Elder Cook Bids Farewell to Kenya 

Africa Southeast Area President Carl B. Cook presided over his last District Conference in Kenya. Elder and Sister Cook were in the Kilungu District of the Kenya Nairobi Mission with Mission President Gary C. Hicken this past weekend.  It will be Elder Cook’s last district conference before assuming his new assignment in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States.  Members of the Kilungu District gathered in the Kyambeke Chapel for the conference.

President Onesmus Kaunange, the district president, conducted the Sunday session in the beautiful terraced mountains of the Kilungu Hills.  Speakers for conference included a returned missionary and a newly called missionary.  The Saturday session encouraged the members to prepare for the Temple.  President Cook encouraged members “to make a significant sacrifice in your life to attend the temple.”   He reviewed with the members the sacrifice of the early saints in Ohio and likened it to their need to do the same.

Speaking at the Sunday session of conference Elder Cook mentioned again that the “future of the Church is in Africa”.  The church is growing at a rapid rate in most African countries. He mentioned how the members have a great responsibility in preparing themselves to help this growth continue.  Other speakers included Sister Lynette Cook, who spoke of preparing one’s self to attend the temple.  Mission President Gary C. Hicken spoke in all sessions of the conference.  His topics included family and temple attendance and how important it is to keep the commandments and enduring to the end.  He mentioned how the Kilungu District is doing so well in having it's own members training each other.  President Kaunange the district president encouraged the members to help re-activate those who were not in attendance.  He recounted the story of someone reaching out and helping him come back to fellowship in the Church and partake of the goodness of the gospel.

Leaders were very impressed with the preparation and talent of the wonderful choir that had provided such beautiful music for the conference.  Elder Cook bid farewell to the Saints in Kilungu District as this will be the last time he and President Hicken will attend a conference in the Hills.  Both these leaders will soon be released from their current assignments and return to the United States.