We stopped to get some things at the small provision shop down the street from the mission home. Kids had turned box straps into a game. They had to jump over the straps in turn. The kids on the end kept raising the straps to see who could jump the highest.
They are all pals.
Richard Carlos and his wife, Zainab, had a baby last month. They said they would name their baby Marlene if it was a girl and Michael if it was a boy. His name is Michael and they blessed him today.
This little guy came walking into church in search of a friend. It found an elder and was very happy with him. It spent some time in his pocket where it fell asleep. But missionaries can't have pets so he had to go on his way after meetings
We had nothing big scheduled at the office today and we had no vehicle so we decided to walk from the mission home to the office, down the side of the mountain. We knew generally where to go but asked directions on our way. We got one bum steer but found someone else who redirected us. There are trails and shacks everywhere but everyone was happy to guide us. Half way down the mountain we met a gentleman and he helped Marlene down the steep spots. I paid him 10,000 leones (about $2.50) for guiding us and he gave me a big hug. The trip took an hour and a half.
When we took a picture along the way, everyone wanted their picture taken. This gang was no exception.
It was a beautiful mountain trail ... a little muddy and slippery because of the rain.
Mud shack with a zinc roof. Corrugated tin is called zinc.
The little girl had been crying so she looks pretty sad. Cats are uncommon.
We liked this rocky stream.
She said: "How de day?" "Fine" is de answer.
Cute kids along the trail.
A princess in her fancy gown. Flip-flops instead of glass slippers. Much more practical here.
Moving the guard shack at the new mission home.
Freetown Zone conference 4 July 13
We were quietly finishing our supper of potato soup and cornbread when we saw a shadow passing the doorway to our living room. When it passed again we got up to investigate. Good thing Marlene put extra garlic in the soup ... it was a bat. We opened the hallway door and a window and tried to chase him out. He wasn't having any of it. We could hear the guards outside laughing at us. He circled and swooped as we kept trying to herd him out. Every time he landed for a rest we went after him again. He finally flew out into the hall and we closed the doors behind him. I opened the outside door but he went upstairs instead and circled around in front of the president's door. We opened the balcony door and kept up our attack. Marlene had a broom and I had a wicker fan. I swatted him a couple of times and he seemed to be getting tired when he finally went out on the balcony. I closed the door behind him. The guards said "It's a bat!" Yessir, they were right.
Rainy day at the mission office.
This snail was bigger than Marlene's hand.
He tried to escape up a wall but he moved at a snail's pace.
