Another proud mom moment... Well, proud Mission Mom moment. We received news that two of our returned missionaries were called as Branch Presidents in their Branches. This makes three that we know of who are serving as Branch Presidents now. When we send them home from their missions, we really see the potential they have to be strong leaders in the various areas where they live. It's so fun to see them actually called and serving... and getting married!
President Manqele in South Africa
(he has served for over a year now, and was recently married)
President Andriatsitherina from Madagascar
(just called and also recently married)
President Fiagbedzi from Ghana
(also just called)
We have had a few changes in the Branch Presidencies here in Uganda. We are so grateful that President Collings has two capable counselors who are able to make these changes. It seems we always have somewhere to be, and they are able to step in and help very often. Our most recent changes were in Bardege Branch, which is in Gulu.
Bardege Branch Presidency
There was also a change in the branch presidency of the Lira Branch. I have a fun picture of the branch. We are so grateful for all of our faithful members in the Lira Branch!
Lira Branch Presidency
President Collings and I just got back from Rwanda where we met with the District Presidency and the Maughans, the new senior couple. I just have to say, I am so excited to have Elder and Sister Maughan here. They are so energetic and organized. They have really taken the vision that President Collings gave them of this District, and they have just run with it. They have shared their ideas of what they feel like they want to do, and are just going to work. The District Presidency warmed up to them right away, and we are excited to see how Rwanda will continue to improve in the coming months.
We went to church in the new Kigali 2nd Branch Building, and were so happy to see almost 100 people there. They have really had an improvement in attendance since the new building was finished. We are so happy for them. We are just praying that Kigali 3rd Branch will get a building soon.
Members of the Kigali 2nd Branch in front of their new building
We also had interviews and Zone Conference while we were in Rwanda. It was the first time since February that we were able to hold Zone Conference in the church building. The buildings were all closed by the government, so we had to have our Zone Conferences in the senior couple's apartment. It was a nice set up and worked while we had no other option, but is was so wonderful to have more space, and actually be in the chapel again. Elder and Sister Maughan took care of shuttling us around, which was pretty good since they had only been in Rwanda for about a week. They also took care of food for the zone conference. It worked out really well. I didn't realize that Meze Fresh actually delivers! It's a restaurant that is similar to Cafe Rio in the United States. The Maughans also had drinks and dessert for us. The missionaries came prepared, and we really had a wonderful experience with them.
Kigali Rwanda Zone
Some other fun news from Rwanda. A couple of months ago two of my cousins came to visit the mission with some of their friends. They spent time in Uganda and Rwanda. It turned out that my cousin Shayla and a member in Rwanda, Paul, hit it off. It's been really fun to watch it all come about. Paul was actually a missionary in the Uganda Kampala Mission, and went home at about the same time we came out. President Collings called him as a counselor in the Kigali 1st Branch a year or so ago, and he did an outstanding job. He also helps the missionaries in Rwanda to get their work permits, so we have really spent quite a bit of time with him over the last 2 1/2 years. We were so excited to hear that they decided to get married!!
Paul and Shayla!
Here is where it gets interesting... Shayla will be coming out at the end of the year for a traditional Rwandan introduction ceremony. They have asked President Collings and I to stand in as Shayla's family. Essentially in place of her mom and dad. (Hope you're okay with this Uncle Roy and Aunt Karen!) We will dress in the traditional Rwandan attire, and be doing official... things... basically, we have no idea what we are actually doing. We know we won't be negotiating for any dowry (no cows at this ceremony). But it will be a lot of fun. They won't officially get married until later when they can go to the temple. It was fun sitting down with Paul while we were in Kigali, as he explained the things they wanted us to do.
In Kigali with our future cousin-in-law, Paul.
Never expected to be mother of the bride again! What a sweet thing for them to ask us to do. Sounds like a fun Christmas! Stay tuned for pictures!
After returning from Rwanda, we had a Sister's Conference. Most of our sister missionaries are very close to the mission home in Kampala. We invited them over to the mission home where we had a very good experience.
The sister training leaders taught a principle, and then we had team building activities that represented what had been taught.
Sister Hedzro talked about how we are all Christ's hands, and how we should lift and help each other as Jesus Christ would do. Then the sisters built a "no hands" pyramid, where they had to stack 10 cups together without touching them with their hands. We talked a bit about how we are trying to build a strong foundation of members here in the Uganda Kampala Mission, as they were putting the foundation of their pyramid down.
Next, Sister Afrah talked about how a chain is only as strong as the weakest link, and what we can do as sisters to strengthen each other. We talked about what a strong tool a chain can be, and what a great force for good the sister missionaries can be if they are all firm in the faith and obedient. The activity we did for this session was making paper chains. Each group was given a single piece of paper and they were supposed to see which group could make the longest chain.
Then we all went upstairs for a more spiritual program. The sisters each taught on principles of the mission culture. They all did a really good job as they taught about what we as a mission have set as standards for the missionaries. Then President Collings taught about what it really means to "offer your whole soul" as it says in our mission scripture: Omni 1:26. He taught about doing the right things for the right reasons.
We ended the night with some pizza, and then the girls got a little silly. They decided it would be fun to "act" like President Collings and myself. Those of you who know us will have to tell me if you think this is accurate.
Sister Macanda as President Collings
Sister Mukundu as Sister Collings
All in all, it's been a really great week! We're still just happy to be here!!
