Certificates

Wilson, Joseph, Tyrel, Elly, Rebecca and Paul in the back.

Ugandans love certificates. In this picture they just received a certificate for completing a Book of Mormon class. After the Doctrine and Covenants institute class ended we decided to use the intervening weeks to teach all of the Book of Mormon. Eleven weeks later they received their certificates with their heads full of doctrines, events and personalities from that great and most correct book. Terry and I were extremely happy we survived it all. Have you ever tried to teach all of the book of Alma in one and a half hours??

President and Sister Jackson

President Eric Jackson is the mission president for the Uganda Kampala Mission and the initial reason we are serving here. The Spirit was the moving force behind our acceptance. We have known him and his wife since our last mission in South Africa so when we heard he had been called to be the mission president we wrote an email to congratulate him. It didn't take him long to write us back and in his email he wrote, "I have been thinking of you two since I got this call and was wondering if you would consider joining us in Uganda for another mission"??? It took the Spirit only a few minutes to confirm to us that we should go and here we are, serving under this great man.





The Jackson's are phenomenal people as they travel to all the areas in this huge mission which covers all of Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Southern Sudan and Rwanda. The equivalent area would be all of the US east of the Mississippi River. Millions of people, numerous tribes and many languages would be a daunting challenge for most people but the Jackson's take it in stride. We love them for their example and loving kindness to all. We are amazed at their energy, dedication and optimism.

Apart for Now

Sometimes we feel a world a part from our friends and family...maybe because we are on the other side of the world...but we feel your love and prayers and that has sustained us. Thanks and much love back to you.

Fellow Citizens

Since the last blog entry the work has been going on!!

Emmanuel and his father, John, before his baptism. He was previously baptized two years ago but was never confirmed because his family had to move to a new location. He is now a full member of the Church. All things in order in our Father's kingdom. John and his family are preparing to go to the temple this year but it takes a lot of money to acquire passports and yellow fever shots for seven people. They have great faith that the Lord will help them.

Five baptized on December 31st have begun their new year with new life in the gospel. Sarah, third from the left, was a pastor of another church. She heard the message of the restored gospel and knew it was true, resigned her position and with two of her children entered the waters of baptism. Joseph and Pius were also happy to join the church.

Mama Florence, holding her baby, was baptized along with three of her children a couple months ago. In this picture, her older daughter is preparing to do the same. Florence has six children and when she was pregnant with the baby her husband walked out on them...hasn't been seen since. Their life is difficult but they have joy because they have found the true church of Jesus Christ.

We are so blessed in getting to know these good people.