A Fun Day

Saturday we had leadership training scheduled for 10am. But we had a baptism about that time-- this great young man-- so the training, with typical Kenyan flexibility-- was pushed back about an hour. When the training was over 1pm, we had a quick lunch and went out to the Robari home site.

Bro. Robari was a member who lived in South Africa. He had been a great blessing to his home area, 50km from here-- better roads, an orphanage, work for people. After he joined the church he was vastly blessed and shared those blessing with his village. They had only a church with traditional beliefs, so he introduced gospel principles and built a Zion church for the people.

He passed away unexpectedly and the burial will be held this Saturday. We went to his property to bless the grave site as per the family's request. The missionaries had also been teaching some of the family members and they had invited the missionaries out to introduce the gospel to some of the family there.

We drove for about an hour, then parked at the new Roberi home site. We visited the house built for the burial and the footprint of the new house scheduled to be built. And a prayer was said at the grave site.

Then we started walking.... er... where were we walking? Not far. It seemed like we walked for about an hour-- down the hill, first on the marrum road, then on a "rough road" then on a foot path.

Elder Bakker had fun. He took a basket from the Mama, and was really quite well balanced. Naaman, brother to the late, asked it this was too much walking for Elder Fox, so E. Fox challenged him to a foot race to the upcoming primary school.

E. Fox also carried the basked. But I took a photo just as it slipped off. So this time, he had a little help keeping it on his head.

I really think I could have balanced it, but the wind was blowing SO hard. So sweet Margaret, the lady in pink, helped me with it.

This is the church Bro. Robai built for the people. It's the nicest one I've been in. Padded seats and all. And they are trying to start a radio station there to broadcast wholesome messages to the people. They interviewed Elder Fox while the missionaries were sharing a message of hope.

I visited with Naaman on the way back and didn't walk quite so leisurely, so it seemed to go faster. Of course I could have been hoofing it because of my aversion to night driving. In any case, we met some lovely children along the way. All the people were SO NICE. They just appreciated us coming out. They loved the gospel message. Our hearts go out so such good people who would love to embrace the gospel if it were more available to them.

Again and again we are reminded of Elder Snow's comment that there are villages waiting to be baptized but cannot be because there are not enough Senior Missionary couples out to help them grow properly.

We got back at dusk, but it was a great day!

A Day of Miracles

Today was the day for passports and yellow fever shots.

Passport application needs: The application. ID and copy of ID, birth cert and copy of birth cert. Recommender letter and copy of recommender ID. 2 photos with one signed on the back certifying it’s a likeness of the person. Marriage cert if you’re married… and copy. Passport and copy (If you have an expired one… or if the father has one, his family members need a copy.) Children need birth cert and copy and a recommender letter from the parent and a copy of the parent’s ID… oh, and money. And everyone applying MUST be there in person.

We’d organized everything we could—got letters, signatures, photos, etc. I was a bit stressed about it. Trying to get things organized is like herding cats. And even with the best intentions, life happens here to interfere. Would they show up? Would everyone have all their documents? We knew some still needed a recommender’s signature so we tried to factor time for that.

One mother and children were coming from up country. Each family had to take their children out of school to come, and there was a question about whether they would have exams that day. No exams… they could come. Another was still searching for her birth certificate. (We THOUGHT everyone had theirs before we slotted these families into this trip.) One family had a sick husband. Would he be well enough to come?

The day did not start off promising. I reminded women that all those 15 and over needed to have a pregnancy test. They would not administer the YF shot without it. The Up Country family with 3 girls… didn’t manage to get it done. They were at the hospital early Friday and would be a little delayed.

The Mama searching for her birth certificate 110 km away was waiting for it and might miss the YF “jab”.

I said, “Tell her to get into town. It’s better she have to go back and get the birth certificate than she miss the shot.” You see, the shot cost 2000 shillings individually. However if you buy the 10 dosage vial, it only costs 1000/-per person. BUT—the agent is only good for an hour or so after it’s been opened or mixed or whatever. So all 10—or in this case 20 people needed to be there at the same time.

So we were scheduled to meet the father of the 2 up-school teens (husband to the mama searching for her BC) at the passport office at 10:30. About 11:15 the family of the sick husband arrives sans husband.

He’d left earlier to go to the hospital and was to meet them there. We organized things and processed the wife’s passport. The children needed the father’s signature on a permission form. The agent agreed to let the wife sign… and just then the husband walked in. Oh, but the wife had an expired passport. She needed to go and get photocopies of some of those pages. Another problem was the youngest child didn’t have the recommender signature on the back of the photo. We were waiting for the up-school teens and dad to come because they also needed the recommender signatures on the passport applications.

But the passport office closes between 1-2:30 for lunch and then, on Fridays is only open until 3:30. The up-school teens and dad arrived about 12:00. Elder Fox dashed off to get the recommender form signed and the photo. The passport people really were VERY nice!. they let that family go and pay and then when the photo came, we inserted it in the application. About the same time, the Up-country family arrived with all 5 of their children.

They went to the window. The forms were not fully filled out. They went back and wrote some more. Still there were problems. Time was ticking away. Finally E. Fox got back with the signed passport forms. At about 12:45 the up-school family got to the window. It was too late. They were told to come back at 2:30. The Up Country family got about ½ of their children’s passports processed. By then it was 1pm…. Er we’re supposed to be about 8 km away at the airport for the YF shots. So E. Fox took the two delayed families (about 11 people), stuffed them into the truck, and headed out to the airport for the shots. I waited until the sick father family had their photos taken. YES! They were DONE!

Then I said, “I’ve helped you here. But you have to lead me now. We need to get a tuk tuk and get to the airport.” So we walked a bit and flagged down one and they negotiated for 150/- (I was thinking it would be twice that—and it would have been for a muzungu.) We got there not long after E. Fox and group. We had asked a family planning on going to the temple in August to go and get YF shots to make up the 20 people. They were there. As we pulled up in the tuk tuk, the mama seeking her BC arrived from Busia! What a blessing from God. So we walked in together. WOW! All 20 people there on time… or at least on Kenya “on time”!

They took the people one by one and gave them the “jab”, filled the forms, and made out the yellow fever card. There was a delay as the baby had heat rash. They decided it was okay. The up-school teen had NOT taken a pregnancy test. They called me in and told me she might be pregnant, they didn’t know. I say, “In our church we promise to be morally clean and not have sex before marriage. If she has not had sex, can we be confident she’s not pregnant?” They agreed. And on her assurance, they gave her the shot. I was grateful. Last time they insisted on the test for everyone. Again, it was the Lord’s blessing. By the time all the shots were given it was after 2pm.

E. Fox started ferrying people back to the main road so they could catch transport home or back to the passport office. I learned that the sick dad was released from the hospital for a few hours to come and do this! Wow. Again, a major blessing.

I was in the last group as I was finishing up collecting the YF cards and paying. We installed our family of 7 in the truck and headed to the road. It’s now 2:40. When we reached the main road, the up-school teens and dad were on the roadside… still waiting for transport. It’s such a hassle to pull kids out of school and an expense to bring them back to town. They really needed to get their passports today! So we did something we’d never done before. We took the tarp off the back and had everyone climb in the back of the pickup and drove them into town. (6 in the back and 9 in the cab).

Last time we got passports, they only wanted 1 photo. This time, they said they needed two. So E. Fox had taken a photo of one of the up-school teens who didn’t have two copies. He dropped me off at our favorite photo place. I begged. “Please! Can I have these five minutes ago?” By the time E. Fox dropped off his passengers and returned, I had the photos!

Okay, so by that time they had about 30 minutes to process all these passports. Could it happen? With the Lord’s help, YES! They all got the application submitted, the photos taken and the money paid and we left the office about 4pm.

So we did it! 20 jabs, 13 passports! Can you see the happy dance??? We just have 2 passports and one more YF shot to have all the families complete. I really feel the Lord is blessing this group and that all things will work out for them.

A good day… and I’m exhausted!

Bore Hole Turnover

We call them wells. They call them bore holes. I love the language here. Today we were counseled to "taint" our children with gospel principles. The pejorative nature of words is just different. Just like "infesting" is not bad... it just means lots of.



Anyhow, on Monday Feb 14th we went to Mbita with Elder and Sister G-- of LDS Charities, and Elder and Sister J-- of public affairs, and President Okila, and Charles the contractor. We saw the completed bore hole and the generator they'd installed. (inside the building.)

We went to one of the kiosks where water would be distributed. They had just gotten the generator and people were so excited about water they'd drained the storage tanks. But while we were waiting the water began running again.



People lined up their jerry cans to fill them. The lady in green was most demonstrative of their delight in having water. Kyiyiying and dancing. she was an extrovert and it was fun to watch. She told of going to the lake clogged with hyacinth and having the crocodiles snatch the jerry cans.



These were some of the women waiting for water.





Elder and Sister G. were sent here for 2 months as a gap between full time missionaries. They had recently been released from serving in South Africa as LDS charities missionaries. Their mission extended to close to 6 months as they took many difficult projects and brought them to closure. They finished some large projects in Chulu and I know they were pleased to conclude this project before they turned things over to Elder and Sister T and headed back to the children and the awaiting "grandees."

President Okila, like a majority of Kenyans, had never been on water before, but he was very brave on the hour long ferry ride and seemed more comfortable on the way back. He was a good representative of the church in Kisumu on this trip.

A Marathon

When I get into the flat after Sunday meetings, I feel like I’ve run a marathon. I take deep breaths. I stop and think: have I done everything I’m supposed to? I wash my hands. Collapse in a chair for a moment, and then fix something to eat-- at maybe 2 or 3. Elder Fox usually has his lunch.. or second meal at about 4-5.

So, what do I do? It’s all small things. We’re trying to get a seminary class going, instead of just home study. So today I printed off the students and contact numbers and a sample of how the class should run. I asked a young woman to act as secretary. I went in the last bit of Sunday School class to explain it. We had a flurry of investigators come during Sunday School. So I visited with them, and then, after, encouraged them to come to Relief Society. However a friend had been in an accident and they were going to visit the person at the hospital.

We are preparing families to go to the temple so I printed the recommender letter and wrote on the backs of 13 photos, “I certify that this is an accurate likeness of this person” so that the recommender could sign the letter and the photos. I met with the mothers of the 3 families to confirm they could all gather on Friday at 1 for Yellow Fever shots - and go to the passport office at 10 that day to get passports. I spoke with another family who will need to get yellow fever shots to make up the total of 20 people to get the lower rate. And we talked about how the recommender could sign the passport applications before Friday. And of course, we reminded them about birth certificates and copies, ID’s and copies, Marriage Certificates and copies. And…oops… I need to type up a father’s recommender letter for the children of the three families.

Beatrice ordered a hymn book and I needed to give it to her. Winnie’s husband didn’t come to church today because a member said he needed to be in a white shirt and black pants… and he didn’t have them. He’s not even a member mind you. Argh. It’s so frustrating when people either give out misinformation or information given is misunderstood. Anyhow, Rebecca had brought over some white shirts, so I gave her one. A sister I’d heard about from Kisii came for the first time, so I needed to visit with her. And also Bernard and his wife Helen came from Migori about 20 km north of the Tanzanian border. We’d visited with them yesterday. They didn’t have money for food, so I’d given them some few things from our pantry. I knew they’d need something for the 5 hour journey back home and put some things together for them. Relief Society had planned to do some sewing class on Saturday, but no one showed up, so I showed Bernard, who was a tailor before an accident injured his hand, my idea of hot pads. The women here just grab a bit of paper to hold on to their HOT pans or to move the jiko charcoal stove. They must have burned all feeling off their fingers by now. Anyhow, I showed them a pot holder I made and then included it in the lunch along with the pattern for cloth dolls.

The Primary leaders had come Saturday and scrubbed the walls in the primary room. They are probably 300% better, but still have marks. Then they hung pictures around the room. Looks good! I may see if we can paint that room with a glossy paint that will be easier than flat to get the marks off.

I visited with the Young Men’s first counselor. I hoped they would have a presidency meeting, but the President rushed off and so they were left leaderless again. The counselor didn’t know about the Duty to God program so I ran up and down the steps several times looking for a book and the DVD to explain it. I hope he will review the material and be better prepared to help the young men move toward their goals.

That’s not all, but it’s probably more than anyone wants to know about what happens on a typical Sunday. Oh, and sandwiched in was a good Sacrament meeting, (I was asked to lead the music and some were hymns people hadn’t sung before), a fun youth class I caught a bit of, and a good Relief Society class. And in Sacrament they said approval had been given for a chapel in Kitale, one in Eldoret… and a TEMPLE in the DR Congo!

More Tender Mercies

Thursday Feb 10th we went to Sondu to see the saints there and see a Seminary and Institute class. The teachers were well prepared and the students engaged. We are so impressed with their faithfulness and their continued improvement in understanding and following the Gospel. They are good people and it’s always great to mingle with them.

Friday Elder and Sister F came our way to do audits. Saturday we drove to Busia to do training, do the audit, and hopefully see a seminary class. On the trip there, we got a call from the Mission President’s wife who was in Mombasa. Where were we? When we said on our way to Busia, she practically cried. What a blessing! One of the missionaries there was sick. She’d gotten a call he was coughing blood and having trouble breathing. Could we go and see him? Of course. What a small miracle that instead of having this missionary hours away in trouble—he was only 15 minutes away. While I taught relief society sisters how to hand sew cloth dolls and Elder F did the audit. E. Fox went and saw the missionary and dispensed fatherly advice and peppermint. After the training, we asked the one person who also had asthma if there was a person in town who was capable of helping the missionary. There was. We went back to the missionary, who was now sleeping better, and connected the missionaries with the sister and the doctor. After we left he went and got shots and is now much better. We didn’t get to see the seminary class, as the instructor was at a funeral. Funerals are ubiquitous here.

We have been working to get a second group—this time from Kisumu—to the temple. We decided if there were three families we’d go to the temple with them. That would mean the cost of flying to South Africa, but we’d leave our mission about a week early and fly directly home from South Africa. We thought—Is there anything we could do in a week here that we have not already done? Is there anything we could do here that would be as important as smoothing the way for families going to the temple? No. So we organized and set up and arranged for the Branch President to interview the families and by Friday we realized these families really were going to the temple. That meant we would fly home from Johannesburg.

We had planned on flying into the city where we’d have purchased a missionary car. We thought that would be Tulsa, but there were no cars to be had there. Suddenly we realized before we made our ticket arrangements, we had to know for sure where we could get a car. And the ticket should have been ordered 3 months before we went home. AKKK!

Again, the Lord is merciful. We sent out a plea to children and relatives. Catherine offered cars in Colorado. Steve offered cars in Richmond, VA. We were almost to the point of going to Colorado (cheaper car) when Andy chimed in with cars in Mississippi. That was a done deal when Jonathan offered Des Moines and Sally hinted at Southern California. So we will be flying into Jackson, MS probably around April 23rd. At least that’s the date we sent to the church travel department.

Lest you think it’s a simple thing to buy a car from Kenya, let me assure you… with the help of the Lord and a good son, it actually is! When we wanted to call the mission office of the car, our internet was down. Akk! Fortunately we had purchased a phone here and we “topped it off” with enough minutes to make the calls by phone—about 4cents a minute. Not bad. We figured a way to get the money to Andy. We figured out how to get it insured. And even called our revenue office and they were very helpful in telling us how to get it registered and get plates for it. And we did this all in a few days!

So once we figured out where we were leaving from and where we were arriving at, we asked for the tickets. Now we are waiting for that. We hope to be able to return to focusing on our mission, but everything seems to point to an urgency to tie up loose ends, review what stays or goes, and plan last events. We still have about 2 months—but it seems to be like tomorrow we will be departing.

So now, in spare moments we go through book shelves and drawers to see what we’ll be taking and what will stay. We don’t have a couple replacing us immediately so we need to write an “area book” for when they come, with directions, information, hints and helpful instructions. We need to get our families who are going to the temple passports, yellow fever shots, visas, and so on. We have scheduled a Seminary event for April 9th. And I promised to write up a schedule of events for a youth conference to be held in August. I also have two articles to write, and people to visit, and lessons to teach.

On a lovely note—the terrific heat seems to be dissipating. The weather is cooling and the breeze is nice. However, it’s been so dry some crops have failed and people are hungry. We pray for rain.

Tender Mercies

I love how the Lord takes care of us. As we were driving, Deborah and Rebecca occasionally found it a bit… awesome….terrifying… perhaps of the variety that makes one want to check their wills and insurance policies. There actually is a kind of dance of cars—a give and take—but it is certainly not apparent to the beginner.

On the drive up the escarpment where we had a winding road and were passing slow trucks, Rebecca mentioned that perhaps we were wearing out our guardian angels. We do believe that the Lord will be with us and guardian angels round about us. But she suggested they might be overtaxed.

I wanted to let her know they are still in action. As we drove back from the airport, there was a distinct vibration in the truck. We’d had a problem at higher speeds since December and had asked for the truck to be aligned when it was serviced in January. But the problem was still there. We assumed it hadn't been aligned. Now, however, it was serious vibrations. Still we arrived back at the missionary apartments safe and sound at about 10pm.

The next morning when we went out to pack the truck, the right rear tire was low. As we looked, we saw a patch on the top of the tire that was worn down to the wiring—just that one patch.


We got the tire changed and got a new tire while we were in Nairobi. They said driving over rough roads would do it, or skid braking. But we have anit lock brakes. Rough roads? Ah, those we have. But I wonder if it wasn’t a weak spot in the tire. As we drove home, the vibration we’d had since December was gone.

So the blessings were that the tire didn’t give us a problem until the children were on the airplane and we were in Nairobi. It could have easily have been a blow-out—on the way to the Mara, on the way back, to or from the airport, in the dark. Or wait until we were on the road back to Kisumu. Instead, it was just low enough in the morning that we couldn’t travel. And the problem was sitting there right on the top of the tire, instead of someplace else where we wouldn’t see it. And when we called the “car tzar” he told us where to go to get it fixed and we actually knew the area. And we didn’t have to fork over money for the new tire.

And when we returned home on Sunday we had 115 people at Sacrament Meeting—an increase of about 20 over the attendance of the previous 2 months, and we had about 20 people who are invesigating the church. Primary went well with teachers teaching the classes and children learning and singing the songs. It feels like there is a greater sense of unity and purpose.

Life is good.

Short Week-- Long Blog

We have had a wonderful time with Rebecca, Marian, and Deborah. We are still basking in the afterglow of that enjoyment. We are also exhausted and are catching up on sleep.

Thursday January 27th, as we left to go to Nairobi, we got a last minute email from Ian saying the plane was snowed in and they would not be leaving as scheduled. We left anyway. And it was a good thing. We spent time at the mission office getting more Institute and seminary books, collecting the Liahona magazines for all the members who subscribed here, visiting with President Broadbent, and doing a host of other things. We were staying in a missionary couple’s flat and they were gone, so we had the house to ourselves. I was surprised at how restful that was. We’ve always enjoyed visiting with the couples and getting to know them better, and so I was unsure about staying on our own. It worked out well in that when the kids arrived we had extra beds for them, too.

Friday we went to the Jogoo Market to get a few things. This is an industrial area where they are making clothing on a wholesale level. We bought little dresses for Rebecca’s children for about $2-3 a piece. How could we resist? So we needed one for Sarah as well…. And… Well, we stopped there for now but bought hats for the boys which our visitors used on Safari. Rebecca, Marian, and Deborah straggled through immigration, luggage pickup and customs and emerged about 10pm. We went back to the flat and crashed.

Saturday we were up early and went to the Giraffe Center where Deborah was brave enough to
be kissed by a giraffe.

Then we went off to the Sheldriek Wild Animal Trust—which is the Elephant Orphanage to see the babies frolic in the mud and water. Marian really enjoyed them… even when they got a little mud on her!

Then we headed back to Kisumu. It was a bit of a rush to get home before dark. We stopped to shop at Nakumatt and did get home after dark, ate a quick dinner and sacked out.

Sunday we decided to go to Busia for church since they were having 5 baptisms and needed our baptismal clothing. It was also a chance to take them materials and check on seminary and institute attendance. Rebecca and Deborah learned how Africans carry babies on their backs.

The kids enjoyed stopping at the equator to get their picture taken, and enjoyed church, but the drive was long.

Monday, since they were up early anyway, we went to Dunga Bay to see the lake and the birds. After coming home and breakfasting, we took boda-bodas to the Maasai Market.

The boda-boda riding:

At the small maasai market Deborah and Rebecca indulged in a shopping spree. Marian was great. She had 50 shillings and if it cost more than that, she’d say, I only have 50 shillings. One nice vender gave her a painted soapstone egg. One nice mother gave her a few more shillings to buy something she really wanted.

We had thought of going other places, but it was hot and we came home and rested until it was time to go and visit some families in Manyatta. We visited Joyce and George and his girls, and then went and visited Everlyn and Fred. Marian especially liked playing with the children in the slums. She played with the goats and chickens, and would have gone out after dark if we’d permitted it. Fred’s wife Patricia made some rice and Greengrams (you have to roll the rrrs when you say it.) and everyone enjoyed the food.

Tuesday we went to the fruit and vegetable market first, then went off to visit Ericah in Sabatia. She has a large shamba there and Marian again played with cows, kitties, and a zillion children. We visited the school there and the 340 children were a little intimidating, but half a dozen or so at the shamba were fine.

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We met one of Erikah’s sons who has been reading about the church and changing his ways. We spoke of food storage and having a garden, and he said, “Oh, yes, I read about that in Latter-day Saint Women.” So I believe him when he says he’s been reading church material. I think one day there will be a branch in Sabatia because of Erikah’s example. Here is Marian with some of Erikah's "grandees" or grandchildren and a son.

And here's the group in front of Ericah's house with Ericah and her son... I think his name is Eric.

We came back from Erikah’s in time for us to teach Institute class. The kids rested while we taught, but came up to greet our class members. We then got phone calls. “Why don’t you come see me and bring your family?” Alas, we could not see everyone.

Wednesday we left early for the Mara. It took forever over rough roads, but we arrived in time for a late lunch, a bit of unpacking, and then an afternoon game drive. Ah, we saw many animals—hyenas, lions, cheetahs, zebras, lots of gazelles and DLA’s (deer like animals) This is a topai and below is an Eland, one of the largest DLAs. Note the oxpecker bird on its shoulder.

By the time we showered and had a 7:30 dinner, it was time for bed.

Eleven cubs, five lionesses and three males in this pride.

Thursday we were in the safari vehicle by about 6:30 for our long game drive.

Again we saw amazing animals- a leopard up in a tree with a kill,

cheetahs running across the road in front of us,

Elephants,

giraffes,

cape buffalo, secretary birds and many more. We stopped for breakfast under a tree. Little privacy for our call of nature… but we managed. We went on to see crocodiles and hippos and returned in time for lunch.

Marian was zonked and wasn’t sure she was up to going out again. it was hot and some got sunburned. But by 3:30 Marian was ready to go again. This time we saw many of the same animals, but I was surprised to see so many black backed jackals and

Hyenas.


We went in search of a rhino… and found one! Later I learned there are only 17 rhinos in the Mara!

We decided to forgo the Friday morning game drive in favor of the chance to do some last minute shopping in Nairobi. Good thing. It took us longer to get to Nariobi than we thought. We did managed to get to the Hilton shops and had a grand time there scooping up “essentials” for them to take home. We weren’t sure where we would hang out until the flight but the couple who had invited us to spend the night ended up going out of town to a water project closing and so we invaded their house for a few hours. The kids crashed… and blogged and checked emails. We scarfed down some spaghetti (they said it was okay to eat their food) and some delicious brownies they left for us. I LOVE the missionary couples! And (boo hoo) we took the children to the airport and sent them on their way.

Happy Days!

Rebecca, Deborah and Marian have been visiting. They arrived Friday night, a day late due to snow in Washington DC. We are having a great and a busy time. Indeed, too busy to blog.

But Rebecca has done an excellent job so if you want to see what we've been doing, check out her blog:

whitehouseofchaos.blogspot.com