Dedicated to our friend
President James Ojera Latigo
Chalk Art by Lamaro Angel Daisy, age 14 years
May 4 - 24, 2026
About Art
One thing that Sister Kaiser finds soothing is drawing. She claims that she's not good. When there is time, she draws in her study journal to compliment what she's studied in "Come Follow Me." It makes her happy. Her colored pencils were shabby. She asked a favor and because of a bunch of very nice people, including Chelsea Moulton and Sister and Elder Bailey, the new senior couple missionary in Maska. Sister Kaiser was able to receive a new journal and a good set of colored pencils. Small things can bring joy especially when fun things are included like a bag of Jelly Belly's, freeze dried strawberries, packets of cheese to make mac and cheese and notes and pictures from grandchildren tucked into the pages of the journal. Thanks everyone!!!
It felt like someone's birthday or Easter or something.
Sweet notes tucked inside the pages of Sister Kaiser's new journal.
Our noodles combined with a cheese packet from Chelsea.
The cheese here is not good.
Kids and Art
When we arrived in Gulu we discovered colored pencils that here in the apartment. When we teach lessons to children we often add a coloring page from "Come Follow Me." It makes the children happy to color at the end of our age appropriate lesson. The Ugandan children are serious about their coloring, so are their parents. Sometimes the parents have strong opinions about how the children color, what color to use, to not use too much of one color etc. We don't have opinions about the children coloring style, we just like watching them color because they are very engaged. They don't run off and leave a partially colored page behind, they finish the page, every time. The babies scribble, like all babies. Here it is called shading instead of coloring. Our pencils were getting smaller very quickly, so we got more from the grocery store.
Wearable Art
The dresses the women make and wear are pieces of art. Every day we see women wearing a unique dress like none other, made from the cotton African print fabric by tailors or dress makers that are found everywhere. The fabrics are often crazy and bold color mixes. The women with their dark skin pull it off beautifully. There are also fancy beaded dresses which women wear for special occasions that come with matching scarves for their heads which have tassels. The men have some nice things too but the dresses are the stand outs.
Mary said this beaded dress and headscarf cost 50000 Ugandan schillings = $13.25 USD
Artist Friends
We have a friend, Michael, he is a member of the church, and he has a little art studio in the Main Market upstairs near the tailors' shops. He paints African scenery and people. We stop and visit with him and look at his pieces. We know that if we gave him a photo of an African animal or group of people he would paint it well on any size of canvas.
By Sharon, age 12
We have acquired a few pieces of art in other ways. Sharon, age 12, drew an empty tomb and a included a message about Jesus on a piece of school paper for Sister Kaiser. It was such a surprise and a very sweet gift. She loves it!
While at the Lacor ward building Sister Kaiser noticed a chalk drawing of an Acholi Mama (see above). It was charming, accurate and funny. Sister Kaiser took a photo and inquired about the artist. She found out it was drawn by Lamaro Angel Daisy, age 14 years. She wants Angel to draw more Acholi women.
Saying Goodbye to our Missionaries
Sister Adokorach and Sister Aloyo at the Ghana MTC
They will serve in the Botswana Gaborone Mission
We have quickly become attached to our prospective missionaries in Gulu. We love them all but there are some stand out's. We've already said good bye to some as they have departed for the Missionary Training Center in Ghana and then go to serve their mission in another African country. One young adult woman, Winnie Adokorach, has been on our radar for a while. She shared her conversion story which started with her simply wanting a free book from the missionaries. She likes to read so she sent her younger brother to get the book as they passed by her house, the missionaries didn't just send the Book of Mormon with the brother, they came along too meet the one requesting the book. The result was the baptism of a wonderful daughter of God. We are so greatful!!!
Winnie is an amazing servant of the Lord, she and Prisca Aloyo just left to serve in the same mission in Bostwana. They both shared such beautiful departing testimonies. It feels like we are saying goodbye to our own children, we love them so much! There are more leaving soon and we just don't know if we can handle the heart break and happiness. These are some of the finest, young adults that we have ever met. They are so humble, they are hungry to learn about the gospel, they love the Lord, they are so kind and good to one another and many of them make a great sacrifice of time to come to class. It is an honor to be with them at this time in their lives. We will watch them grow as missionaries and beam as the Lord molds and shapes them into even more amazing disciples.
Winnie Adokorach, Sister Kaiser and Innocent Kaziba
Sister Kaziba is ready to leave on Monday, June 1, 2026 for Ghana Accra South Mission
Mothers Day
Art displayed at The Lookout Restaurant
For Mother's Day Elder Kaiser planned ahead and on Saturday we went to get dinner at a nice restaurant in the area. It was raining hard so the dinner guests were seated inside. We ended up in a room by ourselves for the entire time we were there. On Sunday, Mother's Day, Sister Kaiser received calls from all of her children and some grandchildren who wished her a happy Mother's Day. It was a really great day!
Baby Joy
Sister Kaiser offered to take photos for the neighbors as a gift after baby Joy was born on Christmas Eve and we were asked to suggest a name for her on Christmas Day. The photo session went well and allowed Sister Kaiser to be able to use her skills that she continues to develop in photography. After editing and deleting some photos we went back to the Mother and Grandmother to let them pick their favorites. They were so gracious and pleased with the choices. They chose Sister Kaiser's favorite photos which was fun!
Jaja (name for grandmother) and Baby Joy!
Susan (mother), Mary (grandmother), Rafael and Joy
Diligent Learning Brings Blessings
We continue to visit Geoffrey weekly. He said that he feels himself expanding as he listens to the Book of Mormon on CD. His gospel knowledge is growing and he likes it and is hungry for more. He isn't getting rid of us though, he says reading together also helps to reinforce his learning. Of all the people we have encouraged to read the Book of Mormon, Geoffrey has been openly the most diligent. We know that his situation is different than most since his mobility is limited but we love watching him grow in his understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are blessings coming his way.
James Ojera Latigo
James Latigo in front of his home in the family village where he grew up.
We had the honor of being invited to spend time with President James Latigo, first counselor in the Gulu stake presidency, on Wednesday, 13 May 2026 at his home located in the village of his boyhood home. It is a lovely area which has been developed nicely. Everyone there is related, they look after one another and greet each other as they move through their day. There was tall corn growing in areas all around it added to the lush green everywhere. As we arrived President Latigo met us outside, greeted us warmly and directed us where to park. His home was clean and had a few modern conveniences that we don't always see.
After visiting for a while about his family history in the area we shared a message with him about EnJOYing to the end. We used the Book of Mormon to illustrate our topic through 2 stories, Alma and his people becoming slaves and carrying heavy burdens. See Mosiah 24:10-25 and continued with Mosiah 5:1-9, 15 where King Benjamin talks to his people about covenanting to follow Jesus Christ, and ended with 3 Nephi 15:9, reading about the blessings of enduring or EnJOYing to the end.
"That ye may stand as witness for me....I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."
"The Lord... has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."
"And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters...he hath spiritually begotten you...Your hearts are changed through faith on his name."
"Behold, I am the law and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life."
When we were done exploring and discussing these scriptures, President Latigo said, "WOW!!!" He really enjoyed the scripture chain and loved the encouraging message. When we had finished talking he took us to his adopted mothers home nearby. Rose became his mother when his own mother died shortly after James wedded his bride, Barbara. Rose suffers from having had a stroke and dementia. We found her in good conditions, dressed in clean clothes for the day, listening to music and activity of life going on around her with her caregiver nearby. We suggested that we sing for Mama Rose and sang, "Love At Home" at President Latigo's request. Mama Rose moved her feet a bit as we sang. President Latigo and Elder Kaiser gave Mama Rose a priesthood blessing of comfort and we signed the guest book before we left her.
We greeted President Latigo's sister in law who was outside nearby, she came and shook our hands and looked us in the eyes with a smile. She liked the fact that Sister Kaiser responded to her greeting, in Acholi eventhough it was not correct.
Before we left, Sister Kaiser took photos of President Latigo's amazing umbrella tree which sits in front of his house. The tree still had a few lingering blossoms on top.
He had told us previously that he planned to drive to Kampala on Wednesday but would depart after we left. We were at his home for 2 hours. When we were leaving we said, "Drive safely and tell Barbara hi from us!" We were all smiling and waved good bye. It was a lovely afternoon.
Right before we left the village
Sister Kaiser sent pictures to his WhatsApp of him in front of the tree with his home behind the amazing tree.
On Monday, 18 May we woke up to the very sad and shocking news that James Ojera Latigo had died in a car accident. Our heads were reeling and our hearts were heavy. The tears came. We said a prayer for his family.
Later that day we found ourselves sitting on a chair under a tent in the same village looking at the same beautiful umbrella tree under very sad circumstances. We listened to the unfolding of the tragic loss of a great man, not just a religious leader in our church but a truly great community member and the kind of person you find yourself drawn to because of his light and easy way.
We followed the ambulance with the body to the mortuary and waited outside of the facility under a mango tree with other members to hear about the date set for the funeral, 30 May near the family village. The days following his death have been filled with gatherings by members to coordinate and collect donations for the funeral.
We received a link to an article about James Latigo published by Deseret News. It was about his service after the Ugandan war. James was an economist but after the war he eventually became an advocate for the Acholi people to regain their property and land. He put himself in harms way to help people work through land dispute problems and find peaceful solutions. He helped with the recovery and return of captured boy soldiers from the war and young girls forced to have babies for the rebels.
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/05/22/uganda-gulu-war-latter-day-saint/
This man is an unsung hero and we had no idea!!! What a humble man. He shouldered heavy burdens in Gulu as the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints grew rapidly in the area and experienced growing pains. He was there learning and teaching others how to operate as a functioning unit. He was the calm in the storm. He could be relied upon. He has seen all of it, he has been a quiet, encouraging positive force for good in all of the ups and downs that has come to Gulu church members.
Here is a man that only wanted his family to be together. He was traveling to Kampala with a transport driver to see his wife and son who live there in his other home. The son was still attending school. We do not know the reason he delayed his departure but what we do know is that he will be a powerful force in heaven. The Lord has work for him to do. We pray for the family that they have peace and comfort. We know that his soul is at peace and that he enJOYed to the end very well. He will be missed.
On Sunday, 24 May Gulu had Stake Conference which happens every 6 months. President James Latigo organized all of the speakers and gave them their assignments. We were a part of carrying out his plan, which was well organized. Elder and Sister Kaiser were assigned to speak on Becoming Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Christ. It was an honor to carry out his last assignment and have a moment at the podium to share some encouragement with the grieving members.
James and Barbara were sealed together in the Nairobi Temple, House of the Lord.
Comments
Post a Comment