Last Part of October

And an update - a video in First Part of October - Cranes in Mwanza.

Wow! What a jam packed month we have had. On Oct. 17th we left early for Dar Es Salaam and Zone Conference. We took the Elders with us as there were only 3 because the 4th was serving in Dar and would join us in Arusha after the conference. The trip down to Dar was quite different than our first trip. The road for about a third of the way was really broken up. Not sure if they have had a lot of rain or just too thin of paving.

Saw some interesting plants on the way:

Stopped for a break:

We arrived there in pretty good time. That evening we went out to eat with the Nolls, the Worthens (the new couple there) and Pres. & Sister B. It was really great to visit with them.

Next day was the zone conference. What a great experience. This was our second and it was every bit as good as the first. Our very own Elder Nagapasare conducted and he did a great job. The Elders that gave the training were really good. It just amazes us how these young men can teach the gospel.

And they have a little fun too:

The next day we went shopping with the Worthens. Went to a shop where a member makes all kinds of wood carvings.

Then we attended the music workshop with the Worthens. It was really interesting to see how they teach. They had a lot more students than we ever get at our classes.

Then next day we headed back to Arusha. Elder & Sister Noll followed us back as they had planned to visit us for the weekend. We saw a lot of interesting things on the way back.

This is the sisal. The product of the plant we saw on they way over to Dar the first time:

Here's the plant:

Then they load it onto trucks like this:

Here are some of the workers that process and gather it:

These are oranges:

These are live chickens on the back of a piki piki (motorcycle):

This is not an upside down tree. They really do grow like this:

And we were stopped several times for vehicle checks. And one stop they said they had us on radar going over the speed limit. At least I think that’s what they said. They charged us 30,000 Tsh - no paper work. We didn’t argue, we just paid the fine and said “asante sana” and were on our way.

That evening after we arrived home we went to the Maasai Cafe with the Nolls:

The next day we spent checking out the Elder’s flats. Elder Noll is a counselor in the Mission Presidency so he had a lot of things he needed to get done. Our Elders Quorum Pres. had moved out of town to go to school so we needed to replace him. So we went up to Pres. Spear’s home to talk with him about whom he would recommend.

He really has a wonderful family:

What a great weekend. We had a really good class with the Young Single Adults and a great activity which the Nolls just fit right into. 

Then on Sunday we had all kinds of things going on. A great Sunday School lesson taught by one of the new members. It is amazing how they just jump right in and do what they are asked even though they are so new in the church. We sometimes wonder if they really understand what they are teaching. A very spiritual Sacrament Meeting. Elder Coles one of the new Elders bore his testimony. He speaks really good Swahili. Then the first counselor, Bro. Elia spoke with great enthusiasm. We have no idea what he said but it seemed to really stir up the members.

Then we held our Temple Preparation Class and had a really good discussion about the dedication of the Kirtland Temple and the blessings promised there.

Then on Monday we sent the Nolls back to Dar. Hated to see them go but we all have a lot to do here in Africa so were just happy they could spend a few days with us.

Then back to our regular routine. We have made a habit of having the Elders over each Monday evening for a meal and FHE. We really enjoy them and the spirit they bring into our home.

Then our usual Swahili lessons, DDM with the missionaries, training our new Elders Quorum President and lots of running here and there.

Then on Sunday we had the Primary Program. It was very interesting. The kids have been taught the songs in english and they really sing their hearts out.

This was their practice:

Wow, it makes us tired just putting this all together. 

But we are loving the work and getting better at speaking Swahili every day. Maybe by the time we go home we will be able to talk to the people. The members here are really strong. It is not easy to be a member of the church here. All of them ride dola dolas on the main roads and then walk up to the church. Some don’t have dola dolas in their area so they walk all the way. Some for several miles. But they come every week. It makes us feel guilty with all the luxuries we have.

First Part of October

We are getting the YSA program going pretty good here in Arusha. Also the temple class. We are really getting some good discussions going. It’s kind of hard with the language barrier but our great interpreter Bro. K. helps a lot. The things we discuss are quite new to most of the members and sometimes Bro. K. gets so involved in what we are teaching he forgets to translate. It takes a lot of review to make sure they really understand what we are teaching.

Looks like we are into the “short rain” as the locals call it. The first Sunday of Oct. was a rather wet one. We almost got stuck going up to the East Elder’s flat and ripped the right rear mud flap off. We wondered if anyone would show up to church. But there was a good turn out. We had a sister call and wanted a ride to the church from the stoplight corner. She is from (France-Singapore-BYU-Utah) and is working in Moshi with some juvenile delinquents in jail. So Pres. Spear and Elder R. went to pick her up. Then the Elders called and wanted us to pick up some investigators so we also did that. We should say Elder R. did. Sister R. stayed at the church and attended lessons. Great testimony meeting. Elder Rapiya’s last Sunday so he bore his testimony and it was great. He has really been a good missionary here. Then we taught the 2nd lesson of the temple prep class. Good discussion on the requirements to get a temple recommend. Then helped the Elders teach.

Oct. 4, 2011

We learned that Pres. Spear’s baby had pneumonia. So we went to pick him up at ShopRite and then to his house to see the baby. She seems to be doing pretty good. Then home to get ready to take Elder Rapiya to the airport. Didn’t get away on time and the traffic was terrible, thus he missed his flight. He was able to get on the next flight at 7:30 PM. We are sad to see him go but happy for him to be able to go home and see his family.

Oct. 7, 2011

We took our truck in to get the repairs done. Then we took the shuttle to the airport and flew to Mwanza for our support visit there. Checked into the Hotel La Kairo and crashed for the rest of the day.

Ate a lot while we were there.

Elder R. even had a “whole” tilapia. Sister R. couldn’t look at it because of the eyes.

The next day we went to the church to meet with the branch presidency. They had a baptism that day so that was really nice for us. 

Then we had a YSA activity. We had a really good time with them. Registered 13 people for Institute.

Oct. 9, 2011

Attended church with the branch. Did some more training with the branch presidency. Bro. Mwabaleke was called as teacher for the Seminary-Institute class. So we hope that program will be off and running there in Mwanza.

Then on Monday we held a music training class at the church. We went clear through the leading manual and started on keyboarding. Had only 3 in attendance. 

But they were really eager and moved very quickly.

Later that day we took a walk around the hotel grounds

and the block (actually several) by the hotel and found these cranes in a garbage dump and all over the field next to it.

Then on Tuesday we headed for the airport, picked up 3 nice pineapples (they seem to be better there in Mwanza - and less expensive) and flew back to Arusha. Our truck was not ready so we had to spend a couple of days using a taxi. We are still not brave enough to try a dola dola.

Each Saturday we have YSA and Seminary & Institute class. The members seem to really have fun. We hope it will help them to learn to mix and strengthen their testimonies at the same time. And the lessons (we hope) are teaching the members here a better knowledge of the Gospel and helping them to remain strong. They seem to really enjoy the lessons.

Then Sunday we had a special meeting to show General Conference. They get them here on DVD, a little late but in their language. It was great.