Homecoming and Mission Tour

Well I don't even know where to begin! I have had so many wonderful blessings these past few weeks! Obviously, the first and most wonderful is having our son Conner return from serving his mission in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission. After two long years of being away from this young man, he is back! Kind of... he's with us, but in Uganda! He came walking through the doors at the airport and just had such a light about him. He served faithfully, and it was evident in the light in his eyes and the confidence in his step.  We are so proud of the man he has become. It's been interesting to see him continue to be a missionary here. Seems like every time I turn around, he's talking to someone about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and inviting them to come to church and learn more.

My mom and dad are serving a mission in Rwanda, and they were able to take the quick flight to Uganda so they could be there at the airport with us to welcome him.

On a side note... President Collings, for the first time since his mission started, got sick. While we were waiting for Conner at the airport, we thought he would take quite a while to pick up his baggage, so President Collings decided to run to the bathroom. Conner decided to come out before he retrieved his bags, so he came out really quickly. Dad was in the bathroom, so mom got to see him and hug him, and Grandma and grandpa got to see him and hug him. Then Conner  surprised his dad by waiting for him in the bathroom. It was pretty funny. We had a difficult time convincing the security at the airport to let him go back in and retrieve his luggage, but after a bit of pleading, he was able to return to baggage claim.

Unfortunately, Steve was pretty sick for quite a few days, and we saw miracles as he was able to take care of his responsibilities while dealing with this illness.

Conner came home on Friday night. We kind of hit the ground running when he arrived. We took him back to the mission home along with my parents. The very next morning, President Collings had to perform a wedding. It was a wonderful experience! It was a wonderful couple from Gulu. They traveled 5 hours to get to the chapel in Kampala where the wedding would take place. They had several family members and friends who made the long journey as well. It was a beautiful day, a wonderful ceremony, and a special experience for us.

Right after the wedding, we loaded up the car and traveled to Gulu. President Collings had to change out a branch presidency in the Gulu branch there. We took Conner and my parents along with us. We stopped for the night at Chobe, which is a lodge that's located right on the Nile. It's close enough to Gulu so we would be able to get to church in the morning.

It was amazing how many animals we saw as we were driving to the lodge. We saw kobs, giraffes, an elephant, cape buffalo, amazing birds, monitor lizards, hippos, and warthogs. We saw a lot of baboons, and even had one jump on the hood of our car. Conner rolled down the window to toss out an apple. We were hoping it would jump off the car and go after the apple. Instead, it reached it's hand in, and grabbed Conner's hand as it was trying to grab the apple. Pretty funny. It was incredible.

When we got to church on Sunday morning, we had a boy come up to us in the parking lot, and show some interest in coming to church. He and Conner hit it off right away. He ended up staying through sacrament meeting. He didn't speak very good English, but acted like he really enjoyed it. As the opening song began, Conner showed him how to turn to the right page in the hymn book, and how to read the words in the verses. It was very sweet.

The branch presidency was released, and an amazing new branch presidency was called and set apart. The meeting went relatively well, and we all felt blessed to be there. The branch presidency will do a great job, and we are so happy for the branch.

Driving back from Gulu, we decided it would be a good idea to let Conner get used to driving, since Steve was still sick. There is not a lot of traffic, and he could get used to driving on the left side of the road, etc. Well, an hour or so into his drive, he was pulled over by a traffic officer... who decided he would like to throw Conner in jail. We spent a lot of time talking it over with the officer, and after promising to teach him to drive more carefully, and a little bit of begging and pleading... he decided to let him go without going to jail. I quickly traded places with Conner in the car, and I drove the rest of the way to Kampala. (I figured he wouldn't be wanting to drive here in Uganda for the next two months that he's here.)

Conner's first Rolex, along with other local food. 

By the time we got back from our trip to Gulu, it was time to take my parents back to the airport, and get them on their way back to Rwanda. It was so nice to have them around for a few days to welcome Conner home from his mission. They were so sweet to come, and we love being with them.

A little KFC before the flight home. 

Two days later, we had Elder S Mark Palmer and his sweet wife Jacqui arrive for a mission tour. What an amazing experience to spend 10 days traveling around our mission with them.

The first two days were spent having zone conferences. We had the North and Masaka  Zones combined the first day. We met at the Kololo chapel in Kampala. They started out with a leadership meeting for all the trainers, district leaders, sister training leaders, zone leaders,  and assistants to the president. Then we met with all the members of the zones for a zone conference. Elder Palmer really has a way of making it very personal for each zone. He followed the spirit and focused on the needs of each missionary and zone, which means every meeting was different. President Collings and I were each asked to give a training, followed by Sister Palmer, and then Elder Palmer took the rest of the time. He spent a lot of time answering questions or concerns that the missionaries had, and then would have them role play. The Role Plays would help them understand how to use the things he was teaching them in their own missionary work. They would open their planners, focus on an individual, and then seek revelation on what that person might need as they were doing the role play. The missionaries really were edified.

North and Masaka Zones

The Central and South Zone Conference was on the next day. It was carried out in the same manner as the previous day, but obviously was very different because the missionaries had different questions and concerns. I was surprised how much he focused on role plays, and President Collings and I decided we need to use them a little bit more in our training.  Each day we had zone conference in the morning, then had a break for lunch and a picture, and then went back to training for a few more hours. The missionaries really were able to spend quality time with Elder Palmer.

Central and South Zones

On one of the evenings while the Palmer's were here, we arranged for all three Stake Presidents and their wives to come enjoy a nice dinner with us. President Mbiro came all the way from Jinja with his wife.  President Okot of the North Stake brought his wife. And, President Kamya of the South Stake came. His wife was unable to attend. We were disappointed, but we understand, and were so happy for the ones who were able to come. I know it was a sacrifice for them. We had such an enjoyable time. We were able to get to know each of them better, and they were able to ask Elder Palmer any questions that they might have on their minds. It was a beautiful evening.

Dinner with the 3 Stake Presidents and their wives.

We spent our preparation day with Elder and Sister Palmer, visiting The Source of the Nile in Jinja. We go to Jinja about every three weeks, and have never taken the opportunity to go to the Source of the Nile. It was really a neat day. Elder and Sister Palmer were so fun to be with, and I think Conner really enjoyed it as well.

On the boat

On the dock with our driver

At the Source of the Nile

Where the Nile exits Lake Victoria, and the springs are flowing.

Tuesday we had zone conference with Jinja and Iganga Zones. The best part about these zone conferences is hearing the inspired questions that the missionaries ask. It really gives us all a chance to be taught and edified. We have such great missionaries serving in the Uganda Kampala Mission!

Jinja and Iganga Zones

Conner helping to sweep the floor after lunch. Doing it like the locals!

After zone conference in Jinja, we drove to Entebbe to spend the night, because we had a flight to Rwanda very early the next morning. One thing I am learning about General Authorities, their schedules are incredibly busy. It was amazing to see how full his schedule was, and how he kept each meeting personal and spiritual. We learned so much from him, and our love for him and his wife really grew over the course of the mission tour.

Our experience in Rwanda was incredible. It was very special having my parents, us, and Conner, all missionaries (well, one return missionary) together. Elder Palmer took time during each zone conference to talk about the significance of “returning home”, but to our Heavenly Parents.

While we were in Rwanda, he talked more about our missionaries being the beginning of multi-generational families in the Gospel. He had all the missionaries take a picture of us all up there, and talked about how they should live their life in a way that they can reach this goal, to see their children and grandchildren serve missions. I must say, I feel blessed to be part of a multi-generational missionary family. We had 3 generations of missionaries in Rwanda, and I know my family has at least 3 generations of missionaries before that, dating back to pioneer times. That is something that is pretty rare today, but a great blessing to be part of such a rich heritage.

Kigali Zone 

Family Reunion in Rwanda 

Elder and Sister Palmer with the sister missionaries 

We spent time that evening with the district presidency in Rwanda. They were able to spend time asking Elder Palmer questions, and just being taught by him. There is strong leadership in Rwanda, and this lifted them, and helped them even more.

The next morning Elder and Sister Palmer went to visit some of the Humanitarian sites in Rwanda, and then we left for Ethiopia.

Our time spent in Ethiopia was amazing. The missionaries were all there on time, and had prepared themselves spiritually by reading conference talks, studying the scriptures, and praying about what questions they might have. The spirit in the meetings was wonderful. We have strong missionaries in Ethiopia, and they are growing and stretching themselves, and learning every day.  They love the people, and are learning to live the mission motto which is in Omni 1:26. In short we say, “Come unto Christ and offer your whole soul.”

Ethiopia Zone 

 This was a difficult trip to Ethiopia because this would be the last time we see Elder and Sister Harline. They were completing their 18 month (19 month) mission, and were leaving two weeks later to go home. We would not be able to be there when they left. They have been such an incredible support to the mission in Ethiopia. They have been there for the missionaries in sickness and health. They have loved them and mentored them. They have been a support to the District and Branches. They have been able to do their own missionary work, and even see their own baptisms. We have been so pleased with the wonderful way they have served. It was so difficult to say goodbye. We have made life long friends.

Elder and Sister Harline with Conner 

 We went to dinner with Elder Palmer, some of the District Presidency,  and the Harlines. It was a wonderful evening together. Again, Elder Palmer was able to teach, answer questions, and just get to know the leadership  of Ethiopia a little bit better. The District Presidency is amazing, and they work so hard. We are so blessed to have them leading the members in Ethiopia.

Harlines, President and Sister Eyob, us,  Brother Habtu,  and Elder Palmer 

 We attended church together, and then we had to go back to Uganda. The mission tour for us was over. We really enjoyed our time spent with Elder and Sister Palmer. We were so grateful that our son was able to get to meet them as well. It was such a blessing to be able to have him here with us throughout this mission tour.

These are truly experiences and friendships that we will cherish forever.