Eric Odida and I spent two wonderful days in Naivasha with Elder Nelson Mutahi, his wife Elizabeth.  They were forced to leave their home in Sotik during the violence following the last elections in Kenya. Nelson testified about the wonderful hand of the Lord over his family during those terrible days when they had to take refuge in the police station in Sotik.  When the shooting started, they had to leave their home without food, blankets, or water, and only what they could carry in their hands for their children.  He testified how God provided water and milk each day.  One day, when one of the children asked for andazi (a fried pastry), Nelson went out to see if he could find some.  All the shops had been looted, and there were none to be had. On his return to the police station, he helped a lady carry a load of packages to her home.  When she arrived, she opened one of the packages, and gave him a whole bag of mandazi (the plural of andazi). A year later, when Nelson was able to return to his house, he found that nothing had been taken. To his knowledge, his was the only house not looted of everything valuable.  The family now resides in Naivasha, where they have been totally isolated from the church.  Friday, Nelson invited several acquaintances into his home for Eric and I to visit.  One young man who works in the prison there was very attentive.  He went home and told his wife about what was being said.  They brought their family to visit on Saturday, and we spent the majority of the day talking about the scriptures. We were scheduled to return to Narobi on Saturday night, but decided to stay over so that we could take Joel and Nelson to church in Nairobi on Sunday morning. I did the Sunday School class, and then preached, and then we had a baby blessing.  At about 2:00, we went back to the Odida's for a wonderful dinner, and then sent Joel and Nelson back to Naivasha. It sounds like the two families are planning to meet together on a regular basis. Please pray for them.  In the evening, I had the opportunity to go out with James Yogo and David Omollo, both of whom are Priests, to visit with the saints of the Jacaranga branch.  I gave a class on the kingdom of God in David's home, with seven of the members, asked a blessing on another home, and visited with James' wife, Ruth, at her vegetable stand.
Today we are going to head upcountry to Nyamabagege, where Elder Michael Onyego, the soapstone carver, lives. We are just waiting for the insurance company to deliver the insurance for Eric's car.  It expired two days ago, while we were in Naivasha.  Had we been stopped at any of the police check points on our way back to Nairobi, there would have been a big fine, and probably jail time, as Eric and I did not have enough money between us to pay. Thank you, Lord!
Please pray for the new little group in Naivasha, and all the saints.
Ron Smith

Ron Smith goes to Kenya

I am currently working in Kenya, East Africa. I arrived in Nairobi Wednesday night.  I am traveling with Eric Odida to Naivasha today to meet with a group of people who have not yet heard the Restored Gospel.  The plan is to meet with them for two days, and then return to Nairobi for Sunday services, after which we will go to Western Kenya to meet with a number of groups, both old and new.  We would appreciate your prayers.
Ron Smith

Seventy Missionary Family Reunion!

We are now halfway through the week at the Missionary Family Reunion sponsored by the Restoration Seventy at the Graceland University campus in Lamoni, Iowa.  The theme is "Be Ye One – Coming Together – United in Jesus Christ". 

Daily themes are "Becoming One Through….Forgiveness, Humility, Study, Prayer, and Teaching".  The adult classes have so far enjoyed the teaching of Seventies Patrick McKay, Ron Smith and Dan Norman. General thoughts of how we, as Restoration saints, can work together in bringing forward the gospel of Christ through our relationships with others has been shared through classes and testimonies throughout each day.

There are several afternoon classes that are offered this week as well. Children's Music for Adults, Christian Apologetics and Restoration Philosophy, A "Passover" in Our Day, For the Love of God, The Secret Place-Being Gathered In, and How to Be One. 

Activities for families are very popular as always, but especially since we have a very large and lively group of young children who are a joy to all of us!  The afternoon activities include swimming, animated scripture movies, scavenger hunt, races, a game of Capture the Flag, Frisbee golf, and Friday there will be a waterslide!  Tonight, we will have a time of fellowship after the evening preaching service and share so, me fresh watermelon!

For those who have had the opportunity to be at a reunion in the past… the favorite food of everyone here seems to be the same each year.  ICE CREAM!  You will see just about everyone at one time or another with a large cone full!

Evening preaching services are always a main event at each Seventy reunion, and this year is no exception.  Speakers for the week are Ron Johnson, George Thomas, John Mundy, James Noland, Patrick McKay, and Gary Metzger. 

If you have not been here to share but have the opportunity, come by for a day or evening to be a part of the fellowship and worship with us.  Check in and let the reunion office  know you've come to visit. We'd love to see you!

Urgent Prayer Request for Seventy Doug Patterson

A day of fasting and prayer has been called for Seventy Doug Patterson on May 9, 2012. He has been ill from some unknown infection or disease believed to have been picked up while ministering in Africa. Doug returned from Africa in December 2011, and about a month later started feeling ill, and he has progressively worsened.  So far the medical profession has been unable to determine what is wrong; and are, therefore, unable to treat him with focused treatments. He is now in intensive care and his children have been called in.  Doug will be administered to at 7:15 pm on May 9, 2012.  Below is a message sent out by Seventy Jim McKay to the other Seventy concerning Doug's condition.

Brethren:

I have been requested by sister Joy Muir to notify each of you with the urgent request for our brother Doug Patterson.  Joy was unable to contact any of the Seventy to get this message out.  She left me a message, and we made contact.  Patrick and I are being blessed richly.  We are presently in Ohio and will be giving a presentation on the book of Mormon this afternoon to the Youngstown Restoration Branch, please remember us in your prayers; but most importantly at this moment, please lift our brother Doug up.  He has been taken to the hospital and placed in intensive care.  His children are on their way.  We need divine intervention.

Jim and Patrick McKay

Short Update from Frank Frye in Uganda

Yesterday we had six baptisms and perhaps there will be as many as six more on Saturday.  Must go.  We have a class to teach.

Frank

Seventy Randy Vick's Health

Seventy Randy Vick will fly back to Kyrgyzstan today, March 20th, after surgery in Vienna.  He suffered extended illness that required his transport to other countries for medical care.  Please keep him in your prayers as he continues to serve both his God and country in foreign nations.

Seventies to Minister in Uganda

Seventy Rex Curtis and Seventy Frank Frye leave on Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 for Uganda to minister for two weeks.  Please keep them in your prayers.

Book of Mormon Festival -- March 23-24, 2012

Each Church of the Restoration shares a common belief in the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon. No single group of Latter Day Saints have exclusive or "privileged access" to this record. The Book of Mormon Festival will draw upon a diverse group of individuals with varied backgrounds presenting a wide range of topics. Through linguistics, theology, anthropology as well as cultural, historical and prophetic trajectories of the Book of Mormon the listeners will be offered a new prism through which to view this remarkable record. Each speaker has a testimony of the books divine nature as they have plumbed its depths to uncover its unfolding treasure of riches. This Book of Mormon Festival is meant to enlarge our belief in and appreciation for this book as well as those who embrace it. Click Here for schedule.

Bridge Building Continues with the Church of Jesus Christ - Bickertonites

For the many Saints that gathered during the September visit of our brethren of the Church of Jesus Christ, Bickertonites, there was joy in knowing that there are other branches of the restored gospel that hold fast to the Doctrine of Christ and the Book of Mormon.  Since that visit we were contacted and asked if we would like to be involved in some shared ministry with their mission in Omaha, Nebraska.

 

We traveled on Friday November 18 and were graciously invited to stay in the home of Seventy (Evangelist) Clifton Wells.  Brother and sister (Valarie Wells made us feel right at home.  Two of the brethren from Ohio, Seventy Jon Genaro and Elder Ron Giovannone, flew in late Friday evening to join us in the Wells' home.  Long before the official activities of the weekend would begin, we found ourselves in fellowship and discussion over the work of the kingdom.

 

Saturday morning began with a prayer and fasting service as we gathered with the Saints for united prayer.  After experiencing the spirit of singing that accompanies the Church of Jesus Christ, we knelt as a body and the brethren directing the service led out in prayer.  It was a joy to see the deep spirit of heart felt petitions to our Heavenly Father as nearly everyone present praised God and laid their concern at the throne of His mercy.  After a hearty lunch at the church, we returned to the Wells' home, finding ourselves engaged for several hours, sharing in a round table discussion.  A number of topics were reviewed, demonstrating both our common beliefs as well as areas where a different vantage point demonstrates gaps that we each look forward to one day finding resolved.

 

Saturday's evening activities began with a period of song followed by instruction by brother Patrick on the topic of salvation.  He carefully guided us on a journey through the New Testament demonstrating the multitude of witnesses that affirm the testimony that baptism is essential for salvation.

 

Brother Jim then followed with remarks on the surety of God's word; and clearly defining the difference between the power to forgive, and the power to remit, and its implication of a divinely called ministry.  Each session built upon the word of God, demonstrating the truths revealed in these last days.

 

Following these periods of instruction, we sat and witnessed the serving of the Lord's Supper.  Many aspects of this ordinance are different then we experience, yet we rejoiced to see a spirit of unity, broken heartedness and contrition of spirit, as they remembered the Lord's sacrifice and the covenant into which they each have entered.

Fellowship continued into the late hours of the evening, before retiring for needed rest in preparation for the Lord's Day.

 

We arrived at the church, now more than strangers.  We were greeted with warmth and affection.  God's love does not discriminate. 

In the Church of Jesus Christ, they usually have two of their ministers occupy.  This particular morning both of the local ministers, along with Brother Giovannone, shared the pulpit.  The primary message that Brother Ron (Giovannone) shared was centered on the 14^th chapter of Matthew, verses 20-28.  We were challenged to step out in faith, as was Peter in his desire to come unto the Lord as he stood upon the sea.  Ron shared the personal testimony of his journey from his time as a young boy until his conversion and baptism in his mid twenties.  It was a spirit filled message of hope, and the faithfulness of our Lord as he beckons unto us.

 

Fellowship continued with another church wide meal, giving us time to mingle and share the story of the Reorganization.

 

Some may wonder just where such efforts are going, and that is a fair question.  We live in the days of fulfillment, days when we shall live to see our world change drastically.  It is our testimony that the Lord is opening up doors for healing, and restoration.  Days of preparation when He will mend the breaches that have separated true believers in the latter day evangel and the testimony of the Book of Mormon.  There is a great deal of work to be done, if we, as a people, will be equipped to assist in the actual building of the city of Zion.  There are bridges that need to be constructed in families, in branches, between branches and various organizations that the work may go forward in the power of the Lord.  It is our hope that each Saint will take every available opportunity to become a bridge builder, and not a wall builder. 

May the God of Heaven richly bless us as we go forth to labor.

Seventies Jim and Patrick McKay

Omaha Nebraska Nov. 18-20, 2011

Thanksgiving Message

Seventy Patrick McKay shares a message about the Puritans Thanksgiving and the work of the Lord in bringing them to America (Click Here for message).  Enjoy and give praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Very Interesting Update from Seventy Jim Noland

Seventy Ananda Rao took Ashley and I to several tribal villages and they are in what we would call in a jungle environment.

I will tell you a lot more later, but on Saturday and Sunday we went to a village by the name of Kudikima. There are about 70 members of the "Restored" Church and about 30 members of the CoC church. There is also a number of Catholics, Baptist, etc. There are about 150 people that live in this village.

The main three churches, Restored, CoC and Catholic have very, very loud speakers out in front of their churches and on top of the roof. This is a very small one road village, about, what we would call, 2 city blocks long. The three of them compete to play the loudest music. It becomes unbearable in the evenings and on Sunday morning.

Sunday morning the Restored church had 13 baptisms in a pond at the upper end of the village, then a confirmation service and then a communion service. I will tell you more about those services at another time.

During the communion service, the police came and notified us that the CoC had filed a complaint that there was a missionary from the US and because they, the CoC cannot get visas for missionaries to come to India that I must be here illegally. The police waited until after our service and then demanded that we follow them to the police station, about forty five minutes away.

We asked the Officer, Mr. Behera to ride in our car giving us a chance to have a very nice discussion with him. We arrived at the station and then things got serious as far as asking for my passport, where I was from, why I was here, etc. Serious but on a friendly level.

The officer then left the room and had a discussion with the local, Restoration pastor. We then were told we would have to wait unto the CoC official arrived. We waited for 2 hours without the CoC official arriving. In the mean time, we had a tour of the Police facilities, talked with the officer, found that he has a brother in South Dakota, etc.

He became more friendly and after awhile got a phone call from the CoC and they told him they were dropping the complaint and should let us go. After some more friendly chit chat, we left on very good terms with the officer, telling him that we would let him know any time we would be back in the area.

All of this caused a 3 hour delay for us getting back to Ananda's home and our driver to be delayed for his next appointment. We heard today that the pastors of several villages where we have church's both of the Restoration and CoC were very upset with these charges being brought against us and that they were going to give the CoC official a stern warning never to do this again.

All in all it was quite an experience and shows how evil the CoC has become in trying to stop us in preserving the church."

OUR PRAYERS ARE BEING HEARD! :-)

Update from Jim Noland in India

Everything is going very well. I am flying to Visakhapatnam at 3 in the morning, our time. I do not know when, where or how I will continue to email for the next few days. We are going into the interior, a jungle area with little or no electricity, etc.
We are supposed to visit 27 small groups of members in the villiges. Should be very interesting.

Prayers appreciated!