The last weekend in October we were asked to do some training in a small branch across the border in Arusha, Tanzania. It is about a 5 1/2 hour drive south of Nairobi. There we joined another couple, President and Sister Burgener (he is a counselor to President Broadbent in the mission presidency) to do the training. They drove 8 hours north from their residence in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. We really enjoy time with the Burgeners. They visit this branch once a month to provide support to the branch leaders and to the four missionaries that serve the branch.
In this picture we are posing in front of the Arush Bell Tower. It marks the half-way mark between Cairo, Egypt (the northern most part of Africa) and Johannesburg, South Africa (the southern tip of Africa).
This is the Arusha Branch Church building. The two brothers in the picture are the security guard/caretaker and his son. They are responsible for keeping the grounds so beautiful-they take such pride in their work.
Just before our training the missionaries were conducting a baptismal service for this young man named John. Elder Larsen the Zone Leader did the baptism. With John are his father and his sister.
Here Elder Larsen poses with the counselor in the Branch Presidency Elias. He is dressed in his native Maasi apparel because he is going to work right after the training. He is a security guard for a local business.
In striking contrast to the rest of the local buildings is this beautiful modern building The Art Gallery which is part of the Cultural Heritage Center. It is free to the public.
