Greetings to America once again from Kenya!
We experienced a glorious reunion and dinner today in Church and later for lunch in the home of President Jastus Suschi Obediah. He, like practically all of the leaders here, is a convert and now is the present Stake President of the only stake here in Nairobi. He is also the great man whom Corwin and Peggy knew during their first mission here and who they lined up to help Shelly's family during their visit here in 2003 to distribute gifts to the Kasaroni branch, and to an African village and school, and also to people in the large slum here in Nairobi.
Suschi's story is an amazing one that has been written up in two Church News articles. Peggy and Corwin recommended him for a job which subsequently led to another great job doing rural development, including representing Kenya in many trips around the world. He spent about a week in Houston with Shelly's family awhile ago and speaks about them with great love.
The meal was delicious, prepared by Millicent, Suschi's beautiful wife. They are so proud of their home, their three precious children, and their car, one of only 4 driven by members of the branch to Church today. We talked and laughed for hours and later marveled at the deep humility, but strong convictions and abilities of these choice people. Both filled missions after their conversions and before their marriage. The first church article about Suschi represented him as an example of African convert Priesthood leadership and world traveler responsibilities for his country.
The most recent one talked about his being asked by the Kenyan government and, subsequently the Church, to lead the work to research and find President Obama's family's African and American genealogy! It subsequently was presented to the President Obama, who was very appreciative and happy for it. President Obama's father is from the Luo tribe here in Kenya and his mother is an American. We had met previously with Luo tribe people, who are farmers and fishermen in the Lake Victoria area.
When Shelly and Doran brought our 6 sweet grandchildren here to Kenya three years ago, Suschi took them to the poor little village of Boma way back in the hills where they had a life-changing experience. They had gathered funds and goods from others in Kuwait and America, and I suspect, much from their own resources, to give to African people in need. They would be the last to take credit for their work and charity, and might be a bit upset about us even mentioning it in this writing, but I know their family gave up their own Christmas gifts for it and provided a lot of their other money. Anyway, they provided desks, shoes, and uniforms for over 300 children and roofs for 4 schools.
They also provided wash pans, food, etc for the village and later instruments for a slum band in the terrible slum here in Nairobi that has become quite famous and has made CD's of it's music. During our lunch today, Suschi lovingly related how the village people still subsequently approach white men who drive through the village today, hoping they are the return of “Mr. Doran.”
Lawana and I vividly remember Shelly's family returning from that trip and marveling at their life-changing time in Africa. Now that we are here ourselves, we can more fully relate to that. We were so proud of them then and know they are proud of the small good we are doing here now. The Church teaches that you are the most happy when you serve and that when you are in the service of your fellow man, you are in the service of your God. That certainly has always been the case for us here and other times when we have looked beyond ourselves. We are so grateful for a Gospel and Church that regularly provides callings and opportunities to serve on an ongoing basis, and especially for missions and other unique opportunities like these here in Africa. For myself personally, and from my experience as a Bishop, I know that for many, the desire to serve does not come naturally. So, callings are truly a 
blessing. And, as a person responds to calls, it becomes more natural and the desire to serve within him more strong. And, no matter how hard he serves, he still remains in debt to the wonderful grace and love and blessings of the Lord. What a beautiful plan of salvation the Gospel is and how blessed we all truly are!
Our time here is winding down now. We will be packing up soon after going on safari in the great Maasai Mara for a couple of days . We'll then leave for France for a week and Corwin and Peggy will head back home to Utah. It has been a great time to be here with them, especially working on the measles mission and living among the wonderful people of Africa. It has been a glorious experience, which we will always be grateful for and never forget.
We love you all very much and hope things are going well with all of you. Though very busy, our thoughts and prayers continue with you.
Have a Great Day!
Dick and Lawana
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