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

Red Alert on La Reunion

Bonne Annee Nos Amis en Amerique!  (Happy New Year Our Friends in America)

Greetings of love for the new year to all those at home.  We understand the weather is frigid there...sorry, but here it is a balmy 85 (don't be too envious; it is also VERY humid).  We celebrated a totally different New Year here on the island as we joined with a group of the members at the pier for a Creole celebration.  Much delicious food (as always), eaten late (as always), great conversations with much animated arm waving and gesturing (as always), and yet another array of memories tucked away in our mental photo album.  We didn't stay to welcome in the new year because we had the sister missionaries with us and they (and I) wanted to be home to see the new year from our apartment which overlooks the whole city of St Denis.  I have to say, it was an AMAZING sight!  The sky, as far as I could see in either direction, literally exploded with dazzling fireworks which lasted for twenty minutes and was followed by the release of floating lanterns...remember in Tangled?  These lanterns are about the size of a 40 gallon drum so their light is very bright and can be seen for a long time.  After all of the excitement, sound, and explosion of the fireworks, the peaceful, glowing lanterns floating upward and upward and upward was an intensely spiritual moment for me.  It was a breathtaking New Year's celebration that, visually, will be difficult to equal and we will never forget the sight.  We will also never forget what followed.

The next day, we heard that there may be a cyclone/hurricane (those words are used interchangeably here) coming toward our island.  We have heard this before, with nothing ever materializing, so we didn't think too much of it.  By Wednesday, however, we were on orange alert, which means "Get Ready" so we contacted all the missionaries and instructed them to have extra food, plenty of bottled water , batteries, candles, a tankful of gas, and anything else that they thought they might need.  The winds were picking up and it had started to rain; we knew that we would experience at least some of the tropical storm.  Wednesday morning we were on red alert, which means NO ONE leaves their dwelling for ANY reason or they will be heavily ticketed.  It was strange looking on the city below with totally empty streets.  All day the winds raged at 80 - 90 m/hr and the rain fell like buckets being dumped from the sky, but the most alarming part of the storm was the ocean.  Usually calm and serene, the surf boiled with waves of about twenty-one to twenty-five feet crashing on the shore; we could hear the sound of it even though we live probably five miles up the mountain.  Our apartment never lost power, but many of our missionaries were without power all day and into the night.  The worst part for me was the late afternoon, about 5:00, when everything just stopped: no wind, no rain, no sound, just the heavy, humid air and the steel-gray skies.  It was eerie and made me very uncomfortable.  The storm site I was following indicated that we were in the eye of the storm, and I thought, "Okay, then what comes next?"  We finally went to bed and during the night could hear the wind and rain picking up, but when we arose the next morning, all was calm and it was over...just like that!  Some parts of the island had many downed trees and, of course, there were broken branches everywhere, but no structural damage anyplace as far as we heard.  The natives here said that it was a "little" storm; they have experienced winds of up to 200 m/hr; I can't even imagine that.  I thought so many times during the day of hurricane Sandy and all the tragedies of New York.  Storms like that are terrifying.  When I alerted the family about what was happening, Tucker said, "I hope you don't get washed up on African shores somewhere!"  At that point you really do feel like, "Hey, we are 500 miles from another major land mass; what do we do out here if things really get bad?"  As it was, Brent and I rather enjoyed a day of catching up, alone, in our apartment once we knew that all of the missionaries were safe in theirs.

Our mission here will be one-third completed next week; we can't believe that.  In some ways it seems like we have been gone from home for such a long time and yet, in other ways, it seems like we just arrived.  I would have thought that I would be babbling along easily in French by now; not so.  The language has been a challenge for me, and for Brent, even though he had spoken it decades ago.  We have decided that the important thing is just to keep praying, studying, talking, not worrying about all the mistakes we make, knowing that we are doing the Lord's work the best we can, and having faith that when it is really important, He will make up the difference.

Highlight of the week:  A humorous anecdote about the storm.  We were so busy taking care of everything here that we were surprised to receive a frantic telephone call from President Adams.  "I hear you are on red alert over there!"  "Yes."  "Well, why didn't you call me?"  "Because everything is under control and we didn't want to bother you."  "Well, there are people in Salt Lake watching this stuff and they are going to be calling me and asking me about the hurricane...I NEED DETAILS! There will be mothers calling Salt Lake checking on their children on La Reunion and I need to have something to tell them!"  We were in big trouble (and we could see why, but we just hadn't thought of calling), but he and Brent had a good laugh, later...much later.

Lowlight of the week:  The morning after the storm, Brent and I needed to stretch our legs, so we went to the workout park early.  As we walked up the ramp, I was delighted to see huge snails, as big as your fist, everywhere.  I said to Brent, "Oh look at....."  CRUNCH!  He hadn't looked soon enough.  We both just let out a little moan as we observed at the crushed shell.  Bad moment.

We had a meeting at the bottom of the island, in St Pierre, and arrived twenty minutes early, so we went down to the beach because we could see that the sunset was going to be spectacular.  It didn't disappoint, and we wanted to share this beautiful part of Heavenly Father's world with you.

Brent LOVES peanut butter and they don't have it here.  One of the elders once found a small jar in a grocery store in St Pierre and Brent was able to buy some, but none of us have ever seen it since.  The day after Christmas, the zone leaders came over to our apartment and said, "We have some good news and some bad news; which do you want first?" The bad news.  "Okay, well one of the elders beds collapsed last night and will have to be replaced.  Now the good news, and you have to just say "Yes."  Okay, what is it?  and the elder rummages in his backpack and pulls out this huge bottle of crunchy Skippy peanut butter, which was obviously part of his Christmas sent from home.  Brent didn't want to accept, but he insisted saying, "You already agreed to just say yes."  Moments like this REALLY touch your heart.

Elder Tema, second from the right, the Tahitian elder who served with us when we first came here , arriving from Madagascar to spend twenty-four hours out of the country to meet Visa requirements.  We SO wanted to keep him but, alas, he had to return.  The other two elders are our zone leaders.

When we have had a tough day and cooking dinner isn't an option, we visit "the mustache man" to purchase one or two of his delicious grilled poulets (whole chickens).  His personality is just as large as his appearance, and we love our visits with him, but we love his chickens more!  As AJ would say, "Delish!"

After the rains.

Now you can see better why he is called "the Mustache man."

My visiting teacher Lorraine Tennant, aka Mrs Cavanaugh, sent me some of her MOST delicious candy in October.  I waited anxiously but by Christmas had decided that it was gone forever.  Two days after Christmas, however, I was surprised and excited to see her package in our mailbox.  I told Brent, "I know the candy will be stale, but I'm eating it anyway.  I can't wait to have something familiar."  I opened the box to find an Arabic newspaper and a Super Mario Bros XBox game, in German!  I have tried to figure it out, but am totally mystified.  If you have an answer, e-mail me. I know I am smiling, but I was REALLY mad all that day!

We stopped at a little roadside stand and Brent bought me these flowers to celebrate the new year.  I know it is winter at home, but the flowers are blooming everywhere here...in the summertime.

May your new year be full of all that you deeply wish for.  You are in our thoughts and prayers daily.

                                                                    A Bientot!

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