The big event for the week was the baptism of Chervonne. We have mentioned Chervonne (Shavon) before, a pretty nineteen year old young lady, and all the contention and harassment she has dealt with from ‘friends’ and family, her grandmother in particularly, as she has been taught by the elders. Regardless, she decided she wanted to be baptized so it happened Saturday evening. She said she wanted it after dark so no one could see but we talked her into doing it around sundown so there would still be some light. But she ended up having it her way as she was over an hour late. Anyway the baptism went fine and as she came up out of the water she let out a little shout of excitement that just made us all feel so good. With the moon and other lights we could see OK -the only problem was getting pictures of the event that are always treasured.
On the Caribbean side of St Lucia stand two distinctive mounts- the Gros and Petit Pitons, the result of long ago volcanic eruptions. They are well known landmarks even being depicted on the national flag. As part of preparation day we planned to climb the Gros Piton. A member of the branch had climbed it before and said he would be the guide. All set… except when we arrived at the visitor’s center to pay the required hiking fee, which we had been told was EC$20.00 each, we were also informed a guide was mandatory- whom they provided. No one hiked the mountain without one. That was Ok until we were told for the four of us it would cost EC$266.00 which was about EC$91.00 more than what we had! Alas a reminder that finding out for yourself always pays off. The elders were disappointed, especially Elder Sturdevant, as this was probably his last opportunity before he departs for home. So we did Plan Y and visited the Sulfur Springs near Soufriere which literally is a “drive-in volcano”. At various viewpoints you can observe pools of boiling sulfur water belching off vapors and fumes that have a strong rotten egg gas odor. It is quite interesting and a site of much international volcanic study and monitoring.
Sister Faux: Well another busy week has flown by- some things were planned and some not-but we have had a good time. As I said last week I was going to start a sewing class and I would report if I was still sane. I am about as sane as I was before the class so I know some people will be sorry for me but the sewing has been successful. I don’t know if you realize I have no material to sew on and no patterns to make anything. So being the Deseret Industry person that I am, I’ve improvised. We had some bags of clothing at the church that people have donated hoping that someone else could use them. So I sorted through them and found a few things that could be remade into some sort of bags. I brought them home, washed them, took them apart, and now we have a few bags made or started at no cost. One bag is finished and it was made by Randy. I was shocked as I showed him how to thread the sewing machine and he began to sew. He made perfectly straight lines. We took a skirt apart and it is now a nice bag. I hope this will be a good project and help those who are interested to learn to make something they can use. I am always wishing I could play the piano or sing, but now with my sewing skills maybe I have found something that will be good for my friends.
Another exciting event that happened this week was getting new neighbors. There are four medical schools on this end of the island. Students come from everywhere to attend for two years then they return to the states to finish their training. I know some go to the Chicago area. The two years just ended so Elder Faux and I have been alone in this complex for a couple of weeks as everyone has moved out. Our neighbor Cheri will be back soon but everyone else moved back to the states. Our new neighbor next door, Sharon, is going to start school tomorrow. Her brother, Bobby, and sister, Daluet, came with her to help get her set up. Their nationality is Pakistan, have their U.S. citizenship, are Muslim, and live in California. He was so happy to find us here and we spent a good deal of time with them. We took them to the airport after church so now the brother and sister have gone home. I have never known any Muslims so it has been very interesting for us. Dave took them everywhere they needed to go and Bobby was in our apartment more than his sisters. They took us to eat, twice for me, and three times for Dave. He has three Wendy’s in or near Newport Beach, California and, as Bobby tells it, is well to do. He is worried about Sharon as he thinks she will be so lonely. He put us in charge and expects us to take care of her. I hope it turns out good for all of us.
Elder Sturtevant’s parents arrive next Saturday and we are as excited to see them as he is. We will miss him as he is a good missionary and just nice to have around. These elders make my day and I am lonesome if I don’t see them for a day. We had to go to Castries and get a police report for Elder Lang; he needs that to get back into Trinidad. I hope he is going later and not at the same time as Elder Sturdevant. I would think you have heard of the problem in Guyana with the church. That is where our two elders were transferred from. I wonder what is happening there now, we have no idea. That is about it for this week—we had a nice testimony meeting today with only about 28 attending but many bore their testimonies. Have a great week. If you get a chance we would love to hear from you…Sister and Elder Faux
p.s. just a little follow up-Sister Faux shared gave her COLD to Elder Faux. We are fine now.