August 17, 2014 - Shelley

August 17, 2014

It’s been a very busy week – it seems like things are speeding up.  We started our mission thinking, “What am I going to do for 18 WHOLE months?”  This week we’ve been saying, “I hope we can get all of this done in ONLY 18 months!!!”  I guess this is good!

About two weeks ago, there was a big fire during the night that destroyed a market near the Lubumbashi Stake Center.  Actually, the market was a big problem for the church because it was set up by squatters who used the church fence as a backdrop for their businesses.  Anyway, we were called to see if we could lend assistance to those vendors who are now without a place to sell their wares.  We’ve met with church officials and government officials, trying to find a way to help in relocating them.  For most of the 250 vendors, it is a hand-to-mouth life.  The money they make in a day, feeds their family that night.

This shows a very small portion of the debris left from the fire, but you can see the church in the background.  More to come on the progress.

We visited Lubumbashi University.  They have a need of latrines.  It was a real eye-opening experience!  We met some wonderful people who are trying to educate these fine youth without the resources we would totally take for granted on a university level.

These are the latrines for the College of Economics.  I will never, never whine about the bathrooms at USU’s football stadium again!!!  Well, maybe . . .

I thought this was a cute picture from a room in the girls’ dorm.  These shoes are high up on a shelf above the window.

Sister Riendeau and I met again with the Stake Relief Society President and her team who are making maturation kits.  I am teaching them how to make the kit, then they will teach the RS sisters and YW in the wards in their stake.  It was a pretty fun “gab fest” – except that neither S. Riendeau nor I knew what they were chatting about because it was in Swahili.  But it sounded interesting!!!

This gal is a non-member who came along to help – and she was a whiz on this hand-cranked sewing machine!

Clark and I were invited to a wedding reception for a returned missionary that Clark met in Priesthood Meeting one Sunday.  Although we didn’t really know the couple, we went – and we were well-rewarded.  I felt a little bad because I just wore my regular missionary attire, and the gals there were fancy wancy!  The reception was at the Lubumbashi Stake Center.  After the guests were seated, the couple danced into the room following a dance group who kind of sashayed (sp?)  in a double line.  After the couple was seated, a floor show with break dancers and the dance team put on a program.  Soda in bottles and popcorn was served to each guest.  When it was present time, the guests had to dance their way up to the couple with their gifts.  Well, Clark really showed them his moves and everyone clapped.  It was cute!!!

Here’s a fancy couple who sat by us.

This is the newly-married couple.

As I’ve mentioned before, our Sunday church attendance can be a little frustrating because we can’t under-

stand what’s being said.  Well, today, instead of going to Sunday School, I went to Primary.  And I felt at home!!  It was absolutely wonderful!  The class was all of the senior primary – about 30 children.  Their instructor was Solange’s husband (she’s the housekeeper at the mission home).  He has only been a member of the church for a year or so – but he was a FABULOUS teacher!!!  For 45 minutes, he taught a lesson on David and Bathsheba – in French.  The kids were totally engaged and didn’t make a peep!  And the scary thing is, I think I understand almost all of it!!!  

Here’s another cute little Primary face – I just couldn’t get a smile from her, but I love her hair!

Clark and I are almost afraid to say our prayers at night because it feels like Heavenly Father has been listening a little too carefully to us.  This week has been full of promptings and help, mainly through other people, in the most unexpected ways.  We love you all and feel that you are also an answer to our prayers.  Be grateful and have a wonderful week!

    Much love,  Mom/Sister Davis