A great Thanksgiving and Special Conference

November 18 - 25

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  One of my favorite memories as a child was waking up to the wonderful smells of turkey roasting in the oven and steam on the windows from the warmth within and the cold outside.  This Thanksgiving was no different in one respect, we have steam on our windows, but it’s from the wonderful air conditioning inside and the warmth outside.  Hard to believe, but it will be a memory I will keep with me.

This Thanksgiving we recognized the hand of the Lord in many small miracles that occurred even this week. 

On Tuesday we met with our Seminaries and Institute Coordinators (the best in the world) and told them of the many changes that are taking place in the PEF Program.  They were so supportive and wanted to call firesides immediately in their respective stakes to train the PEF students.  We’re going to a manual entry system of reporting the payments of our students which will be more work for me but less confusion with the bank.  We’ll stay with this system until we can clear up the discrepancies we have with many of our student’s accounts.  I took poppy seed bread (cake) and water to sweeten them up, but we found out they were already sweet.  They expressed their support, wondering why we hadn’t gone to this type of system sooner.  One of our more dignified coordinators even expressed his love for us.  I was totally taken off guard and had to keep back a few tears that probably came out in my closing prayer.

After work that evening (close to 5:00 p.m.) we stopped at Mansour’s (where we get our hair cut) to see if we could get an appointment.  The phone number he had on his card was not working.  He not only corrected the number, but told us he had time to cut our hair right then.  Within ½ hour he had cut Hal’s hair and I had a wash and a cut.  He reminded me of Edward Scissorhands.  His scissors were just flying and he’s a master at his art.  He’s Lebonese, speaks French and very little English, but we seem to manage just fine.

Wednesday was busy and we were excited to get home and start preparations for Thanksgiving dinner, but on the way home, a motorcycle police office decided he wanted to have a little fun and pulled us over.  We’re not sure why.  After 15 to 20 minutes of frustration for him because we had called Pres. Thierry at the Mission Home and he was on his way to rescue us, our fine man in blue decided to let us go with a warning that our time would come and he would be watching for us.  It truly was a miracle he let us go.  We count it as a blessing and pray that we will be invisible next time he’s around.

Thursday we went to President and Sister Jameson’s for dinner at 2:00.  Sister Jameson had been working so hard and power had gone out so her attention was dieverted from water she left running and they ended up with a flooded kitchen.  They took it in stride and didn't let it spoil the occasion.

All couples furnished a couple of dishes.  We lacked very little!

 Sister Jameson roasted 7 or 8 whole chickens, giving each of the couples ½ and then sending us home with ½ so we could enjoy leftovers

 President Jameson is a gracious host pouring our water and making sure we had all we wanted.

 We even had pumpkin pie (thanks to Elder and Sister Frandsen who had come from Heber City to assist with the Water Project the Moons (our Humanitarian couple) are working on. 

 We had apple pie and coconut cream pie. All of these are rarities in the Congo.

They are so good to us. We enjoyed getting together and sharing stories and memories of past Thanksgivings and Christmas traditions. It was a great day!

 

Another fun event, on Thursday morning we decided to go with Elder and Sister Smith to Hasson and Freres, a store that’s reported to be as close to Walmart as we’ll get here in Kinshasa.  It’s owned by 2 Jewish brothers and we generally have a hard time going because they close on Friday at 3:00 p.m. through Saturday to honor their Sabbath.  Saturday is generally the day we shop for groceries.  It was a fun experience to see what they have.  As in all stores, everything is very expensive (in fact Kinshasa is reportedly one of the three most expensive cities to live in in the world), but it was fun to see what they have.  They are one of the few stores that sells ham.  Surprising because of their Jewish owners, but we also found out that you pay at the separate departments within the store.  You pay for your dairy products in the dairy department and you pay for your meat in the meat department so maybe the meat is owned by someone else.   

Today, Sunday, we just returned from the special conference presided over by Elder Soares, Area President, to create a new stake, the Binza Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake.  We are so blessed to be here as the church continues to grow.  Because three stakes were meeting together, we were at the church 2 hours early to get a good seat.  We could feel the power of the occasion from the moment we drove up.  Everyone was so happy despite the heavy rains during the night.  We could see that they had prepared every available space with projectors and screens so everyone would be able to see.  They even had chairs in the big room and in the long hallway of the S&I building. 

 They had a big tent and chairs on the basketball court outside.  We asked if it was going to rain and was assured it would not even though it looked threatening.  We have found that members here have much greater faith than we have because it did not rain.

.  Members greeted us with such enthusiasm and shook our hands.  The choir started singing just before 9 am.  Elder Soares and Elder Mabaya, our Area 70, came in just before 10 am.

 

Attending this special conference fortified our testimony of revelation and the power of the Priesthood in growing the kingdom God throughout the world.  Russel Mbaya was called as the stake president of the new stake and Didier Mutombo was called as 2^nd counselor.  We have mentioned that Russel is the Area Director of the Employment Resource Center and Didier is the Executive Secretary for Elder Kyungu, Area 70.  We work very closely with both of them.  We didn’t know the other counselor nor the new stake presidency for the Mont Ngafula stake.  The testimonies of the newly called leaders and the messages given by Elders Soares and Elder Mabaya were so good.  There is no doubt that the Lord prepares whom He calls, and there is no doubt that there is strength and experience in those directing the growth of the church here in DRC.

This is a family that sat just in front of us.  We had a little room on our bench so two of the girls sat with us.  What a special opportunity.

 After the conference,everyone goes outside but it seems that no one wants to leave.  Everyone is happy to be together and enjoy everyones friendship.  

 

We’ll keep this short, but we want you to know how much we love you and appreciate your prayers.  We feel them.

 

School visits and Stake Conference.

November 12-18, 2012

It has been another great week with lots being accomplished.  With many of the schools starting, we have seen lots of our young people as they need to pay tuition, books and fees.  Even though PEF prefers to pay schools directly using bank transfers, we in the Congo don’t have that luxury.  Even if we can pay some fees directly to the school, we normally have to accompany the student to the school to pay some fees and also pay professors directly for books.  The professors and instructors are not paid well so the schools give them opportunity to sell the specific books and supplies used in their classes thus providing them an additional source of revenue.  It may help the professors, but it makes it so difficult for us because we have so many students going to different schools, and they all have different professors.  We find ourselves trying to schedule one trip to pay for multiple students. 

As we explained before, we rely heavily on our volunteers to make these trips.  They understand the procedures, the systems of the schools, and are just able to find their way around better.  However, I had opportunity to make a couple of visits this week.  We have a student studying to become an agricultural engineer at Institute Supèrieur Agro-Veterinaire.  He is just starting his second year.  By mistake a year ago, PEF made a double payment to the school.  We found some notations in the file, but nothing was ever done.  Therefore, I needed to visit the school to find out if they received the second payment and to see if they would work with us so we won’t suffer a loss.  I went with Pitshou again.  I asked him to drive our truck because as you know I don’t enjoy driving in some of the conditions here.  I am glad he drove.  It gave me opportunity to look around, ask questions, and even take some pictures. 

 

These pictures show what it is like just after you leave the main boulevard through the downtown business district of Kinshasa.  The farther you go the more transports (small bus or taxi) you see because very few people here have cars.  Almost every minivan is a transport.  This is very typical of what you see along side the roads.

 This is a transport that we followed for some distance.  If you look closely you can see how full it is and how uncomfortable is has to be.  As crowded as they are and as hot as it is, it is hard to imagine what is is to ride without airconditioning.

 I took this picture to show the houses on the hillside, but they don't show up very well.  This is very typical.

 We drove past the University of Kinsahasa.  I took this picture at the front gate.

 This shows the kind of roads we travel.

 Even where roads used to be paved, there are many places or disrepair as shown here.  It forces you to drive very slowly and therefore takes a long time to get anywhere.

 And many places the road becomes like this.

 We finally arrived at ISAV.  This is the gate.

 This is the office building where we met with the administrative director.  The middle door was his office.

 These are the main buildings.

 They took us on a tour of the different areas of the university.  It reminds me of the experient farm of UW where they try different methods and crops.  Pitshou is in the tie.

 They showed us the chicken coops.

 This is a picture across one of their fields but also shows the countryside.

 This was in the parking area of the school so I took the picture.  Can you see the cow, ear of corn and tomato.

 On the way back, I took this picture to give a feel of the countryside. It was actually more beautiful than the picture shows

 Typical roadside view with the houses in the back.

 In the middle of it all, we pass a very familiar site.  There really are a lot of chapels thoughout the city.  This is the old stake center of the Mont Ngafula Stake.

 This is another picture of the University of Kinshasa.  The buildings are too far for the camera to pick up details but I found it very interesting.

 

It proved to be much farther, and roads were difficult and slow so it took us much longer than planned.  We had told Laraine that we would be back by 3:00 pm because Pitshou had another appointment.  As it turned out, we barely got to the school by 3:00.  As we finished, I tried to call Laraine to let her know that we would be late, but she didn’t pick up the phone.  Knowing that she would worry, I called Didier because he is in an office next to ours.  He said that he had already left but that he would try and call someone back in the building to let Laraine know.  Apparently, he called one of the students that he knew was still there because the student let Laraine talk to Didier.  We have told you before about how amazing the people are, and we have told you about Didier, but he not only called the student so Laraine would know that we were late, but he called later to check on her and even after we go home that evening, we got a call again just to make sure everything went okay.  What great people who go out of their way to make sure we are safe.

I had a second opportunity to go with Kalonji to pay his tuition at ISC where he is studying business.  The distance was really not too far, but because of traffic around a school where parents were picking up their children, it still took us a little while.  It was interesting to see what a university is like.  I said last week that we wouldn’t compare, but I feel bad for these students.  He showed me one of his classrooms and explained that even though classes have started, the actual sessions have not been too productive.  The open door in into Kalonji's classroom.  The windows and doors are mostly open to allow air circulation because they don't have air conditioning.

I also found it interesting that even though we could not pay the school directly by bank transfer, we actually had to go to a small office of Raw Bank and pay the fees to the bank. Kalonji had made a connection which he said allowed us to make our payment much more quickly than if we had been forced to wait in the sometimes very long lines.  As you can see, the bank teller window is outside.  The two women behind Kalonji are making payment through the window.

 As we walked back to the truck, I took the next two pictures.  The first is looking back to the building we were at and the other two show some of the other buildings.

 

He said professors are not paid well and they aren’t too motivated at the first of the year.  He said they should improve, but it is hard to imagine that at a university, the students don’t get the best education possible because professors are paid so poorly.  I also found it interesting that even though we could not pay the school directly by bank transfer, we actually had to go to a small office of Raw Bank and pay the fees to the bank.  Kalonji had made a connection which he said allowed us to make our payment much more quickly than if we had been forced to wait in the sometimes very long lines.

Since we are talking of how poorly teachers are paid, I had an interview with a student who is renewing his loan for another year.  I was surprised that he was a PEF participant because of his age, but I came to find out that he was one of the first PEF students here and was granted an age exception because of his circumstances.  It is probably good that he was one to help get things started because exceptions are difficult to come by now.  Anyway, as we talked I found that he had studied theology and had been a protestant pastor before joining the church.  He said he met the missionaries and curious to know a little of how their teaching compared to what he knew from all his studies.  He listened all the time being a little skeptical.  He was taught for a while and the missionaries asked him if he would pray about what they were teaching.  He said he hadn’t even thought that this was something he should pray about, but he said okay.  He said even his first prayer was hesitant as he didn’t expect anything to happen, but that is where it all started to come together for him and his family to join the church.  Because he joined the church, he lost everything having to leave being a pastor.  He had to start over taking on multiple little jobs, growing and selling produce and even teaching English.  I don’t know where he teaches because he doesn’t even try to speak English with me, but he said he is only paid $80 a month to teach English which isn’t enough to provide for his family.  As I listened to him, I find that he really has an entrepreneurial attitude in the creative things he comes up with to subsist.  We pray that the education he is getting because of PEF can change things for him and his family. 

We also were invited to President and Sister Jameson’s for family home evening Monday night.  They had just returned from Johannesburg where they attended a conference for all mission presidents in Southeast Africa, and they wanted to share some of what they learned and felt.  They started out by asking what we found different or what surprised us when we arrived in Africa even after we had googled and read about DR Congo, even after we had been in touch with the couples we replaced, and even after we had read some of their blog or the blogs of the other couples.  They just opened it up and let us think and voice our thoughts.  It was amazing how quickly everyone was expressing gratitude for the great people and African culture, for the strength and depth of the members, and for their devotion to the Savior. The traffic or other inconveniences were only mentioned in passing to the things that really matter.  They then took time to go over their notes allowing us to feel the power of being instructed by servants of the Lord.  They concluded by telling a very personal experience as they attended the temple.  All those attending the conference were given the opportunity to go through the temple the last day, but President and Sister Jameson along with the president of the Lubumbashi Mission and his wife were able to attend the sealing of a couple of families from Burundi whom they had known while they served there.  They just happened to be there at the same time and didn’t know that the Jamesons would be there until they walked into the sealing room.  They told of these families, how they were converted, how committed they are to the church, and how they as leaders of the church in Burundi are persecuted by the government because the government is afraid that they might be leading a group that will oppose the current leaders.  Officials have searched their homes and meeting hall looking for propaganda.  They go through so much to follow the Lord but they were there at the temple to be sealed as families.

Yesterday, Laraine worked so hard as we didn’t have family history training because this weekend is stake conference.  She does baking almost every weekend, but yesterday she baked bread.  I don’t think you really realize how hard it is to have hot homemade bread with an aroma filling the apartment knowing that you are only going to eat one slice so you can freeze and save bread for the future.  Laraine said that it isn’t fun to make bread without sharing it so she took a loaf to Elder and Sister Smith who made a big fuss over it. 

 Our Sunday meetings started at 10:00 but we left an 1 ½ hours early because conferences are so well attended and everyone comes early. However when we got there we found out that we were joining all stakes in Southeast and West Africa in a special video conference from Salt Lake City. Because it was a video conference, they broadcast it in various ward building so members would not have to travel so far. We only had four wards attending in our building so we were not fighting for seating.  I had to take this picture while we waited.  It is a young family with seven children all probably under 10.  The children were so cute and were being so reverent, but I got caught as the two on the end saw me clicking the picture.

They were playing talks from last general conference to adjust the picture and sound.  I just have to say that so you know that I didn't take pictures during the meeting.  I took this picture to show how some women do thier hair.  The one in front has braided extensions into her hair.  You see lots of wigs and extensions.

 

  We had our own opening conducted by our state president.  There were 21 sustained to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and be ordained Elders.  Then they started the broadcast from SLC with Elder Conrad of the Seventy conducting.  Elder Conrad, Sister Cook of the YW general presidency, Elder Christofferson of the Twelve, and President Monson all spoke.  Brother Mbiya, a S&I Coordinator that we work with, translated for those wanting headsets to hear in English.  The speakers spoke in English which was translated into French for the broadcast, and Brother Mbiya translated the French back into English.  Laraine said that a few things were lost in so many translations, but it was a great conference.  We will have a special conference next week where Elder Soares will be here to divide 2 stakes into 3 stakes, and then in December there will be another special conference where another new stake will be created.  We are so blessed to be here at such a special time.

 

We are starting to experience the rainy season.  It can really come down in gushers. It rained hard several times this week.  I tried to grab the camera and take a picture fron the front of our building, but I missed the torential rains.  I took this picture and went back in.  A little later it  again poured down.

Last night we received an email:  "Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens:  Heavy fighting in North Kivu Province."  We receive security breifings quite regularly, but this message reminded us that there continues to be political unrest here in DR Congo.  The news said that a cease fire that had been in place for two months was broken last Thursday and that the UN was calling a special meeting of the Security Council to discuss the current situation in DRC.  We understand that DR Congo has the highest concentration of UN forces of anywhere in the world right now.  We see UN vehicles and soldiers everyday here, but the major conflicts are in northeast DRC.  

 

We don't want people to worry because we are far from the active conflict areas of North Kivu, and the church monitors and keeps us posted.

We wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving.  By the weather and as busy as we are, it is hard to realize that it is Thanksgiving.  However when we count our blessing, we truly thank our Heavenly Father for all he gives us and especially for being here.  We do miss you all and send our love and prayers.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

 

 

 

The Three C's!

November 5-11, 2012

What a great week.  We love feeling that we still are connected with all we love.  We appreciate Skype and Face Time that allow us to stay in touch with our family.  It is amazing that we can talk and see our family even though we are so far away.  How blessed we are.  At the same time, we appreciate the emails no matter how long from so many of you.  We draw strength and are lifted as we think about those that have had such an influence in our lives.  This week we received a short email from Alan Chadwick.  We appreciate the friendship of Alan, Denise, and their family.  They have been home teachers, and in this week we felt like we received a wonderful home teaching message intended specifically for us.  Alan said, “I think doing your type of work would take a lot of patience and diligence! Keep up the great work! I remember when I was a missionary in the Philippines, I would get frustrated with things and kept comparing things there with how they were here in the USA. Then one day, Elder Jacob De Jager who was the area authority at the time, came by and gave us one of his 'chalk talks' he said ‘remember the three C's, don't compare, don't complain, and don't criticize.’”

We hope that we don’t come across that we are complaining or criticizing our circumstances here in the Congo although, we are guilty.  As we talked about these three C’s, we realize that it is very difficult not to compare how very blessed our life is back in the comforts of our home, or even comparing this mission to our mission on Temple Square.  We talked about how easy it is to get frustrated and discouraged and complain a little even if it is just in our minds.  We recognize how easy it is to feel the weight that comes with realizing the enormous potential of PEF and knowing how small and simple we are.  With those realities and thanks to the wonderful message from the Chadwicks, we will attempt to modify our reaction to commend, compliment, and cherish.  We want you to know how blessed we are to be here in Africa at this particular time.  It is hard not to talk about things here that are different from our normal experiences because we are captivated by them.  We are especially overwhelmed by the strength, courage, and happiness of the people here. 

We have been impressed with how courteous everyone is here.  They will always shake your hand if you extend yours.  If you don’t extend your hand, they will cup one hand around the other fist and bring it to their chest in a very touching gesture as they dip the head.  I wish I could emulate it but so far it doesn’t come naturally.

We are impressed with the dedication and commitment of the members.  We told you about the first family history training meeting for three bishoprics last week.  We commented about the fact that one more person came than had been invited.  Again yesterday in the second training meeting for three more bishoprics, the room was packed.  Full bishoprics came, many from long distances.  I asked one bishopric how long it took them to come.  They said they left at 8:00 am to be there by 10:00.  Almost all of them have to come by transport (the Congo form of taxi or bus) because they don’t have cars.  They came to be trained and to get hands on experience so they can go back into their wards and get everyone excited about researching and submitting their families to the temple, and to prepare for the coming temple.  It is inspiring to feel their enthusiasm as they are able to get into New Family Search and enter the names of their loved ones.  We challenge all of you back in Star Valley that you too commit yourselves to prepare for the temple in the same way we see it happening here.

As we talk of devotion, we want to reiterate that when Elder Holland was here, each of the stakes held special meetings.  Elder Holland was able to attend only one.  Elder and Sister Clayton attended another.  Elder and Sister Renlund attended one, and Elder Mbaya attended one.  As expected, there were many who attended the meeting with Elder Holland, but Elder and Sister Moon attended the stake where Elder Mbaya presided.  They said that in that stake there are 4,100 members and there were 3,900 in attendance.  Where else can you find 95% attendance at a conference?

We have been told that a vice president from LDS business college is here this week to review what is happening and to move the construction program taught by Elder Billings forward so the program can continue with proper accreditation even after he is through.  At the same time, they are hoping to expand into other developing countries, and a woman came who has helped in writing the manual used in this program and who will be writing the manual that will be used as the construction program is expanded into other countries.  We have the impression that she is trying to get first hand exposure to the circumstances, both good and difficult, impacting such a program in developing countries with such poverty.

We want to mention that our two volunteers who help us at the PEF Center are both starting their school with the help of a PEF loan.  We can feel their excitement, but it means that they will not be able to spend as much time helping us.  We have asked another PEF student, Daddy, to help us.  It is amazing how much we rely on them and how much they do. 

Another PEF student who has just completed the construction program and who is just an amazing person, learned that he has been selected as one of only 7 from all of Africa to attend BYU Hawaii on scholarship.  He is so kind and personable.  We just loved him from the moment we met him.  .  It is a significant work/study scholarship but requires a sponsor who can assure that non-covered costs can be covered.  Through people here and in Hawaii, a sponsor was found.  The program requires that he return to his country to work after completion of his degree.  This is a tremendous opportunity and honor, but has its challenges.  He is not married, but has a girlfriend.  He says they will probably have to long distance relationship for four plus years.  Despite the challenges, he is excited and we are excited for him.

Just yesterday, another student was excited to share that he is going to get married.  He also let me see the agreement that he and his fiancée’s parents have signed.  The agreement is for the “dot” (pronounced with a long O) or dowry that he has to pay before they can be married.  He explained that it is a continuing tradition in many of the tribes of Africa.  The agreement itemizes things for the father and things for the mother. 

 

For the father, Céderic will pay $500, furnish a suit and other items of clothing, some animals, and other things I don’t remember.  He also will provide clothing, jewelry, animals, and other items to the mother.  In all, it will cost him about $1,200.  He said this will be very difficult because he only makes $200 per month right now, but he is going to economize and try to find additional work so they can be married in the temple next May or June.  We understand that the church is trying to discourage the dot, but many times extended family receives some of the consideration, and when they are not members, it becomes difficult.

Friday, we were blessed with one of those experiences that you hope for as a missionary.  We had finished a hard day at the PEF Center and were anxious to get home.  We got into the truck and headed to the gate out of the church grounds.  I would mention that most businesses, schools, churches are gated and have security guards.  Our church is gated and has a little hut at the gate where the guards are.  The guard motioned to us like he wanted to ask a question.  We stopped and unrolled the window. He greeted us and said that he has been working there for a week now.  He wanted to know how to become “believing” in our church.  He didn’t say he wanted  to become a member or be baptized.  He seemed to be searching for the right word and ask how to become “believing” in our church.  I asked him if he had ever talked to the missionaries and he said no.  I indicated that sometimes the missionaries came to the church and taught people, but he said he lived quite far.  He said that there was a church close to where he lived, and I took that to mean there was a ward chapel in his neighborhood, but maybe he just meant a church nearby.  Anyway, we didn’t want to miss the opportunity so I asked if he would write his name and phone number down so we could have the missionaries call him and set up a time to visit with him.  He liked the idea and gave us his name and phone number.  His name is Erick Sangwa.  I like simple names like Erick.  We have turned his name and number in and hope to find out how things go.

There are a number of women, probably 4 or 5, who have been given permission to work the ground that is not currently used by the church.  I don’t know exactly what they grow and harvest, but it is obvious that they have nothing.  I asked one of our young men if they are members and if they live there because they seem to be there every day except Sunday.  He said he thought they were members,  but they might not all be members, and he said that he doesn’t know where they live but he doesn’t think they live there.  At first, we probably just stared at them, but then we started waving at each other, and now they will wave and shout “bonjour” every morning as we arrive to start our day.  What a buoying experience it is each morning.  This photo shows one of the women under the tree.

This week I was able to go with Pitshou from the Employment Resource Center to visit several schools where we have some problems we are trying to resolve.  I wish I could take a camera just to be able to show what the schools are like, but I don’t feel that it is appropriate.  I like Pitshou.  We normally work with Russel who is the director of Employment Resource Services,  but he is in Lumbumbashi.  I assumed the Pitshou would take the lead because he is familiar with the schools and how they work.  He drove which I appreciate, and he made sure we found the administrative offices and the people we needed to visit, but would let me enter first and present our problem or concern.  Although I wasn’t the most comfortable doing it, it was good to be forced into something new, and everyone was receptive in trying to find an agreeable solution.

On Monday, we were taken to visit the police to complete certain paperwork and get finger printed to get out permanent visa.  We had been warned about the experience but it went very quickly and easily for us.  We think it was because so much is done outside and in little offices that have no doors or windows and it was obvious that a rain was approaching.  We finished just as it started raining.  I asked if we could take a picture of the finger printing.  President Thierry works in the mission office and he helps with all these matters.  He seems to know and get along with everybody.  We were so happy that he is there to help us.

 As we drove out, we took this picture to show the finger printing table on the right and the washing area where we washed ink off our hands on the left.

We want to wish our granddaughter, Carley, a very happy birthday on Wednesday.  We are so proud of you and hope your day is special.