Weekly Update 12-21-08

Well the week before Christmas was just as busy as I have always remembered them to be but the activities were a little different from the ones I have enjoyed all these years. Besides our normal travels up-country we had training for the Branch Presidents with President Taylor on Wednesday. That meant no time at St. Mary's this week and we brought President Makiti back with us from Kilili on Tuesday. He stayed with us overnight as it is almost impossible for him to get transportation that will get him here by the 10:00 start time. Presidents Simon and Mbondo were here right on schedule which is not a common occurrence so the training was over by a little after 2:00. That allowed my companion just a little shopping time etc. to finish our prep for the week. Thursday and Friday's trips up country were rather normal but then we went back to Kyambeke for their Christmas Party. They had 280 plus people there (their membership is 180). We showed some Videos (Mr. Kreuger's Christmas, Nora's Gift, The Other Wiseman, and the Nativity) then they had the Institute and Seminary Students give some memorized scriptures from the Bible and Book of Mormon on the birth and life of the Savior along with several choir numbers. The highlight for me was their portrayal of the nativity. I have seen none better. Their home made costumes were great and they covered everything from Gabriel's first visits to Mary and Joseph through King Herod's activities that necessitated the flight into Egypt. Of special note was Herod's self styled crown that was about 2 feet high and some sheep that sounded just like the real animals. Our camera's charger went out while we were in Johannesburg and although we have purchased another on-line it has not arrived yet so we were only able to document these activities in our minds and hearts. Then it was time for the goat stew and chipatas and they demanded that we eat first. It makes one feel a little awkward to see the fattest ones there chowing down first. We did eat our token amounts but had to leave shortly thereafter so as to be back home by dark. We weren't going to travel at all this Christmas week but Kilili pushed their Relief Society Party to this Tuesday and wanted us there to document it with a loaner camera. I have also scheduled a trip to Kyambeke on Wednesday as we had promised several school students to help them get prepared for baptism during the school break and the time is getting short. Because the investigators we have been working with there range from adults down to 9 year olds it is very tough to give the individual personalized attention that each might require. I have scheduled to take the Assistants with us on Wednesday to kind of sort out those who are ready to pass the interview and had hoped to have them be able to concentrate on a few that needed a little more help with some of the concepts they need to know for baptism. That might have been in vain though as Pres. Mbondo announced to the big crowd on Saturday that we would be there then and that generally encourages those who are hoping that the English requirements have been relaxed to come and try again. Pretty tough to tell someone they need to wait until another time when they want membership so badly, but I can appreciate what a struggle it is for some of the older folks to master another language as I have given up trying to learn any more than just a real light smattering of Kikamba myself. I do figure if we can both make it to heaven though that we will be able to sit down and have some great discussions on what we were trying to tell each other during our mission to Kenya.

It is going to be a little quiet around here for the next few days as the other couples left on a short Safari to Samburu. They will be back Wednesday. Because of our commitments up-country and our desire to save for a couple more trips to the Temple we opted out of this adventure. We need to pick up a few items here in Nairobi today and hope to be able to pick up some mail at the Embassy but that little joint is just as over run as any post office back home this time of year so not sure how that will work out. Our plan is to stay here in town for Thursday and Friday this week and then venture back up-country to Ilima for church on Sunday.

The 12 Jan Temple Trip is pretty much organized with the exception of securing the South Africa Visas but we wont be able to work on those until after the 1st. We will have the 10 folks from our branches, a family of 4 from Kitale (not one of our branches) and then 3 singles from here in Nairobi. Looking forward to that special opportunity again and hope that now we have a little experience we can make it more special for these first time attendees.

Well the sun is up so I need to get busy doing other things.
Merry CHRISTmas to all. We love and miss you everyone.
Sister & Elder Bishop