Diminutive, soft-spoken Eleanor Kapsandoy has consistently demonstrated the traits of a devoted mother.
The widowed mother of two is Relief Society president in the Upper Hill Branch and co-director of the Kenyatta Medical Training Center for nurses at the 2,800-bed Kenyatta National Hospital. She is also one of the early members of the Church in Kenya.Her two daughters are strong in the gospel. The older, Sylvia, is a student at Ricks College, and the younger, Seraphine, is a student leader at her college in Nairobi.
Sister Kapsandoy's heart remains close to her maternal instincts, evidence that a righteous mother's influence extends beyond the family circle. She often takes part in community outreach efforts to orphanages, and is rearing a nephew and a niece, 12-year-old twins.
On a recent drive through Nairobi, she pointed out a group of abandoned children left to fend for themselves, and explained that she carries in her car fruit and bread, instead of money, to give the young petitioners. Serving others is part of her understanding of the gospel.
Sister Kapsandoy has served as branch Relief Society president for many years, involved in a learning and teaching process that continues today.
"In our branch, we meet for Sunday meetings where we learn more about the scriptures, to uplift our spiritual needs," she said. "We also have our monthly homemaking meeting where we teach one another skills of cookery, stitchery, food preparation, nutrition and home beautification.
"We also perform compassionate service for our community. We get together as branches, and the district Relief Society president comes with a plan of what we need to implement in the community. We go to the destitute children's homes - the orphanages - and give services - cleaning, and then cook a meal for them."
Literacy efforts in English are also carried on at the branch. "Most of our sisters can read Swahili, the national language. But most of our discussions about the scriptures are in English because the scriptures are in English."
Through the Relief Society, she said, women learn to cook such foods as cakes, and sew clothing items such as aprons or children's clothing, which they sell in small shops for extra income.
"[Latter-day Saint women] are self-reliant. They are taught to stand up and talk with confidence. They are able to organize others in the communities to do things on their own. Women in the community are noticing that LDS women are different, that they are examples of leadership."
It was in 1983 when Sister Kapsandoy first learned about the gospel, during a phone call to Kenya from her husband, Patrick, who was in America. In 1981, he had gone on a government scholarship to New Mexico to study engineering, and during his four-year stay, heard about the restored gospel from Latter-day Saints.
"He kept on calling me on the phone to tell me about his new discoveries and the good things he learned about the Church, and his feelings about the Church," she said. "Then he requested permission to be baptized into the Church.
"That was shocking news to me, because I never thought of changing my religion at all."
She questioned his leaving his studies to investigate a new religion and told him to think about his decision longer. But if he felt strongly enough to change, he had her permission to do so, she said.
About six months later, he called to say he had been baptized. When he returned to Kenya the following year, it was as an ardent convert.
"What impressed me most about my husband was that he was a totally changed person," said Sister Kapsandoy. "He was very nice, loving and understanding. Not wanting to upset anybody, he would not make a decision without us, and he appreciated everybody's feelings about the decision. It was a big change; we had never had such a person before."
Brother Kapsandoy soon contacted the local branch and a missionary couple visited the family and began teaching them about the restored Church. The process of discovery that began with Patrick Kapsandoy continued with his wife, children, a step-daughter, and sister-in-law staying at the home. All but the younger ones were baptized Nov. 24, 1985.
"We were very active, especially our youth. They studied very great things, and attracted other youth."
Although the first branches had been started four years earlier, the Church was experiencing considerable opposition at this time. Missionaries were struggling to register the fledgling Church in Kenya. The youth activity raised the profile of the Church and resulted in government opposition.
"It was a struggle for the Church to get registered," she said. "Some members were arrested, and my husband had to get them released."
Eventually, in 1991, the Church was registered and after that, others began to learn more about the Church, and "there were quite a number of converts."
However, local Church members, including her daughters, continued to experience considerable opposition. "Sylvia was quite strong and able to defend herself." After graduation, she took advantage of an opportunity to attend a Church school, Ricks College.
Seraphine also was challenged at school by opponents of the Church. "She stood firm and never changed. She was made head girl of the school and everyone realized that she was a Mormon girl."
In 1991, the same year that the Church was registered, a tragic automobile accident claimed the life of Brother Kapsandoy.
This loss was deeply felt by the family, but now, looking back, "we realize that he managed to convert us to the Church. That is the greatest gift he ever gave us.
"It was a big trial during that time, but we have become more strong. Never even one day have we regretted that we joined the Church. We feel happy about him because that is what he wanted - us to be happy even when he is not here."
She said that "when I am feeling a bit low, the lives of my daughters uplift me." She and her daughters went to the Johannesburg Temple in 1993 and were sealed as a family.
"We are fortunate people in Africa to have the benefit of the Church. As a family we have been strengthened by the Church. Even during so much stress, we have been able to maintain our family. Our children's faith is stronger, and they have been obedient, especially during adolescence, and for that I feel very grateful."
Sister Kapsandoy's efforts are evidence that indeed, a mother's influence never ends.
