We went from Southern Uganda, Masaka, to Eastern Uganda and met with all three of our branches there. First we went to the Busia Uganda Branch. We have approval to divide this branch, and both President Collings and President Okello were interviewing brethren for the new branch presidency. We were so thrilled that they were able to find a new branch president for the Busia 3rd Branch! We planned to come back to Busia on Sunday morning to divide the branch and sustain and set apart the new branch presidency. Of course, while President Collings was busy interviewing, I spent time with some fun returned sister missionaries. They are so sweet! We enjoyed spending time together!
That afternoon, we traveled to Mbale Uganda, where we have received permission to start a new group. This will be called the Kabwangasi Group. It's located just a few miles outside of Mbale. President Collings and President Okello interviewed brethren in the Mbale Branch to be the new group leader. Again, they were so happy to be able to find a new group leader. We arranged with him that we will be back in a few weeks and work out a place for the new group to meet. The members of the new group are so excited to be able to meet closer to their homes. They will now walk about 20 minutes to church instead of the 1- 1 1/2 hours that they have been walking for the last two years.
Some members of the new Kabwangasi Group
On Sunday morning we traveled back to Busia Uganda for the division of the branch. As I said before, the rainy season is here, and it was really raining that morning! The people here all walk to church, and if it's raining, they come in soaked with muddy shoes, and they are cold and wet for the rest of the day. When it was time for church to start, there were only about 15 members there (usually there are 150). Even the new branch presidency had not come yet. We have scheduled to go back to Busia in two weeks for their branch conference, so the decision was made to wait on the division of the branch until we come back in two weeks. Can you imagine showing up for church and finding out you are in a completely new branch with a new branch president? We feel much better about making this change when most of the people know about it and can be there.
After a beautiful testimony meeting, and a quick Sunday School, we traveled across the border to Kenya and enjoyed a joint Priesthood and Relief Society meeting with the Busia Kenya Branch. They have been part of our mission for several months now, but we have not been able to get over there to see them. President Okello has been several times. We had such an amazing time with this branch!! We have two sister missionaries serving in the Busia Kenya Branch, and the members there absolutely love them.
Our sweet sisters!
We also have a returned sister missionary who lives there! She was known as Sister Mteshe in our mission. Her name is Vivian. It was so fun to see her again. She teaches institute in the branch, but was substituting in the primary on Sunday. I couldn't get enough hugs from her!
Time with Vivian!
President Collings taught the Priesthood/ Relief Society class, and led a discussion on how we can see miracles and tender mercies in our lives. He read in 1 Nephi 1:20, and then expounded on what it means to be chosen of the Lord. He referenced the April 2005 talk by Elder Bednar to help them understand that to be chosen is our own choice. We choose to love God and to keep his commandments and follow him, and that is how we are chosen, and can receive tender mercies from the Lord. It was an amazing meeting, and we really enjoyed our time spent in Kenya.
Busia Kenya Branch
It was a rainy day on both sides of the border! But always fun to see the sign for our church.
This is my first glimpse of Kenya. Busia is a much larger city on the Kenya side of the border. In this picture we are driving towards Uganda.
Kenya and Uganda are very friendly with each other. This was the easiest border I have ever crossed! It will be very easy for the members to cross the border for district conference when a district is formed here. There are many great blessings awaiting the saints in Busia!
