Say Cheese......August 4 ~ 11, 2014

Say Cheese..... or fromage in French!

We are behind in our blogging, but will catch up as soon as time and internet permit.  We have been in Brazzaville since last Wednesday and arrived home yesterday.  That experience will be on the blog on Monday!

One of the most rewarding parts of missionary work are the wonderful people that you meet and get to know. We have 4 Branches that we work with and in each Branche there are very special people.  We are so grateful for the "valiant' spirits that have been taught by the missionaries and are now involved in the "Work of Salvation" in their own part of the world.  One of these valiant spirits is Giscard that we met when he was in the Mpaka Branche.  He has not missed a week of church, that we know of, since we arrived in January.  

This past Sunday, I mentioned how "handsome" he looked.  He smiled back and asked me if I would like to take a picture of him.   Everyone knows how much I like to take pictures, and so I said that I would love to.  I always try to run them off and them give them a copy the next week.  For some, it is the first picture that they have ever received.  It is one of my favorite parts of missionary work,  and it doesn't require too much French.... everyone understands pictures and what to do!  

What this picture doesn't show is that Giscard does not have working legs.  He was born with only one foot and legs that do not work from the knees down.  So everywhere he goes, he walks on his knees.  He is the only member in his family and comes to church each week by himself.   This does not hamper his smile, his faith, nor his enthusiasm for life.  This is just what he was given to handle and he has chosen to handle it with dignity and joy.  

When we made a new Branche in July, Giscard was in the boundary changes.  This now means he has to go to the church located in Mvom Mvom.  This church has three flights of stairs to get to where the classes he needs to attend are.  So every week, he climbs the three flights of stairs on his knees, to attend his meetings so that he can be faithful to the 'covenants" he made in the waters of baptism.  

We are so thankful for his example of faith and trust. He has been a member for less than a year, but has a testimony that one day, he will have legs that work.  Until then, he will find joy in the message of hope, found in the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ that is on the earth today.

Giscard outside the church this past Sunday, August 10, 2014

This picture of Giscard was taken at the Mpaka Branche where the church is all on one

level.

More pictures....

These young men were outside the Mpaka apartment after District Meeting.  They always say "Good Morning" no matter what time of day it is.  I can "relate" to them because I always say "Bonjour" no matter what time of day it is..... These wonderful young men of Pointe Noire are the future of this country. They have such beautiful spirits, and such hope.  I asked if they would let me take their picture and they all lined up and were ready to go.

This is Jhostovie.  He is one of our piano students.  He received this certificate for playing the prelude in Sacrament Meeting.  Even though it is just with one hand, they are so proud of this accomplishment.  And so were we!

Raoul played the postlude.

Slasvy played his prelude on the organ.  He did a wonderful job.  

Elder Sperry and Elder Garland have been teaching "Fall".  He was baptized last Saturday, August 9, 2014.

These are the friends and family, along with a few of the "English students", who came to see Fall be baptized.

More pictures of the week....

Elder Etherington and Elder Naughton helped "Eugenie" move this passed Saturday, August 9th.  Elder Bailey took the cab off the truck so that they could get more of her belongings in. It took two trips, but they got it done.  Eugenie is a recent convert and a wonderful Sister in the Gospel.  

Elder Naughton rolls up their beds to fit them into the truck.  Most of those we have helped move have "bedrolls" that they sleep on.  These make it very easy to move!

Load number one!

Load number two. . . . The one on the right is Eugenie's daughter.  I did not get her name...

Another beautiful sunset in Pointe Noire.

This has been a wonderful week filled with many experiences with the people of the Pointe Noire Branches.  We are thankful to our Heavenly Father to be able to be a part of this world, and to be a part of the work that is going on here.  We love the faithfulness of the Branches......Aéroport, Mpaka, Pointe Noire, and Louanjili... and the wonderful people who  love the Gospel of Jesus Christ....

Until next week.......

A Little Bit of Everything

The Ponton Plage........again!

Yesterday, the missionaries decided to go to the Beach after they had "Prepared" what they needed to do for their Preparation Day.   They met at our home at 2:30, packed up the car, secured the frisbee, football, chocolate cake and lemon bars and we headed out.  It was an overcast day, but the Elders didn't mind and we made it in record time.  Because we have 10 Elders now, 6 have to ride in the back.  We are so grateful for the "camping Elders" who hop right in.

Elder Sperry, Elder Garland, Elder Bybee (with his new haircut) Elder Tweneboah, Elder Ralison, and Elder Massé

Elder Johnston, Elder Tripp, and Elder Sperry

When we arrived the people were waiting for us and very glad we came. We only have to buy a drink and they let us use the volleyball court, fooseball, tables & chairs.

Elder Ralison, Elder Tripp, Elder Etherington, Elder Naughton, Elder Johnston, Elder Tweneboah, Elder Garland, Elder Massé,

Front:  Elder Sperry and Elder Bybee

Volleyball....

The Elders divided up in teams to begin the day.  Elder Naughton signaled he was ready to start!

Elder Etherington waits to serve

After they had been playing for about 15 minutes, a man came over and asked if the Elders would come and push his car out of the sand.  So they all headed out to help.

After about 30 minutes, they returned and decided to go down to the Beach!

The Beach....

Elder Massé and Elder Naughton

Elder Tweneboah and his great smile.

Elder Johnston

Elder Sperry

Elder Ralison 

Elder Naughton talking with Elder Bailey

Elder Massé showing us his "muscles"....

The Zone.....

Football......

Elder Bybee, Elder Massé, Elder Tripp, Elder Johnston, Elder Sperry and Elder Garland

Elder Garland makes the diving catch!!

Elder Bailey works with Elder Ralison on his Quarterback skills. 

Go long!!

More Quarterback lessons!

Elder Tripp is keeping a close eye on Elder Etherington's form!

Soccer.....

Elder Johnston, Elder Tripp, Elder Sperry and Elder Bybee

Those with their shirts tucked in were on one team.

Elder Tweneboah maneuvers the ball from Elder Garland

Elder Johnston keeps a close eye on the ball!

Elder Bybee finally gets his chance!

A corner kick??

Finding Shells...

It was one of the best days for finding seashells.

Elder Massé looking for the perfect shell...

Elder Naughton and Elder Bailey are also looking for shells.

Elder Bailey, Elder Etherington, Elder Tripp, Elder Ralison, Elder Bybee, Elder Sperry, Elder Naughton, Elder Massé,

Elder Garland, Elder Tweneboah, and Elder Johnston

These are the Elders of Pointe Noire.  We had such a great time filled with ...

"A little bit of everything".

We are so grateful to our Heavenly Father for His "Call to Serve".  We are learning each day just how much He loves us and his children throughout the world!  We know that everything that he has placed on this earth is to help us someday return home to Him....He is so gracious with His blessings, now it is up to us to help the people see them too!

Missionary Life is wonderful!

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

Teaching....No Greater Call

TEACHING IN THE CHURCH

Teaching is such a big part of Missionary Work, and such a big part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In "Preach My Gospel" it tells us:

"We are surrounded by people.  You pass by them on the street, visit them in their homes, and travel among them.  All of them are children of God, your brothers and sisters.  God loves them just as He loves you.  Many of these people are searching for purpose in life.  They are concerned for their families. They need a sense of belonging that comes from the knowledge that they are children of God, members of His eternal family.  They want to feel secure in a world of changing values.  They want "peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come", but they are "kept from the truth because they know not where to find it."  (D&C 123:12)

We are so grateful to be able to teach about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and about the "Plan of Happiness", especially about our Savior Jesus Christ, who is central to that plan.  We are so grateful to serve alongside such wonderful Elders who are working so hard for the Lord.

This is the new Young Women's President and 1st Counselor in the Aéroport Branche.  We talked about the new "Come Unto Me" lessons and how to teach them.  We also talked about how each Sunday should be outlined, and how to prepare spiritually.

Bernard is looking over the shoulders of Janis, trying to figure out what we are talking about.  He is the new Young Men's President in the Aéroport Branche.  We trained him and his counselor last Thursday.

It is such a privilege to be among such willing and faithful leaders.  Helena has only been a member of the church for 2 months, but she has been "prepared' to lead her Young Women in coming unto Christ.

The Young Women Presidency of the Aéroport Branche

Elsa, 2nd Counselor, Helena, President, and Lisa, 1st Counselor

Elder Etherington and Elder Naughton taught MerChrist the Gospel and he was baptized on July 26, 2014.  They are assigned to the  Louanjili Branche which was created on June 29, 2014 with President Ndinga being called as the President.  These Elders are so busy trying to teach all the contacts the Branche members have given them as referrals.  

Elder Bybee, Elder Garland, Elder Bailey, Soeur Bailey, Max, Patrick and Elder Johnston.  This was taken right after our Family Home Evening lesson last Monday.  We sang President Monga's favorite song....

OTHER TEACHINGS

We are so amazed at the level of artistic expertise that our Congolese friends have learned.  We were looking for some shelves to put in the new apartment for Elder Garland and Elder Sperry, and found these made by these two men.  They told us they get their reeds from the rain forest.  They turned out to be perfect.

When our five boys were very young, my sister Pam taught me how to cut hair.  She is a wonderful beautician and has always been so willing to share her gift to others.  Elder Sperry was finally ready for the "buzz cut" which all of the Elders eventually have, because it is so easy to take care of.  

On Saturday the Relief Society Sisters had an activity at the Church.  They got together to do "Xango" and wanted to teach me how to do this.    Zango is something that everyone does here, and they are wonderful at it.  I never did get the idea of what was going on, and I still cannot walk........ but we laughed very hard and everyone had a wonderful time.

The idea of Zango is to divide into two teams.   Then you come together two at a time, one from each opposing team, and then you "jump" and put your foot out.  Depending on which foot you put out depends on who wins............ You have to remember that the explanation on how to play this was all done in French, so that might be part of why I still don't have a clue what to do.  Add to it the part where they sing and chant and it was "wild" to say the least.  When it would come to my turn, I would just jump up and put any foot out.  They laughed so hard at me because I won quite a few!!   Don't ask me how!!

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We are so thankful for the opportunity to teach, learn, and grow in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are so grateful also, for the many wonderful experiences we are having as we serve the Lord as a Missionary Couple here in the Congo......

Until next week.......