Baptism, birthdays and a new Branch President

We start our second year in New Caledonia recording a baptism, celebrating the birthdays of 3 of our missionaries and welcoming a new branch president in the Tontouta branch.

Integrating new members into the the branches here commands as much effort as does finding those who are ready to hear the Master's voice. Sometimes one falls way to be found some time later. Such is the case with Emilienne Bealo. When she found the Church again she brought with her her granddaughter Romanella a nine-year-old Primary child already surrounded with friends from her Primary class in the Mont Dore Branch. For her baptism she and this class sang together 'When I am baptized.' She shared a sweet tender testimony of happiness and peace found in her new membership in the Church. She was baptized by Brother Tama, formerly of the Elders' Quorum Presidency and now a counselor in the Branch Presidency. A delightful Saturday evening.

The next morning in the Tontouta branch Adolph Bearune was sustained as the new branch president. The branch has recently grown, now double to 120 attending Sacrament Services from only 6 months ago. The chapel accommodates about 80 people, so the rest sit in chairs outside with the windows all wide open so that the meeting is 'en pleine aire' for everybody inside and out. A great spirit with wonderful enthusiasm singing the hymns of Zion. Just released President Bondonneau attributes the increased size not to anything he has done as the Branch President but to the great efforts of the branch leaders.

President Bearune is a returned missionary and father of a young family. He joins a growing group of young Church leaders here who have been blessed to have grown up in the Church. His father is the branch president in Mare. His wife, also a returned missionary, will be a great support as he cares for the needs of this growing branch.

Monday brought P-day. At our Mission President's request, the missionaries here only get together every other week now. This allows for the Districts to be together in smaller groups on the alternate Mondays. However, we had 3 birthdays to celebrate this week. Everybody gathered for some sports, lots of catching up, washing the mission cars and cakes to celebrate. Birthdays were Sister Leavitt and Elder Payne on the 17th and Elder Wilcox the 27th. One of the unique parts of this component of the Fiji-Suva Mission is the camaraderie between the missionaries who very much enjoy getting together in a relaxed setting from time to time.

And so we start our second year in New Caledonia. Looking back at wonderful experiences, we also look forward knowing that in the coming weeks we will say farewell to yet more missionaries with whom we have served during this first year. The group of missionaries has been relatively stable over these last 12 months, but great changes are on the way. Five new missionaries arrive in just a week as we send four home. And another 3 leave in just a few weeks after that. By the end of August half of the Elders will have been here less than 8 months. A similar change among the sisters will occur before the end of the calendar year. We are grateful to have served with these faithful servants of Heavenly Father and look forward to helping those are to arrive.

Arrivals, departures, dedication, birthday and baptisms

In which is told the long-dreaded departure of Elder Huuti, Elder Stilson's arrival, the Mont Dore chapel dedication, Zone Conference and Elder Mautz's birthday, two baptisms and the celebration of the Savior's atoning sacrifice and resurrection.

Days continue to march along and suddenly that which seemed distant into the future arrives, and is passed. Months ago we looked at the end of March knowing we would send home a fine missionary, beloved by his fellow missionaries and a son to us. As March 29 approached his calendar filled with dinners, lunches and even breakfasts. We had fun enjoying lunch together with his missionary district the Friday before he left. Then it was Monday and off early to the airport to see him off. Lots of smiles as photos were taken. Elder Huuti and his companion had been the first to teach the Boa family, so Sister Boa and her husband came to see him off. Then suddenly the moment arrived. Shoulders drooped and tears welled up in those big brown marquise eyes as he hugged us all good by and embarked. All really Sister Mautz's fault as she told his companion to look the other way while she hugged him good bye! He will be a great leader in other responsibilities in the Church.

Just before Elder Huuti left, Elder Stilson, from Orangeville, Utah, arrived. The first couple weeks were a bit bumpy for him as he had one new companion and then another, zone conference, Easter and all. But he took it all in stride and is now settling in in Boulouparis with Elder Turner as his companion and district leader. We will enjoy getting to see him on our Tuesday visits to Tontouta for District meetings over the coming weeks.

Saturday, April 3 brought two baptisms at the same hour. One in Riviere Salee the 9-year-old son of an inactive family. This family is returning and their son's baptism is the first of many blessings bestowed lovingly by their Heavenly Father.

The second baptism was in Tontouta, Victor Boa, 16 years old. He joins his mother and younger brother Claude as members of the Church. His baptism was a tender moment for his mother who continues working to bring her entire family to the joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Victor shared a sweet, short testimony of gratitude for the Savior and the privilege of joining the church. We hope a mission is in his future.

Saturday morning also brought the dedication of the Mont Dore chapel. An intense 2 1/2 weeks of work outside left the grounds and gardens looking wonderful. A sunshiny day after weeks of rain and wind made the day particularly pleasant. The President of the Government of New Caledonia joined us and spoke. Another expected guest, the local mayor, had an emergency come up. President Ostler gave me the chance to speak. With everything else, it seemed appropriate to return to the Savior whose atonement we were also celebrating that weekend.

Also in attendance were local tribal chiefs, heads of family clans. One of them took quite a liking to Sister Mautz during the reception and commenced wooing her with love songs while Elder Mautz was on the other side of the room. She fled for help with said chief in hot pursuit. Then it was time to go!

The services were delightful with the branch choir from Mont Dore providing the music, an open house particularly helpful during the press interview with Elder Mautz and Sister Guidi, our District public relations person and a reporter from the only local paper of stature. President Ostler spoke and delivered a dedicatory prayer that had been dictated through revelation.

Sunday evening the District Choir including several of the missionaries, presented an Easter concert of sacred music including a narration and pictures depicting the crucification and triumphal resurrection. With 300 people in attendance the music was well received. Our directorice is a French-educated Melanesian. She knew how to get great sounds out of us. Sister Mautz and one of the Sister missionaries also sang a beautiful duet. The program ended in an hour leaving everybody hungry for a little more.

Then it was time to move on to zone conference. All the missionaries were in from distant places including our team in Lifou. The conference included a family home evening held at our apartment for all the missionaries. A balmy evening invited us to open up the large glass doors and use the balconies as well as the living area. Sister Mautz took advantage of having everybody together and ordered a large birthday cake for Elder Mautz's pending birthday. 26 young missionaries made quick work of most of it after our lesson. These missionaries love getting together as they don't see each other very much during the weeks between conferences.

Also great was seeing the team from Lifou who have been gone 6 weeks. They have a family of 5 preparing for baptism towards the end of this month. They report that the two local branches, in Lifou and on Mare, are very involved in helping with their work. They have ridden more than 1000 kilometers in their first 6 weeks, which also means they are repairing tires often. The biggest pending challenge is finding a place to perform the baptism, as most of the beaches are on tribal lands and therefore not available. The work moves on steadily.

The Easter season, autumn in the southern hemisphere, focuses us anew on the reason this great work moves on. Heavenly Father loves His children. He sent his only Begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. We so testify.