The last part of our mission tour was spent in Lubumbashi. First, we held a zone conference for the elders here. It was our last zone conference with just one zone.
The weekend after this zone conference we had transfers. Since our numbers are growing, we created another zone. We assume that there will be more zones by the time of the mission division.
This was also the last zone conference for our Zone Leader, Elder Olinga. He finished his mission and headed back to Cameroon two days after the zone conference. What a nice experience it was for him to spend his last days on his mission with a General Authority.
He was counseled by Brent to make the most of his last transfer and assignment here and he really did. He and his companion went to open the new city of Kipushi by teaching there two days a week. The people there had been begging for missionaries and when they came they had groups of people ready to be taught. Two weeks after their first visit, they had 18 baptisms in one day. These people had been coming to church in the small branch and just waiting for baptism. It was a great way to end Elder Olinga's mission. We love him and will miss him, but expect him to be a great leader in the church in Cameroon.
Two other missionaries, Elders Yangoie and Mukenge, who both started their missions in September with us, also left to serve in Kinshasa. Parting is not "sweet sorrow" as Shakespeare said, it stinks!
Elder Mukenge and Elder Yangoie
We do miss our elders when they leave us. Both of these elders have families who are not in the church. They are strong, wonderful examples to their non-member families and their families are very supportive of their service.
On the weekend we accompanied Renlunds to the Lubumbashi Stake Conference. It is a very strong stake and they had a great conference.
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These are the stake leaders
RS Pres , Jamesons, Renlunds, and the Stake Presidency
We are get to know people because we live in this stake and are feeling like they are starting to be our friends. Sister Renlund and I did an Auxiliary training while Brent and Elder Renlund did priesthood leadership. Then we had the Sat. adult session, a session for new members, and the Sunday general session.
There was, as usual, a fabulous choir. The people here sing with great gusto and we love to hear and see them sing. They often wear choir outfits and look as good as they sound.
Little usher and the Stake President's kids
Just loved the hair
When the week was over we had given at least seven talks each, traveled by crazy plane and wild car over 700 km (about 435 miles)and met with hundreds of wonderful members and elders. It was a busy, challenging week, but a great experience to share this special time with the Renlunds. Their hearts are with the people of the Congo and I think that they learned many things that will bring support to the people and the church here.
Then the Renlunds flew off to Johannesburg and we went back to the business of our mission. It was a wonderful week and we will always remember what a great time we had with the Renlunds exploring the Congo. We hated to see Day 11 come!
3 comments:
That first picture takes my breath away... all these beautiful African missionaries! Hurrah for Israel!
Love to you two!
I love reading about your experiences. We have some friends on a mission in Fiji and I check both your blogs regularly for a little dose of virtual adventure!
We have LOVED reading about the work that you both are doing over there! Jory and I are so impressed with all that you are accomplishing. What blessings the Lord is sending you and the people of the Congo. You both look great and I'm sure so much of the progression in the work is due to both of you just putting your shoulder to the wheel! What great examples of Christ and his teachings! Those people are so lucky to have you, because we here in AZ miss you both so much! Keep the stories coming :) We miss you!
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