We are One ~ May 12, 2014

We Are "One" In Our Purpose

Being a "Senior Missionary Couple" involves many areas.  There are the emotional, social, spiritual, and physical parts.  Today on our blog we will see the "whole" picture and how each of these areas become part of the "one" purpose we have, which is spreading the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Pointe Noire.  That is why the heading for our blog this week is "We Are One". 

With Sunday being Mother's day, Elder Bailey set out to find a restaurant that we could go to and have a nice sit down dinner.  Leondre suggested the "Sea Club" and it was wonderful!  We have not had a "date-night"  for 5 months and it was such a welcome relief to not have to cook.  The Bybee's were with us and because they speak beautiful French, it even worked out better.  

The first reservation that they take started at 7:00 p.m., so we were right on time and the only ones there for a good 1/2 hour.  Our waitress was "Verda", and she was delightful.  We started with baguettes and butter.  Then the salad was brought out.  It was a work of art, and very French inspired.  For my main course I ordered "Sea Bass".  I am not a great "fish" lover, but this was the best I have ever eaten.  Sister Bybee had lamb, Elder Bybee had a steak, and Elder Bailey ordered the combination seafood.   Then for dessert we had the "triple~fruit sorbet" and the Bybee's had the "apple-tart" with whipped cream.  I have never had such a wonderful meal anywhere in all of my travels.  We loved it! I wished I would have taken a picture, but you will just have to take my word for it.  If you are EVER in Pointe Noire ROC, be sure to go to the "Sea Club".

The Emotional Part  .  .  .  "Filling our Wells"

Behind us is a "Banyan" tree.  This is the biggest tree we have ever seen.  It's branches cover the whole "parking lot" and gives much needed shade to everyone who comes to the Sea Club.

The Social Part

We are getting ready for a meeting with the "Director of Infants and Youth for the Republic of the Congo, Rufin Kifouti.  The person washing the motorcycle is the supervisor of the crew sent to fix the parking lot "cobblestones".  He decided to take advantage of the "free water".   

President Caillet, Sister Bybee, Elder Bybee, Sister Bailey, Elder Bailey, Sheriton, and Brother Mabiala

President Caillet gives us a "thumbs up" that everything is on schedule for the Saturday, May 11, 2014 inner-faith meeting of all the churches to discuss the "Youth" of Pointe Noire.

Elder Rakotondriana, Sister Bybee, Elder Bailey, Elder VanAusdal and Elder Ndayiezye are the greeters at the front door of the church.

Elder Hatch and Elder Wright will greet all the visitors coming through the front gate.

Elder Johnston and Elder Garland will make sure everyone parks where they are supposed to.  Elder Etherington was playing the prelude music and was not in the picture.  Paco is from the Aeroport Branche and is preparing himself to be a missionary.

These are representatives of the Kimbangui faith.  You will have to read about them on the internet.  Their story is very interesting!

Some of the beautiful flowers that surround the church and a butterfly (papillion).

The Spiritual

Elder Garland, Armel, Elvis, and Elder Etherington with their baptism candidates for Saturday May 10, 2014

Paco is one of the only people in all of the Branches to play the keyboard.  This is one of our "new" keyboards that we received from the Harman foundation.  He is going to help us teach 12 students how to play the keyboards so that each of the Branches can have someone to play for them.

After the baptism, the Elders teach an English class.  These three young men were there for that.  We decided to practice "singing" while everyone arrived.  They had NEVER sung from a hymnbook before.  It was a very different experience to sing with someone who had never sung before.  I was touched by their desire to want to learn to sing.  It will take a few more lessons to be able to recognize the song they were trying to sing though!

The Physical 

This is where the "bar people" used to live.  Last week they moved out and Anicet, our night Guardian, moved in. He is thrilled for his new home and cannot wait for his wife and twin sons to come from Brazzaville to move in.  It is right next to our home, so we are neighbors.  The sign by the door translates "pig meat for sale".

As you enter the door, there will be two families that live there.  Anicet's home is behind the wash, hanging on the clothesline.

The neighbors furniture

Anicet inside of his home.  There are no electrical outlets and no inside plumbing or kitchen.  He pays $30.00 a month and thinks this is the most wonderful place on earth and so very grateful for the opportunity to finally have a place to live.

These next pictures are taken right outside of our home.  This young man sells eggs etc. and walks by everyday for anyone that needs to buy eggs.  The family behind him is Ndinga who sells the oranges and mandarines.  She had two little daughters and one baby.  She is among the poorest of the poor, and so I buy her oranges so she can have a little money to buy food.

This is our friend who serves chicken, fish and kabobs.  She makes these every single day to sell to provide money for her family.  Fish is in the wrapped up leaves.  

These sugar cane grow across the street from our home.  The young man told us that he uses the leaves to make medicine for "high-blood pressure". He said he "boils" them in water and then drinks the water to help him.

This is "Piggy" the neighborhood dog.  He is the funniest dog you would ever meet.  

Jean-Pierre, Sister Bailey, Anicet, Sister Bybee and Elder Bailey

 Jean-Pierre runs the "Well" across from our home.  He sells roasted peanuts in the little bucket to help him earn some money.  Each little bag of peanuts sells for 10 cents.

Sister Bybee, Patrice (our day Guardian) and Sister Bailey

This is the gate to our house, and this is the street where we live.  We love our mission here in Pointe Noire, and love the trust that Heavenly Father has put in us to be here.  All parts of our mission....the emotional, the social, the spiritual and the physical are used for the "One" purpose of spreading the "good news" of the Gospel to those that our Heavenly Father has prepared to hear it.

We love it!

Until next week.......