Week #13 - She Says

Dear Family and Friends,

Another busy and fulfilling week.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Up at 6:00 am this morning and off to Waterloo for the blessing of Richard Carlos' baby. Going down Kissy Road, it takes well over an hour to get there so we left home by 7:15. We got there in time for the meeting, but Richard was no where to be found, so the blessing had to wait until the end of the first hour when he showed up. He named him Michael Ron Carlos and mom and baby were dressed in white and both so beautiful. 

Little Michael holding on to the finger of one of our beloved missionaries - Elder Burton

We left Waterloo after 3 hours and traveled to Kossoh Town to visit President Sesay. From there we drove to Wellington for Scott to meet with President Kellie and his 2 counselors. He spent an hour with them and then we drove on to Kissy so I could practice with the District Choir one more time before our Devotional next Sunday. Choir practice was at 4:00 pm, but we didn't get started until 5. These people have no concept of what it means to start anything on time so I either go with it or feel frustrated all the time. I love singing in the choir so much, that the joy far outweighs the frustration.

It has been a very busy week-end and I am very tired.....

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Out with the Thunder Hill elders for the last time using a GPS system to locate members of the Thunder Hill Branch in preparation for splitting the branch. The places they take us! The temperature this time of year (rainy season) is quite pleasant though wet; but by the time I get to a destination, I am dripping with perspiration. These young men walk these distances and up these hills all the time! 

The Thunder Hill missionaries said it was just up a little ways - right! The member who lives up here only goes up and down once a week.

On our way up we came across this woman doing her wash - clothes and baby!

This is a first for me - using a toothbrush. The last one I saw used a stick.

Our view

This is the view looking down! Add water and slime - oh boy!

We arrived at one location and I looked up this steep hill and Elder Seraphine said, “she is just up there a little ways.” By the time I got up there all out of wind and weak in the legs, I could see over the city to the Atlantic Ocean! I must say, it is a very fun adventure any time we are with the missionaries, and I am just grateful that I can keep up with them for the most part.

We stopped at a street vendor while Elder Seraphine purchased some “plumpy-nutty.” Some service organization developed this packaged food for the express purpose of donating to 3^rd world countries to nourish children. It is a free donation, but instead of using it to feed their children, Africans sell it on the street and Elder Seraphine likes it. It is squeezed out of a foil packet and looks like peanut butter gone bad! When I asked him what it was made from, I kept hearing, “it is made from babies.” Being the calm person I am....from babies???!!! “Why are you eating it?” Well, he had a mouth full of the stuff and was actually saying, “it is made for babies.” He offered me a taste but I declined.

I can't remember if I have mentioned our pet gecko – Gary – I thought at first I was seeing mice droppings so I had Scott stuff a towel into the drain spout from the washer thinking that was where they were getting in...that didn't help; then I mentioned it to my neighbors and they commented that it was probably a gecko that is hanging out in the kitchen, and that it will take care of the cockroach problem for me if I let him. Well, I saw evidence of him when we got home tonight – in the kitchen sink. He probably hangs out there because if I leave any bit of food behind, the little/big cockroaches make a beeline to it when we leave, but Gary to the rescue. As long as he stays in the kitchen I am fine.

I forgot to mention that I discovered mangoes about a week ago. Of course they are everywhere on the street, either on top of someone's head, or lined up on the curbs; there is no shortage of them in this country. However, everytime I see a local eating one of them, they are sucking it out of the skin and all I see is stringy fruit hanging from their mouths and I do not like stringy/mushy fruit. Well, last week, we were invited upstairs to the mission president's home for dinner and his wife served some mangoes; it was passed to me and I tried it – wow! Tangy, tart and sweet all in one and no strings! It depends on the variety (duh) and the bigger ones with a red coloring on the skin are delicious! So, we have been eating mangoes weekly ever since.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Worked in the office today and entered 30 convert baptisms with about 60 more to go. While working away, in come the local sister missionaries to talk to the mission president. They are so delightful to be around. I gave them all CTR rings that I found and we had our pictures taken.

The Freetown sister missionaries paid me a visit in the mission office.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Busy day as usual, though it started off with a trip to downtown Freetown and the main street, Siaka Stevens to look for plastic containers, tennis shoes, malaria treatment medicine, and thermometers. With my backpack attached to the front of me (lots of pick-pockets) off we went and we were able to find everything within an hour and a half. 

In addition to these items, I also went looking for a native African “blouse.” Singing in the District Choir tomorrow and I want to look more like a traditional Sierra Leone, even with the white skin. I found one that is a beautiful dark purple and accented with green and black with a silver stitching around the neck. I must have had 10 other vendors pressing around me as I was trying on the blouse as they were coming up with shoes, skirts, and purses to help me complete the outfit. It is quite an experience being so white amongst so many black people selling and just milling about. I don't blend in very well....

We got home from our shopping excursion and took off by 2:30 pm with the mission president and his wife to attend a 4:00 pm baptism out in Waterloo. The back road is open again, and though quite muddy it still saved us an hour's worth of travel. Twenty minutes into the trip, we see a van up the mountain with wheels spinning and unable to move out of the mud. Everyone around us is honking their horns; one guy gets out of his car to go see if he can help and he has plastic bags on his feet, so he is bent over trying to hold them on, and walking 300 yards at a 90 degree angle holding on to the plastic. By the time he arrives, one of these huge earth movers with a very long arm and a huge bucket attached to it, makes its way up to the car traveling on the side of the mountain, maneuvers behind the troubled vehicle, drops the bucket down and literally lifts the back of the vehicle out of the mud, pushing it forward and on its way allowing the traffic to flow freely again. We caught up with the van a few minutes later stopped by the side of the road. Seems like the bucket lifted his fender off the frame and he couldn't get the hatch to close anymore so he was tying it down.

On our way to Waterloo - this takes hitching a ride to a whole new level!

Arrived in Waterloo in time for the baptism(s) and of course made our way down to the river to witness 5 baptisms. Richard Carlos and his family accompanied us – 3 year old daughter and almost 2 month old, Michael Ron. I failed miserably at carrying 25 pounds of who knows what on my head, so I decided to try bundling a baby on my back and carrying him from the river back up to the chapel; this African experience went well.

Love, Robin 

Week #12 - He Says

Dear Family,

Well the internet has been terrible and my computer is dying, other
than that life is really good.  We love our mission and are grateful
for the new mission president they are so busy trying to figure
everything out, they are wonderful and we love them.

July 1-7, 2013

The work continues to roll forward in the Freetown East District and we
 continue to see miracles happening all the time.

 I met with President Kpullum on Tuesday night and did some training on the
 title of president, which especially applies to the branches and the
 counselors.  They generally call the entire branch presidency president.
 The temple trip is progressing and we have scheduled a fireside for July
 28th for all that will be going on the temple trip, at which time we will
 cover exactly what they need to do to be prepared.  President Kpullum is a
 very good man and is very involved in the District.

  Wednesday afternoon I continued my training with the Kissy 1 & 2 branch
 presidencies.  We covered how to conduct a Sacrament meeting, proper
 way to perform ordinances and who should be called president.  The
 training is being received very well and they want to continue the
 training.  I'm very impressed with their desire to do things right and
 the Lord's way.

 We delivered cooking gas tanks to the Wellington Sisters, the Grafton
 and Waterloo Elders, plus got a new shut off valve to the Allentown
 Elders.  The Kissy Elders pump broke and we got them a new used one.
 Pumps continue to be a problem and are breaking fairly regularly,
 that's missionaries source to have clean water in their apartments.

 Saturday was a wonderful day.  We started off with our employment
 class and Sister Kamara the teacher was not feeling well, so Tommy Abu
 and I gave her a priesthood blessing and when we saw her later that
 afternoon she was feeling better, the power of the priesthood.

 Then we went to the Wellington Chapel and witnessed 4 baptisms,
 Elder's Ngerem and Narteh had 2, Sister's Owusu and Kioko had 1 and
 Elder's Nickle and Animba had 1.  The reason they all took place in
 Wellington was that the Kissy Chapel font was not working.  All in all
 it was a wonderful service and lives were changed and they were all
 adults.  The spirit was so strong and we were glad to be part of it.

 Our adventures continued as we spent the afternoon working with
 Sister's Owusu and Kioko.  We walked 25 minutes in the pouring rain to
 get to an appointment, our umbrellas were way to small and we were
 soaked.  We then took part in a discussion on the commandments and
 read from Mosiah 13 and had the opportunity to share our testimonies,
 it was a time we will always cherish.  We sat outside of this sweet
 sisters home in rain pouring down (we were covered), little chickens
 stepping on our feet and we felt so good, the sisters were terrific.

 From there we drove back to the Kissy Chapel and witnessed the annual
 seminaries and institute graduation.  President Kpullum presided and
 talked, Bro. Charles talked and gave out special certificates for
 attendance to many of the youth.  There were 143 present and that was
 mainly youth, not many parents in attendance, an area that needs some
 work.  Overall it was very impressive and there was a very good spirit
 felt.  All branches in the District were represented.  All in all a
 great day.


Helping the young men tie their ties!


  Sunday started early and ended late.  We dropped off a pump to the

 Kissy apartment.  Then drove to Waterloo and were there for their
 entire block.  They had 114 in attendance, which included 17
 investigators.  President Thomas 1st Counselor in the District
 Presidency was present and was quite impressed with all that were
 there, but very concerned about where they were meeting and most in
 attendance standing outside.  They had 2 babies blessed (one being the
 son of Richard Carlos, it was his first time and he did great, he's
 the 1st Counselor in the BP), 1 confirmation, 1 received the AP, a new
 executive secretary called.  In spite of the poor conditions the
 branch is growing and functioning to the best of their ability.  I
 spent about 25 minutes training President Kamara on callings and then
 we discussed the need to get the chapel up to a functioning level,
 he's a good man that wants to do the right and is trying very hard.

 We then went to the Kossoh Town Chapel and met with President Sesay
 and invited him to give the opening prayer at the devotional next
 Sunday and he was very honored.  We then met with the Elder's who were
 teaching a discussion.

 From there we drove to the Wellington Chapel where I met with the new
 branch presidency and did an hour of training where I covered the
 title of president, how to conduct a Sacrament meeting, proper way to
 perform ordinances and different roles that each in the presidency
 has.  Another powerful meeting where I was able to teach from the
 handbook and emphasized how they needed to do the same with their
 branch leaders.  A great group of men, once again wanting to lead
 properly.

 We ended our day at the Kissy Chapel where Sister Kanzler participated
 in the District Choir practice, preparing for next Sunday's
 devotional.

 The weekends are very packed and we are grateful to spend so much time
 with the leaders, members and FT missionaries.  This truly is a
 special time in our lives and we cherish the chance to serve the
 people of Sierra Leone.  The gospel is true and we love our Savior.

Tommy Abu and his daughter. He is the man we spoke to regarding the civil war.

We love and miss each of you and pray for you daily.

Have a great week!

 Elder and Sister Kanzler, Grandma & Grandpa & Scott & Robin

Week #12 - She Says

Dear Family and Friends,

I am a little late this week - we are so busy on week-ends that we have chosen to now take our preparation day on Mondays, so will probably be sending out weekly correspondence going forward on Tuesdays when we are in the office. The internet at home is very weak at best and I must travel to the office in order to access the internet. That said, we have had another wonderful week and to think we have just completed 3 months on mission! It has been ever so challenging, but the rewards....my heart continues to expand with love; I think sometimes, I can't possibly fit more love in that heart of mine but love has no boundaries and it continues to swell with emotion and gratitude...

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Today is my 7^th wedding anniversary of marriage to Scott! Who would have even dreamed that I would be spending this day with him in Sierra Leone, West Africa!

I prepared breakfast for the Ostler's this morning and then off we went and attended Sacrament meeting at the Kissy 1^st Branch. I feel like it is my home “ward” in West Africa. I so love the people there. A couple of little kids just sat down beside us and the little girl was stuck to me like glue. We didn't stay for the whole block as we needed to get home to start dinner for the Ostler's and the senior couples, and we needed to get to the hovercraft to see the Roggia's off as they left today to return to America.

Our 7th wedding anniversary picture with President and Sister Roggia

When we got home from Kissy, we turned right around and drove to the dock and discovered that the hovercraft was not working and that they were taking sea craft, so we got in the truck and hurried over there to find that they hadn't left yet. When I approached Sister Roggia, we embraced with emotion and I felt love for her and from her. She counseled me to help Sister Ostler in her adjustment to life in Sierra Leone and I promised I would. I gave President Roggia a firm handshake and that was it. They got on the boat and off they went to Lungi to catch a plane to Accra, then a Delta Flight to New York and home to Salt Lake City. They land tomorrow at 10:00 am. Just like that, after 3 years of service, it is a chapter in their lives that has closed and they are gone. I am just glad we made the effort to see them off; President Roggia discouraged it, and I just couldn't let Sister Roggia go without hugging her.

The Burns, Marcus Wallace, and the Roggias.

Off they go after 3 years in Sierra Leone - a very challenging mission.

Monday, July 1, 2013

How do I describe today.....? To spend almost an entire day with a fellow American woman grocery shopping, and then helping her wash and sanitize all of her fruits and vegetables; to be locked out of my apartment, and not be able to get back in until Scott comes home almost 3 hours later so I spend that time talking and listening to her. And then to have dinner with her and her husband tonight, afterward talking and discussing the mission. I haven't experienced something like this for almost 3 months and have so longed for it! This woman? The new mission president's wife who just arrived Saturday night. How do I describe today.....? Wonderful!

I got all this for $10,000 leones! 

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Long day that ended around 8:30 pm, but well worth it. Any day I can spend time with the Saints in the East, I am happy; if the day has had moments of challenge and frustration, it is quickly washed away by their smiles and love.

Scott's Kindle arrived safely, but it isn't working as well as he would like, and he can't get help because his laptop computer screen is now completely black so he can't have any kind of a live chat with Amazon to get the help he wants. I caught him looking at the black screen with a flashlight struggling to view the picture of the family on his screen saver.

Friday, July 5, 2013

We essentially took a P day today and I needed it. Our friends from the Embassy, Robert and Berta Campbell came over around 1:00 pm with a t.v. guy from work to see if he could get us hooked up to cable television. Of course, that didn't happen (nothing seems to go right the first time around in Sierra Leone), but we decided to get together later this evening and play some cards. The Campbell's home is much nicer than ours and bigger too, so we headed off to their place a little after 7:00 pm and had a wonderful evening. It felt so much like being at home, playing cards, eating pretzels, Lay's potato chips, popcorn, and soda pop. I decided this was our 4^th of July celebration; I did wear red, white and blue yesterday and thought a lot about what it means to be an American and how blessed I am to live in America. I have never been so grateful and felt so blessed as I did yesterday.

Scott and I feel so blessed to know the Campbell's. To think we met in the refrigerated section of Freetown Market and it was the 1^st time shopping there for them....coincidence? I don't think so.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Up early today and off to the Mission Office to feed the dogs and then to Kissy in time for the Career Workshop that started at 9:00 am. The dogs are Will 2 (will to live) and Tag (tag-along). The dog that I thought would die due to injuries sustained by being hit by a car in front of the Mission Office has lived and is somewhat thriving due to our loving care and offering him and Tag one square meal a day. Because we leave a bowl at a little shop where the motorcyclists' park, we offer food sometimes to a lady who keeps track of the feeding bowl. One day last week as I was watching Scott with Will 2, he, the dog approached Scott with his tail wagging in a circular motion, so happy to see Scott and of course, the food.

We left Kissy in time to be at a baptism in Wellington. Two of the sister missionaries, Sisters Kioko and Owusu had a baptismal candidate and invited us to attend. We also asked if we could go tracting with them after the baptism and they were delighted to have us pair up with them. So, after the baptism off we walked for over a mile until we arrived in their area of proselyting and of course it was pouring down rain! 

These wonderful people were baptized on July 6, 2013. I think the woman is so regal and beautiful!

So we were soaking wet by the time we arrived at the established appointment that was located the other side of a makeshift soccer field where youth were playing in the downpour. The investigator was a young woman with at least one child we knew of and lived in a cinder block home. We met outside for the lesson and sat down in a space no bigger than 7' by 5'. The sister missionaries, the investigator, her daughter in her lap, Scott and me sitting on little benches. Oh, and I can't forget two little chicks running between our feet, and a coal burning stove preparing a meal of rice and potato leaf. 

Our two little missionaries were so wet, yet so earnest in their efforts to teach this young woman about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I thought about how wet and dirty I was and that I would have to go out again into the storm to get back to the chapel and asked myself what motivates two young women to leave their native land of South Africa to deal with the hardships of this mission? It is simply, love....love for Heavenly Father and His Son, and love for His children. It is the same reason why Scott and I are here; life is so much easier and comfortable in America, but we are here because of love and because we are so blessed.

We walked over a mile to get to the teaching appointment and got so wet. Notice the water line...

I also had some time to talk to the other two sister missionaries of the Wellington Branch – Sisters Awuoche and Ndolo, both from Kenya. Such a delight to speak with both of them. Sister Awuoche is going home in just 8 more Sundays (but who is counting she says). She is somewhat nervous about going home as there is a young man who has been writing her and they had discussed marriage before she left for the mission field. She doesn't have a mom she can talk to as she died when Sister Awuoche was only 8 years old. So she asked if I would be her mom and give her some marriage advice; of course I am a wealth of information when it comes to marriage having just celebrated 7 years of marital bliss!? We plan to keep up an email correspondence when she gets home, and to “friend” each other on Facebook as I want to keep track of this wonderful young woman.

Sister Awuoche and I just chatting after the baptism.

From the sisters, we headed back to the Kissy building for Seminary/Institute graduation. There were 143 saints in attendance. The West African saints love to get certificates and paper awards, so to get a “diploma” so-to-speak, was very significant to them. We got home around 7:00 pm very tired. The roads are very rough during the rainy season and the travel is very wearing and tiresome on the body.

Much love from West Africa, Robin

More Snaps:

Baptismal clothes drying out on the razor wire and cut glass. Oh and it's pouring rain.

Dodgeball with the Kissy Branch kids. The ball consisted of a rag around something. It was smaller than a tennis ball.

I had to play a game with them!

Okay anyone can do this!

It weighed at least 25lbs.

I could not even keep it on my head for 30 seconds!

Sierra Leone Freetown East District Primary Presidency

Week #11 - He Says

So Dad has been emailing us a weekly family email and I asked if he would mind if I post some of his weekly emails on here so that you all can get to see the mission from his perspective too. They both have a great way of writing about their experiences but they each have a distinct voice. So, with their permission, you will see weekly posts that say the week number followed by either "She Says" or "He Says."

Kindly, Megan K.
****************************************

Hi Family,

 

We welcomed our new mission president the Ostler's.  We already feel a strong connection with them and are excited to be working with them.

 

We continue to see the work progress in the Freetown East District and we are so glad to be part of it.  We have grown to love these people and feel like they are now our family. It is always good to be with them.

 

We continue to see the hand of the Lord in the work as we spend time with these wonderful Saints and their leaders out East.  Tuesday night we were involved with President Kpullum in some one an one training about priesthood leadership, plus discussed our upcoming temple trip and have arranged a fireside for July 28th to go over all info necessary with those that will be part of the temple trip, still working to have 70 people attend.  Reemphasized the need to have the District and branch leaders be the first to be considered. 

 

Then we met with the Kissy and Waterloo Zone Leaders to discuss the missionary efforts in the Freetown East District with President Kpullum.  Kissy Zone goal for June 44,A-34, Waterloo June G-33, A-19, a total of 52 baptisms.  When you combine May numbers there is enough to create another branch.  The church is growing in the East, we need to work on retention, a real concern of President Kpullum, it is special time as we watch the church grow rapidly here in the East.

 

Still no progress on the Waterloo Branch Chapel, a contractor was to be hired, but still nothing, hopefully that can be resolved soon. 

 

The next night I continued my training with the Kissy 1st & 2nd Branches, I love these brethren they want to learn exactly what they need to do.  I taught on the temple and went through the temple recommend questions and discussed the importance of helping all to be temple worthy.  We concluded with training on the proper way to conduct an interview and then ended with a kneeling prayer.  I love these men.

 

Thursday we spent the day with Elders Serafine and Mojaje in the Thunder Hill Branch GPS surveying.  Well we walked up to almost the top of Thunder Hill, quite an experience and so humbling as we meet with the members in their homes or at least the outside.  The Elder's also found a number of contacts during the day.  We have almost mapped all the MP in the Branch, might still need to go once more. 

 

Saturday was a full day filled with many choice experiences.  We started off at the Kissy Chapel where we were able to meet the 13 people that were being baptized, they looked so wonderful.  Thunder Hill had 10 baptisms (one family of 7) Elder's Serafine and Mojaje and 3 for the Kissy 1st Branch Elder's Ngerem & Narteh.  We need to find a way to keep them active, they are so grateful for the gospel to be in their lives.

 

We then went out to Waterloo where I was able to baptize in the river David Bangura, Elder's Turner & Ogden's convert.  I was really touched when Elder Turner called and said that he wanted me to baptize him, the first time to perform a baptism since I baptized my own sons, a very special day.  Elder's Nwosu and Penia also baptized a young lady.  All in all it was a very humbling and spiritual day.

Sunday saw us saying goodbye to the Roggia's, what a tremendous job that they have done serving the Lord and we are glad that we were able to spend a short time with them.

 

The work out East is going well, much to be done to make sure the leaders are trained properly and that the new converts are quickly made to feel apart of the gospel and the branches.

 

Love and God bless you,

Scott & Robin, Grandma & Grandpa, Elder & Sister Kanzler

Week #11 - She Says

* Sorry for the delay, I am usually able to get their weekly email and pictures on their blog right away, but I got delayed this week. I know they would love to hear how things are going for you. Letters of encouragement and love are always welcome!
~Kindly,  Megan Kanzler (Robin and Scott's daughter in law). 
****************************

Dear Family and Friends,

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Out the door this morning by 8:00 am as we had to be to the Wellington I Branch by 9:00. This is the first time we have visited that branch; they had a change in leadership today. We decided to stay for the Wellington II Branch that began at 12:30 pm, and then drove back to Kissy in order for me to be at the District Choir practice at 4:00 pm. I love singing with these people.

This speaks volumes of the culture here. Mamma is the house kpper - keeper. I saw this at Church yesterday in Wellington. 

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

I spent the entire day in the office entering baptismal records; these come in to the office from the missionaries, who fill them out and many times do not write clearly nor enter the information correctly which slows down the process. Nevertheless, I entered over 70 convert baptisms and it took me all day.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Scott and I were out with the Thunderhill missionaries once again to further our search for the members of the branch in order to prepare a map of their locations in order to split the branch at some near future date. 

Off we go into the depths of Thunderhill

The morning was somewhat cool as it had rained, but by 11:00 am, the sun was out and it was humid and hot. I had fixed us a small lunch of sandwiches and had placed them in a plastic bag that had another smaller bag inside it filled with ice cubes in order to keep the food cold while I carried it on my back. When it came time to eat it, I unwrapped my sandwich and the wax paper was a little moist but the sandwich was in pretty good shape. I looked over at Scott and his had not fared as well and he was squeezing the bread like a sponge and water was dripping from it. He took one bite and that was it for him, so I suggested he throw it to one of the multiple starving dogs we see every day. Well, he tossed it to one and he approached it, took one sniff and walked on by! It even had some meat on it, but the dog wouldn't have anything to do with it.

We returned home from Thunderhill and I quickly got cleaned up and fixed garlic bread for the dinner gathering upstairs with the mission president and the senior couples. Our second and last dinner with the Roggia's as they go home on Sunday. As we sat around the table, and he expressed his appreciation for our service, he said something quite interesting. He and his wife responded to a call to serve as mission president; we, on the other hand, volunteered for this service. We chose to serve!

Saturday, June 29, 2013

We have had a wonderful day today, spending the majority of it out East with our wonderful missionaries and members! We started out in Kissy as I had resumes for 7 members I had typed so we were there by 9:00 am but they weren't. As we drove into the parking lot, it was literally covered in garbage. 

Garbage men on strike...no. Wrong day to put stuff out for recycling...no. Just a mountain of trash placed there by the locals. 

The rains from the night before were so heavy that the open gutter/pit could not sustain it and all the garbage people toss in it came bubbling to the service and ran into the parking lot. As we left to drive to Waterloo, the garbage was all gone; it had been shoveled back into the gutter/pit so it could be washed up again next time it rains! 

Local workers shoveling the garbage back into the sewage drain so that it can flow back out in the next rain. 

We pulled into the Kissy building for a baptism on Saturday. The heavy rains had overflowed the sewage drains.

The members of my Career Workshop class started showing at 10:00 but we had to leave as Scott was asked to baptize a candidate out in Waterloo. We wanted to attend the baptismal service in Thunderhill, but got a call that they were coming to the Kissy building because they had no water for the font. So many baptisms on Saturday but we can only stretch ourselves so far.

Traffic was terrible driving to Waterloo and we were a ½ hour late but they waited for us. So of course, after the opening exercises, we start our trek down to the river; low and behold, the elders have picked a new spot and as we are walking, places seem a little familiar, and wouldn't you know, it is the same area where we had gotten lost weeks before! In fact, the home where we stopped in order for people to change into their white baptism clothes, was the home of the woman whose children led us safely back to the chapel when we were lost! This certainly made Scott's day as he tried, once again, to convince me that he knew what he was doing when we were lost! 

Elder Stewart holding up the mud hut as Elder Kanzler and Elder Penia come out.

It was so wonderful for Scott to baptize a 31 year old man who was a former member of the Jehovah's Witness, who then became a member of the Muslim faith and was quite notable in that church, but the Book of Mormon converted him and additionally, when he was taught the Law of Chastity, which he hadn't been living, he was thrilled with this higher law of living and accepted it readily.

Brand new member all new and clean!

The bathers and washers took a moment to observe the baptism.

We drove home through rain, and down Kissy Road and it was a long haul. Now that the rainy season is upon us, the roads are very rough and very taxing on the bones.

President and Sister Ostler arrived tonight – very late, so we had enough time to welcome them and left them to unpack and try to rest.

It has been a good day....and tomorrow when we send off President and Sister Roggia, I plan to have our picture taken with them as it is our 7^th wedding anniversary and I always take a picture of us every June 30^th to place in a frame to display for the next year.

Love, Robin