Sept. 23

11C part cloudy.
Visited with Mari yesterday, and our friends from Nanaimo came in the late afternoon. A good time.
Bought fresh corn yesterday and it is still very good in spite of being late in the season.

I am quite capable of teaching the two younger ones. I think we should choose Somalia.”

  Now it was the doctor’s turn to ponder; he agreed with his wife, he had already considered the different options but he wanted to think about it a bit longer.

  Finally he replied, “Yes, I agree but let us sleep on it overnight and talk about it again tomorrow.”

  During the evening meal the children seemed to sense that something was afoot and were unusually quiet. But nothing was said and later everyone carried out their usual evening activities.

  The next morning after a fitful night the two parents talked quietly in bed and made their decision. They would accept the mission in Somalia, the two older twins would reside for a short while with Mrs. Pearce’s sister in Manchester then enter university. Usually the church was able to help with some of the finances in similar situations and the doctor would petition the Bishop in that regard. He also decided that he would insist that the posting would be on a year’s trial basis and would have the option of returning to England after the year.

  Over breakfast they broke the news to the four children. Mary and Margaret seemed relatively unaffected and in short time became excited about the prospects of going to somewhere “exotic”.

  Jean, who was becoming quite mature overcame her surprise and accepted the idea stoically. John was perhaps the most bewildered. At first he appeared to be quite sad, then as the idea of youthful freedom dawned he changed to a degree of excitedness but tried to remain outwardly serious in order to avoid any lengthy lectures.

  As the day wore on questions started to erupt from all the children and at times the household atmosphere was chaotic.

  Doctor and Mrs. Pearce caught the morning train back to London and entered the Bishop’s office shortly before eleven.

  They were ushered straight to the Bishop who smiling affably as usual offered them tea. “Now here we are, what decision have you made?” He asked.

  “Before I give you our decision there are a couple of issues I would like to have resolved and agreed to.” Doctor Pearce said.

  “Yes, go on.” Was the reply.

  “I’m not sure if you are aware that are two eldest children are completing grade school and have been accepted each to a University?”

  “Um, er, no, I knew they were teenagers but didn’t realize that they were that old.” The Bishop frowned, “I suppose that means --.”

  “Excuse me Bishop, what it means is if we go to Somalia that we would like some help financially to have the children visit us at the end of each university term. And we would like the appointment to be for one year with the option to renew if we decide to stay on.”

  The Bishop settled back in his chair, his face impassive. He knew that Liverpool would be a waste of talent, he needed them in Somalia. He had considerable latitude in the finances for the various missions so although he didn’t like to have ‘his feet held to the fire’, he reminded himself that Liverpool had actually been a bluff on his part, he should consider himself lucky that this was all they wanted out of the ordinary. Finally he said, “Hmm, I will have to see if the coffers can afford this, the one year term I can agree to right now. Why don’t you sit here for a few moments while I talk to our finance department?”