LAST Weekly Update 6-22-09

Well one last time it is early morning in Nairobi and I am trying to put to words some very special experiences. This last week has been a whirl wind of bitter/sweet experiences. Each of our visits up-country were a memorable experience this week. Tuesday in Kilili we spent a little time with our LDS English and keyboard and were then to support one last RS Enrichment Activity which in reality became a farewell party. President Makiti took some time off from his school and several of the other priesthood brethren appeared. There were a few short thoughts, some great gifts, a bite (chipatas and soda pop) then we struggled through some final farewells. Thursday at Kyambeke was a joint activity with the new Mitini Branch. Each auxillary presented a few thoughts, testimonies from 3 super converts, gifts and a traditional dance outside, and then some refreshments. President Onesmus had asked us to bring some fruit cordial, paloney, bread with peanut butter and jam (I guess we have corrupted them with the introduction of those last items). We brought Michael back with us so he could work on passport documents and security clearance as he wants to leave for the Mission Field in September which is his first anniversary of church membership. Friday we stopped in Mitini to leave a few needed supplies for the new branch and then bounced on up to Ilima. Sister Bishop worked with her keyboard class while I had a few priesthood brethren come in to assist with a disciplinary council so we could meet the desires of a great mama who had been excommunicated several years ago. We were back to Ilima for Branch Conference yesterday which saw a couple of the new converts there called as a branch councilor, clerk, and councilors in the RS, YW, and Primary. They asked us both to share a few thoughts during the course of the meeting and it was a struggle to contain the emotions. There were a few more gifts and farewells after that then the President Taylor (we rode up and back with them) wanted to see the other side of the Ilima Hill to assess the potential for splitting that branch. It was fairly late when we got home last evening but what a great day.

Since today is our final wakeup in Nairobi we are both up a little early this morning. The President conducted our exit interviews enroute home from Ilima but we still have a full day ahead of us. We did a lot of sorting whenever we were home last week but there is a bunch of packing to accomplish yet. We also need to get to the embassy to close out the mail service there and then clear a bunch of items up at the service center. The Flinders have invited us for supper this evening. We will then have our final FHE and then bum a ride to the airport to begin our journey home. We are scheduled to touch down in Boise at 9:15 pm Tuesday but that still computes to over 30 hours of air travel as we chase the sun west over a date line and through several time zones. We have short lay over's in London and Los Angeles. Our kids tell us they will all meet us at the airport so that could be a bit of a crowd but we are sure looking forward to seeing all our descendents (not the least of which are those 4 grandchildren that have been born since our departure). We have a 10:00 am appointment on Wednesday to meet with President Harrison for our Mission Release. Bishop McDonald has agreed to let us report our mission this Sunday which will take place in the chapel at 1985 N. Blackcat Rd. with the service beginning at 10:20 am. The reality of these impending events have not really hit home yet as we struggled with the numerous goodbyes here.

Even with the hectic pace this week the travel hours have afforded the opportunity to reflect a little over the last 23 months and there is a plethora of life enriching experiences to consider. Initial musings have been attempts to quantify in some way the last 2 years and I will close with a few of those today.
Drove in excess of 100,000 kms with the majority done in very trying conditions.
Several scrapes and minor repairs to our vehicle with only 1 major collision. We got stuck once and only 2 flat tires.
I made over 800 sandwiches to support our travel and consumed half of those. Mine were usually ham & cheese with avocado while my companion opted for ham & avocado.
Our gifts this last week include 1 Muzee Stick (that's a cane for wise old men) and woven carrying bag for me, 6 different woven shopping bags and 5 kangas for Sis. B, and 1 live chicken (we graciously returned the bird and asked them to think of us as they dined on it).
We were involved in 4 funerals and one wedding.
We got to help create 1 new branch and each of the buildings are over flowing. They reported 185 in attendance at the new Mitini Branch yesterday.
Eleven missionaries are now serving or awaiting their report date to the MTC. Four others are actively preparing to submit their missionary papers.
There have been 4 trips to the Johannesburg Temple with 58 people.
We have been blessed to support and participate in 163 convert baptisms and there are 5 more cleared to enter the waters on 4 July.
We have associated with countless fellow missionaries that have strengthened us with support, encouragement, and examples. We hope to maintain our association with each of them in some way.
There are several hundred new African friends who are indelibly imprinted in our memories that we might not see again in this life but look forward to visiting with in the next.

God be with You till we meet again,
Elder & Sister Bishop