Another week already. As was mentioned briefly last week it has been carnival week on St Lucia and this week in Vieux Fort particularly. We avoided the commotion for the most part except on Monday the elders needed to go to downtown Vieux Fort. We knew it would be close to parade time but thought they could accomplish what they needed to before it started. Just as we were ready to depart the police barricaded the only exit road thus we ended up having a ring side seat for the parade (?) The only ‘floats’ were three large trucks towing large trailers that were dispensing beer and whatever other alcoholic drinks, to anyone, by the plastic glassful. People of all ages filled the street, some in ‘costume’ of sorts, most however, in just there every day dress. The air reeked with the smell of beer so we didn’t waste any time leaving the first opportunity. The elders a little dismayed to spot three of their investigators taking an active part in the parade. Friday evening just at bedtime President Nicholas calls and asks Elder Faux to go with him to administer to his first counselor, Firmus Hippolyte, that lives in Choiseul, about a thirty five minute drive to the north. Once we left the main highway on our way to his home, Elder Faux was glad we were in a pickup, especially four wheel drive, as the ‘road’ was atrocious- narrow most dreadfully narrow, rough, bumpy, uneven, deep ruts from blacktop that had disintegrated and mostly washed away, two or three steep inclines that had the pickup lugging to go up. But the breath taker was a bridge that was almost wide enough for a car. To me, as seen at night by the one and one-half headlights of the pickup, it appeared nothing more than a slab of cement spanning the chasm - with no side rails, as if they would have done any good,. It didn’t appear there was any margin for error-you were either on or off. Thankfully President Nicholas negotiated each way so that Elder Faux is able to now talk about it. By the way, we did administer to Brother Firmus and he reported today (Sunday) he ended up having a restful night and full recovery the following day. The best part of the week was Saturday as Swancy William was baptized. We were introduced to Swancy the second day we were here and she was the coldest ice cube we have ever met. Each Sunday evening we meet with her family for family home evening and we have gradually (especially Sister Faux) gained her confidence. After two sets of elders, Elders Ash and DeMasters were the first to gain any real headway with her which Elders Sturdevant and Lang have capitalized on. She wanted to be baptized by her father, Evans, and in order for that to happen the services were scheduled for 5:00 a.m. At 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning is was raining, it was dark, and it was wonderful. The William family live on the beach so it was just a matter of walking 100 yards to the spot they had selected for the service. Evans has been a priest for about three months so it was exciting for him to be able to do this; and after it was through and he gave Swancy a big hug you just wanted to shout hurrah, hurrah.
Elder Faux has described the baptism very well—The only thing is you would have to know Swancy to understand all that has gone on. I pray that she will stay faithful because she could become a great leader ---what a girl. There are two or three things I would like to talk about that are not of interest in the church but are an interest to me. One thing is about the centipede, you will think I am captivated by them and that is not the case but the interest of the people here is fascinating. As we were taking the elders home last week we saw one on the cement outside our apartment six feet or more away. The elders stomped on it and we thought it was dead but when we returned home it was still alive. I had to go ask the guard to kill it. Elder Faux, as some of you know, does not kill anything and I am supposed to be a lady so I couldn't kill it. Anyway it is gone. This must be the season to prune and trim grass and trees, bushes and growing things. They do much pruning and just leave the limbs and etc where it falls. In time (I think a short time) the plants grow up around the leftover prunings and soon you can’t see them. I guess it finally disintegrates and goes back to the earth. You may be interested to know that only two of our members own cars-the Branch Presidency—everyone rides the vans/buses. The water here is very soft and the washing that people do is extremely white, very pretty to see. Sometimes they have a washer but very often they are washing by hand. Many homes do not have showers or even bathrooms in them, we see many outside toilets as we used to have. There are many public showers in different areas of the housing units..It is an interesting place to live. We are so blessed to have homes as we do in the states. We should really appreciate them. I need to tell you our elders are working hard trying to find people to teach. It is hard, but they keep going. They are good men and it is fun to be with them. Sometimes we are driving along and they just burst into song about almost anything. They both have nice voices so it livens up the party a good deal. Both of them spoke in church today and that is nice to be able to enjoy the presentation. It is fun to be here. We pray that you are all healthy and happy. Love, Sister and Elder Faux