While we are all trying to be patient in this waiting, I thought I would share just a little more of the story of Elder Keeng and Elder Omale, as I understand it. I spoke with the father of one of the Elders which was serving with one of these elders when this all happened. Elder Keeng, from Botswana and Elder Omale from Nigeria, were each serving with American companions. One night, the police came to accuse the two African elders and ended up beating them badly. They were taken to a foul smelling, dirty jail. They were accused of "defilement" of a 15 year old girl. The church’s lawyer felt that they were trumped up charges and thought that they would be released. The mission President has declared that they are innocent of the charge. They went through the court system and in August were found guilty and sentenced; one to 7 years and one to 10 years. According to several missionary blogs, they have been leading daily devotionals in prison since that time. Several missionaries have mentioned that President Smith feels buoyed up by them when he goes to visit.
In February, the Accra missionaries got word that Elder Dallin H. Oaks was in Nigeria and he was going to come and meet with many of the Accra missionaries on Tuesday Feb. 22. Unfortunately, the missionaries who live far away were unable to go to this meeting.
Here is a section of my son’s letter as he describes the meeting with Elder Oaks;
Feb. 28, 2011
Tuesday: so Dallin H Oaks, can I say more... So we make it to the meeting and get to our seats. Then we all get up and walk outside in a line. He walked into the building and then we followed by shaking his hand. When we walked back into the room you could feel the spirit. It was really cool. So we sit and Pres Smith gives a testimony and Pres. Cardon, the area authority gave a testimony as well with their wife’s. That started it really good. Then Elder Oaks wife, and then to Dallin H Oaks. So he spoke to us. He taught us that we need to use our time better, and that we need to keep records better. Then he said, “I want to address a problem we have in this mission” (so I said, oh no, in my heart, like what are we doing wrong? I didn’t think anything was going on in the mission.) But then he said he wanted to talk about the elders in jail. He said that we need to have faith and that he is going to say a prayer for them from the pulpit. So we bowed our head and the spirit filled the room. I never felt or heard such a prayer with such power and such directness. He basically said that they judged them unrighteous, and that we know that the Lord has the power to bring down prison walls. And he talked about how Moses brought his children from Egypt.. And the last thing he said is.. You ready for this.. He said “LET MY PEOPLE GO”. It was nuts and a lot were crying. So following that day they had a court case. And the final judgment will be made on the 31 of March. I feel they will get out. So keep them in your prayers ... it’s something that has to be done.
I know that this experience has been a difficult and growing experience for our sons. I’m so grateful that we have faithful families supporting our missionaries from all over the world. Often, as I have prayed for Elder Keeng and Elder Omale, I have felt a connection with saints from everywhere. I have appreciated more the prayer said for missionaries each time we attend the temple. This is the Church of Jesus Christ and I know that He leads us. I am so grateful to have his leaders at the head of our church.
BarbaraFarnes
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