From YSA to Mr. and Mrs.Ngindu

Bertin Ngindu, originally from D.R. Congo, and Grace Bandihai first met when Bertin was serving in the Kenya Nairobi Mission in Dar es Salaam several years ago. After his mission, he came back to Dar to work and to get to know Grace a little better. Grace, however, realized she needed to serve a mission.  Bertin felt he needed to work and wait for Grace.   His patience was rewarded when she returned from her mission and they both realized they wanted to spend the rest of their lives and eternity together. With the help of the YSA's in the Dar District they had a lovely reception with dinner and dancing following the ceremony at the Kinondoni Chapel. The Ngindu’s are planning on being sealed in the Johannesburg Temple after it reopens this September.  Grace’s Branch President, Zabron Mwaipopo, performed the wedding ceremony and Bertin’s Branch President, Reverine Sambo conducted. They were supported by many friends and families in the Dar es Salaam District.

The Terrific YSA's of the Dar es Salaam District Institute Class

These terrific Young Single Adult's of the Dar es Salaam District have just finished a Service Project of cleaning the Kinondoni Chapel. Directly before that they attended their Old Testament Institute Class. Before that they either walked or rode dala-dalas (small city buses) to church, some from a very far distance away, and will return home the same way. Most do not have a Driver's License let alone a car to drive.  Most families do not own a car. They love being together and supporting each other. They have been helping plan the dinner and music for their YSA friends, Grace and Bertin who are getting married next week. What a blessing they are to the church!

MEET PHINIAS - An Exceptional Young Adult

Phinias Nyambita is a wonderful young man. He has completed the basic music course and is currently a dedicated student of our keyboard class in Mbezi Beach. He has just finished his final two years of secondary education, grades 12 & 13, specializing in economics. Phinias is looking forward to serving a mission and is about ready to turn in his papers. His father, President Abish Nyambita is the Branch President of the Mwanza Branch (Rock City).  Phinias has been attending boarding school here in Dar es Salaam. Many African families send their children to boarding schools for the last two years because each school has specialized subjects along with the core classes.  He has been serving as his Branch Clerk, and is active in Institute and YSA activities. Phinias is a great blessing to the Dar es Salaam District!

EAST AFRICA SEMINARY & INSTITUTE INSERVICE

We just returned from Nairobi after attending an outstanding and motivating meeting with the East Africa Seminary and Institute leadership: Brother Kumbalani Mdletshe, Africa Southeast Area CES director, from Johannesburg; Brother Freddie Babayo, Country CES coordinator from Uganda; Brother Tasara Makasi, Country coordinator from Zimbabwe; and Brother Prince Omondi, Africa East CES Director from the Area Office in Nairobi. They are all full time CES employees. We are the Country coordinators for Tanzania and Elder & Sister Hunter, newly arrived missionaries, are called to serve as CES and Member/Leader support in Kitale, Kenya.  Brother Alan Thatcher from CES Headquarters in Salt Lake came to teach us about the new computer enrollment and reporting system called WISE. We received essential information that gave clarity to our calling and a big shot in the arm!

 

Brothers Freddie, Kumbalani, Tasara, and Prince

Dinner with Elder & Sister Hunter, Bro. Alan Thatcher, Brothers Kumbalani,  Tasara,  Freddie, & Sister W.

YSA SPORTS ACTIVITY

Each Saturday at 2pm the YSA's from Dar es Salaam District attend Institute. There is always an Activity to follow planned by one of the four Branch's YSA Representatives. This Saturday the Ubungo Branch planned a very successful Sports Day filled with lots of fun and great sportsmanship. Basketball and Football (soccer) were the two favorites. Everyone agreed we need to do this more often!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

What a delightful surprise to have a dozen roses delivered on Mother's Day to our home in a 3rd world city that has few street names, no addresses, and no postal codes. Thank you Jessica, Joseph, Lindsey, Britton,  Anna, Gregory, Megan and Whitney. Thanks so much for your love and support! 
 

TRANSFERS - An Organizational Masterpiece

Unlike Senior Missionaries who usually stay in one area our entire mission, the young Elders and Sisters will work in one area for a few (or several) months until they are transferred to a new area. The Kenya Nairobi Mission (KNM) covers  the entire countries of Kenya and Tanzania. There are 12 zones in the mission (9 in Kenya, 3 in Tanzania).  Each zone has one or two districts, and each district has several areas. Each area has one companionship (two missionaries); there are 51 companionships (or 102 young missionaries) in the KNM. There are 15 Senior couples including the Mission President and his wife. Transfers come along every six weeks ( in 343 missions around the world) with great anticipation. Who will stay and who will be transferred is a prayerful decision made by the Mission President and his two assistants (young elders - who also get transferred around). It is truly an organizational masterpiece; it's not just deciding who moves and where, but the when and how of  transportation. A few missionaries leave; new ones come to replace them. It's always hard to see the missionaries you have come to love get transferred.  However, we know that these transfers are inspired and the Lord knows where each missionary is needed and/or what each missionary individually might need. 

This transfer we lost some of our very favorites. But we are excited for their new assignments and new growth. This is a Divine Work! We are so very thankful to be apart of this Marvelous Work and a Wonder! 

Goodbye Elders Haynes, Madubanya, DeWitt, and Mpahlele...for now

Dar es Salaam District Transfer Dinner

ELDER JOHN KOMBA - Called to Serve - South Africa, Johannesburg Mission

John Komba, one of our favorite YSA's, is the third missionary called from the Chang'ombe Branch in Dar es Salaam District since we have been here. He is an outstanding young man and is so excited to serve in the South Africa, Johannesburg Mission. He was set apart tonight and then a goodbye dinner followed. He leaves at 4:45am tomorrow for the airport and his first experience on an airplane. We love John!!

John's buddies Herman & Patrick are waiting for their mission calls.

Uncle John, Elder Noll, John, Branch Pres. Komba, Elder Worthen

John's proud parents

Family and Friends

A favorite son

YSA's

REMARKABLE MWANZA - "Rock City" and Land Before Time

An hour and a half plane ride to northwestern Tanzania brings us to the beautiful south shore of Lake Victoria, Africa's biggest, and the world's second largest fresh water lake. Here lies the uniquely scenic town of Mwanza, known as 'Rock City' due to the numerous rock formations dotting the entire landscape. Wind and water erosion have left spectacular granite rock formations that defy gravity. We had the pleasure and opportunity to spend several days there providing PEF and Church Education training to the newest Branch of the church in Tanzania.

DAR ES SALAAM ZONE CONFERENCE

Every few months, all of the missionaries in the country of Tanzania come together for a Zone Conference in Dar es Salaam. Our dear Mission President, Steven Broadbent and his sweet wife Julie, come down from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam to lead the conference.  We learn, we laugh, we eat, we sing, we talk and come away inspired and prepared to carry on with strengthened testimonies of this divine work. We are all here because we love the Lord and want to serve Him to the best of our abilities. It is interesting that every time you give the Lord a crust he gives you back a loaf. We feel so blessed to be here!

Zone Conference Dar es Salaam

Elders Chimbetete, Madubanya, DeWitt & Pocock

Getting ready with President & Sister Broadbent

"Chiquita Banana"  - A fun break song and dance

Old and new companions

 Reunion for Elders Madubanya & Anievas

More singing

Good eats! Lucy & Grace Mwingira, Elder Keno & Sister B

Welcome first ever Tanzania Sister Missionaries Sibanyoni, Kabamba, Phir & Kusina

              

EASTER PARTY AT MBEZI BEACH BRANCH

Mbezi Beach Branch was having an Easter Party.  Mbezi Beach is a beautiful little town, located about 10 km north of Dar on the Indian Ocean. President Kachuchuru asked his branch YSA's  to host the party and invite the District YSA's to come out for their YSA activity. It was amazing. Those Young Single Adults, both male and female, prepared all the food and cooked the lunch over an open fire. It was a great success, everyone had a wonderful time. After lunch, we all went inside and watched the church video, "To This End was I Born". It was a perfect celebration!

Sister Kachuchuru helping serve

Phinias, about to enjoy the fruits of his labors

Well-fed and happy

Smiles that light up everyone and everywhere

Of course our Mbezi Beach missionaries came

Happy, future YSA's loving a photo op

YSA SERVICE PROJECT - CHANG'OMBE BRANCH

We had a very successful YSA (Young Single Adult) Service Project at the Chang'ombe Branch last Saturday.  Herman and Angela, the Branch YSA Reps, after talking with their Branch President, decided what their Branch needed most was a good deep cleaning of the building and grounds.  We had a great turnout with many cheerful and willing bodies to assist. We have the privilege of working with these wonderful young people every Saturday!

Wonderful YSA's of the Dar es Salaam District

"The world has need of willing men...Put your shoulder to the wheel!"

Usta, Angela, Caroline, Brane and Francis preparing snacks

Brane and Jackson, two of Sister Worthen's very gifted keyboard students

Herman and Angela, Chang'ombe Branch YSA Reps

First to come, last to leave. Well done Chang'ombe Branch!