Thursday, April 30, 2015

Seeking the Lord ~ 1 May 2015

In a talk on spirituality, Elder Dallin H. Oaks said:
                     "What we see around us depends on what we seek in life."  Our blog for this week will show some of what we see because of what we seek.  Our purpose here as a Senior MLS Missionary couple is to support the leaders and members in their callings, and strengthen them in learning their "duty".     We love this part of our mission especially working in the Branches.

  This past week Sister Helena, the Young Women President from the Aéroport Branche asked if we would come and help to train her Young Women in Personal Progress.  We wish we spoke better French, but the Lord has "qualified" us to do the work that needs to be done.  We made a powerpoint presentation which I am definitely not good at, but better at that than French, so it worked out great.  The Young Women were so excited to get started so that they could earn their medallion.

We love the enthusiasm of the members, especially when it comes to ways they can grow in their testimonies of the Savior.  Elder Bailey and I have found such great joy as we have served among the members and leaders here in Pointe Noire.

Members and Leaders. . . . 



The Young Women of the Aéroport Branche.



Jhostavie just returned from Brazzaville where he went to get his passport. While he was there he took his "Ma Famille" family history book that we gave him.  He interviewed his father and found out about his ancestors.  He was able to find a picture of his grandfather and learned stories about his relatives that he hadn't known before.  Even though his father is not a member, he was so grateful to have Jhostavie learn about his family, so that he could pass it on to his posterity.    This is truly an inspired book to bring families together physically and eternally.



Paco received his "Passport" and now has begun the process of filling out all of the paperwork to go on a mission.  He has been such a blessing to us these past 16 months in translating for us and helping us teach piano.  He will be a wonderful missionary for the Lord.  

Part of our work here has been to help get the many youth working on their mission calls.  It starts with getting their passport.  We have seen the hand of the Lord working as more than 7 youth received their passports this past month.


"Surprise" is from the Mpaka Branche and mentioned to us that his birthday was this past week.  We took him to Delise Mays for a chawarma.  He said it is his new favorite American Food.  We are so proud of Surprise and his efforts to continue to strengthen his testimony of the Gospel.  He was baptized last year and is the only member of his family.  He has been going out with the missionaries on splits and enjoys that so much.  He hopes to go on a mission as soon as he finishes school.

Baptisms. . . . 



Elder Beutler and Elder Muamba have been teaching these two sisters.  They were baptized on the 18th of April. 


On the 25th of April (I did not get her name) was baptized by Divin.    

Missionaries. . . . 



Elder Johnson, Elder Beutler, Elder Andriamiasinarivo, Elder Muamba, Elder Bulendolo, 
and Elder Mbikayi...

Knowing that this week was transfer week and that we would be loosing some of our missionaries, we met as a Zone to have a farewell dinner on April 20 at the "Yes Club".    Some of our missionaries had never been to a restaurant nor eaten Chinese Food.  We had a wonderful time.  We didn't know at the time, but we said goodbye to Elder Muamba, Elder Bulendolo and Elder Nzoronka.  Elder Johnson finished his mission and headed home to Colorado this passed Wednesday.

The "Zone" of Pointe Noire as of April 20, 2015

Elder Andrimiasinarivo, Elder Nzoronka, Elder Muamba, Elder Etherington, Elder Mbikayi, Elder Bulendolo, Elder Beutler and Elder Johnson

Receiving our new missionaries...



The "Zone" of Pointe Noire as of April 30, 2015

Back row: Elder Beutler, Elder Larson, Elder Legerski, Elder Waite, Elder Etherington
Front Row: Elder Kabaya, Elder Kabongo, Elder Mandefu, Elder Mbikayi,
and Elder Andriamiasinarivo 


Companions for the Pointe Noire Branche:  Elder Etherington and Elder Mandefu



Companions for the Loandjili Branche:  Elder Waite and Elder Andriamiasinarivo



Companions for the Aéroport Branche:  Elder Legerski and Elder Mbikayi


Companions for Mpaka B:  Elder Kabeya and Elder Larson

Companions for Mpaka A: Elder Beutler and Elder Kabongo


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Seeing the hand of the Lord because of what we seek. . . 


During these past 16 months, we have seen "everything" you could imagine.  But because our focus has been on the Lord, what we have seen and who we have seeked, have only testified of our Savior Jesus Christ and His Gospel.  We are so grateful for our time here and for our part in "Hastening His Work of Salvation."

The Gospel Is True!!

Until next week. . . . 



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