I am afraid we lost a week. The Stutz showed up last Saturday and stayed through Thursday so we were a little occupied and it just wasn't convenient to get at the internet. We had a Mission Conference with all but the Tanzania folks attending on Tuesday. Rather than cancel out on the Kalili folks we made the trip there on Monday. Elder Parmley of the Area Presidency visited for our conference and the Parmleys and Taylors gave some inspiring council. That evening Elder Parmley and his wife hosted all the couples for a dinner at the Serena Hotel. He expressed gratitude for everyones willingness to serve. He gave us an assignment to talk up missions to other couples when we returned home. He also dispelled a rumor that some 60% of the couples called to Africa turned down their calls. He stated that with the exception of a few who had to decline for health reasons that all accepted this opportunity. We had heard this rumor several times both here and in the MTC and were quite frankly relieved to hear the truth. He did say that the church is only able to fill about half of the requirements they have for senior couples world wide hence the assignment to convince others to submit their mission applications.
Thursday when we were preparing for our trip to Kyambeke the truck refused to start. However the Lukes who are doing Public Affairs were out of town and I was able to borrow their truck for Thursday and Friday. James, the fleet manager, from the Church Service Office brought someone to look at it today and it turns out that the security system had blown a fuse so would not unlock to allow the vehicle to start. It is back in our hands this evening and ready to transport us once more. We will be taking the Assistants with us to Kyambeke and Ilima for baptismal interviews again this Sunday. We are having a bit of a challange in the Kyambeke Branch right now as several members are upset with the Branch President thinking he doesn't do all he can to ensure that they get a steady stream of welfare support. Whenever they approach me for relief I refer tham back to the President but he has requested that I spend some time in Sunday School explaining just how Welfare Funds are used and explaining that there is not a cash reward that is the right of all members. We worked with Elder and Sister Dickman, the Employment Specialists Couple, to present a career workshop there Thursday and Friday and are hoping to see some more efforts at self-reliance there.
Just had a loud clap of thunder and it is starting to rain again. We are seeing more of that each day as we are starting into the long rainy season which is to last through May if the weather is consistent with past performances. Hope we are able to continue our trips up country on a regular basis. Well it is getting late and I need to get some sack time to sustain me in the stress of spending so much time in these traffic conditions. I had to bore a new hole in my belt this week to tighten my pants up but I think it is more a case of my belt stretching rather than a loss of weight. We love the support we receive from all who read these ramblings and remember us in their communcications with the man upstairs. We do encourage any who are able to give positive consideration to submitting their mission papers. There are a multitude of opportunities to serve throughout the world.
Sister and Elder Bishop
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