Thanksgiving 2014

 THANKSGIVING 2014

Wednesday, Nov 26, it was our opportunity to drive our first two missionaries 

to Eldorette to be set apart and  put them on the plane Thanksgiving Day for Nairobi. 

From there they went on to Ghana to the MTC.

They are so thankful to be able to receive their temple blessings in the Ghana Temple!

They will return to the Mission Offices in Nairobi in 12 days to find out where 

they will be assigned to serve in The Kenya Nairobi Mission.

Elder Steve and Elder Godfrey are the first to leave to serve missions since our arrival here.

They are amazing young men with strong testimonies.  We have been teaching a 

temple prep / mission prep class to 8 amazing young men and young women.  

Both of these Elders have been members of the church about two years 

and are the only members in their families.

Steve arrived at the church smiling and ready to go!

We drove upcountry to pick up Elder Godfrey since it was right on our way.

It was sweet to see him say goodbye to his parents, grandparents and family.

It was especially tender as he said goodbye to his grandmother. 

We were invited into his home where his grandmother gave a prayer and each of his 

family shared their thoughts.  Elder Godfrey translated for us.

So many in his village lined the streets to wave goodbye as we drove away.

It was obvious of the love his family and friends have for him.

Elder Godfrey with his family.

This picture was taken in Eldorette  just before President  Chirchir set them apart.

They spent the night with the Elders in Sosiani.

Thanksgiving morning, we drove our Elders to the airport.

This is President Chirchir from our KNM Presidency.

He was also flying into Nairobi.

These were tender goodbyes since it isn't likely we will see them again in this life.

However, we are blessed to know that we will see them again!

We have come to LOVE these wonderful Elders so much in such a short time! 

They call us mom and dad and they are a very special part of our Kenyan family.

These young Elders are truly "Kenyan Pioneers" who are full of faith hope and vision.

There were three Elders and one Sister flying to Nairobi.

This Sister is also assigned to the KNM.

The others are family members of the other missionaries there to say goodbye.

As we left the airport we were filled with gratitude for this sweet experience 

and filled with tender memories of taking our own wonderful sons to the MTC. 

 Our thoughts turned to gratitude for our wonderful family at home. 

We are so thankful for each of them and their love and support!!!

We made the scenic 3 hour drive through beautiful rolling Nandi Hills.
The tea fields go on and on and on.
All of the tea is hand picked.

Beautiful Nandi Hills!

We went to a restaurant for Thanksgiving Dinner and had fresh Tilapia and mashed potatoes.

Our Kisumu Elders and Sisters were in Nairobi for training. 

THANKSGIVING IS ABOUT BEING THANKFUL!

  

WE ARE SOOO THANKFUL  FOR OUR WONDERFUL FAMILY 

AND DEAR FRIENDS! 

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE RESTORED GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR OUR ANCESTORS WHO ACCEPTED THE GOSPEL 

AND TAUGHT US HOW TO LIVE!

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR OUR TESTIMONIES OF JESUS CHRIST!

WE ARE SO THANKFUL TO BE MISSIONARIES AND HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN THE WONDERFUL KENYA NAIROBI MISSION. 

WE LOVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE KINGDOM BUILDERS HERE!

Mary, Walter and  Kevin's Baptism Day

Sunday October 9, 2014

Kisumu Branch is growing!

Mary is our day guard.  We  have come to love her so much!

She has been learning about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

since she was transferred to work here at the church about 2 years ago.

Throughout this time, many people have taught and influenced Mary.

Our wonderful Sister Missionaries, Sister Odundo and Sister Muduwa 

have been teaching Mary most recently.

Mary committed to baptism and asked Elder Horner to baptize her.

It was wonderful to see her dressed in white!

We were so happy that Mary's sister came to the  baptism and spent the day here.

Elder Horner and Mary

Elder Griffiths, Kevin and Elder Hiltbrand

Walter and Elder Hiltbrand

Our awesome wonderful missionaries and the baptism candidates

Sister Odundo, Kevin, Sister Muduwa, Mary, Elder Hiltbrand,

Walter, Elder Horner and Elder Griffiths.

The Baptismal Font at Kisumu Branch is in our back yard.

This is what is used in the Branches in our mission.

President Okila, our Branch President is pictured here  by the baptismal font with Pastor Dave, 

one of his friends. Our awesome Elders, Elder Hiltbrand and Elder Griffiths are having 

the privilege of teaching Pastor Dave.  We also had the sweet opportunity to teach him one day and feel his sincere desire to know truth. He is an amazing man!

We love this opportunity to serve here and associate with these beautiful Kenyan people!

Masai Village

near Samburu National Reserve

The women of the village greeted us with a welcome song.

We were invited to dance with them.

We enjoyed being with Elder and Sister Anderson.

This is a traditional mud and dung home.

This desert area has not had rain since May.

The newer homes are covered with plastic, cardboard 

or any other material they can find.

They have had to sell most of their cows as there is

not enough pasture to provide for them.

Notice how intricate the wooden frame is put together.

The women have the responsibility to build the homes.

Joseph, the chief, took us inside his home.

The ornate beaded necklaces are very heavy.

This demonstration showed how they build a fire 

using dung and wood.

Joseph explained that this area is called Parliament.

They do not have newspapers or magazines so

someone goes into the nearby town each morning to

get the news.  This area is where the news is shared in the evenings.

This is the chicken pen inside the animal stockade.

Clothing is left to dry on the prickly barrier.

The picture didn't capture this little ones big eyes and smile.
These people are very loving.

We enjoyed our visit to the Masai Village, but
declined their invitation to spend the night.

A science experiment on

the Equator in Nanyuki, Kenya

Altitude 6,389 feet

This is a great science fair project, however it can ONLY take place on the equator!

 We were able to see for ourselves that water drains clockwise north of the Equator.

We walked 20 meters north of the equator.

Match sticks were placed in a bowl so you could track the water flow and

as the man took his finger from the bottom of the bowl you could also see 

the water spiral downward in a clockwise direction.

We walked 20 meters south of the Equator and saw the exact opposite.
The same bowl was used.

This time the match sticks moved counter clockwise and 

the water spiraled counter clockwise out of the bottom of the  bowl. 

The same bowl was used while

standing directly over the Equator.  The water did not move in the bowl.
The match sticks were still.

It drained straight down without any spiral motion at all.

Nyeri, is located just south of Nanyuki and is the burial place of

Lord Baden-Powell.  Lord Baden-Powell was a writer, founder of the  Scout Movement, Chief Scout and lieutenant-general in the British Army.  He is buried at St. Paul's Cemetery and his grave is one of Kenya's National Monuments.   His gravestone bears a circle with a dot in the center which is the trail sign for "going home." or "I have gone home."
It was his wish to be buried here.