12 Oct 2015

12 October 2015

We enjoyed General Conference this week.  Our African members and investigators were very touched by it.  I spent the bulk of my time babysitting Joren’s two boys so she could watch the conference.  They are cute, smart little guys. 

We also enjoyed the District Meeting this week.  The missionary program is much better organized and focused than when we were on our mission.  Afterwards we fed the missionaries lunch and visited.  We enjoy the associations with the young missionaries very much. 

We had a wonderful baptism this week of an African man and woman.  He was a minister in several African pentacostal churches but was searching for something different where obedience to commandments was taught.  He was imprisoned for seven years because he opposed the government.

 

Sandy is a key cog in the missionary effort here.  She speaks such good French that the Africans go to her for answers and she says things in discussions which parents relate to (which the Elders have difficulty with because they are not parents).  I do OK.  I’ve briefly participated in several discussions and said several French prayers.  Though I don’t do well, this is just like Albania—people appreciate the effort. 

We’ve asked the Bishop and RS President how we can help.  He wants us to compile a list of services available in the Community as well as visit some less active and clean up the rolls.  He would also like us to assist in Employment and Addiction Recovery.  The RS President gave us a number of names to visit. 

We’ve made a lot of visits and so far have had a couple of hits.  Last night we stopped in to see an African man and his two children.  He was very kind and gracious.  We left with a short scripture discussion (Sandy helped correct me as I spoke---sounds normal doesn’t it?).  We’ve noticed that the folks seem to want me to pray even though I have much less ability in French than Sandy.  We hypothesize that it might be because our African folks, like the Albanians, look to the man to be in charge (I wonder what that would be like…..having never experienced this).

We’ve been working with Catholic Charities and the local shelter to compile a list of services.  We’ve just about got it together but it’s like jumping into a swamp and trying to find your ring.  I’m putting together a spreadsheet with tabs for housing, employment, food, etc. 

Speaking of Catholic Charities, we’ve volunteered to be mentors for a refugee family.  This should be quite interesting and will help us get better acquainted with the services available. 

We also volunteer once a week teaching English at a local community center.  This is an excellent opportunity to meet and help.  In fact, Joren was met at the Community Center. 

We also met with a young man looking for a job whose wife is going to school here in Maine as a Physical Therapist.  We gave him the “Me in 30 Seconds” and helped him establish his network.  He was very receptive and we’re hopeful.  By the way, he and his wife went to SUU where Chris was one of her professors!