Johnny Lingo -- The Dark Side

People in our lives:

 Frere Aaron:  He has dreams of temples and keys (like Michael Wilcox's story).  He is an artist and is helping us find African art to bring home.

 President Bobo Ephraim: President of the Muya 2 Branch.  He works part-time for the Church in Mbuji-Mayi, knows everyone and moves the works along.  When the young missionary in Mweni-Ditu was arrested because his visa was irregular, Frere Bobo got him out.  When we go to the airport to pick up someone, Frere Bobo gets us into the closest parking lot, without paying the $10 parking fee.

Yves, the young elder awaiting his mission call.  Notice the yellow "helping hands" vest.  Yesterday he washed out 10 yellow, empty peanut oil jugs so we could have a storage of water.   

 

Simba the gardiner.  Last night he helped a friend find the right blood type for a 2 month old baby.  A willing student was found and the blood sold for not 15000 francs but 10000 francs ($11).

Blog: 22 June 2011

Johnny Lingo – The Dark Side

A brother from one of the branches here in Mbuji-Mayi visited yesterday.  Just wanted to talk.  Two years ago his missionary papers were rejected because he was too old (26) but his younger brother is now on a mission in Kinshasa.  He is now a branch missionary and regularly proselytes in a village 30 kilometers from the Muya building.  He says there are 25 members in the village and more who are interested.  When he couldn’t go on a mission, he decided to get married but ran into another roadblock: “la dotation” (dowry).  His future father-in-law (not a member of the Church) wants $400 plus 2 goats for his daughter’s hand.  One of the goats is for a wedding party to be hosted by the future mother-in-law.  Here there is a great desire to get married in the temple, but that is almost impossible due to the great expenses of travel and necessary visas. 

It’s a tradition in the Congo and throughout Africa that husbands have to pay a dowry to the bride’s family.  [It was in one of the #1 Woman Detective Agency books.]  Elder Oaks spoke out against “la dote” on one of his visits here and called upon the Church members to break that tradition.  La Dote keeps LDS young people from marrying.  Other Congolese just live together in common-law relationships.  I counseled the 28-year old to prayerfully speak with his future father-in-law about the advantages of getting married over not getting married.  Maybe the Lord will soften his heart and the hearts of other family members.   Of interest is one of the benefits of the Communist regime in China: the breaking down of traditions.  Chinese women are now treated with a degree of equality.

The promise of Alma 24:14 seems appropriate for the Saints in Mbuji-Mayi.  How else will they be able to stand?

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye many know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

I spoke to a brother in one of the branches last Sunday.  He has 12 children with one presently on a mission.  His salary with a government job is $50 per month.  The brother who led the investigator class discussion in Sunday School is one of the 2 returned missionaries in Mbuji-Mayi.  He’s been home for 2 years and hasn’t yet found employment.  He asked if I had employment for him at my home.  I don’t know how these families live. 

Ann shared the following with two of our visitors: the Book of Mormon as a type of Christ. The brother who has dreams was moved to tears.  Our future missionary, recently converted from Islam, took furious notes.

Book of Mormon, a Type of Christ

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The Book of Mormon bore witness of its own divinity by the manner it came forth. 

*The Book of Mormon - Typifies of Christ

A. Book of Mormon   A'. Jesus Christ

A.  Coming forth declared by an angel

B.  Came to restore in time of apostasy

C.  Ushered in a new dispensation

D.  Laid away in a stone receptacle

E.  Taken from receptacle by Joseph Smith /Joseph of Aramathea

F.  Came forth after stone rolled away

G.  Angel oversees coming forth

H.  First one to see plates (Joseph Smith) forbidden to touch

    First one to see Christ (Mary) forbidden to touch

I.  Gold (most precious metal) never loses its brightness

I.  Christ (most precious being) never loses His brightness

J.  Attested to by twelve witnesses

K.  The Word of God

L.  Teaches fullness of Gospel

M.  Keystone of our religion

     Cornerstone of the Church

N.  Speaks again after coming forth from the ground or  

     grave (Moroni 10:27)

O.  Received by the poor and meek (Isaiah 29:18)

P.  Opens spiritual eyes and ears (Isaiah 29:18)

    (Matthew 13:16-17)

Q.  Brings understanding and doctrine (Isaiah 29:24)

R.  Taken away to be revealed again

S.  To return again to reveal all things (2 Nephi 27:11) (D&C 101:32)

T.  Causes children of Jacob to sanctity the Holy One of Jacob (Isaiah 29:23)

     Christ is the Holy One of Jacob (2 Nephi 25:29)

*Notes from Brother Norman’s class

The mission president arrives tomorrow with 2 Area Seventies.  They will travel to Laputa to organize a stake.  Despite the burdens and difficulties here, the Lord has His eyes on these Congo Saints. 

Elder and Sister Moore