July 06. 2009

Last Wednesday we went to the airport to meet President Gamiette, our new Mission President, his wife and family. They had a layover for a couple of hours as they were flying from their home in Guadeloupe to the mission home in Trinidad. We met him once before as he came to Vieux Fort for a super Saturday with the Seminary. He is a very nice man and has a real talent in associating with the kids and I am sure with the elders. He and his wife speak perfect English but the children speak only French. I am sure they will be learning English soon, in fact I think they have been working on that already . It will be interesting to see the changes they make as they take their assignments. We had a small social on then beach next to the airport and served veggies, chips and dip and cookies and a drink. We took our elders and we had a few members from Castries that met with us. Fun day.You will notice a few fishing pictures (so called) as they lay sleeping on the dock. Dave will have more to say about that and also the car in the ditch.....Just when I start to feel good about Elder Faux's driving.I had to send you a picture of Sister Thomas and her husband Davis. She is one of the most special sisters here in Vieux Fort and in our branch. She and her husband were baptized June 2007 and then were married Dec. 15, 2007. They were like most couples here as they had lived together for seven years before their marriage. They built a home in Nov, 2008, just a small square building with one outside door and no windows. A few weeks ago they finally had electricity put into the home. They have no sink or running water. There is a public shower near by that they use, and I am not sure about other bathroom equipment. She is the Primary president and he is serving as a branch clerk. She is a most wonderful lady that I have come to love very dearly. She was raised by her grandmother who died several years ago and she had one brother that has also died. She studies the Scriptures every day and is one of the kindest, gracious ladies I have ever met.We have a nice young man the elders have been teaching by the name of Stephen. He was supposed to come to church today but did not come. The elders took him a white shirt and dress pants that elder DeMasters left for someone that needed clothes. He is age 17 and his birthday in Sept. He hasn't been going to school but has a job working as a guard. He is living with his grandpa as his mother and dad are on cocaine and so do not work . His one brother is in jail and three other brothers live with the parents. It is sad when we meet someone like that and makes you wonder what kind of life is in store for them. If they can join the church and stay strong their chances for a better life improve about 100%. How come we are all blessed so much?We hope you all had a happy July 4--our only celebration was Elder Lang had a red, white and blue tie. We are blessed to be healthy and happy. Love, Sister Faux ....I love AmericaWhen you go fishing at 12:30 a.m and the fish are not biting the one picture tells it all. However, it is fun and the night so quiet and peaceful you can't help but enjoy it. As for the auto. We were with the elders and just departed from teaching Stephen. I opted to pull to the side of the road while the elders decided the next stop. Since I had washed the auto that morning I was more concerned about missing the mud puddles on the right and failed to notice the cement drainage ditch on the left. The elders figured to get out we needed some boards to put under the wheel so they ran back to Stephen's, which was less than 100 yards away. About the time they left an auto stop, the driver got out, looked at our predicament, told me to get in the auto, start up the engine, cramp the wheels so the one in the ditch wedged against the side of the ditch. He then instructed me to shift in to reverse and give it a little gas. I did so and with him pushing the auto pulled itself right up and out. The elders and Stephen arrived with boards in their arms just in time to see our second Good Samaritan, without hardly giving us a chance to say thanks, get back in his car and with a wave of the hand went on his way. This little incident a good reminder of how you have to be paying attention every second you are behind the wheel. Congratulations to our new ward bishopric and a big thanks for a job well done to the released bishopric. Love, Elder Faux Elder and Sister Faux