Dearest Family,
What a glorious week it has been here in New Caledonia, and do note that it is New Caledonia and not Fiji here. I think many people are still under the impression due to the deceptive name of the mission here that I am serving in Fiji, but lo and behold, that is not the case; just some clarification.
This week Soeur Seiko and I had some good and bad experiences in our area. We had this investigator named Malia Feleu, whom I might have mentioned previously, who was progressing so well! We gave her a Book of Mormon and she showed the picture of Joseph Smith, in the front of the book, to her family and told them that he was a prophet of God. She told us that she feels so good when we come by, and we have really become close to her thanks to the spirit that abides during our lessons. Then, this week she told us that her husband’s work is changing and that had to move that weekend up to Koné, which is way north where the church is inexistent (there were missionaries there before but it was unproductive). We were very sad! She said they would be moving back possibly in two years, and I nearly cried. We wrote on her progression sheet later that the missionaries in the area should try to contact her again in 2011. Totally depressing. Before she left though, we loaded her down with Liahona’s (the church’s magazine outside of the USA) and brochures and Church literature. Sad, but there is definite hope for the future.
We had another lesson with Ismaella this week who just absorbs all we teach her. She said that she feels the same way as Joseph Smith did about James 1:5 (that it touched him profoundly – beyond anything he had read before) about the Book of Mormon. We taught her husband this week and he was a bit skeptical (naturally) and asked a lot of questions. We hope that he continues to meet with us and follow the example of his humble, faithful wife.
Yes, the French is coming along nicely, although there are still many moments where I need the help of Larousse. Oh, Larousse is a dear friend of mine now – coaxing me, like a gentle mother, to “use my words”. The other day I decided to say a prayer outloud in English after a companionship study (requested by my companion), and it was bizarre and will not be habitual. It was the first time in five months that I prayed in English. I felt like I was translating from French to English and I didn’t feel close to the Spirit. Interesting how that has changed. I feel like my greatest spiritual moments in my life so far have been in French, on my mission.
Have I told you what my favorite word in the French language at this point is? Quincaillerie – it means hardware store. I sing it out whenever we passed the local quincaillerie. Soeur Seiko knows I am a bordering on nuts so she laughs kindly at such outbursts. You know, I am thankful for my companion. We have the most edifying studies together, and she is so patient, loving and constant. She keeps going, and she keeps me going.
On Saturday we had a big service day down in Nouméa with the entire district (all the members on the island). We went to Mont Dore and did some major litter picking-up in the community. Soeur Seiko and I labored in the hot sun for nearly 3 hours picking up an absurd number of beer cans on the side of the road. There is a major Word of Wisdom problem here as we realized more fully Saturday bending over for each can of yuck. We were nearly attacked during our service 3 times by the dogs that people leave unchained. Oh, unchained dogs – they must not sell chains here. I had my bag of beer cans ready to whip at them had they taken a bite. At least the cans were good for something, right?
It is getting sweltering here. I am imagining the months ahead and the constant state of sweat and itchy legs (from the mosquito bites) I will be in.
Saturday night there was a fireside at our branch building, and afterwards there was a barbeque. They sure know how to cook and eat here. My favorite dessert item is Tahitian po’e, pumpkin flavored.
There was a Bislama choir at the fireside as well. Since many of the in-actives in our branch are Vanuatuans, they were invited to be a part of the program.
On Sunday the Mautz’s came to our church meetings and Soeur Seiko and I taught about Honesty in Gospel Principles. Elder Mautz’s gave me a kind compliment about my progression as a missionary after church. We are very thankful and lucky to have this couple on the island with us.
Yesterday afternoon Soeur Seiko and I went on splits with some of the sisters in our branch who wanted to teach the less active sisters in our area. I went with Soeur Li-Khau (who is the most amazing mother in Zion – I am impressed by her faith and desire to serve) and Soeur Aru. I thought I was just going along to meet some of the in-actives with them and add my testimony, but during our first lesson Soeur Aru declared, “And now Soeur Cummins will be giving our lesson!” Merci. I was able to quickly choose a subject, faith, and began talking about it I had no idea that I would be the lesson-giver, but I learned my lesson and had something prepared in my mind for the next sister we met with.
I will make an end. Good luck with school and work and all of that daily goodness. Keep having family home evening and praying together each night. Oh, one of the little boys that we taught how to pray last week with his mom is really excited to meet with us tonight and show us how he prays. What simple joys the Gospel emanates.
Love,
Soeur Cummins
