We are richly blessed and take so much for granted

Wherefore, the blessings which I give unto you are above all things.

D&C 18:45

November 23-December 6

Everyone needs a good nuzzle now and again.

We  met with the district young women leaders and they expressed some concerns about how the youth programs were going in the branches so we attended Aaronic Priesthood and young women's classes to see how one branch was doing.  This then become our 10 minute talk at District Council.  They really want their young people to serve missions but the training in the youth programs can improve.  We talked about two deep leadership, not having the youth left alone to teach themselves, assigning them talks and prayers in sacrament meetings.  We taught about the importance of seminary, and encouraged district leaders to invite prospective missionaries to temple preparation classes to prepare them for when they go to the Ghana Temple while they are at the Ghana Missionary Training Center.  The youth members of the church in the USA take most of these things for granted.  They do not realize how fortunate they are in their gospel preparation.

Rolling chapati into balls

Rolling the chapati out and then frying each one in hot oil.

Monday is our Preparation Day and Sister Kaiser set up cooking instruction with Susan, a church member.  We volunteered to bring all of the food and water so we could manage as much as possible and remain healthy.  While the beans were finishing cooking we made chapati a local fried bread with shredded carrots, onions, ginger, garlic, oil baking powder, flour and water.  There were only two cooking "stoves"  so we had to rotate and plan well. When the beans were done cooking we made a broth with shredded carrots, tomatoes, green peppers, garlic, onion and chili powder then added the beans.  While that was finishing we began cooking the rice.  We thought all of the cooking would take us a few hours but we ended up being there most of the day.  The women were surprised when Elder Kaiser helped to cook and wash dishes. In this cultural area those chores are considered women's work.  It was also a bit of a surprise for us when neighbors joined us to eat.  We ended up feeding about 20 people.  We decided it was our Thanksgiving meal and asked the people to say something that they were thankful for.  Many simply said, "The Gift of Life."  For these people every day presents so many hardships and challenges; It doesn't seem like we should complain about our lot in life. 

The completed meal

We went to teach Geoffrey's nephews another English class and there were additional nephews who were also invited.  It made it more of a challenge as they were more prone to be silly and there was a lack of space on the benches and around the small table.  We did the best we could but productivity was down from last week.  As we were about to wrap up three little girls came.  We though they were just curious but Geoffrey told us he invited them and would get more neighbors for next time.  We understand his enthusiasm but asked him to not have the girls because they were too young and not to invite any more as we do not have a school or class room and with our resources too many children makes it too difficult and none will learn.  He understood and we will continue with the small group and try to be more effective.  It is sad that so many cannot or do not attend school. Education is the key to careers and the future, do our children appreciate what they receive for free to prepare them for success.

A Special Assignment

President Bell called Tuesday morning and asked us to consider an assignment that would take us away from Gulu for a short time.  We prayed about it and felt the Spirit tell us we needed  to go.  To fulfill the assignment we had to drive to Kampala but the normal road to get there was closed due to a sink hole on the main road.  This meant we had to take the long way.  In the beginning the roads were not good, we drove through construction and rough roads for hours.  The bright spot was that the detour took us through Murchison National Park.  We could not stop or go to waterfalls, etc.  But we did get to see some pretty cool animals out in the wild.  We loved the giraffes.  So beautiful, it was exciting when a small herd of them crossed the road in front of us.  Technically, while you can call them a herd the correct name is a tower of giraffes; Named this because of their great height which makes them appear to tower over the landscape.  There are the big five in Uganda, the lion, cheetah, buffalo, rhino and elephant. We saw the African buffalo.  They are huge.  Males weigh up to 2000 pounds.

 Oribi

The Hartebeest was happy to pose for us.

The Ugandan Kob

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

Pumba, the warthog, got married and started a a family.

African Buffalo

From a bridge we could hear these hippos grunting in the Nile River.

The giraffes were amazing!!

After passing through the national park we drove what seemed like forever to get to Kampala.  We arrived at the mission home around 10:40 pm.  That might not seem too bad but when one is driving the last three and a half hours of a 9 hour drive in the dark with no street lights and pot holes, boda drivers with poor lighting from their headlamps, oncoming traffic, vehicles using the opposite lane for passing and flashing their light as a warning and people walking on the side of the road.  The drive became super stressful. Consider yourself blessed to have divided highways, street lights, traffic laws, vehicles with lights, roads without pot holes everywhere, and pedestrians who walk on sidewalks.

We took care of the assignment from President Bell and headed back to Gulu a week later. Gratefully we found out that our return trip to Gulu would be the normal roads which was reopened  with a road added around the sink hole. We were both excited to return to our apartment in Gulu  Sister Kaiser said she had butterflies as we got started on our way. (blue butterflies like the ones she has seen in Uganda).  We consider it a blessing to be so happy about returning to Gulu, we have only been here less than three months but we have been so blessed. We have become attached to the people and the work we are able to perform.  We see God's hand in our endeavors as we work with Him to bless his children.  

Our decorated truck

We went to Calvin's school to celebrate graduation with them.  We told him we could only stay for 2 hours even though graduation is an all day affair. After being gone for a week we had several things to catch up on. We showed up at 10:30am as asked then waited a couple of hours for the "parade".  We decorated the truck with balloons and crepe paper.  Unfortunately we had to leave while they were still parading. We did not give our prepared talks.  Ugandan time is a real thing, always running what we would consider late.  Elder Kaiser does not like to be late so this is a challenge for him.  We are glad in America that schedules generally run reliably.

Sister Kaiser provides shade before the parade.

The Parade!

 "That every man may give an account unto me of the stewardship which is appointed unto him."

D&C 104:12

We had a Missionary Zone Conference on Friday with President Bell and Elder Peiper who is an area 70, and in the area Presidency for the church.  The meeting was very good.  Some of our takeaways were that we have choices and we are free to act.  Those actions will decide how we learn, grow and progress.  Our desires that we choose to act upon will determine our eternal destiny.  We are given a stewardship as missionaries. Our stewardship is to take care of the Lord's work here and to be wise with all of the things he has given us. Phones, time, etc. it is all his and we are accountable to him. Our calling is a "gift" that comes from God.  Moroni 7:2 How are we going to use that gift? Sister Kaiser and I like to say "no regrets"  when talk about opportunities.  No regrets here means making the most of this stewardship and following righteous desires to serve God and his children.

Some of the missionaries serving in Gulu

On Saturday we attended the leadership and adult sessions of district conference. The conference had good information, especially around new members and how to support them.  They need to work hard in this area.  They said that there were 770 convert baptisms in the Gulu district last year.  WHAT?  That is amazing!!  As we arrived at the Bardege building for Saturday meetings the members were so glad to see us and welcome us back.  They all said how much they missed us.  We only told a few that we needed to leave on an assignment but I guess word here travels like a boda-boda, very fast and a little crazy :)  

Sunday the Gulu Stake was created.  We were well "fed" with spiritual food for our souls.  Later we were asked to be at the setting apart of the Stake President and his counselors.  It was our honor to be a fly on the wall at the setting apart and 1 hour training that followed.

Elder and Sister Peiper, Sister and President Latigo, President and Sister Orombi, 

President Joyel, President Ngabizele and Sister and President Bell 

Fun stuff:

We have our hand carved Ugandan Christmas Nativity set out to remind us of the importance of the season. We hope you find joy throughout this holiday season and take time to reflect upon the blessings in your life because the Savior was born in a lowly stable.