowed. Like it or not we are all connected to traditions of our ancestors, even us who are several generation’s members. Here, the protestant tradition of getting baptized and that is it remains. A vision of beyond is needed, few have it but we are teaching it with energy each time we have the opportunity. We teach Moses 6:26-7 every time we are called upon as well.
Finally watched the first half of the Priesthood Session today, last half next Sunday.
We continue to repair this house and then we rerepair and then rererepair it again. We think of you all frequently and you all are continually in our prayers and thoughts. This experience, this work is beyond my expectations and any imagination or dream I had before leaving. We realize the heavens are in control this makes the way each day remarkable to say the least.
