Baptisms and Changes

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.