Elder Mutombo, president of the Africa Central Area, Ministers to the Saints in Bangui, Central African Republic.

For over a decade, the Saints of Bangui had not been visited by a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were delighted and pleasantly surprised when Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, president of the Africa Central Area, visited them. He was accompanied by Elder Ndinga, an Area Seventy responsible for the country, Brother Victor Mbengue, the mission advisor, and Sister Claudine Isekusu, the Area Communication and Publishing Director.

This four-day mission, from November 20 to 23, aimed to express the love of the Area Presidency and reassure the Saints that they are not forgotten. Elder Mutombo conveyed greetings from President Nelson and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, concluding with, "We love you and pray for you."

During the visit, several meetings took place:

• Meeting with the branch presidency: Branch President LingaBozongba Didier, First Counselor Ngarsouma Ghislain Cyrille, Second Counselor Ouassere Maximin, and Branch Executive Secretary Nzengue Jean-Claude.
• Meeting with Youth and Young Single Adults.
• Government meeting with the Minister of Territorial Administration, in charge of churches and associations, represented by his cabinet director.
• Meeting with Reverend Nicolas Ngrekoyamen, head of the center.
• Meeting with the spouses of the branch presidency.

Elder Mutombo assured the Saints, "I will not forget you, I carry you in my heart; this is the first but not the last time."

He encouraged them to focus on the teachings of Jesus Christ, emphasizing,

 "Love your neighbor as yourself. Those who understand this truth will shape the world. It is your common aspirations that will bring about the change you desire in this country."