This year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints burst forth with Light the World campaign in Kenya, beginning with a worldwide day of service on December 1, 2018. This year’s “Light the World” campaign features four weekly themes and videos—light the world, light your community, light your family, and light your faith, demonstrating the belief Christ is the Light of the World.
This will mark the third consecutive year for the Light the World event, which encourages members of the Church and others worldwide to do simple acts of service throughout the holiday season. This year’s Light the World theme—Give as He Gave, is based on President Nelson’s call to minister in new and holier ways. The emphasis is not so much about asking ‘How can I serve’ but ‘whom can I serve?’.
There are endless possibilities for offering service to the community and the Church members volunteer throughout the year. They use designated Helping Hands yellow shirts or vests to identify themselves. On December 1, 2018, approximately 75 members and friends gathered at Upperhill Chapel to stuff donations into gift bags to take to Kenyatta National Hospital, just a short walk in the rain from the meeting point.
The gift bags were handed out to the children in the Cancer Ward and mums of the children. Other volunteers gave blood for the blood-bank. The Young Single Adults, YSA, supported the day of service along with missionaries and families, taking the gift bags to brighten the day of those confined to a bed, or hospital room. The children especially liked the books, toys and cuddly blankets.
Three different media sources asked the CCPAD, Coordinating Council Public Affairs Director, Evelyn Jepkemei, to take time to give them an interview and she explained the Church’s Christmas Initiative to serve and give as Jesus did. Other volunteers were interviewed as well. The smiles came easily on faces of those who participated. And recipients were pleased with the many donated gifts, such as diapers, cuddle blankets, color books and fresh fruit.