Miracles. . . .
As a Senior Missionary couple we were called by a prophet of God and set apart to represent the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. We were called to "invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end."How great is our calling!
We are down to 24 days before we go home. It has been such a wonderful experience to have served a second time in Africa. We know that our Father In Heaven has watched over us and blessed us abundantly.
As we have served alongside many wonderful missionaries, we find ourselves in awe of how "good" they really are. Most of them are just 18 years old when they come, and yet they preached with "power and authority" the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They have such great faith that if they are obedient, they can expect blessings, and if they are "exactly obedient" they can expect miracles.
So many "miracles" happen in the mission field. We see the hand of the Lord in everything, as He hastens His work of salvation! The Gospel is true and we love it will all of our heart.
We were beginning to get just a little worried about a couple to come and replace us. We tried to think of how things could work without one, and simply could not see any way. We prayed and trusted that things would work out. Last Thursday, President Monga had a conference call with all of his couples in the mission. Elder and Sister Coleman in Douala, Cameroon are scheduled to leave in August. They also are desperate for a couple to replace them. So as we talked and discussed and put everything on the table, President made some final decisions as to how things would proceed.
Elder and Sister Bills, who are the travel missionaries in the office in Brazzaville, will come to replace us. They will arrive on Friday, June 26. We are so very grateful for an answer to our prayers. Elder and Sister Dimond who are serving in Yaounde, Cameroon will not only do their job, but will travel the four hours to Douala every two weeks to handle things there, until a couple can be found.
How grateful we are that we have served alongside such wonderful, faithful Senior Missionary Couples who are willing to do whatever the Lord asks them to do. Many thanks to the Dimonds, Coleman's, Nelsons, Bills and Moody's, for being such a blessing and example to us while we have served here in Pointe Noire.
The Miracle of a Couple!
Elder and Sister Bills, Elder & Sister Moody, Elder and Sister Dimond, President and Soeur Monga, Bailey's, Elder and Sister Nelson, and Elder and Sister Coleman.
The Miracle of families. . . .
President Monga has asked us to find families to teach the Gospel to. This is the John Matoko family we found as we walked to visit a member last month. He came to church last week with Laticia his wife and Precieux and Kenan his sons. They have been hearing the discussions and love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are so grateful for them....
This is Anicet our night Guardian. He came to church last Sunday also with his family, Jermaine, Malondo, Simba and Exauce. The missionaries have been teaching them also.
Last Monday, we had the Matoko family over for dinner. I made "fajita's" which they really didn't love, but were great sports to try.
The Matoko and Kizimbou families.
Alain, Bijou, Exauce and Princess are the "fellowshipping" family that came to dinner on Monday also. It is such a miracle to see the Lord's work move forward all over the world.
The Miracle of Music. . . .
Back row: Ketsia, Igor, Desti and Cleve
Front row: Debóra, Paco, Christ and Prince
These are our piano students from the Loandjili and Pointe Noire Branches. Next week will be our last lesson with them. We lost every missionary that could play the piano in Sacrament Meeting this past week, so now the music falls to these wonderful young people. The miracle is that they have only been having lessons since January 2015, and this Sunday in Sacrament Meeting, Debora will play for the Point Noire Branche and Cleve will play for the Loandjili Branche. The Lord has blessed them because of their desire to learn, with the ability to learn quickly.
The Miracle of Missionaries. . .
Elder Beutler left this past week to "Return With Honor" after finishing his mission. He put in his papers when he was still in High School and reported to the mission field after graduation. What an inspired blessing it is to work alongside these fine missionaries for the Lord.
Elder Andriamiasinarivo, Elder Mbikayi, Elder Etherington, Elder Beutler and Elder Mandefu
This past week was transfer week. What was Pointe Noire's loss, is now Cameroon's gain. Our dear leaders that have been so faithful and effective in the missionary work here were called to "move on" and share their talents and testimonies with other Branches. We will miss them dearly, and wish them great success in the months ahead. Elder Beutler and Elder Mandefu returned home to Mapelton, Utah and DRC. When Missionaries leave from Pointe Noire, we always give them a tie. They each picked out their own material with all of the African's picking the same material.
The ties!!!!
The Elders that stayed were Elder Larson, Elder Waite, Elder Legerski and Elder Kabongo.
Elder Kabongo, Elder Bacera, Elder Kabasele, Elder Waite, Elder Kabenga, Elder Larson, Elder Tchibanda and
Elder Legerski.
On Monday, June 8, we received our new missionaries for the next 6 weeks. It will take a while to get the names strait, but we will practice until we get it right!
Elder Kabongo and Elder Bacera will take over both of the Mpaka Branches. Elder Bacera will work as a District Leader.
Elder Legerski and Elder Tchibanda will be the missionaries for the Aéroport Branche.
Elder Larson and Elder Kabenga will be in the Pointe Noire Branche. Elder Kabenga is our new
Zone Leader.
Elder Waite will be a new District Leader and along with Elder Kabasele work in the
Loandjili Branche,
The Miracle of Baptisms. . . .
We held a baptism on July 6 where three people were baptized. This is Belvina with her mother who is a member. Elder Mkikayi and Elder Legerski were the missionaries who taught Belvina.
Debora was also baptized that day. She was taught by Elder Etherington and Elder Mandefu of the Pointe Noire branche. Debora was baptized by Elder Beutler before he left on Monday June 8.
Wall of Fame. . .
This is Anicet our night guardian. We went out to say goodnight to him last night and he was dressed like this. It is the "winter" here in Pointe Noire and the African's freeze. We laughed so hard at his outfit. We also found him a fleece blanket to put over him at night. The funny thing is ....... it is 79 degrees!!!!!
One of my dear friends brought us a gift this past week just to let us know she was thinking about us. Now in America we might receive something like
"Harvest Bread" or cookies. . . . but here in Pointe Noire we receive "figs" and "coconuts"..... Isn't missionary work the greatest. We love it!
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We are so grateful for the "miracles" that attend the work of the Lord. We have had our share of many here on our mission, and thank our Father in Heaven everyday for his love and answers to our prayers.
The Gospel is True!
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