Since we couldn't get the Ninja game video to load in the last post, we thought we would try it all by itself. So here is the third try.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Downs and ups
We are closing a busy period having sent missionaries home, hosted a zone conference but, sadly, sent home to Heavenly Father one of our young single adults.
For months, the first part of 2010 has loomed bringing with it the departure of seasoned, effective missionaries who have been leaders and trainers among us. We can selfishly miss them and wish they could stay, but they have completed their assignments from their Heavenly Father and must now move forward with other eternally important chapters of their lives. Nonetheless, we miss them.
We sent Elder Amundsen home two weeks ago. A quiet, hard working missionary, we watched him grow and rely on the Lord as he struggled to master the French language so that he could share his great testimony of the Lord, Jesus Christ. His family was greatly blessed while he was away, and a joyous reunion of a family sealed in the temple awaited him. But we watched him work steadily right to the end. His companions noted that he left a sector with many investigators having found it with none. He returned to a sector where he had started his mission. The members were grateful to have him back. The example of his family had strengthened another family in that area. Tearful embraces with this family and then we were off, he, on the way home.
The week ahead looked quite full with another 3 missionaries departing and a zone conference during which we would have two baptisms in two different branches. Then last Sunday we got word of the death of a young single adult sister. Audrey was loved by all. With her limited English, she always greeted us warmly and helped Sister Mautz feel she had a friend when we visited her branch in the Magenta sector. Raised here and a member all her life, her death was a blow. Journal entries shared by her mother at the funeral revealed her desire to serve a mission and a second job so that she could save money to go. Last Monday evening was the wake and the funeral at 7a the next morning. Perhaps you wonder, as did we as to the hour. So many deaths over the weekend such that 7a was the only slot available for the interment which has to take place on the third day by law here. I recall in the France years ago, a real wake lasted 3 days and took place at the home of the deceased while the family waited in case of resurrection. The interment was stark. We arrived as grave diggers emerged from the freshly dug hole in the ground as we walked behind the hearse. What hopes we enjoy through the resurrection of the Savior.
We enjoyed a great zone conference Friday with our Mission President and his wife as well as his two assistants who visited this part of the mission for the first time. Additionally, we hosted the mission nurse and her husband. They enjoyed seeing New Caledonia and found it a refreshing change from the more primitive Fiji. Good food, potable water and beautiful scenery.
Two baptisms Saturday with a missionary activity at the end of the day made for an additional full day with great blessings.
The first baptism was Eddye Tuvgahala in the Noumea 1 Branche. Eddye is a strong young single adult. He has a good job and will contribute great strength to the Church as the Gospel of Jesus Christ lesses his life. In his testimony after his baptism he shared his desire to serve a mission. Reports from Sunday tell us he arrived in white shirt and a new suit as he prepares.
Later that day Aurelie Hnassil was baptised in the Noumea 2 Branche. She leaves behind a difficult life as she joins the Church and starts a new life based on the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She, too, will contribute to her new branch family as a young single adult. What is clear from both of these baptisms is the liberating blessing of obedience to the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We closed the day on a lighter note with a game night for the missionaries giving all a chance to meet newly arrived elders while we relaxed together. We showed our age as we watched the younger missionaries play 'ninja' which we had never heard of, let alone played!
And then it was transfers and departures. We welcome Elder Wilcox as a new senior zone leader leading the missionary work here in New Caledonia. We send Elders Livingston, Payne and Troutman home to start the next chapters of their lives. They have served well and worked hard. We are grateful for their example and to know them. Already comes talk of a reunion shortly after we return home so that all the New Caledonia missionaries can meet.
For months, the first part of 2010 has loomed bringing with it the departure of seasoned, effective missionaries who have been leaders and trainers among us. We can selfishly miss them and wish they could stay, but they have completed their assignments from their Heavenly Father and must now move forward with other eternally important chapters of their lives. Nonetheless, we miss them.
We sent Elder Amundsen home two weeks ago. A quiet, hard working missionary, we watched him grow and rely on the Lord as he struggled to master the French language so that he could share his great testimony of the Lord, Jesus Christ. His family was greatly blessed while he was away, and a joyous reunion of a family sealed in the temple awaited him. But we watched him work steadily right to the end. His companions noted that he left a sector with many investigators having found it with none. He returned to a sector where he had started his mission. The members were grateful to have him back. The example of his family had strengthened another family in that area. Tearful embraces with this family and then we were off, he, on the way home.
The week ahead looked quite full with another 3 missionaries departing and a zone conference during which we would have two baptisms in two different branches. Then last Sunday we got word of the death of a young single adult sister. Audrey was loved by all. With her limited English, she always greeted us warmly and helped Sister Mautz feel she had a friend when we visited her branch in the Magenta sector. Raised here and a member all her life, her death was a blow. Journal entries shared by her mother at the funeral revealed her desire to serve a mission and a second job so that she could save money to go. Last Monday evening was the wake and the funeral at 7a the next morning. Perhaps you wonder, as did we as to the hour. So many deaths over the weekend such that 7a was the only slot available for the interment which has to take place on the third day by law here. I recall in the France years ago, a real wake lasted 3 days and took place at the home of the deceased while the family waited in case of resurrection. The interment was stark. We arrived as grave diggers emerged from the freshly dug hole in the ground as we walked behind the hearse. What hopes we enjoy through the resurrection of the Savior.
We enjoyed a great zone conference Friday with our Mission President and his wife as well as his two assistants who visited this part of the mission for the first time. Additionally, we hosted the mission nurse and her husband. They enjoyed seeing New Caledonia and found it a refreshing change from the more primitive Fiji. Good food, potable water and beautiful scenery.
Two baptisms Saturday with a missionary activity at the end of the day made for an additional full day with great blessings.
The first baptism was Eddye Tuvgahala in the Noumea 1 Branche. Eddye is a strong young single adult. He has a good job and will contribute great strength to the Church as the Gospel of Jesus Christ lesses his life. In his testimony after his baptism he shared his desire to serve a mission. Reports from Sunday tell us he arrived in white shirt and a new suit as he prepares.
Later that day Aurelie Hnassil was baptised in the Noumea 2 Branche. She leaves behind a difficult life as she joins the Church and starts a new life based on the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She, too, will contribute to her new branch family as a young single adult. What is clear from both of these baptisms is the liberating blessing of obedience to the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We closed the day on a lighter note with a game night for the missionaries giving all a chance to meet newly arrived elders while we relaxed together. We showed our age as we watched the younger missionaries play 'ninja' which we had never heard of, let alone played!
And then it was transfers and departures. We welcome Elder Wilcox as a new senior zone leader leading the missionary work here in New Caledonia. We send Elders Livingston, Payne and Troutman home to start the next chapters of their lives. They have served well and worked hard. We are grateful for their example and to know them. Already comes talk of a reunion shortly after we return home so that all the New Caledonia missionaries can meet.
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