Kindred spirits in Kenya

Ron and I made a return trip to Nairobi, Kenya, 20-24 November 2010. The purpose of this assignment was training with 20 stake and unit leaders in Nairobi Stake regarding priesthood stewardship of meetinghouses, training with the mission president and his office couple, 6 senior missionary couples, and 13 young missionary elders in a zone conference regarding personal safety, and assessments of six meetinghouses. We also made an investigation of extortion and death threats to a local member which occurred while we were there.



On Sunday, 21 November the entire African continent participated in a SLC stake conference broadcast. Elder Boyd K. Packer, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Elder Christoffel Golden and Sister Ann M. Dibb addressed topics specific to Africa.

We were delighted to attend the conference and spend the afternoon with friends Elder and Sister Bruce and Judy Godfrey from Utah. The Godfreys completed their 18 month mission June 2010 as Humanitarian directors for the Africa Southeast Area, serving with us at the Johannesburg Area Office. When the Humanitarian couple serving as Kenya country directors had major health challenges and returned home suddenly from their mission, the Godfreys were requested by SLC to go to Nairobi for 2-4 months until a new couple could arrive. By October they had returned to Africa!

Notice the bus loaded with parcels in the photo on the wall behind the Godfreys. This is a very typical sight in Kenya. Also note the red and black Kazuri bead necklace Sister Godfrey is wearing which is unique to Nairobi.



On our day assessing chapels our driver stopped at the Kazuri bead factory for us to take a tour. This is a remarkable industry begun in the 1970's for single mothers to provide for their families by using fine clay which is kiln dried and hand painted to make pottery and beads for beautiful necklaces and bracelets.



Always a treat is presenting our security training to the full-time missionaries. In this group of 13 elders were 6 who we had previously met when we taught them at the Johannesburg MTC. It was fun chatting with these men during an African lunch of rice, chicken, cabbage salad, fruit salad, pan-fried flour flatbread and bottled pop.





During our stay in Nairobi we enjoyed tasty dishes with Indian and Asian influences and fresh fruit and juices new to us in appearance and flavor.