Frantic February-Part 4

February just kept on going.

The week started out sadly as we prepared to say goodbye to the Hatches. They finished their mission on Friday after spending the week training their replacements. We're so sad to lose this wonderful office couple from New Mexico.  They have served magnificently for 18 months without any French.  He owns a landscape business and is a former bull rider in the rodeo.  He was our “cowboy accountant” and she was our little "office cheerleader."  Everyone loved them and it was so hard to see them go. Our office staff worked wonderfully together and had a good time doing it.

Pascal, Hatches, Jamesons and Thierry in staff meeting.

Hatches were inspirational in many ways, but their coming on their mission is the most inspirational thing they did.  They felt the promptings to serve a mission at age 48. They couldn't leave their business and have it be OK when they got home, although they had enough money saved for a mission. So, in counsel with their children, they determined that one son would drop out of college and run the business for 9 months. Then another young son would do the same for the next 9 months, returning to school as their parents arrived home. The Hatches took over the business again the week that they arrived home.  They plan to work and save and return to the mission field when possible. What a fine example of faith, sacrifice and service we see in this great family. 

Staggs, Jamesons, Binghams and Hatches

We had all three couples over for a farewell dinner and testimony meeting Monday evening.  Very tender expressions were shared.  We get so close to these senior couples. It's hard to see them go!

The next day we had visitors again when Bishop H. David Burton and his executive secretary, Gary Porter came to Kinshasa. Bishop Burton was amazing. He flew in on Tuesday night. Feb. 21, 2012 and left on Thursday. He never stopped working for even five minutes and he had really done his homework.  He knew about every concern and need before we talked about it.  He even greeted the Staggs, our PEF couple, by asking them how they were doing since their auto accident, which happened the week before. He explained his vision for a pilot training program being done in Kinshasa to train skilled construction workers. They'll be taught a skill, work as construction apprentices, beginning with baptismal fonts and moving to chapels. In this way, they'll become qualified for jobs in the private sector.  It's a wonderful idea and we hope it will contribute to a better life for those who struggle with unemployment.   He was also here to look at possible temple sites.

Tuesday evening the new office couple, the Smiths, also arrived from Utah. Could we pack any more into this week?  They were both divorced and were married four years ago this April 15, quite an interesting date for a tax man.  They're our mission newlyweds! 

All the couples went to the airport to welcome them.  Then the couples took over getting taking care of them for their first few days, since we had more company on the way. They will be a fine addition to our staff. They're competence and willingness to do what's asked of them and do it right, will bless us all. Glad to have them on our team.

Wednesday morning Brent and I went to the airport to pick up the Renlunds. While Bishop Burton stayed in a hotel, the Renlunds stayed  with us.  We consider them very dear friends, as well as inspired leaders and mentors. We enjoy being together as much as possible.  From the airport we drove to the church where Bishop Burton was holding some meetings. Then we all went into the chapel for a devotional with  church employees and couple missionaries. Bishop Burton announced the appointment of the new Director of Temporal Affairs in Johannesburg. Making this announcement from Kinshasa was a bold step on Bishop Burton's part. Nothing has before been announced from here and the staff worked hard to put things in place to telecast the announcement to South Africa and it worked.  It gave some much needed positive strokes to the service center in Kinshasa. The new director is George Bonnet, who we have met on several occasions and had to dinner in the mission home a couple of times  His family will move to Johannesburg and he will direct all temporal affairs issues for the entire Southeast Africa Area. He speaks French, which is a serious plus. We have great confidence in him.  He'll make some changes to make temporal affairs run smoothly. 

Wednesday evening Bishop Burton, Brother Porter, and the Renlunds came to our home  for dinner,  Elder Renlund wanted Brent to give Bishop Burton his perspective of the needs in temporal affairs.  He was very gracious to listen intently and proposed some real solutions that will take a few months to implement.    Having two general authorities in our home was  a treat.  In our conversation we discovered that  Gary Porter and Brent have a common ancestor.  Interestingly, he also has a grandson named Jameson.  

 Thursday we held a sisters conference in our home for all 28 African sister missionaries, plus the four senior sister missionaries who live in Kinshasa.  We missed those sisters who live in the outlying areas.

 The young sisters arrived early for breakfast and the conference ended at about 1:30. We played  games, Sister Stagg taught a class on conducting music. Then Jackie, who works for us, spoke about African women's health issues.  Several young sisters gave talks, and each district of young sisters sang a hymn.

Sister Renlund, Brent  and I gave instruction. Sister Renlund, Sister Hatch and I wore African dresses, to the delight of the missionaries. I think it turned out to be a good experience for the sisters and they enjoyed a little special "girl time."

Thursday evening we gave the Renlunds the choice of dinner out or a quiet soup and salad supper and conversation  at  home.  It took Pres. Renlund just one second to choose what Brent would have chosen—soup at home.  From the very beginning, two years ago, he and Brent have just clicked.  I think that Brent and Elder Renlund are very much alike. Time with the Renlunds is always a pleasure and a great learning experience for us.

 Friday we drove the Renlunds to the airport.  We made eight trips down this difficult road  this week. 

 While negotiating the horrible,  heavy traffic this time, we were stopped,  for no reason, by two policemen.  One stood in front of the car so we couldn't go anywhere while the other harassed Brent, asking  to see our documents.  Brent showed him what he asked for by putting it against the window, but refused to roll the window down.  Brent  finally motioned for the one in front of the car to come look at his license and when he moved slightly to the side Brent took off.  What could they do on foot?  The Renlunds were quite amused.  They’ve seen it all before. Driving is always one of the wild experiences in the Congo.

What a frantic, but fantastic February it's been!.