Masina Maturation Project and Group Photo

Closing Ceremonies of the Masina Maturation Project.

Some look serious but really we are a FUN BUNCH!!!! Missionaries and temple production staff.

Two projects: Strengthening Marriage and Wheelchairs

A three hour overview of the Strengthening Marriage course was presented in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo Saturday, February 7^, 2015.   Prior to the presentation we asked Stake Presidents to invite perspective teachers the class and to include themselves, Relief Society Presidents, Bishops and High Counselors. 

We were told that 25 participants had been invited.  We came prepared for 25 but felt sure that we would be lucky if 15 actually attended. 

Much to our surprise and delight 47 people ultimately attended.   Not only did they attend but they were zealous participants.   It was a most successful experience.  Several days after the class and while we were still in Brazzaville, a member of one of the Stake Presidencies came to our hotel and gleefully reported, “My wife can already see a big improvement in me”. 

After evaluating class content and presentation considerations we are offering a four hour Strengthening Marriage over view class to perspective teachers in Kinshasa Stake and Mont Ngafula Stake Saturday, March 7, 2015.  We will offer the class again in April to Masina, Kimbanseke and Mokali Stakes.  Our plan is to offer the course to the remaining two Kinshasa Stakes, Binza and Ngaliema in early May.

We are grateful for this opportunity to assist in strengthening marriages.  We are especially grateful to supportive Priesthood leaders and enthusiastic participants.   The Brazzaville class was not only inspiring, we had a very good time and lots of fun while bonding with the saints.  We pray for the same experience in Kinshasa.

This gentleman, a former High Counselor had not been to church for many years as he had a stroke leaving him paralyzed on one side of his body.

He had no idea that the Church was involved in a wheel chair project until Sister Manon Delisle asked the Welfare Services couple Johnson for information about clinics offering wheel chairs.   Sister Delisle made an appointment and took him to the clinic.  He met all qualifications and was given a wheel chair.   He was over joyed to the point of tears.   Returning him to his home Sister Delisle realized that the front of his home was not conducive to getting a wheel chair from the front door to the street.   She contacted the Gombe Ward Elder’s Quorum President and arranged for the Elders to come to his home prepared to lay planks and gravel for easy exit from his home.   The brother is again overjoyed that he can now return to activity in the Church.   Just a great example of what one caring person can do to help another. Thank you Sister Delisle for being an angel of mercy in this man’s life and the lives of so many others.

Brazzaville Valentines

We have been working on several projects in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo (a 6 minute speed boat ride across the Congo River) Laurent and Eric are two of our friends who have been extremely helpful to us with our projects.  I being a hopeless romantic felt it my duty to explain the importance of Valentine’s Day to these men.  I discovered the perfect surprise for each one of them to give to their wives.  Na lingi yo says “I love you” in Lingala.  We left Brazza before I learned if the cakes were well received.

PULULU MBAMBU WATER PROJECT CLOSING CEREMONY

 DTA Chief of Operations Francis and Site Monitor Eric Kahunda at the completed well.

Well being drilled by hand.

More closing ceremony, ribbon-cutting, and first drink of clean well water.

Tman in the light blue jacket is the village chief, Jean-Pierre, and our good buddy who we worked with since March 2014.

More Pululu Mbambu.  The tall character in the colorful blue suit, boots and sash is the bourgmestre of the commune of Selembao, the ranking dignitary.

Elder Johnson and Site Monitor Eric Kahunda with plaques to be installed on pumps.

Johannesburg Temple

LDS Temple at Johannesburg.

Pretoria, SA and views around Vortrekker monument and train station

Lubudi Well Project Closing Ceremony

Eddy conducting the Closing Ceremony.

The well-diggers singing one of their songs they sing while they work.

Glo giving certificates to the workers.

People crowding around the well after the ribbon cutting.

Crowd walking back to site of ceremony for refreshments after ribbon-cutting.

Next three photos: Views of dignitaries tasting water from one of the six wells after ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Sassy Seventies

These two ladies (Carol VanWagoner from St. Geo. Utah serving in Burundi)(Kinne Kirschbaum from Eagle, Idaho serving in Johannesburg) also turned seventy in the last year.  Actually I AM THE YOUNGEST, an neither of them can do the splits! 

The Sassy Seventies Support System: L-R---Jim and Kinne Kirschbaum- Eagle, Idaho serving in Johannesburg
David and Carol VanWagoner- St. George, Utah serving in Burundi.