Hello Family and friends:
This week was even more uneventful than last week. And I thought last week was bad. About the only interesting experience that happened this week was “the phone” incident. The process at work used a lot of water to transport trona around to various parts of the operation so it is not unusual to get drenched occasionally. There was a guy that told me during the week that his cell phone had been soaked in one of his drenching and was no longer working. He had talked to his supervisor and asked to have it replaced but he hadn’t heard anything. So he wanted to know if I could help get it replaced. Well to get a phone replaced due to a work problem would take an act of the Kenyan congress (and I don’t think they are in session). So I just went back the next day and handed him a thousand Kenya shillings (about $12.50). He was extremely grateful and said he was humbled because he knew it was coming from me and not Magadi Soda. Well, at the start of the next shift I was approached by a fellow coming on duty that his phone had been damaged when he got wet the previous week. The next morning a third fellow asked me if I could help him out because his phone had also been damaged at work when it got wet. So I’ve come to understand if you help one person you better be ready to get out the wallet and start handing out the money. I am becoming more and more calloused, it seems as though everyone wants to be friendly but it’s not because they like you it’s because they believe they can get something from you. It’s a skill the people learn early here. They don’t try to take care of their own needs they try and see how much they can get from others.
I gave my talk in church today. Unfortunately the roads were all open and I made it on time. I don’t know how I do it but a member of the area seventy was in attendance today. He was there last time I spoke. Maybe someone is making sure I don’t get too far off track in my talks. But when you are talking about home teaching it’s difficult to get off topic. I’ve about got the home teaching lined out, the Branch President is pleased because we’ve been able to attach phone numbers with most families which is an accomplishment in Kenya.
This week is the Board of Directors meeting. It will be interesting because I’ve lowered the production numbers from where they were last year. Last year, there were a number of by-products being sold where those products are not being sold this year. We have not hit sales targets and that’s why. So until those by-products start selling volumes are going to be down. So I may be home early. But I doubt it. There are also going to be bankers here. I guess the company is trying to refinance the debt at a lower interest rate. So I’ll be entertaining my favorite people “finance people”. In any case it is a good experience being involved with board meetings. If anything, it's educational. I just remember a phrase that was used in Green River when big shots came to visit “they can kill you, but they can’t eat you”. Not sure that applies here.
The plans for coming home in August;
I arrive in Vegas on July 31st. Leave Vegas on Aug. 2nd (assuming I have any money left) for St George and then I need to be in SLC for a Dr’s appt on August 5th. I wanted to go to Green River for the General Chemical Company picnic on August 6th. But other than those days everything is open. Haven’t made return reservations yet but they would be the 15th or 16th of August. So those are the plans. Let me know what you would like to do and we’ll try to fit in all the fun and happiness we can.
So, like I said, a slow week. I’ll write next week again. (By the way Margaret, how are my writing skills? Maybe you should be grading my letters for grammar, spelling, punctuations, etc. etc.)
Love
Paul/dad
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