July 22, 2012

22 July 2012
AIC church, Chemnoet, South of Kabiemit, Kenya

I attended the Sosiani Branch this morning, Sister Babcock was not feeling well and wanted some time to feel up to our meeting in Kabiemit this afternoon. Edward who was baptised several months ago spoke on The Fast; he did an excellent job. Sister Leah spoke on the subject of The Sabbath and did a remarkable job. I talked with her after the meeting discussing her talk, she said it was from the heavens, I agreed and gave her the reassurance that indeed it was. It was a marvelous meeting even the investigators class on ‘Service’ was inspiring.

 We had previously arranged to have Kosgei translate to Nandi for us at the Kabiemit meeting so we picked up Sister Babcock and left shortly after 1:00 PM following church meetings. Last week we had agreed that we would text Phillip when we were on our way. He responded with directions where to find him, they are written under the date above. You need to understand what a challenge it is to find an address in Kenya.  No business or home has a numbered address and the dirt roads (actually most any road in Kenya) does not have a street sign.

We found the AIC church and we parked in front of the building on pasture grass waiting to for Phillip to exit. Finally he came out and greeted us. He said the congregation wanted to greet us, to me that meant we were to shake hands as people exited the building in route home but we were invited inside. The church was packed with about 300 people. Every eye was on us as we were led to our seats. The children could not take their eyes off the Mzungos (white person). I am certain we were the first Mzungos to visit the church as well as the village. Elder Babcock asked when would the meeting would be over since we were 45 minutes late at the discussion planned for 2 PM. The response of five minutes turned into 90 minutes and the wood benches loudly confirmed the length of time. There seemed to be considerable discussion at the front of the chapel by the leaders. I recognized the reverand who had attended one of our discussions two weeks ago, he seemed to have much to say. Sister Babcock leaned over and said read the blackboard. Most of these buildings have a black-board at the front of the chapel with announcements, etc. written on them. The Plan of Salvation had been written on the board! Phillip had been at work with a sketch of The Plan of Salvation. We were shocked and not believing what we were seeing. Of the three hundred in attendance, we do not know how many Phillip had taught about The Plan of Happiness. As the meetings came to a close we were asked to greet and say a few words to the members. When we get the mic I talk restoration and the church and Sister Babcock talked about the eternal nature of families. The people loved what we had to say, one sister invited us to preach in her church nearby.  As we sat in the congregation the children surrounded us and wanted to feel our white skin and my hairy arms. They are a little bashful and then become brave, most have never seen a white person so we are very unusual to them.

 While driving to Issac’s home for the discussion we learned that the pastor (not Phillip) and the reverand did not want us in the building but the members said the building belonged to them and they could have any one they chose to speak. There seems to be a division coming in the ranks. Phillip told Kosgei that he did not care what happens and that he will stand with truth. This is a man of God indeed, this takes much courage, the consequences could be monetarily devastating to Phillip. We finally made it over to the Kosgei meeting to find some 45 waiting for us. We did not recognize many faces and then learned it was all together a new group of people from last week. What? A spokesman for the group said we should have been there at 2PM to have seen all the people that were waiting but left when we did not come. Despite the crowd, we taught the lesson on discussion #3, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, passed out 80 pamphlets and placed another 7 copies of the Book of Mormon. We never have enough.

 By the way Julia has not had the baby yet, we gave her a blessing last Tuesday for leg swelling, etc. Later she let us know the swelling is down and she if feeling much better.

 All eyes are on the computers as we give Discussion #4.  The seats were all taken and these people are spilling out the doorway.

Regressing to Saturday, yesterday, Bethwel, an 18 year old young man invited us to his home next Saturday afternoon to teach 25 of his friends and neighbours.  We had not seen him at Mengich’s for two weeks and he met with us on Saturday.  He has been doing some missionary work on his own.  He becomes more illuminated the more we meet with him and the more he studies.   It is obvious we are not in control and a far greater power is at the helm.    Our lap-top computers with our Power-Point lessons are impressive and powerful.  The visual with our audible teaching accompanied with the Holy Ghost bearing witness is most convincing.  The attention we are able to attract is certainly beyond us.  We can only declare, “this is unbelievable” and “We stand all amazed”. 

Bethwel is on the far right at the Mengich home.  We are teaching a discussion.

These pictures are from Bethwel's home.

Last week we had the Eldoret Zone Conference here.  The elders and sisters from Kisumu and Kitale also attended, there were some 36 missionaries attending. We are continually impressed at the caliber of these young men and women, they are bright and possess strong testimonies and great depths of gospel knowledge. We had 10 Senior Missionaries along with President and Sister Broadbent in our home for dinner.  What a stunning spirit lingered in our home from their presence.  We shared our Power Point lessons with the Hunters in Kitale and the Mission President.  Sister Broadbent was very interested and excited with the lessons.  I asked what she planned to do with them?  She said, “I am going to find someone to teach, immediately.”