The harsh desert country has provided such fertile soil for the growth of the Church in Namibia that it's not uncommon to have more than 100 percent attendance at sacrament meetings, since more people attend than the number of members on record.

Namibia, previously known as South West Africa, officially was granted independence from South Africa on March 20, 1990. It had been ruled by South Africa since the close of World War I.Elder Richard P. Lindsay of the Seventy and president of the Africa Area has commented on visits to Namibia that the country possesses a peace that isn't found anywhere else in Africa. A few weeks before independence, four elders and one couple from the South Africa Cape Town Mission started to proselyte in Windhoek, the capital city. At that time, there were fewer than 20 members in the whole country.

Convert baptisms are growing steadily, with about seven people joining the Church each month. Branches have been formed in Windhoek and in Rehoboth, about 50 miles to the south, and about 100 people attend meetings in the two branches each Sunday.

Retention of new converts has been high. "It has been a real inspiration to see the retention of virtually every soul," said Elder A. Eugene Hilton, who is serving a mission in Windhoek with his wife, Ruth. He is president of the Namibia District of the South Africa Cape Town Mission.

Converts come from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.

The faith of a 14-year-old boy helped Eve Kazembe and her family decide to join the Church. She is a citizen of Zambia, who transferred with her company to Namibia. She met a pair of missionaries while visiting a friend who had recently joined the Church.

Later, she learned that Tolex Chipawa, the son of another friend, was about to undergo open heart surgery. She told her friend about the Church and asked if she would like the missionaries to give her son a blessing. Although the friend felt the elders "were a little young," she consented.

Eventually, Tolex was taken to Cape Town for the operation. His recovery was miraculous. When he returned to Windhoek, he told his family and friends that the elders' blessing "was more powerful than all the medicine the doctors gave me."

Eve Kazembe continued learning from the missionaries, received a copy of the Book of Mormon and soon returned to Zambia for a time.

When she returned to Namibia, she spend a Sunday morning walking in the rain to Church. She approached the missionaries and asked what she needed to do to become a member of the Church. A few weeks later, on Feb. 2, 1991, she was baptized, along with her three children.

Sister Kazembe attributes her conversion to the spirit of young Tolex and his strong faith. Tolex and his parents were baptized Sept. 8.

Sister Kazembe is now a counselor in the branch Relief Society presidency.

Another convert is Michael Sabisa, who is a father of seven children. He said that after he joined the Church in November 1990, his life changed for the better.

"I enjoy having family home evening because it's a good opportunity to study the scriptures as a family," he said. "Having the priesthood in our home also strengthens our family."

Brother Sabisa has been active in missionary work. As a truck driver, he spends a lot of time on the road. He has given out many copies of the Book of Mormon on his route.

His most rewarding experience occurred in May when he baptized his wife, Mavis. All their children over the age of 8 had already been baptized, but she wanted to make sure that baptism was the right decision for her.

"I was so overjoyed that day that I can't explain the feeling," Brother Sabisa said.

Church leaders are pleased with the success they see taking place in the lives of converts in Namibia.

A few months after the first anniversary of the Church in Namibia, the first convert attended the temple in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Maureen Britz said she felt at home in the temple. "While I was inside, I didn't care what was happening in the world," she said. "I felt very peaceful and relaxed."

People from other nations living in Namibia have been invaluable to the growth of the Church here. They provide needed leadership and help in training new members.

David Crandall and his family moved to Windhoek just before Namibia became independent and lived here until this past August, when they returned to England, where he is studying at Oxford. Brother Crandall spent 31/2 years studying the Himba people in the northern part of the country. As a social anthropologist, he is working on his doctorate.

He served a mission to Germany; his wife, Michelle, was a missionary in Quebec. They were married in 1986.

"What is needed in Africa," said Brother Crandall, "is training and teaching. Our members are eager to learn more and accept responsibility, but they need to be trained.

"More couples are needed who can teach seminary, institute, and other non-Sunday classes."

Before the Crandalls left Namibia, Andres Van Der Merwe moved into the branch. He will help fill a leadership role in the growing branch for the few months he will be living here.

Missionaries serving in Namibia are helping build not only the Church but also the communities in which they live. Full-time missionaries worldwide have been urged to find ways to get involved in the community. The elders in Namibia are assistant Scoutmasters to local troops. For a couple of hours on Friday evenings, ties are exchanged for Scout neckerchiefs as they work with local troops.

Missionaries who have participated report that their experience has been very positive. Since the Scouts are just a few years younger than the missionaries, the elders feel they can relate well to them.

Also, many of the missionaries were Eagle Scouts and are able to pass on skills.

In the German-speaking Windhoek 7 Troop, the Scouts are divided into three groups. The missionaries take two groups, teaching skills required for the survival and technician badges. The Scoutmaster takes the other boys.

The project has been able to promote the Church in a favorable light. For example, while visiting the Scout office, one missionary started talking with Cecilia Barlow, the national secretary. She was impressed as she learned about the Church's huge sponsorship of Scouting.

"People are always looking for different youth programs for their children," said Mrs. Barlow.

The missionaries' presence in Namibia helps bring together many people of different walks of life. South Africa Cape Town Mission Pres. Blaine L. Hudson referred to the Savior's commission that the gospel be taken to all nations.

"Windhoek is all nations in one place," Pres. Hudson said. "It is a gathering place for people of many nations and cultures. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a catalyst that brings a special love and unity. The contrasts of desert and mountain, sand and sea, rich and poor are the backdrop for proselyting in a new nation. Growth is coming because friend tells friend, and family welcomes family in a sharing way."