We're Safe!

Sister Bishop tells me that I need to let anyone that has been following Kenya's election results and subsequent riots that we are doing fine here. President Taylor had encouraged all missionaries to lay up a few stores in case things went south after the elections so we were prepared for what appears to be happening. We were up country to a wedding Saturday when riots were starting here in Nairobi but by the time we got back to town the traffic was the lightest we had seen ever as all we really passed in the down town area were army and police vehicles. Thursday's election results were not released until last evening (Sunday) when the challenger declared himself the winner and hours later the incumbent had himself sworn in for another 5 years. After the swearing in President Kibaki declared today as a national holiday and has since imposed a media blackout so we really have no feel for what is going on outside the compound. This morning's news paper showed burning vehicles and houses in the heavily populated areas but those are all some distance from here. It only reported two deaths because of yesterday's violence. Because we live just a short distance from the President's Compound there is always a fairly strong security presence in our neighborhood. The rioting is focused in those areas where there are a lot of people or down town near the government buildings and electoral commission. All of those places are at least a couple of kms from our residence.

The wedding on Saturday was another new experience. We had neglected to recharge the camera battery so didn't get many stills before it died but President Simon had asked me to borrow a video camera and we got most of the ceremony on it. It was definitely a blend of cultures. The ceremony itself was right out of the Church Handbook of Instructions but there were a few processions and chants thrown in that could only be described as African. A couple of the young women did a rap style chant with the chorus of take it to the temple. It is our hope that we can get a group of people from the 3 braches to Johannesburg to the Temple during 2008. We had ordered the cake from a bakery here in Nairobi then it bounced up the hills with us so looked a little bedraggled but Sister Bishop worked her magic and it looked pretty good for the ceremony. The couple cut it and had a small piece then went around and gave a small piece to all the attendees. This was before they had their feast of rice, chicken, and goat stew. We had to excuse ourselves before they got into the feast because of the security alerts we kept getting on the cell phone we knew it was critical that we get home before dark. The office couple, Elder & Sister Steinmetz from Idaho Falls, went with us and their company was certainly appreciated. An interesting side note is that we found that Sister Steinmetz had been a missionary companion to Sister Cliffie Johnson when they both served in Italy as Sister Missionaries some 48 years ago.

Our plans for a new year celebration are playing games and watching videos with the other couples in the compound here. We increased in number this week as the Lukes from Green River, Utah arrived to replace the Sudweeks as Public Affairs Specialists. We look on this as kind of a landmark as this is the last couple that will leave Kenya before us in 18 months. Turns out that one doesn't have to volunteer for 23 months to ensure that they will be called on a foreign mission as we are currently the only couple here called for more than 18 months. It is not unusual for a couple to request an extension when nearing the end provided it does not exceed the 23 month limit. It is hard to believe that we have been here for 5 months already.

Time could really slow down though if we have to stay in the compound for too many days however. The slower schedule has been a welcome relief for a couple of days but now Sister Bishop is working on a "Honey Do List". Just vacumed and bug sprayed our bed as she thinks we might be sharing it with some bed bugs. Since I know she is definitely more palatable than Elder Bishop I am taking her word for it. We got introduced to a new delicacy this last week. The Apple Mango tastes to me kind of like a combination peach and apricot. Barb encouraged me to get the blender I have been desiring since our arrival here and I can vouch that these mangos make a very tasty shake. I also used some of them to make chocalate chip bread yesterday. We couldn't find any chocalate chips so I diced a very big Cadbury bar. Didn't turn out quite the same but I really got to craving some of the goodies we have always enjoyed during the holidays.

We hope this finds everyone home safe from their Holiday Travels and that 2008 is a great year for all.