Our Road Trip to Dolisie ~ April 19, 2014

This year, Easter 2014, will go down as one we will never forget.  We missed so much seeing our family and sharing in the annual "Easter Egg Hunt" and the dyeing of Easter Eggs, but we will remember this one as one where we celebrated the Savior Jesus Christ and all that his resurrection means to us. 

We have a dear friend here in Pointe Noire named Leondre.  He has ties to Brazzaville, Pointe Noire, and a little city called "Dolisie".  Last month he visited Dolisie and told us that the Saints up there were in need of someone to come and bring them "hope" to let them know they were not forgotten.  So in mentioning this to President Cook, he told us that he would make a special trip in April just to come and visit the members of the church, and let them know the Lord knows they are there.

Leondre was 12 years old when a man by the name of Jean-Mark introduced him to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the missionaries. He said he was like a Father to him and so he has kept in touch with him for almost 20 years.  Jean-Mark is a Melchizedek Priesthood holder and lives in Dolisie with his family. There are about 6 Priesthood holders in this city and around 30 members who have been baptized. It is not  a Branche, so it is not officially recognized by the church meaning the church has not called anyone to preside there.  The problem is it is 3 1/2 hours away from a church, missionaries, and a Branche President... So they are left to meet as a group and share in their love of the Gospel and the Savior by themselves.  And that is where it is hard.  They have to have permission to have the Sacrament, and they have to keep their tithing money until they make it down to Pointe Noire.

So President Cook, who holds the keys for the mission, decided to take Sacrament Trays some bread and water, and have a Sacrament Meeting to let these wonderful people renew their covenants with the Lord.  It has probably been years since some of them have been able to do this.  It was so very special to Leondre and Ghislain who blessed the Sacrament and passed it to the members.  I couldn't help but shed a few tears as I watched each one be so very grateful for this ordinance to finally come to them.  

After the Sacrament Elder Bailey and I talked, and then Sister Cook talked and finally President ended with some special words of encouragement to these Saints.  He told them to continue to meet and support each other, and to remain faithful to their covenants and things will work out for them.. With the new Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo Mission opening up in July, this might be one of the cities where missionaries will finally be sent.  We hope so!

The members meet in a school where Jean-Mark is a teacher.  They waited patiently for us to come as we were over 1 hour late in arriving.  As we looked out over the people we saw the longing and hope they had in their eyes for themselves and their families.

This is Jean-Mark with his wife and family.

The Dolisie Saints

The Priesthood holders:  Jean-Mark, Christian, Leondre, and Jean-Jacques

This is Alemoua Mpeka Ghislain.  He served a mission to Côte d'Ivoire from 2002-2004.  We told him we would send a photo of him and his family to his mission President, President Steenblick who lives in Utah.  Words just couldn't describe his joy. 

This is Ghislain's family, plus a few more.  They just love to have their pictures taken, even though they don't smile.   They get so excited when we show them their pictures on 

the camera.

The Road Trip

We told Leondre we would meet him at 6:30 A.M. He was our tour guide for 3 1/2 hours.  The road to Dolisie is one of the best roads we have ever driven on since we arrived in Point Noire.  Leon told us that the "Chinese" were building the road and that they had been working on it for 5 years.  We ran into much road construction also many trucks that had crashed going around the sharp turns.  They just leave the broken down trucks on the road, which makes it very hazardous.    

This is a little house along the way.  We went through about 1 hour of "Savannah" terrain, and then we went through "jungle".  President Cook saw two monkeys!

Coming into the jungle.  

These are the "Sparkler Trees".  The little ornaments are "Weaver Bird" nests. 

I'm sure this is where the Gorilla's live!

Pineapple fields

We couldn't believe how tall this tree was

If you look real close you will see "Papaya" growing on the trunk of the middle left tree.

This is the roadside O'reilly parts shop.  Notice the "hubs" on the roof and the spare bathtub on the right.

This is the back of a "huge" truck that transports "logs".

Banana Trees !

Road Signs..... African Style

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We will say our prayers for the members in Dolisie. 

 We so enjoyed being with them on Easter Sunday and celebrating with them the "good news" of the Gospel which is.....            "Everyones tomb will one day be empty, that everyones soul could again be pure, that every child of God could again return to the Father who gave them life because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ."  Jeffrey R. Holland

Until next week......

M&M 's ~ Marvelous Missionaries April 14, 2014

About a month ago, we were in one of our stores where we shop for food and saw Peanut M&M's.  They were in the little yellow packs just like the ones we get back home.  We paid way to much for them, but wanted to give them to our missionaries to tell them they stood for MARVELOUS MISSIONARIES. So that is the title of our blog this week, and express how much we enjoy serving with these fine young Elders who are working so hard for the Lord.

We have had a week filled with many great adventures!  On Monday, we decided to head to Ponton Beach again to let our new missionaries see the "beauty" of  Pointe Noire.  Elder Johnston, Elder Rakotonindriana, Elder Etherington, and Elder Ndayizeye had never seen the beautiful Atlantic Ocean from this viewpoint, and our North American Missionaries know that looking out along the horizon is where we head to go "home".  So it is always so refreshing to go.  

When we arrived, there were about 20 Congolese young men diving in the ocean. They were doing backflips and cartwheels all along the beaches edge.  Their swimsuits looked much like "underwear", but we enjoyed their enthusiasm and love for the water.   Elder Garland had brought a soccer ball and they loved the idea of playing soccer along the ocean's edge.  They set up goals made out of sticks, and the game was on.  

We have to play along the ocean's edge because it is free from all of the glass and debris that everyone brings down to the beach.  It is sad that they don't understand the "treasure" that this beach is and take better care of it, but this is their life and what they have known for centuries.

Our   Marvelous Missionaries

Elder Gelinas, Elder Wright, Elder Ndayizeye, Elder Garland, Elder Etherington, Elder Rakotonindriana, 

Elder Johnston, Elder VanAusdal, and Elder Hatch

Our Congolese friends would throw things on the water and see who would be the first one to retrieve it.  

Elder Rakotonindriana & Elder Garland playing soccer. The "stick goals" were set up on each end.

We stopped to have our picture taken in front of the Ponton Plage.  I was wondering if they had strawberry smoothies to order and some nice lawn-chairs to sit and relax in??? 

We were concerned about someone cutting their feet on the glass bottles left on the beach so Elder Bailey & Elder Gelinas went and asked if we could come and use the "Ponton Plage" to play some volley ball.  This is a little "resort" area on the beach that could be wonderful! They were more that happy to let us use anything we needed  as long as we bought a "soda" from them..   So the missionaries were more than happy to order a "soda" and we had a wonderful day playing volleyball together.  

Elder Ndayizeye, Elder Wright, Elder Etherington, Elder Hatch, Elder Johnston, & Elder Rakotonindriana

Elders Johnston, Gelinas, Garland, Etherington & Rakotonindriana were Team 1, and 

Elders Hatch, VanAusdal, Wright, Ndayizeye & E/S Bailey were Team 2.

Elder Garland refreshed everyone on the "rules" and they were ready to go!

Elder Rako serving for Team 1

Our two "big men" Elders Hatch and Etherington, going up for the "spike".

Elder Bailey serving for Team 2

Elder Ndayizeye loved volleyball and was a great player

All the missionaries were concerned when the ball seemed to get "stuck" on Elder Johnston's neck.

Elder VanAusdal is ready, and will Elder Rako "play the net?"

Elder Garland serving for Team 1

Elder Ndayizeye, Elder Bailey, Elder VanAusdal, Elder Wright & Elder Hatch

Team 2 rallying behind each other.....!

Elder Johnston is trying the "sitting down" move while Elder Rako is trying the "kicking move!

Whose feet are these?  

We all had a wonderful day together and renewed our spirits for another week of "Hastening the Work of Salvation" here in Pointe Noire.

Wall of Fame

This is called "manioc".  Everyone eats this for their food.  It is made from the "Cassava Root" and wrapped in a banana leaf.  The missionaries love it served with some Peanut Sauce, or tomatoes and onions.   We haven't acquired a love for it at all!

These beautiful flowers greet us as we come to the Mpaka /Aeroport Church.  

This is the local chapter of the "Boy Scouts" that were walking and singing along the road.

This is the little girl that lives next to the church.  We have never seen the "grown-ups" but she takes care of all the little children, making sure they get across the street and watches that they are kept safe from cars.  She has definitely filled those "flip-flops"!

So we will end another week here in Pointe Noire.  We are grateful for each day and the opportunities that the Lord has blessed us with to do His work. We are also grateful for the Marvelous  Missionaries that have been sent here to serve!

Until Next Week!

"You Are Clean"..... April 7, 2015

It has been a very busy week here in Pointe Noire.  We received a new Elder on Friday, Elder Etherington from Oklahoma, and we baptized 4 people on Saturday.  The Elders are working so hard here to find those the Lord has prepared and then teaching them about faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance, so that they can be baptized.

Sister Bailey, Elder Etherington, Elder Garland, and Elder Gelinas

Elder Etherington has 7 brothers and one sister.  When I asked him about his little sister, he said he had never met her because his mom had her on March 31 while he was at the MTC.  He said he didn't even know her name but knew she would have "red" hair because everyone in their family has red hair!  He is 18 years old and loves music... He will fit right in!

For the last three months Elder Bailey and I have been looking for a little place to just go to have a "romantic dinner".  We have seen this place that is right by the Airport, but have  never gone into it. After we picked up Elder Etherington, it was after 5:00 p.m., so we stopped in to feed those hungry Elders who had been fasting and working hard all day.  It was "charming" in an African sort of way, and we had chicken and beef "chawarmas'" that were wonderful!   We ended our dinner with ice-cream in little cups just like "Baskin-Robbins'!  

These were the four candidates for baptism on Saturday April 5.  They are Welcome, Romelle, Surprise, and Christal.  Sometimes the names are hard for me to say and learn.  I have to write them down and say them about 100 times, before I can get them right.  But the names today were ones I will never forget, and so easy to say.

This is Surprise with his mother and brother.  He is the only member in his family and we were so happy to see the support they gave him for his special day.  Surprise is such a character.  He makes us laugh so hard!  He is ALWAYS wanting to come to our house and be with us. He speaks some English and is always asking if what he is saying "is good"!   

Elder Ndayizeye, and Elder Van Ausdaul taught Surprise

Elder Hatch, Christal, and Elder Garland

    

This is Romelle that Elder Bailey interviewed for Baptism after President Cook delegated that responsibility to him.  The keys to baptizing and confirming converts are under the direction of the Mission President, until there are 4 Branches, and then a District President is called.  Elder Hatch translated, and it was a powerful interview where the spirit was present.  Romelle understands what being "spiritually healed" means as she has come to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and feel the power of forgiveness through His Atonement.  As Elder Bailey brought Romelle into the baptismal font and raised his had to the square and in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost baptized her, as she came out of the water, he whispered to her......."You Are Clean"!   We all wept tears of joy!  

                                                   This is why we are here!

Wall of Fame   

A new part of the blog will be pictures that we took during the week of the wonderful mission life and experiences here in Pointe Noire

This is Bouulu, he is always outside of the little store that we shop at.  He paints the most wonderful African cards that we buy to write little notes on.  He always lets me pick one that I especially love as a "gift for buying from him".

These are our little herd of pigs that sleep outside our apartment most mornings.  The more garbage that is thrown out, the better they love it.

This is President Caillet, who is the Branche President of the Aeroport Branche, and Elder Bailey.  He came over to help us with our Visa's.  Ours expire next week, and we have had a hard time getting them renewed.  President Caillet knows everybody, and is so willing to help us with anything we need.

This picture was taken at 7:30 in the morning as Elder Bailey was on his way to get water.  This little girl was no more than 6 years old, and yet has the responsibility of her little sister. The children here do not have childhood's. They are responsible from the time they are little to "contribute" to their family.

Elder Garland was checking the "float" on the tank that holds the water from the well.  It is pumped up there and only works when the power is on.  We are so blessed to have this water that we come every day to use.

This is the sign outside of the Aeroport / Mpaka church.  I love the trumpet flowers that are always in bloom.   

I found this little bottle that had caramel sauce in it to use as a vase.  Everyday I go out and put new flowers in it to bring a "little bit of home" to our apartment.  These are the elephants that "Gisgard" carved for us.  

It has been a wonderful week that we are grateful for.  The Lord is blessing this mission with much success because of the faithful, valiant missionaries that are serving here.  We love them and we love our Mission!