An Historic Event in Burundi!!

President and Sister Packer have been in Bujumbura now for three days!!   It is always a treat to have these dedicated servants of the Lord.  They travel all over Africa with a vision of what the church should be and WILL BE in Africa someday.  They are not short term thinkers!  They think of what must happen NOW and what that will mean for the next generation and the one following that generation.  They are very inspiring and we love their visits.  But did they come for a specific reason?





Was it to hold a Zone Conference with their two couple missionaries and the eight exceptional young missionaries? Well, yes, partially!  And it was really motivating  and helpful for us to feel their excitement and their testimonies of the restored gospel. Both President and Sister Packer addressed us and shared eternal truths.





The REAL REASON was an historic event! The members and missionaries are so grateful for this milestone.  President Packer  and his counselor, President Jameson, worked to officially form the Bujumbura group into the one and only Official Bujumbura BRANCH!! It is the only Branch in all of the country of Burundi!......so far. :)

Through guidance from the spirit, these are the men who were called to serve in this new Branch.
From left to right, (remember that the last name is first here in Africa)  Frere Johnson -First Counselor;
President Malabi ;  Frere Simon -Second Counselor:
 Frere Aimable will serve as Elder's Quorum President.

These fine men have wonderful wives and families to support them in their service to these tender people. Frere Simon's sweet wife was unable to attend so his tall, wonderful son is standing with him.



Here are our Mission and Branch Leadership thus far!  More leadership is to come with the Relief Society, Primary, Sunday School and other branch organizations.  It is most exciting and the members are eager to serve!!

 








There was a stirring of excitement!!



There was much gratitude expressed!

There was much hope for the spreading of the gospel into neighboring cities.





There are many investigators still learning about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!

"..And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward.  And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church." (Mosiah 18:17)