America the Beautiful

Changes..

Sister Bailey, Elder Bailey, Elder Sperry, Elder Rakotondriana, and Elder Garland

This past Thursday we took Elder "Rako" to the Airport to head to Brazzaville to be one of the two newly called Assistants to the President.  He was very humbled to have been called to that position of sacrifice and trust.  As I asked him what he thought about his new calling, he shared his tender thoughts.  He said that he had been feeling "sad" in his heart about not having baptized anyone since he and Elder Tweneboah had been companions.  Elder Tweneboah is from Ghana where they speak English and for the past 6 weeks, Elder Rako has been his "Father" in missionary terms.  He has been training him in every aspect of missionary life, plus helping him learn enough French to be able to teach in discussions.  

Besides speaking three languages, Elder Rako has a powerful testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He said that last week, he prayed so hard to his Heavenly Father and told him whatever He needed him to do, he would do.  He was ready to give his all to help bring souls to Christ. After his heartfelt prayer, he and Elder Tweneboah committed a young man they had been teaching to baptism this past Saturday, and he was called to be the Assistant to the President.

Elder Rako never got to see the actual baptism of Dorian this past Saturday.  Dorian wanted Elder Rako to baptize him, but when he told him he would not be there, he asked Elder Bailey to do the "honor". 

Our missionaries are such a powerful example of faith.  We love them and enjoy so much our association with them as we all serve alongside each other here in Pointe Noire.  

Elder Rako, Dorian and Elder Tweneboah at his interview for baptism.

                              Elder Tweneboah and Dorian this past Saturday at his baptism.

We said goodbye to four of our missionaries this week, Elder Hatch, Elder Nzema, Elder VanAusdal, and Elder Wright,  have been called to Cameroon.   The work goes on and we are so grateful to be here to help in any way we can to "serve, those that have been called to serve."

Back row: Elder Ralison, Elder VanAusdal, Elder Hatch, Elder Nzema, Elder Bybe and Elder Garland

Front row: Elder Johnston, Elder Sperry, and Elder Tweneboah.  Elder Wright and Elder Etherington were already at the Airport.

We were on our way to the Airport with Elder VanAusdal, Elder Hatch, and Elder Nzema, but we stopped long enough for them to say goodbye to there "fellow" missionaries who play basketball every Monday morning at 7:30 A.M.  We picked up three new Elders......Elder Massey, Elder Naughton, and Elder Tripp, from Cameroon later on yesterday and dropped them off to begin their service here in Pointe Noire.  We will have more pictures next week!

Elder Nzema, Elder Hatch, and Elder VanAusdal saying goodbye to the "Cave" as they call the Mpaka Apartment.

Celebrating the 4th of July

This past Friday, we celebrated the 4th of July with a dinner at the Mpaka Apartment.  Our hearts were truly "tender" as we thought about  the "promised land" that is ours.

Elder Garland, and Elder VanAusdal are our Chefs Extraordinaire!  

Elder Garland is frying the hamburger to make "Sliders", and Elder VanAusdal is making the caramel sauce to pour over his Apple Pie!

The Apple Pie!  I have still not been able to perfect my pie crust here because we can't find "Crisco".  But Elder VanAusdal is a "PRO"!

Elder Tweneboah with "hotdogs" the Elders found.

Elder VanAusdal made homemade hotdog and hamburger buns!  They were delicious!

Our "Fourth of July" meal.  I brought the potato salad.

The Elders were starved!

Elder Wright, Elder Hatch and Elder Tweneboah are on "seconds".

Enjoying the meal.

After the meal we sang every patriotic song in the hymnbook and proudly waved our flag!

Elder Wright.

Elder Bybee

Elder Hatch.....who someday wants to be President of the United States led us as our future "Commander in Chief".

Even though Elder Tweneboah is from Ghana, he wanted to be part of our celebration and joined in the fun.

Elder Etherington "loves" his land America.  He is from Oklahoma!

Elder Ralison is from Madagascar.... He celebrated too!

Elder Johnston as the Statue of Liberty!

Elder Nzema is from Zambia, but sang and celebrated with us!

America, America God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!

 Baptisms this past Saturday,  July 5, 2014

Gierdano, Elder Garland, Hughes, and Elder Hatch

It has been a wonderful, busy week..... We have welcomed "new" missionaries and look forward to serving with them.......... and said goodbye to "old" missionaries who we will not see again until we return home next year.  We love being Senior missionaries for the Lord and love serving alongside these wonderful Elders in bringing souls to Christ"!

Until next week................

Wall of Fame

These are teethmarks from a mouse that has been running through our house for the past three days.  We wondered why he had not taken the cheese in the mousetrap.....  

African mice prefer chocolate!!  Who knew!