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.

October 16 - 22, 2017 - Transfers & New Missionaries, Ruashi Stake Created

October 17 - a part of the bricked ditch is caved in

 October 18 - Departure dinner for two missionaries, Elder Ata and Elder Ebombe

President Shumard, Elder Egombe, Elder Ata, Sister Shumard

 October 19
Elder Bleak found this bird nest and one egg in the middle of the road. He moved it to the side in case the mother came back to her baby.

 Elder Peterson and I went with President and Sister Shumard to a new missionary apartment out in the Cinq Ans area. This man was coming by, his bicycle loaded down.

 Four new missionaries arrived today--more coming tomorrow.

 October 19 - More new arrivals.

 October 20 morning walk

 The three missionaries who arrived yesterday, but were at the clinic when the other picture was taken.

This morning was training for all the new missionaries. We went with Elder Lephoyo  to find rides for two new Elders. One Elder is traveling to Kasumbalesa and the other is traveling to Kipushi to their first area. We parked on the busy "bundle market" road. There is no shoulder on the road so we were actually parked in the lane. Vehicles were passing us. Elder Peterson was out of the truck standing at the back; I was sitting inside watching people pass by.

 A taxi willing to go to Kasumbalesa was secured. The driver was going to wait until he had another passenger before leaving.

I only caught the back of this car loaded with live chickens.

We just had a CRAZY!!!!!!!!TRANSFER WEEK. 2 Departing missionaries dinner on Tuesday and left Wednesday, 4 new missionaries arrived Wednesday (were expecting 12), the other 8 arrived on Thursday. 3 of the group were foreign so had to go to the Lab etc. etc. Training for all 12 on Friday here at the mission home. Then getting 3 to the bus for Likasi & Kolwezi, 1 to a transport going to Kasumbalesa and another one to Kipushi.  In all that President had a flat tire on the van.......

 October 21 - On our walk into a new area Sister Bleak joined children who were jumping rope.

 October 22 - The Lubumbashi Stake is being divided today; the Ruashi Stake is created. Elder Mark Palmer from the Area Presidency was presiding at the special conference.

Elders Kande, Kaleka, Kalala, & Tshimanga

Sister Essombo-Monze and Sister Ngongara

 Love to see the interesting hairstyles of the African women and girls

 After conference Elder Palmer listens as the choir sings postlude music.

Sister Walo and Sister Razafindranaivomanana

 A sister from the Nyashi 2 Ward with Sister Peterson.

Sister Walo, Sister Peterson, Sister Razafindranaivomanana

 Patient Musangu, who runs the Distribution Center here with his wife and two children.

Love her hair!!

Darling forever family!!

During English class this afternoon I showed "The Testaments" movie. Samuel and Daniel (Daniel studies with Sister Bleak) both accepted English Books of Mormon today. I gave Samuel a copy in French also in case he had trouble with some English words. Hopefully they both will read and learn of the truths contained in that book.