Sunday was Easter Sabbath
and our last full day
We got to church with just a
few minutes to spare. Geoffery (one of
our security guards and recent converts) was with us when were leaving the
compound and when Rick said, “Oh no!! I
forgot that we were going to pick up Richard today!” With that announcement, we hurried over to
pick him up. Richard is such a good
missionary. He talked to his boss, Mary
during the week about the Restoration of the Gospel and invited her to come to
church. She came along with her daughter
Bilhah. Olivia has also been faithfully
coming each week, as well. Luckily,
Richard does not live to far from us and even though it was a tight squeeze in
the back seat of our truck it was a pleasant drive with friends!
On our way to pick Richard
up, Geoffery opened up and expressed great gratitude for us. He talked of how he felt his life had been
full of challenges. He felt that his
coworkers (Fazida and Godfrey) were at odds with him because of his interest in
the church but how that has changed with us befriending them. We have come to know and love them. Fazida is Muslim and I’m not sure about
Godfrey’s religion but I do know that their hearts were softened towards the
Gospel because of our (mostly Elder Phelps) reaching out to them. This has helped Geoffrey to not feel so
alienated and ostresized by them. He
told us of how he felt that he has been rescued through the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. It has changed him. What a joyous experience to see someone’s
life change through choosing to follow Christ’s teachings!
As we walked into church I
immediately started greeting those who were waiting for the service to
begin. I just shook hands with only a
few because it was time to begin. My
heart was filled with joy as I looked over at the piano and saw Solomon softly
playing hymns. There is so much to tell
of this story that it will have a post of it’s own at a later date……
We had a wonderful
service. Just before the Sacrament prayer
I looked over at Francis who was sitting at the Sacrament table. I caught his eye and gave him a big
smile. He smiled right back at me and my
eyes filled with tears thinking about how much I love this young man and how
today was most likely the last day that I would ever see him. My heart was filled with such tenderness for
him. He truly has become like a son to
me. Elder Phelps and I have spent a lot
of time with him the last six months and we could have never accomplished what we had without him. He is simply amazing. Some people were born to do great and
marvelous things and Waila Francis is one of those people! He already has accomplished so much in his
short life. He has a great future ahead
of him. He is so excited to get out on
his mission. I am excited for him!
Baraka gave a beautiful talk
on partaking of the sacrament. I was
asked to bear a short testimony. As I
stood I took just a short amount of time to look around the room into everyone’s
faces. I wanted to remember EVERY face
that I looked at. I told them that they
were beautiful! I told them that it has
been a joy to spend time and build individual relationships with them. I told them that they will always hold a
place in my heart because I love them. I
then had the privilege of bearing my last testimony to my wonderful Mbale
friends. A testimony of the Restored
Gospel, of the Prophet Joseph Smith, of the Book of Mormon, of the Prophet and
Apostles and of Jesus Christ. I was so
grateful for the opportunity.
The choir sang Christ the Lord
is Risen Today and it brought tears to my eyes.
Our little ragtag Mbale choir is fun!
They sung a capella and off key but it was sung with much happiness and
that made me happy. Our little choir in
Mbale is great!
Elder Phelps then gave his
talk. He spoke of the resurrection of
the Savior. He referenced President Russell M. Nelson as he spoke of drawing power from Christ to help us in our
everyday lives. He bore powerful
testimony of Jesus Christ’s mission. He
complimented and then gave much encouragement to our Branch members. He encouraged them to sustain their leaders
and to lift and help each other. It was
a very powerful talk and I was so pleased with my companionJ He has a
wonderful way with people. The Branch
members love him so much! He
concentrates on the one…..each one
of them……and that’s why they love him.
After Sacrament Meeting Doctor John called me out to present me with a gift. A new Ugandan dress! That was such a sweet gesture from him.
I also had the privilege of attending Primary. I was able to have a
fun singing time with the children. They
were cute and participated well. They
only know a handful of songs. They have
not had much of a singing time in the past and to me Singing Time is one of THE
most important parts of Primary. There
are so many Gospel truths taught during singing time and it should be included
in EVERY Primary session. This is something
that the Primary Presidency will be working on in the future.
One of the challenges in Mbale Primary is the communication problem.
Some of the children do not speak much English while others are just
fine. In counseling with the Primary
Presidency I suggested that they have one of the counselors who speak Luganda do
some translating during sharing time to include everyone. It worked out quite well. By American standards this primary would
almost be considered dysfunctional but I know that through small and simple
things are great things brought to pass.
Mbale Branch Primary will slowly grow and improve!
We got the chance to take a few pictures after the services today. Once we got started all who were around wanted to have their picture taken. Mercy got her hair plaited:)
Allan and Isaac
Pius
Ben Tushabe
Esther Rose
Solomon
Mercy and Mirembe
After our church meetings we
had three baptisms. Jackson (a member of
our branch) and who is a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood, was able to baptize
his step mother, his wife and his son.
It was wonderful to witness him using the Priesthood to bless the lives
of his family members. He was nervous
but did a great job! What a blessing to
have god’s power on the earth to bless the lives of His children!
After church we dropped off
Richard and his friends. We are always
greeted by LOTS of little kids in his neighborhood. The other day we drove up and I kid you not a
little toddler saw us coming and he started running towards our truck and even
though our windows were rolled up I could see his mouth saying the words…..Mzungu,
Mzungu!! Even the VERY little ones know
who the white people areJ
Upon arriving at home we
fixed up some chicken and gravy and vegetables and cake. Rick’s cake turned out so pretty and
delicious. I love having a husband who’s
not afraid to put on an apron and do some cooking with me!
We then drove out to the
village and enjoyed the evening with Alfonzo, Mary and their children (Francis’
family). Mary had made two different
kinds of rice (Francis’ brothers and sisters LOVE rice), posho, Irish potatoes
and millet bread. We had PLENTY of food
and enjoyed it very much! After dinner
we had a testimony meeting. Francis was
able to translate everything that was said.
It was beautiful!
This family comes from very
humble circumstances. I wish I could
show through this blog just how destitute they are according to American
standards. They live in a small building
with dirt floors and aluminum siding for a roof. There is no electricity and no plumbing. Francis and his seventeen year old brother sleep
in mud huts with thatched roofs.
Francis’ hut is falling apart and
leaks terribly when it rains. Mary cooks
outside over a fire everyday. They eat
staple foods (like posho) and whatever they can get to grow in their
garden. They depend on the sun and rain
for their food. The latrine is a small
round thatched shack with a small hole in the dirt ground. I’m not sure where they shower but I’m sure
it is just like the latrine. They have
to carry water from their water source about 600 yards away. The children’s clothes are too small, dirty,
and tattered. The small children have
no shoes. Jimeema, the youngest of
fourteen months, is very often naked.
She has never worn a diaper and is very often found suckling on her
mother’s breast.
The wonderful part of this
though, repeats itself in so many other Ugandan members lives. They love God and teach their children
truth. They preach the Gospel and share
God’s word with many of their neighbors.
They attend to the sick. The
adults foot (walk) to church each week long distances and worship with the
Saints of God. (The children are too young to have to carry that far so the
small ones do not go.) They have family
nights. They love each other tremendously
and they are HAPPY! Through their challenges
they have learned to trust in God and lean on Him for strength. It is beautiful to witness.
After testimonies were shared
we enjoyed some singing from Mary and her girls. Francis then shared a personal experience
that helped shape his life. I will not
post it here but it was very special.
Before we knew it we were
saying goodbye to our dear friends. I
cried as I saw Francis’ face in the light of our vehicle as we were driving
out. I cried as I left him there in those
humble circumstances knowing the many challenges he faces each day. I cried as we drove along the dirt roads of
Pallisa District thinking of how he has become like a son to us. I will miss him and don’t know if we will
ever be able to see him again in this life but I will never forget him. He is one of the greatest people I know.
Easter is a wonderful time to
reflect on the Savior and His marvelous gift to us. The Atonement was and is
made possible through the love of Jesus Christ.
I am blessed beyond measure to have the knowledge of Heavenly Father’s
plan, His plan of happiness. The
foundation of my life is built upon this knowledge and on my Savior, Jesus
Christ. Without it I would be lost. I am so thankful to have served in this
mission. I am thankful to have served in
Mbale. It has been very difficult at
times but the joy that comes from teaching others where to find true happiness
is a joy that is beyond compare.
I have so enjoyed this day
with the bittersweet feelings that come from leaving loved ones behind. I’m sure this is how one must feel as they
leave this earth….. hard to leave but knowing you must go. Elder Phelps and I have truly been blessed to
be among such wonderful Saints of God.
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