Blessings of the Gospel . . . . 10 March 2015

The blessing of friends throughout the world....

Another week in the Mission Field and we are still loving serving the Lord.   We have been reaping the benefits of having President and Sister Cook teach and train us on March 2.  Now we are working to strengthen our Missionaries and the Saints here in Pointe Noire.

This past Sunday we attended the Loandjili and Pointe Noire Branches.  We met a former Ivoirian while we were there who knew those that Elder Bailey had baptized in Abidjan.  Brother and Sister Niamke are still very active in the Gospel along with their beautiful family of Marie Odile and Benjamin.  We were so happy to learn about our friends and loved ones we grew to love while serving in Côte d'Ivoire.

The Church of Jesus Christ is truly a world-wide church with Senior Missionary Couples serving throughout.  What a priceless experience it is to be on the Lord's errand. . . We love the work!

We are at the Pointe Noire and Loandjili branches with Lionel Nsikabaka from Abidjan

 Côte d'Ivoire.  He is visiting Pointe Noire for two weeks.

The blessing of bringing souls to Christ....

On Saturday February 28, we had 9 baptisms.   

Loic, Genese, Mpele, Juckel, Naurah, Elvira, Jelerdie, Roselle and Drolin

With the Missionaries...

Elder Beutler, Elder Bulendolo, Elder Andriamiasinarivo, Elder Muamba and Elder Etherington

On Saturday, March 7, David was baptized by his father Patrick.  Elder Sperry and Elder Mbikayi have been teaching him.

The blessing of this His beautiful world....

This past Monday is the Monday before we get transfer letters.  So the missionaries decided to take a couple of hours to spend at the Ponton Plage.  They usually play basketball in the morning early, but stayed home this day to get everything done so that we could spend some time at the beach.  We are not sure what this transfer will bring, but we know that some will soon leave Pointe Noire and this is a wonderful way to all be together for one last time.

Elder Nzoronka relaxes in one of the new lounge-chairs.

As always, the volleyball game quickly turns into a soccer match.  Elder Etherington is trying to take the ball away from Elder Muamba..... Elder Andriamiasinarivo was left in the dust. ...

Elder Bulendolo is trying to take the ball away from Elder Muamba....

Elder Mbikayi is trying to keep the ball away from Elder Muamba....  Elder Muamba is so big that he just hogs the ball.  Elder Bulendolo ended up making 2 goals which we all were very happy about.

Elder Bailey just watches the missionaries working hard at playing hard.

Sister Bailey also relaxes and watches the missionaries.

Elder Andriamiasinarivo, Elder Muamba, Elder Bulendolo, and Elder Mbikayi worked up an appetite after their game of soccer.

Elder Sperry, Elder Beutler, Elder Nzoronka and Elder Etherington 

New at the Ponton Plage was a trampoline.  Our African Elders had never been on one before.  We laughed so hard at them trying to jump.  Elder Andriamiasinarivo loved it.

So did Elder Mbikayi

Elder Bulendolo wasn't so sure!

Elder Etherington was a natural..

Elder Muamba tried to do a flip. . . it was more like a rolling handstand!

So Elder Bailey showed them all how it was done!!

We then decide to take some pictures by the ocean.  Elder Muamba just picks up Elder Sperry and brings him along...  

1..2..3...JUMP!

Companions..... Elder Sperry and Elder Mbikayi

Companions....Elder Etherington and Elder Nzoronka

Companions....Elder Muamba and Elder Beutler

Companions....Elder Andriamiasinarivo and Elder Bulendolo

The Pointe Noire Zone March 9, 2015

The pyramid attempt!

The North American Missioanries.  Elder Etherington from Oklahoma, Elder Sperry from Orem, Utah and Elder Beutler from Mapelton, Utah.

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The blessings of the Gospel are felt each day as we reach out and serve the Lord.  We are so grateful for the chance to serve Him here in Pointe Noire and feel and see His love through everything that we do.   We are truly blessed!

The Gospel is true

Until next week!