We have had a very busy week in the Congo. We started out with transfers. I HATE transfers. We get very attached to our elders and when they leave it's very hard. This transfer we lost six of the greatest young men ever. Here they are.
Elder Kirongozi was our kind, sweet Zone leader
Elder M. Kapele,our English speaker, who dreams of going to BYU.
Elder Bunda was my Swahili teacher
We will see these three again after their missions, if we still go to Likasi, since they live there, but some elders we will very likely never see again. It's sad!
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Elder Tshibangu asked me to tell him how to get an American wife.
Elder Sabue, was a tough Elder, whose name I couldn't pronounce.
Elder Ngandu, after working through a serious problem with Brent, added Jameson to his name on all his communications out of respect for his "Beloved President Jameson."
We could think of a million things about each of them that make them special to us. These young men have been with us for our whole mission and we will miss them. It's part of the plan, this transfer thing, just like having your kids move out or get married is good and part of the plan, but it's not an easy part.
The experience we have had with them will be some of the great joys of our time here. We had a very special experience with Elder Bunda. He told Brent one time (and gave us permission to record it) that he had been reading in the Book of Mormon and had found ways in which his life was like Nephi's. He made these sweetest comparisons.
1. Nephi was persecuted. I have been persecuted for the Gospel.
2. Nephi was bound by his brothers. I was bound once in Kinshasa.
3. Nephi had the spirit to guide him and the spirit has guided me.
4. Nephi studied the plates. I study the Book of Mormon.
5. Nephi built a temple. I went to the temple, the house of God.
6. Nephi taught the gospel. I teach the gospel.
7. Nephi was rejected by his brothers. I too have been rejected for the gospel's sake.
8. Nephi was a good example. I’m trying to be an example to my companions & others.
You just have to love these good Elders. These young men are the hope of the church in Africa. They will go home and be great leaders and examples to the infant church that needs just such leadership. What a joy it is to work with them!
Now six new ones have joined us. We will love them too!
3 comments:
How can I have tears for these men that I have never seen? The gospel binds us, through YOUR love for them, and Heavenly Father's love for all of us. They look so precious, and are. We will all be forever changed because of the service YOU are giving. Love your blog....
That was so tender. It is hard when missionaries get transfered, I remember when I worked in the Tempe mission office. But you know about these young mend true lives, which makes it harder.
You need to submit this story about the elder and Nephi to the church magazines. It is such a great comparison. You are amazing and wonderful and getting to be good Congolese.
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