October 23 - 29, 2017 - Neighborhood Movie, African Wake

October 23 - Woke up with a stiff neck. Must have slept on it wrong. Elder Peterson went walking with Elder & Sister Bleak.

Am heating a wet towel in the microwave and wrapping it around my neck to see if it will help. Using biofreeze and taking anti-inflammatory medicine.

We have our official release date -- January 25, 2018. Three short months left. The Bleaks will be our replacements. No other senior couples coming here so far. We will start training them this week -- a little at a time -- Hopefully they will not feel overwhelmed.

Went to English class. Had helpers closing the gate

 This little girl lives across the street from the church. When she hears our truck, she comes running to wave to us.

 October 26 - Took some things to President & Sister Shumard at the Lubumbashi Stake Center. On the way home got great photos of the Flamboyant tree around the city.

 October 28 - I was finally able to walk with the group in the morning.

Children on their way to school waved at us. Stopped for a photo with us.

Woman selling brooms; carrying them on her head

 More pictures of Ralph and unknown friend.

Remains of the friend across the way

Ralph as the ultimate sacrifice--a bridge.

Not far from where it all started

 Went to visit the Mutombo Family. These children were playing in the courtyard next door. Whirling around so fast it looked like us as children playing on the merry-go-round in the park.

 Took the computer to the Mutombo Family to show them "The Testaments" movie. Neighborhood children congregated to watch it also.

 On our walk back to the church to get our truck we saw these children playing in this broken down transport.

 At the Church, Boniface from the Mampala Ward had already cleaned the Sacrament trays and was washing the tablecloth for the Sacrament table.

 October 29 - At Church

Sandra with her baby

 Sweet little girl that was blessed at the beginning of the month

After church we learned that Sister Sina's husband passed away on Friday. The entire ward walked the short distance to their home to pay respects. The Relief Society sisters were already in the home when we arrived. We sat on the living room sofa and chairs that had been placed outside on the covered front patio with the Priesthood brethren and sang about 10 hymns. The sisters then filed out and we went in to greet Sister Sina. The women of the extended family were seated on blankets against the walls of the large room. Following the Bishop's lead, I went to Sister Sina to shake her hand. When she saw me, she outstretched both her arms. I knelt down in front of her. She embraced me and we both began to cry. All I could say was "Je suis désolé" (I am sorry) and  "Je vous aime" (I love you). We clung to each other for about 30 seconds, then it was time for me to move on so others could greet her. A few of the family members were wailing. It was a very difficult experience.

We home teach Sister Sina and her family. Her husband was not a member. We conversed with him 2 or 3 times when we would visit. After pleasantries, he would go outside when we started talking about the gospel.

On the way home:
 Broken down truck loaded with what looks like sacks of farine--the flour they use to make fufu.

Canopy surrounding this tree to keep the coming rain off the people.

We were back at the Church at 3 p.m. to teach our English class. I showed the movie "The Testaments" to the 4 people in my group. They were not here last week when others saw it.