We said goodbye to Elders Sturdevant and Lang this week as Elder Sturdevant returned home and Elder Lang was transferred to Trinidad. We were hoping Elder Lang would stay at least one more transfer but no so. This is the second time we have lost both elders at transfer time. However, this time we got four rather than two. The Guyana problem has necessitated, at least for now, the opening of new areas and doubling up in others. Elder Packer, Welch, Westover, and Brague are their names and they come from Arizona, Utah, California, and Oregon. As a note of interest this is Elder Brague’s first week in the mission. For our last ‘fling’ with Elders Sturdevant and Lang on Monday (Preparation Day) Swancy arranged for a bus to take the nine of us to Soufriere and points of interest in between. It was a fun day and with a native driver familiar with the area we did see some interesting places. One site they insisted on was the Jerusalem Falls. It was a 20 minute hike from the road; we crossed a good stream of water thinking it probably came over the falls. Paid our entrance fee, walked up five or six steps and there were the falls-two bamboo pipes empting into two cement containers. (Hope you can see in the picture). We found out they are popular for their “therapeutic value” rather than scenic. Then in the later evening we took Elder Lang to Castries, said our goodbyes, making arrangements with Elder Collins to transport him to the airport Tuesday morning for his early flight to Trinidad. We are going to miss Elder and Sister Collins. They have been such a delight, and so helpful. Tuesday morning the Sturdevant’s joined us for breakfast after which we then departed for Castries stopping along the way near Dennery to ride a “Rain Forest Zip Line”. Not knowing if it was jerky or not Sister Faux opted not to ride being leery of her back. There are eleven towers and you ride the zip line from one to the next. However, there are three times it is necessary to walk from tower to tower. After a few rides you start to enjoy the beauty and scenery as you glide through the trees and foliage, and in some case above them, rather than just holding your breath and hanging on. It was really a blast, and the two guides we had were really fun which added to the enjoyment of the adventure. Once in Castries we got the Sturdevant family settled in their hotel room then joined Elder and Sister Collins at the church to attend a scheduled baptism. This was a nice affair and many branch members in attendance which added to the occasion. We stayed the night with Elder and Sister Collins and Wednesday morning Elder Faux picked up the Sturdevant family and drove them to the airport for their flight to Trinidad. At 10:30 a.m. Elder Brague arrived and at 3:15 p.m. Elders Westover, Packer, and Welch arrived. Since we did not have room in our auto for all four Elder and Sister Collins volunteered to bring two of them Thursday morning- so eventually they all made it. Elder Faux spent five hours with the elders Thursday afternoon, walking and driving, showing them the Vieux Fort area, where many of the members live as well as some of the investigators. At the conclusion we stopped at the apartment and Sister Faux provided tuna fish, lettuce, and slice tomatoes and cucumbers for them make their own sandwiches or whatever-which they did and enjoyed. She also baked some chocolate chip cookies for them to enjoy. Saturday evening we held our first temple preparation class with six in attendance. We hope this will be an incentive for them to set goals and strive to get there. As of now President Nicholas is the only endowed member of the branch.
Sister Faux: Once again a new week begins with new adventures and experiences expected. We were sorry to have Elder Sturdevant and Lang leave us and the View Fort Branch. They were fun elders and made friends will all the branch members and met many investigators. We wish them happiness and good times ahead. Our new elders seem to be very interested and happy to be here. Three came from Guyana and that seems to be a great part of the mission with many baptisms, so hope they will enjoy the challenges this area offers. It has been interesting to me to see how sunburned a couple of them have become. They have spent many months in the sun and I would think they would be very use to being in the sun each day. But their faces are quite red. Elder Faux has been having all the great experiences this week while mine have been trying to teach people to sew. It has been a fun experience and somewhat like I expected---people making appointments and not coming or even calling. Such is the life in St Lucia. Those that have come have had a good experience and it has been fun for me. I do miss all of my equipment I have at home and long to be able to use it. A pair of nice sharp scissors for instance would be wonderful. I do have an unpicker and that will be worn out before we are finished. I keep telling them, “A person that can unpick well turns out to be a good seamstress”. I have a couple of ladies wanting to make dresses, if only we could find a pattern. We are going to a taylor and see if he can help us. Once people join the church it is very interesting trying to keep them active. All seem to have different reasons and we are sorry that they do not continue to come. They are much needed and would add so much to our small branch. I just counted our members and found that about 29 are not coming or only coming occasionally and we really need them. We have 50 on the branch list—it makes me sad. The weather here is still hot and humid, but a couple of days were a tiny bit cooler. The Branch President said that October is usually the month that we get the most rain, so we will see. We wish each of you a wonderful week and a happy life, Love, Sister and Elder Faux