They tell me that there are two LDS Church buildings in Lumbumbashi. I found one of them right next to the brewery where they make the beer. I went to meetings on Sunday, which was a very interesting experience. One that I think I will always remember. When I arrived, I was greeted by a young man named "Andy" that could speak English quite well. There were very few that could speak English. I'm sure I looked out of place, being the only lightskinned person in the whole building, but I felt quite comfortable and they were very gracious. They asked me to stand up and introduce myself and tell them why I was there. Then the Bishop asked Andy to sit next to me and translate for all three meetings. It was really interresting. Prior to the last meeting (Sacrament Meeting) the Bishopric member conducting asked me (through Andy) if I would give the opening prayer. I really wanted to say no, but I remembered that had decided long ago to not say no to anything the Bishopric asked me to do. So I told him I would, but it would have to be in English or Spanish. They asked me to say it in English. I'm not sure why they wanted someone to say the prayer in a language that hardly any of them understood. I guess I reminded them of visiting authories from Salt Lake City or something. Anyway, I 
really did not enjoy the extra attention. The meeting was very good. I could understand quite a bit of the French that was spoken. Then this older lady got up and started speaking and I didn't understand anything she said. Any later explained that she was speaking Swahili. Everyone knows Swahili and French and at least one other tribal language.I asked about the Church in Lubumbashi. Thay have about 5,000 members. There are two Stakes and I think they said 15 wards. The people are very freindly and welcoming. They all dressed in their Sunday best. Most all of the men had white shirts and ties, some in suits. The women all wore very colorful dresses. It was a great experience to hear them bear testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel and how grateful they are to be members of the Church and have the restored gospel in their lives.
4 comments:
Interesting. Brother Thompson blessed his baby today and his brother in law came, he's African American. When I read your comment about you being the only light skinned person it made me reflect on how he was the only dark skinned person. I suppose you understand better now how it feels to be in that position.
when the wind blows does the roof fall down?
love Kylie;)
(She's referring to the huts in a previous blog--Val.)
I don't know. I never saw the wind blow very hard.
The church building looks a lot bigger than I thought they would have there. I bet going to that meeting was kind of a trip. 5,000 members seems like so many, pretty awesome.
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