June 29, 2009

We were a little disheartened this week as Elder Ash was called back to Suriname. We have enjoyed getting acquainted and working with him as he is a fine Elder. He knew he would eventually return but thought he would be here longer than just six weeks. This was necessitated by a missionary leaving the MTC and not going to Suriname. Elder Ash earned our praise and respect for the patient and positive attitude he maintained while serving with Elder DeMasters as a companion. If he would have had the teamwork Elder Sturdevant has provided it makes you wonder just how much more could have been accomplished while he was here. Prior to his leaving Sister Faux prepared a farewell dinner for him which we all relished. It was delectable. Driving to Castries the next day, at Elder Ash's request, we drove the Caribbean side which is more scenic, more curves and grades, and about 30 to 45 minutes longer time wise than the Atlantic side. On at least two different occasions,with Elder Ash, we have driven this highway as far as Soufriere with no problem. But today, for what ever reason, after about one-half hour Elder Ash reported he was felt car sick and needed to stop. Once stopped he lost all he had for breakfast plus a little more. With still more than half the distance to go Sister Faux insisted he ride in the front rather than her. He didn't protest in the least and fortunately made the rest of the drive with out any problem. Elder Ash departed Castries at 2:30 p.m. and the same evening at 7:45 p.m.Elder Lang, our new elder, arrived from Guyana. In between the departure and arrival we spent the afternoon with the two elders in Castries. We had a fun time with them as they showed us some of the points of interest in that area and we were able to help them with things they needed to do. By the time we returned to our apartment we had been gone nearly 16 hours so a long but enjoyable day. But once again the highlight of the week was the baptism Saturday morning of Achaza (Shaza) Noel. If the name Noel rings a bell it is because the Saturday before her mother, Celina, was baptised. Shaza is nine years old and an excellent reader. We don't know why the week in between but happy for her, and especially her mother, that she was baptised. We were further disheartened this week because of a stopped up shower drain! Last Sunday we notice the shower not draining properly . In the morning when we showered it worked fine but when we returned home it had about 13 inch's of MUCK. They started working on it Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. When we came home Wed night it was cleaned out and the landlady's maid had it all nice again. That project kept me home a couple of days and they kept chopping some of the cement outside but now seems okay. Have I ever mentioned this is a third world country.Elder Lang from San Diego is our new elder. I think he will work out fine and they will find people to teach. All the elders, two from Castries and two here and E Faux, Randy and Darnil and branch pres are all going fishing tonight at midnight. Randy is really the only fisherman, but they have such a good time. Sister Nicholas is the cook for breakfast and they think she is a wonderful cook. This has been a slower week but things will pick up soon. One interesting thing happened at church today that I have not seen before---The Relief Society President and her one Counselor were released and no one was sustained. The Pres and Coun have been in for some time and no other sisters were ready for a calling . So what happens now??? However the church is still true in Vieux Fort. We have been to two FHE tonight--both nice. If anyone is interested please write us a letter. Love to all Sister Faux and Elder Faux

June 22, 2009

Well another week has flown by and I am trying to remember some of the things that have happened. Monday the elders came and did their emailing and then we went on a little tour up toward Soufriere. We had been there before but we took more pictures of a luxurious resort named Ladera. It is a wonderful place and quite expensive, but would be fun to have a vacation there. The one picture shows a little view of it with a swing over the private swimming pool. Each room/rooms has one whole side open to see the view and the ocean. Each room has its own private small pool. Elder Ash took a video of it and it is quite breathtaking. Tuesday we went to Castries for District Meeting and a nice lunch. It is fun to be with the elders because they are so good. Elder and Sister Whitehead, the mission humanitarian couple and live in Guyana, were on St Lucia for three days this week looking at proposals. Dave had been to the hospital a few times trying to get them interested in things we could do but they said they were too busy getting prepared for the hurricane season and did not have time for anything else. On Thursday we met them along with the Castries couple, Elder and Sister Collins, at the FondDoux Plantation, about a forty five minute drive north of Vieux Fort, for lunch. We had an enjoyable afternoon together and it was nice to meet the Whitehead's. The main event of the week however, was the baptism of Celina on Saturday. Celina is a special lady. In addition to working full time she has living in her home; three handicapped brothers she takes care of, an eleven year old daughter and a nineteen year old daughter with a baby and expecting another one. As her baptism date came nearer she started having friends, neighbors, and some family members doing their best to discourage her with the typical Mormon scare stories. Elder Ash telephoned us Friday evening around 8:30 p.m. asking if we would give her a telephone call to reassure her of her decision to be baptized. When we tried her cell phone had been turned off so we decided to drive to her home and talk with her. She lives in an area of narrow streets and walkways with people everywhere. We were thankful to find her at home, had a short nice visit in which she affirmed she planned to be baptized, and then she walked with us back to our car. Saturday morning the baptism took place as scheduled right in between the rain storms. Celina will be a great addition to the branch and we are happy for her.You probably have the idea that we just wander around most of the time just taking pictures and we do that because we want to share the things we are seeing and doing. Each day is a great adventure, good for anyone that is retiring or bored at home. Some of the other pictures are ---Elder Sturdevant and the holes in his stockings. He was leading the singing for the baptism program and had his shoes off, because of the rain and as he stood there doing a good job leading I saw the end of his toe sticking through his stocking. It was cute. He will go home in a few months and is trying to make things last. The other pictures of the baptism are a keep sake for us as a remembrance of how difficult that step can be in the lives of these special people. The view of all of us standing looking over the ocean is at Calabash Cove Resort another fun vacation spot. It is a new resort and is close to the Collins apartment. The road to get back into it is so full of chuck holes it is almost impossible to get to the resort. Good roads are not found here.Well it is Monday morning and the beginning of another great week. We could not finish last night too tired and Elder Faux had to get to bed because he was going fishing at 2 am. He is back now and had a good night but he caught no fish (thank full for that) Elder Sturdevant caught a small shark and I think Elder Endeman caught something. But no big success stories. I had better get my day started as it seems we have another full day planned. Let me just say the church is great here in St Lucia as are the members in it. What good people they are. They are very close to our heart. Hope all is well. We send our love to our family and friends. Elder and Sister Faux PLEASE WRITE

June 15, 2009

Today is Sunday and we have had another nice day. One little problem caused by too much rain yesterday. We only held Sacrament Meeting and Sunday School and then was let out because we had no water in the church. Come to find out most of the members had no water in their homes either. I am not sure what the problem is when it rains but there is no water available in many homes. We had water at our apartment but not the usual good pressure we usually have. Don't know the cause or how the water is handled, but they tell us that is what happens in the rainy season. We have had an interesting week and rather disappointing as Elder DeMaster received permission to return to his home in California. He has not felt well since his arrival almost a month ago and also some other problems. We kept hoping that things would work out for him but that did not happen. He is a nice young man and we felt sorry we could not help him better. So disappointing for him and his family, we hope he will feel better soon and life will be pleasant for him. His leaving left Elder Ash alone so that was another problem. We had two Elders from Castries come down for most of three days and work with him. They went back Thursday and so Elder Ash came and stayed with us Thur night. Slept on three small cushions (I do not think he slept much) on our tile floor. Then Dave went teaching with him all day Friday . Dave thinks they walked at least 10 miles that day. Dave also spent Friday night sleeping at his apartment. Our new elder had a problem getting here from Guyana, where he has been for 17 months. He seems happy to be here and so life goes on. It was Randy's birthday on Thursday and so he spent the day with us.He came about 9 am and we took him home about that time at night. We had a birthday dinner and he had lunch too. That evening we went to Williams and they cooked us black meat (which is whale) and sardines on the grill, also a big dish of rice and green peas in the shell. They were excited to do that for us. Elder Ash and I are not real fish eaters so it was very interesting. How many of you have ever eaten whale or grilled sardines? Tonight we went to meet with an investigator and she committed herself to be baptized next Saturday. She is a very kind lady that keeps three of her disabled brothers in her very humble home and takes care of them. Elder Ash has been working with her and so is very excited. She does seem like a wonderful woman and we wish the very best for her. We are keeping busy and enjoy going with the elders--what great young men they are. The church is true here in St Lucia. Love, Elder and Sister Faux

Another interesting week for us. We went to immigration at the international airport here in Vieux Fort to get our internaltional drivers licences, that finally came, validated. Shortly after leaving the airport we had this terinble noise erupt in the front of the auto. Pulling off the side of the highway to see what was the matter discovered the plastic panel under the front of the auto had come loose except for two fasteners and dragging on the pavement, and tool supply is zilch. Standing there pondering what to do an auto going the opposite direction stopped, the driver asking if we needed help. We we happy to tell him we did. He looked the sitiuation over, retrived tools from the trunck of his auto, took care of the problem, and without almost giving us time to tell him 'thanks' he was on his way. We were leaving church last Sunday As we were leaving church last Sunday and the plastic panel under the left front fender fell free. So Thursday we were at the dealership in Castries having our auto survived and put back together. We enjoy going with the elders as they teach. A sister named Selna is caring for three disabled brothers plus two grandchildren that have health problems. At present she attends her church at 6:00 a.m. then comes to the true church at 10:00 a.m. With all her family obligations she has been diligent in reading the material the elders ask of her. We have high hopes for her. Last Sunday evening we climbed this monstrous hill to teach Wendell. But it was worth it as we had a good discussion. On Wednesday of last week Wendell had an accident at work badly breaking his arm and extensive damage to a thumb. We hope he doesn't take this as a bad omen for listening to the elders. From his home there is a million dollar view of the ocean and the surrounding country side. We then drive to the William home on the sea shore. So in less than ten minutes two different settings-completely different but equally beautiful. Love, DaveMonday we were invited to the William home and they took us and the elders for a beautiful nice long hike along the beach, over rocks, wilderness, swamp, the road and for miles we hiked. It was a wonderful day and I think we walked about 5-6 miles but seemed more like 10. The areas we were in were something to see and we could of never found where to go with out the family showing us. I rained most of the day, but remains warm and so is quite nice however it is no beauty contest if you could see me. They packed some breadfruit and soared ? fish to barbecue for lunch but the rain made it too hard to start a fire so we came back to their house to cook the food. It took us so long that the elders had to get back to their apt to clean and get their wash done so we had to pass up that opportunity. But it was a fun day.This week we have enjoyed going with the elders again. We go to places and see things we would never see if we were not with them. Homes so very humble and streets so very interesting. They do give a good lesson and always impress us. One lesson they gave this week was about the temple and was a film. It was a beautiful presentation and made us think of experiences we have had at the temple. Part of the presentation was Jeffrey Holland talking about heaven. He said if he was to go to heaven and his wife and his children were not there that would not be heaven for him. You know how humble he is and he said that with a tear in his eye. It touched me very much and I have the same feelings --If I should ever make it to heaven and Dave and my children and my grandchildren were not there- then that would not be heaven for me. We are blessed to have wonderful choice experiences here serving this mission. As I say each day is a wonderful adventure.It is hot, humid and wonderful here in St Lucia Love, DoraElder and Sister FauxMartha's Tyre Service # 8La TourneySt Jude's HighwayVieux Fort, St Lucia, West IndiesHome 758-454-7219 Cell 758-384-5487 doraanddavefaux.blogspot.com

Dave always writes this message but tonight he is too tired. We have had a very busy week and it is catching up with us. This week we have had zone conference and that kind of wore us out. First of all, Monday we took Elder Ash and De Masters on a little trip for pday. We went to Soufriere that is about an hour away from our house. It is a pretty spot that sits right on the Caribbean. There we looked around, went into an old Catholic church and checked it out and then went into a tourist store and bought nothing. We were going to a beautiful garden but somehow missed the road. On the way to Soufriere we went to a beautiful resort,Ladera. We could see the ocean and the Pitons from that view. We had to buy a drink at that stop so they would let us in. I also bought a nice bracelet in the gift shop. We also went to the Sulphur Springs that sit in a drive in volcano, interesting. Tuesday we went to Castries for Zone Conference, our last one with President Robison. We went Tuesday as the elders needed to be their that day and we had to buy the food for the conference. Sister Collins and I fix the food for 36 missionaries at Zone Conference. We also buy food for breakfast. some stay over and so need food for two breakfasts and snacks for the break at conference. This time we had Cesar salad and rolls and chocolate cake (like Jill Nickell makes) it all turned out good and the cake was delicious. We needed Carmel sauce for the top and couldn't find that so had to make some, also needed toffee bars for the top but couldn't find, so have you ever tried to crush up snicker bars? Well it sort of works, very delicious. Tuesday night we went to dinner with the president and all the four couples. That was fun and they planned to go to the waterfall where we had District Meeting in the week before and then to a zip line. But the President was late coming so we just went to the water fall and it was disappointing as not near as much water as the week before. We came home Thursday after staying with the Collins. It was very fun and a little tiring.Since that time we have been busy, teaching a little with the elders, having Seminary that no one came to. We came home after waiting for about 25 minutes and then several showed up. The week before we had one student until about 10 minutes before the end. The week before everyone was so late we, Dave and I,had the opening prayer and sang a song before our first student came. We have cancelled for a while now, I am not sure if anyone can tell time here! Saturday we had a baptism, a young unmarried mother age 26. She has four children, her first son lives with his father, a ten year old boy and twin babies 16 months. I hope this baptism will be important to her and she can remain strong in the gospel. She lives with her grandmother and I don't know how she is supported. Hope it all works out well. I had to speak at her baptism and she ask Dave to set her apart but the branch president did that?Today Sunday I had to speak in church and Dave had to teach a priesthood lesson trying to prepare five young men to receive the Melchizedek priesthood. That takes place after church so we are late getting home. Then we had lunch and the elders and Randy came and we went teaching Wendell. You would never believe the hill we climbed to get to his house. We didn't get a picture of it as we were so surprised to see it. We came down a little different way, but it is amazing some of the things we do. My new knee is so good. Following that we went to Evans and Beverly for family home evening. That is always an experience, they are good people. Monday the elders are coming early to email and then we will take them grocery shopping and then going to Beverly's house on the beach and go walking the beach so will tell you about that next time. Family Home Evening tomorrow and the branch is excited about that. I am doing it on hymns and have three people leading (correctly?) I am talking about Lucy Smith as she makes the first hymn book. I love to do things that I know nothing about.We know the church is so true. The elders have convinced us. Love, Elder and Sister Faux