October 8, 2011

Yes you can tell we must be settling in or getting into a routine as I have been quite lax writing in the journal.

This week I have been having Primary Auxiliary meeting with each branch. It has been wonderful and discouraging. The three big problems they are working on is extreme over-crowding, parenting expecting the brothers and sisters to take the babies to Primary, and then reverence. I had them write a “Plan for Improvement”

Some little ones after the Primary Program at Mitini

And we discussed many things. They seem to have a hard time with problem solving, but we set some goals or baby steps.

At Ilima (high up on the mountain) the sisters seem to have the hardest time with English and I am working on Kykomba but nowhere near enough. While I was sharing with them, 3 of the 5 sisters almost synchronized opened their shirts and started to nurse their little ones. Inside my head I was laughing so hard but I kept a straight face and continued, trying hard to ignore the slurping sounds. I just have to add one more thing so I won’t forget it when I come home. I was trying to tell them see how we could improve the seating in the little primary room with 115 children. I finally actually took them to the room and started moving the chairs around. Finally Rose looked at me and said smiling, “Oh a new system” Who knew that was the word I should have used. Anyway she was pleased and I was relieved. Oh they are sweet women.

Lindsey had surgery on Thursday. Addy is watching her children at our home in Plain city, with Alyson’s assistance. Angela and Emilee are helping over the weekend. We love how they seem to take care of each other and that makes us happy. It has been so helpful to have e-mail and G-chat so we could know that all went well.

I was able to get my hair cut today, the first time in Africa. I was pretty nervous, but I had been checking out some places and asking questions to see where was a good place. All the couple sisters said it is a gamble no matter where you go. Most of the hairdressers don’t know how to do Malunga’s hair. A Malunga is a white person. One lady does the shampoo and massages of the neck and then puts you in another chair for a cut. She then offered me tea or coffee and I said just water so she brought me the usual here in Africa a luke-warm glass. The cute lady that cut it was so fast and really classy. She told me that soon I needed a color, as my roots were bad. So I’ll be saving up for that. I think I’m actually pretty happy with it.

Bruce has gone on a walk, he is homesick and I think he just wanted to be emotional without up-setting me. He really has been so much better. Missions really do have their highs and lows. That is what makes it service and we are happy to be serving our Heavenly Father who loves each of his children no matter where they live or their circumstances.

This is how a lot of the people transport their animals to market.