SINCE THE CYCLONE

SINCE THE CYCLONE

Our Chapel

We were pleased there wasn't too much damage when we walked around our neighborhood after the cyclone, but when we went to our office we discovered our chapel didn't fair so well.  Since April four wards have been meeting in the Rivière Salée chapel.  We are hoping to be back in our building by July.

 It's Always Hard to Say Goodbye

Elder Gray, who came to the mission with us, was transferred to Vanuatu.  Sister Casuga's departure was delayed for a few days by the cyclone.  We would have loved to keep her even longer, but we couldn't.

It is especially hard when four leave at once.  At the end of a regional broadcast at our stake center, which was the day before they left, the congregation sang "God Be with You til We Meet Again."  

After transfers we only had two sisters left in the south zone and eight in the north. We have had two French Polynesian sisters hop on this mission train in May.  We now have a total of thirty-four missionaries which is the least we have had since we arrived and some apartments are vacant for the time being.  Fortunately over the summer we have more arriving.

This is one of the two new sisters from French Polynesia.  She is from Tupua'i the last area that our son Benjamin served in when he was a missionary in Tahiti.

This sister's father passed away and we were touched by her desire to stay and finish her mission.

            

 It's Fun to Have Visitors

                                

We love being able to share this place we love with people we love.  Elder Glade's sister, Sue Mendenhall, and her husband, Jeff,  and our neighbors and friends Al and Linda Switzler got us out of the office and enjoying the island more.

Our son Geoff and Cortney standing by some remnants of World War II on a hill near our apartment.  At one time or another we have met each of our children's mission presidents. Geoff, on his way here, actually ran into our mission president. The Grangers were attending a training in New Zealand.

                                  

Phare Amedée is a lighthouse built in 1862 on a small island a 40 minute boat ride from Port Moselle in Nouméa.  The view from the top is worth the climb to get there. 

There are lots of sea snakes, tricot rayes, on the island.  They don't seem to be bothered by the humans.  This one was fat and over five feet long.  An online review of Phare Amedée said "only the French"  would allow snakes to exist at a tourist attraction.  

The pilot fish and his friends liked hitching a ride on the bottom of the glass bottom boat.  

White sand beaches and clear blue waters are worth putting up with a few snakes as long as they don't surprise me.  I was glad I didn't end up swimming with one.

                                           Hiking a fork of the Dumbéa River.

  

Recent Baptisms

As soon as the refreshments were served after her baptism, Suzanne grabbed a broom and went to work cleaning up the church.  I asked if I could take a picture and someone tried to take the broom away from her.  I told her I wanted the broom in the picture because it symbolizes her willingness to go to work  building the kingdom now the she is a member of the church.  Her sister Giselle was baptized in January and has been very faithful.  Angelo was excited to finally be baptized and the older gentleman had taken a long time to make the decision to be baptized.

Institute

                                   

These are the institute students from the Rivière Salée and Dumbéa wards that we teach every Thursday night.  This year there are 4 different classes in the stake and each class has more students than the class for the entire stake had last year.  Not having to travel so far for institute has really helped the attendance.   

Return to Île des Pins 

We went back to the Isle of Pines.  We visited the Ouamambaré family again.  There son had passed away and we wanted express our condolences.  When we told President Granger we were going he asked us to tell them what an amazing missionary their daughter is. She is the only member in her family and is serving in Vanuatu.  They told us how to find their son's grave.

The Post Cyclone Highlight

                                   

Elder Glade had a meeting at the church and I was waiting in the car.  I saw the stake patriarch (who lives on the island of Lifou) walking toward the car.  I got out to greet him and noticed a woman behind him with a huge smile on her face.  It wasn't his wife. It took me a minute to realize that it was Jeanette!  I got the biggest hug from her and the warmest smile and handshake from her husband, Michel.  She was baptized when we were in Lifou last fall.  She couldn't walk and spent her days in bed or in a wheelchair.  She is walking now! Her brother is amazed at how happy she is and is curious about the church.  Elder Glade, Frère Aliki, and the two elders with us in Lifou were able to assist the Patriarch in ordaining Michel to the Melchizedek Priesthood and they are planning to go to the temple next January.  They had time to come to our house for dinner and home evening.  A lot of Melanesians don't smile much for pictures--we really had a great time.  The Patriarch taught us a game and everyone was out except him and me.  He let me win and then there were high fives all around. These are some of our favorite people in the whole world.  We're so grateful for the incredible experiences we have been blessed to share with them.  

CYCLONE COOK

The calm before the storm.  This is the sunset from the end of our street on Sunday night before the storm rolled in.  It had been overcast all day and we weren't expecting such a glorious sunset when we went for a Sunday evening stroll.

  

These brothers gathered at the church Monday morning to make sure the building was open and ready for any members or others who don't have adequate shelter.  A lot of people here construct homes from boards and corrugated tin.  These neighborhoods are referred to as "squats."

After noon everyone the government required everyone to stay inside.  The winds blew the trees until they were horizontal and drove rain under the door in the hallway outside our apartment.  Because New Caledonia has good storm drains we didn't experience the flooding or washed-out roads that occurred when the storm struck Vanuatu.  The storm picked up speed and the worst of it arrived sooner than expected and didn't last long.  By about 11 p.m. the winds had died down and, after strong winds all day, the night seemed calm.



Early Tuesday morning:  the skies were clearing and most of the trees were upright again.  A gorgeous rainbow spanned the sky. Our street, in the fore-ground of the picture,  is almost at sea-level and we live on the second floor. We were glad we didn't get the huge swells or high waves that were predicted.






Some of the missionaries in the north are without water and electricity--hopefully not for long.  We were without electricity about 40 minutes early on and were worried we might be without as the storm worsened.  The damage around our neighborhood resembled Hidden Oaks after a micro-burst except instead of oak and cottonwood limbs we have palm fronds and coconuts.  The structure below was an elegant tree-top retreat with beautiful hand carved furniture. Our neighbor is a wood-carver.

A sad thing for me is that the limb of the lime tree, that overhangs our parking lot, broke off. The limes are little and very juicy.  From March through September they fall off the tree and if I can pick them up before they get run over we have really enjoyed them.  I'm afraid we will get few or none now, but  this morning we picked up what blew down in the storm.

When we were first in New Caledonia a huge crane fell across a road during a heavy rain storm. We were a little concerned about this one at the top of the hill by our apartment, but it was still standing this morning. 

Fortunately the storm damage in our neighborhood is negligible. The phone has rung all morning. We haven't been able to get ready and leave.  We are headed to the bureau now to see how how bad the damage to our chapel is.  Yesterday was transfers.  They will be happening today. We are so grateful all the missionaries weathered the storm just fine.

TIME "MARCH"ES ON

TIME MARCHES ON

Another month has quickly passed.  Each day brings its share of interruptions and challenges.  The other day we had managed to get a great deal done before 11 a.m.  I said, "Today everything has gone smoothly. We've already gotten so much done!" Things fell apart.  By the end of of the day Elder Glade said, "Don't ever say that again!"  We are always trying to keep the office work done. There are always surprises.  Days end before we get everything done, but time passes and we seem to stay afloat.   

There always seem to be doctor and dentist visits, sprains, eye infections, diarrhea, headaches, rashes and sore throats.  This month brought two minor surgeries: a sister missionary had to change out of her missionary clothes before entering the OR.   I had some skin cancer removed from my cheek because it was getting bigger. The sweet Indonesian woman who assisted the doctor put her hands together and said "Pray Jesus." I don't know if she was telling me to or asking me if I had, but it was kind and comforting.  

The sister's companions kept busy while they waited for her.  They actually had done a good job talking to people in the waiting room, but they still found time to pursue a favorite pass time--taking selfies.  I don't know how they get a hold of Elder Glade's phone so frequently. 
It is always a mystery to him how these photos end up on his phone. 


There are always issues with cars--accidents, check-ups, repairs, tires.  This month the mission got three new trucks for the six elders up north.  Obviously they are excited and hopefully careful.

We had another zone conference.  This time I was in charge of lunch. In the past we have walked to a nearby Vietnamese restaurant.  The weather has been very hot most days, but the day of zone conference was pleasant enough to eat outside, and the ice cream didn't melt faster than the missionaries could eat it.

These 8 missionaries were in the MTC together.  This is the last time they will be together before the 4 sisters head home in the next two transfers.  We are losing more missionaries than are coming to New Caledonia.  Vanuatu is losing more missionaries than we are. Some of the missionaries here are being transferred to Vanuatu.  

This has led to closing two more apartments, a complicated process here and a lot of work. The office elders are helping us sort through the items brought down from the Poro apartment. Thankfully it was furnished and we didn't have to figure out what to do with furniture.

We are grateful when we occasionally have a chance to observe two missionaries have companionship study. It was a blessing to be able to watch these two Tahitian elders share, ask each other questions, and teach each other from the scriptures.  One is a recent convert who has already gained a marvelous knowledge of the gospel.





At each baptism we are reminded it is all worth it.  One young man was baptized the day he turned 18.  His mother, who is Catholic,  wouldn't let him become a member until he was 18 and he was unwilling to wait one day longer.  He had gone with his father, step-mother, older brother, and younger sister (fairly recent converts) to the temple in New Zealand.  He waited outside while they were sealed as a family and his brother was endowed before going on a mission.  Now he is looking forward to being sealed to his family and going on a mission himself.  I have never witnessed a more joyful experience than his baptism as his family and friends rejoiced with him.

Another highlight for us this month was spending time with a wonderful young family that is learning about the church. The family has attended our ward a few times.  We love being able to see the excitement people feel as they begin to learn about the gospel.  

Right now I am hurrying to finish this post while Cyclone Cook rages outside.  Everyone in New Caledonia has to be inside from noon until the cyclone passes. It may be a couple of days. The worst of the storm is still a few hours away.  We and all the missionaries have plenty of water and food and gas in our cars.  I was able to write this because we didn't go to the office today and I'm glad the electricity has stayed on long enough for me to finish.  I am grateful for the peace the gospel brings even when storms surround us.

A UNIQUE AND REMARKABLE YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE

WE'VE BEEN MISSIONARIES ALMOST A YEAR!

Our first year serving a full-time mission together is quickly ending.  We've seen some rough waters and still are striving for smoother sailing. Not many days are uneventful.

We are making a list of things we still are hoping to accomplish before we finish our time here  in order to make sure we get them done.  


There were only two minor car accidents last week, a car window that had to be replaced, doctor and dental appointments, missionaries coming to and leaving the island, transfers, funding missionaries, paying bills, closing an apartment, getting another set up. . .

We are now on the third missionary couple who are helping us here.  The first two couples were local, church service missionaries.  The last of the local couples was serving a family history mission when they were asked to spend part of their missionary hours helping us.  I don't know how we would have managed without them, but now we have been blessed with a full-time couple from Tahiti who will be in charge of apartments and cars.  We are hoping to be able to get all of the apartments in even better shape, have regular inspections, and update first aid kits.  Things that have been on our list for a long time.

  

Having our daughter Annaka come visit for a week was a real highlight. She is the third daughter to come.  We have loved being able to share the beauties of the island and the people with them and share a few memorable adventures.

We (mostly Elder Glade because my French is good enough to say very much) are temporary institute teachers.  I am teaching English and temporarily (I think) playing for Sacrament meeting and Relief Society.  I don't know which hymns we'll be singing, ahead of time.  When I turn to the page the title is in French and not a direct translation from the English.  I'm always interested to discover, after I begin, what hymn I am actually playing. Sometimes the page number isn't written anywhere;  a couple of times I heard the number wrong and played the introduction to the wrong hymn. Children often stand around me when I play prelude or postlude music. Some actually play along with me. One very petite little girl, about 4, noticed the fan was blowing my music closed and stood by me patiently holding the book open throughout the entire hymn. One boy (about 10) asked me to play "As Sisters in Zion" for him.  I wish I had time to teach piano lessons.  The new missionary couple want to improve their English, and, as we go about our day, are helping me with my French.  I may improve more with them in the office.



We love associating with the members here and are so inspired by their stories.  It is amazing how quickly and deeply we have come to love the members, the investigators, and 
the other missionaries. 

Most of all we love being able to witness people being baptized as members of the church.
There have been several lately which is unusual for the New Caledonia area of the Vanuatu Mission.

Giselle found the missionaries at a bus stop and got up the courage to tell them she wanted to be baptized.  Through studying the Bible she knew the baptism she received as a child wasn't the same as the Savior's and that she needed to be baptized by immersion as He was.  She had learned that our church baptizes by immersion.  As the missionaries taught her she was convinced she had found the truth she had been searching for.

A nephew was taught and baptized after he saw the changes in and happiness of his uncle who was baptized last fall.  A mother was baptized because of the example of her 11 year-old son.  In the opening prayer at the baptism he thanked Heavenly Father that his mother was joining the church. His father was a member, but he died a year or so ago.  A wife was lovingly baptized by her husband.  Their young son (about 4 yrs old) was surprised when they walked down the stairs into the water.  When his mother came up out of the water the little boy exclaimed, “Mama tu as plongé… Mouille pas moi!”   (Mommy you dove in the water.  Don’t get me wet!)  Another woman was baptized by her father-in-law.  She has been married for 3 years.  She talked about her journey dealing with her own mom’s (a Jehovah’s Witness) opposition and paid such a beautiful tribute to her in-laws.

At one baptismal service the bishop commented with tears in his eyes that 2017 was the year of making eternal families.  “We need to be patient when sharing the gospel.  The door is always open towards God. God knows how to help each of us.” His own wife had patiently waited for him to join the church.  Four spouses of those baptized this year had waited 3-17 years.  The stake Relief Society president's husband was also baptized this year after 17 years. The last baptism was the father of one of our institute students—more than 17 years of waiting for that family, too.  His 6 year old son exclaimed, "I have waited a long time for Papa to get baptized."  The dad is the nephew of the stake patriarch's wife.  She is thrilled to have another member besides herself in her extended family. We are still amazed at how many of the people being baptized in Nouméa have connections to the island of Lifou.

One morning as I was studying I came across this scripture that describes how I feel as we attend church each Sabbath and as we witness these joyful baptisms.

"Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy."  Mosiah 4:20

Even on gray, rainy days tiny drops of water cling to these needles and sparkle with light.  

JANUARY---2017 BEGINS!

The Perfect Way to End One Year and Begin the Next

Fireworks in Nouméa on New Year's Day night.  Even in summer it is pitch black by eight.  It was so fun to watch these over the bay only steps from our apartment.  We could walk home and not be tangled in all the traffic.

On the last day of 2016 Madeleine was baptized.  She lives in Nouméa but is from Lifou. After attending the LDS church for the first time on December 18th, while visiting relatives in Lifou, she decided she wanted to be baptized.  The Stake Patriarch, who met her at church, called Elder Glade who then called the sisters who live near her.  In the meantime she sought out a relative in Nouméa who is a member.  Madeleine mentioned her desire to be baptized that Monday and her relative called the office elders.  When they came into the office later in the day we asked them how a teaching appointment went that they had told us about before. They said it fell through.  We said we were sorry.  They assured us it was okay because they had been called to come teach a woman that morning and the first thing she said was that she wanted to be baptized.  When their previous appointment fell through they went back and taught her again in the afternoon.  After that the sisters taught her.  She was overjoyed to have found the church and wanted to be baptized immediately. The office elders talked her into waiting until New Year's Eve.  I have never been to a baptism where the spirit was stronger and she hasn't stopped smiling since.  

The new year began with Madeleine's confirmation at sacrament meeting.  She invited family and friends who weren't members to come.   Two short weeks after finding the church she believed to be true, she was a member.

MORE BAPTISMS

A father and son were ready to be baptized on the Loyalty Island of Ouvea.  Two elders were flown there to help with the baptisms.  

EN BROUSSE  (A trip up North)

Last weekend we had a  few errands to do north of Nouméa.  We went to church on Sunday at the branch in Bourail.  It was a good Sunday with a total of 18 members in attendance. This man has recently returned to church and has committed to spend 4 hour a week with the missionaries introducing them to people who have quit coming to church and others who may be interested.  He is a former branch president.  We then drove an hour and forty minutes east to attend the annex in Poro.  It used to have quite a few members attending. Now it is usually a family and one sister.  The family didn't come.  The elders and Elder Glade and I met with Françoise.  She was one of the first members in this area, has been a member a long time, sacrificed to be able to do her temple work in New Zealand.  She has seen the church grow and then almost everyone move or fall away.  She told us over and over again that she was so touched we would all come.  We brought such a powerful spirit. It reminded her that the Lord was mindful of her. She continues to try to help the church grow in the Poro area.

The church is beginning to grow in the north and in the Loyalty Islands.  It is such a blessing to us to see missionaries continue to work hard and members remain faithful even when times are discouraging.  It is a greater blessing to see people accept the peace and joy the gospel can bring into their lives and have a desire to share those blessings with others.

We had a long drive home.  We decided to keep going south even though the roads were not as good as going the long way around to the north again.  The whole drive back to the main road was through the mountains in the rain.  The scenery was varied and mostly gorgeous--ocean, green valleys, lush vegetation, rivers, cliffs, waterfalls, bamboo forests.  It was tempting to take lots of photos, but we needed to get back to civilization before dark. We stopped for a couple and took others from the car window.

We drove past vast nickel mines where huge green mountains were slashed with red scars.  Fortunately there is some reforestation going on. We also counted eight burned cars.  Sometimes Kanaks steal and burn cars to protest the French. Sometimes people seem to steal and burn cars just because.  That and graffiti are terrible problems here.


 

THE TRAIN

A mission has sometimes been compared to a train which continues to travel forward.  As it goes some people get off and others get on.  These are the missionaries who left the New Caledonian train in January..

and these four hopped on.  Sad to have missionaries leave, but exciting to have the new ones come.

BLESSINGS

Two more blessings that January brought:  our oldest granddaughter began serving her mission and the three of us have the blessing of serving at the same time,

and the Flamboyant Trees are blooming everywhere in New Caledonia.  Some look like they have been planted and others are blooming all over the hillsides. 

It's hard to believe that January has passed so quickly.  The hottest days of summer are supposedly over.  We are looking forward to a this new year when we can continue enjoying the blessing, for this brief period in our lives, of serving the Lord as full-time missionaries.  

There is still some room  on this blog and I couldn't resist the temptation to post another picture (of the hundreds I've taken) of a New Caledonian sunset.