Our Adventure

The Last Entry

2011-02-28T08:51:00.001+11:00

I am writing this from our home in Oakton, Virginia. We left New Caledonia on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 after a very full two weeks including lunch with all the missionaries, a zone conference followed by a farewell soiree, district conference and a final p-day. We are enjoying being with our family again but miss dear friends and missionaries with whom we served. The entire mission experience continues to be a blessing from a loving Heavenly Father far exceeding anything we could offer Him.

Before actually entering the final two weeks, we had a number of dinners with families in the District. Meals were 'en famille' with wonderful food and great company. We have come to know these good people, their challenges, disappointments and successes. So time with them was even more precious.

Shirley Ann Munikihaafata, named for Sister Mautz, was born Monday, February 14, 2011. Just days before our departure. She is a beautiful little girl with a full head of black hair. We visited her and her mother Wednesday morning.

Eight days before our departure, we enjoyed a final p-day including a last birthday cake. With more than a week ahead of us still. Time was slipping away. That Tuesday, we took all the zone out for lunch at a favorite pizza, burger/ steak place around the corner from our apartment. We had eaten there a number of times with missionaries after stolen back packs, to plan upcoming events etc. This time, we had the whole group. The owner always greeted Sister Mautz fondly and this time exclaimed, 'Oh, you brought all the kids.' After lunch we came upstairs for cake and ice cream and a final birthday cake. We should note how impressive our group of missionaries was to the local shop keepers whom we avhe come to know during our stay. Everybody recognizes the black name badge and knew who we and they were.
We are always grateful for the way they conduct themselves.

Friday brought both a last zone conference as well as a farewell soiree from the District. We particularly enjoyed the zone conference and then shared testimonies with the missionaries before departing.

Saturday as District Conference started, we also had a last baptism, the son of President and Sister Parau of the Noumea 2 branch.

The Farewell Soiree was in our honor and was larger than we could ever have anticipated. One member commented to us that we should understand how much we were loved. Some couples had left with nothing at all. Each branch shared a cultural tradition in music or dance. The final branch was Tontouta who brought a Tahitian band made up of members with them. They sang and danced and then presented us with traditional Vanuatuan clothing as well as a hand made bed spread.

District Conference and an evening youth fireside brought our member activity to its close. A wonderful spirit at the District Conference as we taught priesthood leaders about branch councils and then in the general session spoke to the theme of 'following the prophet.'

Our last p-day brought rain. We had much to do that day as we helped a Samoan elder who had come in from Vanuatu. He had 4 impacted wisdom teeth, and nobody in his part of the mission could help him with this dental problem. So our Mission President asked us to set up time with an oral surgeon in Noumea. That required panoramic x-rays that had to be taken early Monday morning preceding his pre-op visit with the surgeon that evening. In between, we finished packing, helped one last member with a BYU-H application. Joined p-day during a rainy day for a few minutes and then suddenly the day was passed.

And so we have traveled home via New Zealand with minimal discomfort to find all well in our home in Virginia. We were surprised to be met by dear friends at the airport. We have been officially released by our Stake President and have reported to the Seminary classes. On Sunday Shirley Ann Munikihaafata was blessed by a member of the branch presidency in her branch.

We are grateful.

Penultimate Post?

2011-02-05T10:47:00.001+11:00

The end of our mission here in New Caledonia is rapidly approaching. Our routine activities being replaced by those of saying good-by and taking time to visit sites we have not earlier visited.

Of course the missionaries still have birthdays and we are still baking cakes and singing to celebrate. Sister Maretafau's birthday brought yet another lemon cake, a favorite among the Tahitians. The weather is so warm that we celebrated in the shade of one of the large trees just outside our office.

And, wonderfully, we still get to attend baptisms. This Horiu Uffa was baptized by her father as the entire family returned to activity in the Church. The chapel was filled with members of her branch supporting her and her whole family. What better way to pass an evening then with fellow saints celebrating the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The 'good-bye's have started even though we don't leave for another 2 1/2 weeks. Having been here for almost 2 years, we are more than acquainted with the triumphs, concerns, desire and efforts of many individual saints here. We rejoice in their happiness and mourn for them in difficult or disappointing experiences.

We enjoyed a wonderful Saturday noon meal with the Bayonne family. Our conversations took us back well over a year when they had just arrived here. Their son, Stanley, was unhappy and withdrawn having left friends behind in the move. Tender recollections of Elder Huuti and Elder Morrill who first visited them and encouraged Stanley. They could not then know the result of those early efforts as they encouraged him to read his Scriptures and go to his Heavenly Father for help. Stanley is a happy young man and knows from whence his joy comes. Successive teams of missionaries kept up those visits and encouragement. He will be studying in New Zealand this year having made significant progress with his English also.

We visited Mont Dore the next day for Sunday services and bid that branch good by as we shared testimonies with them. Among dear friends there is the Mocellin family. We have appreciated their willingness to serve and to give of themselves.

And then a family home evening with the Leau family. Great conversation with people whom we love as they fulfill significant callings in their branch, work with the missionaries and serve. Our former zone leader, Vetea Aiho has married their older daughter. We presented a lesson using scriptures around the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel to play 'fish.' And then had a rousing game of musical chairs. Gets a little rougher with adults playing! All followed by a delicious dinner.

And then we took a 'tourist' day. The island country of New Caledonia is surrounded by a barrier coral reef that is between 10 and 15 miles off shore reaching all around the island, about 1600 kilometers long.
The reef creates one of the world's largest lagoons or calmer bodies of water where tropical fish and water creatures can live. Snorkeling and scuba diving as well as pirogue, sail boarding and kite boarding are all very popular in this large lagoon.

At the most significant break in the reef providing an entrance to the lagoon stands the Amedee lighthouse. A local company provides day trips to the small island 24 kilometers out from Noumea. the small ilot (small island) on which the lighthouse stands, hardly rises above sea level, but the lighthouse guides ships into the lagoon. The hike around the entire periphery beach was 15 minutes. the contrast between the side facing the ocean and that facing the lagoon onto which our boat brought us were real.

The lighthouse was built in 1862 in Paris, then dismantled and shipped to New Caledonia where it was re-constructed. the pictures below will illustrate that this is clearly a French lighthouse or phare. You can see for yourselves.

During the course of the day we also climbed back on the boat for a trip out to the reef. Rollers crashing on a beach but with no beach at all. the coral below the surface caused the rollers to break. We can also see this from our balcony window as an undulating ribbon of white caused by the breakers on the reef 24 kilometers out at the horizon.

The day was completed with a delightful noon meal of seafood and fresh tropical fruits.

An update from the last blog. Soane received the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained a Priest the week after his baptism and blessed the Sacrament for the first time February 6, 2011. At his side teaching, assisting and blessing the Sacrament was 16-year-old Stefano Sekeme whose family joined the Church just 2 1/2 years ago. No pictures of this event for obvious reasons, but a great blessing in the lives of man people. Soane was clean-shaven.

Yet ahead before we leave is our last zone conference as well as the inevitable preparations for such a trip. We are grateful to serve with great young missionaries and with these wonderful people. What examples they are of faithful service to their Heavenly Father, as they serve each other and their neighbors and friends.

At last...birthdays, wedding and baptisms

2011-01-22T21:54:00.000+11:00

Last Saturday we wondered if all that had been cancelled due to hurricane Vania could be rescheduled. Or at least how soon those events could be rescheduled. Today, a week later, we have celebrated the long awaited marriage and attended three baptisms. 'On deborde de joie.'

By Monday morning, much of the flooding was starting to recede although it continued to rain. The 3rd p-day in a row with rain. But we all had work to do cleaning apartments, washing and cleaning cars, picking up mail and having a little fun together before the week's work began. And also celebrating two birthdays that fell that very day. We are surprised that among the 26 missionaries here, we have a number of double ups on birthdays. Somebody better in statistics will have to explain that one. Shortly after missionaries arrived in the early afternoon, we sang happy birthday with great gusto and ate cake. But we still didn't know when the delayed wedding could be rescheduled at the Mairie.

However, By Tuesday afternoon that question had been answered and we looked forward to Saturday, January 22 with much anticipation.

The day dawned rainy with squall lines passing overhead bringing intermittent showers and sunshine. We were up early to drive to Tontouta for Jean-Claude Ouasette's baptism. We met Jean Claude many weeks ago as he faithfully attended church services in the Tontouta branch. The service today was small but with several members of his family present. His only daughter and grandchildren as well as his brother. He shared a simple, yet powerful, testimony of the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in his life, then encouraged his family, through tears of gratitude, to realize what they were feeling also.

The baptism was early so that we would have time to get back to Noumea for Soane and Vaea's wedding at 10a and the following baptisms at noon. We are grateful for the tender mercy that allowed a heavily scheduled day to roll along and the resultant blessings from Heavenly Father for so many people.

In French counties, marriages must be solemnized before a representative of the government in the city where the spouses live to be legal. This is important because at this ceremony the couple receives their 'family book' which records and is legal proof of all major events in their lives including marriages, births, deaths etc to which are tied all government benefits including healthcare.

The wedding took place at the appointed hour. All the necessary papers had been provided weeks before. That sentence took very few words, but the efforts to get to that point were enormous. Documents at Soane's birth had not been properly prepared. He is Wallisian by birth but was born in Vanuatu, formerly a French country, but now independent. Corrections to these all-important documents had to be done in Nantes, France. These corrections had mistakes themselves that had to be corrected. Every correction effort took 8-10 weeks of turn around time. Many months had passed trying to get it all done so that this marriage could happen and then the baptisms. In retrospect all of this provided both Saone and Vaea the opportunity to conform their lives, their family to a Christ-centered culture including family prayers, daily family scripture study, and weekly time together as a family studying the scriptures. Soane has learned to preside in his home, not as the boss, but to insure that his family is blessed with a stable, happy environment where the Gospel can be lived as well as studied. Two young children in the home are blessed with peace and are eager to learn and do more. And Vaea's life has been blessed as she has prayed to be able to forgive others for difficult events earlier in her life. The peace of that forgiveness surpasseth understanding.

The ceremony itself took 15 minutes with the government representative addressing the couple on their responsibilities before the law in sharing each others financial obligations and responsibilities in raising any children coming from the marriage. These sacred concepts seemed sterile in the secular world in which they were presented. Where was the understanding of the eternal nature of the family and the importance of being sealed together across he generations as we care for each other knowing how important each is as a child of Heavenly Father and a member of a family linked forever across the generations. the event was joyous, however, because of the baptismal covenants that would follow. Pictures below will tell the story.

We were soon at the chapel in the baptismal service. Elder Hammond, one of our zone leaders, and Elder Sherrod performed the baptisms through their Priesthood authority. In attendance was a large contingent of Soane's family. Significant because they were accepting of the events without the usual 'coutume' that might have been expected in earlier times. The pictures below will show the changes in clothing style, grooming that they have adopted as they leave local cultures behind.

Following the baptismal services was a wedding lunch provided by Soane and Vaea for a large group including most of the missionaries as well as his family. A great opportunity to get to know each other.

Toward the end of the festivities, a group of former missionaries from New Caledonia joined the events of the day via 'skype' to congratulate Soane and Vaea. As you might imagine, many missionaries have been involved in teaching and preparing them for baptism over the last 18 months. Several of them were together and had a wonderful 'face-to-face' conversation with Brother and Sister Munikihaafata. We enjoyed the reunion also. The twin miracles of having such a day as well as sharing it with friends and co-workers half-way around the world made an extra-ordinary day.

We are grateful for the blessing in our own lives of participating in gathering Heavenly Father's children into His Gospel. We see the blessings of peace and happiness that accompany those who accept it. In itself a testimony of the truthfulness of this great work.

HURRICANE and other events

2011-01-15T17:45:00.000+11:00

January 15, 2010 had longed been planned: a wedding of two investigators finally arranged so that they could both then be baptized, and a third baptism in Tontouta. But none of it was to be, just yet. We had a hurricane instead. To say nothing of the 7 richter scale earthquake that we missed entirely.

But before that, we welcomed the arrival of three new missionaries. Elder Faura arrived first from Tahiti via the MTC in Auckland. Eager to get to work, he joined Elder Sherrod in Vallee des Colons. They are teaching Soane and Vaea, the couple to have been married on January 15, 2011 and then baptized that afternoon.

Soane and Vaea ( his real name is Giovani Mari-Jean) have been studying with the missionaries for 18 months. There life has been changed completely as they have learned to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is from Wallis and she from Tahiti. However, he was born in Vanuatu and his birth certificate had a couple errors on it. These had to be corrected. (One of these errors was that he was female. How did his parents ever sign that one, we wonder.) The difficulty with all of this is that the documents have to be sent to Nantes, France to be corrected. After multiple efforts to make corrections, each taking 8-10 weeks, finally things were ready. But that will be a story for another week when this marriage finally takes place. But you begin to understand our impatience just a little.

Second missionaries to arrive were Elders Lamb and Barker. Elder Lamb is from Cedar City Utah, and Elder Barker from Sandy. Both arrive speaking great French. They arrived in the midst of increasing rains on the leading edge of the tropical depression that would become Hurricane Vania. A tender mercy on both of their parts is that they both drive manual transmission cars. So in heavy rains before leaving for their new sectors and after having taken just a moment to get downtown for their immigration documents, we did driving tests. Hurricane Vania was arriving with wind and lots of rain. They were calm and learned the rules of the road and how to negotiate traffic circles quickly.

Transfers took place just before noon in driving rain. And they were off to their new sectors and shown in pictures nearby.

One of our local members, Jeffrey Tuihivaatetoohiti, aka Jeffrey Tuihiva, is awaiting his visa to serve in the Oakland San Francisco Mission. He is anxious to serve as a missionary as well as to strengthen his English so is serving with Elder Harry now in Bourail. The branch, as well as the missionaries, are excited to be back there.

Just before the storm arrived, we celebrated Elder Hammond’s birthday at a small, favorite local restaurant. The chef is from Provence in France and serves only 24 people at a time. In nearby pictures are images of several carved figures, very much from Provence called ‘saintons’ or small saints. Each face is individually carved. They are to represent common people bringing their gifts to the Savior and are usually presented as part of a nativity.

And then we hunkered down for two days of hurricane. Not a big storm as hurricanes go but beyond a local cyclone. Wind speed of 65 mph with gusts hitting well above that. The government put the country on ‘red alert’, which means ‘stay home and all shops are closed.’ The view from our 10^th floor apartment was spectacular. The lagoon outside, usually blue and calm, had 4 foot rollers crashing on the beach. Driving rains hit our large balcony windows head on and challenged us as water leaked underneath them. Took us a while to master the system of changing towels used to plug the leaks. These quickly saturated and had to be changed. We were grateful to have a high speed-spinning centrifugal washing machine to remove the moisture and that electricity stayed with us through the whole storm.

And we learned about the ‘eye of the storm’, which fooled us for a couple hours before the storm started up once again. By that time however, the storm had moved far enough south that we were no longer taking the storm full face on. After 24 hours of storm, the rain, which had been falling for 5 days, finally stopped and gave way to sunshine. Chapels are cleaned up and ready for worship tomorrow. But another tropical depression threatens to envelope us tomorrow evening into Tuesday.

Pictures nearby show the only real damage, which was a series of landslides blocking the road north to Tontouta. We encountered the problem as we drove up to check on a team of missionaries whose cell phone didn’t seem to be working, making them unreachable.

Next Saturday promises to be exciting for the marriage and baptisms originally planned for Saturday. In the meantime, we learn patience and find great opportunities for service cleaning up after the storm. We are blessed to be safe, dry and comfortable.

White Christmas

2010-12-27T16:53:00.001+11:00

Birthdays, baptism and the Savior's birth. Where better to celebrate than New Caledonia.

The Monday before Christmas was birthday celebration for Elder Olsen. Traditional cake and 'singing' from the whole zone.

Then the Christmas holiday arrived. Like France, New Caledonia's major celebration is Christmas Eve. Families are together and invite friends in for a relaxed evening of eating. We joined the Fichter family this year, from the Riviere Salee Branche. Sister Fichter is quite a cook. We were invited to prepare a home evening of scriptures of the birth of the Savior accompanied with Christmas carols. Dinner included salmon and foie gras canapes, 'fruits de la mer' including fresh spiny lobster (langouste) moules and crevettes. Then crab farci and pork. All capped with buche de Noel. the evening after a very hot 90+ day cooled nicely with a gentle breeze making the evening unexpectedly delightful. Would such a moment occur again in our lives? Stayed out too late.

Christmas Day dawned early as we drove an hour north to Tontouta for the first of two baptisms that day. The new member, Andrew, is the 9-year-old son of members coming back into activity. He was baptised by his grandfather Parau who is the patriarch of a large family here. His uncle is the president of the Noumea 2 branch and his cousin Stuart, also 9 years old, shared a tender testimony of his own baptism during Andrew's baptismal service. This family's return will be a great blessing to the Tontouta branch. And never again will we complain about a Christmas day baptism.

On the way home we stopped at Georgi and Rachel Guidi's home for lunch. We had our first experience with frogs' legs. Not much really, but the garlic and olive oil you put on them makes it really good. A delightful visit before we slipped away to the second baptism of the day in Magenta.

Sister Taga met the missionaries in September and is now reading the Book of Mormon for the 3rd time. Her husband, from Vanuatu is becoming interested himself. Sister Temaina, who is also the branch Primary President. has become a good friend.

Since much of the holiday festivities here occur on Christmas Eve, the missionaries got together Christmas evening for a dinner they cooked themselves by assignment and then had a game night. Great fun with spaghetti and brownies for dinner and then a game created for the occasion by the Ducos sisters. The game was laid out on the floor and each team advanced square by square by finding clues hidden outdoors and then performing the assigned task in the clue. Pictures nearby will give you the flavor. Lots of laughing. And not much time to pine for home! The Paita sisters, Hurst and Baxter, won the event. One of the zone leaders noted,'I hate to lose but my companion won't let me cheat.' Life is hard! Floors were mopped clean before we left and sidewalks outside swept. They are learning delegation.

In the midst of all of this, our own travel plans home have arrived. Our time is getting shorter than we can really imagine. Like those who have gone before, we are both excited to see our family and unable to imagine not being with our friends here. We don't entertain these thoughts often.

And so continues this wonderful experience with great young missionaries, strong members and leaders. Heavenly Father desires each of his children to have the opportunity to hear His word. How blessed we feel to play a small part in all of this great work.

Dreaming of a White Christmas

2010-12-15T09:52:00.001+11:00

Can it be Christmas time again. We have welcomed new missionaries, enjoyed zone conference and the annual missionary talent night and holiday party and are sending off another pair of missionaries for home. (Can you imagine the excitement for Christmas in those homes?)

But best of all are the expectations of a white Christmas. Not like the ones we used to know. Baptisms on Christmas eve and two on Christmas Day.

As President and Sister Ostler arrived for a week long visit, they brought with them two new missionaries, Sister Baxter and Elder Showell. We continue to be delighted and grateful for the French language skills these new missionaries bring with them. The MTC must be doing a better and better job and also getting new missionaries who are prepared already. We hear them speak in Sacrament Service just after their arrivals as if they have been here for a while. The members are delighted.

Part of this zone conference was the annual missionary talent night. last year we missed having the Ostlers with us as the potential of a strike at the airport loomed large and they couldn't come for fear of being stranded. Pictures and film clips below capture the flavor of the event this year. Almost traditional now are the performance of the 'Haka' a war- dance performed by the Elders and native to Tahiti and NZ as well as the graceful Tahitian hula by the Sisters in contrast. To see the film clips you will need to go to the web address. It will take a little bit to load so you'll have to really want to see them. One is of the sisters doing their dance and the other is the Elders doing the Haka. I may be adding some more so you could check back later for those.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/15379819/MOV03434.MPG
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/15379819/MOV03433.MPG
(You have to highlight the links above and then copy and paste in in the web address box. It will take you to the link. It will take a few minutes to completely load.)

Suddenly zone conference was over and our guests had departed. But the week, already half gone, brought a visit from Elder Ardern of the 70. He is also the area supervisor for Seminaries and Institutes. He arrived Saturday morning, did training for the teachers that afternoon and then attended our Seminary graduation Sunday evening. For him, it was almost like coming home as he and his wife preceded the Ostlers in presiding over the Fiji-Suva Mission. What fun to have his perspective on the changes in the mission in the last 3 years. We put him back on a plane for Auckland early Tuesday morning.

After a longer day Tuesday, we were up early Wednesday to send off Elders Styles and Turner. Elder Styles served recently as a zone leader and then sneaked off to Lifou to finish his mission. Utah is home so we hope to see him shortly at a mission reunion. He is the last of the missionaries who was here when we arrived.

Elder Turner arrived a few weeks after our arrival. We have served side-by-side over these last almost 2 years. Another midwesterner, so we had instant bonds. He finished his mission with a baptism on the eve of his departure. Marie-Claude Liufau met the Church through her brother, Sylveste, who was baptized
about a year ago. We are hopeful she will help him along also.

Sometimes we just have a little fun. Elder Stilson's mother sent him a birthday party kit including a cake mix, candles and decorations. Alas he had no oven. What an opportunity. So we spent an evening decorating the cake, and blowing out candles and enjoying chocolate cake with ice cream while we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional over the net.

And so we take a deep breath. The work of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ continues one day at a time, one person at a time, teaching and bearing testimony of Him whose birth we will celebrate in just a few days. We are grateful.

Halloween, Mission Tour, Departing Missionaries and Branch Conference

2010-11-22T13:40:00.000+11:00

If anyone is wondering, Halloween does happen here in New Caledonia. It isn't a big thing but some of the stores did have pumpkins and ghosts on display. We were very surprised on the eve of Halloween to hear our doorbell ring. No one really comes to visit us at the apartment except the Zone Leaders so we were very surprised to find this at the door.

We think they were staying in the building and they actually spoke English. We had to scramble to find a treat for them.

We had our second Mission Tour on November 2nd. Elder Hamula, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, who is also a counselor in the Area Presidency was the visiting authority this time around. He has visited us once before and once again the missionaries were spiritually fed. His teachings were out of the Bible and he used scriptures that instructed us that we are to open our mouths and invite all to repent and come unto Him. It was truly a spiritual feast. Below is our Mission Tour 2010 picture.

Sister Swapp and Sister Ititiaty left the Monday after the Mission Tour. They flew to Fiji where President Ostler gave them their exit interviews. Sister Ititiaty is from New Caledonia so she returned to the island on Saturday. We are grateful that we will still get to see her at church from time to time as we visit the branch she attends. She is a quiet and reserved person but she knew how to teach with the spirit and will be missed in the mission.

Sister Swapp's parents met her in Fiji and after she was released in their care, visited sights in Fiji and then they came back to New Caledonia so her parents could meet the members and visit some sights as well. Sister Swapp has a beautiful singing voice and was often asked to share her talent. We will miss her and her lovely voice. Both sisters served faithfully and worked hard to the very end.

Branch conferences started the middle of October and go through the end of November. There are seven total units in the New Caledonia District. Three are very small units and those were done on the same weekend with a member of the District Presidency attending each branch. There are five larger branches and so they are done on consecutive weeks with the exception of Fast Sunday. Each branch has a reactivation activity on Friday night where the branch members teamed with District officers go and visit those they haven't seen at church in a while to invite them to return to church and ask if the church can aid them in any way. On Saturday they have leadership training for the leaders and then in the afternoon the branch has an activity in which the members and friends are invited to participate. Sunday is Branch conference for all the members and the District Presidency and auxiliary leaders teach the lessons. Last week was the Noumea Un (One) Branch conference weekend and after the meetings the members gathered together for lunch and activities. There are many members in this branch that are from Tahiti so they decided to do a Tahitian style activity. If you ever get a chance to try Tahitian Salad, you are in for a real treat. There were lots of relays. One was a coconut breaking and shredding relay. Another involved two teams running with palm leaves starting with one man and then adding other runners. Another involved a race with coconuts attached to bamboo poles. Keeping the coconuts on was essential. There was an obstacle course relay and and a dance contest. Below are pictures of the event.

This next group of pictures shows some interesting trees that we see on our morning walks. The one with blooming flowers is called the Christmas tree in Fiji. I don't know we call it here in New Caledonia except pretty. It bloomed this time last year so maybe it is New Caledonia's Christmas tree as well. The other pictures is just to show the odd ways that trees grow here. After the tree pictures you will see a man sitting on a park bench. We call him "Tall Low Rise" We noticed him last year at this time on the beach. He just sits there all day doing nothing. When the weather turned cool he disappeared. We did see him a few times in town but we don't know where he stays in the winter. In the summer he is found with his suitcase sitting on the bench or a picnic table. We will let you figure out why we call him "Tall Low Rise". The last few pictures are just random shots taken on P-day in the office. We are so blessed to work with these fine young missionaries.

And then it was time to say good by again as Elder Manning, the senior zone leader, finished his mission and departed. He and Elder Hammond served together for several weeks and his departure causes a number of changes among the elder as transfers happened simultaneously with his departure. We will miss him. We are grateful to see the growth and progress in these young missionaries as they become seasoned teachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, fluent French speakers and leaders who serve. Elder Manning was certainly one of these. Pictures below show his departure as well as the resulting transfers.

The work continues and we are grateful to be able to participate as Heavenly Father gathers his sheep.

Departures, and arrival and...(Have we been here before?)

2010-10-25T13:14:00.002+11:00

Seasoned missionaries depart. We miss them, but the work continues with new missionaries. And the District grows and prepares.

We sent home Sisters Cummins and Leavitt as well as Elder Larkin a week ago. It was tough to see them go. These two sisters were in the MTC with us in Provo 18 months ago. We met them in the salad bar line. We recall being very excited about meeting them. Of course, we arrived here 2 months before they did, but serving together has been a delightful, tender experience. Elder Larkin called upon us from time to time to teach with him when amis de l'eglise could be helped by our participation. We have served together these last 18 months. So we send them off for the next chapter of their lives grateful for their good work here. Pictures below show them laden with the traditional leis of seashells as gifts at parting. An April, 2011 reunion is much anticipated.

The District Presidency hosted a BBQ for themselves at the Mouthams. President Moutham at the gas grill, cooked everything to perfection. We all enjoyed time together catching up on activities that were family-related rather than the more-regular fare of Church related work. These great leaders are preparing the district to become a stake. We believe this is not far off.

And now to introduce members of the Noumea 1 branch. A year ago the branch had 26 active members. At the invitation of the branch president, each Melchizedek Priesthood holder started working with the missionaries 2 nights a month. They used this time either to teach or to visit less active members. Sacrament meetings now welcome 100+ members. An additional team of missionaries has been added to the branch. At the last District Conference the branch presented all of the music with a 50-voice choir. The missionary work continues now with one night each month from each priesthood holder. The Relief Society is doing the same with the team of sister missionaries. Home and visiting teaching is increasing. The most remarkable change, however, is the love that permeates the time we spend together. We are grateful for Heavenly Father's blessings to this branch as he blesses them far beyond their efforts.

In the Noumea 2 branch we enjoyed a baptism last Saturday. Christiane joined the Church 5 years after receiving a copy of the Book of Mormon. Her friends, the Gastaldi's introduced her to the Church. Brother Gastaldi, pictured nearby, baptized her. A great lesson here for each of us. Christiane carried heavy burdens from her life before learning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Repentance is a great blessing to her to remove these burdens. She emerged from the baptismal font grateful for the covenants she was making with the Savior and for His atoning love which cleanses her. Her friends the Gastaldis were blessed to be able to share with her these great blessings from their own lives.

That same morning, we drove to Tontouta for Anouchka Boa's baptism. Her mother joined the Church near the beginning of our mission here having been taught by great missionaries now returned home. Claude, Victor and now Anouchka have followed their mother. There remains now for Dad to join the Church.

One last experience to share. With a team of missionaries, I have been teaching a man who has just married an active member, Alice Weatheane in the Noumea 2 branch. Desire (pronounced Day-zear-ay) is an honest, humble man.He lives in a metal-roofed, plywood-walled small home on the outskirts of Koutio north of Noumea. On Wednesday evenings as the sun starts to lower, a breeze through the mangroves in the stream near his home make an idyllic setting. His meager education doesn't impede his study of the Book of Mormon and understanding the books testimony of Christ. We are seeing another soul transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pictures nearby will better tell the story than can my words.

With missionaries departing, new elders have arrived. We remark that these new elders are well-prepared and anxious to be engaged in the work. We are grateful for their obedience.

Elder Lacy comes to us having spent last summer as a member of the Vienna, Virginia Ward. Our sister ward at home. Elder Falconbury spent his first rendezvous, in Mont Dore with a companion new to the sector, setting a baptismal date. An ami from months past was now married and could be baptized. She was happy they came by. Elder Tehoiri arrived a two weeks earlier from Tahiti.

And so the work of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Heavenly Father's children continues. Lives are transformed, burdens lifted, joy found. He lives and loves us.

Le Chapeau de Gendarme and other adventures

2010-10-14T20:07:00.003+11:00

We are preparing to send off three great missionaries who have completed their missions, receive 3 new missionaries and accomplish all the activities around a visit from President and Sister Ostler for a Zone Conference. And then there was a little hike.

As we have moved through 2010, we have sent off a large number of very experienced, great missionaries. And new ones have arrived to take their place. These new elders and sisters are already working hard. They are well prepared. The Sisters have all come from Tahiti which eliminates the language problem. And the Elders, all Americans, are proficient in French already and making great progress. They will soon be assuming leadership roles in the work here.

With the training at their last visit, President and Sister Ostler felt it time for a zone conference, not having had one in 3 months here. We enjoyed a p-day picnic on Monday with them and then a zone conference on Tuesday before sending them off Wednesday morning. Their pace and travel are very demanding. Relaxation time with the young missionaries is always great. They enjoy being together as well as having time to visit with the Ostlers and ourselves.

Just prior to their arrival, a young convert in the Noumea 1 branch hosted a dinner for all of the missionaries to say 'good-bye' to Sisters Cummins and Leavitt and Elder Larkin. Eddey Tuugahala joined the Church himself about 6 months ago and is now preparing himself to serve a full time mission. He has helped the work here enormously by being available to teach with the missionaries in his branch as well as serving a 'mini-mission' during his vacation time when we had an 'odd' number of Elders. He hosted us at another member's larger home, the Aliki's, Didier. Tables loaded with great Melanesian and Wallisian fare. And capped off the meal with his own home-made chocolate cakes. It was quite an evening. Eddey is Wallisian and his grandfather is one of the principle chiefs in Wallis. He is eager to help us bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to his home island and will be a great help dealing with the local tribal structure through his grandfather.

In the middle of this, we have been observing in the bay outside our windows an old, rather tubby-looking sailing vessel. We think it must be a pirate ship. It sailed in one day under full sail, dingy and patched, though they were. Anchored itself in the bay flying a small red flag that resembled a pirates' drapeau. The boat was anything but graceful with its bowsprit and webbed rigging for climbing to the top of either of its two masts. And the enormous rudder hanging off the stern added additional speculation. Painted a bright blue with a gold stripe at the gunwale, she has been quite the sight for ten days. And then abruptly sailed away earlier this week. Adding to its intrigue are the kayak strapped to the bow and the bicycle hanging in the rigging.

As Elder Larkin prepares to leave at the end of his mission, he noted to President Ostler that he had always wanted to climb 'le Chapeau de Gendarme,' a local peak of about 675 meters. Permission granted. It gets his name from its shape. The peak stands alone and is rounded on top looking like a gendarme's hat. The hike is relatively strenuous, at least for 'older people' with lots of ups and downs of 100 feet or more climbing up then back down again and up again. At one point the trail crosses a ravine. The remains of a suspended foot bridge are not much help and the large rocks provide scant footholds. Real rock climbing with no safety line/ the final ascent to the top is a rocky grade about 60 degrees, again with little place to hold on. Three of us, including Elder Larkin and his companion, started early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day. Two hours up, an hour on top and then 90 minutes for the descent. Pictures nearby hardly do it justice, but you will get some idea.

And so the work continues. We look ahead to a weekend with two baptisms, the arrival of a Tahitian Elder on Saturday and two new Elders from the States later in the week. We are grateful for these young missionaries and their energy and testimonies. But even more grateful for our Savior whose Gospel changes our lives and those of so many around us. We testify that He lives.

Baptisms and birthdays...aah

2010-10-02T14:54:00.002+11:00

Cars have been repaired, bank accounts are working again, apartment painted and ready to be vacated, new apartment rented, and the work continues. We celebrated missionary birthdays and then 3 baptisms capped the month.

We celebrated Sister Mautz's birthday as well as Sister Paepaetaata's birthday with cake with all of the missionaries during Monday P-day. Earlier in the month we celebrated Elder Seiko and Elder Style's birthdays. Warm summer weather makes being outside quite fun.

Friday, September 25 was the Oceane Taumau's birthday. This birthday was important as she could be baptised. the family celebrated at a Japanese restaurant and invited us to attend. Pictures below show us enjoying dinner together as well as with her birthday cake.

She and her brother were baptised the following day. We have been working with their family for several months. Soane and Vaea as they prepared for marriage and baptism. The necessary paper trail for the marriage to occur has been tedious. This process has been so long because the government agency that grants marriage licenses ask such questions as to why a passport shows Soane's nationality as French while his birth certificate shows Melanesian. But the children were anxious for their baptisms even as this last round of questions appeared.

An unexpected blessing through all of this has been the time it has given them to become a family that enjoys daily scripture reading and prayer as well as family home evening. And presided over by a worthy father. We taught a series of lessons based on the Proclamation on the Family and family relations. The transformation, which they recognize, has been wonderful as they adopted the culture of a family based on the eternal principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Having become surrogate grandparents, we were grateful to be able to participate in the baptisms.

Earlier that Saturday, the District Relief Society sponsored a clean the attic day making used clothing available to those needing it. They quickly adopted the Oakton Stake's name 'Gifts of the Heart' for this activity when they heard it. As is so often the case in the U.S., people were amazed at what they had that they no longer needed. And the lives of many others were blessed from the many contributions of used clothing and toys.

Saturday was wonderfully busy as Adam Tasso was also baptized, in Tontouta. His grandfather baptized him with both parents present. His mother is a returned missionary from Vanuatu. He is eleven years old and was grateful to be baptized. As is the usual custom here, the newly baptized members shared their testimonies. All three of these children were articulate, spoke clearly sharing their testimony including meaningful scriptures.

We are grateful for the good that is done as we serve others because the Savior has so asked us.

Slammed!

2010-09-17T07:48:00.005+11:00

We are still here working and healthy and happy. But the date of our last post reminds us that the days following our Fiji visit have been packed. No sooner had we finished the month end work than we had a District Conference, a funeral, a visit from our Mission president and some missionary emergencies including an injured senior zone leader who had to finish early and return home for treatment, a car accident, bank account problems for another and, thankfully, the arrival of two new missionaries. What a month.

We bid farewell to Elder Wilcox after an unfortunate, and no fault of his, interaction with a drunk from Mare, encountered on the boat bringing Elder Wilcox to Lifou to help out while we waited for the arrival of a new Elder. That interaction resulted in severe muscle strain and, with the later diagnosis in the U.S., torn ligaments in his neck and back. Before we knew it, he was on his way home for treatment and recovery. Really only a couple weeks earlier than his original departure date, but six weeks ahead of the extended date he had been planning on. He returned home via Auckland which meant a little later departure time. Pictures below show the breakfast we enjoyed before taking him to the airport. On the beach at one of our favorite places.

Then it was time for a zone conference again. This one was different, however. Globally, the emphasis of training by the mission president and his wife is shifting to fewer conferences, only quarterly, and more work on teaching some specific areas to help those studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ to receive personal revelation and commit to living Gospel principles . This visit was a transition with 4 days of training for the missionary leadership. Eight very intensive sessions over four days, each taking a half day, with role playing. These trained missionaries are now working with their fellow missionaries. A sisters' night was part of the conference however. Pictures nearby show the sisters enjoying dinner chez nous. Because this training was on a smaller scale, we provided lunches each of the 4 days. Nothing fancy, but we found hat the missionaries love fresh fruit. Seems there is some rumor that you can't afford fresh fruit on a missionary budget. Even apples, which are not expensive, were devoured in no time. We were glad to get something into these great missionaries in addition to starch and meat. They were grateful.

As soon as these meetings were over, a series of efforts to exit an apartment no longer in use, help a local sister missionary get her frozen bank account back under control, repair another apartment where electricity was continuously interrupted by the primary circuit breaker and a 'minor' car accident consumed several days. None of these alone is a terribly big deal, but we find ourselves discovering how to handle each one as a new experience. And things aren't always done here as they are at home.

Finally, we are delighted to welcome two new missionaries. They arrived a couple weeks a part. Elder Coffey (and yes the French do understand this name is a bit droll for a missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) is serving on Lifou with Elder Stilson.

Elder Moore arrived just this week. He will be serving on the grande terre. He had a couple interesting experiences arriving. His flight from SLC to LA was delayed an hour. His flight from LA to Fiji left early so he missed it. Missionary travel suggested he stay with his family near LA for two days while they got him on another flight to Fiji. This delay allowed two important missionary efforts. The first to a good high school friend who found listening to the Prophet of God and reading the Book of Mormon were more positive experiences than his prior life's activities. The second, while seated on the flight to Fiji with a man on his way to visit his family, all of whom were Church members. So why, our missionary asked, are you not a member. they read the Book of Mormon together, prayed and Elder Moore introduced him to the sister missionaries in Fiji upon landing. He accepted an invitation from Elder Moore to be baptized. We appreciate both this good Elder's efforts as well as the lesson that sometimes Heavenly Father needs us such that we may be slightly inconvenienced.

So we come to the end of another week. Cars are being repaired, apartments painted, bank accounts re-activated, electrical wiring fixed. 33 investigators at Church last Sunday. The work moves forward under these great young missionaries' efforts blessed by their Heavenly Father.

We visit Fiji and say some good-byes

2010-08-21T14:56:00.004+11:00

President and Sister Ostler hosted a senior couple seminar earlier this month. They needed some time with us to receive instruction on the care and handling of illnesses among the young missionaries and also felt that those who are off serving in part of the mission might enjoy getting together. We were gone a week, but it was an humbling, eye-opening, wonderful week.

The Mission home sits in a complex on one of the highest points in Suva with the Temple, The temple president's house, patron housing for the temple, the mission office, temple worker apartments, and a distribution center. A real respite from tired Fiji. We had a room in the temple patron housing that had a refrigerator so that we could have breakfasts and lunches. Evenings were usually with one or more of the locally based senior couples. Meeting and associating with these dear people was one of the highlights of the trip. Some a few years older than we, a few just a couple years younger. All serving missions out of love for the Lord. And they do many things. They travel all over the mission auditing branch, district, ward and stake records. they staff the Temple. They serve the missionaries as an onsite nurse. They instruct and educate others on how to be better teachers. One evening the Ostlers hosted a game night at their house that included a delicious dinner cooked by a number of the resident sisters. On another occasion we spent time together teaching each other about our parts of the mission as well as receiving instruction from the nurse. One of these couples is in Fiji as a volunteer. they started a mission and had to go home early for some medical reasons. He is the retired CEO of a small software company that he had taken public. He is now working with local return missionaries teaching them how to use local programs to gain necessary work skills. Like many others, they are Canadians who seemed to be disproportionally represented in this group.

Another major feature of the trip was being in the temple everyday. The Fiji Suva Temple is one of the smaller temples but as lovely and serene as any of the Lord's Houses. It sits at the summit of the highest point in the city. When we went out and needed a cab home, all we needed to say was the Temple and they came right to it. We understand that ships home in on Moroni lit by the sun during the day and illuminated by night. Must be a great parable there! It had been a long time since our last temple visit. We didn't realize how much we were missing it.

One brief humerous event. One of the older workers, a wheat farmer from North America, was having trouble pronouncing my name. So I helped by equating the name to 'mouse' with a 't' just at the end. Seemed to help as he didn't trip on it anymore that day. The next day on arriving, our friend greeted us full of enthusiasm to say our name since he now knew us. 'Brother Cat.' I am afraid we were just a little irreverent for a minute. Completely true.

The temple was an unanticipated gift of the trip.

On the final days of the seminar we took a trip on a river in 30 foot flat bottomed long boats, shallow draft and powered by 25-30 hp outboards. Two destinations. First was a Fijian village where we visited their school, enjoyed a tribal welcome, ate a delicious lunch and then had a chance to shop. As near as we can tell, an enterprising tribal leaders caught up with the boatmen and suggested the village visit. Apparently with great success. There were 40+ of us in our party. We understand the village got US$10 from the boat company for each of us. What entrepreneurs.

The second destination was another 45 minutes up river. A spectacular waterfall. We had to leave the boats and hike up a narrow path for some time to see it. Beautiful sight. I would have swum had I been properly clothed! However we did get doused a couple times as we negotiated some rapids.

Fiji is an interesting country and quie a contrast to New Caledonia in many respects. Fiji came to be as a result of volcanic activity many years ago. It is consequently not very mineral rich. It was an English colony for many years before declaring its independence some 40 years ago. The English influence shows in its historical architecture, its language and driving on the left. Independence has been hard. Much of the infrastructure is in need of repair particularly roads. They have had frequent coup d'etat. The current government is a military dictatorship which is at least stable and apparently not as corrupt. The Church has been present for a long time. Much longer than New Caledonia. President McKay used to enjoy coming here. The old hotel which was his favorite is now an empty shell, but the chapel for which he pointed out a hill top location is still there. The Church runs a large school complex just down the street from the Temple complex.

And finally transfers and good byes. We had gone to Fiji with the Ostlers just after a zone conference. And knowing that just a few days after our return we would send two missionaries home. One to her parents in Lifou, Sister Seiko, and the other to Riverton Utah, Elder Morrill the Senior Zone Leader. We will miss them both for very different reasons. Sister Seiko is a quiet, hard working sister to whom President Ostler could turn anytime he had an issue to resolve. And he did so. Her parents are stalwarts of the Church here who have sacrificed much to build the Church on their native island of Lifou. Elder Morrill had the rare combination of talents able to laugh at himself, lead effectively and keep everybody moving forward. Something of a 'jokester,' he was the origin of the spongebob prank of earlier writing. We worked closely with him over almost a year. Of course, you can only be such a missionary if you also work very hard. Rumor was that he was going to run away with Sister Mautz. But she stayed! Sorry, Elder.

I released Sister Seiko this morning. We had a picture last night from Elder Morrill with his family. The feelings emanating from those photos are identical even though the families come from different backgrounds thousands of miles apart. Faithful service born of love for Heavenly Father and His Son bless missionaries and their families

Lifou wedding and new sister missionaries

2010-08-07T09:34:00.007+11:00

New experiences come regularly even after more than a year here. Among these was a marriage involving a family from Lifou and therefore its tribal leaders as well as a family from France. And then we welcomed 2 new sister missionaries from Tahiti.

The wedding combining the coutume of Lifou, a service at the Magenta chapel to the Church on behalf of the groom and then all of the events around a traditonal Lifou wedding showed us how marriages take place. Quite the events.

We started the evening before the wedding with coutume, or the customary exchange of gifts. This first time was between the tribal leaders in Lifou who had come, the family and the Church interestingly. Tribal chiefs are patriarchs of large clans or families. Otherwise they look like pretty normal Melanesians. Because they were all coming to the Church the next day, they wanted to be respectful to us. I represented the church along with the local branch president. Our gift to them was a copy of the Book of Mormon. Also important was the chance for us to talk about the church to these tribal leaders who lead the tribes on Lifou where we have just placed missionaries for the first time in two years. So we were grateful for the opportunity this wedding presented to present the Church to these tribal leaders.

The following day, after the wedding at the mairie or before the government which is required of all marriages in France and its states, the couple and extended family of well over 200 people joined us at the chapel. Opening hymn and prayer, then talks by the branch president and myself about eternal marriage, importance of the family and welcoming the teachings of the Savior into their home, a vocal solo, and then off to more coutume. This time gifts by the couple to her parents as well as gifts to the couple from everybody present. The giving of gifts through all of this was quite public with an announcement at the end as to just how much money they had received. To say nothing of mountains of rice in bags, sugar and other staples. What did they do with it all? During all of this was a seemingly spontaneous, unaccompanied singing by the older women who had seated themselves along one side of the space while all of the gifts were presented and given by whomever wanted to. A film clip with sound follows:

Nearby, a group of women, dressed similarly and led by quite a character did a kind of line dance accompanied this time by a group of men on whistle like devices. the line of women did a kind of two-step as they approached various people. It appeared to us they were 'loosening up ' the crowd to be more generous with the couple. Their leaders would signal from time to time to the whistlers so they would stop while she spoke. We were highly entertained.

The end of the week welcomed new sisters arriving with President and Sister Ostler as well as a zone conference. there was much to do as we prepared for a week's absence for a senior couples' seminar in Fiji. Transfers took place as we prepared for that trip also. Subject of the next entry.

A baptism and Marit's visit

2010-07-16T17:13:00.006+11:00

In the last two weeks we have enjoyed our visit with our daughter Marit as well as carrying on with the daily responsibilities.

The Tontouta branch continues to grow and prosper. New leadership welcomes those whom the previous branch president had brought back into the fold. And the missionaries are working hard. We joined the branch twice in the last two weeks. The first for Luc Ozoux's baptism. His grandmother lives south of Tontouta. He spends a greater part of his life with her and was glad to meet the missionaries. She will see that he has the opportunities the Church provides to grow and prepare for a mission himself. Elder Turner and Elder Rock have been teaching him. He was baptized on July 3.

In our interactions with the Tama family, we learned that Grandpa Julien Tama hand makes Tahitian ukuleles. Sister Mautz was quick to note how much Marit would enjoy such and instrument. These ukuleles are brighter in sound than their US relatives and are strummed with a quick movement with the wrist. Brother Tama had four from which Marit could choose. The round variety, his son explained to us, are really not for those who wish to play the instrument. Those with a notched base sit on your leg so that the instrument is well supported for vigorous strumming. . Brother Tama, to our disappointment, was absent the day we went to pick up the ukulele but he left some notes for basic chords and his son was there to show off the instruments for Marit.

However, he too was apparently disappointed as he called the next day to invite us back for dinner and a session of music with himself and his two sons. That made for 2 ukes, a banjo and a guitar. Great time. Too much food, stayed too late. But not too much music. He was delighted at how quickly Marit picked up on chords and strumming techniques that set basic waltz and march rhythm patterns.

Although we are in the middle of 'winter' here, Marit enjoyed two weeks of unusually warmer weather for the season. This allowed us to be on the water a little. One effort, sail boarding, during which we learned the basics and another day on the lagoon on wave runners. A local outfitter provided a guide, the wave runners, wet suits and snorkeling gear. We joined a party of two others, were picked up at our apartment at 8a and were on the water a half hour later. Light winds made for calm water. Sea turtles slipped away as we screamed past on craft that go faster than I wanted to believe. We stopped twice at small islands for a rest, some exploring and snorkeling. One of these featured a small reef of its own that attracted a variety of vividly-colored tropical fish. Our favorite, dubbed the 4th of July fish, was red white and cobalt blue. We hoped to see another like him at the local aquarium but had no such luck.

In between, we took care of month end reporting, closed an apartment and spoke at a General Priesthood meeting. And then it was time to put Marit back on a plane for home. That was early Sunday morning starting 27 hours of travel to finally arrive home. We returned to Tontouta just next to the airport for Church that Sunday morning and then back to taking care of all that needed to be done.

Here are some pictures that Marit took during her visit that we thought you might enjoy

Marit's visit reminded us that we have been gone for a long time. We are most grateful for our Heavenly Father's blessings to our family during those months. Soon-to-be two new grandchildren, educational and career opportunities but most of all for the opportunity to show our love for the Savior by keeping His commandments and serving His children.

Celebrations, and a visitor from the US

2010-07-02T18:17:00.002+11:00

A Baptism, Fathers' Day, a Birthday, a new missionary, and Marit arrives for a visit. Great times for which we are grateful.

Cheryl's Poareu's baptism was, as it should be, a significant event in her young life. And it was equally significant for her family. Her uncle Tony baptized her and her father promised to return to full activity in the Church. Much of her extended family was present to help her make covenants with her Heavenly Father and the Savior. Cheryl is 8 years old and was happy to be baptized. Her Uncle Tony has himself in the last months come back to Church after an absence that was too long. A faithful sister missionary recognized promptings to go see him. Although at first very hesitant, as in 'Go away,' Tony recognized over several months the tender promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Fathers' Day arrived with great celebration in Tontouta. Last year's Mothers' Day celebration this year was matched by their Fathers' Day activities. The sisters cooked. The youth and Primary provided entertainment. The branch went to some lengths to invite the District presidency and their wives as well as us. We had a great time but came away as the karaoke started. The branch is rallying behind its new branch president. A great spirit of unity and enthusiasm present.

When the senior zone leader has a birthday, we have to have a party. So the Magenta District went out to lunch and then had cake at our house. The celebration was complete with gag gifts that Elder Morrill's companion, Elder Wilcox, had gathered over several days. A plastic tiara, sunglasses and the like. We ate well, laughed a lot and then went back to the work that had to be done.

We welcomed Elder Durtschi this week also. He and his companion will serve together in Robinson which has seen a couple departures of late of missionaries finishing their missions. French is already coming along so his Tahitian companion will bless his efforts enormously.

But the biggest event over these last days was Marit's arrival Tuesday, a week ago. Long anticipated, she came in right on time. We were there to meet her. She has attended Church with us, been to missionary meetings and participated in a P-day as well as taking us sail boarding and to the local museums. More on her visit in coming weeks, for sure.

We are now well into our second year here. We are grateful to assist in the great work of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the isles of the sea. Wonderful people doing what they know Heavenly Father wants of them.

Ninja game

2010-06-15T10:19:00.002+11:00

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.

Downs and ups

2010-06-14T21:57:00.000+11:00

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.

Baptism, burglaries and boat races

2010-05-24T19:12:00.001+11:00

Time slips by as new members come into the church, we help missionaries through a burglary and Noumea hosts the World Va'a Championship with teams from all around the Pacific.

After getting our new missionaries somewhat settled with new companions, One of them had an unsettling experience. Over a month ago one of the apartments had an attempted break in through a bathroom window left open during the day. Then just a few days ago, this same apartment was invaded again this time 3 times in a 72 hour period. Bicycles were taken, as well as luggage, ipods and sport clothing. When the Elders started locking the doors to the rooms where the entries occurred, a door was kicked in. We moved them out to another apartment that had just been reworked by its landlord. Staying was too dangerous. The real estate agent responsible for the apartment was somewhat unhappy at the condition of the apartment after the break-ins and the emergency move. We have since cleaned it out. Bars will be placed on the windows, but that will be for the next tenants.

Another attempted burglary, pictured below, resulted in less drastic action. Some weeks ago Sister Mautz became concerned that the office had been entered during our absence. Her rolling case had been disturbed. Only the senior zone leaders have keys in addition to us. They had no knowledge. But this fellow, pictured below, was caught in the act. We call him Sponge Bob 2 due to his flexible core of tired foam rubber.

A week ago we had a small miracle. The District along with several other units in the South Pacific was to have a Conference with the Sunday session broadcast from Salt Lake. Instructions for the Conference as well as how to test our satellite connection came from President Packer two weeks in advance. The morning of the broadcast as we were arriving about 30 minutes before start time, we got a call from the District president. The satellite was not working and they needed help in calling New Zealand. However, the only number on the instruction letter was a 1-800 number for help with translation in the US. What to do. Calls to Tahiti and NZ led us nowhere. Our prayers brought the impression to dial the 1-800 number. In response, a warning voice told us the call would be expensive if we let it go through. We let it go since we had 450 people waiting for the conference broadcast. No result. Suppose we use the same number but with an 801 area code instead of 800. Shouldn't have worked, but a rich Utah accented brother responded quickly. He knew who could help us. With just over 2 minutes to go, our help walked us through a re-booting of the satellite receiver and we were in business. We were very grateful as we listened to President Eyring, Elder Ballard, Elder Condie and Sister Wixom.

Last Saturday the Mont Dore branch welcomed a new young sister into the Church, Amelie Clementine Clotilde Elissa Agourou. She is the niece of the branch president and has been working with the missionaries for several months. Many of her friends participated in her baptism so that the Aaronic Priesthood brethren and Young Women gave prayers and talks, provided the music and performed the baptism. Tearful testimonies and expressions of love for their friend from many of the youth. We were grateful both for these young people, their parents and their leaders who prepared them and had the vision to let them have such an experience together.

On a more worldly note, Noumea, New Caledonia is the site of the world championship va'a pirogue racing. This bi-annual event rotates among several different venues including Southern California as well as Fiji, Samoa, Australia and NZ. The boats are modern counter-parts of earlier racing canoes made of hewn out trees. The modern versions are fiberglass but retain the out-rigger and are about 30 feet long. They are paddled by teams of 6 in categories for men and women of different ages. The set up for all of this started last week. The races start tomorrow although we are seeing much practice that starts as early as 6:30am. All right in front of our balcony. Our views are perfect.

The hotel is full of people from all over the Pacific rim including as far north as Vancouver and Whistler, Canada. Hawaii and California are represented. As we greet people, we try to guess what language to use. English right now more than 75% of the time.

We bear testimony of the great work in which we are engaged. Jesus is the Christ. His Gospel, taught in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, changes lives, relieves suffering and brings joy, peace and fulfillment. We recommend Him to all.

Baptisms and Changes

2010-05-05T20:58:00.004+11:00

With the coming of the month of May, missionary departures and arrivals, long expected, have begun. But first, a trip to Lifou for two baptisms.

May 1 took me to Lifou on a 6a flight with baptismal clothes in hand for the first two baptisms since our missionaries have returned there. President and Sister Seiko had prepared this family well. Not knowing exactly where the missionaries lived, I got in a rental car and set off to find them. That I was 45 minutes later than expected worried me as I knew they were waiting by the side of the main road. They too were a little worried. As shown nearby, they made a scarecrow to stand by the road in case they needed to leave by bicycle. We did find each other, enjoyed companion study together and then joined the Lifou branch for the baptismal service. (Bare feet in the early pictures are due to our repairing their washing machine before leaving the apartment.) The day was clear with light winds. Billowy clouds filled the horizon contrasting with clear blue water. After a hymn, opening prayer and talks in their chapel, we drove 10 minutes to a secluded beach which a local tribe made available by previous arrangement. A hymn on the beach and then the baptisms. Elegantly simple symbols of the covenants these two new members made with their Heavenly Father. I noted to President Seiko that some experiences are so unique and beautiful as to be recorded carefully so that they can be enjoyed again and again.

I was back on a flight home immediately thereafter to attend another baptism in Mont Dore. This one for Julien Tama, whose son readers will know from earlier blogs. Julien came back to the Church after many years. His large family provided a chorus of Primary children as well as adult children to speak and his son to baptize him. Calling his father 'Cher papa' young Brother Tama baptised his father, again unique and beautiful for other reasons. Now a family can soon return to the temple to be joined together forever.

Just a few days before, Elder Waetheane returned home to New Caledonia from his mission serving in Vanuatu. In releasing him , we learned of his valiant service including teaching and leading his fellow missionaries and finally laboring in a northern volcanic island. Remaining members of a small branch were discovered as local leadership visited the island. Elder Waetheane labored there for the last several months of his mission and was privileged to bring 18 souls into the waters of baptism. We are glad to have him home.

And now comes change in the mission. While Elder Mautz was in Lifou 5 new missionaries, 2 from Tahiti and 3 from the U. S., arrived. All well prepared and happy to be in the work. In Sacrament Service Sunday morning, May 2, two of the elders from the U. S. serving in the branch we were visiting shared their testimonies in very credible French. The members were delighted. Three missionaries depart with President and Sister Ostler, so for a few days we have several teams of 3-somes. We are grateful for faithful service from those departing and welcome these new missionaries full of energy and enthusiasm.

Suddenly another month has slipped away. We are grateful for the great blessings of missionary work seeing the lives of people change, both those studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ as well as the lives of the missionaries who teach them.

Baptism, birthdays and a new Branch President

2010-04-22T19:05:00.003+11:00

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

2010-04-07T21:03:00.003+11:00

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.

Baptisms and back to Lifou

2010-03-22T19:27:00.006+11:00

Baptisms every Saturday have become part of the missionary experience here. And then it was time to send two Elders back to work on Lifou and Mare.

Ten days ago, Saturday the 13th, three of the granddaughters of the Nicholls family were baptized. Each 9 years old. Their grandparents lead the way in December and their parents will follow as soon as common law arrangements can be replaced by legally recognized marriages.

The three young girls were excited and pleased to move forward. they jointly shared their testimonies after the baptism taking turns saying a sentence each at the podium. During the service they sat on the front row with their grandparents and a number of cousins. The children were clearly needed some TLC by the end, so I took the opportunity to go down off the stand and sit down right in front of the them while we talked about the Savior blessing the Nephite children after performing miraculous healings of others in the crowd. The Book of Mormon record tells us that he took the children in his arms and blessed them. And then angels ministered to them. We talked about how much the Savior loves little children including them. And we talked about angels. then pointing to their grandparents, I suggested that they were angels sent to protect and help these dear children learn the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ appeal to children in a tender way that shows the rest of us their great faith in Him.

PIctures below show them in their white clothes just before their baptism.

We left their morning baptism for an afternoon baptism of President Wilfrid Parau's son Stewart. As the pictures indicate, a number of family members as well as much of the Noumea 2 branch were in attendance. As Stewart shared his testimony with a child's faith, we knew he understood a great deal about how to follow the Savior.

The preparations for sending missionaries once again to Lifou finally bore fruit these last two weeks. Elders Livingston and Larkin left on a Monday evening by boat. They traveled most of the night stopping in Mare early the next morning where they met with the branch president there. Then on to Lifou where they will have primary residence. On the boat with them went a pallet of supplies like a stove, refrigerator, furniture including beds, kitchen supplies etc. The Seiko's, whom you have met in earlier blogs, met them at the dock that evening and helped them settle in. We understand that Sister Seiko and the Elders got traffic tickets in Lifou because the Elders were riding with their supplies in the back of Sister Seiko's truck. They were undaunted and have by now ridden over 400 km on their bikes. The Elders report that they are having great opportunities to teach. President Seiko reports that they are working very hard. The work is hard to start again, but they are getting great support from the branch already there. These good saints have been waiting for two years to have missionaries once again.

A quiet baptism as a good brother came back into the Church. He has patiently waited for 5 years to have this blessing once again in his life. Brother Seraphim (great first name!) is shown below with President Parau, his branch president. The faces of these two great brothers tell a wonderful story.

In between times, we sometimes accompany teams of missionaries to help teach families. The experience that comes with age provides increased insights and credibility. We met the Boa family shortly after arriving as Claude was baptized, and then a few months later, his mother. Another brother is about to be baptized. The father is a a great brother. The family lives in a tribal situation which means that they live on land governed by a tribe, probably extended family. The kids go to school at some distance because their parents want them to have good educations. Dad works in a local government job in Tontouta. We had inquired a few times about his progress and finally asked for an invitation to go see the family with the elders. That visit happened last week. The elders had planned a lesson about eternal families and the role of mother and father. As we explained to Brother Boa his role in presiding in his family to assure that they prayed as a family , read the scriptures together and held family home evening, he began to understand just what he needed to do. We saw Sister Boa this week at the Relief Society anniversary celebration. She was full of excitement about her husband's new interest and support in their home with the aforementioned efforts. We hope we can return and encourage him some more.

Surrounding their home and covered outdoor eating area were wonderful gardens including banana tress, ripening papayas and palms with coconuts. A very different way to live! The mountains in the background had fog and rain cascading down the sides.

And then it was Saturday again, and another baptism. Isabelle lives with her grandfather not far from the Riviere Salee building. She has been seeing the missionaries for more than a year and is a delightful young woman. the branch welcomed her with open arms. A new, big family.

Finally, to round out the week we welcomed a new sister, Sister Viriamu from Tahiti. The Tahitians come with no language barrier. Sister Viriamu is a mature, seasoned sister missionary who is well prepared to assist in this great work. She is working in Paita with Sister Ititiaty and seems happy to finally be here.

In the meantime, we are preparing to send off our senior zone leader in just a few days as he has completed his mission. A great example to all of service. We will welcome a new young Elder on Wednesday. And in the coming 8 weeks another 3 will depart. Lots of new faces and opportunities to train new missionaries.

The pace of the work keeps us plenty busy. Everything from assuring that immigration documents are always in order, bills paid, and missionaries fed, to speaking in firesides and Priesthood meetings. We are grateful to serve along side these valiant young missionaries. During a recent visit by one of the counselors in our Area Presidency, he noted to us, 'Just love them. They do what no one else will do.' We love the work.

A Very Long Blog

2010-03-06T19:55:00.003+11:00

We have finished District Conference and Zone Conference, attended birthday parties and baptisms, released two returning sister missionaries and sent Elders to Lifou.

The District Conference with Elder Hamula was wonderful for the members as well as the missionaries. He stayed in New Caledonia for the missionary Zone Conference the next day. After meeting with the President of the Government of New Caledonia on Friday morning, we visited all of the chapels. As noted in a previous blog he was not satisfied with the completion of the new chapel to be dedicated in a few weeks. Several other of the buildings are in a state of disrepair that is also not acceptable. I was grateful to have had time to take him to each. He left us on Tuesday, and by Saturday physical facilities people from Tahiti as well as the Regional Architectural manager from New Zealand were on the ground for a week. They left with detailed plans for each building and a member called to lead the project getting ready for the dedication.

Saturday morning, at his request, we visited two families with the District President. The Nicholls family has just joined the Church and is preparing for next year's trip to the Temple to be joined as a family for eternity. He encouraged them through an interpreter and promised to be available to do the sealing. When, several days later, we got a request for the January date the District returns to the Temple, we began to understand that this good brother is serious.

Following lunch, we met as a district presidency with him and then with the Priesthood leaders of the District. Again, significant teaching about the importance of proclaiming the Gospel to all and providing the opportunity for each to receive the saving ordinances as taught by the Savior himself including baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and taking of the sacrament in memory of Him. Followed, of course, by the Temple ordinances to bind us as families across the generations forever as taught by the Savior and recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.

For the missionaries, he observed that while the work is steady, he wanted to see more unity among us. Manifested by the way we sat together and sang together. He used as an example his experience as a General Authority arriving at least a half hour early for meetings and being physically as well as spiritually close to his brethren. Always teaching gently.

Pictures nearby will share his visits. By the time he left, we had a list of 'to-do's' including sending to him photos of all the buildings. 'Remember, Elder Mautz' we want to tell the story.' We also were drafting letters for his signature to President Gomes.

One final piece of advice to us. 'Just love them. They do what nobody else will do.'

Following Zone Conference Sister Mautz hosted a Sisters' Night at our home for the 8 sister missionaries with Sister Ostler, the Mission President's wife. They did a 'craft' designing and decorating the cover of a Book of Mormon. The obvious lesson was the ambiance created during the project as the sisters worked together.

The preceding evening, a Monday evening, we attended a baptism, the granddaughter of the District president, then scurried home where the zone leaders had rearranged our apartment to welcome all 26 missionaries to a home evening setting to view the presentation by President Uchtdorf to the missionaries in Fiji a few weeks ago. We learned more about respect than anything else that evening. The recording was tough, but understandable. Our next conference will be revealing.

Everyone was off to the airport by Wednesday noon and we started completing all there was to be done to prepare to put missionaries back on Lifou. The announcement meant closing an apartment here as we have kept the number of missionaries constant. It also meant preparing shipments of household goods like a refrigerator, stove, washing machine and bicycles by boat. Apartment to rent in Lifou, utilities to activate. And suddenly it was the day for them to leave. The boat departed at 8p well after dark, as you will see in the accompanying pictures. They stopped in Mare the next morning, early. The Elders took advantage of the stop to meet with the Branch President there, and then on to Lifou. Sister Mautz thought it was as hard as sending off two of her sons at once. They are doing well and working hard. And of course, a few transfers were necessary with a couple new zone leaders all pictured nearby.

At the end of the week, we were invited to Chenora Moutham's baptism and birthday party. In fact, the baptism was Monday evening in the middle of zone conference on her actual birthday. She is the granddaughter of President Moutham, the District President and lives with them. Her mother lives in Hawaii and is married to a brother from Tonga. They came, of course, as well as her aunt working in Dubai. Her uncle, a son of the Mouthams who serves as a counselor in the Branch Presidency in Riviere Salee, performed the baptism. Grandfather confirmed her.

Following this event the next Saturday was her birthday party. Largely a family event plus us. An early egg hunt, pinata and lots of food. We were, as usual, enthralled by the beautiful children, and lots of them. A few are pictured. It was a delightful day in warm, rainy weather. The Moutham's have lived in their home for 25 years, have enlarged it and worked hard on the yard (terrain en francais) so that it has bearing fruit trees including lechis and mangoes in the proper seasons. He follows the advice of the prophet.

And finally, two of our sister missionaries serving from New Caledonia in France have returned home this week. One served in Toulouse, the other in Paris. We enjoyed visits with each of them and their families as they were released. Particularly interesting was an update on the Paris Mission where I served 40 years ago. Two stakes now in Paris. However, Le Mans is still a branch. Faithful young women now returning home to work, go to school and keep moving forward in their lives following Christ's teachings as they have learned in the last 18 months.

We now move into a time of significant change in the mission in New Caledonia. At the end of this month, the Tahitian senior zone leader finishes his mission. At the end of April, 3 elders depart and another 3 at the end of June. In May and August we lose two sister missionaries. All being replaced with new missionaries. A very different landscape in a few months.

We close everyday tired and ready to sleep. But also profoundly grateful for the sacrifice of our Savior. And the blessing of preaching His Gospel to these wonderful people.

Home Evening, sister transfers, and a visit with President Hamula

2010-02-20T07:59:00.004+11:00

Summer is in full season. Warm to hot days, balmy evenings. Since our last entry, we have welcomed a new missionary. Home evenings with member families are always a treat. In the meantime, preparations for opening the Loyalty islands has proceeded as well as the start of District Conference activities

With only eight sister missionaries in New Caledonia, the arrival of a new sister is an event. In this case, Sister Hurst was supposed to have arrived in late December as we were sending two other sisters home. However, visa problems delayed her for 6 weeks. She has arrived now and is being trained by Sister Leavitt whose arrival we remember just a few months ago. Or can it a be 8 months ago already. They are blessed with some great families to teach and prepare to make covenants with Heavenly Father through baptism. Readers will remember over the last couple entries local sisters serving 'mini-missions' that have helped train them for full time missions as well as filling the gap until Sister Hurst arrived. Pictures nearby introduce Sister Hurst, her companion and the other sisters.

The Tama family invited us for a family home evening. He is the elders' Quorum President in the Mont Dore Branch, a great leader and loving father and husband according to his wife. We began with a hymn and a prayer. A short lesson from the senior couple and then great fun playing some games. All before sitting down to a dinner bountifully provided. We find that we have to prepare these good families that we don't eat quite the quantities that the young elders consume. Otherwise they over-prepare and are disappointed at our disciplined appetites! The family was delightful. We watched a father and Priesthood holder preside in his home directing the evening. Children each had parts in the family home evening including leading the singing and giving a scriptural passage before the lesson. His young sons loved being with their Dad. His wife glowed as he carried out his responsibilities.

From earlier pictures on the blog, readers will have seen the beaches of Noumea. Shown nearby are additional sites of the local harbors for pleasure craft, sail and motor boats. These boats are large enough to take on some of the heavy water and weather coming off the ocean. Popular among them are 30 foot catamarans that allow the owner to live aboard for an extended period of time. Near these harbor is a traffic circle, or 'rond-point' with a large anchor from a ship long gone. This area of town also has a couple older homes, now refurbished, that go back to Noumea's days of shipping and exploration.

We have just started a weekend of District Conference with Elder James Hamula of the 70, also a counselor in our Area Presidency, presiding. He arrived Thursday evening. On our way home from the airport with him, we got a call from the President of new Caledonia's office telling us we would be able to see him the following morning at 10a. A pleasant surprise. We prepared over dinner with the District President that evening and had a delightful, genuine meeting the next day. he was very interested in the Church's relief efforts for disasters including the recent announcement of housing donations. New Caledonia itself had just contributed 9M CPF's for Haiti's relief. President Hamula invited him to the dedication of the Mont Dore chapel next month where he, President Gomez, will speak. A glorious experience to watch and translate these proceedings as the Lord's hand worked quietly to arrange so much to bless his Saints here.

Because of the way flights are arranged in and out of New Caledonia, President Hamula arrived an evening and a day earlier than our mission President which has given us a unique opportunity to be his hosts. President Hamula served as the mission President in the Washington D. C. South mission some fifteen years ago, but still remembered Elder Mautz, who was serving on the high council back then. We have had delightful visits with him over meals and traveling to meetings and visiting chapels. I think we have no idea the sacrifice families make when they are called to positions like President Hamula and other general authorities. When the Savior says, leave your net and follow me, we think Elder Hamula and his family did just that. It is very humbling.

More on District and Zone Conference and visits with President Gomez in coming blogs. We are blessed to be here.

A baptism and the Saints return...

2010-02-04T17:06:00.002+11:00

The Saints have returned from their Temple trip to Auckland, we have enjoyed a baptism. Life is returning to normal?

Most of the members who traveled to Auckland for the 3-week temple trip returned last week. We started hearing short reports of the trip then attended a fireside Sunday evening whose topic was that trip. Testimonies were shared. A choir of the youth who went and did baptisms everyday for 3 weeks shared music. Four couples were sealed, 3 were recent converts also sealed to their families. During the 3 weeks, 14,000 ordinances were performed. But more important than the stats is the spirit they have brought home with them: Unity, humility and love.

After the first week, the Temple President recommended to them that they increase the hours they were spending in the Temple. The pattern for a number of years had been to the leave the Temple after lunch to spend time shopping or other activities more like a vacation. Many of the members spend their vacations on this trip. The amount of work accomplished doubled as a result of accepting the Temple Presidents invitation to work from 6:30a to 6p everyday. The blessing from the greater sacrifice overwhelmed all who were there. During the closing session tears flowed freely as they worshipped and prayed together. Abundant blessings.

Saturday afternoon brought the baptism of Brother Louis Luta, an 82-year-old Tahitian. Brother Luta speaks no French, so we were grateful to have a Tahitian speaking sister missionary to teach him and a Tahitian zone leader to interview him for baptism. The entire service was in Tahitian for him. In this part of the world, 82 is quite elderly. You will see in nearby pictures that Brother Luta looks somewhat frail, but his mind is more than sharp. Sister Mautz and I were reminded of Grandpa Mautz’s last few months when he was living with us. Tender moments.

Last week on a Tuesday morning, we drove to Tontouta to visit our missionaries there in their weekly district meeting. A fair amount of mail for them had collected over the preceding couple weeks, and the zone leaders didn't have any plans to go there in the near term. We enjoyed their discussion of their objectives as missionaries to invite the people of New Caledonia to come to Christ by helping them received the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their insights in understanding how they knew they were doing what the Lord wanted of them were great preparation for several days later with other missionaries. They were also happy to receive letters and birthday packages accompanied by some of Sister Mautz's cookies.

We have been assisting one of the missionary teams in teaching a young couple preparing for baptism. As is often the case here, they are living in concubinage. Via has children from earlier relationships and has been deserted by the children’s fathers. Our involvement has started as we help them understand the Savior’s concept of a family as revealed through his prophets. Fathers who preside and bless their families. Mothers understanding and devoted to teaching and nurturing their children. A child’s right to grow up in a home with both parents present and presided over by a worthy father. When we explained to Swani that he must always keep the commandments to have Via’s confidence and trust, the change in him was quickly evident. We have moved on to such concepts as not making fun of each other in public, working together and that success for one of them is success for both. They can enjoy each other’s successes instead of competing or feeling put down when the other succeeds. How far the world is straying and how much happiness living the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings. Many of these points came from a recent Ensign article. We were pleased to find it and grateful at how much of a difference these principles have made in their lives.

We no longer take quite so for granted the happiness in our home, between us and in our family. We are greatly blessed to have the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the base for living.The Saints have returned from their Temple trip to Auckland, we have enjoyed a baptism. A great blessing to teach others of Jesus Christ.

Two quick weeks

2010-01-17T16:35:00.006+11:00

Hardly had we sent the district off to New Zealand...

The day after their departure, one of the grand members of the district passed away. And we learned about new customs and funerals. She was 70, the mother of 8. Affectionately known as 'Mame Coco' by missionaries, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as all the members of the church. We also learned about some of the local history of the church that we hadn't come across before.

Mame was something of an icon, almost a legend. She was the first convert in New Caledonia, having married a Church member from French Polynesia, the island of Tubai. (Tahiti is also part of French Polynesia, just another island.) She joined the church at some peril as her family ostracized her for many years. This was long before there were chapels or much of anything here.

Legendary also, was her devotion to her family and the missionaries. Among her 8 children, 4 live here. One daughter is the Relief Society President in Riviere Salee, Another son is the former District President, and yet another is on the high council now, the youngest. Two children are in Tahiti unable to get here in time and two others in France. Of course, there were a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. To the youngest of them, they all knew her and wanted to talk about her. She was known to be quite direct when one of them appeared to stray. A firm invitation to come to Church and dinner afterwards at her house were always forthcoming in such circumstances.

One of our current missionaries confessed that on Sundays, he had but to stand at the exit to the parking lot with a forlorn look while rubbing his stomach to be invited for Sunday dinner. Which he mastered!

One other amusing anecdote was her cell phone which was never turned off and rang at any time, particularly during church meetings. Our Tahitian missionary/narrator noted that he always smiled at this, because it was always somebody in need, usually a family member. And then she would be off to retrieve somebody, give them a ride to Church or other.

The observances for a death are two-staged. A wake in the evening and then a service the next day. But the wake is itself a full-blown service with hymns, prayers and talks. Usually shorter than the service the following day. The main event being for the wake is passing by the coffin to pay respect. The newest feature to me was the frequent touching of the body with strokes to the hair, squeezing a hand, pat on the cheek or a kiss good-by by everybody who was there.

However, the feelings present as well as the response to remarks were identical to what I would have expected in the US. Temple covenants and knowledge of the Plan of Happiness, including the resurrection, are the foundation for hope and joy in our lives for anybody who follows the Savior, anyplace in the world.

Zone Conference followed immediately along with the long-awaited arrival of Elder Harry from Vanuatu.

We had a great few days with our mission president and his wife who were at the beginning of a 2-week trip of zone conferences here and in Vanuatu. We had not seen them since the beginning of December, before the holidays. Lots to talk about and plans to make for upcoming changes.

Elder Harry's long-awaited arrival proved to us that we cannot predict the French visa approval system. I had inquired only two days prior and was told there was no information. And then he arrived. Apparently the heavier than usual winter in Europe is making things a little tough. Elder Harry speaks, as his native tongue, bislama (pronounced 'bish-lama), with some English and some French. We are happy to welcome. In addition we have two local youth serving 2-3 week mini-missions. Immanuel Blucker, the younger brother of Elder Blucker now serving in Hawaii and the second, a recent convert, Sister Tiale.

On a more agrarian note, we are now at the end of a great local fruit season. The mangoes are just finishing. This sweet, juicy fruit grows on trees the size of a large apple tree. The fruit itself is larger than a pear and very tasty. The Tahitian missionaries know how to climb up after them as well as how to slice them around the single, large seed at the center to enjoy the golden fruit. The last of them is being gathered in the following pictures that are taken just outside our office door.

Just before the mangoes were lechis. A strawberry sized fruit growing again in trees in clumps. The tough, prickly skin gives way to a juicy fruit about the size of an eyeball and the same color. But very tasty. You just have to be prepared to get a little messy. We will continue to enjoy the papayas, bananas, pineapple and coconut just about year round, we are told.

In conclusion, Sister Mautz continues her cookie-baking classes. this time with some members who enjoy the results of her efforts enough to want to try themselves. Sister Kartotaroeno's family invites us regularly for family home evening. Their 3 young sons have adopted us. We understand the results of these efforts were quickly consumed while their mother was at work. The whole neighborhood enjoyed them.

She is also assisting the sister missionaries with an English class each week. The three children are the daughters and the nephew of a Vietnamese woman who runs a little store just down the road from the office. The children politely introduced themselves in English giving their names and ages. Each week they copy in their notebooks the things from the blackboard they learned that day so they can study and be quizzed the following week It is apparent the following week that they did. The children love singing "I am a Child of God" at the end of the class. Since learning a new language is ever present in her life she enjoys watching these children take on a similar challenge.

The weeks slip away as we are busy helping the missionaries and members. We are grateful to be here.

Temple-bound Saints, a new missionary ...

2010-01-04T19:10:00.003+11:00

The New Year brought a new Sister missionary as well as the departure of 107 of the District's members for a long-awaited 3-week trip to the Auckland New Zealand Temple. An annual event.

But first, a surprise birthday party for Sister Swapp, one of the sister missionaries, on New Year's Eve. The missionaries in her missionary district got together, invited us, and surprised her with pizza, bubbly cider and a cake. The ruse to get us together was preparation for a song for an upcoming worship service in Sacrament Service. But the guitar accompaniment gave it all away. A couple hours of fun before we all hunkered down at home while the all-night reveling passed.

Saturday morning brought us a new sister missionary. Sister Chugg is from Riverton, Utah and has had no French. Her companion is a delightful Tahitian sister who speaks very modest English. We expect they will both make rapid progress.

However, the high point of the last couple weeks was sending off the District of Noumea on their annual Temple trip to the Auckland, New Zealand Temple. Especially wonderful because we know these people well now and were involved in helping some of them get ready for this trip. As you look at these pictures, you will recognize, perhaps, a few of them from earlier blogs.

Alfred Mahuric, for example, is a friend we visited early in our time here last May. With a Priesthood blessing from his Branch President, he has succeeded in giving up tobacco long term and looks much happier and healthier. He has regained the respect of his children and the love of his soon-to-be eternal companion.

The folks from Houailou are also pictured. We drove to Houailou last September so that President Ostler could interview them for their recommends for their first trip to the Temple. The couple will be sealed as well as receiving their endowments. The prospect of being together as a family eternally is an indescribable blessing to them.

An additional tender experience. As you can imagine, the planning for such a trip is significant. The cost at about $1500 per person is quite significant. A family of 6 for example is a real sacrifice. So much so, in fact, that the District President wondered out loud as to the value of the whole effort given that he saw little increase in statistical measures of activity such as home teaching or attendance at Sacrament Service. A difficult question until this experience. The Tama family, also featured in the pictures, requested my giving them temple recommend interviews which I willingly did only a few weeks ago. Sister Tama was particularly appreciative of her husband, the Elders' Quorum President, as he presided in their family and provided for them. He always sees to family Home Evening, daily family prayer and scripture reading with their young family of 3 children as well as spending fun time with them. When he came in, we proceeded. At the end he asked if his wife had said anything. I shared some of her comments since they were so positive. He then asked me for a blessing explaining that he had only recently been back to work after several weeks unemployed. They were sacrificing a great deal to be able to go to the temple. The Priesthood blessing reassured him that he was doing as he should and that all would be cared for in his family. And so they too have departed for the Temple. The lesson I learned is that the next generation of leaders is learning obedience and sacrifice as they prepare to lead the church here. A Zion's camp experience.

President Yannick Hauata is taking his aging parents who will be sealed and then he to them.

The Seikos from Lifou are in the group. Sister Mautz appreciated warm embraces and tearfully told them how grateful we are for their two children who are serving full time missions here in New Caledonia.

And so we went from person to person greeting, encouraging and sharing the joy and excitement of this great departure and trip. We are grateful to have the privilege of knowing these faithful saints whose focus on things eternal and at great sacrifice, teaches us so much of the joys of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessings of understanding His Gospel in its fullness.

La Veille de Noel et Noel

2009-12-27T18:17:00.003+11:00

The blessings of being a full time missionary were particularly abundant during the days surrounding Christmas. Gifts, good food, wonderful company with missionaries and members and a baptism Christmas Day.

At the open market on Wednesday as we did our shopping for the long-awaited watermelon (our Christmas gift to each other) the Likau family, who are fishermen across multiple generations, presented us with three large very fresh lobsters and 2 pounds of fresh crevettes. What to do?

Our Tahitian senior zone leader knew exactly how to proceed including securing several gallons of fresh seawater in which to cook them. Sister Mautz thought you just put them into boiling water and cook them until they stop crying (her words) but the process was even simpler. Done when they turn from brown to red. Cleaned the crevettes and froze it all for dinner on Friday. Pictures nearby will give you the flavor of the events.

Sister Mautz baked lots of cookies, 4 varieties, to make individually gift-tagged plates of cookies for each of the missionaries. Those gifts were assembled Thursday morning and gratefully received on Christmas morning with such exclamations as: 'This will probably be the only present I get this Christmas' or 'All for me?' There will definitely be more cookies.

Prior to our dinner appointment Christmas Eve, the combined District and missionary choir presented its second Christmas concert en pleine aire at a local community center in Mont Dore.

In French tradition, Christmas Eve, La Veille de Noel, is the big family gathering and dinner. Every missionary companionship was invited, so we accepted an invitation to dine with the Gayas who returned in July from presiding over the Madagascar Mission. Dinner was delicious and lasted 3 1/2 hours in true French tradition including salmon hor d'ouvres, foie gras with red cabbage, roast duck and a wondrous raspberry dessert enjoyed while watching the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and a presentation of the Nativity. We dined al fresca and poolside with a gentle sea breeze. So much for traditions of snow and fireside coziness. But for the absence of our own children and grandchildren, the setting was perfect. Lengthy dinners provide great conversation times as we learned of their conversion over 35 years ago and the significant contribution (our words, not theirs) over those many years in building and leading the Church in New Caledonia. Missionaries found them, or actually her mother, in going door-to-door. Within 6 months their family, his brother's family and the grandmother had all joined the Church thereby providing the base for the growth of the branch in Magenta.

Noel dawned warm and breezy. Technology provided the chance to talk 'face-to-face' with all of our children and grandchildren in the morning. They were each happy and safe and making great progress in their lives. We are grateful.

By the time we distributed the aforementioned cookies at the office and finished the conversations with the family, we almost missed our breakfast out on the beach with fresh squeezed orange juice, bacon and eggs, toast, hot chocolate and a very large croissant.

The baptism took place at 5p. Pako Kilama is a retired senior police officer. He has been studying with the missionaries for some time. We were delighted to spend part of the day observing the peace promised at the Savior's birth coming into Pako's life through faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, repentance and baptism. What more could a missionary desire of his Heavenly Father than such a blessing?

Of our 24 missionaries, only three teams had no place to go for Christmas dinner. So we sat down to potato salad, pork chops, lobster and lightly sauteed-in-butter-and garlic crevettes. And the non-traditional dessert of watermelon. Shared experiences of the day and testimony. Went to bed grateful for our Savior, and happy to be serving Him in New Caledonia.

We send our love this holiday season to all and testify that Christ lives as a resurrected Being, the Savior and Redeemer of the world.

The days before Christmas

2009-12-26T19:23:00.002+11:00

The weeks before Christmas blur across Seminary graduation, the missionaries' Christmas dinner and Soiree de Talent and Branch activities including a Relief Society Cultural evening. The combined District of Noumea and missionaries presented two Christmas musical soirees. And of course a few preparations for Noel including baking cookies.

Following the visit of President Callister, we settled into Christmas mode. Ten days later was the missionaries' Christmas dinner and talent night. These are for just the missionaries, but the members know how much fun they are and hope to find a way to attend. Our Mission President and his wife were expected, but a potential strike by the firemen at the airport made flights dicey for a few days. Although the strike was resolved before their scheduled arrival, their tickets had already been cancelled. But the show must go on.

Musical numbers, clog dancing, jokes, a rap presentation, native dancing by the sisters and then a war-like 'dance' from Tahiti from the Elders made the evening move right along. All in great taste. Pictures nearby will share some of the atmosphere.

Just after these festivities, three of our missionaries departed for home. Sister Richards from Virginia, Sister Carter from Utah and Elder Manarani from Tahiti. Tender departures. Sister Richards lives just a few minutes from us, so we hope to see her again. She hand carried needle work finished for grand child number 11 in the Mautz family.

The following weekend the Noumea 1 branch hosted a Relief Society Cultural evening focusing on several native cultures. Sisters in the branch representing these cultures arranged displays of fabrics and clothing, prepared food indigenous to the culture and then did dances from that culture. Included in the collection were African, Tahitian, Melanesian and Wallisian and Vanuatuan. Even the Elders' Quorum rose to the occasion to present a Wallisian war dance. We were particularly entranced by the children who sat on the floor in front to have a good seat. Every once in a while they had to be moved out of 'harm's' way. A delightful evening with variety of food and dancing. In one particular dance, we learned that a woman who had a blouse extending well down over the top of her skirt was a sign in the native culture of a hard-working, loved woman. You will notice in the pictures a particularly long, lavender over-blouse.

That Saturday, December 19, was the baptismal service for the Nicholl's family. They learned of the Church through the Bluckers whose son has now left to serve a mission in Hawaii. The extended family is likely to follow in the foot-steps of the family patriarch and matriarch. Brother Nicholls has lost a foot due to diabetes. A tender moment observed as two brethren helped him into the baptismal font and unhurriedly got him situated comfortably and just right. The broad smile following told the whole story. His wife and a grand daughter joined the Church with him.

The major Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter are great opportunities to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ through music. This year was no exception. The combined choir of missionaries and the District Choir comprise just over 50 voices. We presented a Christmas fireside to a full chapel and cultural hall of over 300 people. The music presented all fit into a narration of the birth of the Savior and his Atoning Sacrifice. Images of these sacred events were projected. We were delighted to have friends of our own from the apartment building where we live in attendance. Preparing the music takes several weeks of Sunday evening rehearsals giving ample time to contemplate the mortal life which commenced at Bethlehem and whose purpose was realized at Gethsemane and Calvary.

Before we knew it, the week of Christmas arrived. We were concerned that our missionaries were all cared for. But all worked out wonderfully.

Here are two clips from the talent show. The missionaries worked for weeks on P-day to get ready for the show.

What does a missionary want for Christmas (and other news)

2009-12-12T16:40:00.004+11:00

So we find ourselves a few days before Christmas, 2009. In spite of music and the Town Christmas tree and decorations, the 90 degree temps can't fool us! And the missionary work continues apace.

On December 2 Noumea officially welcomed the season with a lighting ceremony at the Place des Cocotiers (Place of the palm trees) downtown. The music, including traditional carols, was provided by a small group of singers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The evening was balmy, who could resist. We were en plein aire for the evening with small children laughing and running everywhere blissfully safe without being guarded by their parents. The choir sang and the mayor spoke. We walked leisurely afterwards visiting with missionaries who had come with their 'amis de l'eglise and we visited with these amis. A lovely evening. We are grateful to have Christmas in the summer!

The children of Noumea are in summer vacation which started at the beginning of December. That includes Seminary graduation for the lycee attenders. Some attend early morning, others a weekday evening class. The evening was to have been presided over by the CES superviser from Vanuatu, but the airport strike complicated matters so that he could not come. Several of them spoke sharing testimonies and appreciation for their teachers. Tender moments. I enjoyed the opportunity to address a few remarks to the youth of the district. The evening included presentations of graduation certificates as well as certificates for all those participating. The District President and I shook hands with and congratulated each of them.

We have been helping one of our missionary teams teach a young woman. She is also something of a cook and very interested in learning to make new treats. Elder Huuti concluded that he could get more of Sister Mautz's chocolate no-bake cookies and teach his amie de l'eglise a new recipe. So one afternoon they arrived with ingredients and Sister Mautz conducted a cooking class. Julia Child would have been proud. The results weren't quite up to Sister Mautz's standard as the cook wanted to substitute brown for white sugar. But the elders certainly did not complain!

We attended our first branch Christmas party last night. We enjoy this branch for its unity led by a great, young branch president. The evening began in the chapel with some songs, the reading of the Christmas story from Luke and the Book of Mormon and the sharing of a wonderful experience from Madagascar told by the recently returned mission president who is a member of the branch. The talks developed around the Christmas star as a representation of the light of Christ that leads us all to welcome the Savior into our lives.

A poor, humble villager who worked long hours raising rice, met the missionaries in Madagascar. He could only come to Church on foot until he was blessed with a bicycle. Soon he would ride the 17 km to Church with one child, then return for another, then his wife. Sometimes as many as 5 precariously perched on the beloved bicycle. He joined the church. His family followed. His fellow villagers wondered what had happened to him as he no longer worked on the Sabbath. Soon they asked questions. He talked about his new faith and its blessing to his family and his life. Some of them wanted to come to Church. He was authorized to have a small service in his front yard 3 Sundays a month. Then the rainy season came and his small home couldn't accommodate the growing congregation. The church provided a small tent. They outgrew it. On the hillside a larger tent structure was erected over a plat carved out of the hillside and proudly bearing the name of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Directed by local leaders, our humble rice farmer, now the branch president. We were grateful to be there.

After this time together, we moved to the cultural hall for a feast of local dishes and gifts distributed to the children and each family by several wisemen who had somehow come into possession of Christmas stockings loaded with cookies, candy and a picture of the Savior. They bore a strange resemblance to the missionaries serving in the branch.

A final set of pictures shares views from our morning walks. Early now as it is pretty warm by 7a. Blue water, palm trees, nearby mountains but no snow.

And so what does a missionary want for Christmas. A package from home. The long awaited only twice-a-year phone call with the family. All wonderful. But best of all is the blessing of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and serving Heavenly Father's children in whatever way he or she can. And should one of these children of Heavenly Father accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ, how great is the joy of that missionary for the worth of a soul is great in the sight of God.

Baptisms, birthdays and bienvenu...

2009-11-30T21:29:00.007+11:00

A very full couple of weeks. New missionary, the last of the branch conferences and 4 baptisms last Saturday.

We welcomed Elder Maker to the New Caledonia part of the Fiji-Suva Mission. Elder Maker comes to us from Tahiti. He is a calm, mature young man and is serving with Elder Styles in Bourail in the northern part of the island. Pictures nearby show him with his district as well as with his companion.

Last Thursday brought a service day at the Noumea wildlife refuge. In tropical settings large plants grow quickly. In this case, we were removing for the 'zoo' woody-leafed plants. Their root systems were large tubers from which the upper part of the plant had to be freed, then hauled up a hill to a refuse point from which they would be hauled away. Under one of these we found a resting local peacock who didn't seem to be disturbed by our chopping. And when we removed one set of cover, this bird calmly walked over to another. The day was hot and the work heavy and dirty. But service to the community here. What a contrast to the daily routine of the work 40 years ago. Pictures nearby will show some of our elders and sisters in the middle of the work as well as a shot of our bird friend if you can find her.

Ward conferences continued in our largest branch with a 'ball' as the Saturday evening branch activity. A dance with a member DJ and a great collection of music. Sister Mautz couldn't resist

The twist and a few other foot stompers. We had a great time and could even walk the next day.

Tuesdays each week bring missionary district meetings. This week we slipped up to Tontouta to attend a district meeting. These missionaries are a little further away and don't see the rest of us very often. And it was birthday week for two of their missionaries. We also wanted to see how Elder Maker was getting along with his new companion.

In addition to the last of the branch conferences last Saturday, we had two baptismal services with 4 new members of the Church. A busy and delightful day. The first were the three daughters of Sylveste who was baptized just a few weeks ago. His daughters have now followed him . Following the service, he had quite a party along the lines of a local 'coutume' or traditional tribe/family gathering to celebrate such events. We missed the event as we had a second service to attend in a neighboring branch.

Bella Lean is a student in the local college. A pair of our sister missionaries found her walking across a park in the opposite direction enjoying music through a headset and not at all welcoming. however a quick hello opened a conversation which interested her since she is largely without family having lost her father at a young age. She is now quite at home in her new branch family.

We close our blog this week with Christmas holidays in view as well as a short zone conference with our Area President and our Mission President and their spouses. The weeks are full. We are grateful to be busy and to see the joy and peace that come into the lives of new members of Christ's Church.

Departure, branch conference and a baptism

2009-11-16T21:47:00.007+11:00

We sent our senior missionary leader home after p-day events and transfers. Then a baptism and a branch conference to round out the past few days. And the work continues.

Elder Johnston has been the senior zone leader these last months. He and his companion are the right hand of the Mission President in moving the missionary work forward here. He is gifted in seeing talents in others, in using music and fire sides to invite others to 'come to Christ' and in administration of all the details of keeping things going. He is also a great eacher.We miss him dearly although the work seems to progress nonetheless. He left a week ago on Wednesday morning. Just before his departure, many of the missionaries gathered for a p-day picnic and kickball game. Pictures are nearby as well as a film clip of the old man in the hat running the bases.

Then it was transfer day as other missionaries moved into their new responsibilities with his leaving. Lots of tender emotions as teams that had worked hard together were sent off to take on new opportunities. we marvel at how these young men and women work together learning to help each other, take advantage of each others strengths to the mutual benefit of the companionship, and then move on when asked without missing a beat. We will see a little more of this just before Christmas as we send two of the sister missionaries home as well as another elder. We anticipate the arrival of new missionaries to replace them.

Evidence of the work's progress was another baptism, Madeleine Tui on Saturday. She is a young, educated women from Vanuatu where she was a teacher. To re-certify here is a 3-year process. With her young children she is challenged to take that time. An avid reader, she was anxious to learn about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Read everything she could find including the Book of Mormon. She was eager to be baptized and is anxious to serve her friends and family with her new faith. The newly found joy in her life is evident in the accompanying picture.

In the midst of all was another branch conference. These annual events bring the district leadership into each local congregation for training. This weekend it was the Noumea 2 branch which meets in the chapel in Magenta near our little office. Events started Friday evening with a snack provided by the branch and then teams formed between branch leaders and district leaders to visit those less active or otherwise in need. Elder Mautz was paired with Frere Bearune, a counselor in the Elders' Quorum Presidency. Also the son of the Branch President in Mare. He is a returned missionary and young father. A delightful evening getting to know each other and some of the branch members.

We rejoined the branch leaders Saturday morning with a petit dejeuner of hot chocolate, croissants, then leadership training for the morning. A sports day followed all afternoon and then a Soiree de Talent that evening. Quite a day. Pictures and film clips nearby will share presentations from each of the auxiliary organizations including the Primary and Young Women as well as the Relief Society and the Elders' Quorum. The entr'act was provided by a 'Tahitian' band which the branch president plays in also. The weekend's events were dampened by the Friday night car accident involving a branch member and his young family. A head-on. They were fortunately in a pick-up truck that protected them. The German-make sedan that hit them in their lane head-on exploded on impact killing its four occupants. Prayers for those who lost loved ones as well as gratitude for the protection of family were evident throughout the weekend.

One event from Branch Conference also stands out. Elder Mautz visited the Aaronic Priesthood young men during their hour. Inasmuch as there was no Priest present, the younger Teachers' Quorum President conducted with no advance warning. He capably stood, selected an opening hymn and someone to direct it, welcomed us all, called on another young man to share a favorite scripture as the spiritual thought. Then thanked everyone for what they had done and called on the visiting District Young Men's President to give a lesson. Delightful for a 14-year-old boy. A picture of the group is at the end of the 'Soiree' slideshow.

The weeks slip away with lots of activity. We will welcome a new missionary shortly as well as celebrate holidays and a zone conference with our Area President. One at a time Heavenly Father gathers his sheep back into the fold.

Some fun clips from the P-day picnic and a traveling Elder Morrill.

Missionary departure and Travels

2009-11-03T18:02:00.006+11:00

Scarcely time to update the blog these last few days.

A week ago we sent Elder Blucker off on his Mission serving in Honolulu, Hawaii. We enjoyed a family home evening with his family at home, set him apart as a missionary and sent him off. Our son, Chris met him in SLC amidst a snow storm and 2 1/2 hour late flight. Elder Blucker was traveling with another missionary not from our District, also going to Hawaii who spoke no English at all. They were on a shuttle for the MTC promptly. Chris reports they were quite animated even after the long flights and layovers. And their first experiences with snow.

The Bluckers are a delightful family. Elder Blucker is the oldest of their 5 children. Another son is a year younger and then 3 daughters. The younger brother will depart in a year and before his brother returns. Their father served a mission when he was in his 30's. So he is now 66 and sending his oldest son off to serve. In the meantime, they are building, largely themselves, a new home quite large by local standards. They have moved into it although it is not yet finished. Mild climates facilitate unfinished ceilings as long as the roof is tight. Kitchen and bathrooms are moderately functional. I admire even more their clean white shirts each week!

Pictures nearby present the family and our time with them. We will have left before Elder Blucker returns from his mission, but we hope to be able to help his younger brother.

We are in the branch conference season here. The first was in Tontouta 10 days ago. The usual agenda for the conference weekend is a reactivation effort with branch leaders on Friday night

followed on Saturday morning with training by district auxiliary and Priesthood leaders with the local branch leaders. These are adapted to local needs. In the afternoon or evening the branch hosts an activity of their own planning for the branch members. We do know how to party. Nearby is a film clip of the Samoan group doing some singing as the activity begins.

There is a video clip at the bottom of the blog.

We split forces for the weekend while Elder Mautz traveled to Mare (pronounced mar-ay) and Sister Mautz attended a baptism in Noumea. the pace of the missionary work seems to be picking up a bit. These good missionaries are working quite hard. The sister who was baptized this week is a caregiver. She had been attending many different churches over the last few years trying to find the truth. One of her 'patients' is a member of the Mont Dore branch. She noted some pictures of latter-day prophets and asked about them when she visited this patient at home. Six months of study with the missionaries ensued culminating in her baptism last weekend. Her children, all young adults, attended both her baptism on Saturday afternoon and her confirmation on Sunday. Her first contacts with the Church were in the Mont Dore branch where her patient lives. However, she lives in the Riviere Salee Branch and was taught by the missionaries there. We are grateful for the co-operation between these teams of missionaries

In the meantime, Elder Mautz was off to Mare, another of the 'Loyalty Islands off the east coast of New Caledonia. Like Lifou, the island of Mare is largely flat, heavily wooded and sparsely populated. A small branch of the Church continues under the faithful leadership of President Bearune. He runs 3 small retail establishments on the island as well as a small towing business. His large family, primarily grown now, has served missions. Some of them are in Noumea, others in Mare. On his property is the small meeting room as well as his own home with an apartment for his aging parents.

He met us at the airport at 7a as we landed and spent the day visiting with us various members of the branch and friends of the Church who were desirous of learning more. His commitment and personal testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was humbling. No expectation of any reward or blessing for what he does. Just love for the people around him. True charity.

We checked into our 'hotel' just after noon and prepared for a fireside we would present that evening. The hotel was a step up from the one in Lifou with a small separate building for each room. Ours had its own bathroom and was air-conditioned if we needed it. Normal beds, although the Tahitian zone leader put his mattress on the floor! Sister Mautz would have been more than comfortable there including the nearby restaurant. We will have to return.

Our visit including the fireside, Church meetings on Sunday and then a presentation of the recently released video on President Monson, filled the days particularly when filled in with visits to homes of members and friends. We slept hard each night. Now catching up on some lost sleep.

An interesting physical characteristic of Mare is that the surround reefs are much closer to shore than either Lifou or where we live in Noumea. As a result, the surf crashes close to shore and can be heard all the time. Here in Noumea, by contrast, the reefs are many miles from shore and the breaking waves are a mere ribbon of undulating white at the horizon. We never hear it. So Noumea has large lagoons with moderate water action other than the tide. We were lulled to sleep both nights by the breakers.

We are grateful to see the work progressing and to be strengthening Heavenly Father's Kingdom in this part of the world.

Conferences

2009-10-21T20:52:00.004+11:00

We are at the end of a two-week period of General Conference followed immediately by our District Conference and a Missionary Zone Conference.. In the middle of all this, at home our stake presidency was re-organized and our ward was divided. Life in the Church certainly moves on!

General Conference here follows by a week the conference itself. A re-broadcast on Saturday and Sunday, October 9 and 10, bring all of the sessions into one of the buildings. We start Saturday with the Saturday evening Priesthood meeting and them both Saturday sessions with one-hour breaks between them. And the Sunday sessions the next day. The building was full on Sunday. Re-broadcasts are in both French and English in separate rooms. Encouraged to study in their native tongue, the English-speaking missionaries watch conference in English unless they have 'amis de l’eglise’ who are also attending.

The universality of the Gospel message including the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, through appropriate Priesthood authority, is evident. Our members and their friends are eager to listen to living prophets.

One of the speakers, a native African, spoke of the liberation to his people by the Gospel because the very-expensive custom of dowry, which forces many in his country into co-habitation makes marriage too expensive. Temple marriage eliminates all of that. The people here understood those issues very well. Some of the tribal customs still exist in the northern part of the country.

District Conference for the Noumea District loomed much larger for us. Priesthood leadership meeting Saturday afternoon. For the Priesthood leadership session, I spent 40 minutes in front of a ‘white board’ leading a discussion on branch councils and presiding over them. Then talks Saturday evening and again Sunday morning. A deep breath when all was finished. And a delightful luncheon provided by one the branch Relief Society organizations. Pictures nearby don't begin to catch the flavors of the cold repast. Raw fish marinated in lemon juice then added to a salad of cream and raw vegetables. Perhaps one day I will learn...

But the highpoint of the entire district conference was Sister Mautz’s testimony Saturday evening. She had 5 minutes and she prepared well and worked for hours on her pronunciation. As we always do on this island, she started with 'Cher Freres et Soeurs, bonsoir' with the congregation responding likewise. And then a small child’s voice responded just enough too late to be all alone and clear. There followed complete silence during her entire talk. Nobody wanted to miss a thing. After the session, the choir of sisters also on the stand crowded around for kisses. ‘No more English for Sister Mautz' from one of the branch presidents. Still talked about a week later, and these wonderful missionaries were proud of her and grateful for her efforts.

We enjoyed a zone conference following. We move to a support role in those meetings. We were bidding farewell at the end of this conference to two of our seasoned leaders, both from Tahiti. It is interesting to watch those who remain and know that they will be asked to step up and take on leadership roles they have not had before. These new leaders will be non-native French speakers and know the challenges they face both with the language and leadership. However, they also know that with Heavenly Father's help, they will grow into these new roles and provide the great leadership the work of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ requires. One of the departing Elders, Elder Aiho, was of great help to us as we arrived a few months ago getting us settled and then learning our office duties. He was asked in the last 6 weeks of his mission to work with a branch where the missionaries aren't always well received and turned things much more positive. We have worked together, counseled together and now will likely not see each other again. Sweet associations because of the opportunity to serve Heavenly Father's children.

We did take a morning to visit a local cultural center dedicated to the memory of M. Tjibaou who has done much to preserve the local, Melanesian culture and support the political kanak movement. The architecture catches the eye with delicate symmetry of wooden rib-like trusses in the air. In the morning sun they look like metal glinting in the sun. The center includes these structures as well as a 'typical' Melanesian village with a chief's 'case' and other related buildings. Pictures below will give you flavor of the place. The political overtones are unmistakable

Lifou

2009-10-07T19:35:00.002+11:00

The bookends to the week were a family home evening with a family from the Noumea 2 branch and then a trip to the island of Lifou with the senior zone leaders for Elder Mautz.

As we get to know the members better, we are more often now invited to their homes for a family home evening. The Trutruns are members of the Noumea 2 branch which meets in the chapel just adjacent to our office. He is a self employed contractor. When he has made enough to sustain his family, we often see the whole family at the chapel working at maintaining the grounds or cleaning the building. This particular evening, the local sister missionaries, Sister Carter and Sister Swapp were also invited as were some recent converts and friends of the Church. We made quite a group. We started the evening playing a simple game with the younger children. Sister Swapp had brought with her a series of Gospel picture cards which we could turn picture side down on the table. By turn each tried to find a matching pair of pictures. As the players succeeded at this, they 'won' the cards and could then retell the story depicted. The children were quite engaged in the game. After a dinner with too much good food, we enjoyed a viewing of a dvd of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Brother Trutrun invited various of us to share our feelings and testimony about the restoration and the blessings in our lives resulting therefrom. An edifying evening for all of us.

In these situations, we often sit outside to eat, watch the film and then talk together. The climate is such that the house and small yard are easily all apart of the living space at the same time. As a result, homes don't need to be as large because the outdoors is part of the living area.

Saturday morning, I flew to Lifou to join the senior zone leaders who had gone the previous day. Our objectives were twofold. First to visit with and strengthen the local small branch. Second, to evaluate the situation and formulate a recommendation for our Mission President as to putting a team of missionaries back on the island. The last had left in February, 2008. Sister Mautz stayed at home to the disappointment of the saints in Lifou and the surprise of those in Noumea. As she explained to the District president, 'Elder Mautz spoils me and doesn't make me go camping.'

We stayed in a small, Lifou-version of a bed and breakfast. Our 'room' was a case (pronounced 'caz'). This is a local dwelling with a thatched roof supported at the perimeter of the building by a wall made either of stone, concrete or sticks. The roof slopes up from this supporting perimeter to a peak usually 10-15 feet overhead. In those used entirely for living space, a fire pit is in the center. Smoke therefrom fills the upper part of the case seeping out through the thatch. I am told this leaves a layer of 'clear' air from the floor up to the point where the roof starts sloping in to the peak. The inside of that roof is coated with the soot accumulated over many usages. Ours did not have the firepit nor the soot. Pictures nearby will give you the idea.

Lifou is a large island off the east coast of the 'grande terre' or main island of New Caledonia. It is part of the country, flat, in contrast to the mountains of the grande terre, and heavily wooded from one end to the other. Sparsely inhabited, a couple main roads join the small villages and run the length and width of the island. The island is rocky with some beautiful beaches, clear, blue water and beautiful bays. Pictures nearby will show you a few shots of the landscapes and seascapes.

At my arrival, we went directly to the branch president's home for lunch and some planning for the two days I would be there. The Seikos are a remarkable story in themselves.

You will recognize the name as they have two children currently serving full time missions here on the grande terre. They are both working very hard and great missionaries. Meeting the parents told the story.

President Abel Seiko grew up on Lifou but went to Noumea as a young man to work. He and his wife both had good jobs in Noumea. But when he felt impressed to return to Lifou to strengthen the Church several years ago, they both quit these jobs and moved their family of 5 children of their own and 3 others to Lifou. The tribal system granted them a large tract of land covered with scrub woods. They have cleared all of that, built a case for sleeping quarters and another small building housing the kitchen, computer and a working space. Sister Seiko now has an enormous garden where she raises lettuce, tomatoes, papayas, pineapples and whatever else she believes she can sell. She tells me she is making more with her garden produce than she did in her business of providing transportation for school children when they lived here. As she showed me her garden and their living quarters she turned to me and said, 'Elder Mautz, je suis contente.' She wanted me to know she is happy with all of this change in her life.

President Seiko rides a bicycle to work. He bought the cycle from Elder Freddy Axelgard, a good friend of ours. Readers may recall our meeting him at the MTC while we were there. He was back from his mission in New Caledonia as we were leaving and served in Lifou for 6 months. Left his bicycle behind with the Seikos.

I thought their life showed a new dimension of serving Heavenly Father with all their might, mind and strength as the Savior instructs us. Pictures nearby show some of the yard and garden.

The season of late Spring here is the time when amaryllis bloom. They are planted here like tulips would be in the States and are striking additions to a garden.

Before lunch, we harvested fresh coconuts from high in the palms, opened them with a knife-like instrument with a 30-inch blade to chop it open. the milk' is drunk right from the coconut as well as being used for cooking and salad dressings. Quite a delicacy. Pulling one of these down from a tree was quite an art also so as not to get one on the head. Elder Huuti was a master at it.

The rest of the day was spent visiting members of the church, as well as those that Elder Johnston remembered from the early days of his mission when he worked in Lifou for 3 months. His memory was impressive as he navigated us over the island in our little rented Peugeot. We held a fireside that night and then slept very hard. Sunday brought Church services with the branch and then temple recommend interviews with most of the adults in the branch. They will join the members here in Noumea for the annual 3-week trip to Auckland to the Temple there next January.

And then, suddenly, it was time to fly home. I reflected on the lessons of this island with a lifestyle very different than any I have lived. Simple and agrarian. However, the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ including faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, obedience to Gospel principles, families joined together eternally and founded on the scriptures are quite as important to these good members as anywhere else in the world.

Two baptisms and a birthday

2009-09-29T17:01:00.004+11:00

The week slipped away amidst lots of small tasks and efforts. And with much anticipation for the weekend.

Fridays bring for us a meeting with the zone leaders. During that meeting we discuss overall needs in the mission work in New Caledonia and any concerns for individual companionships as well as what we might do to help. We also discuss the overall status of the work. At our last meeting we discussed the status of each new convert during the last 12 months as well as what we might expect for the rest of the year. The number of active friends of the Church attending Sacrament Services and actively studying with the missionaries was almost double the number of baptisms thus far this year. Many of them were families and most had friends already members of the Church. I suggested they put together plans for each one. Our meeting was delightful.

The weekend brought two baptisms in two different places at the same time of day. Senior couples get stressed over such conflict. Nearby pictures show you both baptisms, One in Tontouta and one in Riviere Salee. The first, in Tontouta has been scheduled for some time. Marceline Boa’s young son was baptized just a few months ago shortly after our arrival. Due to the difficulties of tribal customs here, she and her ‘husband’ had never legally married. That was completed last month. He is a good man and attended the baptism. I had a chance to speak with him a couple times. I urged him to prepare himself so that the two of them could then be married forever in the Temple. He is getting himself ready. A few things in life to change. We parted good enough friends that he will invite me to his baptism. A good number of family members were also present.

Meanwhile in Riviere Salee another baptism was taking place. Again with a chapel full of members, friends of the Church and missionaries. This time the baptism was performed by Brigitte’s husband, so we were completing a family. She has been studying the church for some time. They too are looking forward to the Temple in a year. These good people, from different ethnic backgrounds grasp the same universal principles and eagerly anticipate full activity in the Church. Members are eager to welcome them. Home teachers are in place. We want to take good care of these new converts.

We watch the work with wonder. We also observe how faithful these young missionaries are. Two quick examples.

A young elder in Ducos has been thrust into leadership earlier than he might have felt prepared. Conducting his first district meeting with 7 other missionaries present, he has planned a discussion to train us, conducts the meeting entirely in French and suggests some ideas in response to questions that arise from the teaching going on in his district. He successfully navigates the language finding ways to express thoughts when he doesn’t always know exactly the vocabulary he might want to use. He arrived just after we did and is working hard. We are grateful for him.

In the Sunday class for those studying the Church another young elder is teaching a lesson about the importance of families. Among the concepts he teaches is that of families working together to care for their home. Discussion follows with questions about what to do if the children don’t want to work in the home. He sights his own family and how grateful he is for his own mother. At least, he notes, he knows how to clean his apartment, wash the clothes and iron his shirts. Perhaps the only remaining question was ‘Have you thanked your mother and told her you love her?’

The last event of the week was Sister Mautz’s birthday. With her permission, we note it was the 60^th. And we were in a French speaking country just like for mine! On Monday, the missionaries’ p-day, we had cake and a good group of them gathered to sing ‘Happy Birthday’. They are pictured nearby. No sound clip. It was all spontaneous. Birthday cards and all.

Much of our work is seeing what needs to be done and getting it done. Whether that is government visa issues or training local leaders or supporting missionary activities. We do what we do because the Lord has asked it of us. We love Him and our Heavenly Father. What more can we say?

Three little experiences

2009-09-20T12:37:00.006+11:00

Missions for senior couples are interesting. Sometimes you wonder if you are doing all that you should be. And then Heavenly Father blesses, sometimes in an overwhelming manner, to let you be of service and share in bountiful experiences.

By the beginning of the week, we were rested and recovered from the conference experiences. And we had a list of things to fix in the apartments. So off we trekked Wednesday morning, tool kit in hand, like 24/7 repair people to fix a washing machine and a phone. The washing machine was flowing water all over the floor of one of the sisters' apartments, the phone was full of static such that it couldn't be used to make appointments or follow up on meetings. We had taken our car in for servicing, so we were even driving one of the little white panel truck Berlingos. We looked like repairmen. Sister Mautz demurred on the picture of this one. You will have to use your imagination.

The washing machine was a quick fix by cleaning out the filter. In these machines the filter is hidden behind a panel at the bottom of the machine. The sisters were very grateful. As were we to have the fix be so quick. The phone took two tries. We were pretty sure it was the machine and not the line. And so it was.

Later in the week we also supplied insecticide to kill cockroaches (cafards) that are infesting two apartments. (Don't ask!) The elders were triumphant. A quick spray behind the washing machine and refrigerator and out they all came scampering to their demise. This is the apartment with the new refrigerator as the cafards had infested the insulation in the last one.

Real success. Now for the 3 experiences.

Experience 1:In addition to washing machines, phones, cafards etc, one of the apartments needed a new iron.

An easy purchase which we did while doing our weekly grocery shopping. However, to get the 3-month warranty, the purchaser has to go to a 'help desk.' I couldn't be bothered. But Sister Mautz was insistent. 'What if doesn't even work?' she queried. Then she took the iron out of my hands, sent me to the car with the groceries and did it herself. (Don't think 'little red hen.') We speak French here. I was awed at the confidence and let her take it. She returned triumphantly shortly thereafter telling me they had asked for the sales slip, she had asked if they really needed it, they said no and she had it all taken care of. Just think about that a minute.

Number 2:

Saturday morning was a double baptismal service. The 8-year-old grandson of a loving, member grandfather who did the baptism. And a new convert who brought his whole family including brothers and their wives. More than 50 in attendance including several teams of missionaries all with friends of the Church with them. At the end of the service, the newly baptised are invited to share their testimonies as new members of the Church. Both these were articulate and great feelings. The young boy is Primary age, knew what he was doing and shared his feelings of knowing that he had done what his Heavenly Father wanted of him. The second, Sylveste, quoted Biblical and Book of Mormon scripture, promised his family that he was sincere and that the new man they were encountering was for real.

The missionaries who are teaching him recount that now that he has started moving forward with his Church membership, he teaches them as fast as they teach him. he has read the Bible through and quotes back to them scriptures passages as he now understands them with the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He will undoubtedly enjoy holding the Priesthood so that he can bless his family.

We lingered and then came home to catch up a little. Later in the day we visited a local town museum tracing the history of Noumea from the French arrival in the mid-1850's through the two world wars. The political themes woven into the presentations were hard to miss. First conscriptions of the local Melanesian population in WWI. Veteran benefits denied them for a lengthy period of time and finally granted shortly before the start of WWII. The focus was clearly on the local population and its war heroes. History sounds a little different from this point of view. However, the Allied influence in building Noumea, providing sanitation facilities, hospitals, a railroad, airport etc. is real and quite evident even today.

The building itself dates back to the late 1800's and was built as a bank. When it went bankrupt the City bought it as the town hall and then it became this museum. Since it is so old, the architecture is reminiscent of pre-air conditioning with broad porches on two levels to provide relief from the summer heat. A few pictures are nearby. The poster of Charles DeGaulle is clearly of a later vintage.

Experience 3. Later Saturday evening, we met with a just-returned, radiant sister missionary for her release. Her family was with her. What a tender experience as she shared highlights from her 18 months in Montreal. Be obedient to your leaders. Heavenly Father is waiting to bless you and provide all that you might ever need. Not because you have earned it, but because He loves you. Just be obedient and ask in prayer. Her faithful parents and younger siblings are delighted to have her home. A difficult moment as she was released and had to remove her missionary name tag that has been her identity these last many months.

And so we look back on the last few days hoping that we in some small way have contributed and grateful for the opportunity to be here to share in the lives of these great people whom we love.

Zone Conference, BBQ and travel

2009-09-10T15:46:00.005+11:00

We spent the week welcoming our Mission President and his wife. They arrived Wednesday evening. Much of their time is with the young missionaries whom they both individually interview. During these hours we spend time arranging for meals, being sure we know who is to be where and when. However, during this week there was also a fair amount of member interaction as we traveled once again to Bourail and then on to Houailou to meet with members needing his attention.

Friday morning President Ostler and I were off early for the 3 hour drive to Houailou. We stopped in Boulouparis, 90 minutes north, to pick up two of our missionaries who were meeting one of their friends of the Church. Dropped them off in Bourail to wait for her and picked up two others who accompanied us the last hour of the trip across the island to Houailou. There he was to interview three members for their first opportunities to be in the Temple in New Zealand in just a few weeks. Their excitement at the prospect of having their families joined together as a family unit forever including after death was a feast in itself. They had carefully prepared themselves knowing the fundamental requirements to be worthy to enter the Temple. Family relationships and ties are very strong here. The Gospel of Jesus Christ promising that these ties can endure beyond the grave is worth whatever sacrifice of money and time is required. Humble people who save all that they can for the trip and then are helped by brothers and sisters who share the cost of such a trip with them in gratitude for the Savior's atonement, making possible such great blessings as families being families forever.

We also enjoyed renewing acquaintance with these good people whom we have not seen in several weeks since our last trip north. Lots of kisses on the cheek and warm embraces. These good people know how to say 'hello!'

Our good elders in Bourail prepared a lunch for us before our return trip. We arrived home from this trip about 3 hours later than we had expected. By then, Sister Mautz was hosting 'Sisters' night' at our apartment, so we brethren were 'not allowed' until they finished up. A few pictures nearby present them as their evening concluded.

This visit from the Ostlers was a longer one, so Monday, the missionaries' P-day brought them all in for a few hours in the middle of the day for a BBQ. We asked one of the members to come cook for us. The missionaries provided salads and desserts. Volleyball games, basket ball, football and lots of visiting. Perhaps you are wondering just what the sister missionaries did. Always glad to see each other, they had lots to talk about and also more than held their own in volleyball. The wind was strong so the weather felt almost chilly, but we all had sunburns by the end of the day.

Sunday sent us to Mont Dore for meetings. I continue to attend each branch on a rotating basis to see how things are going and to do temple recommend interviews. I was pleased at seeing the results of my training from 10 days earlier as the Elders' Quorum President distributed the Family Guides to each father present, taught the Quorum members a Priesthood ordinance and then presented the organization of his home teaching assignments by team and to whom they were to report. I got reports from two other branches that similar lessons had occurred. These good brethren are eager to learn their duties so that they can bless the lives of their quorum members by serving them.

Visas have been a particular fascination this week. Two of them. One for a missionary departing from New Caledonia, Elder Blucker, to serve in the USA in Hawaii. He, of course, needs an American visa. The other for a member from Vanuatu needing a French visa to come to New Caledonia. We waited an extra 2 months to get our French visas, allowing us to prepare a little better both in language with our MTC tutor and in getting a few things taken care of at home, but also introduced us to several people in SLC who are knowledgeable in US visas. We have made good use of those contacts over the last several weeks for Elder Blucker. So there WAS a reason for all of that waiting. His departure to the US has also been delayed two months waiting for the processing in the US. And then we find that after the visa is done, he must present himself at a US Embassy, in Fiji, it turns out, for an interview and to have his passport 'stamped.' Those interviews happen only twice a day and only on certain days of the week. The earliest available date is October 1. I was grateful we weren't waiting for a medical procedure! Never again shall I complain of the French bureaucracy after dealing with the US brand.

Our Vanuatu Elder just needs to know how to proceed. Nobody in this part of the world really knows how to get a French visa. The US elders get SLC support, the Tahitian elders are already French citizens and don't need a visa. Again, much that we learned going through the process in the US ourselves has helped here as we learned how to get the proper documents signed and send them off to him. A trip to the Office of Foreigners helped us find the right forms and information for our Vanuatu Elder to prepare. Patience while our Heavenly Father prepares us for things we can't yet see.

We completed the week with the Zone Conference itself on Tuesday. In the accompanying pictures you will note the difference in the appearance of the missionaries between p-day attire and their 'conference dress.' As always, we enjoy being taught both by the missionary leadership as well as by President and Sister Ostler.

Peace reigns, service projects and the Primary

2009-08-30T19:44:00.005+11:00

We came out of the week with no significant activity from the local syndicat (union) as we waited for judgements against their leaders. Those will not now be announced for several weeks. meanwhile the government is making a regular showing of power keeping things quite calm. A welcome relief for all.

Pictured nearby are 4 of the Elders' Quorum Presidents in our training session from Wednesday evening. Carl is gradually moving through the organization with some kind of training along the way. These good, young, energetic brethren carry heavy responsibilities and work hard at serving the members of their branches. We focused on helping in their responsibility to teach how to perform the ordinances of the Gospel to their quorum members and how to organize home teaching. the latter including what a home teacher is to do, how and why to get reports from each home teaching team and how organize their efforts delegating some of the work to their counselors. Co-incident with this training was the visit from Tahiti of a team helping the District install the Church's record system. It has a significant module on home teaching, so we invited one of them to come and demonstrate. These young Presidents are computer savvy brethren and had no trouble learning to navigate the system. Of course there will be some work up front getting things started, but then the tool will help enormously.

On Saturday we participated with most of the missionaries as well as about 60 members of the District in a clean up service project in one of the neighboring towns, Mont Dore. We have a chapel there and two teams of missionaries serving in the area. The village was hosting a clean up along roads, around schools and parks and athletic fields. We congregated about 7a and started working by 8 finishing about noon. Donated hours amounted about 320. Bags of cans, plastic bottle and general garbage were significant. We sorted as we accumulated to make re-cycling easier. The community provided sandwiches and water for us midway through the morning for which we were quite grateful. Starting at 8a meant leaving home by 6:30a and breakfasts were much earlier. Kept us from fading away before noon. Pictured nearby are the members of the district being instructed by our public relations co-ordinator as well as the missionaries outfitted in the complimentary t-shirts given each of the workers. We worked hard and were quite tired by the midday completion.

Home for showers, a quick nap and then the Primary talent night which commenced at 4p. Old people have trouble keeping up such a pace. Each branch in the district provided a talent usually around a story line. While the relationship between their assigned theme such as repentance, hope, or longanimity were sometimes a bit of a stretch, we completely enjoyed watching these beautiful children perform dances they had learned. They are beautiful with large brown eyes, beautiful olive skin and quick smiles. Sister Mautz notes they have eyelashes to die for! A number of pictures nearby will give you a better look at cowboys, native dancers and the like.

We visited the Tontouta branch for Church services today. These good Saints welcome us, help Sister Mautz with her French and feed us. Elder Mautz was one of the speakers in Sacrament Service. In teaching about serving together as one, he used the example of our own home ward in Oakton where much is given supporting each other in the difficulties, sadness and challenges of life. We are grateful for their example as we serve here. The branch is preparing for a fireside next Saturday. Nearby is a film clip of the branch choir with a few missionaries singing a familiar Primary song, in French however and with some great harmony provided by the local musical talents.

We look forward next week to a visit with our Mission President and a Zone Conference. the next posting may be a few days later than usual.

New Missionary, Transfers and 2 C3's

2009-08-22T10:09:00.005+11:00

Last weekend slipped away as Sister Mautz's hip recovered by limbering up and Elder Mautz prepared an unexpected talk for Sacrament meeting in the Noumea 1 branch. In the meantime, we have welcomed a new Elder, Elder Seiko, cracked the code to import meds, cleaned the closet and sent off dear missionaries to new assignments.

Elder Seiko, whom you met a few weeks ago with his enthusiastic willingness to depart with less than 24 hours notice, returned to us this week from his 3 weeks at the MTC in New Zealand. He is glad to be at work and is a great addition. Elder Styles is his new companion and trainer. We picked up Elder Seiko at the airport in Tontouta on Wednesday after a false start on Tuesday. Seems they didn't get him to the airport in time for his flight. But he arrived via Fiji Wednesday right on time. We got him to his new companion. They are working hard and having fun at it. Pictures nearby show him with Elder Styles and during his orientation with the zone leaders. We should note in passing that Elder Seiko is from New Caledonia. His father is a passed District president here and now is a branch president in Lifou, an island part of New Caledonia just to the East. His sister is currently serving here in the Tontouta branch. We were to join that district with Elder Seiko on Tuesday. When he didn't arrive as expected, we went on to the district meeting, also pictured nearby, where his sister was teaching a lesson. When we walked in without her brother, she carried on without batting eye. We admired her tenacity and faithfulness.

As we start our 6th month of our mission, it became time to need more prescription medicines. We had originally been told that importing them was out of the question. However, in doing a little listening at the customs office which we visit regularly while picking up packages for the missionaries, we began to understand that with some proper preparation, we could have prescription medicines shipped in. Now to crack the code as to how that was done. When Elder Mautz asked just how this could be done, he was sent 'over there' to another building. With some more questions, we met the medical inspector who explained just what we needed. The hardest part, we thought, was already done since we had with us copies of our prescriptions. That turned out to be the easiest. The hardest part was securing the importation form from the government printing office a few blocks away and which is only open until 3p in spite of what the signs say on the building. After 3 tries we succeeded, completed the form, got back to the medical inspector who efficiently stamped it, got it to his superior for signature and back to us in 24 hours. So now we are authorized drug importers, of a sort. We feel like Carl cracked the code.

Behind our office is a storage closet all our own. And stuffed with leftovers from closed missionary apartments, car wash supplies, and whatever else somebody thought might be useful sometime in the future. One afternoon while Sister Mautz was finishing up all kinds of reports, Carl cleaned the closet. (Yes, all we ever needed to know we did learn from our Mothers!) Pictured nearby are 3 shots of the before, contents all over the yard and after shots. Not only is it more useable, but we actually know what is there. When one of the apartments needed a vacuum cleaner, we knew we had one! Somehow not as quite as big a deal in writing as it was as we washed floors, wiped down shelves, carried away the true garbage, washed and cleaned bed covers that were again needed this week in the cooler weather we are having in winter, and organized!

The arrival of new missionaries always begets transfers. And we had the second major round of these since our arrival. The lesson we learn each time is that the Lord guides this very sensitive part of His work carefully. New missionary companionships bring new opportunities for service, to learn new skills in teaching and to support each other. We note that the missionaries continue to be concerned for former companions, their comforts and needs. As we were responding to opening a long vacant apartment and getting new mattresses, a missionary noted to us that an apartment he had just left also needed a mattress.He was OK being uncomfortable himself, but his successor deserved better! Pictured nearby are several of the new companionships, the general 'chaos' of transferring luggage between cars etc and the evident joy these good missionaries feel in being together.

Part of these transfers included sending our senior zone leader back into full time proselyting service for the remaining 8 weeks of his mission. He is a gentle Tahitian. A hard worker and great teacher. He will help his new companion as well as strengthening the branch where he will be serving. We will miss him a great deal as he has been at our right hand these last months patiently training us in everything from how to drive through a 'rond point' to banks, visas, and all the rest. We will see how we survive and look forward to seeing him when we visit the Tontouta branch.

We are in good health, busily engaged and grateful to be here.

Goings,Comings and Paradise returns

2009-08-08T13:44:00.021+11:00

This week we worked. Plain, old-fashioned work.

As background, over the last several weeks, there have been various activities around strikes by one of the local syndicats or unions. This one representing primarily a political group of the native Melanesian peoples, locally known as the Kanaks. The issue got sticky a couple months ago when a union leader, not of their background but heavily engaged with them, tried to take possession of an airplane at the local airport just across the street from the mission offices and one of our chapels. That landed him in jail. His union members would like him out of jail. So off and on on over the last several weeks we have had local disturbances of deliveries primarily. First of gasoline. Then of food stuffs, bottled propane and other large truck deliveries. From time to time the disturbance closes the local expressway out of Noumea going north to the airport. Nothing dangerous, just very inconvenient. Forces traffic otherwise on the expressway onto the local roads. Blocks everything.The unrest erupting locally in different corners of the island creating inconvenience with traffic. Add a rainy week, lots to do... You begin to get the picture.

Early Monday morning, we were off to the airport in Tontouta 45 minutes north to send off Sister Spencer on the first leg of her journey home to Oregon. We miss her steady, unflappable get-the-job done attitude coupled with her hard work. She was training a new sister, just before her departure, so lots of adjustment. Transfers for most of the sisters last week in anticipation.

Departures include a visit in Fiji to spend time with our Mission president and his wife, a trip to the Fiji-Suva Temple and then the long flight home. Pictures nearby show her last minutes on the ground in New Caledonia at the airport. In the rain.

Monday afternoon, we returned to start the usual month-end reporting and to keep track of any shortages being reported from the missionaries from the strikes. A couple of the apartments had run out of propane which heats water for showers and laundry as well as running stoves for cooking. Not that anybody was complaining. But since we asked. One of the Zone leaders teams tracked down the last two canisters of propane that anybody could find. So Tuesday we took off back to Tontouta to provide the canister to an apartment already almost a week with out. Happy elders. Although as one of them explained, if you exercise really hard, a cold shower feels good. We joined them for their district meeting while there.

On Wednesday, our new sister was to arrive. Like departures, arrivals usually pass through Fiji to meet the President and to have a mission orientation and a trip to the Temple. We were back in Tontouta to greet Sister Swapp arriving in time to meet her but quite late compared to the expected arrival time of the airline. We were glad to have an extra bedroom when we got home early Thursday morning from that trip. After a few hours sleep, we joined the rest of the missionaries for the monthly car wash and to introduce Sister Swapp to her new companion. It was raining/misting steadily but the car wash went on and had lots of takers. Sister Mautz had made a new-to-the-Tahatian-missionaries concoction, no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies. A great success and delicacy among the missionaries. All were grateful for the snack accompanied by chocolate and yellow cakes to keep the energy levels up for the work. We used the time and the labor to help clean out a storage closet that had accumulated a fair amount of junk and to also remove the accumulating of trimmings on the church grounds over the last several months. Apparently the city-provided removal is an annual event, so it was great to have it all gone. Various pictures of the car wash as well as the mountain of refuse are nearby.

And one anecdote. In earlier emails we have shown a few of the now very old memorials to the Allies who were on the island from 1942-1945 during the major Pacific theater activities of WWII. Earlier in giving a driving lesson on stick shift cars to one of the newly arrived sister missionaries, Elder Mautz recalled having driven passed a colorful memorial depicting the US flag. But could never quite find where it was. At last, on asking again, we found the memorial. right on the main street going into Centre Ville. Slightly hidden by some trees, we have driven by it many times. Too focused on traffic, lane changes and traffic lights. In any case, it is pictured nearby for your perusing.

The high points of the week have come at the very end. The first was the sunshine. We had forgotten how beautiful the place is when the sun shines. And the strikes seem to be over for the moment. Store shelves are restocked. Elder Mautz attended a missionary preparation class for young men and women in the member district as outlined and requested by our Area Presidency. The teacher is a young Tahatian recently returned from a mission himself. At the end of the class he invited several of his students to share their testimonies. He had coached them to look at people while sharing feelings about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To smile and to let their words be distinct and clear. Many of these young members have been born in the Church and were having their first experience as young adults trying to decide what they really believed. Several recounted reading the Book of Mormon over the last few weeks and finally,in a private place, simply kneeling and asking Heavenly Father if the Book was truly His word, scripture like the Bible, testifying of Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice. Their experiences of personal revelation from a loving Heavenly Father that the book indeed was His word were tender and real to them and to the rest of us attending and listening. A delightful, edifying close to the week.

Almost as good as the baptism Saturday late afternoon. A young father, pictured nearby with the two sets of elders who taught him, his branch president and the member who baptized him as well as several pictures of missionaries who also attended. In fact the chapel was full of people well over 100. Missionaries only get to attend these events if they have someone to bring with them who is interested in the Church, a friend of the Church. So their presence meant that many others who are just learning about the Church had also come. And the presence of many members including the brother performing the baptism demonstrate just how wonderfully involved the members are.

His story is not unique but interesting. Like many of his generation here, he was living in concubinage (a real word. means just what you think) when he and the missionaries encountered each other. The mother of his child had left them. He has studied the Church for some time knowing that he was making serious covenants by being baptized. We met him shortly after arriving here as we attended the branch he also was attending. Feelings were tender as we met last night for his baptism. Elders Aiho and Amundsen started teaching him. Elders Winget and Green completed the teaching. As they said, 'he actually teaches us' as he finds the joy and peace of the Gospel of Jesus Christ coming into his life through faith and obedience to what he was learning.

We are grateful to be here. Helping in some small way. Giving what we can while the Lord accomplishes His great work in this corner of the world.

Baptisms, Zone Conference and a Fireside

2009-07-31T08:49:00.009+11:00

We have had a very busy week complete with a visit with our Mission President, a zone conference, two baptisms and a missionary fireside for the District here. In between, we managed to finally get one of our own members off on his mission leaving for the MTC in Auckland.

President and Sister Ostler arrived Saturday morning for a 'short' visit this time meaning there would be no activity day with the missionaries like our picnic at their last visit. They arrived just in time for a baptism shown nearby. The young man was taught by one of the sister's companionships, Sisters Seiko and Manoi. He shared his testimony at the end of the service. Articulate and firm in his belief. He will stay in the area and will be a great addition to his branch here.

Monday afternoon while President and Sister Ostler were doing interviews with the missionaries, a call finally came that tickets were being booked for Elder Seiko, leaving from our District and coming here to serve. He received his call several weeks ago and was scheduled to enter the MTC in Auckland this week, but somehow the itinerary for travel never came through. I had raised the question again a couple weeks ago and finally the response which was two choices: leave the next morning at 11a or wait two days and miss the first day of training in the MTC. His enthusiastic, TOMORROW meant a setting apart that evening, quick packing and he was off. I couldn't help reflect how different things are in the US where departures are known weeks in advance and parting missionaries speak in sacrament services just before leaving. Elder Seiko will be a great Elder. His family has roots back a long way in this area. His father has been the District President and his sister is serving here already. A younger brother just received the Melchizedek Priesthood and will depart while his two older siblings are still serving.

Sunday morning we were up early for a drive to Tontouta, 45 minutes away, for Church services and another baptism. This sister has been attending Church for a long time and felt the time had arrived to join the Church. This time the ordinance was performed by the Branch President. We were delighted to see some of the training we have been doing taking effect. The Ward Mission Leader conducted the service. A great day and then we were headed back to Noumea for the Missionary Fireside.

The Fireside was a musical presentation accompanied by projections for the attendees. Depicted in music and picture was the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the prophet, Joseph Smith, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and the restoration of the Priesthood. All the music was tied together via narration. The missionaries sang a good deal of it in chorus joined by a District Choir of members. Since it took place in the chapel, we could not record it. But we asked the missionaries to re-perform two numbers just prior to lunch during zone conference the following Tuesday which are presented for you nearby. The clips are rather long and in French, of course, but we hope you enjoy them. Sister Mautz is particularly partial to the Elders' number. there is something about clean, worthy young men joining voices together in song that delivers strong testimony of the truthfulness of their message. Attendance at the evening's performance was good with many favorable comments from those visiting the Church for the first time as well as those invited to come back.

Our Zone Conference was the final event of the Ostlers' stay with us. We were instructed by them and our zone leaders. the emerging theme centered on obedience to the Savior's will that invites His Spirit to guide and direct our actions. That obedience born of gratitude for his atoning sacrifice. Some of us get to be too rule-driven, others a little relaxed. Keeping our love for our Savior at the center balances that as we serve others. We were grateful to have been there.

The Ostlers have just finished the first of a 3-year assignment as President of the Fiji-Suva Mission. The breadth of the assignment is staggering working in 3 countries, four languages and with 120 missionaries. Some can only be reached by boat. In addition he has 3 districts to oversee as well as another to run directly as the district president himself. Flew 50K miles his first year. Travel here is many times difficult with canceled or delayed flights. When that happens you wait inconveniently or get re-routed through 'nearby' places like Australia or NZ easily adding a day or two more to a busy itinerary. However, what stands out in their minds 'the Atonement is real. As I have met with investigators, members and missionaries, I have witnessed its reality.'

These last two weeks, our missionaries have been without any mail other than the internet. No packages, no letters from friends etc. We have no idea what caused the blockage, but finally things came through this week. Letters for just about everybody. We understand there are yet to be packages to be picked up, but those had also been trapped in the backlog and will take a little time yet to arrive.

We are grateful to be here serving with fine young men and women. next week we will send one of our sister missionaries home and welcome another. Many trips to the airport, good-byes and welcomes.

Some days the sun don't shine...

2009-07-23T17:16:00.007+11:00

Last week's rain and slogging through apartment inspections gave us new appreciation for a car, dry shoes and a warm apartment. And then we went to Houailou.

After much wind, rain settled in with clouds hanging low over the higher hills all over the island. Hard steady rain for three days soaked the soil so that there was no place for the rain to go. The main north south route north of Tontouta actually flooded to the point of closing for a few hours while we were navigating (pardon the pun) through our flat inspections. We were north for the apartments there, headed back south to find the road getting deeper and deeper in water and then realized we had forgotten to retrieve information we needed. So back we went. In the 20 minutes it took us to retrace our steps, the road was 6 inches deeper in water with quite a waterfall to one side. We tried to capture the effect on a picture nearby, but the effect isn't quite the same as being in it. Was good to be passed it for the last time. When we returned Saturday afternoon on our way to Bourail and Houailu, everything was pretty well cleared away and quite passable. Great river drainage system! We are happy to report that all of our missionaries were warm and dry.

So when it rains, we adjust with rain slickers, different shoes and hats. The elders, pictured nearby, roll up their pants and walk through it. We understand they did give up porte-a-porte the second day and just kept up with their pre-arranged rendez-vous. You will note Sister Mautz's stylish shoes for the rain as well as those of Elder Mautz.

Saturday, we left home about noon, attended a baptism in a nearby branch and then took off for the north country, the bruse.

The baptism was delightful. By then, the rain had stopped. the new member is from Wallis, a French speaking island southeast of Fiji. His family lives there and he will soon return. So we want him well prepared to lead his family before he leaves.

We met the elders in Bourail for dinner and did some temple recommend interviews before calling it a night in a local inn. Up early Sunday morning, we drove the hour between Bourail and Houailu getting there in time for 9a Church and to meet the members in the small branch there. Beautiful scenery. the little inn deserves one anecdote. Posted on the wall was the offer that the chef would cook anything we shot as long as we didn't want to keep it as a trophy. We particularly liked the pink bathroom in the honey moon suite.

Nearby are a few pictures of the scenery as we crossed the island from West to east. Bourail as well as most of the towns where we have missionaries are on the west side of the island. Houailu is on the east. The road across is less well maintained, but passes through some beautiful country with breath-taking vistas across valleys with steep sides climbing up mountains whose tops were actually tree-less. Cascading waterfalls. We enjoyed the drive narrated by one of our elders who does this drive frequently. Along the way, we encountered a warning sign, 'nids-de-poulet.' Literal translation is chickens' nests. What is meant is 'potholes.' And they meant it. We all had to slow way down on a winding scarcely two lane road.

The branch in Houailou pictured nearby is small. they meet in a small, rented building that also serves as the missionaries' flat when they are in town. The presiding authority is a tribal chief who hitchhikes to Church every Sunday and leaves his suit in the meeting room until he returns the following week. After jokes about not breaking the eggs in the nids-de-poulet we talked about the needs of the young men in his little branch as well as those in his tribe. How to motivate them to work, teach them standards in their lives and provide activities that developed life skills. He shared his concerns for the young people of his tribe who need he Gospel of Jesus Christ as a standard as well as listed above. The internet reaches all over the world and brings with it the mixed blessing.

We provided the program along with Elder Hammond who arrived here in New Caledonia a few months ago. Sister Mautz spoke through a translator. All listened politely while Elder Morrill translated for her. However, when she switched into French at the end of her talk to share her testimony, the members of the congregation one at a time switched from polite quiet faces to broad smiles and sparkling eyes listening to her share the feelings of her heart. A tender moment and mercy for all attending. She does better than she believes and everybody loves her for the great efforts she is making!

On our way home we visited with our friend in the Bourail branch who has now had 8 weeks of leaving smoking behind. The change in his countenance as well as his feelings about himself were noticeable. We learned that one of the great blessings of the Word of Wisdom is being able to be obedient. When the Savior taught that if we love him we will keep his commandments, he was then merciful to us giving us commandments we could keep. The Word of Wisdom is one of those. And He blesses those who follow not only with health but with the feelings of worth born of obedient love for the Savior.

And so, even though some days the sun don't shine, things always get better.

Hiking, Wild Weather and Visiting Primary

2009-07-14T16:08:00.009+11:00

For the record, today is Bastille Day, when Marie Antoinette got carried away and lost her head. French independence day. Pretty big here. We will see if we have fireworks tonight.

The result is that we have some time to catch up the blog from the last 10 days or so. We have had a very full 10 days with Branch Council training in two branches, a District General Priesthood Meeting where I presided and spoke, as well as a fireside for returned missionaries where I also spoke. My first ventures in speaking were talks I read having written them out word for word. I quickly realized perfect grammar is no substitute for eye contact and sincerity even if my pronunciation isn't quite perfect. I even ventured into an extemporaneous story about Chris' march to the BYU stadium in 1997 during the sesquicentennial celebration of the pioneers' entry into the Salt Lake Valley singing 'Called to Serve' after hearing a chorus of brethren here sing 'Appele a Servir.' Still brings tender memories that I felt prompted to share. I think everybody understood! The text of my talk centered around the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood calling us to action. As part of the Abrahamic Covenanted people, we must carry the Gospel of Christ to all the world starting in our own homes, families and branches doing our home teaching. Emphasis on DOING.

A week ago Monday, the zone leaders planned a bi-zone hike to a water fall not too high up the side of a 'mountain.' The day was a bit overcast so the hiking was great. Sister Mautz decided to go shopping, so I was without a companion. We had a good part of the island's missionaries with us as you will see in the accompanying photos. The path was marked largely by foot worn packed clay where not much was growing. In a jungle-like setting, that is pretty good marking. Lots of rocks to climb over and round. The foliage was dense. Took some getting use to to see large palm trees some quite tall, others right at eye level through the under growth that otherwise seemed not unlike a normal wooded setting.

I was surprised to see who the real climbers were. Sometimes those who seem a little more reserved on the flat are quite the climbers when we got to the falls. Pictures nearby will show you the hikers and the terrain. We started out about noon time everybody having already eaten lunch, and were back off the mountain in time for supper. Missionaries are quite conscious of each others needs, so I enjoyed being with them as they cared for and looked out for each other.

No real trouble keeping up except that bi-focals play nasty tricks on balance and vision when one is climbing or coming down steep paths. I was well cared for.

As noted in last week's entry, the District Primary expressed some concern about some of the Primaries in the district. We visit a different branch every week as we try to be available for temple recommend interviews and to support the local leadership. So after the sacrament service of family worship, we have been visiting Primaries where the children under 12 are taught, have activities and sing together. I am not quite sure what I expected, but I am completely captivated by these beautiful children singing in such perfect French the Primary songs I have known all my life. They must be very intelligent to speak so well. The children are eager, enthusiastic singers and participants. Just like those in my own family or in any congregation of the Church. 'If you chance to meet a frown' is sung world over with the same wonderful effect. The culture of the Church's music supported by the scriptures of the Bible and Book of Mormon are as at home in Noumea, a fairly civilized place, Tontouta which approached the 'bush country' or Bourail in the bush as they are in SLC or Oakton Virginia. Love of eternal family, being obedient to parents to be happy, and the light of the Savior's love are universal values bringing happiness to all. We hope a couple of nearby film clips, one from the Noumea 2 Branch and the others from Tontouta Branch will be as delightful to you as they were to us when we were visiting. These primaries are well organized with good teaching and fun singing. The children were well behaved. We obviously haven't yet visited the problems our District Primary President was concerned about.

Briefly, the weather was something this week. Again the wind swung around into the SW. But we had high winds of 25-30 mph and a tropical depression. Big breakers on the beach. There are no reefs in that direction to protect the shoreline. And it brought out the surfers and sail boarders. Because of the wind direction, they were right below our balcony. Sister Mautz went down and got the nearby film clip of a boarder. Essentially, these guys are flying huge crescent shaped kites, perhaps 25 feet across. These are attached to the boarder by 150-200 foot cords allowing him to 'control' the kite somewhat. He rides his board on the water going across the wind back and forth using his weight to balance against the wind. High speed. From time to time, they jump off a wave crest or to turn themselves around. I wonder how you learn to do this without dying in the process. Perhaps only the best survive. The nearby film clip will give you the idea. Turn the volume down as the wind noise is loud.

Here are the film clips. I know they are a lot of them, but we think they are worth the viewing.

Last one, I promise.

What to do on the 4th of July

2009-07-04T19:14:00.004+11:00

So here we are in New Caledonia on the 4th of July. Scarcely any mention here of it at all! The winds switched from the predominant southeast to southwest bringing with them heavy clouds and rain showers off and on. But not to be discouraged, our team of nearby elders planned a baptism preceded by a BBQ. Made for a great day.

With a little imagination, you can make sausages seem like hotdogs, chips are chips, some soft drink and ice cream on a mild winter afternoon with temps in the 70's. The real trick was finding charcoal and a grill all of which you will note in the attached pictures where we are cooking on the front step of our mission office. Our Tahitian elders insisted we sing the National Anthem before eating. We are still grateful to be Americans.

A new chapter in our mission seems to be emerging as we are called upon to help with leadership training. A couple Sundays ago while we were visiting one of the branches, the District primary President caught us and asked for some time. That scheduled event happened this week. A great group of energetic sisters well-experienced in the Primary themselves, they hoped Sister Mautz could give them some help. Their High Council adviser also joined us at our invitation. Even Sister Mautz had to admit that she got enough of the conversation to keep up with things. I helped getting ideas back to them. Fundamental things like orienting teachers to their responsibilities came up as well as how to help an unhappy child. But when we learned that during sharing time all of the teachers go to Relief Society leaving the local branch Primary Presidencies to take care of 15-30 children, Sister Mautz was pretty helpful. As in 'You have got to be kidding me!' Which doesn't translate quite so emphatically into French. We made some plans which the high councilor can take back to the District Presidency, one of which was to have a demonstration 'Sharing Time' on a 5th Sunday so that parents can better understand how to help their child prepare for a talk or a Scripture. I will be in that meeting to reinforce things a little bit. We came home tired from the long day as well as having concentrated hard for a couple hours during this training session. We will meet again.

Today's baptism was for an 11-year-old boy, Benoit. His family isn't quite as he would like it to be, but all were there for the baptism today. He comes to Church every Sunday with his mother and older brother. A number of missionaries were present, so our chorus singing 'Appele a Servir' (Called to Serve) at our young friend's request was powerful. But the great moment of the day came when the Branch President called upon Sister Mautz impromptu to give the closing prayer. She didn't think it was perfect French, but everybody else was grateful for her efforts and understood everything she said. Learning French is giving 'eternal progression' some new meaning. Without rushing, she took time to express the feelings of her heart. Very moving for all.

In addition to month end reports, trips to doctors and and government offices to renew visas and zone leaders meetings, we watched the missionaries in their monthly service day which, as you will see in the accompanying photos, was a car wash. Did they all belong to the same Mutual? It was a busy day. Because the soil here is red, cars get pretty dirty, and a good car wash is hard to find. (In fact the local car repair shops require that a car be clean before being brought in for servicing or repairs)So a 'Free Car Wash' sign gets a fair amount of attention. While they are waiting, the drivers get a doctrinal presentation of the Restoration of Christ's Church in its fullness, or perhaps happiness in family life. A number of them are interested then to invite the missionaries for further discussion.

Yet another party, training, and transfers

2009-06-27T14:50:00.007+11:00

A week ago Friday we posted to the blog and thought we would have another two weeks before we would have anything to report. We were wrong.

Saturday night we attended the last of the celebrations for Mother's and Father's Day for the year here on the island. This one was held at the Noumea Un (one) Branch. Carl got a very nice printed and laminated invitation to this soiree so we put it on our calendar. We have been in the branch a lot this past month so we are getting to know them pretty well. We were delighted to see a sister that we had visited with the missionaries earlier in the week and to meet some 'friends of the Church' who sat at our table. Like the party in Tontouta, the young people were our servers. This time it included young men, young women and the young adults of which there are lots! The dinner was great complete with appetizers, soup, main dish, and dessert. They feed us too well here.

Of course a party isn't a party without entertainment, right? It was dancing again but this time it was the young men in the branch who entertained us. This was a Maori war dance that was used to scare off the white men when they landed on New Zealand. They performed two such dances and performed with gusto. We loved watching and we hope you do to.

A few weeks ago we were contacted by the office in Tahiti to inform us that Sister Christine Hunter was going to come and give us some training. Sister Hunter is the person that all my emails and reports go through. She is the guru of finances in the region. We wondered what training she could possibly train us in since we had been here doing what we do in the office for some time and no one was sending us word back that we were doing it wrong. I did notice on one of the reports that I do weekly something that didn't make sense to me and I inquired about it but no one responded so I just continued doing what I was taught by the Elders. Well, it turned out that I was right about something not being right with the form so I had to go back and correct a few weeks of reports. I did an audit of the records and knew that all the checks had cleared except one so I only went back three weeks. Anyway, it turned out that the training was very much needed and probably was needed about eighteen months ago when the other senior couple left and the missionaries took over. The training helped and now we know who Sister Hunter is and feel like we have a friend in Tahiti. And she can make our bills get paid and understands the French banking system here.

When President Ostler was here for Zone Conference he had a meeting with the Senior Zone leaders about transfers. We thought that since they were planned to happen at zone conference then there probably would not be any. We were wrong about that and things really got shaken up on Friday. Elder Aiho and Elder Johnson, who used to be Elder Huuti's companion were made the Assistants to the President on New Caledonia. Elder Huuti is now companion with Elder Livingston and they are the zone leaders for the north part of the island. Elder Amundson is now Elder Troutman's companion and they are the zone leaders for the south part of the island.

Feelings were a little tender on Friday morning. Some of these companionships have been together for quite some time and the bond between them was more like brothers than companions. We went over to the Riviere Salee building where the transfers were taking place to say goodbye to some of the Elders that we saw weekly on P-day and to welcome their replacement. I felt like I was sending off my sons on their missions again. We have grown to love these fine young men and young women. (No transfers for the sisters since that took place when the new sisters arrive at the end of May). Carl loves to take pictures and you will notice in one of them an empty plate. Last week, these Elders came in and brought Elder Mautz a Father's day cake. We missed the photo op with the cake itself. Chocolate is a delicacy here for the missionaries so the cake disappeared quickly. Those in the picture are the ones who got to enjoy it. We had to re-create the photo before everyone left for their new assignments. That companionship is one that got split and I think it was hard for both of them. Several companionships were like two peas in a pod and splitting them up was tough, but each will grow from the experience and they will continue to do the work and be blessed for their obedience and hard work.

We don't have much coming up these next couple of weeks so we may not have much to report on. Carl is continuing his help with training the District and Branch leaders. We will meet with the District Primary President this next week and hopefully help answer some of her questions about training in the Branches.

We admire the faithfulness of the Saints here. They sacrifice significantly for the really important things. Sunday after meetings one of the branches had a dinner together and then we started the process of temple recommends for all the members as they prepare for a trip to New Zealand later in the year.

Thank you all for reading our blog. We enjoy doing it and have heard from many that you enjoy reading it. We are grateful to be here with these great people. We see in them the results of faithful obedience to the Savior's commandments as happiness fills their lives, sometimes in very humble circumstances.

A baptism, a zone conference, Mothers' and Fathers' Day continues

2009-06-20T11:14:00.009+11:00

We are on the other side of our second Zone conference since our last posting. The weeks are full and slip by quickly. Weekly tasks such as getting bank cards for the new missionaries so that they can access their bank accounts (try 3 different trips having had to pull the new missionaries in from their work an hour away) and monthly living allowance, getting them registered with the government, reporting on the week's financial activities to our supervising area, teaching with the missionaries when invited. All seems to fill up more time than we expect. We have taken to carrying our lunch to the office when we go as we are always there longer than we expect. But the office administration part of our assignment is bountifully interspersed with wonderful opportunities with the members, baptisms, teaching and training.

Our Mission President and his wife arrived on Wednesday a week ago. With them came Elder and Sister Bohman, who are about to complete an assignment as the Mission nurse and the finance man for the MIssion in Fiji. We enjoyed some great experiences together while they were here as reported below. But we should note how grateful we are to be in New Caledonia. They arrived eager to do some shopping for everything from sandals for the sister missionaries to tubes for bicycle tires for the Elders in Fiji. Such things are rare in Fiji. So built into the week they were here was shopping. Sister Mautz can now navigate downtown Noumea with ease in her car with automatic transmission. We are grateful for that. She would go one direction with Sister Ostler and the Bohmans, while I went another with President Ostler.

While President and Sister Ostler were busy interviewing the missionaries we had a chance to visit with the Bohmans. We had met them when we arrived in Fiji just before coming to New Caledonia. We knew we would be very good friends if we had a chance. The chance came this trip. They shared lots of experiences from their time in Fiji. Elder Bohman really is the do it all man in the mission for Fiji. He takes care of whatever needs to be done with the vehicles of the mission, he delivers appliances to the flats, he deals with the missionaries who roll their truck and missionaries who think that taking a knife to the ice in the freezing compartment is the easiest way to get rid of the excess.

Sister Bohman shared experiences of the illnesses endured by the missionaries in Fiji. Untreated bug bites get infected, splinters inflame. Arms swell. We are happy to miss all of that. As for the most part, the missionaries here on New Caledonia are pretty healthy and smart. After their visit we became even more grateful to be serving on our little island where we don't have to filter our water or worry too much about the food we eat. Overeating is the challenge.

Last Saturday we participated in the baptism of a sister, the wife of a -re-activated young man in one of the branches here in the city. A tender experience She is an educated woman, a school teacher. He is the recently re-activated son of a family whose parents are just finishing an assignment as the mission president in Madagascar. She shared a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. It was clear she had studied it and the Bible extensively before taking this step and was very happy. As she noted in her remarks after being baptized, she was grateful now for the opportunity to plan for an eternal family as she and her husband prepare to go to the Temple.

Saturday evening, Sister Mautz hosted a 'sisters' night' with the Mission President's wife and the Mission nurse for the sister missionaries. We brethren were 'banished' to yet another 'Fetes des Mamans' in another branch.

Monday was a busy day as we attended a picnic with all of the missionaries and President and Sister Ostler. Pictures and videos accompany. One of the challenges of the missionary work here for our Mission President is that he is 1000 miles away and has broad responsibilities with other missionaries also great distances away from him. In his first year he has traveled 50K air miles. He also presides over several districts of Church members because their numbers aren't quite strong enough to be a Stake. He is just completing his first year. The goal of this conference was to allow him a little more time with these good missionaries. Hence the p-day picnic. In the planning with the zone leaders, we accepted the responsibility for food for the picnic. Ham, cheese and turkey sub sandwiches on baguettes, an apple, chips and desserts brought largely by the missionaries made a very adequate menu. Took a while to make all of that, and I was glad to have help from Elder Bohman while Sister Mautz led a shopping expedition with the visiting sisters. The Zone Leaders planned and provided games followed by the inevitable touch football game and some volleyball. As Sister Ostler noted in greeting the missionaries in p-day clothes, 'You look like regular young people.' The contrast next day at Zone conference in white shirts and ties was striking.

Because the Bohmans were leaving the mission shortly, the zone leaders had arranged for us to join a couple families for family home evening Monday evening. We were all a bit tired and sun burned. but off we went to a delightful evening. A family with younger as well as teen age children. We sang an opening hymn, had a lesson, played a game involving tying two neckties, in simple fashion and another more complicated, while each tried not to have both ties arrive on his/her lap at the same time. Lots of yelling and screaming. And for you scouts, we learned to tie a bowline which in French is called 'un noeud de chaise.' A chair knot because it makes a fixed loop which can be sat in when hung from a branch. And we are half way around the world. Family Home Evening is for everybody! The highlight of the evening, however, was the testimonies we were invited to share. Sister Mautz's was entirely in French. She is making steady progress in spite of being an impatient student.

This Zone Conference focused on teaching techniques to help the missionaries help 'friends of the Church' better understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ as they study the Scriptures. We did some role playing as well as some specific teaching by the Zone Leaders, our Mission President and his wife. And during their time here, they also interview all of the young missionaries. Quite a busy time for them. And then suddenly they were off early Wednesday morning. An 8a flight an hour away which meant we were up at 4:30a for a ride to the airport. Time to catch up on sleep, work at the office and to begin preparing for the week ahead with leadership training, Sabbath, and yet more Fathers' Day celebration.