Jane passed away early last Sunday morning but we didn't find out about it until Monday. I spent most of Monday helping get the hospital satisfied so they would release the body. Then had the privelige of witnessing first hand the local version of embalming (it is the custom to watch to ensure that they get get what they pay for and the morgue attendents don't just pocket the money). Don't wish to share the details but it was pretty crude and I am trying to avoid the opportunity of transporting the body next Saturday as I don't think it will do very well on the bumpy roads with what I witnessed in the way of preparation after sitting in their refer for 2 weeks. The challange is trying to keep Edward upbeat and away from his old non Word of Wisdom habits to combat his grief. I met his youngest son on Friday and he appears to be about 11 years old.
On a more positive note we put Stephen on the plane to the MTC in Johannesburg early Thursday. We had brought him back from Kilili with us on Tuesday and went to the Dr.s for 5 immunizations on Wednesday (he will have to finish up the Hep A & B series while in the mission field). We will try and get the other guys here a little earlier now that we know the requirements. Stephen was then set apart Wednesday evening. It was his first plane ride ever and even though we had briefed him pretty well on boarding procedures we watched him through the window after our seperation at the security check point and he was a little lost. Fortunately he was not at all reluctant to ask someone when ever he was confused. We heard that he made it to the MTC okay.
We taught the plan of salvation to Justus and the restoration to Bernard at Kyambeke on Thursday. Had a baptismal service at Ilima yesterday with Benson and Joseph finally making it along with 3 children of record. The new Assistants traveled with us to conduct the interview with Joseph and he did great. Joshua, our future missionary from Ilima, came back with us Friday to serve as a missionary here in Nairobi for 6 weeks because an Elder had been sent back to the states for health reasons. Joshua will finish up 2 Aug. and will then have 3 weeks before he leaves for the MTC on the 25th. He is a great young man and did not hesitate at all to accept the opportunity to help the local missionaries out when we asked him.
The Demars, a couple from Spokaane, finish their mission today which means that there is now only one other couple that has been here longer than us. However, since most of them are only here for 18 months we will still see most of them depart before us.
Weather continues to be a little cold for this area but is still shirt sleave weather for me and Sister Bishop is getting by with a sweater. The locals are sporting coats, scarves and wool hats. A little moisture this week but the roads are still very dusty up country. There was another deviation opened on our route this week but we did get a small chunk of new road back. General Motors kept our vehicle all week so we have been getting by with a gas eating two wheel drive. It is rather gutless and struggles to pull itself up a few of the trickier stretches. I should have known better than to ask them to fix a few of parts that were falling off as it takes them 2 days just to do a normal service. Not sure when we will see our vehicle again. Toying with the idea of just not even having it serviced for these next 11 months so that we don't have to wait on them to do something that Jiffy-Lube would knock out in a few minutes back home but unfortunately reason will probably win out over frustration and we will just endure.
We wish everyone well back home as they enjoy their last few weeks of summer before the new school year. Wish we could be there to party with everyone but we do love spending time with the people here and are trying to reach all the goals we have helped them set before our time here expires.
Elder & Sister Bishop
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