Pictures from our first trip into the Nairobi National Park. The park entrance is about 10 minutes from our apartment. We hope to make many more trips and see many more African animals.  

A baby Zebra standing in the road.

We had to stop because the Zebras were in the road. They were kind enough to stop for a photo shoot. 

A giraffe in the bushes. 

Rhino's taking a nap. We saw Hippos but they were submerged in a pond. They were too shy to pose for a picture. 

 

A baptism at the Ngong branch. The elevation in Ngong is about 6500 feet. It is winter time here and it was very chilly. The buildings have no heat and the water is not heated. No one seems to complain. I am realizing that we Americans have been pretty pampered and at times seem to complain about small things that don't really matter. 

Students at a private school outside of Ngong. The school has primitive facilities, but they are focused on Gospel principles.

Looking for a rustic get away? Here is a Hotel and shop all in one. You can have the whole place to yourself, 

 

Uses for a motorcycle that I bet you had never thought of

There is a motorcycle under all that hay

 

Things to carry on the back of a motorcycle or a pikipiki as they call them in Kenya. A huge load of yellow barrels

A couch and a passenger on the couch.

A huge load of fully loaded bags. There must be a driver somewhere in the mix of bags.

 

Elder Holloway delivering the devotional talk the second week in Africa. He was asked to talk to all the Area Staff after the death of a co-worker. 

 

 

We had some interesting experiences this week. When we first arrived we were introduced to several area office staff workers. The other senior missionaries told us about one sister named Rebecca who was in charge of security. She helped several senior missionaries out of traffic situations. She worked in the government prior to her job at the area office and everyone respected her. Within the week of our arrival. We heard she was in the hospital, then that she was diagnosed with cancer, and then that she has passed away. Everyone was blown away. On Thursday, one week after we arrived, we attended a funeral service for her. When we walked out of the service, we were stopped by the man who in charge of the area office staff. He asked Elder Holloway to talk at the Area Devotional on Sunday about how to manage the loss of Rebecca. WOW. What an assignment for your first week in the mission.

On Monday Elder Holloway spoke at the Area Employee Devotional about grief as many employees are grieving the loss of their dear friend who died suddenly and unexpectedly. He prayed earnestly for the Holy Ghost to guide his thoughts and words. He issued several invitations to help as one goes through the grieving process. He did a marvelous job, and many asked for a copy of the talk. He said this was not his talk, but it was given to him from the Savior to deliver at a time when they needed it.

This was a busy week talking to missionaries struggling with grief, adjustment, worries and feeling of inadequacies and anxiousness. They all shared and listened intently and were so grateful to speak to us.

On Thursday we had the wonderful privilege of attending one of the Zone conferences in the Nairobi West Mission and participating in it with President and Sister Chivunga. They are new mission leaders and are so gracious. We were invited to take 20 minutes to introduce ourselves and share something uplifting and helpful. We talked about focusing on what missionaries can control—one’s own thoughts, feelings and actions. We got in on a group photo and stayed for lunch—KFC, then had to get back.

 

On Sunday we attended a new branch of the church at the request of the Area Presidency. We went with another missionary couple and afterward traveled to an outlying area to a small school that is run by a couple in the branch. The educational system provides education for the smaller grades, but many choose to send their kids away for high school grades. The couple bought some property at the end of a very rough dirt road. They have about 18 students that they house and teach according to gospel standards. The stake president has given them permission to hold sacrament meeting at the school. It was an experience to see the conditions they have and the joy the students have being there. There is no running water. The kitchen was a small Shack and no facilities. There were chickens running loose and a garden that they use for food. We were asked to say a few words at the sacrament meeting. The school has been running a few years, and they struggle to get any funding they can. The church Humanitarian services of the church built a classroom facility for the school a few years ago, but they still struggle to keep it going. They rely on faith a lot. We will post a few pictures of the school.

We continue to try and figure out how to get where we need to go with traffic that seems to have no rules. At times we are in our lane, and we have motorcycles coming straight for us. They seem to go wherever they want and do not follow any rules. It is getting easier. We know that adjusting to life in a new country takes a little time.

We appreciate all the support, and prayers.

Much Love & Prayers,

Elder & Sister Holloway

Ngong Branch Baptism

Ngong Branch Baptism

 

School Washroom

Students with their teacher

Sister Holloway in front of the Kitchen. No water, no plumbing, no stove, ne electricity.

Students after Sacrament Meeting on Sunday

Girls in front of the girls dorm

The boy's dorm

The school classroom

 

We have been in Nairobi about two and aa half weeks. It has been a whirlwind of new activities and change. We have met most everyone at the area office. It is in a small building, but next to it they are building a new three-story building. Right now of is a concrete structure. They tell us it will be complete in 6 months, but I would not hold my breath on that. It looks like there is still a lot to do. It will be a nice addition when it is done. We have a car. The issue is learning to drive on the left side of the roar with the steering wheel on the right side of the car. It is definitely a change and a challenge. Some roads are very narrow and there seems to be a no rule policy. It kind of like bumper cars. Every man for himself. Motorcycles heard straight into oncoming traffic weaving in and around cars. With the narrow roads Sister Holloway is always we will run of the side of the road into the steep drop off. We don’t go anywhere without the help of google maps.

We have been assigned to attend the Gigiri ward. Last week we felt brave and attempted to find it on our own. There are not really addresses so it makes it challenging with find a place. We were given google pin of where the building was supposed to be so we followed it. It took us off road, through a area full of shacks, down rough dirt roads and straight into a corn field. It is about a 45-minute drive away. We tried anther place but never found the church. After three hours of driving, we returned home and were thankful that we found our way back home. Today we were fortunate to drive to our church building. Ut is near the Embassy. There are several American families in the ward as well as the Kenyans. It should be a great experience.

The other senior missionary couples have been helpful as we get set up with all the different services that we need. Things seem to go slow. It took over a week to get our church phone delivered ad set up. We have fund the senior missionary couples know all the good restaurants. There seems to be plenty of options with the best milkshakes close to our apartment. Those are important things to know.

We will be serving missionaries in 15 different missions. Just over half are French speaking missions. We have a translator but the phone connections are bad and it is difficult to understand everything. We are realizing there will be a different set of challenges that what we faced in the Philippines. We have found the Kenyan people very friendly and helpful. This area of the world is embracing the gospel quickly. In the DRC they are creating a new stake about every six months. The members have strong testimonies and are committed to the gospel.

Area office senior missionaries. This was before Elder and Sister Reid left. We have had two new couples join us since this picture was taken.

Elder and Sister Reid and Elder and Sister Holloway before the Reids returned home. 

Elder Holloway outside our ward chapel. 

 

Senior Sister Missionaries monthly birthday lunch

We were assigned to attend the Gigiri ward. It is  fairly new ward 

- About a year or so. Here is the outside of the chapel area. There is another building for classrooms, another for offices, and a separate building with restrooms. 

Sister Holloway outside the Chapel of Gigiri Ward

Gravel walkway between the church buildings

 

Sister Holloway had an opportunity to help teach a piano class. Under the Harmon Grant Program a music education fund was established to provide wards and branches throughout the world keyboards to teach church members how to play the piano and eventually be able to accompany for their ward. It takes 6 months of attending class. If they complete the class, the grant provides the student a keyboard to keep for their own personal use.  

 

 

UPDATE FROM AFRICA

We arrived in Nairobi late Wednesday night June 25^th. It was a long, long flight and we were tired. We met several people who recognized us as missionaries of the church. We met three mission leaders while at the airport in Salt Lake and a group of enthusiastic young missionaries going to Sweden and Norway. In Amsterdam we met other members who were traveling to do humanitarian work in Africa. While waiting to clear Customs we met Family members of Elder Pieper who is in the area Presidency. They were going to do a family trip climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Apparently, it is a week-long trip. They will not let people go too far in one day because they are trying to avoid people getting altitude sickness.

We met Elder and Sister Reid at the airport. They are the couple we will be replacing. They drove us around, introduced us to everyone they could before they left on Monday evening. They turned over the keys to the car and we were on our own. The steering wheel is on the opposite side of the car and they drive on the left side of the road. We have driven form our apartment to the area office a few times and have managed to survive. It is a challenge and requires some rethinking. The traffic is chaotic with almost no rules or if there are rules, they are not followed. It reminds me of driving bumper cars. You go where you need to go and mauver yourself anyway to get there. We have been driving on a one way street and have motorcycles coming toward us in oncoming traffic. It is nerve racking, but they seem to know how to make it through. Our apartment is much bigger than the one we had in the Philippines. They will be moving us to a newer apartment in a few weeks. This one has three bedrooms, three full bathrooms, and a half bath, a large kitchen and dining area. It is comfortable. Our living room has a balcony that looks out over the national reserve. We have not seen any animals, but there is a lot of grass and a few bushes. There is a major roadway between us and the wildlife reserve, so we are listening to traffic constantly.

We are learning that our assignment has numerous challenges. There are 15 missions. A little more than half are French speaking missions. Many of the mission leaders speak French also. We have used a translator when we have met with missionaries, but the internet connections are poor. There are obstacles to good communication so we will do the best we can and rely on the Lord to fill in the gaps. We will be doing most of our work from our home. They are building a new area office, and the current one has limited space.

We have found the people to be friendly and delightful. They have gone out of their way to help us. The church is strong and growing fast in many countries. The area is looking at creating several new stakes in many countries. Some areas are being opened up to missionary work, so there is a lot to do. There is a group of senior missionaries who have been warm and welcoming. More are arriving this evening so we will not be the newest senior missionaries in the Area Office.

Yesterday we stopped to get our car wash. We were told it takes about 45 minutes and were shown where we could buy a milkshake. When we got there, another senior missionary couple was eating lunch and invited us to sit by them. They have only been here a month but seemed to know a LOT about the area. We enjoyed our DELICIOUS milkshakes and visit with them and walked back to get our car. When we arrived we paid our car washer and he asked us if he could have one of the books in the back of our car. (We have a box full of copies of the Book of Mormon.) We told him, “certainly.” Then I remembered Elder Dube’s council at the MTC: “Never give a closed copy of the Book of Mormon.” So I walked to the back with him and opened the book to Moroni 10:4-5. We read it together. I told him how much I loved the book and reading it will help him feel closer to Jesus Christ. I told him to write down questions he has and when we come again we can talk more. I didn’t get his name though and he didn’t get my contact information. I must be more prepared next time.

We are so grateful to be here and appreciate your love and support! Thank you! Thank you!

Much love & prayers,

Elder & Sister Holloway