July 27, 2014 - Shelley

July 27, 2014

Dear Ones,

July, March, and September have the largest number of birthdays in our family.  So we are just winding down this week, with Joshua’s 18th birthday tomorrow.  We are so excited to have another missionary in the family!  He will be leaving the first part of September for McAllen Texas Mission, Spanish speaking.  And he will be WONDERFUL!

And speaking of birthdays, Clark enjoyed all of your special-day wishes!  Our translator, Flavien, took us to lunch at Planet Holly Bum – yes, you heard it right!  Despite the funny name, the food was good and things were very clean.  Flavien has been a total life-saver for us!  He has driven us all around and has been so diplomatic with government officials, church leaders, etc.  We absolutely couldn’t have accomplished anything without him.  He speaks 5 languages!

In the evening we hosted a little birthday dinner.  Left to right:  Sister Riendeau, Sister Anthony, Sister and Brother Atkinson.  The sisters work in the office and Bro. and Sis. Atkinson are here as construction missionaries. They even came bearing birthday gifts:  tuna, potato chips, and chocolate.  They must know him already!!  ☺

We have really enjoyed teaching English to the missionaries.

This next week is transfer week and we are sad to be losing some of our “stars”.  There are a couple of them who have pretty good English skills but several of them sound like I do when I’m speaking French!  TRES MAL!!!!!   If you have ever watched “The African Queen”, you may remember the beginning scene when Katherine Hepburn is playing the organ in her brother’s church in Africa.  They are missionaries.  She plows on through this hymn, singing at the top of her lungs – while the congregation of African church members tries to sing along.  It’s a disaster!  I felt exactly the same way when I was trying to teach a Primary song that none of the missionaries knew – the “Hello Song” (with the echo).  It was hilarious!!!  Clark didn’t know it either, so that made it even worse!  haha

This has been an interesting month in the country because it’s the last month that car owners can register their vehicles for the year.  They have between January and July – then it’s trouble!  Well, all over town, there are police who are stopping cars to check for current registration.  Normally, the police stop cars to try and get bribe money – it’s a big problem.  But this is even more than that.  They have hired on extra help – and traffic has been held up all over town.

The experience is a little different than in the United States.  Above is a policeman, armed with a machine gun, who is putting a pole with spikes on it in front of an oncoming van.  If the driver doesn’t have the proper documents, he will get fined or something – I really don’t know.  I’m pretty sure he won’t get shot, though – haha.  It’s funny because we have seen many cars just turn around right before the spikes and go the other way.  The police are generally on foot, so they can’t follow the escaping cars.  Anyway, we’re glad this month is almost over so the traffic can return to “normal”.  For anyone who has lived here, you know that “normal” is a little bit of a joke!  Haha

As I sat in church today, I was so overwhelmed with awe for the wonderful saints here.  We went to a  ward in one of the newest church buildings here – not exactly like a Utah church building, but definitely a “western” style.  It’s in a very poor neighborhood – ours was the only car in the parking lot.  The neighborhood around it was ALIVE with music from other churches.  Not ten feet away from the Relief Society room was a big church building that was literally rocking with loud music – complete with a band and a pastor with a loud microphone.  Our sweet teacher just went right along with her lesson, as though nothing was out of the ordinary.  The lesson was on tithing.  I know that it’s a difficult topic here.  The discussion was lively, although I didn’t understand a single word in the three hours we were there.  This ward speaks Swahili.  I just kept thinking that it takes so much faith to leave not only the church you have growth up with, but really to leave your culture in many ways.  The church next door sounded like a lot more “fun”, but no one seemed to notice - except me.  I have much to learn.

Well, I know that the message of the restored church is true whether it is in English or Swahili or in any other language.  My testimony has grown, and I have received promptings in ways that I never would have imagined.  Clark and I have both felt your love and support – thank you!  Home doesn’t seem nearly as far away when we get your messages and words of encouragement.  Have a wonderful week!  --Sister Davis/Mom