November 16-22, 2025

"I'm not who I used to be." Simba

While we were always open to adventure, a mission to Uganda was certainly unexpected; we'd perhaps envisioned an African safari instead.  Now after two and a half months in Gulu, we've found our stride in the Uganda Kampala Mission.  We truly feel that a life time of callings, experiences in the church and in the work place has prepared us for this missionary assignment. It is a testament to the Lord's divine plan. He understands our limits and our needs and what we have to offer and gave us a custom fit as far as a misison goes at this time in our lives.  As our friend Judy wisely predicted, "It will change you." She earns the gold star-- She was right.

"Behold I have seen your sacrifices, and will forgive all your sins; I have seen your sacrifices in obedience to that which I have told you." Doctrine and Covenants 132:50

The people here in Uganda are poor, many work all day to make enough money to buy food that night, not everyone struggles this much but they don't have much.  When people are being taught the gospel of Jesus Christ, tithing is a principle that the missionaries teach them. In the Church of Jesus Christ we have been commanded to pay one tenth of all of our increase.  It is a hard principle for members here in Uganda to keep.  Its not about the money, rather, the Lord wants His children to show obedience and faith in Him.  He made His sacrifices and wants to bless us for making our sacrifices. 

On Sunday we attended Sunday School class in Bardege 1 Branch.  The teacher divided us into groups to discuss a scripture in each group.  Our scripture was in Doctrine and Covenants 132:50, "Behold I have seen your sacrifices, and will forgive all your sins; I have seen your sacrifices in obedience to that which I have told you."

The group had a really good discussion with thoughtful observations and comments about this scripture then one brother volunteered his testimony about tithing saying, 

"Before I became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, I was always out of money. As soon as I got a little money, it was gone. I never had enough but since I've been paying tithing I always have enough money."  

It was a simple and powerful testimony of the blessings that come from obedience and faith. 

Simple Joys

This little boy stole our hearts soon after our arrival in Gulu.  
He hasn't seen us in several weeks and made us feel loved and remembered.

 When he saw us he gave us big hugs before church and a couple of times after church.

For our preparation day we went on a 45 minute drive to Bakers Fort Patiko in a remote-ish area.  We had a great tour guide, Johnson, who helped us understand the historical significance of the beautiful area with a dark past.  It was once an Arab and African Trading Post before 1872.  Ivory would be traded for beads and other nice things without any speaking.  Silent trading.  When the ivory ran out then things got ugly.  Slave trading began in a brutal way (when is it not brutal?).  It made us sad as we were told the full story.  Thanks to a brave man from England, Samuel Baker, who gathered and organized the locals, he and the Africans fought back. They ran the Arabs out of the area, never to return. Samuel was later nighted for his efforts and became Sir Samuel Baker.

This photo is a poor representation of the amphitheater type rock grouping dotted 

with trees along with a wide open area where trading used to happen.

Side note: the path is for "footing" to the area on the other side of the rocks.

Looking north west to a hill that we would climb. 

We don't know if he took a shortcut here or if this was his typical route. We didn't come 

back the same way so we think his route was whatever he felt like that day.

There was a path once we got to the hill.

The area used to be full of people, elephants, lions and other African beasts. 

We tried to imagine it all as it once was.  It wasn't too hard.

It was amazing how vast the landscape was.  Sound carried long distances, we heard someone chopping wood and heard a baby cry but we couldn't see them or pinpoint which direction the sound came from. It looked so tidy from up high. There were little huts in family groupings surrounded by the "garden" which were patches of maze or cassava or other crops. 

Right below where we were standing there was a monkey in the top of a tree. Johnson was trying to get it to come out from behind the leaves.  We only saw glimpses of it.  Later we heard a sound and asked what it was, we were told that it was a bat.  I asked how big, and Johnson held his hands about a meter apart showing the wing span.  We were ready to get away from that spot.

Good Things Are Always Beginning

Good thing we have experience with boys.  Having 3 sons, and 6 grandsons plus knowing boys and young men friends who came and went in our home we knew that we needed to be prepared to teach a group of boys. Thankfully we had skills in our back pocket as we prepared to teach a few of Geoffrey's nephews Reading, Writing and speaking English.  We started by identifying eyes, ears, nose, mouth, head and taught them the words for what each body part helps us do.  Eyes see. Ears hear. Mouths speak.  That way we could help them Look at what we were demonstrating, Listen to instruction and Not talk when we were teaching. It sort of worked.

Head (brains) think

When they started getting restless Elder Kaiser had a great idea, the Red Light Green Light Game (recess).  They L O V E D IT!!!  When we got back to practicing writing they had their wiggles out.  Plus Uncle Geoffrey, who was right there with us giving extra instruction, helped to keep them focused on their task. Our goal was a one hour lesson, we met our goal.  It's not nearly enough but it's better than what they were receiving.

The beginning stage of teaching the game Red Light Green Light.  They had to walk first. 

They were running as soon as they figured out the rules.

After teaching Calvin, Eunice, Daniel, Collins and Ambrose about faith, prayer, honoring the priesthood while teaching the experiences of Nephi and the broken bow, we then taught about the Gift of the Holy Ghost to the children. We illustrated the different roles it can have in our lives.  Then, of course, we had to teach Red Light Green Light to the children.  More giggles and fun!

When the game changed from walking to running we separated the littles from the big kids.

Vincent, Elder and Sister Kaiser and Stella

It was our honor to go to Stella and Vincent's home to answer questions that Vincent had about  Stella's righteous desire to go to the temple.  Stella is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Vincent is not. Branch President Wycliff was there and we were able to share some thoughts with Vincent.  In the end he agreed to listen to the missionaries to understand the basics of the gospel of Jesus Christ in order to gain a better understanding of Stella's interest in working towards going to the temple. Vincent also let us know that he and Stella would be glad to get married at the church.

"And [they] began to teach the people in the land of [Gulu] according to the holy order of God, by which [they] had been called; and [they] began to teach the people throughout all the land of  [Gulu]." Alma 8:4

Saturday could have been a test for us: How much do you really love teaching?  

We were glad to spend time with the 3 members of the District Young Women's Presidency, two of whom we already knew. Winnie is a prospective missionary in the Bardege 1 Branch, and we taught Nancy the Temple Prep Lessons. We spent time alone with Gertrude, the president, before the other women arrived.  We found out that they had been trained by the Zaugg's in August, right after being set apart or called to serve, but they didn't tell us that until we were gathered together.  They asked good questions and helped us better understand the challenges the leaders and young women face.  

Winne, Gertrude, Nancy, Elder Kaiser

We had a break and were able to attend the baptism of a young woman, a woman and a young man, none  of which were related to the other.   Sister Keina and Sister Kaiser were the witnesses.  

We then hustled down the hall to the Relief Society Room where we taught 3 lessons in a row. Neither teacher showed up. Thank goodness we have some experience with teaching these classes: 

1. Bardege 1 Literacy Class. 
2. Bardege 1 Temple Preparation Class.
3. A spontaneous Elders Quorum training on callings - Elder Kaiser taught most of the information, Sister Kaiser taught them how to use the Church Library app to find information and resources on their smart phones. 

When we got home the neighbor kids were talking to the guard at the compound where we stay.  They started jumping up and down and clapping their hands when we drove up. We took a few minutes to put things away while they waited at the gait and were glad to carry our chairs over to their place. We read a story then we did what? Taught them Red Light Green Light. 

Fun Facts: Communication 2.0

• The Acholi say "Yes," "I agree," "I'm listening" or "That's interesting" in one single quick eyebrow raise.  No words, no expression on the face, no head nod or chin raise.  They simply do a quick double eyebrow raise when they want to communicate something such as one of the previous statements or something similar.  We may have discovered a time when that was useful.  We put it together after hearing that the Acholi communicated with the Arabian, without words when trading.  The eyebrow raise may have been used at that time.  Not officially confirmed but we feel smart for making the possible connection.
• When we are walking along in the mornings we are very intentional about saying hello or in Acholi, "Apwoyo." It really means "thank you" but it is also a greeting used any time of day.
• Sister Kaiser has been teaching "sign language" to the locals.  She says "I love you" to them while creating the heart symbol with curved fingers and thumbs touching.  To the locals it is not a commonly known symbol like it is in the United States and perhaps other countries. It is not natural for them to make the symbol with their hands and fingers but they try and smile and laugh while they do it.
• Most often the Acholi start their prayer after addressing Heavenly Father followed with the words, "We thank you for the gift of life....." They often express the need for forgiveness.  They are sincere and sweet and we love listening to them pray.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! 

We hope that you feel that your life has been filled with countless blessings and remember to be grateful for the gift of life that you have been given.We are grateful that you are alive!