Mother's Day!!

I got a kick out of an email I got from my mom yesterday. She said, (and I quote) “Have a nice mother's day on Sunday without any of your children and grandchild.”! Up until I read that, I didn’t have Mother’s Day on my radar! I know she didn’t mean it in a bad way, but it certainly gave me a chuckle.

Today was our first visit to the Makindye Branch, which meets, obviously, in Makindye – a suburb of Kampala, I guess one could say.

We got there in record time and had time to start shaking hands and introducing ourselves to the branch members and investigators. The missionaries we met yesterday were all there, and we were asked to speak at Brother Moses’ baptism, which was being held immediately after the three hour block of meetings. We, of course, said yes, and then I informed Elder Wilkes that he would be giving the talk! I will definitely have to improve in overcoming my reluctance to give impromptu talks and lessons, as I know it will be required here. However, I decided that today was not going to be that day, and Brad willingly agreed to take the assignment.

It is impossible to put into words the amazing spirit we felt in that humble chapel that has no windows or pews. We sat on plastic chairs, and were led in acapella hymns by an enthusiastic chorister. The entire meeting was presided over, and conducted by, and preached over the pulpit by President John. He is a returned missionary who served in Zimbabwe and Zambia 3 years ago, and he spoke in such a heartfelt way, that the spirit was in attendance throughout the entire sacrament meeting. It wasn’t only him…it was the spirit and countenance of the two speakers before him, the congregation…just everything. I will remember to have Kleenex in my bag in the future, because I spent a great deal of the meeting wiping tears from my eyes and cheeks. I just can hardly comprehend the sweet humility of people who have next to nothing, who worship in just the same way that I have learned throughout my membership in the church. My experience in Relief Society was just as sweet. 12 sisters sat in a little room – President John’s wife, Ida Carew (sp?) led the hymn (again, acapella), the Relief Society President, Harriet presided and conducted and taught. She taught on forgiveness from the manual, Latter-day Saint Woman. The other members of the class participated, or read as asked. It was tender, indeed. Brad said President John taught the Priesthood meeting, as well.

At the conclusion of the meeting block, Brother Moses (age 51 or so), and many of the branch members met again in the chapel for the baptismal service. Peter, the ward mission leader, conducted the meeting. Brad gave a great talk on Repentence, and then Brother Moses changed into his white baptismal clothing, as did President John. Peter had filled the metal font which sits in the front of the chapel before church began. I took some pictures, and then President John baptized Moses. It was so simple and so wonderful. Concluding comments were made and then our meetings were over. We both commented that we felt the spirit in that 4 hour span of time in a more intense way than we had ever felt before.

Elder Ndobi, President John, Brother Moses, Elder Swallow Coming out of the outdoor font