This morning we were joined by the Assistants for our sacrament meeting. We are enjoying these quiet Sunday mornings.
This afternoon we had a feast. I concocted an enchilada casserole out of ingredients found here. John was in heaven.
And this evening we topped it off with an delicious apple crisp. I’m trying to put some weight back on John!
Our dear Adele was baptized today in Bamako! Oh, how we would have loved to have been there! The day I met Adele, I knew this day would come. Adele is a beautiful woman. We are thrilled for her.
Our dear Adele.
As told to Ann & John Lewis, 22 April 2020
In September 1991, after graduating from high school, President Sabwe Binene, age 21, began his electrical engineering studies at the Institut Superieur Technique et Commercial (ISCT) in Lubumbashi (Katanga province). Lubumbashi is located some 320 km from Kolwezi, his family home where he was born and raised, the ninth of ten children. While attending ISCT in Lubumbashi, he lived with his second-oldest brother and his family.
After completing his first academic year in August 1992, he returned home to Kolwezi for the holidays. In response to members of his Kolwezi branch who wondered when he would serve a mission, he explained that he felt he needed to finish school. His branch president called him and told him it was time to serve a mission. He said no, he wanted to finish school (3 more years). His parents wanted him to go on a mission and his mother, in particular, pressed him and asked why he was delaying. He told her that he felt very strongly about finishing school and preparing for his career. Sometime after that he had a feeling to go visit his District President who was his uncle and lived some distance away. He did not know why. When he got to his uncle’s home, he was waiting in the living room and saw a red-and-white book across the room that caught his attention. He was drawn to it and went to pick it up, fascinated to see what it was about. It was “The Miracle of Forgiveness” by Spencer W. Kimball. He felt compelled to read it. It fell open in his hands to a page about idolatry. It talked about idols in ancient Jerusalem and then idols today like jobs, money, and putting off missions to go to school. He got the clear message that earning a diploma can be an idol if it takes priority over serving a mission. He said his body started trembling like a leaf and he knew God was speaking to him. “No person, God.”
He went home and told his parents what had happened and that he felt an urgent need to serve a mission. Everyone was interested in his change of heart. When they heard the story, they confirmed his feeling that God had spoken directly to him. He immediately met with his Branch President and began filling out his application to serve (October 1992)—doctors, dentists, photos, etc. At the end of November 1992, they sent the completed application to the mission president in Kinshasa, President Homer M. LeBaron. In early January 1993, President Binene was notified that President LeBaron would visit him for an interview in Kolwezi in April 1993.
Unfortunately, during 1992, civil unrest was growing within the Katanga province fueled by politically motivated tribal movements in some corners of the province, targeting the immigrant Kasai people of the neighboring province. The Binene family were Kasai. President Binene’s parents had migrated from the Kasai province (Luputa) with their then-small family in search of better employment opportunities. President Binene was born and raised in Kolwezi (Katanga province) and knew no other home. By February 1993, the unrest had intensified into violence in Kolwezi and Likasi, a city located about 200 km from Kolwezi, as well as in many other important towns of the Katanga province. The Binene family were on high alert as they observed the violence and bloodshed coming closer and closer to their home and at one point in March 1993, they decided to flee under the darkness of night. Though President Binene was anxious to begin his missionary service, he had no choice but to leave with his family and begin the long journey to his family village of Luputa in the Kasai province.
Traveling by rail was the safest way to make the 570 km journey from Kolwezi to Luputa, so the family moved their belongings to the land around the train station so they could catch the next available train. In May 1993, after about two months camping at the train station, his mother and about 10 family members were able to get seats on the train. Their trip to Luputa took about six days. In June 1993, he and his father, along with some members of the church, secured passage in one of the uncovered freight wagons on the train. The trip took more than three months to reach Luputa. About three months of the journey were spent at the large Kamina train station, where they decoupled from the electric train and waited for their wagon to be connected to a diesel train that would take them into the Kasai province. This time in Kamina was unimaginably difficult and many died. They slept in their train wagon, but food was very difficult to procure with many of the locals unwilling to sell to them. They also had no clean water, no toilets, no showers, no protection and an abundance of mosquitoes. Many became ill with dysentery, cholera, and malaria. In addition to their waiting time in Kamina, they experienced several wagon breakdowns along the journey which sometimes left them stranded for days at various outposts in very difficult health, safety, and sanitation conditions. They finally reached Luputa in September 1993. Sadly, many people had perished along the way due to illness, hunger, assaults by the natives in some of the train stations, and electrocution (riding on the metal top of a “closed wagon” and accidentally coming in contact with the overhead electric cable powering the train). Remarkably, every member of the Church made it safely to Luputa.
They arrived to no jobs, no home, no food, and no organized branch of the Church. But with the help of extended family in the area and an abundance of faith and determination, they figured out how to survive. The village had no electricity, so there was no way for President Binene to use his electrician’s training for income. Luputa was a small agricultural village so the family lived off of what they could grow in the fields. President Binene became a farmer. Slowly they began to prosper enough to care for their family while also caring for the Church. There were about 150 members of the Church who were displaced from Kolwezi to the Kasai province at that time. About 50 of them remained in Luputa and formed the first informal group of the Church there, meeting each Sunday to study the gospel together in a Sunday School setting. For three years, President Binene helped his family and helped the Church, never able to communicate with any Church leaders about the mission assignment he had not been able to fulfill.
In early 1997, a Kinshasa-based counselor in the mission presidency came to visit this little group of Saints he had heard about who were holding Sunday School meetings only. The Luputa members had sent their tithing to the mission president in 1995. As a result of his visit, the first branch was organized in Luputa July 20, 1997. President Binene was called as a branch missionary and a branch clerk. He was a faithful, hard-working missionary and the one branch became three by 2001.
When the counselor in the mission presidency visited in early 1997, President Binene was able to talk to him about his deep desire to serve a full-time mission. He was told that he was too old to be eligible and was counseled to move forward with his life—to marry and have a family. This was disappointing news for him, but he accepted it and looked ahead. Within a few years, he met Sister Lilly Kabumba who was a friend of one of his fellow branch missionaries. They began teaching her the gospel and he baptized her in April 1999. He had always been impressed with her and decided she would be a good prospect for marriage, so they began spending personal time together. He said she was difficult to convince. She lived with her grandmother and was very devoted to caring for her and was not looking to be married. But over time, he won her over and eventually spoke to her parents about marrying their daughter. After a one-year engagement, they were married January 8, 2000. She was a schoolteacher, age 23, and he was a 29-year-old farmer.
After welcoming two children to their family, they decided to relocate to Kinshasa where President Binene could finish his electrical engineering training and find more opportunities. She went ahead with the two children and moved in with her family, who had also relocated there. He stayed behind to work and save for the move and also to continue building the Church. After two years of this, on March 26, 2006, the mission president came to Luputa to form a district which would include the three local branches and a fourth that would be created at that time. President Binene was called as the District President. He tried to reason with the mission president about his situation but was told this was a call from the Lord. He asked for some time to talk to his wife and pray about it. It did not take him long to feel that this was the will of the Lord and he and his wife decided to accept the call and change their life plans. Even though Kinshasa made the most logical sense, they would exercise faith and accept the Lord’s will. Sister Binene and the children came back to Luputa where she taught school and President Binene retrained as a nurse, beginning his schooling that same year, September 2006. Together, they helped build the Church. And, two more children were born.
Also in 2006, the Binenes decided to start their own private school. They began with a pre-school in September 2006, and it grew each year into a thriving, successful school with many employees. The District eventually became a Stake on June 26, 2011, with seven wards and five branches. He became the Stake President. Then he was called as president of the Côte d’Ivoire Abidjan East Mission, beginning his service July 1, 2017. He finally got to serve that full-time mission! His whole life never turned out the way he expected it to, but he is grateful he has been watched over and blessed in wonderful and unexpected ways.
In conclusion in President Binene’s own words:
What changed my decision? I believe that this is the power of speech, so I truly testify that all writing is inspired by God and useful to teach, to convince as I was convinced to accomplish a full-time mission, to correct, to instruct in justice see 2 Timothy 3:17-17.
I am also convinced of what the Book of Mormon says: “The preaching of the word … had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them” (Alma 31:5).
And now, as the approaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.
Also, I learnt that we must be patient when some things do not go well, there is a time for everything, and God has a plan with all of us.
It was anxious to me to stop with my studies because I was certain that God called me serve but why I could not do this or to continue with my studies and realize my dream to be an electrician engineer.
Whatever time that may elapse God’s plan end up being realized.
Postscript:
–Pres Binene never received a mission call, but he always wanted to serve.
–The Binenes decided to move to Kinshasa to find more opportunities, including opportunities for him to finish his electrical engineering studies.
–The humanitarian service couples assigned to Luputa did great work and had a big impact on the entire community, including the Church members.
–This mature Church leader has only been able to attend the temple maybe four times: South Africa when they were endowed and sealed, Salt Lake City for his first mission president seminar, Accra (2 trips for mission president seminars). Amazing.
We went out for a walk this morning. John needed to transfer some money to a missionary, so we took a wander through our neighborhood. All of these pictures were taken during our 30 minute wander. This is our place. These are our neighbors.
There were very few people out today. It must be a holiday. Last night people were everywhere until quite late. This morning the vendors shops were empty and the sellers were gone. Unusual for a Saturday morning.
Below is a hair place. There are so many cute little shops where the women and girls go to have extensions put in their hair, or to have their hair plaited into fun designs.
Empty vendor stalls:
Typical roadside decor:
This is our road. Every few weeks someone dumps a load of rocks and construction debris in the roads. It’s spread out and smashed down by passing cars until it turns into road base. You have to watch your step.
A new building going up:
More beauty shops:
Transferring money:
A local plumber:
We were hoping to find some nice fruit today! We filled our bag with 3 pineapple, 2 mangos, a bunch of mandarins, bananas and some popo.
I love the fruit here. And it’s Beautiful!
Lovely helpers!
A furniture store:
From this spot you can see the temple. See the crane in the skyline? That’s the temple site.
The temple is just to the left of the crane.
A man making mannequins:
There are so many car junk yards full of dead cars.
Happy to know we can refill our gas tank here:
Interesting construction:
Chopping block:
Umbrellas for shade:
A laundromat. Loving the washer in the window:
Cassava, pines and peanuts:
Plantain, potatoes and cassava:
Our local tailors. These women sew in these little shops day and night.
Our shoe repair guy was gone for the day:
Nice entryway:
Almost home again.
This is right next to our building. I’d always assumed there was a water source in this little shack because these water jugs come and go every day.
It’s a mystery–no water source. There is, however, a toilet sitting there.
These are our neighbors. Their homes are made of tarp and boards.
Their firewood supply:
Their trash pile, right outside our windows.
We are surrounded by so many interesting things. We love it here.
This happened today in Salt Lake City:
From Sister Bendixsen:
Friday, we were set apart in our callings by Elder Renlund and Elder Klebingat. During these strange Covid-19 times, their were hands sanitized and elbow greetings, but the sweet peace of blessings and teaching that Kurt and I received were sacred and life changing. I love being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
We are looking forward to their arrival here in a few weeks!
On 27 November 1832 the Prophet Joseph Smith in Kirtland, Ohio, wrote to William W. Phelps, who was living in Independence, Missouri. There are a few words in the first page of that letter that grab me. William W. Phelps was a clerk and Joseph was concerned at the time with record keeping. It weighed on his mind. The Lord had instructed him to write and record and keep records, and he was figuring out what needed to be recorded as the church began to grow in that place.
In this letter, excerpts of which are now found in D&C 85, we are given a clue of what Joseph and the Lord found important:
It is the duty of the Lord’s clerk, whom he has appointed, to keep a history, and a general church record of all things that transpire in Zion, and of all those who consecrate properties, and receive inheritances legally from the bishop; and also their manner of life, their faith, and works . . .
I’m just a bystander here in the Abidjan East Cote d’Ivoire Mission, but I also have a sense of the importance of what’s happening around us and the importance of recording the manner of life, the faith and the works of the good people here. Sometimes it’s easier to see the miracles when you are a bystander, not a participant, deeply immersed in the routines of a place, its culture and times.
Although I have lived in Africa for many years, life here is not my normal–it’s all a wonder to me, a fantastic and amazing expression of faith, and works displayed to me in a manner of life that to me is incredible. I often feel like I am on the front row seat of an Unfolding Event in the history of the Church in Africa.
Today John and I witnessed the retelling of more of that history as we sat with Pres Binene and completed about 4 hours of interviewing him this week. His story will be told in an upcoming volume of SAINTS, and we are here helping to gather that story.
Pres Binene is a remarkable man of great faith. He has done hard things and has been a pillar of light and faith to the people of the DRC Congo. You will read about him someday. Next month he will complete his missionary service here in the Abidjan East Mission, and if the borders re-open, he and his family will return to their home in the Congo. They will start a new life there and I wonder where it will take them.
For now, his story is captured and will be transcribed for church historians and for future generations. We will learn from the incredible stories he’s told us this week of his experiences establishing the first branches in his province, of civil unrest and fleeing for their safety instead of accepting a mission call, of helping his people with farming and water projects, and with his calls to serve as a District President, then a Stake President. Nothing in his life unfolded in the way he expected or planned. His manner of life, his works and his faith teach me that a consecrated life is a blessed life, planned or unexpected.
I’m grateful to be here now, during these interesting times, surrounded by people I find lovely, fascinating, strong and good. These blog posts are an attempt to share this world and these friends with you.
Here are a few pictures of our time spent with Pres Binene this week, recording his history.
Joseph’s 27 November 1832 Letter to William W. Phelps can be found here:
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-to-william-w-phelps-27-november-1832/1#historical-intro
We went out to pay some mission bills today at Cap Sud. They’ve added some very nice handwashing stations outside the mall now. It’s a small free-standing station with sinks on 2 sides and a foot pump for the water. Nice. Some of the doors still have the buckets with spigots and soap. Tissues are used here for hand drying.
Many of the COVID restrictions are being lifted. Stores opened again this week and the curfew at night has been removed. We are still encouraged to wear masks and handwashing stations are outside most stores (or gel pumps). Not many people are wearing masks here. And the streets are full of people coming and going. Vendors and shops are open and busy. Normal life here has resumed. We hope the borders will open soon and we hope the worst is over. It hasn’t been bad here like in other countries.
This week we topped 5 million COVID cases worldwide. Here are yesterday’s stats:
Coronavirus Cases: 5,105,897
Deaths: 330,003
Recovered: 2,035,432
USA: 1,593,039, Deaths: 94,941
Utah: 7,874, Deaths: 92
Ivory Coast: 2,231, Deaths: 29
Mali: 931, Deaths: 55
To celebrate being out, we had lunch at Burger King! We’ve visit Burger King here about once a month for a taste of home. It’s better than you can even imagine. Oh my, it’s so so good.
It feels worth every penny, and then I think, wow, that could have paid for 2 chickens for 2 families and I wonder if it was.
These are the sights and sounds we wake up to every morning. Cheerful and lively. Especially the roosters, starting at the crack of dawn.
This morning Pres Binene met with those who will be training our 7 new missionaries. These missionaries are especially selected to be the best possible role models for these new missionaries. They are missionaries who are obedient, experienced, kind and they are wonderful teachers.
Then this afternoon, our new missionaries returned to meet their trainers and to receive more orientation. What an outstanding group!
Today 7 new missionaries arrived at the Mission Office to begin their missions! They are all local Ivorians and have been temporarily assigned to our mission. These Elders and Sister have been called to serve in Kenya, Nigeria, the DRC and Ghana. Once the borders are open again, they will move on to their permanent assignments. We hope it won’t be too much longer, but we’re really happy to have these missionaries with us now. They are happy and excited to be here. The hour of their mission is come (D&C 31:3).
Pres and Sis Binene met with them most of the day in an orientation meeting.
These missionaries have been attending virtual MTCs at their local stake centers. The training is 6 hours every day online. For some it was in a small group with a projector in a class room. For others, they were the only student and they worked with a laptop. These 7 missionaries met in 4 different stake centers. The MTC experience lasts 6 weeks for the French speakers and 9 weeks for those learning English (those going to Ghana and Nigeria).
Today we saw the very first new Missionary Handbooks here in this mission. This Elder was the only one to receive them by mail. We are all still waiting. Soon missionaries will have access to them in the new smartphones.
Tonight the Elders stayed at the old AP apartment nearby. We picked up chicken for them and sent them home with a bag of rice for dinner and some eggs for breakfast. Sis Yapo stayed with some local Sisters. Tomorrow they’ll meet their trainers.
Our Cote d’Ivoire Abidjan East and Bamako, Mali Mission 