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