Saved by Water ~ May 19, 2014

The Saving factor of Water

Water is a powerful source throughout the world, but here is Pointe Noire it is life-saving.  Everyday you see people selling it in little bags along the roads.  You see it used to sustain the crops that yield food to eat and incomes for homes and families.  You see the bottles of filtered water sold in little markets everywhere for those who have a few more cifa's.  But mostly you see the water being "drawn" from "wells" throughout every sector to be used to sustain life.   

Water not only "saves" us physically, but also spiritually through the ordinance of Baptism.  As we are immersed in the waters of baptism, it represents the end of our old life of sin and a commitment to live a new life as a disciple of Christ. It is an essential ordinance of salvation and Jesus taught that we must be baptized by immersion for the forgiveness of our sins.    So we are saved by water!

We have two churches that our "Saints" meet in here in Pointe Noire.  This past Saturday was a big day where 6 people were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  To get the Aéroport/Mpaka church ready, we just turn on the water and it flows directly into the font.  But, to get the Pointe Noire font ready, we have to fill it by buckets.  

Elders Johnston and Wright have great attitudes about filling the font, but this past Saturday, the Zone Leader, Elder Garland and Elder Etherington his companion, plus Elder Bailey, decided to come and help.  Elder Bailey had a great idea, of bringing our "coveted" hose and hooking it up to the spout and having that help fill the font.

It was a brilliant idea, except for one factor, we had no power, and therefore no pump to get the water to the spout.  So we resorted to "Plan B", which is to "lower the buckets into the well-water, and one by one, pour it into the font.  

It started out pretty easy as the "well" was full of water.  We just put our buckets in and poured it into the font.

And so the process begins..........

Elder Bailey dipped, while Elder Garland poured

Elder Etherington takes his turn

Ketsia, who leads the singing at the baptisms, came early and she volunteered to help

The ties came off and they got down to serious business.  

As the well-water diminished, it became a "labor of love" to reach down and pull the full bucket of water up.  Elder Garland was up to the task.

After about 40 minutes the font was almost ready to be baptized in.

Elder Wright, Elder Johnston, Claude and Ulrich prepare for the ordinance.  The ward mission leader, Fermes Ngakali, went over everything to make sure we had all information about each candidate correct.

One last check...

You cannot take pictures of the actual ordinance, but this is Elder Wright giving instructions to Claude before he begins.

Elder Johnston and Ulrich

Claude and Elder Wright

At the Aéroport/Mpaka building, Cedric was baptized by Elder Etherington

This is 'Lovely' with her family

This is "Lisa" and her neighbors.  She was baptized by her uncle Frére Ndinga.

 Wall of Fame 

Elder Etherington celebrated his birthday on May 6, and was grateful for the gift of his pillowcase.

This is our new missionary, Elder Tweneboah from Ghana.  Elder Hatch and Elder Rakotonindriana will be his "trainers" for two weeks until transfers.

Elder VanAusdal is waiting patiently for his turn to call his mother on Mother's Day.

Sister Bailey is leading the "Children's Choir" in "I Am A Child Of God."   They knew every word and loved to sing.  All of their parents were in meetings, so this kept them from running through the church.  Music and love are the universal languages!

This week we have seen how water "saves" us, both physically and spiritually.  We are so grateful to be here on our mission where we are surrounded by wonderful Elders and Saints who are all trying to do their best to keep their covenants they made at the "Waters of Baptism".

Until Next Week.....

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.......

Lake Tchimpounga ~ May 3, 2014

The Jane Goodall Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center in Pointe Noire

Last Monday we were invited by the Gakoussa family to come to Family Home Evening with them.  After we had been there for about an hour, Lodee said we were going to the "Lake" because she had promised her children that this would be the activity part of FHE.  When we arrived at the Lake we couldn't believe how beautiful it was.  Lodee had told us on the other side of the lake is where the Chimpanzee's live.  So when I went to do some research on the Lake, I found out that indeed Chimpanzee's do live there and that it was the largest Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Africa.  

  Max, Elder Johnston,Prince, Mama, Divine, Lodee with baby Estras, Sister Bailey, Patrick (Lodee's brother) , Nuanti, Uncle, and Elder Wright.

Here is part of an article I read about the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabiltation Center:

"Every year poachers in the Congo Basin kill thousands of chimpanzees as part of the illegal bushmeat trade.  The hunters spare the lives of the smallest, confiscating them and selling them as pets, despite laws forbidding such trade. The Jane Goodall Institute works to end the illegal commercial bushmeat trade.  To help the youngest victims, the orphaned babies, the Jane Goodall Institude operates the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center, which is a safe haven in Pointe Noire, Congo, where orphans who government officials have confiscated from the black market can get needed care and attention."

There are currently over 160 chimpanzees being cared for.   I couldn't believe it. . . . !  Jane Goodall was one of my idols!  I have watched every documentary she has ever made on chimps.  And here I was, right by her sanctuary!    I felt like I was part of National Geographic .  Had I known how special it was I would have taken many more pictures, but I am sure we will go there again.  And next time I will be prepared.  

Elder Bailey in front of Tchimpounga Lake

Tchimpounga Lake at sunset....Patrick was telling us that no one, other than a native Congolese, could be on this Lake.  That if they got in the water, they would die.  He told us there are "sirens" that live in the Lake.  I kept looking at him waiting for him to laugh or say "just kidding".  But he was very serious about warning us and truly believed what he was telling us!

Prince wanted his picture taken.  Cassava bushes are in the background.

Wall Of Fame 

On Saturday, May 3, David was baptized.  Elder Ndayiezye and Elder VanAusdal have been teaching him.

Parfait was also baptized.  Elder Etherington and Elder Garland have been teaching him.  I asked Elder Garland why he didn't turn down his collar, and he told me he was going for the Joseph Smith look?!?

A few months back Parfait came to church all by himself.  Elder Bailey noticed him and went to talk to him.  He found out that Parfait had heard about our church and wanted to come to see what it was about.  We found out he was at the wrong Branche, turned him over to the right set of missionaries, and he has been "golden" ever since.  He is so excited to have found truth.  He was baptized on Saturday, and yesterday in Sacrament Meeting he was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood to the office of a Priest.  

Perpetia, Perley, Leondra, and Gilbeau

Also, a few months back we mentioned how Leondra had told Elder Bailey that he would need his "hands" to help him bless his baby.  Yesterday in church, Gilbert Leondra Malonga was given a name and blessing by his father.  

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It was a wonderful week, filled with many missionary opportunities, and blessings from a loving Father in Heaven, whose work this is.

Until next week......