Ahhhh, I can't believe it has been three weeks and one day since our last post; the weeks are like days here. Brent says that the only time he knows what day it is when he is taking the sacrament; all the other days blur into each other. Where to begin?...one of our missionaries had hernia surgery; we had to purchase four new beds (with many more to follow); all of the missionaries on the island were transferred to new areas with new companions; one of our zone leaders was transferred to Mauritius; a new sister missionary arrived from France; we had to renew our French visas because the year mark is coming up - can you believe that? - and tomorrow the mission president arrives for a six day stay, with a member of the Area Presidency arriving on Friday for an all-island District Conference. That, however, will be another post; tonight I want to talk about something tres, tres bien...GIRL'S CAMP LA REUNION STYLE!
Yes, it's true. Here we are, far from home, still sleeping on the hard ground (we had no pads and the ground was like concrete...OUCH!) trying to keep the sand out of our tent. I helped the YW's district president obtain camp manuals from Salt Lake and when she asked me if I would like to attend with them, I jumped at the chance. Brent, being the great sport and support that he is, came along in a Priesthood capacity and, for three days, we were "back in the saddle", but this time, we were not in the mountains, we were at the beach. It was a totally different experience as far as the physical facilities: we were in a huge secured, fenced area with probably 500 other tents and who knows how many campers. Kids were riding bicycles and roller skating on the cement paths, but the most bizarre thing was that when we pulled into camp, there was a refrigerator right in the middle of our camp. I couldn't believe it. The young women leaders had talked someone from La Port into picking up the fridge from the church and hauling it there on a big flatbed truck. We were living in luxury: electricity, showers, and rest rooms! We walked along the beach, swam in the ocean, played together, nobody worried about certification; it was wonderful! Brent and I will never forget the campfire on the beach under a beautiful, almost full moon and the sound of the rolling surf beyond. We arose early for sunrise services, prayed, sang hymns, shared feelings, and felt the spirit just like you do in the mountains. On the last morning, we were up early, the girls all had tousled hair and blankets wrapped around them, but were singing beautifully (they love to sing here and it is not unusual to sing four hymns - all verses - before getting started with whatever you are doing). A woman from an adjoining camp walked over and joined us, just sitting down quietly with the group. The girl next to her shared her hymn book, and she began singing along. Brent gave a beautiful spiritual message, there was more singing and then a closing prayer. We visited briefly with her and she left. About 9:00 in the morning, after everyone was packed up to leave, they all gathered for a testimony meeting. Other campers were bustling about, children were laughing, music was playing in the distance; I wondered how it would go. I learned that when young women of faith and commitment gather to share their testimonies, it ALWAYS works. It was like we were suspended in our own little grove of peace, and do you know what? The woman who had joined us early that morning, returned, listened, snuggled with a teenage son who also wandered in, and after the gathering ended, asked to have the missionaries visit with her. We gave them her number, they contacted her, and she wants to attend District Conference this weekend, where, we will be sure that she has an opportunity to visit with President Adams and Elder Bricknell, the visiting general authority. Isn't it interesting how paths and spirits connect.....
Fifteen girls, two who were nonmembers, two who were inactive, two who weren't planning on attending camp until I visited their Young Women's class and wouldn't take "No" for an answer. "You HAVE to come; we NEED you there!" Another memory to tuck away, with much love and gratitude, to remind us that everything doesn't have to follow a prescribed pattern; there are many ways to build feelings of love, unity, and faith. When we really try and then leave the rest to the Lord, it ALWAYS works.
Highlight of the week: It is coconut season here, and it is so hilarious when you unknowingly get under a coconut tree. The Tahitian missionaries, or some of the members, are frantic, "Hurry, get out from under that tree; you could be killed by a falling coconut." It seemed funny at first, but when you actually look up and see how far they would fall before hitting you, it makes total sense. I certainly watch out now!
Lowlight of the week: We have two missionaries here that we are trying to finish up visa work for so they can serve on Mauritius. It is very difficult because we are dealing with two different governments; La Reunion is French, and Mauritius is its own government, which is basically Hindu, so all applications are different. Our poor Zone Leaders are jumping through all kinds of hoops to get the work done and sometimes it takes months and months of trying. Anyway, the two elders, had to get some laboratory tests done to prove they were healthy, so the elders (who had traveled from far away), the zone leaders, and Brent and I, all went to the lab. They informed us that the technicians were on strike that day; we would have to come back tomorrow. Zone Leaders: "We can't come back tomorrow." Receptionists: "Sorry, there is nothing we can do." The ZL were dejected as they walked back to us. I looked at Brent and knew that he WAS NOT going to accept that answer. "This can play out in one of two ways," I thought as I watched him approach the desk and I knew that one of the options would not be pretty. I knew we were going to win when he had the receptionists laughing and they called the head physician down from upstairs to talk to him. The elders headed for the bathroom, cups in hand with big smiles on their faces. These kinds of situations don't ALWAYS work out, but this one worked out perfectly.
Photo gallery:
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| Okay, so explain once more how it goes! |
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| Beach time after lunch. |
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| If I were taller, the sun would be sitting on my finger tip and it would have been a great photo. |
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| The water was warm..... |
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| There it is, THE FRIDGE, and the women who got it there! |
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| Isn't girl's camp just the BEST! |
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| Packing up to go home..."Now tell me once more how you think this tent is supposed to fold up?" |
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| The "fire-builder" on the beach |
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| This is how I will always remember it. |
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| The senior couple - really looking like it after two nights of no sleep (there was a disco down the street that played throbbing music until 5 in the morning.) What a blessing to be able to share these experiences with you. I wish we could adequately express the feelings of love and appreciation we have for the missionaries and the members we serve with here. The chance of a lifetime. We may not always be able to see it immediately, but we know It ALWAYS works We love you, The Castaways |
