Departure, branch conference and a baptism

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.