As we passed through Jinja, we had the wonderful opportunity to visit with Elder Wailagala (our dear Francis) and his companion, Elder Appia. We met them at The Java Coffee, a place that we loved to eat on our mission. It was so wonderful to see Francis! He looks so good as a full time missionary. His hair is cut very short!
Over dinner we got to visit with both Elders. Elder Waila told us a wonderful story about a vision he had of his grandfather, who passed away while we were serving in Uganda. It was a difficult time for his whole family. They loved their father/grandfather so much. Just to share a little about the vision that Francis received....his grandfather spoke to him of temple service. He spoke of a book of family records that has been kept and told Francis where it is hidden. He told him not to tell any family members about the book. Francis now knows where to find it when he gets off of his mission and will have the names prepared for temple work.
Another miracle is that his grandfather told him where to find some money that had been hidden at his home. He instructed Francis to find that money and use it for him and his family. Francis was able to email his friend, Dan to get a message to Gerald (Francis' brother) of where to find the money. (His family cannot communicate with him. They do not know how to email.) Gerald got the message and absolutely found the hidden money!
With that money Francis' mother was able to build a small home for him in their family compound for when he returns. (Lugosi and Anna are living in it now) Even while we were serving two years ago, Francis was so concerned about his home (room) where he slept because the thatched roof was leaking and the bricks were crumbling. He knew that it would not last much longer. He was preparing to leave on his mission and did not know where he would live when he returned. It was a great worry for him. He even tried to make bricks to build a new home but after the bricks were made the rain came and ruined all of them. He was so discouraged after all of the work he put into the bricks and he had no way of getting more.
Since serving his mission he recognizes that God takes care of those who sacrifice. His grandfather appeared to him, the money was found, and now he has a newly built home for him to live in when he returns. We saw it as we visited his family. It is a nice brick home with a roof made of metal sheets.
Indeed, Francis recognizes Heavenly Father's goodness to him.
After staying in the Signature Hotel we again met Elders Wailagala and Appia the next morning. It was their preparation day. Francis was happy to show us their apartment. They are very happily situated:) I love this picture of Francis and his dumbbells. These were made by a previous missionary. It is two #10 cans filled with cement. I couldn't lift it! A good work out for the arms!
Francis was excited to introduce us to a female investigator that he and Elder Appia have been working with. She lives in this small house on a hill. It was cute to hear of the story of how they found Jessica, the woman who lives in the house. As the Elders were passing by Elder Appia asked, "I wonder if anyone lives in that house up on the hill?" Francis responded, "There is someone in that house to teach."
The Elders laughed as they told us of how they literally had to climb up a steep hill to get to the front door and how they were thinking that "nobody can live up here it is too high and difficult to climb. After reaching the top they found Jessica, a single mother with four sons aging from sixteen to twenty two. She was a golden contact and has since been baptized along with two of her sons. (I am writing this post six weeks late:(
We had the great opportunity of visiting Jessica in her home that morning. It felt so good to be in an investigators home bearing witness to eternal truths. Jessica had such a sweet spirit. Her sons were not at home so we were not able to meet them. To finish the story the missionaries were laughing because after reaching the top of the hill where Jessica lived they looked to see an easier way of reaching the house, a pathway that led right to the front door:)
Anyway, here we all are in front of Jessica's house.
As we were climbing the path leading to her house, Francis started singing, "High on a Mountain Top"!! So cute! I should mention that the Elders are dressed down because they were there at her home to provide service. They were going to "dig" in her garden.
This is as we were getting ready to leave. Not gonna lie. After giving hugs and expressing our love to the Elders both Rick and I cried as we turned and walked back down the hill toward our truck. Seriously, I wanted to sob but held it in. We honked and waved as we drove off with ears streaming down our faces. Not sure when, if ever, we will see our dear Francis again.
We sure do love that boy!
After returning home we received this sweet letter from Francis. His spelling is always fun....
am so humbled about that . it is great to see that . thank you for visiting us and me, i never expected that to happen. did you make it safely?. i miss you , i love you, i even don't know how i can say it because of much happiness. i saw you leaving i never even want you to leave. i cried but i knew you had to leave. i love you bro. phelps and sister phelps . there is nothing which i pray for than the gift of life for you. people are beeing blessed bese, of you , remember the money you sent when i dint know where to start.i had an experience with sister jesca yesterday, after sacrament, she called me and she asked me, elder what do you add in this water you use as sacrament? she asked. i said nothing i answered, she asked where do you get this water/?.i said at the shop. she said this water is different from our water we use at home. i asked her to share with why she asked. then she said, as i ate bread and water, i felt as if i was taking medicine, ifelt it as it was going through my wounds and biding my broken heart, and i felt joy, happiness as she shared that with me i felt the spirit and i shade tears. i knew that she felt the power of the sacrament, and she said, indeed those young boys have power and authority from god. as we went to baptism , she said she wanted to to be baptised too. she remainded me of the experience i had with my brother gerald. when i was 2 years in the churc, my brother was 5 month only in the church, one sunday he asked me like this, francis, what makes strong in the church even if the church is far? , as not any one evre offended you in church, or have you not offended any one at church, do'nt you see th distance?. i answered yes no one has ever offended me. then i remembered in 3nep 18 ; 6 and 7, when the lord jesus christ visited the niphites, the promise he promised them as they remember him when they partake the sacrament, that the spirit will always be with them. i knew and understood what was making strong to always go to church even if the church was far , it was the spirit of the lord. even if they offended me i would forgive, and even if i offend some one iwould aske forgiveness because of the spirit that i will get every week. after explaining that to my brother he then said i felt like not going to church to day but am going with you. he then prepared and we went to church. from that day my brother has never missed sacrament. i have atestimony of the sacrament, if we prepare ourselves for the sacrament, we feel the spirit of the lord, it will heal us , and bide our broken heart, i know jesus christ lives, he is not in the dead, even he is on the right hand of god. the same christ and his father appeared to the boy joseph smith, and he was aprophet of the restoration, how blessed we are to have thepriesthood of god even to adiminister in the gospel ordinances thereof, i know the power and authority of god is in the church og jesus christ of latter day saints. i know that by my self. i know the current prophet is the only one who exerise the keys of the priesthood to day. i know mission is divine, i know he will take care of my family. i love you, i miss you, and you know that, i pray for your family, your grandchildren every day, i love you, i miss you. in the name of jesus christ amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment