 |
Cococodji Group
|
7.11.13 Dear Sister Layton,
I am happy you asked me to share my observations about the Relief Society in West Africa. I have recently had some wonderful experiences with the RS sisters in Fidjrosse Branch. We have had a very busy day with 6 missionaries leaving tonight going home to the Congo. Then we have been at the hospital with Precious our office worker, her husband had a stroke. We just got home and it is 10pm. I will write down my thoughts tomorrow after work. Elder Semken and I are going to the Togo Border tomorrow morning. I am excited to share my experiences, it is interesting you asked because recently my journal is full of how proud I am of these wonderful sisters.
Sister Semken
Michelle, this is a picture of the Cococodji Group, last week they had 110 people attend, they are going to be a Branch. Tomorrow we are going to clean the new building they are going to meet in on Sunday, They have been meeting in this apartment that holds about 30 people in the living room , 2 bedrooms and a small kitchen they use for the Primary. They got rained on last week. I wanted to get a picture of the other Branch that we go to. But, we are not going to Fidjrosse Branch this week. This picture gives you an idea of what these dear Sisters are like. I absolutely love their colorful dresses that they wear. They always look nice, even carrying baskets on their heads going to the market with a baby on their backs. (If I even think of having a bad day, I look out my window and I see African women dressed so nicely, walking to the market with about 30 to 50 pounds on their heads. A baby on their back wrapped around with material that usually matches their dress. I snap right out of any kind of a bad mood!) Here are some of my observations about RS in West Africa. Elder Semken and I have gone to the Fidjrosse Branch for about 6 months. We had the great opportunity of teaching a family with the missionaries. Sam speaks only English and Sophia speaks both French and English. They have 2 darling little boys. Sophia is amazing, from the very first lesson she knew the Church was true. She wanted to get married and get baptized. This is a very big problem in Africa, that the Dowery prevents couples from getting married. So, they just live together. With lots of lessons and prayers, Sam and Sophia were married and 1 week later on April 6th they were baptized. I go to RS with Sophia every week, she even taught 2 RS lessons before she was baptized. She has now been called as a teacher in RS. At first the sisters in the Branch were very cool to me and Sophia. I later realized that they don't know each other very well. The RS President is wonderful. She and her councilors started having everyone introduce themselves. Month after month it has been amazing to see their progress. Last week we had a wonderful experience in RS. This is an example of how they serve one another and care for each other. The very well organized teacher started out the lesson by saying, "As African women we work very hard." She taught how to be organized in your home so you can have Peace. She taught about balance of their long hours of work, children, Church callings, and the importance of coming to RS activities once a month to get to know each other. Then they got on the subject of having grown children help with jobs in the home. Florence a sister who left her husband and 3 other wives to become a member of the Church, told the Sisters about her problem. Her 25 year old son does not help around the house. At first she was very mad and upset. Then sisters started giving her suggestions and she just softened and listened. The RS lesson went over about 30 minutes. Afterwards these Sisters hugged each other and there was a wonderful feeling of love and support. Sophia helped so much with the discussion. Another experience about how sisters work with the Priesthood to advance the Kingdom. The Branch President gave a lesson to the Combined RS and Priesthood about Family Home Evening. Our Sunday School teacher said why don't you have the Semken's come and show you how to have FHE. So, after the lesson Florence came up to us and said teach my family a spiritual lesson about how to work. So, that Monday Florence invited us, the missionaries, and Sam and Sophia over for dinner. Florence called up Sophia, (they did not really know each other very well.) She asked Sophia to come and help her to cook dinner. Sophia pitched right in and was so happy to help Florence, Then Florence said if you ever need a babysitter I will help you. We had a wonderful FHE.They are the best of friends now. Florence helped the Branch President get FHE started by being the first one to organize a FHE. Visiting Teaching is not organized yet but they talk every week about going over to each others houses and helping if someone needs help. These Sisters are my heroes, they live in very hard circumstances and they accomplish so much. Dinner was cooked outside just like camping, it was amazing. Every week I am amazed by the lessons that are taught and the faith they have to live the Gospel. Many are preparing to go to the Temple in Ghana in September, and Florence is one of them. These RS women are truly Pioneers today in West Africa. They are truly amazing no complaining and so happy and positive, strong and faithful. They are so willing to learn the principles of the Gospel, for example tithing and then live it and testify of the power that comes from living this principle. We have seen miracles happen in their lives because they have accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Relief Society lessons and activities has strengthen each individual sister and made the whole Branch stronger. Thank you for this opportunity for letting me share these experiences I am with these wonderful sisters in Africa.. It am so grateful to be serving a Mission in Cotonou, Benin Africa.
Love, Soeur Semken
No comments:
Post a Comment