Weekly Update 5-6-08

A little late again this week. The car quit on us coming home last Friday so we needed towed in. Any of the extra fleet vehicles were tied up as there were visitors from other missions here for some area training of some kind (it was above our pay grade so I am not sure what all it entailed). We had already coordinated for the Assistants to go to church with us to conduct a baptismal interview so we used their vehicle Sunday then I spent Monday morning securing alternate transportation for ourselves. I was going to send the update Monday evening after FHE but then "the kidney stone fairy" paid me a visit and I just didn't get it done. Thanks to a loving nurse/companion and a blessing from two other Elders in the compound with us here we were still able to make it to Kilili yesterday. The ole plumbing was back in operation but just a little tender. It was a good learning moment for me as I came to understand that just being here serving does not mean I don't have to follow the program if I want the blessings. I had went to the Lord on my own but the relief from pain didn't come until I shucked the macho attitude and had Sister Bishop call the other couples for a blessing. Relief came rather rapidly after that and we got enough rest so that we were able to still spend the 6 hours on the road to support those great saints in Kilili on Tuesday.

The interview in Ilima went well so we will be seeing another new member there. His name is Benson and he is 14 years old. His father is dead and he lives with his grandmother while his mom works here in Nairobi. He was out of school for their April break so we were able to meet with him on weekdays and Sundays to complete the lessons. His mother had encouraged him to listen to us but I am still not sure if she is a member or not so we are waiting to see if she wants to come home to witness his baptism. His grandmother is not a member but his aunt is a real stalwart in the branch there.

We were able to make it to Mother Teresa's Sisters of Charity and visit Mwende after working at St, Mary's last week and what a difference they have made in her life. She even hummed a song for us and they had put a frilly dress on her and she really looked great. She might have even put on a little weight but it is obvious that being around other people all the time has certainly added a new dimension to her life.

President Taylor has a "couples conference" scheduled for this weekend and then the other couples are heading to Tanzania for a week long safari. We have opted not to go on the safari as we have pretty well seen most of the animals they will be seeing and we don't want to spend the money or take the time away from our temple classes as they all have to walk so far and the change of schedule doesn't always compute even though we announce it. Sure don't want them to show up and wonder where we are and then try and get their trust so they will make the walk again next week. I am sure that any animals they see in Tanzania will not be any different from what we saw in the Masai Mara last August. We do want to make the trip to the Johannesburg Temple with the Kilunga saints when they go so am hoping our show of dedication will be considered when we request permission to travel out of our mission for that purpose. We are planning on taking a couple of days of R&R when my folks come visiting next month. We are planning on spending some time at the Nairobi wildlife park, giraffe farm, and elephant orphanage with them as these are things we have wanted to see but just haven't done yet.

Well the new day is fast approaching and I must run as we need to try and retrieve our vehicle from the shop today after our work at the pharmacy at St. Mary's. The replacement vehicle we are using is not 4 wheel drive and the rainy season has impacted the roads to Ilima and Kyambeke to the point that I am not sure we would make it in the loaner. Also Sister Bishop has a little house cleaning on today's schedule as the Stutz are staying with us while they are in town for the conference.