A VISIONARY PEOPLE, Part 2 25 August 2016

A baby smiling while asleep, is conversing with those in Heaven.

A VISIONARY PEOPLE part 2

In an April post, I wrote stories about some African members that have had dreams.  I want to share with you more amazing stories of dreams that people have had that have prepared them for the gospel or verified the truthfulness of what they are learning.  I stand in awe of the humbleness and their ability to be so close to the spirit that they have visions! 

MATOME ELLIOTT KEKANA - Lenyenye, South Africa

During an interview with Brother Kekana (Lenyenye Branch President) he shared with us an amazing dream that he had before he met the missionaries.  He was working quite a distance away from his family and only returned home on the last weekend of the month.  His wife had told him that two young men with white shirts and ties had been by the home asking for him by name.  They have no idea how they got his name, but she told the missionaries that he wouldn't be back in town until the end of the month.  So she was warning Bro. Kekana that they might have visitors when he got home. Two nights before he was to return home, he had a dream.  There was a beautiful pond with pure water and he was fishing on it.  All of a sudden a white hand came out of the pond which frightened him.  He started to run away but was held back because something had grabbed his collar.  As he turned back to see what was happening, he saw Jesus holding on to him. He looked at Bro. Kekana and said, "Don't run away.  I would like to use you."  Two days later he was introduced to the missionaries, attended church the very next day and has never looked back.  The Lord has definitely used Brother Matome Elliott Kekana in spreading the gospel and leading his sheep in the Lenyenye area of South Africa.

FRANCISCO CHIMIKA - Harare, Zimbabwe and Beira, Mozambique

Brother Francisco Chimika was in Johannesburg attending the temple for the first time. He came into the Church History Center to visit with us and we so enjoyed his story that we set up an appointment the following day for an oral interview. He relayed a dream that he had.  His eleven-year-old daughter was the first one to meet the missionaries and they invited Francisco and his wife to join in on the discussions.  He refused but the missionaries left a Book of Mormon and encouraged him to read and pray about the truthfulness.  So he did.  One night he had a dream.  He looked into the heavens and the stars had written Jesus Christ.  When he awoke he knew that was his answer to his prayers.....that the Book of Mormon was a witness of Him.  He called the missionaries and said he was ready for the discussions and three months later was baptized.  He is currently serving as the Stake Patriarch in the Beira, Mozambique Stake.  I have never been in the presence of someone who loved life as much as Francisco does.  It was an honor to interview him.

GERTRUDE ONEN (CAYAMOI) - Jinja, Uganda

Have I told you lately how much I love having the Church History Center by the Temple Patron Housing?  I wander into the lobby and discover the most amazing people and after just a few minutes they are revealing fascinating stories.  Gertrude was one of these. She is lovingly referred to as "Mama G" because she takes care of all the missionaries serving in her area.  She was at the temple to witness the sealing of her daughter to a return missionary from America.  Her story was one of trials, heartaches, despair, sorrow and finding the "light" that helped her through it all. When she was in a really low point in her life, she was sitting outside of where she was living holding her severely burned daughter on her lap (another story) when two young men in white shirts passed her.  They acknowledged her and told her that they would pray for her.  The following day they returned to see how her daughter was doing.   They came the next day and the next. They came by all the time where she fed them but she refused to listen to what they had to share.  Every visit they would bear testimony of Jesus Christ and every visit they left without presenting a discussion.  But a funny thing, she did attend church during this time and everyone thought she was a member.  After 1 1/2 years, her heart started to soften.  One night she had a dream.  Someone in white was standing above her with his arms reaching out towards her saying, "Gertrude,  Gertrude". In the dream she was desperately trying to get to him but couldn't.  When she awoke, she knew what she was suppose to do......let the missionaries teach her and be baptized. 

SOLOMON MATLOU - Tzaneen, South Africa

We had the honor of interviewing Solomon Mathou -a faithful, dedicated servant of our Heavenly Father.  The interview was to capture his service but we had no idea that for the two and a half hours we were going to hear an amazing story.  Here it is briefly.  He had many struggles as a child and his dreams of becoming a lawyer faded when his parents died.  At an early age, he found a job but also was the first person to join the ANC Youth League in Tzaneen and during the apartheid was on a list of troublesome youth which they were arresting, so he fled to Atteridgeville which is by Pretoria. He returned to Tazaneen, was married and had five children.  But he said that he was not living a good life, doing things he was not proud of. One afternoon he was napping on a bench when he had a dream.  In the sky there were words written but he couldn't read them.  He said he remembered moving his head and body in all directions trying to decipher the words.  It terrified him. He told the dream to a pastor in hope for an interpretation.   The pastor told him that God loved him and he should find a church that would change his life. He joined the Dutch Reformed Church, the Anglican Church, Zion Christian Church but could not find one that "gave him the spirit of God".  He searched from 1986 - 1992.  One day he was in front of his shack when two men dressed in white shirts and ties were coming straight to him.  Because of the way they were dressed, he thought they were police. They passed all the homes and came directly to him.  They told him they had a church for him.  He listened and felt the spirit.  But he had two fears:  1) he couldn't sing hymns; 2) he couldn't dress like these two men - he had no jacket, no white shirt and no one had ever seen him dressed up.  He said, "I must go and be brave." which he did and learned to love the hymns. When they introduced the Book of Mormon to him, he recognized those as the words he saw in the sky that afternoon on the bench. His search for his dream's interpretation had ended. He claims, "I became a better man and dedicated my life to my Savior."  He has served as Lenyenye Branch President, Tzaneen District President and has now been called as Tzaneen Branch President.

I am going to share another story but I am not going to give her name.  During this interview the spirit was piercing and she was such a tender lady.  The story I am going to share was very special to her and even though she consented that we could use it, I feel I want to keep her anonymous. This lady had a great importance in the bringing of the church to her country.  There were many country firsts in her life.  She was the first to be baptized.  She was married to one of the first missionaries. She was the first couple to be sealed in the Johannesburg Temple.  After ten years of marriage and three children later, her husband suddenly passed away.  This was a very difficult time for her. Questions arose like how will I cope?  How will I take care of my children? Why him?  I need him here to help me.  During this time of sorrow and ache, she had a dream.  She saw her husband in his Sunday best taking people from one side of the place to the other.  He was so busy taking care of the people that he couldn't even take time talk to her. He looked happy and busy doing something very important. She said that she never had worries after that.  She had a feeling of peace that her husband was continuing his missionary service in heaven that she knew was important to him.  She continued that he was called up to leave this life.  Heavenly Father needed him.  She continued to bear her testimony of how grateful she was that their family would be eternal.  Her desire was to keep her covenants so that she would be able to join him.  What a faithful lady. What strength and strong belief that "Families are Forever".

"...the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying Fear not Abram, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."  Gen 15:1

MEET ELDER S. MARK PALMER 27 August 2016

As of 1 August 2016, our Area Presidency is complete.  A newly called 1st Quorum of Seventy, S. Mark Palmer, has been assigned to be the 2nd Counselor in the Africa Southeast Area Presidency.  He hails from a sheep farm in the middle of North Island, New Zealand.  The closest town was 20 miles away, Te Puke, where he was born.  His wife, Jacqui, was born in England, but moved to American when she was eight and attended the University of Utah.  They met on a blind date while he was at BYU.  They have 6 children, two boys and four girls.

His parents were baptized when he was one year old at a beach, and they and the missionaries had to wear swim suits instead of white clothes because the baptism was a surprise to the family and the missionaries. Elder Palmer credits his parents living a life of consecration and dedication for his faith journey.  His father served as mission president in Fiji and president of the MTC in New Zealand.  He stated that callings are not an evidence of how faithful we are, but indicates a total commitment to living the gospel and serving.

Elder Palmer served a mission in the New Zealand Wellington Mission and his wife served a mission in Spain.  His own conversion began before his mission.  He began a serious reading of the Book of Mormon in high school.  He would read the children's version to get the story line, and then read the actual book and felt a tremendous assurance of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  His mission was the crucible by which a firm and powerful and enduring testimony was born.

Elder Palmer has served as mission president in Spokane, Washington and as temporary mission president in the Australia Sydney Mission while the mission president was sorting out visa problems.  At the time of his call to the 1st Quorum of Seventy, he was serving as an Area Seventy in Dallas, Texas where he was working for Burroughs Corporation.  He explained that his first experience of attending Seventies Quorum was a most humbling and spiritually edifying experience, to see what it really means to be a in a quorum where you have brothers who love each other and support each other.  And there's a lack of ambition, there's a lack of jockeying for position, there is a lack of any attempt to if you will, point the finger at one's self or vote for one's self.  Rather there's just this amazing feeling of brotherhood and total unity in seeking to do what the Lord wants.

We are blessed to have Elder Palmer with us in Africa, and conclude with something he said as he and his wife were introduced to us at a Monday devotional.  He quoted D&C 64:29, 33 - 34.  "Wherefore as ye are agents, ye are on the Lord's errand; and whatever ye do according to the will of the Lord is the Lord's business...Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.  And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.  Behold the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days."  In applying this scripture to us, he said that no matter what our calling, assignment or work, no matter our responsibility, if we are working to build up the kingdom, we are part of a hollowed work and we have an important role to play.  This is good for all of us to remember.  He then concluded with his expression of what a blessing and privilege it is to serve with and along-side us.  He bore his testimony that he loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we are led by prophets.  Jesus is at the head of this Church.  He lives.  He is the living Christ.  He died and rose again that we might have eternal life.  Then left his blessing with us.

What an honor it is to work among such a "giant" of a man.  Tomorrow night Elder Palmer and his wife will be speaking at our monthly Sunday devotional.  We are looking forward to being uplifted some more by this man.

                                                                                                           Written by Dennis

Jacqui and Mark Palmer

WHAT I LEARNED TONIGHT FROM A SEVENTY AND HIS WIFE 

Jacqui -

• The importance of music and the history of three hymns...I Am A Child of God, Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy and I Know That My Redeemer Lives.  She sang the last song for us on the guitar.  It was beautiful.  After, her husband got up embraced her and told us how important music is in creating a spirit of peace.  He read to us part of the preface of the Hymn Book.."The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord.  Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns.  Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end." (First Presidency)

Elder Mark Palmer -

• We listed our gifts and talents.  He then told us that many people try to be perfect and be something they aren't. The most important thing is to "Be You...but the Best You".  The apostles are different but the one thing they are all the same in is their purpose and that is to bear testimony of the Savior. That is also our responsibility.  We are all different, with different assignments, different personalities and talents....but we are responsible to bear testimony of our Savior.
• He expanded more on testimonies.  President Ellis was also in attendance and told us that President Packer said that hymn #114, Come Unto Him, was his testimony of what he had learned in the 50 years of serving our Heavenly Father.
• He shared an experience that he had.  Following being called as a seventy he went on assignment with Elder Rasband.  Elder Rasband asked him to stand and introduce himself, which he did and then sat down.  After the conference was over, Elder Rasband lovingly took him into his arms and told him that he hopes that a seventy never speaks without bearing testimony of the Savior.  We should do like wise.
• He shared his love for us and told us we are referred to as heroes of the church.  Elder Palmer said there is a poster in the MTC that says....The Three Sins are:  Sin of omission, sin of commission, and sin of NO MISSION.
• We then listed the blessings that we have received while serving our missions: see with the Lord's eyes, become dependent on the Lord, see the hand of the Lord in our every day life, the works is about Him and not me, Holy Ghost changes lives
• D & C 118:3
• Our dedicated and consecrated service will have a greater impact on our grandchildren than staying home.
• Our missionary service is but a moment.  The twelve apostles devote their entire life in serving the Lord.  Their release will be when they pass to the other side (and I am thinking not even then).

75 KILOMETERS TO LISTEN TO AN APOSTLE 25 August 2016

THE VISIT OF AN APOSTLE

            The first week, of August 2016, Elder David A. Bednar was escorted by ASEA President Kevin Hamilton and Elder Mark Palmer, 2nd counselor in the ASEA presidency, to the DRC, a place that I think has captured the heart of Elder Bednar.  This is only one of the many stories of the faithfulness of the members there and what it means to them to have an apostle visit their land.

75 Kilometers to Listen to an Apostle of the Lord

Who can imagine two young people, Pierre (16) and Roger (17) of the new branch of Fungurume in Katanga in DR Congo, traveling 75 km on foot for the first time in their lives, to listen to Elder Bednar in Likasi.

"I’ve always loved the talks from Elder Bednar, he is one of the church leaders who inspires me the most", said Roger. In a very assured tone, he continued to explain:" When I learned that he would be in Likasi to speak to members of the Church, I said to myself that I would give anything in the world for this opportunity to see and hear him speak in person.” Roger and his friend Pierre decided to go to Likasi.

Before leaving, Pierre said "I just had 1,000 Congolese Francs (representing 1 USD) for the ration during this long trip on foot. My aunt, who is not a member of the church, gave me 500 CF to add to what I had. It was all she had. She asked me if we would be safe while traveling such a long distance just to listen to a servant of God and I assured her that we would.

Pierre's mother said that his father would give him the money for transport before Saturday, but that did not happen. So the boys decided to leave on foot early the day before Elder Bednar was to speak to avoid the risk of missing this unique opportunity that presented itself to them.

The teenagers walked 12 ½ hours that day. Peter said:" As we were traveling we were very tired. A pickup truck suffered a flat tire just a few meters from us and we offered to help with the repairs. After our help, the driver proposed to take us up to Likasi, which shortened our trip. Since we were exhausted it was as if an angel was sent to succor us.”

When they arrived in Likasi, a member of the stake presidency offered them food and a place to rest. The next day, the young men were able to attend the meeting and it was a very special occasion for them. "After the meeting, we were very blessed to hear the questions and answers between Elder Bednar and the members. That gave us personal answers to some of our daily concerns." said Roger.

Another church member, who became aware of their long journey, chartered his car to bring these two young men home to Fungurume, which saved them many hours of walking. They were grateful for the ride home, but even more thankful for the experience that they had to be in the presence of an apostle of the Lord.

Pierre, President Mwanza, Roger

 Elder Bednar in the DRC

A room full of members to come listen to an apostle of the Lord.

OUR TRIATHMOMS 20 August 2016

A triathlon is an athletic contest in which participants compete without stopping in three successive events, usually swimming, cycling and running.

A triathmom is an athletic contest in which "450 moms" compete without stopping in three successive events, usually swimming, cycling and running.  And 6 of those 450 MOMS were our daughters.

On Saturday, 20 August six of our daughters gathered together to compete in a thriathmom were they swam for 300 meters, biked 13 miles and ran for 3.1 miles.  This was quite an accomplishment considering most of our daughters did not know how to swim 4 months ago.  But through lessons and practice, practice, practice they were able to finish all three events. 

They began with the swimming at the South County Pool in Riverton and with that many women, they started them every 5 seconds which did not give much space in between swimmers. But after 6 laps in the pool, they proceeded to biking.  Everyone can ride bikes, but when you had hills and endurance it becomes a little bit more difficult.  (Two of our daughters are riding a 100 mile bike ride in September.) And last was the run which is something they all have done (most of them have ran the Ragnar which is a 200-ish miles of road running with 12 friends and 2 vans in scenic locations). They crossed the finish line together where their families were waiting for them.

One daughter wrote  "..everyone had their own reasons for doing it.  One wanted to try something new.  Another wanted to overcome some fears and set some physical goals. My goal was absolutely to have fun with people I love. ...It was so much fun to train together! We did a trial run of the whole thing at least 3 times together. Went to swimming lessons together. Rode bikes together....they are already talking about doing more triathlons together..."

Another wrote, "I remember just being happy and smiling throughout the bike ride and the run; I was on a high.  And it carried through to the after race refreshments, pictures, activites for the kids, and really the rest of the day.  It was an incredible day.  And now looking back, I am so so glad I didn't let my fear keep me from doing this.  I faced my fear and learned to swim; I learned I enjoyed my husband's favorite activity; and I strengthened relationships and made new friends.  This was a journey of self discovery; and it was good."

OUR TRIATHMOMS

Isn't that a beautiful sight??

Success!

You are my ROCKSTARS

The fans......

On a previous blog I wrote about going to a soccer game in one of the largest stadiums in the world and I wrote....AND WE WERE THERE.  This blog I write AND WE WERE NOT THERE!  My heart is tender right now.  In the last few weeks I have missed the birth of our sons first child, a grandson receive the priesthood, a granddaughter get baptized, and watching 6 daughters compete in a TRIATHMOM.  These are hard moments....are times when I remind myself that I can do hard things......but it is not easy.  Growing up our children knew that we would be at every important event in their life.  So not being there for theirs and our grandchildren's important events now makes it hard. But I rely on the testimony of our apostles and my own testimony that what I am doing is what the Lord desires of me.  

Robert D. Hales has said..."What is the best way to teach our children~~and grandchildren~~light and truth?  What is the most important way to set our families, both immediate and extended, in order?  Is it possible that in spiritual matters our example speaks louder than our words?  Temple marriage, family prayer, scripture study and family home evening are all vitally important.  But there is another dimension~~the dimension of service.  If we are willing to leave our loved ones for service in the mission field, we will bless them with a heritage that will teach and inspire them for generations to come."

In 1830 the Lord called Thomas B. Marsh to leave his family and go into the mission field.  Brother Marsh was greatly concerned about leaving his family at that time.  In a tender revelation, the Lord told him, "I will bless you and your family, yea, your little ones....Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come....Wherefore, your family shall live...Go from them only for a little time, and declare my word, and I will prepare a place for them" (D & C 31:2-3, 5-6) "It is just possible that these are the blessings that are needed most for our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and future posterity."

I am putting my trust in my Heavenly Father and His apostles.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Next year my ROCKSTARS, I will be there to cheer you on every stroke, pedaling, and step of the way.

CHIEFS vs PIRATES 30 July 2016

We have been in Africa for a total of 3 years and never attended a sports event!!!  Shame on us. Considering our love of sports, we just never had the opportunity until Saturday 30 July.  Sandile Makasi, area travel manager, invited us to the Chiefs vs. Pirates football (soccer) game which is quite the rivalry - Sandile is a big time Chiefs fan. A perfect game, a perfect day, and the right team won!

Known as the Soweto derby, the soccer rivalry between the Premier Soccer League's Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in South Africa is considered one of the most fiercely contested matches in African football.  It was first contested on 24 January 1970.  Both teams are based in Soweto, Johannesburg.  The rivalry stems from the fact that Kaizer Chiefs was formed by a former Orlando Pirates star, Kaizer Motaung.  Motaung had left Orlando Pirates to go play professional soccer in the now defunct North American Soccer League for a team called the Atlanta Chiefs.  Upon returning home, he decided to form his own team, which initially played friendly matches with various clubs in South Africa and then they turned into to the Kaizer Chiefs.  And their home field is the FNB stadium.  And we were there.

The FNB (First National Bank) stadium is the largest stadium in Africa and the seventh largest in the world and holds 94,736 fans!  It is also known as Soccer City and The Calabash (inspired by the shape of an African pot and the uniqueness of the outside design).  It first opened in 1989 but had major renovations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup where the final game was played between the Netherlands and Spain. And we were there! 

By the time the game started, it was almost full to capacity.

Back to the beginning.....we met Sandile and his wife, Nicole, at the Johannesburg chapel where we walked over to the bus station.  The bus system to get us to the stadium was amazing.  The streets were crowded, busy, commotion all over, but the bus had a street of its own that whisked us right to the stadium!

Dennis, Sandile and Nicole

Some of the sights from the bus' window of downtown Johannesburg

Our glimpse of the stadium....

Getting through the bus turnstile.

Me, Nicole and Sandile

Lots of wares being sold...

I brought blankets to keep warm, but I didn't need them.

Waiting in line to get in....look how cute she is

They have a walkway that crosses over roads to the stadium

We arrived 1 1/2 hours early so we wouldn't have to fight the crowds.  It was pretty empty but the time went by fast.
Sandile, Nicole and I giving the Chiefs sign.

Dennis giving the Pirates and Chiefs sign.  Is that a definition of a fair-weather fan?  Dennis said he was being dilpomatic!

Inside the stadium.  Compare the empty seats to the previous picture above when it was full.

The children had their faces painted.

They came all dressed up with their clothes revealing their allegiance.

The teams first came out and paraded around the field and then went back to the locker room.

Elections were just five days away.....an airplane promoting the EFF party flew by numerous times.

Trying to do a selfie - I don't think we succeeded.

The game began....

We had such a good time with Sandile and Nicole.

The Chiefs won 2 - 0.

Headed back home on the bus.  It was everything that we had hoped for.  Such a good time.

Thanks Makasi's for a most wonderful Saturday afternoon