Samburu National Reserve
Sept 17th, 2014

This was a beautiful 6 hour drive north from Nairobi.

Entrance gate to the reserve.

There were all kinds of animals, including elephants roaming around our tent.

We were awakened at 3 am to the sound of elephants noisily eating trees around our tent.

Our tents are on platforms so we were safe.

Elder and Sister Anderson invited us to come with them on this adventure.
We are so thankful for this opportunity!
This area is NOT fenced so the animals roam freely.
There are MANY guards and towers to keep us safe.

We were invited to pick up our plates and move to the deck 

because elephants were coming through.

The dining room.

There were so many beautiful elephants.

We witnessed fighting with 3 bulls.

The sound of the ivory clashing was incredible.

 The elephants were majestic!

We heard a male lion roar early that morning! 

We were told that the sound will carry for 5 miles.

Our guide was looking for tracks but we never did see it.

We did get this great picture of the Lioness and Cub. 

We were so close to these animals.

They didn't pay any attention to us.

Cheetah

Leopard

Zebra

Reticulated Giraffe

Gerenuk 

Giraffe Gazelle

Impala

Dick Dick

The smallest of all the antelope family.

It's about the size of a large jack rabbit.

This Baboon was just outside our tent.

There was a troop fighting and screaching.

Vervet or Blue Ball Monkey

We were invaded by these little characters!

The padlock had to be in place on the door at all times.

Warthogs

Warthogs

or "Kenya Express"

Their tails (look like an antenna) are straight up in the air when they are running.

Warthogs are so ugly they are cute!

Oryx

Water Buck

Massive termite hills!

Weaver Bird Nests.

Guinea Fowl

Marabou Stork

 Grey Crowned Crane

Nile Crocodile

The Ewaso Ng'iro River runs through the camp.

There were hippos on the other side of the river.

 

Khallo  & Isaac our awesome guide and driver

One of the Masai guides from another vehicle.

Beautiful Sunsets!

THE END!!

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MARIA A.W. IMENDE

WIFE OF OUR BUSIA BRANCH PRESIDENT

June 22, 1966 - November 30, 2014

These pictures were taken at the 5th Anniversary Party for the Busia Branch 

August 30, 2014.

We enjoyed our very first African Dinner at the Imende Home.
Sister Imende is such a wonderful loving woman!  We had an immediate connection with her!
This was such a memorable evening for us as we visited and enjoyed the wonderful
African food and African Hospitality.
We will always remember Sister Imende saying, "This IS The African Way"!

On December 11, 2014
Sister Robai from the Busia Branch and Sister Horner
had the  sweet opportunity to prepare Sister Imende for burial.
It was very comforting to dress her in temple clothing.


The first viewing followed immediately just outside the mortuary.

This was followed with a viewing and short service
just in front of the family home.

The body was then transported to the Imende family compound 1 1/2 hours away
where about 200 people stayed the night waiting for the funeral the following day.
A special LDS Service in Sister Imende's honor was held that evening.

This bus was hired to drive Busia Branch Members to the Family Compound.

There was seating for 500 people under tents for the funeral service on Dec. 12, 2014.
The first 3 hours of the service was a traditional service and the majority of this
was presented in Swahili.  There was a beautiful song with drums presented.
 President Imende and his children spoke to bring transition to the
concluding LDS service.  Sister Horner was the first speaker.
Other leaders including the past Branch President also spoke. President Chirchir
from the Mission Presidency was the concluding speaker.  He gave a
powerful talk speaking in both Swahilli and English on the Plan of Salvation.

The 4 1/2 hour service was presented in the center area between the tents.


A photographer  was taking random pictures throughout the service.
These pictures were taken at that time.
The viewing took place under a small tent.
Pres. Chirchir is in the center with
Pres. Francis and Pres. Abner  from Busia Branch Presidency on each side.
Elder and Sister Horner & Elder and Sister Anderson are seated behind.

The burial plot is inside the family compound.
This was just before Elder Horner dedicated the grave.
The coffin is covered with beautiful lace.

Iron sheets as they call it are placed over the top of a coffin.
Everyone that wants to throws dirt on top of the iron sheets.

Many crowded around for the burial.

Following the burial there were many people wanting to know more about the 

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Elder and Sister  Horner kept busy sharing missionary pamphlets and Book of Mormons to

many who had questions following the service. 

The Imende family is a strong family with faith in Jesus Christ and his restored Gospel.
They have felt the power, strength and comfort of the Holy Ghost!

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE PLAN OF SALVATION!

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!