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.
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