Settling in in New Caledonia

After much talk and travel, we are finally here.  Here are our first impressions of the country, living here, our great new friends, and the missionaries.

The contrast between Fiji where we spent two days, and New Caledonia are stark and enormous. Fiji is 3rd world. We landed at the airport in Nadi (pronounced Nandi) and had a 4-hour bus ride to the other side of the island. We were met and then sent off again by a team of missionaries who spend much of their time helping poor strangers like us get to where they need to be. 

Then two days with our mission president and his wife being oriented, going to the Temple in Fiji which was just like going home, and then off again. Bumpy roads with lots of holes in them. A national speed limit of 50 mph, or 80 km per hour. Pictures nearby will show you a view of the country from the veranda where we bought them lunch just before leaving Fiji.

We landed in NC after dark but the contrast was immediate. A freeway, divided even, with cars cruising like the autobahn. Again the airport in NC is a distance from Noumea but the trip was quick and comfortable. The zone leaders met us. They have responsibility for directing the missionary work in NC and are very capable young men. Our apartment was waiting for us as previously arranged. We are grateful for those who have come before and prepared us a bit. It is winter here with days shortening, counter intuitive we know. and yes the sun still does rise in the east in the southern hemisphere!  The temperatures are in the 80's.

The apartment is furnished in the basics. But the views of this topical island are spectacular from the 10th floor. Again the pictures are attached. And now a week later and with good maps, we can find grocery stores, two of the church buildings as well as our office. we have shopped a little, managed to do laundry in our own apartment, have eaten a few meals here and enjoyed morning walks along the beach.

Much of our responsibilities will include helping the young missionaries with whatever they need. They have done this a long time without any help. So they are teaching us how to pay their bills, oversee the car fleets, help with visas and carte de sejours and administer the work. We have also had the opportunity already to help a young elder who is a little discouraged. As he works hard to meet people, share his beliefs and learn a new language. And coach another on beginning to form some plans for the rest of his life using principles he has been using on his mission to plan his time, set objectives and move forward in them. We attended our first meeting with our zone leadership team. Together we are going to learn to use agendas, followup on items from the previous week,  use  the valuable stats gathered each week and reported to headquarters in Suva and make assignments.  Much has already changed for this week's meeting which will take place Friday. Teachable young men, with little experience but eager to learn.  They quickly see what can be done. We hope we can make them more effective in helping their fellow missionaries carry out their important work.

We attended our first Church meetings yesterday, Sunday. A new building with ac. Two different branches or congregations. The members greet us eagerly. Shirley has been patient as I interact with them in French sometimes turning to her and continuing right on in French, other times at least trying to remember to shift language. As I have to sit with the leaders on the stand, she has had either a missionary or another member sitting with her to translate. French is clearly the language spoken here, everywhere. I am enlarging my vocabulary everyday dealing with internet connectivity, a broken down car, shopping for lamps and fan, etc. 

The branches are run entirely by the local members and the church is quite well established. 

In one of the Sacrament services, (the main worship service of the day), the youth of the Branch and the full time missionaries presented their testimonies in gratitude for the Savior in music and talks.  It was a delightful meeting with a strong witness of the Spirit of the truthfulness of what they were saying.