January 10, 2015 - Shelley

January 10, 2015

It’s rainy season!  As our translator, Steve, would say, “We’re in the muddies!”  Yesterday we took three contractors and a government official who is over water development on a field trip.  We went to neighborhoods

that have been identified as being at the most risk for disease-born illnesses because they lack clean water.  Clark and I visited these same spots a few days ago and there was no problem – but wouldn’t you know it!  When we took the contractors with us, the roads were almost impassable because of the mud the rain had created.  

We are concentrating on water projects for this new year since 60% of the residents here don’t have access to clean water.  We are required to have bids from 3 different contractors (well drillers in this case) for each project.  So we thought we would visit the potential sites with all 3 contractors at once.  It actually worked out fine – it was just messy!  I was the only woman on the trip – with 8 black men and 1 white man (Clark)– so they pampered me quite a bit!

Actually, I love the rainy season so far!  The rain is often accompanied by loud claps of thunder that even rattle the glasses in the cupboard.  And the rain comes down in torrents – then clears up to a sunny day.  At night I think there is nothing quite as peaceful as going to  sleep to the sound of falling rain – no matter what country you are in!

We’ve said so many “good-bye’s” to senior missionaries in the last few months that it was really wonderful this week to say two “hello’s”.  Two senior sisters,

Sister Cook (on the left) and Sister Vance arrived to work in our office.  Janet Cook is from Lehi, but she is originally from Tremonton and was a Bear River Bear!  Heather Vance is from Calgary, Canada, and is a friend of President and Sister Thomas.  They didn’t know each other before they came.  Both are just great gals!

I wanted to introduce a couple of interesting people we have met.   Mbidi

Ilunga (pronounced EM – BEE- DEE) is a church employee who is over Public Relations.  He is just a terrific person and has helped us so much with our projects.  He is shown here with his family.  His wife has such an amazing story.  She is the third of eleven children – but her mother was only pregnant six times.  Sister Ilunga is a twin, there are two other sets of twins, and a set of triplets!!!  In a country that has the highest infant mortality rate IN THE WORLD, the amazing thing is that all of these children survived and are now adults!  Isn’t her outfit beautiful!?!

A few weeks ago we met a man at church.   He is on the left in this

photo.  You can’t really tell how muddy and dilapidated his bike is from this picture – but it’s a wreck!  He lives in a nearby village and gets up at 3:00 a.m. to ride his bike to church.  Most often his wife and 5 children are with him.  He keeps his church clothes in his backpack and changes once he gets there.  The Bishop of this ward told us that this fellow is always the first one there on Sunday.  He is a farmer who has been a member for five years.  I took a picture of his hands compared to Clark’s hands (on the next page) – and of course, the picture doesn’t really do it justice – the difference was pretty startling.  It makes me realize that I have quite a bit of repenting to do when I

reflect on the fact that I live one block from the church at home and have been known to slip in a few minutes late more than once!

Everywhere we go in the outlying neighborhoods, we create a crowd.  This cute gal and her baby were part of a group who came to see why two white people were poking around – more of the crowd is shown below.

This little guy knew just what to do with the rain.  Isn’t he adorable!?!

Well, we’re off to Johannesburg tomorrow for the humanitarian conference.  I’ve been so excited to go!  It’s funny because when we first came to Africa, we spent 10 days in Johannesburg getting trained.  I thought at the time that the city was so scary and different.  There really aren’t many white people.  BUT -  my perspective has definitely changed!  I can’t wait to get to a place where people speak English and – although it is no City Creek – there is a mall!!!!!   I’ve heard rumor that there are actually chocolate chips at the grocery store, so here’s hoping. . . haha

What a sister missionary is SUPPOSED to say is that I’m so anxious to go to the conference and receive more training.  My “natural man” creeps out more often than I want to admit!  But I’m working on it – sometimes. ☺  I do have a wonderful companion!  He continues to be an inspiration to me!  Have a great week!

   Much love,   Mom/Soeur Davis