Well, I (Elder Faux) didn’t make it. Climbing the Gros Piton that is. I keep telling myself that if I could have set my own pace I may well had been successful. But when you have a lithe 20 year old guide who makes the climb at least five times a week-and sometimes twice a day-and is on a time schedule…whew!Elder Faux made it to the first check point but when told it just got steeper and rougher he decided it was time to use prudence over pride. Anyway, racquetball is where it all is at rather than climbing the Gros Piton, a volcano that didn’t erupt. The young elders were successful. However; when Elder Thomas arrived back he was totally exhausted. He found a place to sit and hardly moved, other than to gulp water, for about fifteen minutes. Maybe a little note of interest: to make the climb a guide is mandatory as is a fee. The fee is listed as ‘attempt’ rather than ‘climb’ so no recourse for a refund if you be unsuccessful. Brother and Sister Elliot, branch members that live in Soufriere, found out about this event, so they invited us to have lunch with them when we finished. It is about a 45 minute drive, not so far in distance but due more to road conditions. It was well worth the drive as the lunch was great. We were in Castries both Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday for district meeting and Wednesday to meet with Elder and Sister McIntosh who are the CES couple for the mission. Our goal is get seminary started again and to have a branch member as the teacher. They came to Vieux Fort on Thursday to interview two prospects so we may be on our way. When we drove to Castries of Wednesday we had Firmus Hippolyte, 1st councilor in the branch presidency, ride with us. He has his own ten wheel dump truck that he drives all around the island hauling sand/gravel or whatever. The apprehensions Elder Faux felt about him being a passenger were well founded as he received various instructions from this native driver. “Tap the brake, tap the gas, shift to 2nd, slow down, speed up, toot the horn, etc etc”. Then usually the comment, “You are doing good Elder Faux”. He is a good man and we did enjoy his company. Along with Elders Welch and Thomas we were at his home in Choiseul Friday afternoon. The elders were looking for a member family in Soufriere and needed directions. We call it inspiration as we were able to find the home and five out of the six family members. Lack of transportation is their reason for not coming to church so the challenge now is to come up with a plan that will work for them.
Sister Faux: Elder Faux speaking about the Pitons, if you could just see them (2 of them) you would wonder why anyone in their right mind would attempt to climb them. So that is great for those young elders as they made it and great for Elder Faux as he thought he could. I had a very pleasant day by myself as they were gone from early morning and did not get back until after dark- about 6 pm. I sewed most of the day making myself a nice new red dress. I am mostly happy about it. But for some reason it seems I to have to make my clothes a bit bigger---what can that mean. I don’t have much to tell you this week, the weather still hot but it may have little cooled a little. When we sit on the porch and a breeze is blowing it feels great. I did bring a sweater and have never had it out of the drawer and in fact it is still in the plastic bag. Just one word of caution; if you have ever had a full bottle of new colored nail polish try not to drop it on a solid tile floor by the wall, or by the shower stall, or shower curtain. It makes life difficult for some time. Who ever thought that Elder Faux and I would be spending the Christmas Holidays on a beautiful tropical island? We need to be enjoying every minute of our time here. We wish all of you well and hope you are enjoying the Happy Holiday Season wherever you are. Love, Sister Faux