Sunday, March 29, 2009

On Tuesday we drove to Castries for zone conference. it was a good day and the conference well done. it was also great to meet the elders from the other islands and visit with them. We couldn't help but be impressed by them. Our elders went a day early for interviews so when we went we took Lily and Davy with us. They are members of the branch here in Vieux Fort. We hoped having them exposed to the elders might inspire them to think about serving a mission. We connect with the picture of the four elders-Elder Muse will be our new elder and Elder Fox lives in the Manila area, is acquainted with Sue (Craig) and may drop by to say hello one day. A picture of Sister Faux and Adelline. A mem\ber of the Castries Branch that came to help prepare the meal for the elders. A fun and gracious lady. Can't miss Dora and the new screen door. As soon as she got permission from the landlady we got it ordered and installed. What a difference it makes. Life just keeps getting better. Elder Nestegard is leaving us 31 March. His companion, Elder Rosales, unbeknown to Elder Nestegard wondered if Dora would bake a cake as a good bye gesture. We decided why not have them to dinner so that is what happened. Fried chicken, Cole slaw, potatoes and gravy, string beans, hot rolls, cake and ice cream for dessert. It all tasted so good and fun to see our guests enjoy themselves. We were also happy to have Randy, our recent convert, join with us. Also a picture of a family we visited as we went with the elders teaching a couple of times this week. Last week we mentioned a lovey dovey couple but forgot to send the picture so here it is this week. Davis and Jeanette Thomas. We sent a picture of their home about the second week with us standing on their cinder block porch. We were at their home again today with the elders as they taught their neighbor a first lesson. They are good people. And Evans William. Baptized the 22 February, ordained a priest last Sunday and blessed the sacrament for the first time today. He said he was very nervous. He and his wife, Betherlie, have really accepted the gospel and they are doing their best to keep the covenants they have made. They have three daughters, 14,19, 21, that are not baptized so we are spending a lot of time with them working with the daughters. In fact just this evening we were with them and had a family home evening-a short lesson then a couple of fun games- which gave us an insight of the daughters we have not seen before. So hurrah for family home evening. Will close for now. Tell all hello. Love, Elder and Sister - Dora and Dave

Zone Conference

To see the entire post visit http://www.westindiesmission.blogspot.com/ but for a quick look here's the picture of President and Sister Robinson (mission pres. and wife) and the Fauxs.

March 23, 2009

This has been a good week. From the pictures you might guess we have been involved in a baptism. The young man is Randy (17 1/2). The elders have met with him at our apartment about three times to give discussions. At the start of their discussion last Wednesday he asked if I would baptize him. What a thrill and opportunity. Friday was the big day and what a joy. Sandy Beach the venue, the southern end of the Atlantic the ocean. As seen in the pictures some pretty good waves at times. Two different times we had to duck under and let the wave crash over the top of us. But when we got to the baptism part it seemed all around us was blotted out and we were in our own little peaceful realm. It was so special. What a blessing to have been part of it. And as far as Elder Faux is concerned a miracle took place. Just before the baptism, while wading out I turned my back to a rather large wave.When it hit me it knocked my glasses off into the water. Randy saw it happen and immediately dove in after them being submerged for maybe 5 to 6 seconds. When he re-surfaced he had my glasses in hand. I have no idea how he ever did it in that roiling rushing water. Just a miracle. About the other pictures. We had district meeting last Tuesday and the elders from the Castries district, on the north end of the island, found out Dora cuts hair so they asked her to cut their hair after the meeting. So we brought them to our apartment for her to do it. A picture of a outdoor shower, which is quite prevalent. A view of the way they support their houses when built on a hill slide or a slope of any significance. The morning after the baptism we invited Randy and Elders Nestegard and Rosales to have breakfast with us. They enjoyed the meal especially the right-out-of-the-oven muffins Dora had baked. It is fun to be with them. The other pictures are in the home of Ganesh Rawkaren, a single member of the branch. The two elders, Randy, Dora and Dave went to his home to hold a family home evening. His home in the rural country side area-Dora said she felt like a pioneer as we walked the trail to get there. His house maybe 8X12 feet with two rooms, a single 40 or 60 watt bulb for light, one chair for his 3 burner propane cooking stove, which was moved so Dora could us the chair. The rest of us sat on the wood floor. With our backs to opposite walls our legs would over lap to give you an idea the size of this room. With another member family in the area that join us we totaled ten. The elders gave a lesson then we played a game that was so simple it was done right hilarious. There we were, in this most humble home, yet the spirit we felt made us oblivious to the circumstances. We left that evening knowing that we been treated to a family home evening we will remember and cherish. The pictures are of Ganesh and Dora, Dave and a couple of neighborhood girls that joined us. The lovey dovey couple is Jeanette and Davis Thomas, the member family that joined with us. A picture of their home is at the start of the blog-us standing on their steps/front porch cinder blocks. The driving is getting better but still takes a lot of concentration. I always check with Dora when making a right hand turn to verify that the road is clear and it is safe to do so. Hello to all and we send our love, Dave and Dora -- Elder and Sister.

March 16, 2009

Hope you don't think all we are doing is taking pictures but there is so much uniqueness it is hard not to. The pictures include: (and not if the description/picture sequence jibes) the inside of our apartment-the cabinet/sink area, our dining set, and our sofa and chair. A picture of Dora and Elder Rosales, from Guatemala, on our way to give a lesson, with the elders outside a SUBWAY in Castries last Monday, on the beach near the home of new member family (we had been there teaching)-one with Elder Nestegard (Montana), by ourselves, one of the sunset, one with Betherlie and Dora-it is her beach. Finally Elder Rosales showing Dora how to fry bananas. We drove to Castries last Monday as President Robison had a two hour lay over and joined us in district meeting. This our first chance to meet him and we left with the impression that he has been a good mission president. The drive to Castries was white knuckle. A 32 mile drive that took one hour and forty minutes. Grades, hairpin curves, switch backs, makes the palms of my hands sweat just to write about it. District meeting is held there every other week so we should get use to it. We have been with the elders twice this week teaching, once as a foursome and once on splits. Dora and I with Elder Rosales and Elder Nestegard with a branch member. Then they sent us out to teach all by ourselves one evening. We had a good experience and hope we can do this more often. This afternoon the elders brought a young man they hope to baptize this Friday to our apartment to teach a lesson so involved with that. He doesn't live to far from us and as he left asked if he could come and visit with us. We were excited to tell him anytime! Also held our second seminary class on Friday. Seven students in attendance in addition to the elders and us. Better than the first time when one appear. The elders provide a little activity after that all enjoyed plus Dora prepared some treats and they didn't last long. Relief Society enrichment followed seminary so a full evening. We are still trying to put names to faces-learning some but it seems sort of slow. That is about it for this week. Tell all hello for us. Love Dora and Dave

An additional caption to the photos!

You can see who is doing all the work here--I'm tramping through the brush-climbing dangerous steps- hugging the lady that is mad at the church and dealing with the shop ladies--and Dave is standing on the steps smiling..--Woe is me.Love, Dora

Sunday March 8 , 2009

We have had a good week. Went visiting with the elders to a couple of the members homes which was interesting. The one other than the picture was in Laborie-to the north a ways. Their home is quite humble. Four large steps to reach the porch. Maybe four rooms inside. Not long ago the kitchen was outside. However, they are about 75 yards away from the beach which is dotted with coconut trees. We were there just as it was turning dark. The moon was peeking through the trees, the sky filled with stars, and the beautiful Caribbean Sea lapping at the beach. It is what you see in the movies and think they made it up. These people with hardly anything worldly- except a million dollar beach front. We both spoke in Church today. I thought Dora did really good and I hope I passed. Dora was also asked to help teach the YM/YW lesson so she had double duty. Tomorrow we are driving to Castries (the palms of my hands are already sweating. It is only about 22 miles but about a 1 and 1/2 hour drive we are told) to meet with President Robison for a couple of hours. This will be our first meeting with him so excited about that. About driving-since we have been here Dora's blood pressure has been great. A couple of nights ago she took it before we went visiting. 118/74. As soon as we returned to the apartment she took it again - 155/84 - I tell her she shouldn't take it right after we return. We send our love, Dora and Dave

we experienced a few technical difficulties this time.

Realize I am only transferring from an email. And

I have to take what I get. I am posting everything I

receive. Thanks!

March 4, 2009 "MOVE OVER"!

We haven't forgotten you - just been on the run. The couple (Williamson's) we replaced attempted to show us all around and tell us all they had been doing the last 14+ months in 2 1/2 days which left us mostly confused. You remember their son was also in the mission. He had been released to go home and was with them as well. He set our computer up and showed us how to do the things we wanted. He made it look so easy but now that he is gone..... I am hoping to send some pictures-if you don't get them maybe you could help us from that end with instructions. To me (Dave) I was a little surprised that the island looked as large as it does when we viewed it from the air. My second surprise-and I knew it was so- we were getting into the car to leave the airport and as Elder Williamson opened the front right door of the car I thought to myself "I hope he isn't expecting me to drive already!", then I realized he was getting in on the driving side. Our apartment is quite comfortable and all the room we need.. We have an air conditioner in the bedroom but by opening the windows we get a nice little breeze so haven't had to use it to much as of yet. But we are told this is the winter so we will see what summer brings. And the apartment buildings are as pretty as the pictures show. At church on Sunday there were 60+ in attendance. Maybe 6 to 10 investigaters. No one got an accurte count for either but the chapel was full. This also the first Sunday the branch president had two councilors sitting with him. Up to now he has been doing it all so it could be a challange getting him to start delagating. We are meeting with him today to get acquainted and whatever else he wants to discuss. By default I started driving Monday afternoon and it is different. (a) my preception of how close to the edge of the road I am is lacking. Dora is always telling me to move over! (b) I really have to concentrate on right hand turns-rather than a tight turn they are now a wide turn, (c) think left, that is your lane, (d) watch in the rear view mirror as there many impatient drivers that pass on the least opening, (e) most roads are narrow and lack signage so directions are mainly by so many intersections or landmarks. Christopher would feel right at home. We were saddened to hear of Carol and Boyd's family tragdey. Something like that so close to home is really heartbreaking. Will close for now. We send our love, Elder and Sister Faux (aka Dave and Dora)