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.