The Gospel Shall Roll Forth
January 25-31, 2026
We were happy to return to church after doing home church last week. We went to Lacor Ward and were welcomed by our friends there. After sacrament meeting Sister Kaiser started to go to Primary but was told that she was needed in the Relief Society room where she was asked to teach the lesson. Since we had been studying conference talks from the May 2025 Liahona during the "lock down" she chose, "By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples," by Dieter F Uchtdorf, to share with the sisters. Elder Kaiser was asked to teach Elder's Quorum. He was given the topic of being a worthy father. So he turned to "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" for his lesson. Both teachers felt their "shoot from the hip" lessons went well.
"Think Celestial"
Russell M Nelson
After church at Lacor we headed to Gulu Ward to teach the temple preparation class. The couple who has been coming was not feeling well so they did not come but we had two new class members and as an added bonus four members from our last class have been approved to receive the "General Temple Patron Assistance Fund" to help them to be able to attend the temple. We are very happy and excited for them. They kind of become like our family members. Our hearts are full as they get approved to receive the needed support to go to the temple. It's interesting how quickly bonds are formed. I believe this is at least in part due to the experiences of feeling the Spirit together as we discuss sacred things. It also helps that they are such loving people and laugh easily. We ask them to take an extra big bag and put us inside so that we can go along with them. One of our Ugandan friends, Alvine, just returned from his first trip to the temple. Here are his words: (Ignore his English mistakes, rather, pay attention to how he describes his experience.)
"Wow the temple was truly amazing, for the first time I felt the Lord is there. In the celestial room I prayer for the Lord gift me a remote job. Immediately I got out a job I applied for a year ago called me for work I wondered how the Lord works truthfully when you ask. The Lord he always blessed and listens, I asked and prayed for many but this one was unbelievable. This was so different Sister Kaiser. One other great thing was doing proxy sealings for others. I felt wonderful can't explain"
Brother Amos, from the Laroo Ward said:
"In the temple, I felt a deep peace that I cannot fully explain. I felt that the Lord was aware or our sacrifices as a family and that our efforts to be in His holy house mattered to Him. The temple strengthened my testimony that families are central to God's plan and that obedience brings reassurance. Brothers and Sisters, I testify that there is a power in the temple. There is protection, peace, and divine help that comes when we keep our covenants and put God first, even when it is difficult. The blessings are real, and they are worth every sacrifice we make for our families."
This is why teaching temple class is one of our favorite things to do. The Spirit is strong and bears witness of temple blessings.
Silly Commitments - The Army of Helaman - Games - Visits with Friends
We found out that the Broncos lost in the AFC championship game. I told Sister Kaiser before we left on our mission that if the Broncos, Nuggets, and Avalanche all won championships that we would have to quickly sign up for another mission. :) Guess we get to spend some time at home after completing our service in Uganda.
We went on our normal Tuesday morning visit to teach our "Army of Helaman" but it was not as positive as the past few times. A few more boys showed up and the disruptions and effort definitely was affected. We did get some work done and taught them how to play hot potato which they liked.
A game kids in our neighborhood invented, It's a mixture of Kube and bowling.
That afternoon we made a visit to our family from Sudan. On the way we saw some kids playing a game. They were throwing a plastic pop bottle about 3/4 full of dirt with the lid on, at other dirt filled bottles lined up a about twenty yards away. It was just too hard for Elder Kaiser to pass by and not get in the game so he jumped in and played. Sister Kaiser got involved as well after talking to the adults and other kids. Kids are creative and make games with what they have available. After the short distraction we headed on to see our friends. The mother, Diana, had a few questions so we had her choose one and then had a good discussion about Christ coming to America and read some of the account from the Book of Mormon. Sister Kaiser did a wonderful job of bringing the Spirit to the lesson. They invited us back on Friday to share more with them.
Gulu Zone Conference
There was a Gulu Zone Conference for all of the missionaries. President Bell presided. The teaching was positive and the missionaries seemed strengthened to go back out and put forth effort in doing the Lord's work. They work hard but it is always good to be re-energized and recommitted to the work. We ate dinner and had a good visit with the Bells. We had discussions about logistics with another senior couple coming in May, the mission split on July 1, 2026 and us leaving at the end of August we are not sure how it all will be handled but we are confident that it will get worked out and we will serve where we are needed.
Lacor Literacy
Our very small class: Sister Kaiser, Jeneth, Stella, Charles, Doreen (in back), and Elder Kaiser
Schedules and classes have gone off track due to the elections and missionaries being in a lock down. Members are not sure about our normal classes so they don't show up or our numbers are few. To add to the temporary probelm, communication is a constant struggle. Lacor English class was not very well attended on Thursday. We were happy to see Jeneth arrive, she was able to get some one on one help with reading the Book of Mormon. She really enjoyed that experience which helped both her English and her understanding. Sister Kaiser worked with her and Elder Kaiser worked on very basic things with Doreen. Stella came late and joined us near the end of class. We are always happy to see our friend Charles at Lacor. He is waiting to receive his mission call. He teaches seminary, is the ward executive secretary, and watches over the church grounds, and works as a secretary at the school next to the Lacore building. He is always the first to help, the one with the most genuine smile and soft spoken encouraging words. He is easy to love and appreciate.
Sudanese Friends and Seminary Class
We went to see our Sudanese friends on Friday. Diana had some questions about Joseph Smith. She was concerned that we worship Joseph Smith. We explained about prophets and how they serve the Lord. We honor the prophets but we assured her that we only worship Jesus Christ, our Savior and God The Father. We love and serve Jesus.
In the afternoon we were back to Lacor for seminary class. We were able to teach about Enoch and how he overcame his fears and limitations to become all the Lord asked him to be. At the beginning of class we gave the class time to ponder and write about something they need to work on or overcome that is difficult for them. During the lesson we discovered how Enoch put his trust in the Lord, and "walked" with Him. We gave them time at the end of the lesson to create a plan to overcome their challenge and follow the example of Enoch who overcame hard things and became a powerful servant of the Lord.
"Behold my Spirit is upon you....therefore walk with me." Moses 6:34
100 Years of Institute
Saturday was the 100 year celebration for Institute, which offers adult religion classes all over the world. The Gulu Stake Celebrated a combined celebration with Youth Seminary Graduation, and all kids going back to school, including primary aged children. There were 3 large tents set up on the Bardege church building property, and a DJ with a sound system was hired. Refreshments were distributed which was 2 buns, a hard boiled egg and the choice between water or a soda. Then seminary kids sang the Youth Theme Song for 2026 after that it turned into a talent show with dancing and singing highlighting the celebration. As with most things here it started late and then due to the celebration at the Bardege building our normal English and Temple class members did not come and so again, no class.
Fun Stuff:
We always buy our fresh pineapple from the same young woman who manages a cart along the side of the road. Last week we bought a watermelon at the main market so we didn't stop by her cart on our way home as usual. This week we returned and bought a pineapple. On not seeing us last week she said; "I thought you were lost". This made us laugh. We thanked her for remembering us.
Comments
Post a Comment