August 26, 2007

This was definitely a week of ups and downs. We took quite a few informative pictures which I intended to get sent out yesterday but the power went out at 10:00am and was not restored until after midnight. I hope to have time to spend sending them before we leave on the Couples Conference this Thursday. I am thankful that the repairmen stuck with it as it sure made getting ready for church a little easier this morning. We didn't starve during the outage as the couples generally get together for dinner out on Saturday and I cleaned up a little ice cream when we got home so that it wouldn't spoil in case the power didn't come back.

Friday was a conference for all the zones in Kenya under the direction of Elder Koelliker of the Area Authority. Of the 63 missionaries present the native Africans well outnumbered the muzungu (white people) and there was not a thing wrong with their teaching skills or testimonies. Our Heavenly Father certainly has the future well in hand for this land. We just about didn't make it as I was stopped as I followed a line of cars through a red light as two different Senior Elders had advised me to do. The cop jumped in the car and said I was to drive him to the police station so he could arrest me. In answer to his questions as we drove we informed him that we were missionaries from the US who had only been here 2 weeks of our intended 2 years. Upon arriving he informed us that 2 weeks was not very long and that he would forgive me this time. The first thing I wrote in my conference journal was that I will obey all rules and not just mission rules. Some of the others opined that he might have just wanted a ride to the station but he made me a believer.

We just about made our goal of getting to all 3 branches this week. On Tuesday we finally gave up getting someone to ride with us to Kilili and just ventured off with some general directions. We made it but had not coordinated to meet with anyone as we were not sure at what time we would arrive if ever. As we neared the area a Matatu (small 14 passenger van that darts where ever he likes despite surrounding traffic) passed us and a man waved then jumped out and chased us down. Turns out it was the 1st Councilor who had recognized the vehicle and wanted to help however he could. He took us to the president's orchard and we spent some quality time with him and came away with several oranges, tangerines, and 1 papaya that were fresh from his trees.

Thursday we headed back to Kyambeke (pronounced chimbecky) where we had attended services last Sunday. We spent the first hour in an English class they have and are planning on assisting in the instruction beginning the first Thursday in Sep. I then spent some time going over membership and financial records with Pres. Mbondo while Sis. Bishop attended their RS Enrichment Activity. When I emerged an hour later I found her elbow deep in a pan of flour learning to make chipatas ( a thicker doughier version of a taco). They then made some goat stew under conditions that would not pass the muster with the board of health back home. They then offered us some with an overwhelming amount of love and pride. It is a menu that is reserved for special occasions such as Christmas Day. The goat was a little tough but everything had a good flavor.

This morning we arose early so as to make it to Ilima for Sunday Services. The Scotts, the couple serving in Eldoret who were in town for the Zone and Couple's Conference, wanted to go with us as they had heard how spectacular the view was up there. We were within 5 kms of our destination when another one of those Matatus came blasting around a corner in a fairly wide area on our side of the road. I stopped thinking he would swerve back to his side of the road but I don't think he even saw us as he hit us head on without slowing. No one was injured but our little Nissan was pretty well wiped out from the doors forward. He was very apologetic but also smelled of alcohol which did nothing to replace all the radiator fluid that was draining into the road. The Assistants were a few minutes behind us and with their help and Elder Scott's camera we gathered all the pertinent info to defend our situation. He then drove off saying he would meet us at the nearest police station. We thought that was down at Salama on the Mombasa Highway but upon arriving with our vehicle in tow was told that we needed to go back up the mountain to another town. We were able to leave the vehicle there and did finally find the other station. The Mutatu driver had been there and admitted his fault and the Mutatu's owner was also contacted and agreed that his insurance would have to cover the expenses but I still have to get back up there soon with a document that must be purchased in Nairobi but filled out there. In the mean time another Senior Elder had arrived with a contractor he uses that had agreed to hire a tow truck at a much lower rate than a Muzungu could negotiate. Turns out nothing was available so we patched some old ropes together and towed it home with only a few stops for new knots. Tonight our rather crumpled sits at the Nissan dealers and I am going to the local Area finance guru to see if I can't negotiate a little beefier rig for us to make our runs in.

In view of several recent events I feel a need to share my testimony that I know our Heavenly Father is watching over this Bishop clan of ours. There are things that happen in our lives that we don't fully understand but no unhallowed hand will stop God's will. Satan needs to understand that he is just wasting his time and ours because God does keep his promises. We are all alive and struggling through and I am convinced that there are tremendous opportunities for us to help our African brothers and sisters. We love you and pray for your health and development as does our Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. Little Miss Eden is certainly in our thoughts and prayers and we are grateful that she is able to struggle back to good health.