Ugandan Saints Journey to the Temple

By Sondra Hansen

Three families from lush, green Jinja, Uganda, the head waters of the Nile River, boarded a plane with small children and meager belongings recently, traveled through the midnight skies of Africa, to arrive in Johannesburg and spend a few precious days at the temple, full well knowing that they may never visit the temple again.

Given the distance of over 2940 kilometers (4620 miles) and their simple lifestyle, the opportunity to attend the temple more than once, in their lifetime, may not be possible for this group of faithful members.

The 24 Saints, coming from Bugembe and Walukaba, in the Jinja District, outside Kampala, Uganda, were accompanied by Marian and Wade Brown, fulltime Ugandan missionaries, and stayed in Patron Housing on the Area Office grounds during the visit.

Some of the adults had only been members for four years, so the commitment was great to visit the House of the Lord. "Their faces were beaming as they arrived early that morning," said Pam Bragge, director of Patron Housing. "Even though they had traveled all night and watched over small children, their joy and eagerness to be here brought tears to my eyes."

Many of these members' homes are small mud huts with thatched roves and austere concrete floors. At night, their beds are often mats laid out on the concrete slab. Food preparation is done over a fire outside, using a large can filled with hot charcoals.

The blessing of using running water from a faucet, hot showers, and sleeping in a bed with sheets and blankets was a luxury for these humble Saints. Many had not cooked on a stove top, so explaining how to use the kitchen appliances at Patron Housing was important for the young, slender mothers. Sister Bragge also demonstrated how a refrigerator could keep their vegetables and meat cold. Many were eager to try out the elevators in Patron Housing, and having electricity in their rooms was a joy and a wonder.

Each Ugandan shook hands with many fulltime missionaries and employees serving at the Area Office, who saw them by the fish pond and gardens, wanting to introduce themselves and smile and be part of a larger body of Latter-day Saints.

The Ugandan visitors spoke English, Luganda and Lusogo, so the temple sessions for endowments, sealings and temple marriage were conducted in English.

During one morning, Shanna Parmley, wife of Elder William W. Parmley of the Seventy, first counselor in the Africa Southeast Area presidency, spoke to the group of young and old, calling them pioneers in Uganda. Sister Parmley told stories of her early English ancestry who came to Utah Valley pulling handcarts, and then drew a parallel with her pioneer ancestry to the Ugandans, telling them that they were early Church pioneers in their land.

Chuylu

Chuylu is a beautiful remote place in Kenya where Kamba is the language spoken. There are about 1,200 members in that area. The Book of Mormon has never been translated into that language, so people who do not speak English can not read the scriptures.
When I met Sister Christine Mbuvi in Chyulu, I was touched deeply by her outstanding accomplishments. Sister Mbuvi decided a few months ago that she wanted to learn to speak and read English. After a very short time and because of intensive work she is able to understand and speak English and she is able to read the scriptures for the first time. When Sister Mbuvi talks about her accomplishments her eyes light up and she radiates joy. She is 38 years old, and the mother of six children. She is the District Primary President and has been a member of the church for 15 years. I asked her why she wanted to learn to read and she said, “I wanted to learn to read so I could understand the Gospel and I wanted to be able to teach my children about Heavenly Father. I knew the Gospel was true by the feelings I had, but I wanted to really understand everything about it.” She speaks Kamba and there is not a Book of Mormon translation in that language. When I asked her what has happened since learning to read she beamed that beautiful smile of hers and said, “I don’t know the meaning of every single word, but I have learned what the promises of the Gospel are for me and for my family. I know that we have many talents that we must share with others. I am so happy.”
Then I met another beautiful African woman by the name of Damaris Muthenya. Sister Muthenya was also radiating a beautiful smile. She is the mother of 3 young children and a branch Primary President. When I asked hear to tell me about herself, she said, “I am Sister Mbuvi’s teacher!!!!” Sister Muthenya has unselfishly given her time to teach others to read. In fact, she has taught 8 sisters to read this past year by using, Ye Shall Have My Word.” I asked her how it felt to be the teacher of Sister Mbuvi and the others and to see the successes these women are having and she said, “it feels wonderful!! Now that they are able to read the scriptures they can share the Gospel with their families and others. I am so happy.” I could feel her joy and great sense of accomplishment as she looked at her student with love and pride.