In Case You Have Wondered...

Cher famille et amis, (Dear family and friends),

You may have wondered why this blog is not full of experiences we are having teaching the gospel, after all, we are missionaries.  Well, although that does happen occasionally, the major part of our time here is spent in other ways.  Most importantly, we are responsible for the missionaries on La Reunion:  their physical, emotional, and spiritual well being.  There are two districts here with six missionaries in each district.  We meet weekly with both districts, one on Thursday and one on Friday, discussing investigator progress, problems they may be encountering, etc.  There is always a lesson given by one of the missionaries, and when necessary, we take some time to cover items: teaching gospel principles,  helping them understand the "whys and hows" of mission rules,  discussing new teaching ideas and techniques, giving pep talks, or just doing whatever the spirit directs us to do, which is sometimes just  sitting and talking after the meeting to get to know them in new ways and to laugh and joke with them.  We have made quick trips to apartments to help with companionship issues (Brent does all of this in private with each missionary; I sit and talk with the missionary who isn't being interviewed).  Brent counsels them on how to handle issues in the branches, how to work with the branch presidents and mission leaders, helps the elders with personal ups and downs, leaving the sister missionaries' up and downs to me, and generally just helping them with whatever comes up.  We have given advice (whatever it is worth) on a variety of personal challenges:  athletes foot, running out of money before running out of month, always feeling hungry and unsatisfied, broken beds, problems at home, not being able to sleep, problems with feelings of inadequacy...the help we try to give covers a huge spectrum of needs, but the main focus is just being there for them...grandparents away from home.  Our second responsibility is the branches.

We have five branches, and this Sunday a new group is opening up (a group is when there aren't enough members to form a branch, but enough members in a specific area to justify having their own meeting space).  We travel to and visit a different branch each Sunday, attending and participating in the investigator class if there is one, being in Young Women, Primary, everywhere we can to support the members.  Brent will sign temple recommends while we are there if needed, meet with members who ask for time, and just answer questions that the branch presidents may have, i.e. what to do if someone can't find their membership certificates (there is a brother serving as a branch president with no record of ever being baptized or ordained to the priesthood.) The record keeping needs a huge shot in the arm, but the lack of accurate records, or any records at all, is only a minor challenge.

We have a modern-day Korihor here who is causing problems with many of the members, visiting their homes, trying to convince them that the church has lost its authority, trying to pull members away.  Oh, there is never a time when there isn't an issue to deal with.  We spent one whole week translating (Brent translated; I was the scribe) sensitive documents, all hand written in French, that needed to be translated into English so that the First Presidency could read them.  We scanned and sent the originals and the translated letters to President Adams, who then forwarded them to Salt Lake.  THAT was exhausting, and again, wouldn't have been possible without help from our Heavenly Father.  We, gratefully, daily see His hand in the work here, with the missionaries, with the leaders, with the members, and with the investigators.  Speaking of...

We met an exceptional young woman at the bakery where we buy our bread and, as we visited with her, told her what we were doing on La Reunion. She asked about the church, so we sent the missionaries to see her, and then invited her and her family to the St Denis branch Christmas party (remember, where I sang in the choir?)  They came, and we had a great night together.  She expressed an interest in attending some meetings. This Sunday they are coming to church and then to dinner at our apartment along with the missionaries.  Hopefully, we will have a "missionary" experience to share with you after all.

Highlight of the week:  I discovered a wonderful new room freshener:  I take fresh vanilla beans (they look much like a green beans) and put a couple in each room.  The fragrance begins floating immediately through the air.  Just a whiff of fresh vanilla...Ahhh, it is amazing.  Vanilla beans are VERY expensive at home, but I can buy a whole bundle here for just three euros.

Lowlight of the week:  We were at the airport waiting for a new missionary to arrive from Madagascar.  It was a hot, humid night with much airport congestion, both vehicles and humans.  People were irritable.  We, of course, were wearing our missionary attire and name badges.  Four different people came up to Brent demanding that he do something about the nonfunctioning rest rooms.  Some days you just can't win!

Elder Heap talking with the missionaries during a P-day activity.  In 2010, the volcano here had a major eruption and the lava flowed over a huge area and into the ocean.  They are sitting on lava rock.

Three of us arrived at district meeting in pink, so we just had to pose together!

A better picture of the lava flow area.  Can't you just picture molten red lava covering all of this area and stretching as far as you can see on either side.

Our new elder from Madagascar.  When I get discouraged with the language, I will always think of him.  He came to Reunion and had to speak French.  After ten months, he was transferred to Madagascar and had to learn Malagasy, a very difficult language.  Eight months later, he was sent back here and had to start speaking French again.  It has been a challenge for him.  He told us, "I have struggled with language my whole mission".  A great, great elder who keeps moving forward - NO MATTER WHAT - or in which language.  

The Young Women and leaders of Le Port.  Each one has a special gospel history of trial, faith, and testimony.  We wish we could share some with you, but all are uniquely personal.  When we get home...

I think you know these two people.

The entrance to our apartment building.  As you can see, everything here has a security gate and the building has a code for access.  Beautiful island, but no one trusts anyone.

I know this is blurry; the camera couldn't focus, but can you believe that evening sky?

Nous vous aimons tous (we love you all)

The Castaways