Hangin' with the Saints

One of the great things we get to do is visit branches, districts, wards and stakes. This week we visited Kolwezi for District Conference. They are such good people and they are working to learn the procedures and the organization of the church. If they knew them as well as they know doctrine, nothing could stop them. But they are in need of a lot of training on how to run the programs of the church. Trying to help them understand the structure and programs of the church and meshing that with their culture is the hard part of our job.

This is the District President with Brent

The other thing that we are here to do is very easy. It's to get know them, give them support and love from the mission. That part is just plain wonderful.

This is the District Relief Society President

The thing she wanted to talk about most was a sewing machine for each of the three branches. With that they could teach the women to sew. This really isn't in our area of responsiblity or something we can do with mission funds, but we will find a way to get them. It's a worthwhile goal and would make a substantial, practical difference for them.

After the meetings Brent always has to take care of church business. They reorganized the district presidency and had to set people apart. I got to spend time with people.

Being with the children is my very favorite thing. I had so much fun with these children. They tried to teach me a few words in Swahili and I tried to teach them those same words in English. We all giggled and had a great time. The seven children on the left belong to one of the branch Primary presidents. All but two of the others came with her to conference. When she arrived at church, she walked in with this little trail of 13 "ducklings" coming along behind her. It was so cute! Two of the little girls have their siblings wrapped on their backs. It's a common thing here. Moms and older siblings (sometimes not much bigger than the baby) wrap the little ones on their backs and carry them everywhere. The babies seem very contented and sleep most of the time.

I've never seen one squirming and trying to get out. Our grandkids would be climbing all over the place and out of there in a minute.

Moms always carry their babies this way.

These are the Scouts of the District plus a few onlookers

They returned from an outing just after conference started. They dropped their backpacks in a room and filed into the back of the cultural hall. After the meetings they stood in the parking lot in a circle and danced and sang. They had a great time and it was fun to watch them. I thought it was great that they were there and they were awesome.

There are great, faithful members everywhere we go, doing their best and working to better their lives and the world. These African pioneers are inspiring. They are the hope, not just for the church, but for all of Africa.