Three years

Today,Aug. 31, 2012 we celebrated three years of missionary service. We entered the MTC for the first time on Aug. 31, 2009.  It's been an amazing three years. We actually didn't spend all of those years in Africa. We were home for four months, but it felt like we were still missionaries since we were working to gather things and go back in the field. We have never been so stretched, and challenged in our lives, but we have also never been so blessed, as has our family.  We wouldn't have missed this experience for all the world.

Legal affairs and Miracles in Gabon

In Gabon we were joined by the two area attorneys for the church. They went to church with us on Sunday and stayed in the same hotel where we stayed. So, we were able to have some meals together and talk about the future of Gabon and the issue of legal recognition. The previous attorney from the area office had gone last year to try and work out the legal issues for recognition. The church had even hired an attorney in Gabon to work for the church there, but  had not been successful in getting the church recognized. Things just seemed to be stuck. But Elder Renlund felt strongly that we needed to continue to work to get the church into Gabon. His resolve made us feel like the Lord was telling us to move forward. So we all made the trip in hopes of making progress.
On Monday the attorneys went with Gaetan to work on this legal issue. They returned just before we left for Pointe Noire, where we were going to interview the missionaries and train the branch leaders. They reported that they had made some small progress. They had worked through Gaetan's sister to find a good contact and they thought that with three or four trips over the next few months we might be able to receive recognition.  It was a real possibility and Brent and I headed off town with a feeling of optimism.

  

We were hoping that they were right about getting recognition within a the next six months and that was progress. Without legal recognition, even though there are some members, we can't organize in any way.  So, this step is very important.

What we didn't know was that the Lord is  ready for Gabon to move forward and he had placed people in strategic places to make progress happen in a most unusual and, we think, miraculous way.  Gaetan just happened to have a sister in Gabon with some political connections. Gaetan's sister, who is not yet a member,  just happened to be willing to talk to her ex-husband to enlist his help. He is a senator in Gabon.  He just happened to know the Secretary of the Interior well and was willing to set up a meeting for the attorneys with this man who just happens to have the responsibility and power to grant us recognition.  They met with the Interior Secretary and explained our intentions in their country. They gave him a packet of information, pamphlets, CD's etc. that told him about the church and its goals. He was impressed with the things he heard and said that he thought recognition could happen.  The attorneys were pleased with their meeting and the agreements they had made and went back to their hotel very encouraged.  Then to their surprise, the next day the Secretary of the Interior gave them provisional recognition.  He told them that we could go ahead with any church functions that we wished and move forward to organize in Gabon.  There are some financial things to set up, but we are provisionally recognized NOW. When those financial things are in place, the church will be formally recognized in Gabon. We were stunned when we heard the great news. Things had gone much better than we had ever hoped and things "just happened" to fall into place perfectly. We know that these things didn't  "just happen."  We know that it was the Lord's time for church recognition in Gabon. We believe that He placed all these people right where they were because they could make it happen. We can't wait to see what His next plans are for this country.

Today we got a copy of the provisional recognition of the church in Gabon.  We are so blessed to be watching the history of the church take place in these African nations.  We know that it won't be too long before the work of gathering the Lord's children begins in earnest in yet another African land. Miracles are still happening.  We've witnessed another one in Gabon.

Church in Gabon

One of the major reasons for our trip to Gabon was to meet with the members. Presidents Headlee and Livingstone had each visited Gabon one time and met with a handful of faithful saints who wanted the church to enter their country. We wanted to go and give support to these members and their friends. We also wanted to hold a special sacrament meeting so that they could have the blessing of taking the sacrament.  It was a very tender occasion to share with them in this isolated part of the world.
We were invited to meet in the home of Gaetan's sister, Martine.  She had worked as an aid to the wife of the past President during three years of the lady's extended illness.  Because of this service Martine was given land and a home.  It's been in construction for three years and is very large and beautiful.  It's not finished yet, but was a perfect place for our sacrament meeting.

This home had a great view and was very spacious. But it did have some drawbacks. It was at the end of a rather rough dirt road seen below and although it had electricity that could be brought to it easily when it's finished, there is no water that comes to this property.  The water will all have to be hauled from a considerable distance way.  So, TIA!  (This is Africa and Rule #1 still applies.)  Take one large African home and add 50 rented plastic chairs and, VOILA, you have church.

 There were nine members there, but 22 people in attendance. Some of the friends of the church are just waiting for the church to come so that they can be baptized. They have been taught by members. One man met a member on the transport bus. They talked a bit and then they arranged to take the same bus every day for months.  They talked daily about the church and the man has a very good knowledge of the gospel and awaits baptism. He and his wife and two children were at the meeting.

The members were all baptized elsewhere since the church doesn't exist in Gabon. They are not allowed to meet as an official group because we have no legal recognition in their country. But there was a wonderful spirit there as we met with the, in this historic meeting.

We had two of the three Melchizedek Priesthood holders in Gabon at our meeting. The other, a returned missionary, was out of town. Since we couldn't locate a table, two plastic chairs sufficed as the sacrament table. These two brethren performed the ordinance perfectly and with great respect and reverence.  Brother Clayton, who was with us from S. Africa, said it well when he described the meeting. He said that although he didn't understand a word that was spoken in French, the spirit edified him as he felt the spirit more strongly than in an organized ward at home.  It's a sweet experience to join in the reverent atmosphere in this unfinished home full of plastic chairs. 

 They had shown that they were capable of handling the sacred ordinance of the sacrament correctly and with reverence, so we left the sacrament trays and cups with one of the brethren and gave them permission to do the sacrament in their home and to invite others to join them. This is a wonderful step in bringing the church to Gabon for the first time. 

Jamesons, Martine and Gaetan

 The most tender story of this visit is Sister Edna's story. It's one of those that inspires us and makes us want to be more committed and faithful. While studying in France, Edna was baptized.  She's now attending school in  the city of Ouagadougou (pronounced Waugadoogoo) in Burkina Faso,a country in West Africa located over 3, 175 km from Libreville.  When she found out that we were coming to Libreville she made arrangements to take a break from school and travel over 2,000 miles home to be a part of this meeting and to pay her tithing.  She had collected her tithing for 13 months in envelopes marked by month and brought it with her to this meeting.She handed it to Brent with joy and tears in her eyes and expressed gratitude for the privilege of paying tithing.  She is a wonderful example of a faithful saint and a strong woman.  We were honored to meet her and felt a very special bond with her in just a few hours.  She's a true pioneer in Gabon and it was easy to see that she will be a great leader among the sisters of Gabon.

 Sister Edna's tithing donations

As we gathered on the porch for a picture of this historic event a slight, misty rain began to fall. It's the dry season in this part of Africa, so the rain was unusual.  Rain is life giving and important to the people of Africa.  One of the friends of the church (what we call investigators in French, and a term that I love) said that God was sending rain to mark this blessed occasion.  He said that the rain is a sign of the Lord's approval. And it felt he was right!

First Visit to Libreville, Gabon

One of the major reasons for our trip to Gabon was to meet with the members. Presidents Headlee and Livingstone had each visited Gabon one time and met with a handful of faithful saints who wanted the church to enter their country. We wanted to go and give support to these members and their friends. We also wanted to hold a special sacrament meeting so that they could have the blessing of taking the sacrament.  It was a very tender occasion to share with them in this isolated part of the world.
We were invited to meet in the home of Gaetan's sister, Martine.  She had worked as an aid to the wife of the past President during three years of the lady's extended illness.  Because of this service Martine was given land and a home.  It's been in construction for three years and is very large and beautiful.  It's not finished yet, but was a perfect place for our sacrament meeting.

This home had a great view and was very spacious. But it did have some drawbacks. It was at the end of a rather rough dirt road seen below and although it had electricity that could be brought to it easily when it's finished, there is no water that comes to this property.  The water will all have to be hauled from a considerable distance way.  So, TIA!  (This is Africa and Rule #1 still applies.)  Take one large African home and add 50 rented plastic chairs and, VOILA, you have church.

 There were nine members there, but 22 people in attendance. Some of the friends of the church are just waiting for the church to come so that they can be baptized. They have been taught by members. One man met a member on the transport bus. They talked a bit and then they arranged to take the same bus every day for months.  They talked daily about the church and the man has a very good knowledge of the gospel and awaits baptism. He and his wife and two children were at the meeting.

The members were all baptized elsewhere since the church doesn't exist in Gabon. They are not allowed to meet as an official group because we have no legal recognition in their country. But there was a wonderful spirit there as we met with the, in this historic meeting.

We had two of the three Melchizedek Priesthood holders in Gabon at our meeting. The other, a returned missionary, was out of town. Since we couldn't locate a table, two plastic chairs sufficed as the sacrament table. These two brethren performed the ordinance perfectly and with great respect and reverence.  Brother Clayton, who was with us from S. Africa, said it well when he described the meeting. He said that although he didn't understand a word that was spoken in French, the spirit edified him as he felt the spirit more strongly than in an organized ward at home.  It's a sweet experience to join in the reverent atmosphere in this unfinished home full of plastic chairs. 

 They had shown that they were capable of handling the sacred ordinance of the sacrament correctly and with reverence, so we left the sacrament trays and cups with one of the brethren and gave them permission to do the sacrament in their home and to invite others to join them. This is a wonderful step in bringing the church to Gabon for the first time. 

Jamesons, Martine and Gaetan

 The most tender story of this visit is Sister Edna's story. It's one of those that inspires us and makes us want to be more committed and faithful. While studying in France, Edna was baptized.  She's now attending school in  the city of Ouagadougou (pronounced Waugadoogoo) in Burkina Faso,a country in West Africa located over 3, 175 km from Libreville.  When she found out that we were coming to Libreville she made arrangements to take a break from school and travel over 2,000 miles home to be a part of this meeting and to pay her tithing.  She had collected her tithing for 13 months in envelopes marked by month and brought it with her to this meeting.She handed it to Brent with joy and tears in her eyes and expressed gratitude for the privilege of paying tithing.  She is a wonderful example of a faithful saint and a strong woman.  We were honored to meet her and felt a very special bond with her in just a few hours.  She's a true pioneer in Gabon and it was easy to see that she will be a great leader among the sisters of Gabon.

 Sister Edna's tithing donations

As we gathered on the porch for a picture of this historic event a slight, misty rain began to fall. It's the dry season in this part of Africa, so the rain was unusual.  Rain is life giving and important to the people of Africa.  One of the friends of the church (what we call investigators in French, and a term that I love) said that God was sending rain to mark this blessed occasion.  He said that the rain is a sign of the Lord's approval. And it felt he was right!

A new grandchild in Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo

We've been on the move again. We spent three days traveling in Republic of Congo and visited our two cities there. Brent had interviews with elders, while I did a little teaching in Brazzaville.  Then in Pointe Noire I did auxiliary training I  for two hours. All of this was IN FRENCH.  I also translated for the senior sister there who helped with training.  It is truly a gift of tongues that Heavenly Father has given me to be able to communicate in French.  I have translated for a person or two as we listened to a talk, but this was my first time to translate for a speaker to a group who was listening.  It was pretty scary and it wasn't beautiful French, but we made it and I'm quite sure that they understood our message and that's all I ask.
The stress of it all was magnified by the fact that at the exact time of the meeting Stacy went into the hospital to be induced with the birth of our 23 grandchild.  Immediately after the meeting I went back to the Wheatley's house to see if we could get on skype with Stacy and Derek at the hospital. It worked like a charm for over an hour before the power went out.  The power outage lasted just a few minutes and then, to my relief, we got back on skype.
Meanwhile, Brent ended up being at the church for over six hours.  Whenever we go to a city where there's a branch there are interviews for temple recommends, priesthood ordinations, etc.waiting for him. This time he was told that he'd have six so he went to the church two hours before the priesthood leadership training meetings that he was doing. It turned out that he had 22 people waiting for him.  So, he interviewed for two hours, then did his 2 hour training and then did two more hours of interviews with people who by then had been waiting two or three hours.  These people were not a bit annoyed or upset to wait all that time for their interviews.  It was amazing. Time is not a relevant thing in Africa like it is in the US.
He arrived home in time to spend some time on skype with Stacy and Derek and Derek's parents in the delivery room before the baby's birth and  we got to "be there" for the arrival of little Carter Jameson Allen.

We teased them that it was about to pass midnight in Africa when he was born and then he'd have two birthdays-Aug. 22 in the US and Aug. 23 in Africa. But he was born at 3:59 pm Arizona time(that would be 11:59 pm Africa time.) It was wonderful that skype worked and we felt like we were there, almost!  It was pretty hard not to be able to hold that sweet, new bundle, but we felt blessed to have been there through technology. Skype dropped our call just at the moment of his birth and when we got it back about three minutes later, the first thing we heard was the sweet, little cry of Baby Carter. It was such a tender mercy that we could be "there" with them for his arrival.   He will always be our little Congolese grandson.

Church Buildings of the Kinshasa Mission

After writing about one of the buildings in Kinshasa, I decided to put some more of them here together to show just what kinds of buildings we have in our mission.  We're  taking pictures of all the diverse buildings that we go to for church, interviews,conferences, etc.  There are so many that we'll never get to all of them in Kinshasa. We can't even find all of them on our own.  They range from really nice, church-built buildings to small, rented, insufficient ones where the members have to sit outside the chapel because there isn't room for them all in the building. But the lessons, the music and the spirit are the same in all of them, sometimes it's even sweeter in the poor, run-down little "salles" or with just a few members in a home.  But we see many different situations and the Sunday drive to them is always interesting!

Matadi , DR Congo

                           Primary in Matadi

Camp Luka, Kinshasa Stake, Kinshasa

Very humble little building in a poor section of Kinshasa,  but this is one of the places where we see a great group of faithful saints meeting to worship.

This sweet little old member was at the church half an hour before it started.  We sat together.  It reminded me of great days with my Dad.

 New Ngaliema Stake Center, Kinshasa

 

Elders on their way back to work after interviews. 





Aime Ngoy, our driver, attorney helper, friend and much more, and Brent outside of Ngaliema stake center

Bangui, Central African Republic

 Brazzaville Stake Center, Republic of Congo

 Dumez, Mont Ngafula Stake, Kinshasa

Badiadingi, Mont Ngafula Stake, Kinshasa

Brazzaville, Republic of Congo 

 

Kimbanseke Stake Center, Kinshasa

Kingabwa, Kinshasa Stake, Kinshasa

 There is a gardening project behind the chapel in Kingabwa.  Our friend, Brother Motchikana gardens there.




Nice baptismal font behind Kingabwa. It's just big enough to baptize, but small enough to get enough water to fill without too much trouble.

 Masina 3rd Ward, Kimbanseke Stake, Kinshasa

(Affectionately refered to as the "Navauoo temple")

Nobody knows why or who may have decided to build this 

enormous, extravagant building in one of the toughest places in Kinshasa. It even has underground parking big enough to play soccer in, which would be a good use for it since nobody in that ward has a car. 

 Old Ngaliema Stake Center, Ngaliema, Kinshasa

 

 

This building has a great view of Kinshasa and is one of the few buildings that has a basketball court. It also has a big parking lot, where we are usually the only car there. But at Stake Conference, it was totally full of taxi-buses waiting to take the crowd home. 

                                                                                                Mpaka and Aéroport branches, Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo

Nobody's sure how this city with only three small branches got this building,

when Brazzaville, which has a stake with 8 wards ,has no church built buildings ??

But it's a very nice, small church-built chapel and is much loved by the members.

 Pointe Noire Branch, Republic of Congo

Douala Branch , Douala, Cameroon

 

Elder Nkong, one of our Lubumbashi missionaries, and his wife, Sonya.  He's in the branch presidency. 

Ekounou Branch, Yaoundé District, Cameroon

District Presidency in Youndé, Cameroon

Far right is Frere Olinga, one of our Lubumbashi missionaries.

Bastos Branch, Youndé District, Cameroon

 

 

 NgabaWard  Kinshasa Stake

 

Where we danced the night away with the young adults.

Kinshasa Stake Center, Kinshasa

There's also a Young Adult center there. It's one of only about 4 or 5 in the world and a great place for this wonderful young generation of the church. 

 

 

These buildings are located on a large piece of land called KasaVubu that is owned by the church .