The Christmas That Almost Wasn't

JOYEUX NOEL TOUS! (Merry Christmas All!)

Our love and warmest holiday greetings to all of you at home.  Obviously, we have thought of you often with tender hearts and fond memories that have filled our Christmas stockings to over flowing.  I have had a difficult time getting to this post because of, well, I guess that will be the focus of this blog. Coming to grips with spending Christmas so far from home, and in an entirely different culture, has been somewhat of an interesting process this year.  Putting that process into words will no doubt help me understand better what really happened, and why.

I knew that Christmas here, where such a huge part of the population isn't Christian, might be difficult. I also knew that Brent and I, along with the young missionaries, would be focusing on the the spiritual aspects of the season.  Hence, I decided that I wanted none of the traditional trappings: no tree, no decorations, no lights, no Christmas carols, etc.  Looking back now, I realize it was self-protection.  I did not want to experience anything that would make us homesick for Christmas on 3200 North surrounded by family and friends.  But it all changed one Sunday during a Young Women's lesson when I heard the Priesthood singing Silent Night. The feeling flooded over me that my attitude was "Just Wrong!"  I needed to embrace Christmas on La Reunion; I needed to put up a tree (there was a small one in the closet), make wassail, play carols, and proceed with a heart full of joy that Christmas was upon us once more. So we did exactly that.  We bought a string of red, twinkling lights for the railing; put up the little white paper tree (no lights; it REALLY was paper and we were afraid it would catch on fire), bought a hand-carved creche and a Christmas tablecloth at the Madagascar market, downloaded some beautiful, spiritual carols, and voila, our little apartment had a nice warm Christmas glow.  As Brent and I spent those two weeks reading about the birth of our Savior and His most precious of all gifts to us, we were surrounded by not only familiar feelings, but also by wonderful sounds, sights, and smells.  The peace of the season blessed our lives, the missionaries, and our work here.

On Saturday evening, 15 December, the four missionaries in our area (two sisters and two elders) had no appointments, so the six of us went down to the Barachois (a commercial area by the ocean) to sing Christmas carols.  Remember, many of the people here are Hindu, Buddhist, or Muslim, so we weren't sure what the reaction would be.  There are very few decorations, but the city had put up a huge Christmas tree at the park with some displays, shopping, and family activities.  The park was surrounded by a huge wall with policeman at the entrance.  Some of the more reticent performers in our group (Brent, mostly) wanted to stand across the street in a dark corner, but I marched the group right up to the main gate in front of the arch light (if we're going to do this, people are going to see and hear us) where we stood for an hour singing carols from the hymn book.  It was THE most memorable night!  Some visitors hurried by us, not even looking, but others stopped with their small children and listened, almost reverently.  One man walked up to us wanting to see what the book was we were singing from, so we showed him where we were in the song and invited him to sing along.  He, and his whole family sang several carols with us.  Others stood by us and had their pictures taken.  Some in Hindu attire stood in the shadows and listened.  A group of teenage boys came by, making remarks and acting cool, but when we invited them to sing with us, they did, and their whole attitude changed.  After they quit singing, they sat on a wall and listened until we went home.  We waved and wished them Joyeux Noel.

The missionaries all gathered in our apartment at 11:00 the day of Christmas Eve for five hours of singing, eating, activities, eating, a spiritual message, eating, a white elephant exchange, and more eating.  They all had assignments, and came very well prepared. It was a joyful, joyful day.

Remember when we first arrived here we told you about meeting the granddaughter of the couple Brent baptized in France?  The Saturday before Christmas we had lunch with her and her family and, as a Christmas gift, she presented Brent with copies of the pages from her grandmother's journal that told about meeting the missionaries, hearing the lessons, being baptized, what her testimony meant to her, and their subsequent activities in the church.  It contained pages and pages of her grandmother's personal feelings about the gospel and when the missionaries found her.  Tears flowed as Brent read what his "French mother" had written.  She was a wise and wonderful woman; and for Brent to be presented with those pages is truly a mission miracle.  Christmas in La Reunion...it turned into a great blessing.

We send our love and wishes for a year ahead filled with the richness of all God's blessings to His children.  May we all remember the source of hope...the babe of Bethlehem...and the true gifts of the season.

I joined the St Denis Christmas choir and had the best time with the members; it also helped my French.  Their branch Christmas party was so, so fun, and I was told that the choir sounded great.  I hope so because it is the only choir I have ever sung in where the choir members argued with the director about how the songs should be sung.  A totally new experience for me.  At first I thought they were kidding, but soon realized that they were totally serious.

Again, the St Denis fete (party).  This little Mary just won my heart.  I wanted to take a picture of everyone, but when the shepherds and wise men came, there were so many of them that all you could see were backs.  No one was left out.

Down at the bottom of the island, at St. Pierre, we not only acted out the events of Bethlehem, but also the events of the American continent.  Samuel the Lamanite really took his part seriously.

Aurore Payet, the granddaughter of Brother and Sister Defaye.

Elder Heap reading the journal pages of his "French mother".  The picture on the cover was taken when they were serving a mission at the Swiss Temple.  What an amazing blessing.  When the missionaries were here on the day of Christmas eve, one of them even started to cry when he read it.

A Bientot mes amies!

The Treasure of Thanksgiving Memories

Bonjour Mes Amis,

Every Thanksgiving at home, as I placed our Thanksgiving decorations in their assigned spot, I would lovingly set out a book by Truman Capote entitled, A Thanksgiving Memory.  It was an autobiographical account of one Thanksgiving spent with a slightly eccentric aunt who was viewed by the rest of the family as more than just a little odd.  He described so eloquently the crazy fun they had together, the love they shared, and the tremendous influence her goodness had for him, that I have made it a tradition to cuddle up and revisit those two old friends each season before my Thanksgiving preparations began.  It gave me pause to consider my blessings, my obligations, and my focus for my own family during one of my favorite holidays.  This year, far from home and those who have made all our holidays so memorable, Brent and I have had an opportunity to pause, consider our blessings, our obligations, and our focus for yet another holiday season.

We have much to be grateful for: a wonderful family chez nous (at home) who have given us total support and joy;  bonne sante (good health) to be able to serve a mission; les missionairies (French spelling) with whom we labor who are obedient, hard-working, and absolutely the best; a message of truth to share that can bring joy and hope to people half way around the world, whose traditions, skin color, dress, and beliefs are much different than ours, but who are our brothers and sisters and for whom we feel an immediate and almost unexplainable love.  Gratitude is the emotion that we feel most often here as we recognize that we are helped at every turn; we could NEVER do this on our own and gratefully, we don't have to.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with the missionaries on Monday, November 26, because Thursday, Thanksgiving day, was just another work day for all of us.  On Pday, we all met at the church at 4:00 and enjoyed a full Thanksgiving meal together.  Each companionship brought something to help with the food, and Brent and I supplied the turkey (breasts cutlets only, a whole turkey would cost 150 euros here), stuffing, potatoes and gravy, and a ham with peach sauce (just to make sure they went home full).  We were together for 41/2 hours, eating, talking, singing, and ending with all of the missionaries telling why they were grateful they had decided to serve a mission.  A new Thanksgiving Memory totally different from all of the others tucked, for now, so tenderly away.

The next Friday, November 30, six of the missionaries teamed up to host a fireside honoring an American Thanksgiving in one of the branches.  They put a big tree made of paper up on one of the walls and gave all those in attendance several fall-colored paper leaves, on which they were told to write what they were thankful for.  Each family then got up together and told, one by one, what they had written on their leaves before attaching them to the tree.  There were several investigators there, and the activity allowed them a chance to get to know everyone else as feelings were expressed.  A very effective, spiritual, and sometimes funny activity that brought everyone together in a unique way. The members here always provide food, Creole mostly, which is most common food here, and we had a Creole Thanksgiving feast together when the fun and games were over.  One mother had sent her elder some boxes of jello, so he made a big bowl of jello...nothing in it, just red jello.  You would have laughed so hard at all of the people here looking at it, poking the spoon in it, and wondering what it was.  All over the room you could hear the words, "jello" "jello" "jello" as people explored the red, wiggly mound on their plate. Some were trying to eat it with their fingers; a lot of food you wouldn't expect is eaten with the fingers. It was so fun!  Great night with a big crowd in attendance.  Again, a Thanksgiving memory enjoyed in a totally new and different setting.  We have included some photos so that you can share the night with us.

Highlight of the week:  It is the MANGO season here and are they ever delicious.  I would try to explain it to you, but it would be like trying to explain to someone who had only eaten peaches bought from the store what a freshly picked peach tastes like.  Impossible!  We literally eat them every day.

Lowlight of the week:  I finally got my hair cut...not a good move.  I avoid looking in the mirror because my hair always looks flat, my eyes always look tired, and I don't have a clue what to do about either one of them.  C'est la vie (that's life).

The work is difficult here; it is a socialistic society and many of people's material needs are taken care of so they have no need for religion.  Every once in a while, the missionaries meet someone who is so totally prepared for the gospel message that teaching them is almost unnecessary.  Such was the case with Alexandria (white T shirt).  She accepted the lessons readily, was full of faith and commitment, and was baptized in just a few weeks.

Thanksgiving dinner together at the church.  In the beginning, Brent and I were busy helping with the food; when he finally got a chance to dish something up for himself, these elders were already going back for seconds.  There were sixteen of us for dinner. One of our Tahitian sisters brought the ketchup; it is new to them and they love it!

I had to include this photo because all of us have seen Brent's "What? You have got to be kidding me" expression.  I don't know what was said, but there you have it.  I laughed out loud when I saw this picture.

When we came here, the missionaries told us that no one decorates for Christmas because the island decorates itself, and it is true.  You know when Christmas is near because the Flamboyant trees burst into bloom and they are EVERYWHERE.  This was one of the first trees we saw, and I loved that the man parked his basket business under its beauty.  I will send more photos of them in the next few weeks.  There are literally rows of them that will be in bloom.

The Gratitude Tree of blessings.  Brent and I could have filled the whole tree ourselves.

Juenes Filles (Young Women) in St Marie.  After the photo, we all had a group hug.  Some things just never change!

December 4 we sent our first missionaries home.  We had sent two elders home about a month after we arrived, but we didn't know them as well.  These sisters we have worked very closely with and it was bitter-sweet to see them go.  Many happy memories.

We send our love and best wishes for a warm and wonderful holiday season for you all.  We will miss you and all the warmth and meaning you bring to our lives, but this year we are happy to be where we are and grateful for the blessings we are daily given here.

As always, a bientot!

Brent and Joan

Just Another Week in the Mission Field!

Bonjour Tous, (Hello All)

Well, the week quickly passed by and, obviously I DID NOT post again, so I am still a little more than a week behind, but I have to tell you about the week of November 12 because it was really a trip through the agony and the ecstasy of missionary work. President Adams and his wife arrived Monday afternoon, and we picked them up at the airport.  They had just returned from South Africa the day before, so I assumed that they would want some down time allowing me time to fix dinner for the four of us - I had planned more than a bowl of cold cereal - but President Adams wanted to drop off their luggage and come directly to our house and review the week's schedule.   They came over, I fixed  dinner, which worked out fine, and then we talked for about 3 hours, going over the needs, the changes in schedule, and the meetings for the week.  Time, obviously would be tight on the days coming up, so I offered, and had planned, to provide meals each day; the schedule looked like I would have sufficient time to do that.  

We picked them up at 6:30 the next morning to go to the workout park (it is about a 15 minute drive to their hotel from our house, if everything goes perfectly) went to the park for an hour's workout, took them back to clean up, drove home and cleaned up ourselves, drove back to pick them up (stopping at the bakery for a fresh baguette...I thought the French just liked to buy their bread daily...no, the next day it is as tough as a piece of old rubber) and then the day's duties began.  Remember that the trips back and forth to their hotel are going on constantly, from the workouts in the morning to the dropping them off at night. There were visits to make, splits with the missionaries, members who needed to talk with the President, leadership meetings with island leaders, private interviews, missionaries to be set apart, a zone conference with the missionaries, personal interviews for all of the missionaries with the president, priesthood and auxiliary leadership training; a very busy daily schedule, but interesting.  Obviously, Brent needed to be to everything; I wasn't involved all of the time, but sometimes I was at the church because there wasn't time to go home (you know, always a little behind schedule).  On Tuesday night after the priesthood and auxillary training meetings, Brent and I took Sister Adams with us to the airport (Pres Adams was still tied up) to send off a missionary leaving from La Reunion.  He is a shy young man who had never left the island, and was scheduled to fly from Reunion into Orly airport in Paris and catch his next flight to the MTC in Madrid from Charles DeGaule airport, which is clear across town, with only a three hour town-around time. (The missionaries refer to DeGaule as the airport from Hell; we all have our horror stories about what happened to us there).  This would not have been possible for even the most seasoned traveler; Ruddy Poncherville would have been totally overwhelmed.  Luckily, President Poncherville, Ruddy's father couldn't read the ticket because it was in English and had called Brent to translate it for him. Brent immediately called South Africa, apprised them of the problem, (they were grateful because they recognized the difficulty as well and said they didn't know how THAT schedule had slipped through) and got his ticket changed, many phone calls later. The day before Ruddy left, we got an email which included the original ticket itinerary...what to do?...was Ruddy still going to be all right? Anyway, we were assured that all was good. We got to the airport, greeted the family, dad and Ruddy went to check in.  Looks of confusion, frantic waves to Brent to hustle to the check-in counter, knots in the pits of our stomachs; the flight from Paris to Madrid had been cancelled because of a strike.  The dad looked like he was going to have a stroke; Ruddy looked numb; Brent took them to the Air France counter and got everything straightened out after much discussion.  I am telling you this so that you will know how even a simple little task can turn into something major...especially for that little family sending their oldest son out into the big world...alone.  "Is someone meeting Ruddy in Paris?" the father had asked.  It was not easy to say that no, no one, in fact, was; but they WOULD meet him in Madrid.  I don't think that was much comfort.

Every SINGLE night before dinner, something happened and we...the four of us...arrived home with never more than an hour and a half before dinner had to be cooked, served, and eaten and everyone had to be back at the church for the next go-round. I don't do well with that kind of pressure, but you know what?, I got a lots of heavenly help because every night the dinner was good, we had time to eat, left the dishes on the table and headed out the door.  Thursday at 12:00, I served a zone conference lunch to 18 missionaries who eat like elephants, (I got the BEST compliment ever when our Tahitian elder came up to me and said, "Thank you so much sister Heap...I am FULL!" - he NEVER gets full.  We then attended  the zone meeting, which lasted an hour longer than expected (surprise?), hurried home and had an hour and a half to prepare a departure dinner for two leaving missionaries - 6 people in all - and, of course, it needed to be special.  Again, Heavenly HELP; it happened, was peaceful, and the missionaries thought it was wonderful.

We thought of you all often through all of this, and wished you could have seen and heard some of the amazing stories that people here have. When we are in the privacy of our home, we will be able to share some of these stories.  Hardships beyond belief with faith to match...stories of people changing their lives and coming back, people whose love for the Savior and belief in the atonement made them whole and kept them moving ahead "no matter what."  You are our "no matter what" and we appreciate all of the support you continually give to us.  

We have learned to constantly look for the Heavenly Help in our days, because it is definitely there; it is so important that we recognize it and express our appreciation for it, both to our Heavenly Father and to others.

This is a little fuzzy, I know, but we wanted you to see Ruddy, in the back, and the Poncherville family, along with Ruddy's best friend, standing next to Brent (who, by the way, will be leaving on his mission around July and is now serving as a counselor in the branch presidency to President Poncherville!)

Soeur Heap, Ruddy's mother, Soeur Adams, and the mother of Ruddy's best friend...all of us crossing our fingers - and toes - for Ruddy in Paris.

The Poncherville family watching Ruddy in his final steps through security.  The tears were falling, for them, and for Brent and me, as well.

While traveling with President and Sister Adams, we all pulled over and snapped a photo...I think you can see why.

President Adams during the Zone Conference.

In the last few weeks, Brent and I have lost three cherished friends; two losses were expected, but still very difficult; one was a total shock.  This rainbow is for Mike Sivulich, Karen Knight,  and Conna Doxey, whose lives brought "rainbows of light" to those blessed to know and love them. A bientot dear friends...until we meet again.

And to you, dear friends and family, our love and warm wishes for the holidays.

Frere and Soeur Heap
La Reuniion

The LONGEST Day

Vous Allez Bien?  (Is everything going well for you?)

My goal is to try to post twice this week so that I will be caught up.  As it is, I am writing about events that happened approximately ten days prior, and because there is so much going on here, retelling with vivid details, or any details for that matter,  becomes a challenge.  Yesterday I seriously turned to Brent and asked, "Exactly what did we do on Monday?" I know you probably laugh, but it is NOT funny to me; I actually could not remember what we did on which day.

Today's will not be a very spiritual post; it will be an account of one of our days in the mission field... a VERY LONG day,  Two of the missionaries here will be going home (sniff, sniff - I becomes very attached) on 4 December and neither of them had hiked into the interior island cirques.  La Reunion is world famous for these three interior island mountain bowls, the beauty is so spectacular they have been compared to the Swiss Alps, but many areas are difficult to reach and hikers can get disoriented, so missionaries can't go there on their own.  Brent and I felt that, if possible, the missionaries serving here shouldn't leave without seeing the majesty of "their" island, so we arranged for a member who knows and hikes the cirques often to take us on a Pday hike.  We all arose at 4:00 AM, met at the chapel at 4:45, and began the 1 1/2 hour drive to the Mafate trailhead.  All were ready, excited, and up for an adventure.  About two-thirds up the very narrow, winding mountain road, traffic came to a standstill...big line of cars going no where.  What is wrong?  Why can't we proceed?  Well, one of the small communities along the route was holding a protest (quite common here actually) and had blocked the road with their cars.  It seems that the school buses that have to travel down these unbelievable roads each day with their precious cargo had poor brakes, and also, the drivers were frequently found to be intoxicated, so the parents took charge; who could blame them!  We were assured that the roads had been blocked for four hours already and that negotiations were well underway.  No problem...everyone could use a little nap anyway.  Time marches on...let's try juggling some oranges...how about foot races up a very steep hill...anyone for a cookie?...and finally, an organized basketball game...four hours later (in all) the roadblock was lifted and we were on our way.  We wanted to arrive early because the high mountain cliffs sometimes become cloudy later in the morning, which was the case when we pulled into our parking spots, but it was still breathtaking.  We hiked for 3 hours down to a little mountain village established by runaway slaves a century before, that can only be reached by helicopter.  No roads, no concrete, no businesses, just a cluster of beautiful little houses so neat and clean with dirt paths connecting them and beautiful gardens of fruits and vegetables.  There were some cows, goats, and LOTS of chickens...and yes, roosters the size of small dogs.  It brought visions to mind of the shire in Lord of the Rings.  We ate lunch on a grassy knoll and began our hike out, reaching the top just as the light faded and the dense fog at the top didn't.

One of our elders had been having stomach issues and by the time we reached the parking lot, he was bent over with severe pain.  After a priesthood blessing, the zone leaders started down the wet, foggy road to take him to the emergency room.  Brent and I made sure that everyone else reached the freeway safely and joined the others in the emergency waiting room about 9:00 PM, where we sat with this elder until 3:00 AM., with only one other person ever waiting ahead of us.  The problem was addressed, successfully, and we gratefully took him home at 5:00 AM., thanking Heavenly Father that it wasn't anything more serious.  It is times like these when you REALLY realize how far away from ANYONE we all are and how dependent we are on the Lord's help and direction.  Every time I see him, I say a little prayer of thanksgiving that he is all right.

Great day hiking and talking with the missionaries, and though it was long, everything turned out well and the missionaries had an adventure they will never forget, nor will we!

Highlight of the week:  I was sitting in a district meeting last week singing the opening hymn and had to stop and listen to the beautiful blend of voices surrounding me.  I was amazed at all of the different parts being sung and the quality of the voices...it was like a mini Tabernacle Choir.  Beautiful!!!

Lowlight of the week:  Brent trying to put on his socks and saying, "What is wrong with my socks?  They are so stiff I'm having a hard time pulling them on."  I know how he felt; my workout socks felt the same.  It is called "no dryer" honey, and it is NOT going to change for the next fourteen months.  The question is, "Why do they seem to be getting stiffer?"

Photos of the hike to Mafate:

A great resting spot with our guide's wife (in red) right in front.

Our knowledgable guide is in the blue stocking cap.  All along the way, he pointed out items of interest that made us all more aware of what grows here and how it is used.  It was amazing.

See the clouds coming in over the top.

Our first view of the village...remember, only reached on foot!

Just one of the many beautiful sights along the trail.

Yes indeedy, it got steep and challenging, but soooooo picturesque.

A moment of rest in the emergency room at 4:00 AM when our elder FINALLY made it inside to be treated.   What a relief for us all.  Six hours of hiking and no sleep for 24 hours...a long day!

We love you...Happy Thanksgiving to all.

A Bientot!

Frere and Soeur Heap

One Girl, One Boy and The BEST Primary Program EVER!

Bonjour Tous,  (Hello All)

I could not WAIT to write about the experience we had last Sunday at church!  It was something Brent and I will never forget...classic; we wish you all could have been there with us.  Sunday night, however, we had visitors in our apartment until late; that's alright, I thought, I will be able to write Monday night.  Well, here it is Sunday night again, with a whole new week's worth of experiences, but I am definitely backing up and taking you to church with us last week in the tiny branch of St. Paul where we were in a group of about twenty-five members, maybe just twenty...very small branch.  We arrived at church, I enjoyed the usual kissing on both cheeks with the female members - they ALL greet each other that way, but missionaries are not allowed any contact with the opposite sex besides shaking hands - and then we settled in to enjoy the Sacrament meeting.  After the sacrament, the cutest little boy, about eight, and a darling little girl, about ten, were ushered to the front and the Primary program began.  The little boy stood up and gave a very nice talk, followed by a talk from the girl and then they both stood together, without a microphone and sang a song...shoulders square, chins up, voices strong, looking right out at the audience.  Brent and I were so impressed with them, and then the whole process started again.  He gave a talk; she gave a talk; they both sang; he gave a talk; she gave a talk; they both sang.  In all, they each gave five talks and sang six songs with never a bobble; well, actually she forgot the words once and started to laugh, but he carried on like a trooper.  It was one of the most precious things we have ever seen, so precious I just HAD to go into Primary with them.  They each had their own scriptures and the Primary president really had them working...answering questions, looking up scriptures, reading, reciting and they never once lost focus, just smiled and participated like they were loving every minute.  In fact, once the president began repeating the eighth Article of Faith and the little boy joined right in with her and recited the whole thing.  I am hooked on Primary in St Paul and can"t wait to visit them again.

I want you to picture something...the story is way too long and detailed (we will tell you the whole thing when we get home, don't worry, I will NEVER forget this day) but Brent and I had to speak at a fireside that night.  The St Andre elders were moving into their new apartment and had to have a moving van, so the zone leaders tried to rent one, but couldn't because they weren't twenty-five, so Brent had to go with them.  Time is short...hurry, hurry; have to get back for the fireside.  The car is parked two blocks from the rental company.  One of the zone leaders is carrying a big tool box because they need it to put some of the furniture together.  They get to the office, Brent is told he needs his international driver's license (of course) so he and the two zone leaders (one carrying the tool box on his shoulder like a boom box) RUN back to the car two blocks away, ties flying in the wind...hurry, hurry...and run the two blocks back again.  Brent is telling them, "If an officer sees us he will think we just robbed someone, running like this with this huge black box."  Drive down the island to pick up furniture, back up and around the top to drop it off, take back the van, run to the car and the three of them arrive at the fireside, shirts partially untucked, hair all frazzled, faces red just when the fireside activity is finishing and the talks are about to begin.  Brent's notes are all at home...I had been helping the missionaries in charge get ready and hadn't had time to even comb my hair, just change into a skirt and out the door!  We were both helped immensely that night; activity completed very successfully (that was when the sisters used our tire!), elders with beds to sleep in, and both talks delivered.  Whew...I think we are too old for this.  No trouble sleeping that night.

Life is an adventure here, that is for sure, and we are blessed along the path in so many ways.  We feel your prayers for us and recognize that it is the help we receive that gets us through our days.

Highlight of the week:  When we go to Jumbo to do our grocery shopping, I always take a little side trip to the tiny parfumary for a small spray of Channel #5...just a quick mist from the tester bottle.  I didn't bring any perfume and smelling good is such a lift.  Brent said, "Why don't we just buy you a bottle?"  Oh no, then I would not have that guilty little pleasure to look forward to.  Once a week...smelling good...so fun. (I know the women TOTALLY understand.)

Lowlight of the Week:  Going to Jumbo, filling up our grocery cart, finishing the check out, and having our card rejected.  We use it ALL THE TIME but every once in a while, randomly, their machine says no.  We literally break out in a sweat when we have to swipe our card.  Once it got rejected so we used cash and then went to the ATM there to get more cash and that rejected us as well.  We thought, "Has something happened in America?" Talk about feeling alone and helpless.  We learned later that all the connections were down.

Now the part you have REALLY been waiting for...the photos:

The STARS of the Primary program.  Kris, Brent said this would have really brought tears to your eyes.

The St Paul primary:  The president, the chorister, and the members of the primary!

Every once in a while, I just have to say, "PULL OVER; We need to take a picture of this."   The rainy season - summer is just beginning.  The waterfalls will become larger and more numerous in December and January.

One of the reasons missionary work is so difficult here.  Almost everyone is behind a locked door, there is no way to just talk to people.  It is very sad the way people can close themselves off, both physically and emotionally.

While waiting to meet someone at the church, the missionaries found an chameleon in the bushes, sooooooo we just HAD to have our picture taken with him.

Very friendly little lizard; he wrapped his tail around my fingers when I had him on my hand.

Families Can Be Together Forever (on the right) and my "forever" missionary in the middle.

A couple we have grown to love here.  A wonderful day for her after many lessons and many prayers.

A Bientot...The Heaps 

A Brief Moment in Time

Mes Chers Amis et Famille, (Dear Friends and Family, obviously)

It is time for another report from Frere et Soeur Heap in our little rubber raft out in the middle of the Indian Ocean.  Sometimes I feel like we are living on another planet; for example, a while ago we had been so busy and so needed a relaxing evening; just the two of us doing something remotely familiar.  I told Brent, "We are going to do something marvelous tonight!" So I got my trusty computer, logged onto to Netflix anticipating the joy of settling in and watching a movie together, only to have the following message come up on the screen:  We are sorry, but we don't operate in your part of the world.  Really;  I thought Netflix was everywhere!!!!! On to more meaningful matters.

We are blessed with two new missionaries; one, Elder Seifert, has been serving in Madagascar with ten months left to serve.  After he arrives, we found that the French government here will not give him a permanent visa, so he will serve for three months on a temporary visa, but will then have to finish his mission on Madagascar.  We get so frustrated trying to help work out the problems, but because he didn't get a French visa in San Francisco before he came, there is no way they will let him stay here for more than three months.  It was not a good situation.  I was so sure we could get around it somehow!  The other, Elder Mariteragi, is from Tahiti and fresh out of the MTC.  As always, we pick them up from the airport, orient them, feed them, have their new companions pick them up and try to keep them awake until time for bed so that they can begin to make their internal time change.  We did realize something that helped a lot though.  Always, in the past, all of the above was done at one of the churches; but this time, I suggested that it might be warmer and more relaxing - and much easier for me with all of that food - to just come to our apartment and do everything here.  It was so much more comfortable for those exhausted elders; while the mission president welcomed each one over the phone, we encouraged the other one to put his head back and catch a quick nap.  Brent interviewed each of them, I talked with them briefly, the zone leaders oriented them, and then the eating began...boy, can six elders put away food!!! (New elders, zone leaders, new companions).  I wish I could show you their photos, but they were the ones I couldn't download that I mentioned last week.  Next, I want to share a  experience that I know you will relate to.  It is very personal but strikes a chord for us all.

It was the beginning of the Saturday morning session of General Conference here; Temple Square came on the large screen in the chapel, the choir started to sing, and I was suddenly in my home in North Ogden, with family snuggling around me getting ready to listen together, great smells of dinner wafting from the kitchen, pillows puffed up on the couches and on the floor, and just that wonderful "conference-weekend-feeling."  Feelings of homesickness were almost overwhelming with my eyes tearing up and my heart in my throat; I almost felt ill.  The thought came into my mind, "Don't do this.  Your time here will be brief.  Stop and look around at the people here; cherish the differences, the many skin colors, the varied stories that you have been told, the young missionaries with whom you serve.  Live in and love this moment."  It was enough; I still missed conference at home, but for now, home was conference in a small chapel on La Reunion with fifteen others in attendance.  Missionary work is a blessing on so many levels, and that moment was certainly one I will never forget. We will both reference it often.

Highlight of the week:

Thursday we had a south district meeting in St. Paul.  The district leader and his companion came in with grins on their faces and something wrapped in tin foil...they like to cook.  After the meeting, they unveiled a KEY LIME PIE and was it ever delicious!  Everyone wanted to kiss them, and I asked for the recipe.  There are a lot of limes growing here and, evidently, fresh limes make all the difference.

Lowlight of the week:  This week we actually have three...are you ready?

First, we are going into summer here, so it is getting light earlier.  The roosters, which used to wake up at 6:00 AM are now stirring at 4:00 AM.  There is one close by (it sounds like he is perched on our windowsill) who must be the size of a St. Bernard because he is SO LOUD, SO EARLY and wakes all the others up.  When he starts, Brent and I just groan.
Next, did we ever tell you that we have NO outlets in the bathroom?  It is a good thing that Brent shaves with a blade.  I have to get ready in the guest bedroom...Brent actually loves that.
Last, we have a gecko who lives with us, or did.  We don't bother him because he is cute and eats all the bugs.  Saturday, Brent was doing his Saturday morning vacuuming (he is meticulous about floors), moved his briefcase and ran the vacuum there (tile floors) and, too late, saw the little gecko a couple inches in front of the vacuum, and whoosh, he was gone.  We both had to sit down for a minute we felt so bad.

Joanie running the stairs for her morning workout (little pink dot trotting 3/4 the way up).  I wish I had the legs of the two guys bounding up behind me.

Even though we now arrive at the workout park at 6:30 AM, Brent can never seem to get through a workout without AT LEAST one phone call.  Sometimes, I wonder why we came, he is on the phone so much.

We had a cyclone warning last week which made the surf high on our usually serene ocean.  We were coming home from appointments and stopped briefly to look at the waves, when the sun broke through the cloud,s and I was lucky enough to snap this beautiful photo.  See the cliffs in the distance.  The island highway stretches along the bottom of those cliffs.  It is a spectacular drive that we make several times a week visiting the branches on the west side of the island.

The St Denis soeurs wanted help getting ready for a fireside they were hosting and we met at our apartment.  They needed a pattern for a big smiley face and wondered what to do.  I told them, "I have a tire in the closet."  Perfect!  The fireside was a huge success.

Soeur Hartley, front right, had a family tradition that every General Conference, on Sunday morning, they would eat biscuits and gravy.  Her roommates wanted to surprise her this General Conference, so the two on the left came at 6:15 that Sunday morning and we made a surprise breakfast of...you got it, biscuits and gravy, to be served at 7:00.  It was really fun and really good!

The zone leaders have to come to the apartment on Sunday evenings to go over reports and use the computer.  They looked hungry, so we whipped up some crepes and fried eggs.  Look at the smiles.  Elders are always hungry.

The first full P-Day we have taken since we got here.  We went up to the National Park - Plaine de Palmiste (a forest of palm trees) - and enjoyed some hiking.  These lilies were growing along the trail, and the blossoms were as large as salad plates.  Incredible; there must have been a hundred blossoms, just growing wild.

The palm tree forest.

 To those of you who have tried without success to comment on the blog, don't worry; they are not very user friendly.  Kellie has a blog and I have never been able to leave a comment.  To those of you who have been successful, thank you.

Love to you all!  Au Bientot...

A Season of "Firsts" and "Finally's"

Hello All, ca va bien? (How are things?)

It has definitely been a season of "firsts" and "finally's" for us on the island lately, and I thought it might be interesting to share a few of the more unique ones with all of you.

FIRSTS:
We received our first TRAFFIC TICKET for making an improper left-hand turn, which is interesting because we had no idea we were doing something wrong.  The streets here have arrows painted on them telling you which way you can turn, where to enter, all kinds of information, but the traffic moves so fast and the drivers are making such crazy moves that looking at the street arrows is almost impossible.  Also, when the-powers-that-be change their minds about what should be happening, they don't remove the previous arrows, they just paint another one someplace else on the street.  No one really pays any attention to the arrows, but occasionally the police show up and start pulling people over and handing out tickets, which is what happened to us.  Brent spoke only English to the officer, but it didn't work...he spoke English back!

We also found our first COCKROACH in the apartment and he looked well fed!  Actually though, that isn't the best part of the story.  The zone leaders stopped by our apartment to go over some mission matters and brought us some cake wrapped in tin foil.  I ate some and told Brent how good it was. but he was trying not to eat that late at night and passed on sampling some.  I double wrapped it in tin foil to guard against ants. (We never see them unless food is left out, but if we drop a crumb, they show up by the hundreds.  Little tiny ants, no bigger than the dot of a pencil lead.  We are paranoid about crumbs..."You dropped a crumb; hurry, hurry clean it up!!!!) Anyway, I wrapped it up nice and tight, and we went to bed.  In the middle of the night, Brent got hungry and padded into the kitchen in the dark, unwrapped the cake, and took a big bite.  He immediately felt ants all over his hand and arms, flipped on the light, and sure enough, the cake along with his hands and arms, was covered with ants.  There was a lot of jumping around, water running, and spitting into the garbage can going on when the cockroach emerged...probably fascinated by such energetic movement.  Brent would have stepped on him, but, of course, his feet were bare and the little critter got away.  Every time I open a cupboard door, I peer carefully in before putting my hand anywhere.

I encountered our first LIZARD in the kitchen. (Summer is coming and so are the critters.  Everyone talks about the lizards because they make little clacking noises at night, but we have never seen any.) I was wiping off the counter top, moved a container of wooden spoons, and saw a little gray dob which I promptly tried to wipe up.  The gray dob sprang to life, his fat little fingers, or toes, who knows? spread out and running towards me.  He looked like a body full of joints; I have never witnessed so many working parts as he ran over the top of the counter and disappeared behind the stove.  Another reason to look carefully before putting anything anywhere.  We have never seen either of them again, but it does give one pause.

Our first time not being able to enjoy GENERAL CONFERENCE live.  It was the middle of the night here when conference was broadcast.  We have watched it in segments on our computer, but General Conference won't be viewed here by everyone until next weekend when we will watch it - in French - on the DVD's the church sends out to all the branches.

FINALLY'S:

I finally found BAKING SODA.  It comes in little packets like yeast and is called Chimique, (now who would make that connection?) so now I can bake cookies.  Do you think the cockroach and the lizard will be impressed?

We finally have turned a little corner with the LANGUAGE.  Both of us are feeling more comfortable - Brent, of course, is way ahead of me - but we both have had our struggles with understanding everything and with speaking it ourselves; we are now seeing some progress.  Even though the people speak so rapidly, there are times when I can understand whole sentences.  It is absolutely such a blessing and such a relief.  Don't misunderstand, there is SO FAR to go, but just being able to understand some of it fills me with gratitude.  Brent has been blessed with the level of language he needs to complete his many administrative responsibilities; times when full use of the language has been needed, it has been there for him, and he recognizes the source.  The blessings are immediate and obvious.

And FINALLY, we wish to share an experience we had this week that brought home the purpose of why we are here and how the simple things are the most important.  We drove about thirty miles to the town of Le Port where we met the missionaries who then directed us up the mountainside, I don't know how many miles - we drove for a long time - to the home of a handicapped sister who needed her temple recommend signed.  Brent had a very touching interview with her while I visited with her very lively ninety-three year old mother.  This sister will probably never be able to use her recommend, her handicaps are severe and the closest temples are either South Africa or Switzerland, but she was thrilled to have it, realizing the importance of that little slip of paper in her life.  The drive home was a quiet one as we appreciated the privilege of meeting with her and being able to be a part of the joy that having a current temple recommend brought.  (You might be interested to know that the mission president, who is 500 miles away is the only other person who can sign a temple recommend for the members, and his visits here are only about every two months, with limited time to accomplish all that needs to be done.  It might have been impossible for her to meet with him, and challenging for him to be able to travel up to her home, so far away, to meet with her.)  Again, what a blessing to be here and to be able to serve.

Highlight of the week:  Hearing from so many of you; WE LOVE IT!!!!!!

Lowlight of the week:  Trying to download a new set of photos that I couldn't wait to include on the blog this time, and having my computer not recognize them as photos.  I'm helpless; any suggestions?  I can view them on my camera, but that doesn't help you see what I wanted you to see.  Fewer photos this time, but good ones.

Couldn't resist because of the matching colors.  If you look to the left...yes, it is a McDonald's...we didn't realize until later that it was part of our picture or we would have included the whole name.  Even the missionaries won't eat there, which tells you that it is REALLY bad.

This is the prefecture where we spend so much time making sure all the visa requirements of the missionaries on the island are met.  We get a knot in our stomachs every time we have to go there; it is like the arrows on the streets, changes seem to be made randomly, just to complicate everyone's life.

This photo was taken on a Pday, which we didn't take because we were furnishing an apartment in a new area.  A very hectic day, with a lot of running around. (One of the elders who will live there is at least 270 lbs....trying to find a twin bed strong enough to hold him was tough.) Later in the day, we drove by the biking velodrome where we could see mega activity.  Didn't even hesitate.  We parked, got out, and "went to the races" for a couple of hours before going back to work.  It was glorious!

This was a Wednesday morning after our weekly trip to the outdoor market.  I always scrub all purchases carefully before putting them in the fridge.  They looked so fresh and beautiful that I just had to snap this photo.  (FYI - the lizard was just to the left of the lettuce.)

Our best to all of you.  Thank you for who you all are and all you do to make a difference for good in the world.

Au bientot!

The Jumbo Jet of La Reunion

Ca va bien to all those we love at home,

Occasionally at 8:40 in the morning, when I am here, I glance out our sliding glass doors to catch a glimpse of the silver jumbo jet finishing its descent over the ocean just before it lands at Roland Garros and remember how it felt ten weeks ago when we were aboard.  We think of all we have experienced, agonized over, rejoiced about, prayed about, and labored over and can't believe all that has happened in just ten weeks, and yet, we still feel like we are figuring out what we are doing because the needs here seem to change weekly, if not daily.  Yesterday, Brent either made or accepted thirty-two phone calls between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM, and some of them lasted thirty minutes.  He was at the work-out park when they began and he had difficulty getting out of his workout clothes and getting dressed for the day.  I could see that the day was going to be complicated, so I sequestered myself in the office and worked on some documents - accounts of events that we had been part of here -  that Elder Cook requested during his visit.  In between, the zone leaders had several items that needed clearance, there were emails from South Africa needing attention, and people calling for recipes!  I know, it was crazy, but today has been even crazier.  We have had to split up tonight, I going with the sister missionaries on a teaching appointment that we were both scheduled for, while Brent handles an emergency situation.  One thing is for certain, we NEVER get up and think, "What shall we do today?" We are anticipating the time when we will be able to take a full Pday; so far, we are content with three or four hours away.

We have found something absolutely amazing here...it is called the Fortuna Market and is held every Wednesday morning down in the Caudron.  I had complained to someone that the lettuce I bought at the store only lasted two days and they said, "Oh, you never buy vegetables from the store, we all go to the Wednesday market," so we found out where it was and headed down there.  It is the most amazing experience!  Rows and rows of tables COVERED with all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables, some that we had never seen before,  gorgeous exotic flowers, fresh fish with the eyes still attached, hand-made items, food cooking, vendors yelling that their merchandise is the best and trying to get your attention.  The senses are overwhelmed with all the colors, odors, sounds, sights.  It was difficult to shop our first visit there because we both just walked around with our mouths open.  That first day, after I would make the purchase at a stand, I would just open my hand full of coins and let the vendor take what he or she needed, but now I can actually understand what the cost is and count out the money myself.  (At first it sounded like everyone was talking with a mouth full of marbles.  The sound of  numbers in French is like a long string of z's to my ears.)  I have included some photos, which are good, but really can't capture the magic of the market.

Great, great missionary story for you this week!  A few weeks ago, the sister missionaries were going port-to-port (door-to-door) and came up to an apartment where a whole group of family members were sitting outside (a very common thing here) and, when they saw the missionaries, they called out, "Allison, there is someone here to see you," and sent the missionaries inside.  When they entered the house, a girl of nineteen came around the corner, stopped, and said, "You found me!"  The sister missionaries were frozen, realizing that there was something really special happening.  She then went on to tell them that she had a sister living in Lehi, Utah (married to a former missionary on La Reunion - as George Durrant said about marrying his wife who was a missionary from his district, "We never did anything inappropriate, but I DID have an electrifying handshake"), and when she was fourteen, she came to Utah, lived with her sister for two years, was baptized, was active in the church the whole time, "I even went to Girl's Camp", and had been thinking about the church lately as she realized that her life had definitely taken a downward spiral and missed what she had felt, and been, in Utah.  Making those types of life changes is never an easy thing, and the missionaries have been meeting with her as much as possible, but she would never commit to come to church.  I think she wants to, but worries about feeling accepted and worries about her lifestyle.  The missionaries made an appointment to bring her to our apartment on a Saturday night.  The minute she walked in, I fell in love with her - it's the Young Women worker in me.  We all talked, laughed; she told me all about herself, and then we all made cookies together.  As we were measuring and mixing together, I saw a look come into her eyes.  I said, "Allison, what is it?"  She said, "This reminds me of being with Jane (eyes teared up); I miss her so much."  Jane, of course, was her Young Women advisor in Utah; one of those marvelous women who saw a need and constantly filled it for Allison.  They still maintain contact, but Allison missed her physical presence right then, making cookies, in our little kitchen.  It reminded me again of how much caring and reaching out really matter, and that it is the small and simple things that bind themselves to our hearts and allow the spirit to reenter, in a kitchen far away from Lehi, making cookies.  When we were through, I asked the sisters to ask her if she would like a blessing to help her with her challenges.  She would.  Brent had been in his casual clothes, so he went in and changed into missionary attire for the blessing.  When he came out, Allison's eyes lit up and she said, "Oh, you look cute!"  I think it took him by surprise.  Brent talked to her about herself, the blessing, what she needed, and what would happen.  The minute he laid his hands on her head and began, there was a tangible feeling of total love that surrounded all of us, and when he was finished, she was sobbing.  We can't wait to see her again.  I so hope she can remember what she felt and what she was promised.  A night like that was worth all the cramps endured on that silver jumbo jet!

Highlight:  Besides Saturday night with Allison, a terrific zone conference.  (We meet with the two districts of missionaries here weekly, one on Thursday morning and one on Friday morning, and we have a combined zone conference monthly.)

Lowlight:  Realizing that I had accidentally thrown away my cleaning ticket - no name given, just a number on a ticket - and wondering if I had lost three items of my already limited wardrobe.  I told Brent that it was my error and that I would solve it by myself, but, in the end, he helped me and we were able to get my blouses back.

Some photos for you...and we live HERE!

We thought you might enjoy seeing the picture "behind the blog".  This is the interior of the island called "The Cirques."  We are arranging for a member ,who hikes the interior often, to guide all of us on a Pday hike...a must before two of our missionaries leave for home in December.

These little stubby bananas are incredible.  The small pineapples barely visible on the end of the table, are peeled, sliced, and eaten entirely.  The middle is as soft and sweet as the outside.  We eat the slices like cookies.

These vegetables - legumes in French - will last a whole week, just as crunchy as when we bought them.

Remember the old Pink Panther movies with Peter Sellers, where his butler, Kato, would jump out from behind the curtains and put karate moves on him?  Well, Sister Viatua is my Kato; I never know when she will put a wrestling hold on me.  We are NOT hugging; she is trying for a takedown.

Sometimes we have to remember that they are just kids in BIG bodies.

That's better...aren't they wonderful?

Flowers - and the most incredible orchids - by the yard in every color you could ever imagine.

Elder Heap enjoying the La Port Talent Show.  Isn't he handsome?

Allison making cookies.  By the way, they don't bake cookies here, or pies; no one even knows what a pie is.

So yummy.  The scary part is that I have to light the oven on my hands and knees.  I light the match, turn my head the other way, and stick the match underneath the oven and hope for the best.

One of our sister missionaries has been struggling a bit, so we hosted a dinner for all of the sisters (soeurs) and had them tell about their arrival on the island.  It was so fun and, hopefully, brought back the joy and anticipation of becoming a missionary.  They all wanted to take a picture of the dessert, so we took one too.  A lemon tart.  I have to say, it WAS GOOD, and so was the afternoon together.

Thank you jumbo jet for bringing us here.

AU BIENTOT NOS AMIS!