23 May 2010 Sunday
As mentioned last week Diana and Ronald Williamson, the missionary couple we replaced, arrived on Saturday the 15th for a week visit. A whirlwind week of visiting we should say. It was interesting at church on Sunday morning to see the surprise and pleasure on the faces of the branch members as they recognized and greeted the Williamsons’. We were pleased that we could help them with most of their transportation needs. A few times, however, they did rely on the local buses to meet their schedule. We had a pre-planned day with the Castries missionaries in Soufriere on Monday so not much help that day. They were able to join with us in Castries on Tuesday for district meeting. Our district meeting began by singing Happy Birthday to Elder Larson. Elders Warhurst and Buhler then served us ice cream with banana bread that they had baked earlier in the morning. What a way to start a district meeting. After the meeting and before leaving Castries Brother and Sister Williamson acquainted us with the Caribelle Batik. A boutique that is located in the hills above Castries. It is not only a fun place to shop but gives you a panoramic view of Castries. Although they spent a good deal of their time visiting with various branch members they took the time to attend the Wednesday evening gospel study class and Thursday night seminary. Friday afternoon we drove to the Fiette region of Choiseul-about a one-half hour drive north of Vieux Fort-for a nice visit with Firmus and Cecelia Hippolyte and family. Then all at once it was Sunday afternoon and departure time. We were glad that we could help them out and hope they had a good visit.
A highlight of the week was the baptism of Toya James on Saturday morning. Even more noteworthy in that she was taught by Elders Barker and Larson; and they depart for home next Wednesday so a great way for them to end their mission. Another special event of the week was Stephon Mitchell receiving the Aaronic Priesthood and being ordained a deacon. Last week we mentioned the Denison Gustave Family that lives in Choiseul-and that Denison is recovering from a broken leg. Stephon is Denison’s step-son. Stephon was sustained in church then a little later in the afternoon Branch President Nicholas, Evans William, elders quorum president, Elders Brenkmann and Bowles, and Elder Faux drove to the Gustave home. There, under the direction of President Nicholas, Denison conferred the Aaronic Priesthood and ordained Stephon a deacon. His first opportunities to do something like this and he did splendidly. And as was mentioned last week, and it is most applicable this week as well, “It seems that when we visit this family, that has so little, we always leave having had a rewarding spiritual experience”.
Sister Faux: Hi, I believe Elder Faux has covered our week fairly well. Tomorrow we are going to celebrate Elder Larson’s 21st birthday and also combine the lunch with a farewell party for Elder Larson and Elder Barker. They will both be going to the mission home in Trinidad on Wednesday and from there they will be heading home. Elder Barker’s parents and a sister are coming to pick him up and so they will be traveling to Trinidad, Guyana and one other place?? But not coming back to St Lucia. They are stopping in New York to visit his grandmother. Elder Larson will travel to Salt Lake City where he will be met with his family and chocolate milk. He is excited to see all of them and the chocolate milk is a bonus! His family is traveling to Europe in a week or so and then he and his sister are staying for the summer and traveling with a backpack and going to tour wherever they want. Sounds fun. These young elders were mission companions in the MTC and did not hit it off to well there but have had a very good companionship here in St Lucia. We wish them well and will miss them very much. Elder Brenkmann and Bowles will not be transferred and will have two new elders come in on Wednesday. They are Elder Nielson and Taylor. Elder Taylor is just arriving from the MTC and we hope he likes it here. Have not heard anything about Elder Nielson, so hope all goes well. Elders Brenkmann and Bowles, Randy and Branch President (and maybe Faux) are going fishing at 2 am this morning. President Nicholas is leaving for England in a week to stay with his wife who is expecting a baby in June. They are going to be sealed in the London Temple while waiting for the baby to be born. He will be staying for three months so we hope the branch will get along without him for that long. He is a good man and will be greatly missed. It is a good thing that this mission is coming to an end as I cannot recall the things that I have told you. So if I have told you the next story before just skip this part and have a happy week. There are four medical schools in St Lucia and most of the students seem to be from third world countries plus a number of Americans. The apartment complex that we live in is filled with medical students, except for us. I believe there are about 12 apartments and there are always people waiting for an apartment. Our landlady has several waiting for our apartment when we leave. She is going to start building a 16 unit complex across the street and I am sure she will have a waiting list for that. When an apartment empties they go in and completely clean every tiny spot from new paint and everything else. It is very nice to move into a well prepared place like that. Well that is about it for now—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true!!! Sister Faux and Elder Faux