Special People in our lives in Douala and Elder Holland in Kinshasa

 

We have met a lot of wonderful people here in Douala Cameroon.  We thought we would show a few and tell why they mean a lot to us.

These are our current Elders at our apartment for Thanksgiving dinner.  Elders Gelinas,Zurcher,Prince, Hoiland,Lafleur, Porter,Lavering, Andriamamonjy, Rambelosoam, and Eboue who is a branch missionary.  They can eat as much as our own family of almost 30.  We played games and watched the movie "Remember the Titans" about integration in the 60's in the US.  We shared our blessings and have become each other's families.  

We love the children of Cameroon.  They are so beautiful, loving and happy.  They have nothing compared to children in the US, but don't need things to be happy and have fun.  They run to us and hug us and are so excited that we will shake their hands.  Those in the gospel have a much brighter future ahead of them.

We have shown these people before, but we have really grown to love them.  Gregoire, Gabrielle and their son Messie are on the left by Elder Porter from St. George.  Sister Ange and her son Edon are on the right with Elder Prince.  Elder Prince returned home to Centerville on Nov. 29th.  These two families invite us to their home every two weeks to teach them how to have eternal families, thinking we are experts because we have been married for 36 years and raised 6 children.

  

Elder Holland came to Kinshasa DR Congo a month ago to dedicate a new country called The Central Africa Republic, right between our two countries, for the preaching of the gospel.  Pres. and Sister Jameson, our mission president and his wife,  are in Gabon interviewing for the first branch presidency this very day.  Our priesthood leaders all got to shake his hand.  They didn't invite us missionaries in the outlying areas to come to see him, because of Visas and cost but they did invite our branch presidents. 

 

Pres. Njampou on the left and Pres. Ngueti in the center reading, are our branch presidents.  They are amazing men and were so excited to go to Kinshasa to be with Elder Holland.  It is so amazing that members of the 12 Apostles are going into every corner of the world to be with the members.  The members are so honored that they would do that.

This is the Ebere family.  They came to our home to welcome us right after we got settled.  They came on a Sunday evening and stayed for 4 hours.  Sister Gailey asked Sister Ebere how she braided her girls hair, and she showed her by doing all 4 of them while we watched.  We had treats and the children jumped up and cleaned and washed everything without being asked.  We were impressed.

Romeo, Iren, Manuel, Diabel, Hope, Katie, and Flora Dim have adopted us.  They call almost every week to see if we need anything.  We have been to their home several times for grilled fish and plantanes.  They came to our house for shepard's pie.  Whenever we need anything, we call on them.  They have only been members 11 months, but are so strong.  Romeo is spending every day overseeing the remodeling of a new building that our BonaPriso branch will move into the 1st of January. 

Proselyting with the Elders

 

 

We often go to appointments with the Elders.  We usually park our truck at their apartment where is is safe and then walk to the appointments.  We walk down dirt roads, down little paths, across boards across ditches, and some times sink over our shoes in the mud.  We keep saying that it is all part of the experence.