Weekly Update 9-14-08

Last week was even a little more hectic than what we thought it might be. Besides helping Onesmus and Dominic with their mission prep we had a little weather to contend with. Each day we traveled up country we had rain at different locations along the Mombasa Highway but nothing up in the hills yet. Our trip home on Tuesday took 7 1/2 hours as compared to the usual 3. There were several trucks slid off in locations where we were unable to 4 wheel around them and when we did finally make it to Nairobi it was just one big jam. Little things like water puddles become a big problem when buses and matatus just try to blow around everyone and you end up with vehicles 4 abreast on two lane roads.

We did get the boys through all their hurdles for passport application which is the final step before submitting their papers. Dominic had some enlarged glands that required a cat scan and just when we thought we had him all through they called us up country just as we were dropping him at his home and said they needed a couple more tests. After finishing at Ilima we picked him up again and brought him back with us and I spent Saturday morning back at the lab with him. After finishing up there I put him on a bus headed home as we had already made arrangements to take the Assistants to Kyambeke with us on Sunday so would have a truck full. He made it back home by 3 pm and was at church yesterday. I will need to check with the Doc today but I think he is good to go now. Charles obtained his birth certificate last week and Justus got his court affidavit to District HQs so should have his by the 23rd when we have scheduled to bring them in to finish up their passport applications. Once we get them done Judith will be the only other potential missionary before our time expires in June. We do still have a lot of work that needs to be done to prepare the potential temple patrons and that is becoming a major priority now as the December and February dates are fast approaching. They can only get visas to enter South Africa once the temple issues an invitation and that only happens upon our verification that they have both a passport and a recommend and each of those come with their own little stumbling blocks depending on the individuals.

We did have one baptism at Kyambeke yesterday. Michael made it through the interviews but I need to spend a little more time with Joseph and Bonface Makau has volunteered to help him with his confidence of English. Justus and Francis both want to work on a couple of their personal challenges but are anxious to do that within the next month. Michael bore his testimony at the baptism and what a super asset he is going to be. He is 20 years old and is expressing a desire to serve a mission in a years time. He is the young man that heard me say a few words at Jane's funeral and decided we weren't devil worshipers as so many of the natives have been let to believe. He showed up when we came the next Thursday and was just totally blown away that we truly focus on God and his son.

I did get out to the embassy for mail last Monday in between doctor and dentist appointments and was well rewarded with notes from grandchildren and some spice packets that allowed us to enjoy some Taco Soup that evening. We also paused for just a moment on Saturday to note our 39 years of marriage. I brought a bouquet of roses home and we went out with the other couples for dinner that evening. My companion said my lemon meringue pie would have to wait. The kitchen facilities and pantry provisions here are a little more austere than what she is used to but she does a great job of keeping us fed with a rather varied menu.

While in Ilima Friday I did go with John, the Elders Quorum President, to visit his home. He is an hour's walk away on the other side of the hill. There is probably good reason to consider splitting that branch also if we could identify sufficient Melchezdic Priesthood. The Relief Society President lives just near him and there are several other members in the area that just don't make the hike each week. The more I see of the Kulungu Hills the more amazed I become at the population that is packed in on those hillsides. There are numerous small markets located within walking distance of the residents located throughout the hills. They seemingly go on forever and would fall in between the Boise Foothills and their surrounding mountains as far as comparable terrain for height and grade. I am impressed with the effort that must be spent on their part to walk from location to location over the span of their lives. The soil has a lot of clay in it so one can imagine just how slippery the hilly trails become during the rainy seasons. It seems it would be especially troublesome for the many who go barefoot.

Well the day dawn is breaking so I need to get about today's tasks. We do have few of our regular activities that were a little neglected last week that need to be caught up on today.

God bless you all, Elder & Sister Bishop