A HUMBLE, BEAUTIFUL SABBATH VISIT

On the ninth of June we met at Philip and Julia's home for a lesson on the Book of Mormon, there were a few drop-ins as usual, one young man by the name of Edwin and another by the name of Beffel. The game plan was for us to finalize the trip to church for Philip, Julia and Eunnis. We agreed to pick them up at their home at nine AM for the trip to Langas. Philip and Julia brought their youngest Deborah, they pronounce it Dee-Borah, she is six years. We arrived at the chapel and drove into the compound and many of the members greeted our investigators. By USA standards the home with a built-on chapel is not much but by Kenyan standards it is a mansion and is light years beyond mud churches we see often. The speakers did well, the Sunday school lesson was good and Philip made a few comments. The George Albert Smith required me to do some explaining but we got through it. The Spirit was upon us and we all received an additional witness of truth, regardless of the package it was delivered. Eunnis and Julia wanted to attend Primary with Deborah and really enjoyed the Primary singing. They were doing all the hand movements to many of the songs! There was a nursery manual I happened to hand to Julia and Eunnis and they spent a great deal of time reading the lesson and enjoying the pictures. Julia rubbed her hand several times over the cover and I had the impression she felt this book was very special. I would guess the church they have attended in the past did not have a specific curriculum or music program for young children and they almost did not want to leave Primary to attend Relief Society but I convinced them it would be worth it. We enjoyed a lesson from one of the chapters of the book, Daughters in My Kingdom, I believe Julia and Eunnis felt the spirit of Relief Society and I was so pleased when the RS President and Councilor came to speak to Eunnis and Julia immediately after the lesson, to invite them back, to get their contact number, and showed such great interest in their visit to church. Deborah did some bragging to her sisters when she returned and said she had even seen an airplane in the sky but she also said she really liked the singing. Anyway, they all were impressed with the building and facilities. We decided to drive across the street to see the fenced-in site where the new building will soon be constructed, and they were amazed.

Langas Branch, Eldoret, Kenya 

 I offered to take them to the new building in Jerusalem (an area of Eldoret) they were most interested. This building is four to five years old and has many lights around it and it is very noticeable in the evenings. As one enters the tile floor is attractive and so is its relative newness. As we walked in their eyes panned about looking at everything. Julia said, "I thought I would never enter a building like the one in Langas during my life, but this is so beautiful”. They touched everything they could, walls and doors. Julia and Eunnis noticed the sign on the door to the kitchen and stopped. I asked if they would like to see the kitchen they marveled at the countertops and rubbed their hands over the smooth marble-like texture, saw the sink, stove (I don't think they knew what it was), and then Julia put her hand on the refrigerator and said, "Is this what they call a refrigerator?" I said, "Yes it is would you like to open the door? Go ahead and touch the freezer box and see how cold it is." Julia pulled her hand back as if she had received an electrical shock. We went into the chapel and Eunnis looked at the padded seats and tested the cushion and was in amazement. I told her to go ahead and sit down and try out the chair. She sat down and just melted into the chair. Julia went right to the woodwork that surrounds the podium and was so impressed and she just continued to rub her hand over the beautiful wood. Before we left I tried to help Philip understand how the worldwide church building program works, I am not sure he could grasp the magnitude of it all. I explained we are a tithed people, Philip said, "We teach the doctrine but only a very few can live it." As we visited on the lawn in front Julia requested she be allowed to sit and take a rest, then announced she would giving birth to their fifth child in July. I predicted a male child would be born to them, they said, "Cannot be, we have four girls." We will see in a few weeks. The next time I saw Julia I carried to her one of the Newborn Kits that some wonderful Relief Society sister hand assembled in love for the little new baby of a sister somewhere in the world that had need of a clean new blanket and supplies. This Sabbath Day was such a humble, beautiful experience. We felt so blessed and pleased to share The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with our friends.  

Euunnis, Julia, Sister Babcock, and Deborah