Sunday, February 22, 2009

Weekly Update 2-22-09

It's Sunday evening but we leave for another trip to the Johannesburg Temple in the AM so a quick update is in order. Logged a lot of hours and miles this week. Had some good experiences along the way. The Kilili trip on Tuesday was the usual. Got to the embassy for a bunch of valentine treats via the APO on Wednesday plus finished up a few missing items on the last two missionary applications. Still have one hanging fire waiting on a school leaving certificate. Thursday's and Friday's trips up-country were a little protracted as the Randalls (the new employment missionaries) did a workshop in Kyambeke and traveled with us both days. Our events list was a little abbreviated so that many could attend the workshop. I took the assistants with me Saturday to do baptismal interviews and we didn't get back until 7:30 and they were working all the time. We got 22 converts cleared for the baptism we will be holding next Saturday. The branch is also having seven 8 year old children of record so hope we can come up with enough whites and towels to support the event. The young people from the Saturday group I have been working with did great and it was very moving to see their excitement. There are also 15 adults from age 55 on down included in the group and they were just as excited as the teenagers just a little less animated. Unfortunately there were several that need to be a little more diligent in their preparation. There were a couple of the ladies from our English classes that showed up so we need to shift the focus of those English Lessons to some gospel centered topics now. There are 4 of those dear ladies that have been working very hard on the English and I hope we can get them through the interview before the next 4 months are up. We have 2 more weeks of temple prep after our return from Johannesburg so it is pretty much up to the aspirants now to complete their travel documents and we have told them first come first served as far as slots for the 18 May trip. Had another young man from Ilima approach us about assisting him with his mission application so that makes three from that branch we hope to complete before our departure. Stellamaris has her birth certificate so we have Dr./DDS. appointments scheduled for 2 March and will complete her Passport application before taking her back up-country. Working with the young people so closely as of late has sure stirred the desire to spend some time with our own grandchildren. We spend a few minutes each day checking the blogs and e-mail hoping to see a new update. The weather has been warm and dry but all are hoping for a good rainy season to begin here shortly. The country once we leave Nairobi is very brown but there are a lot of wildlife making the most of it. It has increased the number of zebra and wildebeest sightings as we travel but our favorite continues to be those big graceful giraffes. We saw 8 of them and 15 monkeys as we traveled to Kilili for church this morning. Well must throw a few more items in the suitcase and then toss myself in bed. Safe journey. (That is a Kenyan departure wish we get whenever we leave from up-country)

Elder & Sister Bishop

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