this is ducos
Dear Family,We have had a truly incredible week here - our first full week in Ducos.
First of all, Tuesday was Soeur Leavitt's and my final zone conference since the next one will be in November. It was a bit of a surprise because we thought we would have two more, but they changed the missionary system (worldwide) so that zone conferences are now only held every three months. We were asked to do the translation for the conference, and we had such a good time with that. Soeur Leavitt and I translated for Soeur Mautz and Sister Ostler and since they were the only ones listening in English we were really able to have a spice it up, adding in some running commentary, songs, etc. Soeur Leavitt let me do most of the English to French translation, which I enjoyed. I find a lot of joy in doing translation work.
We bore our testimonies at the end of the conference, and it honestly was bizarre since we still have so much time left and so MUCH work to do. All the missionaries put on a little talent show full of skits about "missionary life" later that night It was hilarious. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy being around the other missionaries and sharing such unique and developing experiences together.
On Wednesday we had a great lesson with a progressing amie named Ruth, though Ruth has a bit of a problem with Pierre. Pierre is her boyfriend that lives with her and doesn't want to get married. Ruth told us about all her troubles with Pierre on our first visit. It wouldn't have been very awkward (since people take pleasure in sharing their problems with us) had Pierre not be in the room with us, sitting in silence in the corner.
Many of our amis and members live in a government subsidized housing system (thank you, socialism) called Tindu. I can't even explain how these buildings look or how they are laid out. It looks like a little piece of Holland, stretched-out into 5 floor buildings, lost out to sea. It will become a photographic memory to be shared with you in the near future.
Last week I might have told you how one night we were leaving Tindu (quickly, since it was night) and we saw a woman in the parking lot and talked to her. We found out that she was taking the missionary lessons about 5 years ago and her husband and her were about to get married and be baptized when they became discouraged and stopped. The elders had continued their attempts to contact her, but she wasn't ready. We met her and she set up an appointment with us. We taught them and they both said that they desired baptism. We went there the next night and watched the Restoration video with Sophie (the woman), though Maurice (her "husband") wasn't there. We have another soirée with them tonight. We pray that all will go well with their progression.
We set a date of baptism for François, who currently lives in a squat inside of a kava bar (another colorful living situation). He is attending church regularly and he has begun to read the Book of Mormon, from the beginning. We are now working on a white shirt and tie for him. He has some obstacles, but he is making progression. When we teach him there is more comprehension and clarity in his eyes. Eyes tell a lot.
We see another amie named Niumani a lot. Her only hindrance is her family and Catholicism. I shouldn't say "only," because those two inter-connected "onlys" are very big and very powerful stumbling stones. She tells us though that as she studies and learns with us that she comes to understand who God really is and feels enlightened by what she reads and by our presence. She is progressing consistently and has the desire to make enduring efforts. She says that she wants her life to change and that she simply wants true happiness.
This week, a quick experience, we were doing some "finding activities," namely, knocking doors. It was getting rainy and chilly (yes: it does get cold here, but I still refuse to wear a jacket) and Soeur Paepaetaata seemed a little tired and discouraged, but it was still light and we still had quite a few houses around so we kept going. We called at one door and a woman came out with a sad expression but the moment she saw our plaques her face lit up. She said that she was a member of the church with her recently deceased husband and that it had been years since she went to church (because of growing opposition against their membership from her husband's family). She talked to us for over an hour and at the end she decided that she was coming back to church. Her cousin, Soeur Ulivaka (the wife of the branch president), came with us the next day to give her a Book of Mormon and offered her a ride to church. She came to church and Soeur Ulivaka was at her side the entire time. We are doing an FHE with her family this week, and we are thrilled to be able to see her reactivation in the church. I know, without any doubt, that Heavenly Father led us to her. She said she had been sitting in her living room looking at a picture of her husband thinking about how happy they had been a few years back when they were active in going to Church. A little while later we came calling at her door. I am glad that we kept going, kept knocking. I feel distinctly that Heavenly Father is leading us around this area to the people that need us the most. The concentration of miracles we have seen this week, both large and small, has been greater than any other week I have had here in New Caledonia. I am sure of God's love for these people, and I am overjoyed that He has blessed us, two simple missionaries, the opportunity to be a conduit of His love for them.
Yesterday was fast Sunday and I was able to bear my testimony at the pulpit during Sacrament meeting. It was wonderful. I feel so blessed to be here. President told me, in our interview on Monday, that this last transfer is going to be a great end to a great mission. I know it will be. I feel greater zeal, greater consecration, greater positivity, and added guidance of the Spirit.
I love you all.
Love,
Soeur Cummins
the vagner family
president and his wife
