Mission Adventures in Uganda: July

It was a great weekend spent with the missionaries and in the branches. President Collings went to work with some of the missionaries in Jinja and Iganga area. He loves to run with the missionaries in the morning, and then go work with them during the day.

Elders Kirkpatrick, Kagson, Budu, and Millecam with President Collings

Elder Falaula and Elder Ankrah with President Collings

On Saturday the first and second counselor in the mission presidency went to Lira and Adyel branches with our senior couple, the Wittwers. They had priesthood and auxiliary training, and then on Sunday they had branch conferences, with one of the presidency members presiding in each branch. They were also able to witness baptisms for each branch. A wonderful experience. It's neat to see the branch working so hard and bringing their friends and family members to church. There are no missionaries in Lira town at this point, but the members of the church are staying busy with their own missionary work.

Sister Wittwer training the women's auxiliaries

Baptisms at Lira Branch

Baptisms at Adyel Branch

Adyel Branch Presidency with President Ondoga of the Mission Presidency

Adyel Branch after Branch Conference

President Collings and I spent Sunday in Mengo Ward in Kampala South Stake. We checked on our missionaries in the ward, and really enjoyed meeting the saints. That evening we invited missionaries to dinner at the mission home. It was a wonderful Sabbath day.

Elders Taylor, Mukaro, Asare, and Soglohoun with President Collings

Same missionaries with the Zone Leaders; Elder Corbridge and Elder Asante

Another exciting event that happened was that we found our friend Kassan! He was a security guard at the old mission home over a year ago. He was also our first investigator and convert when we first arrived in Uganda. His job moved him far away to another area, and he lost his phone. Then we moved to the new mission home. It was such a surprise when we came home one day to find that Kassan was a substitute guard. He saw that the name of our residence had the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on it, but wasn't sure if it was us. It was so amazing meeting him again, and catching up with his life. He is still active in the Gospel, when he is not too far from a church.

Surprise visit from Kassan!

My favorite time of the transfer is Mission Leadership Council. We are able to spend quality time with the missionaries who are in leadership positions, such as Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders. They come in to the mission home, and those who come from far away will usually spend the night.

Sister Mangwegape and Sister Khumalo the night before MLC

Of course President Collings likes to run with whichever missionaries will go with him in the morning. Here he's with Elders Young, Schuler, Trippe, and Payne.