New meetinghouses foster goodwill
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CHYULU, Kenya — Three new meetinghouses were dedicated in Kenya Nov. 2-3 by Elder Robert C. Oaks of the Seventy and president of the Africa Southeast Area.
Elder Oaks admonished the saints in the Chyulu District, where the meetinghouses were built, to nurture one another as nurturing is at the heart of the gospel. It was his hope that the members could be a beacon to their neighbors as are these buildings.
The dedicatory services were the culmination of events that included open houses at the Darajani, Ivingoni and Nthongoni branches, which are housed in the new buildings. Large numbers of visitors and community leaders came, including Mayor John Mwanzia of nearby Mtito Andei. "I came to investigate the Church because of the bad rumors I have been hearing about the LDS people," he said at the open house. "Today it has been shown to me that the church is centered in Christ."
A local minister said, "To those who speak badly about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I say they are not speaking the truth and that they have no chance in our Father's kingdom and that they should stop their nonsense."
In correspondence to the Church News, Elder Fredrick and Sister Mary Jane Fuller of the Kenya Nairobi Mission said: "These dedications mark a period of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice for the saints in this area. In addition, adversity and even persecution has accompanied this period of growth. Many of the saints were present at the dedications to witness this inspiring occasion.
"A lot has happened over the last 16 years in the Chyulu District. It has grown from its first member in 1986 to nearly 1,300 members today with three beautiful new chapels. The recent dedications exemplify the phenomenal growth of the Church worldwide and here in the bush of Kenya in the far-off Chyulu District between Nairobi and Mombasa."
