Some of the Branch Leadership

Throughout the past week we have had the privilege of meeting with Branch Presidents and other members of the church in Uganda.

On our first Sunday in Masaka, we met the branch president. He has been responsible for this branch for about 7 years.

President Collings met this man who is a pioneer in the gospel here in Uganda. He has been a member of the church here for 20 years.

While here there was a man who is interested in joining the church. He has been a pastor of another church for many years, and was convinced that this is the true church. He spent 3 years breaking ties with his other congregation so that he could be baptized. He and his wife and children are planning to be baptized. He said that there are several members of his old congregation who he has taught what he knows about the church. They are interested in being baptized as well. We will see what happens. If they take lessons from the missionaries and start attending church, it would be a really neat experience for everyone.

We traveled to Gulu and met with the branch presidents of the Gulu and Bardege branches. Both had a lot of work for President Collings to do. He interviewed 16 people between the two branches and was able to make some changes in the branch presidencies and elders quorum presidencies, along with renewing temple recommends and interviewing for priesthood advancements.

Next we drove to Lira and met with the branch presidents of the Lira and Adyel branches. One of the branch presidents invited us all (AP's, the other branch president, and us) to his home for dinner. We had our first home cooked authentic Ugandan meal. It was wonderful! Rice, beans, vegetable, Irish (which is what they call potatoes), and chicken. His family was so welcoming and kind to us. The children were so respectful. It was truly a wonderful evening.

Mbale has a branch president as well as Busia, which is an hour and a half outside of Mbale. We met both of the branch presidents for dinner as well as their children. Both branch presidents had a list of things for President Collings. We all sat down to dinner. President Collings sandwiched between the men, and I got to sit with the sisters and children. The children were ages 7, 6 and 2. The seven year old girl is just a few weeks away from her birthday, and baptism. She was dressed up so nice, and was excited to tell me about her upcoming baptism.

When we got to our last stop in Jinja, it was a little bit different because Jinja has been made a stake. The Stake President met with us, and he was so welcoming. He is a new stake president, but was a District President over the area before it was made a stake. He told us about his family, and his excitement for the growth of the church in Jinja.

It's been exciting to meet these great men who are really all pioneers here in Uganda. The church is steadily growing, and it takes men like this who are worthy priesthood holders who will shepherd their branches and strengthen them. We are honored to know and work with them.

Masaka Branch

On Sunday we drove with Elder and Sister Goodwin, two and a half hours South of Kampala to the Masaka Branch where we attended fast and testimony meeting.

The Branch members were so happy to see us, and it was such a neat experience. I have felt far away from home these past few days, but when we sat down in the LDS church house, it felt like coming home. They had a baby blessing and two confirmations. Then they blessed and passed the sacrament. The branch president stood and bore his testimony and then asked if I would come and bare my testimony. The other ordinances that had taken place took a long time, and so there wasn't time for others, but President Collings was able to end with his testimony. There was a little boy there walking around in the room, he was probably two or three. He came and stood next to me, just staring at me. I smiled at him, and then he reached out and touched my leg with his finger, and then ran away. He touched the Muzunga!! (Their name for white people, I don't think it's a very flattering name) He was cute!!

Because the members weren't able to share their testimonies, the Branch President said if they would like, they could have a testimony meeting in their individual classes. After Sacrament meeting we went to Gospel Principles class where we learned about keeping the sabbath day holy. The sister who taught the class recently returned from a mission. She had been called to Manchester England, but because of VISA problems ended up serving in Zambia. The class was full, and there were many very good questions from the members of the class. When they asked a question that she couldn't answer, she turned to us... Little bit stressful for my first Sunday in Africa, but I taught primary for at least 20 years! I can answer basic gospel questions! It was a great class, and she did an amazing job!!

Next I went to Relief Society, and they did take the advice of the branch president and had a testimony meeting. The sisters bore powerful testimonies of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, The Atonement, etc. As the class was nearing an end, the Relief Society president asked me to stand and bare my testimony. I kind of thought I had already done that and was off the hook, but I stood again and bore my testimony. After I was finished one of the sisters asked if she could ask me a question. I said of course I didn't mind. She said, "You look very young, are you the youngest mission president's wife in the world?" The answer is no, absolutely not. Then she asked if I was the youngest mission president's wife in all of Africa. I still doubt it, but was very flattered. I spoke about my children and grandchildren, and they were all surprised that I am a grandma. After the meeting we took a picture of all the Relief Society sisters together. Then they all came up trying to get selfies with me. It was actually pretty embarrassing. But they were all so sweet. They shake your hand, and don't let go. We would hold hands for several minutes. They would hug me and were constantly saying, "You are welcome". Such a kind greeting.

President Colling was put right to work signing temple recommends and interviewing men for priesthood advancement. I didn't see much of him throughout the block of meetings. He presides at the branch, so he sat on the stand during sacrament meeting. When the meetings were over, they had a baptism scheduled. There were four people who were getting baptized. They asked Sister Goodwin to give a talk on Baptism, and I gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. (Primary days were kicking in again.) There were two ladies and two men getting baptized. They were so excited. The font is in the back of the building. It is filled with a hose which is attached to a water tank on a tower next to the building. Each of them were baptized, and then got changed and went inside the church, and  then each of them bore testimony of how they felt, and why they decided to be baptized. It was an amazing day!

As we were leaving I was stopped by two brothers who both have finished college and have degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering. They asked if I had any contacts either here or in the United States where they may be able to find a job. They were great young men, and I told them I would put it out there that they are looking for work. If any of you want an Engineer, Civil or Mechanical, I've got your guy! Let me know.

On our way home from Masaka, we had to stop on the Equator. It's a first for us, but I think it will be the first of many times we cross it. We travel every six weeks for the next three years.

Studying and Teaching with the missionaries

On Friday, President Collings arranged for us to go spend some time in the trenches with the missionaries. I went with two sister missionaries, and he went with two Elders. We participated in their morning companionship study and then went on a couple of lessons with them.

When I went with the sisters, I was so amazed with how diligent they were. They talked about the things they had been studying that morning, and how it made them feel and the lessons it taught them. Then they talked about each of the investigators they would be teaching that day, and what their plan would be. They talked to me about how sometimes things will change, and they have to change the lesson to fit the person's needs. They seem so mature in the gospel. One of the sisters is a Sister Training Leader and will be going home in two months. They were both really sweet.

Sister Shongwe and Sister Randrianandrasana

We had to walk to our appointments. Kampala is the city of seven hills, and those hills are steep. The roads we were on were all dirt, but there was quite a bit of traffic on them so the dust was really bad. Each home we went to, it didn't matter how humble it was, we removed our shoes before entering. Some didn't have any doors or windows, just cement floor and walls with a metal roof. As we were leaving one home, I realized there was a bush with beautiful red flowers all over it. I hadn't noticed because the bush and flowers were all the color of the dust on the road. The mother had two Dutch oven style pots with charcoal on top of them, cooking right outside the door, but the pots were the size of a small saucepan. The people were all so kind. They all have such strong beliefs in God, and want to follow him. They are just trying to find the right way to do that. It is so interesting to see that these people who have so little are so happy. Their faces just light up with smiles.

I snapped a few pictures on the way home from our appointment. These are new homes, each is divided in half, and two families live in each one.

This is the same development, but the homes have been around long enough to have rusted ceilings.

Driving down the road, just a few miles from my home, these are local shops and places to eat.

President Collings met with Elder Carter and Elder Darco. He says the are both excellent missionaries. It was good to feel the power of priesthood keys again. It was a great teaching opportunity during the companionship study. They had two amazing lessons. Both Elders did an excellent job. Their investigators Jonas and Lillian are both scheduled to be baptized. He also had one of the AP's with them, Elder Robinson. He says he can already tell he's an excellent elder.

Today was Saturday. We have zone conferences coming up next week, and will be traveling to different areas throughout Uganda. President Collings wanted to meet each Branch President and Stake President while we are in the area. He decided to call each one individually and work out a time to meet with them. As he was sitting down to make the phone calls, his phone rang. It was one of the Branch Presidents. He told the Branch President that he would be gone all week, but when he said we will be in Gulu on Tuesday, the Branch President said he would be there. He tried to tell President Collings what he needed, but no matter how hard he tried, Steve couldn't understand what this man was saying. He didn't know which Branch President it was, or actually where he lives. He was very frustrated, and just asked him to please send him an email with what was needed, and he would do whatever he could to help. Once he hung up the phone, President Collings said, "I'm in trouble. I can't understand anything he said." He was taking so fast, with such a strong accent, and the phone was not a very good connection. There was no phone number on his list that matched the one that had called from, it was very frustrating. He decided he needed to say a prayer before he tried to call anyone else. After the prayed Steve again started to dial the phone. We was able to reach every President and arrange to meet them all. Once he was finished talking to all of the other Branch Presidents, the first one that he had spoken with sent him an email. He was able to understand everything that was needed, and arrange meeting with everyone for next week. It really was a miracle, and we feel so blessed. Elder and Sister Goodwin said it takes a little while for us to get our "African Ears" working. I actually haven't had any problems understanding people here except when they talk to each other in some Ugandan dialect, which they do a lot.

We have appreciated our senior couples so much!! Driving has been an issue here. Steve is getting better, but we are still learning our way around. The Goodwins have taken us under their wings, and we are so grateful. They have taken us to several grocery stores, a couple of restaurants, and even the mall! They have taught us how to drive, and how to  pay for our dinners at restaurants. They brought us a filter for the water in our home, and have treated us so well. I feel like a child here trying to learn this new culture, but they have become friends that we will cherish forever!

Speaking of driving. I will not drive here. I'm good with that. All of the vehicles are stick shift, you drive on the left side of the road, and the traffic is horrendous! With all this in mind, Steve has driven us home from the office twice. The first time we followed Elder and Sister Goodwin, and the second time we followed the AP's. We are so focused on all the craziness around us, that even though it's only a couple of miles, we had never learned our way from the office to our home. I don't know how long it will take to actually feel like I know my way around here, I hope it's soon. If you need to turn across traffic going the other direction, you just ever so slowly push your nose into the traffic. Once you get far enough out that the other cars HAVE to stop, then it opens a floodgate of cars turning across that road until those who are going straight push their nose in far enough so that the turning cars HAVE to stop. Meanwhile the bota-botas just slip in and out between vehicles, going against traffic, and every which way.  You have to look EVERY direction or you could hit a bota-bota. Now try to deal with all that traffic while you're turning onto the wrong side of the road. Every time Steve tries to turn on his blinker, the windshield wipers turn on instead, because that's backwards as well. It is getting much better, and the missionaries that are here really do an amazing job. We just really appreciate them, and their patience while we learn.

Funny story. We had a leak in our bathroom. I walked in there one day and there was water all over the floor. I spoke with Phillip, our gardener, and he said he knew the plumber who had worked on the house before we came. The very next day Phillip brought this plumber in to fix the leak. He is a member of the church here in Kampala, and acted so excited to meet President Collings, it was so sweet. I have fixed plumbing issues many times in our homes. You turn off the water where the leak is, and then replace the broken part. Then you turn it back on and check for leaks. This was NOT how is was done. The leak was at the knobs where you turn on the shower. He removed the knob and the water just ran full force out of the open hole where the knob once was. He came out with the part and said he had to go buy a part and would be back. Then he left, with the water still running in the shower. He came back and fixed it about an hour later. While he was gone, there was no water pressure at all in the house. Steve hadn't showered yet, and even though he would be using a different bathroom. He wasn't able to shower. He just used bottled water. It was pretty funny. Once the shower was fixed, the plumber came out, shook our hands and said goodbye. He was sopping wet from his knees down. Definitely a great memory.

Travel to Uganda

We left Provo to go to the airport on Monday at 11:00. We were told there would be someone to pick us up at the hotel. There was another couple who we made friends with that was also told they would be picked up at the hotel. We wondered if we would travel together. Well, a minivan came and picked them up, and told us our ride would be there shortly. We laughed when it came. It was a large travel bus. When we got on board, it was almost full of other mission presidents and their wives, but it was a group we had never met. We realized why shortly thereafter. The bus driver got up and explained everything that would be going on to them in Spanish. Then he put down the microphone and said. "We're on our way to the airport." It was so funny. We were the only couple on the bus who did not speak Spanish! They were all traveling to South and Central American Missions.

Driving through Provo, and then Salt Lake City, and on to the airport, I had another day of memories. I kept thinking I wanted to take it all in, because I would not be back for 3 years. I got a little teary eyed... Okay, I CRIED. I'm sure Steve's getting tired of these bursts of emotion from me. But we left feeling so spiritually fed!

I'm not very good at putting my thoughts into words, but I read a posting from Elder Renlund on Facebook talking about the mission president's seminar, and I loved what he said, " My wife, Ruth, and I recently attended the Seminar for New Mission Presidents and their wives. One hundred seventy-one new mission presidents will begin service approximately July 1, 2016.

Ruth and I reflected on the amazing spirit that was present throughout. We concluded that it was because of several factors, such as: First, the 171 mission presidents and their wives have promised in sacred places to do what they are asked to do for the Church. Second, they have been asked to do something extraordinary at this time. Third, they are doing it. Fourth, those teaching, presenting, and having anything to do with the seminar logistically have pled for heaven's help to give their best for these 342 Saints. Fifth, the Lord wants to accomplish something extraordinary through the mission presidents and their wives.

The combination of these five elements unlocked the floodgates of heaven, allowing the Holy Ghost to be present in rich abundance both collectively and individually and the outpouring of blessings for each to claim."

When we arrived at the airport, we noticed that everyone around us was wearing a blue card that was attached to a lanyard around their neck. As we spoke with some of them, we realized that we would be spending the first leg of our journey traveling to Amsterdam with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! They were on their way for a summer concert excursion throughout Europe. We had great conversations with different members of the choir and their entourage. What fun to be on a plane with this amazing group of people.

While traveling to Amsterdam, we flew right through night. In fact, it never actually got dark. We had a beautiful sunset, but then the sun seemed to come right up again. When we landed in Amsterdam, it was 8:30am local time, and about 11:30pm Utah time. So people were coming to work at the airport, and we were feeling like it was time to call it a night. While on our flight from Amsterdam to Kigali, although it was the middle of the day, we crashed. We actually only slept for an hour or two. When we added it up, from the time we woke up Monday morning until we went to bed in Uganda on Tuesday night, we had been up for over 30 hours with one or two hours of rest.

We arrived in Entebbe Uganda at about 11:00 at night. We knew President and Sister Chatfield would be there to pick us up, but it was such a relief to actually see them and the Goodwins, a senior couple, waiting for us! They hugged us, and welcomed us to the mission. Sister Chatfield had a necklace of wooden beads from Ethiopia that she gave me. I was so touched.

Apparently, it had taken them about 4 hours to travel the 50 miles to the airport because there was a bad accident in Kampala. They told us several times how bad the traffic is in Uganda. But I guess when you travel after midnight, the roads are pretty clear. We made it back to our home in about an hour. I was surprised on our drive home that there were still a lot of people on the streets selling food from their carts. And people walking everywhere.  We stopped at a light, and had children run up to the side of the van begging. It was scary that they were right in traffic, and as soon as the light changed, sometimes they were standing between vehicles. The vehicle they were standing by might see them, but 3 or 4 back might not.

The smells were amazing. It smelled like we were camping, and that someone in the campground was making barbecued beef or pork.  I've noticed that several times since we arrived. I'm sure it's just because of the street vendors, but everything smells like food. Not bad!!

Our home is beautiful. It is a gated home, and we have our own guards, who are there 24 hours a day. We also have a beautiful yard, with a full time landscaper. He is very kind. He is a member of our church and recently was released from the bishopric. We have a young lady who cleans our house a few times a week. She's saving money for her own mission. She's very sweet.

Some things that are different in our home, compared to Utah. All of the Windows and doors are barred. There are locks on every single door in the house, including the pantry. And every lock has about 4 keys. There are locks on the door, and locks on the bars over the doors. With all the doors and bars we have in this house, I think there are about 50 keys!

The water heater for the shower is mounted to the wall in each bathroom, and you have to flip a switch on the wall ten minutes before you take a shower to heat up the water.

There are slats above all the windows that look like mini blinds, but they are more solid. The Windows close, but those spaces at the top of the Windows stay open. It surprised us so much our first morning here, because we could hear the birds so loudly, and somebody would have a radio going. I kept looking at the Windows thinking, wow, these window panes must be so thin! Apparently, this causes issues when the wind blows the dust around. There's nothing to keep it out of the house. I'm glad it doesn't get cold here!! No closing those Windows.


Our home is actually very nice. There is everything we could need here. We were so tired our first night, and were so comfortable. President and Sister Chatfield walked us around, and pointed things out to us. They showed us how to run different appliances, and taught us the things they thought we would need to know.

The next morning, they picked us up and took us to the Mission Office. We met with all the AP's, Zone and District Leaders, and the Sister Training leaders. We shook each of their hands and got to know them a little bit better. President Collings talked to them a little bit about his vision for the mission. He talked with them about trusting the Holy Ghost to help you with teaching, finding, and everything that you do. This is Heavenly Father's work, and he wants us to succeed. We just need to learn to listen to and understand the Holy Ghost. He taught from the scriptures, and bore testimony of this Gospel. The missionaries were amazing! We are so excited to get to know them better, and help them on this journey.

The Chatfields met with us separately, and went over some of the specifics of this mission, and then it was time for them to leave. It was so touching to see the love that everyone in the office have for these great people. They will surely be missed here.

We went to a late lunch with the senior missionaries. They took us to a really nice little restaurant. The food was SO good!! I had no idea we would be able to find restaurants and food like this in Africa!  And the fruits and vegetables tasted AMAZING! We drove there with the office couple, and then met two other senior couples there. It was so fun getting to know them better. I'm sorry to say one of the couples is leaving in two weeks, and the other couple works on Humanitarian efforts to get water to the African People, so they will not be spending a lot of time with us. But we get along really well with the Goodwins who are in the office with us.

Driving to and from the office, and to and from lunch was INTENSE!! I have never seen anything like it!!  I saw on the internet, a man compare driving in Kampala to a video game, where you are driving and things keep darting out in front of you. It really is like that! We have not tried to drive yet, and I'm sure Steve will be driving long before I will. There are little motorcycles that everyone uses like a taxi, they are called bota-botas, and they're everywhere. They don't follow the rules, they are just trying to get from point A to point B quickly. They dart in and out of some very tight spaces. The roads are very narrow, and you don't even feel like you can pass a car going the other direction, but then as you're passing them, a bota-bota darts right between you both. I don't know how they slip through the gap. The things you see being carried on the back of these motorcycles is crazy! On my first day, there was a man riding behind the driver, carrying an office chair. One of our security guards rides a bota-bota. I told him how much driving here scares me, and he just laughed. He said riding it is FREEDOM. You can go wherever you want and can get there quickly, there are no rules. He loves it! Our missionaries are not allowed to ride them, I was told that in the last year over a thousand people were killed riding on the back of a bota bota. This was just in Kampala. I would say that walking is safer, but it doesn't seem like it is.  People just start walking out right in front of you, and expect you to stop.

(These are just pictures I found online, it's been too intense to take a picture, but these pictures look exactly like what I have seen here.)

One thing that has impressed me is that the people here are very well dressed, and the ladies are all modest. The ladies all wear nice skirts and dresses, and the men mostly wear button up shirts and slacks. This really surprised me.  There is security everywhere, but they are so nice to us. They are even at the parking lot of the grocery store. They help us find parking spaces, and then watch our car while we are gone. Several security guards welcomed us to Uganda at the grocery store parking lot, and shook our hands. They always say, "You are most welcome here in Uganda."

We were told before this mission started that we would always be busy, and would not be able to accomplish everything, but will accomplish what is most needed. I think we are feeling that way. Just trying to wrap our minds around what Heavenly Father wants us to do, and understanding this culture, which is so very different from home. I know we will be blessed as we put our trust in Heavenly Father, and go to work.

We are definitely not in Kansas anymore!

Missionary Training Center

Our family has a tradition of meeting at the Brick Oven in Provo as a final goodbye when we send a missionary off. This time it was our turn to say goodbye. Steve's brother and his wife were so kind to take us and all of our things to Provo. We met Steve's parents, and another brother there, along with a new friend from Uganda and her husband. They are living in Provo now. 

After a yummy meal with family and friends, it was time to go to the Missionary Training Center for the Mission Presidents Seminar.  Kenney and Sandi took us to the front entrance, and we were off!!

Our first day we were given our missionary badge, and taken to our room. 

We met later for dinner with the mission presidents and leadership who will be serving in our area. Most of them are from Africa, and we immediately felt of their goodness and love of the Gospel. I feel like we have new life-long African friends! We have been meeting for the last several months with a group, and it was so fun to see them here as well. We have friends going to Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Nicaragua, Mongolia, California, Idaho, and Taiwan. We may not see or hear from any of them for the next 3 years, but believe those will be life-long friendships as well. 

President and Sister Clark

President and Sister McSwain

President and Sister Tay

President and Sister Odume

President and Sister Nmeribe

Most of our training was done with the mission presidents who will be going to Africa. Between sessions on our last day of training, we were able to get together with the entire Southeast Africa Area, along with a lot of the leadership that will be supporting us for a picture. It was really fun to get to see this entire group together. What a blessing to the people of Africa! The mission presidents and their wives that we met are truly AMAZING!

Elder Palmer is a member of the Africa Southeast Area Presidency. It was so fun to get to know him and his sweet wife. 

As part of our training, we were assigned a district that we had to teach over two days. Our district was Elders and Sisters who will be speaking Russian, and serving in Russia and Ukraine. I think they were happy when we came to teach them because they could take a break from speaking Russian. They were incredible. The time we spent with them was so special. They were anxious to learn, and quick to be involved in what we were doing. We felt the Spirit so strongly every time we were together with them.  We developed such a love for them in the little time we were together, and decided to claim them as our own missionaries!  I took this picture of us together, and asked that they each write a phone number where I could send it to their family, which made a few of the sisters cry.  They all hugged us when we left. They will be training for a few more weeks before they get to fly to their missions. 

We have an Elder Collings in the MTC too! Steve's cousin's son is here. They have lived close by us for years, and our son is good friends with him.  We looked for him for three days. Finally on Sunday, we went to the information desk and asked if it would be appropriate to see him while we were here. They jumped up and said absolutely!! A quick phone call to his zone leader, and Elder Collings was there. He had such a light about him. He smiled the whole time, and talked about how his training is going. He will be leaving the day after us, and is so excited to serve a mission. We are so impressed with what a great young man he is. What a fun experience to be able to see him while he is in the MTC!

UGANDA KAMPALA MISSION "THE GREATEST MISSION IN THE WORLD"

I appreciate that we are still in Utah. Provo is not too far away when you forget things that you really will need in the next 3 years. Steve's brother John made a trip to swap some things out for us. It was so nice to see them one more time, and a relief that we are a little more organized with our packing! 

How can I even put into words what we have experienced here at the MTC. It brings tears to my eyes as I think about it! We have sat at the feet and listened to the words of President Uchtdorf, President Eyring, and ALL of the twelve apostles. We have met with Elder Soarez and members of the Africa Southeast Area Presidency and their wives, and the In Field Representative. We have had personal conversations with Elders Bednar and Renlund, and shook hands with President Russell M Nelson and Elder Oaks. Had a meal with Bishop Causse' and Elder Bednar.  Not to mention the other General Authorities, and General auxiliary leaders who are everywhere. We had a sacrament meeting with Elder Bednar, and were each able to bear our testimony. The spirit has been so strong here! We feel so blessed to be a part of this amazing work! It is so evident that our Heavenly Father loves all of his children, all over the world! He wants us to share this message of love with everyone! We are so blessed!!

Next stop UGANDA!!