LIFOU--continued

LIFOU--continued

While we were in Lifou the elders had other teaching appointments--people who were interested in being taught the gospel while the full-time missionaries were on the island.The missionaries taught another woman, Jeanette, whose husband Michel was a member, but hadn't been to church in some time.  Still, he had told her about the gospel.  She said they had been walking two different paths in life and she decided she wanted to walk the same path--his.  She was sitting on her bed on the floor when we met her--unable to walk because of terribly painful gout in her feet and knees.  She also has a heart condition.  She had her scriptures and several manuals spread out around her as she studied, diligently seeking truth.  She had read a lot of the Book of Mormon and knew it and the church were true.  She did have concerns about being able to attend church and didn't think there was any way she could be baptized.  She was concerned about her infirmities until Elder Glade assured her the Savior loved the infirm.  The missionaries assured her they would find a way to help her in and out of the rather flimsy, portable font.  She was willing to try, but very worried. The plan was that she and her husband would attend the Ihage baptisms and church on Sunday.  After church she would be baptized and confirmed the next Sunday.  

She was very anxious to be baptized and be forgiven of her sins.  She wanted to dedicate the rest of her life to God.  Her husband said she used to drink, use cannabis, and gamble; she had become a different woman.  He cares for her with gentleness and devotion.  She is very grateful to him for his goodness and example and the teachings he had been sharing with her.  I have never been in a home where I could feel more love or a more powerful spirit than we felt in their humble home.

Jeanette and Michel

In front of Jeanette and Michel's home

Our stake patriarch and his wife live in Lifou.  While we were there they helped us in every way that they possibly could including helping us find our way around the island (which was more difficult than you might think since nothing is marked, there is thick vegetation on both sides of the road, and the island is quite flat and has few landmarks), feeding us, letting us use their wifi to find out about our new granddaughter, treating us to ice cream from their stand (youngest son in the background), and making sure everything was set for the baptisms--even having baptismal clothing sent over from Nouméa.  The patriarch even rented a van to bring Jeanette and Michel to the baptisms and to church.

So happy to be being baptized.

    Concern is visible on her face.

Joyful, tearful embrace

Daughters of an ami, Gloria.  One is named Marguerite.

After finishing up some business on Monday and before we had to fly back we had a little time to explore the island which is very beautiful, but the wonderful people are the most beautiful.  Lifou has so much potential for the church to grow there.  Several people are interested in the church since the baptisms of the Ihage family. There are at least 16 people being taught both here on Grand Terrre (the main island) and on Lifou as a result of people who attended the baptism. Elder Glade and I would love to live there and work before we finish our mission, but that is just wishful thinking.  We will always treasure the short time we were able to spend there.