New Missionaries, a baptism, Mothers' Day and Gratitude

Last Saturday morning we were up early and off to the branch near the airport to attend the baptism of a young man, 11 years old. He will be joined in the Fall by his parents who are getting their life in order. In the area where he lives, local tribes are still quite strong along with their tribal customs that aren't always consistent with eternal principles like marriage and families. But he is a bright young man and has been reading the Book of Mormon and concluded he wanted to go ahead with his family's support. Both his mother and father were present. The Primary children sang (sorry that we missed getting it on 'film.' For another time) and it was delightful. The baptismal font is in the middle of the courtyard between the two wings of the building. It is a tiled hole in the ground with running water in and an electric pump to empty it. Covered when not is use. Pictures nearby will show you the setting. Carl is learning to preside at such meetings and also play the piano. The members are always grateful to have music for singing. And we all love to sing together. Rousing hymns.

That trip worked nicely with the expected arrival of our 3 new sister missionaries since the airport is just minutes away from the chapel there. However, due to some strikes (related to last week's incidents in Noumea) they were a  couple hours late. So we waited. Our reunion with all three of these good missionaries was delightful. Two of them came from the USA where we had met them in the Provo MTC. The third is from here. I had set her apart just 

weeks ago. She went to the MTC in Auckland and noted to me, 'to think I almost missed that delightful experience.' We brought them home to our apartment where we met the other sister missionaries. Shirley hosted a delightful luncheon with a pasta/chicken salad, fruit, French bread and cheeses and brownies for dessert. No small effort in our small kitchen, but she was well prepared from efforts the preceding day enhanced by salad dressing mixes sent from home. 

We got new missionaries matched up with their trainer companions and off to their assignments before the day was done. We did have one small adventure in all of this. One of my tasks is the responsibility for the car fleet of 10 autos here. As you know, I buy them, trade them in etc. Also see that they get maintained. I also test the missionaries to be sure they have reasonable abilities to drive and a clean record before they are allowed behind the wheel. Each car has one designated driver. In this case, the designated driver was to be one of the new missionaries who did not know how to drive a stick shift. 

So, after a prayer together, we took off into the hills and rond points (round abouts) of Noumea to train her a little. She actually did quite well. Her companion could drive but does not have an international driver's license. After leaving only a bit of tire on a rather steep incline and stop sign, we got along quite well. We even had a flustered moment so that I could say 'OK, just stop and let those cars by. Gather your wits, take a deep breath and then we will try again.' All in a day's work in that short hour. She left just at dusk to drive north an hour with a great calming companion, some measure of self-confidence and lots of our prayers with her. We have seen her or spoken with her twice since then, things are going well and getting better.

The week slipped away before we knew it with P-day and end-of the month reports and efforts. But all is done now. We are beginning to feel like our work is under control and we can turn some thoughts and effort to working more with the local leadership and Branches.

We can't forget the missionaries in the blog.  P-day brings many of the Elders and some Sisters that are close t0 the office to check for mail or just to visit with each other.  It is fun to listen and watch.  This week, some of the Elders found dropped coconuts on the ground.  I don't know where they found the big knife, but pretty soon they were chopping off the hard skin and enjoying coconut milk and the insides.  See the attached photos.

At the baptism earlier in the week, the local Branch President invited us to their Mothers' Day soiree to be held last night. So we drove back yesterday evening not knowing quite what to expect. Nearby pictures will tell the story better than words. We arrived to find half the parking lot decorated and set up for dinner. A deer was roasting over a slow fire on a spit. Palm fronds and pine bows created a natural barrier and feeling of enclosure from the rest of the parking lot. Dinner was prepared entirely by the brethren while the sisters visited. And it was a dinner. Home made egg rolls, soup, vegetable salad, the roasted deer, rice, poi in two creations that were delicious and filling. then cakes and fruit salad for dessert. The Aaronic Priesthood, dressed in suits, white shirts and ties served us all evening long very attentively.

But the most fun was the entertainment provided by the Young Women who performed a variety of graceful, sometimes very energetic Tahitian hulas and dances in native costume. Clearly, the local culture is surviving. We loved it. Because it was dark and we were outside with modest lighting, you will only get a flavor of some of this. But the images nearby should be fun. We enjoyed songs form the Primary. When we left at 9:30p for the hour drive home, the party was still going strong. At one point, the daughters and their mothers joined in a dance. A few selections were from individual young woman who clearly prepared quite well. How do they get their hip to move like that? A Primary child, about 4 years old, stole part of the show dancing at the same time as one of the YW.  She could mimic exactly what the old girl was doing.  It was amazing. (Note that in the accompanying pictures, those that seem darkest are short video clips to give you a flavor of local music. We regret not having brought our video camera.)

An finally, while we have been doing all of this, our family at home is greatly blessed. Donna and Chris welcomed a new son, Ean, born Thursday evening if we have our dates right, without complication. Ean and Donna are doing just fine we understand. We hope to meet this new grandson via skype tomorrow our time. Pictures have already made it half way around the world   And Dr. Alan Mautz successfully completed his 4+ hour oral examinations to be admitted by the examining Board as a certified radiologist. We pray for our children and are grateful for the Lord's blessings upon them. In addition a nephew and his wife welcomed a new daughter to their family. Quite a week for the family.

We approach zone conference in the next ten days and a week long visit from our Mission President and his wife. Will be a busy time but we enjoy their visits very much.  They will be accompanied by the mission nurse and her husband who will be returning to their home in the next few weeks.  We enjoyed meeting them on our brief visit through Fiji.