Our Departure from the D.R. CONGO -"filling the hole"!

As you can see from the first map, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was established in South Africa in 1853.  The growth for the next 125 years in South Africa was 7000 members.  Today, 32 years later, the Church has gone into many other countries of Africa with great success (as represented on the graphic in red). As members of the Church, we covenant to:

"willingly bear one another's burdens....mourn with those who mourn... comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life." (Mosiah 18:9)

There are many people who have been requesting the blessings of the gospel of Christ in the Burundi area for years.  Here is an excerpt from a letter a while ago: (both letter excerpts translated from French to English)

 To Mister, the Legal Representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:
    I wish to tell you of our situation.........
....The church exists already in two zones here with about 800 faithful followers.  We have together gathered for Family Home Evenings, prayers and studies with singing the hymns of the church, but are missing enough Book of Mormons and  pamphlets called "Restoration", "Plan of Salvation" and others. That would permit us to really be ready for baptism.

This is another letter excerpt from the same man written last week after the Priesthood from this mission visited Bujumbura, Buruni:

.....Comparing other doctrines that exist in our lives, we have a feeling that there is a difference especially in the truth of the messages, the inspiration of the preachers, the spirit of the team that existed between the different levels of heirarchy present during the conference especially the simplicity of those leaders and the marked wisdom from the very start of the conference to the end.
We have a sure testimony of the presence of Christ in this work.  We are ready to respond as always to the instructions of the servants of Christ. Until the church finally arrives here, we prepare for your arrival.  Our salutations to all!  Your friends in Christ.


   Do you see the little tiny, white dot of a country that is awaiting the gospel of Jesus Christ?  Well, in 5 days, we will be leaving the D.R.CONGO and be transferred to that small country of Burundi.
We are feeling excited, humbled, anxious, and have a big LUMP in our throats!  It brings back wonderful, sweet memories of a "quiet whisper and overwhelming love" that called us to this place and time.  We know that we are not truly qualified but we know that when  the Lord calls, He capacitates and compensates. We are humbled to begin this journey. Your prayers for the people in Burundi would be greatly appreciated!  We know there will be opposition, for we are told "there is opposition in all things".

All of our lives, we have sung, "I'll go where you want me to go, Dear Lord..."  Now, we know that those are not just words but our reality.   Faith in Jesus Christ, prayers, hope and charity have new meaning! We know that Father in Heaven wants all of his children to have the opportunity to follow Jesus Christ and to make covenants with Him....to keep His commandments, to be willing to take His name upon them, and to always remember Him!
As my Mother has said, "Fresh courage take....."

Sending loving to all of our dear friends and family..... from Africa!