Wow! Time flies when you're busy!

We just sent our third group out into the field all trained and ready to go! They were quite an interesting group. The most Africans they've ever trained here. Eight of them had only been a member for less than three years. Four of them had lost both of their parents and even some siblings. They seem to die so early here with aids, tuberculosis, etc. We helped them with their genealogy and were able to seal their mom and dad to each other and then seal the missionaries to their parents. It was a very spiritual day for all of us. Dean and I were proxy for their parents.

One of the Africans had been the sole provider for his family up until he came on the mission. For that reason, he was not able to come being equipped like most Americans because everything he made went to put food on the table. Due to the goodness of others, we were able to help him with shirts, ties, sox, etc. so he left with everything he needed.

One of the Africans was very tall and looked and walked like he had a club foot, but we later learned he had been buried in the sand down by the river when he was just seven years old. He, a cousin, and a friend. They were completely covered from 3:00in the afternoon until they were finally rescued the next day at 10:00 a.m. There was not a clue that they were buried under the sand, but an aunt of his kept insisting that that's what had happened and they finally listened to her. One of the boys died and Oketa went to the hospital for seven months. He had been sitting on his leg and it was in a weird position all that time. They drained fluid off of it for months and then it started to deform. He feels so blessed to even be able to walk and has such a wonderful spirit about him. A very strong testimony and such a lot of love in his heart for all.

It's quite amazing the influence that these Africans have on the Americans. We had several here, including a football player from Dixie, and at our last testimony meeting they broke down and cried with love for the Africans. They had learned so much from them in the way of humility, love, testimony, etc. It's so interesting to watch because without really realizing it, the Americans seem to take the gospel for granted and they see how it is everything to these Africans. They feel so deeply and sincerely about it.

It was interesting as they wrote their histories the reasons they gave for serving. Many said, "I owe my life to the gospel and this is a way to express my gratitude." Others said, "I want to be a part of helping Heavenly Father accomplish his purpose." Some said, "The gospel completely changed my life and I want to help change someone else's life for the better." One said, "My duty is to bring others out of darkness like the missionaries brought me." They truly feel so blessed to have the gospel in their lives.