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!