Weekly Update 4-2-08

Monday came and went without the opportunity for an update so I am up early today to try and catch up before this day begins (it's 4 in the morning right now). Lots of rain everywhere this week which has the effect of extending our days and adding interest to our travels. South Africa (the Area Offices are there) wanted some additional information on the 3 missionary packets we helped with so Julius came back from Kilili with us and we spent Monday in the doc and dentist office. I also spent some additional time stuck in traffic while trying to get some services accomplished on our trusty vehicle. We got a new "bull bar" on the pickup last Saturday which is a lot bigger and heavier than the one that vibrated off so many times it had become ineffective. The other senior Elders were rather taken with it but I simply told them that I am building my own tank one part at a time (remember Johnny Cash's song on building a cadillac) so that the driving skills of the native Kenyans will be no problem in our daily travels.

We enjoyed our 3rd and final RS Birthday dinner for this year with the Ilima Branch last Friday. It was complete with rice, stew, goat, chipattas, and they even killed 1 chicken and presented us with the thighs. We got out of there a little late and then hit some special traffic jams back in town which ended up being a 12 hour day. Then again yesterday was 11 so the weather and driving conditions could just be a special challenge for the next little while. The Assistants went to Kilili with us Sunday to interview baptism candidates and we ended up with 11 successful new members. We held the baptism after Sunday Services there in their portable font located in the rented halls courtyard. It had really been pouring rain just prior but the sun came out and it was a good setting for such a great event. It is no fun having to tell people who desire baptism so badly that they need to work on their English a little more before that can happen. We still have 5 people there in that category but two of the older ladies were to our class yesterday determined to do what they need to do to join their friends in the church. I have great hopes that we can get them there soon.

We taught our 1st Temple Prep Class yesterday and half of them indicated they had sat through the lessons at least twice before. We are hoping that this time will be a little different as I told them we already have a reservation for 20 people in the temple patron housing in Johannesburg for the 1st thru the 6th of December of this year. We then we gave them the applications for obtaining a birth certificate to begin their long road of the passport application process. We then spent a little time introducing pedigree charts so they can identify ancestors who are waiting for them to get to the temple. Finally we closed by telling them that we had been away from the temple too long ourselves so we are going whether they were ready or not but sure hoped they would join us. I'm hoping that we will have to schedule one or two more dates to accommodate them all. My secret fear is that we might be that last full time couple assigned to these branches so we need to have them fired up and ready to carry on by themselves with a little guidance from the Mission President. The President hasn't confirmed that but I know he is trying to open a couple of other areas and the resources he has assigned are limited.

Well today promises to be a long one as we have our work at the hospital pharmacy this morning followed by a appreciation luncheon at an Indian Restraunt across town put on by a local contractor who does a lot of work on the LDS Charities projects throughout the providence. We have some more materials that we need to get copied at the Mission Home in preparation for the other two branches yet this week and also need to pick up the semi annual batch of cleaning supplies for the custodians at our branches. I also need to get a jump on our weekend errands so that Saturday can be devoted to getting our taxes done. Not sure who I fear the most, Sister Bishop or the IRS, but it doesn't matter as they both think it is time to quit putting that dreaded event off.

Thanks for the notes and prayers we receive. We really thrive on those and they really do help. We got a special bonus this week of short notes from many of the Ten Mile Ward Primary Youth back home and they were much appreciated. Elder & Sister Bishop