Family time in the Mission Branches

We have had an amazing month. So amazing, I haven't taken the time to write it all down. Conner spent the months of November and December with us. He was able to see most areas in our mission, and while we were together with him, we tried to show him some of the sights of the countries we visit.

Mission Home Decorated for Christmas

After Zone Conference in Ethiopia, we were able to go out to eat at what looked like a western steak house with pictures of cowboys on the wall, including John Wayne. The food was a little more international, but we really enjoyed our time there

While we were in Ethiopia, we visited the Debre Zeit branch. We spent time at the church, and while President Collings was meeting with different members and the missionaries, Conner was entertaining the children. They really loved his phone. One of the applications on his phone has filters for photos. When your face is in the screen, it will change it to look like you have dog ears, or a hat on your head, etc. He had quite a large group that would gather and act so surprised when they saw themselves with ears or whiskers. It was pretty funny.

We attended church in the Debre Zeit Branch that day. President Collings had a really neat experience. As he was sitting on the stand during sacrament meeting, he had already planned that he would teach a combined Priesthood and Relief Society lesson. He wanted to teach them that the Lord would bless them with their righteous desires, if they had faith and were doing what they were supposed to do. While he was sitting on the stand, he closed his eyes and said a silent prayer that people would just come to church right off the streets. He said he had no doubt in his mind that his prayer would be answered. As the meeting progressed, people would come into the chapel. By the end of the meeting, he leaned over to the counselor in the Branch Presidency, who was sitting next to him, and asked if any of the people who came in during the meeting were new. The counselor pointed out a couple of them who he hadn't seen before. They walked together to say hello. President Collings asked why they came to church today, and several of them said that they were walking by and just felt like they should come in. There were four who came in throughout the meetings.  He was able to introduce them to the missionaries, and then share this experience with the men and women in the combined Priesthood and Relief Society class. After that experience, 3 of the 4 who came were baptized. Truly a blessing! 

 We were also invited to have dinner with Yeshi. She is a sweet woman who is so kind to our missionaries. She has a daughter serving a mission right now. Although she doesn't speak any English, she is lively and happy, and always serving others. We had an amazing meal, and we were able to share a spiritual message with her and her family.

One of my favorite experiences that happened over the Christmas holiday was having President Collings' parents come to Uganda. We had a very busy schedule, with firesides in the mission branches, and interviews, and meetings, but we brought them along with us. They were able get a small taste of what we do here.

We stopped in Busia, Uganda and President Collings interviewed with some of the members. Then we went over to the home of the Branch President, President Ojiambo. It was so fun. He has 8 children. Six of them were there, along with a couple of grandchildren. It was fun to spend time with them. Grandma and Grandpa Collings loved interacting with them. 

I don't think he liked being placed between Grandma and Grandpa Collings

Yummy refreshments with President Ojiambo, President Okello, and Grandma and Grandpa Collings

President Ojiambo's family, and some of President Collings family.

President Ojiambo's home

When we left Busia Uganda, President Collings went with President Okello to our branch in Busia Kenya. He met with President Imende. We are so excited to be able to serve the people of this branch.

Dinner at the hotel

We weren't sure if we wanted to cross the border to Kenya for just a quick visit, so we went to Mbale and had dinner at the hotel while we waited for President Collings.

There are a group of saints in Mbale who walk very far to get to the branch for church. Many of them faithfully come even though it takes 1 to 1 1/2 hours to walk there. We decided to have a fireside in the area where they stay and just get a feel for how many are members of the church in that area. There was quite a large group. We really enjoyed spending time there and we were able to teach them, and share a beautiful experience beside the huts, under the mango  trees.

Picture of the Palissa group. Many of them walk an hour to church on Sunday. Very faithful men and women.

After our time in Mbale, we spent time in Lira. We have two mission branches in Lira Town, Lira  and Adyel. We had a fireside and spent time with each branch. It was wonderful to see the saints in this area of Uganda. Grandpa Collings wasn't feeling very well on that day, so Grandma Collings came with us while he stayed back at the hotel and got some rest.

Conner loves entertaining the kids!

Fireside in Lira Branch

We weren't able to get any pictures at the Adyel branch because it was late and very dark. After the firesides in both branches, we were invited to have dinner with the Branch President of Adyel, and his family. His wife just recently had their 6th child. It was so fun to be able to see her for the first time. We have visited a few times, but have never been able to meet President Oyet's entire family. What an amazing blessing.

Dinner was spectacular!

What an amazing family

We also took President Collings' parents to Masaka. The Masaka branch has really been growing, and it was time for it to be split. We received approval to split the Masaka branch and create the Kijjabwemi Branch. This was done on December 17th. The members were all so excited to be there and witness this special occasion. 

Masaka and Kijjabwemi Branches combined for a picture

Kijjabwemi Branch Presidency

Masaka Branch Presidency

Of course on the way back,  we needed to stop at the Equator to show President Collings' parents. We had such a wonderful time sharing this experience with them!