Phinias Nyambita - Called to Serve in the Kenya Nairobi Mission

Phinias Nyambita, leaves for his home in Mwanza to spend a few weeks with his family before he leaves for Nairobi to begin his mission among the "Kenya Nairobi Warriors". We first came to know and love Phinias when he attended our conducting and keyboarding classes in Mbezi Beach while he was in boarding school in Dar and living with President Kachuchuru's family.  He is a bright and articulate young man with a firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He shares his testimony as he lives it by being humble, kind, dependable, hardworking and serving others. He is also a very good athlete and serves as Branch Clerk, President of his Institute Class, and YSA rep. Phinias will be an exceptional missionary! Good bye, for now, our African son.

Phinias doing a back flip on Mbezi Beach

Phinias landing the back flip

 

 We had an enjoyable and memorable evening together and met Phinias' brother, Baraza (left) the night we said good-bye to Phinias. 

Joseph Baraka Okanda - Best Ever Swahili Teacher and New PEF Law Student

We are saying goodbye to our dear friend, Okanda, as he leaves for Law School...his dream that has become a reality with the help of a PEF loan. With hard work and diligence he was accepted into a very competitive program at the University of Dodoma which is about 300 miles west of Dar. Okanda has been the Swahili tutor for all of us Dar Zone missionaries since we arrived. He has served faithfully for several years as the Chang'ombe Branch Elder's Quorum President and has completed and excelled in the conducting and keyboard courses we taught. He is an exceptional young man and he will be missed by many, especially us! Onward and upward Okanda!! 

GELITE, Star Student and Recently Called Missionary

Gelite (pronouced: gay-lee-tay) Ngosha is charming and adorable! She is a talented young lady and loves to sing,  conduct, attend choir and conducting and keyboard classes. She also just received her Mission Call to serve in the New York, New York North Mission. Most of our Tanzanian missionaries are called to serve somewhere in Africa so this is a first here and everyone is very excited for her.  She reports to the Provo MTC the last week of November. New York, New York North is getting a sweetheart!
 

The Fantastic Dar es Salaam District & Branch YSA Reps

Once a month we look forward to the YSA Committee Meeting with this incredible group of young leaders from the 4 Branches of the Dar es Salaam District. Front row (L to R): Angela, Grace, Usta, Jennifer and Christina. Back row (L to R): Elder Worthen, Herman (sitting), Bertin, Yudah, Phinias, Shigela, Joseph and Sister Worthen.

Arusha and Mt. Kilimanjaro

This week we traveled to Arusha, about a 10 hour drive northwest of Dar es Salaam. The purpose of our trip was to introduce the PEF program to the Arusha Branch Leadership and visit the Sr. Couple assigned there, Elder and Sister Rydalch.  We got our first view of the amazing Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain on the African continent and the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 19,341 feet. We also enjoyed a visit to the Arusha National History Museum.  

Elder and Sister Rydalch

 

President & Sister Balilemwa Speak to YSA's

President Lauriano Balilemwa and Sister Happiness Balilemwa were chosen by the YSA's to continue talking about the month's theme of "Dating, Courtship, and Temple Marriage". They shared their personal stories of missions, falling in love, ups and downs and Happily Ever Afters. There were some serious questions and answers and lots of fun and laughter.

 

 

 

The Dar District YSA's LOVE the Balilemwas!!

NZURI WATOTO!!!

Nzuri watoto is "beautiful children" in Swahili and Tanzania has more than their fair share. Meet adopted grandchildren, sweet Loreen and adorable Arthur, two of our favorites from the Chang'ombe Branch.  

Another Chang'ombe darling, Deborah with Papa Bruce

Ubungo Branch Primary

A sweetheart, Lulu Kachuchuru, Mbezi Beach Branch

 

Prince Omondi Fireside on Dating and Marriage

Prince Omondi, CES Director Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania

The Dar Young Single Adults have a favorite guest speaker; Brother Prince Omondi from Nairobi, Kenya. They requested that he would give a Fireside on Dating and Marriage.  He taught the Old Testament Institute Class then spoke at the Fireside. He left time for questions and answers and there were plenty.  He is an extraordinary leader and the YSA's can easily feel his great spirit and love for them.

Institute Class

Prince listening to Yudah's question

Lots of questions

Soon to leave for Missions; Phinias and Silvanus with Prince

Helping Babies Breathe - A Neonatal Resuscitation Class

"Helping Babies Breathe" is a major humanitarian initiative of the LDS Charities. Eighty-six health professionals from all over Tanzania came together last week at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam to receive training for resuscitation of new born babies. After completion of the course, they received resuscitation equipment and books for use and training in their respective schools and health facilities. We had the opportunity to help the team of medical experts lead by Mary Jane McGregor, a neo-natal nurse and her husband William, along with Dr. Dennis Hughes an OB-GYN from the U.S.

Mary Jane working with Medical Professionals

Dr. Hughs Demonstrating a Ventilator

Eager to Learn Life Saving Instruction

Team Work

Mac, Elder Worthen and John Mwingira

Sister Worthen and Mac printing Diplomas

Mbezi Beach Branch Beach Cleanup Service Project

Saturdays with our Young Single Adults are filled with Old Testament Institute Classes and activities to follow including Church Education Broadcasts, Dances, Games and Service Projects. This week the marvelous Mbezi Beach YSA Reps chose a worthwhile service project to clean up one of the local beaches for their Saturday activity. 

Everyone ready to pick up the trash

Working hard to clean up all the litter

The awesome YSA's and Missionaries of the Dar es Salaam District

A job well done!!

 

All Africa Mormon Helping Hands

On 18 Aug 2012 approximately 5,000 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in East Africa participated in individual community projects for a day of service. In the Dar es Salaam District, Tanzania our District had the opportunity to plant 100 fruit trees around a newly built elementary school and Police Station in the new community recently developed for 8,000 people displaced after floods destroyed their homes during last year's rainy season.  

Missionaries of the Dar es Salaam Zone

Dar es Salaam District - that's a lot of Helping Hands!

One Year Out and a 42nd Wedding Anniversary!

"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly embracing each other".  ~ Luciano de Crescenzo    This quote has always been a favorite, however our Mission has helped us realize how accurate it is. We are grateful to have had this time collectively to learn, to grow, to increase knowledge and understanding. "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be!" What a blessing Africa has been in our lives!