ELDER and SISTER BABCOCK

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 above.  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.

 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 Mzungo 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 reverend 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 talked 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.

The African Inland Church invited us to share in their meeting.

While driving to Issac’s home for the discussion we learned that the pastor and the Reverend did not want us in the building but the members told them that the building belonged to them and that 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 devastating to Phillip.

We finally made it over to the Kosgei meeting to find some 45 waiting for us.  We did not recognize many 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 The Gospel of Jesus Christ, passed out 80 pamphlets and placed another 7 copies of the Book of Mormon.   We never have enough. 

All eyes are on the computers as we give Discussion #4.  

The seats were all taken and these people are spilling out the doorway.