Here we are again! Did a week actually pass by already?

Greetings Family and Friends!!

Here we are again!  Did a week actually pass by already?  This week was actually less busy than the week before.  It was nice to have a little reprieve.    That doesn’t mean that we were less engaged.  I love switching off with writing these updates because I love seeing through the lens of Elda Lovelace.  So, it’s my turn again.

A picture of the two of us from a few weeks 
ago.   Relaxing on one of our Saturday's.

Have I said how amazing my Mission Companion is?!! He inspires me every day!!  Elda Lovelace shared with you last week that we taught a class on setting goals.  This is the 2^nd time we have taught this particular topic.  Mark shared with the class the importance of daily tasks and how he has always made a list.  We were here about a week and my list making companion was on the hunt for a large white board to hang in our apartment.  We found one
and it is hanging to the left as you walk through our front door.  On Sundays’ we make out our list of things we want to accomplish for the week.  As each day goes by Elda Lovelace will put checks on the things we’ve accomplished and add things that happen to POP up that needs immediate attention.  I must admit, we get things done!  I love his work ethic!   He wakes up before the birds! Studies, exercises and reviews the board.  He gets more done in the 3 hours before I wake up than anyone I know.  He has always done this, and I admire him and hope that someday he’ll rub off on me.

Volleyball poles after finished.  
Covered to allow cement to cure
in case it rains

For weeks we have been playing volleyball before our Friday institute class.   Almost every time we pass a stack of old tires Mark will say “we should grab those so we can make some volleyball posts”.  Well, he did it!  He picked up 2 tires and cement and some metal poles and made the posts this week, just in his spare time.  He saw a need and without being asked, Boom -- Surprise Volleyball post.  Gosh, you’re all probably thinking he is pretty perfect!  Well, he is for me!

I’m not done yet… I just wanted to share an observation from two weeks ago.  Due to the bed bug issues discussed in last week's letter, I took on the responsibility to teach our Wednesday night missionary Institute class, while Mark tackled the bugs!  I was so happy to teach!  This week I taught the Missionary Prep class on Tuesday while Mark attended our Conference Planning Meeting that was at the same time.  So, he gladly accepted responsibility to lead this week’s Institute class on Wednesday.  The lesson was Finding Purpose and Joy in the Lord’s Creations.  My observation is this. Is there anything better than hearing your companion teach and testified of Gods love through his creations.  I love hearing him share scriptures an get emotional about Gods’ love for his Children.  Mark loves Creation and I love listening to him talk about the planets, the universe, the galaxies.  Don’t get me started on people and animals Ok, OK.. enough about the Boyfriend, aka my missionary companion, my BFF.

I mentioned that I taught Mission Prep.  This was the 2^nd week we held this class.  The 1^st week we had 11 show up.   We hold this class on Tuesday's at 6pm.  This class helps prepare all those who either want to serve a mission or those who just want to learn how to share the gospel with others. This week, maybe the word got out that I would be teaching.  I don’t know.  Only 2 showed up.  I also had the support of the ward mission leader.  While teaching, I really felt like it was going well even though I only had 2 students.  I had time to help one young man find scriptures as he was not familiar with where all the books in the bible where or the other scriptures.  I prepared a word puzzle of the missionary purpose and the 2 spent some time putting that together.  I had prizes for participation.  The young man comes dressed in a white shirt, a tie, and dress slacks. He travels from his village by bus to attend.  After the lesson I took him home.  Our discussion on the way to his village was incredible.   He said all he wanted to do was serve a mission.  He said tonight was amazing.  Sometimes ministering to 1 or 2 at a time is what is needed most.  I was happy for the opportunity and will be teaching again this week.  

We had several housing responsibilities to fulfill with our full-time Elders and Sisters.  We had a washing machine that has been broken for over a month that I took on.  Calling the landlord and trying to get it looked at has not worked out yet.  So, I continue to send text messages and calls.  Mark fixed 2 of the Elders’ beds as the slats on the bed frame were broken.  He actually used a hand saw to cut 3X6 plywood to go under the mattresses so the Elders could sleep more comfortably.  He came away with a few scars, but, happy to make the Elders more comfortable.

Some of Momma Ruth's students 

Earlier in the week we had been invited to go Visit ‘Momma Ruth’.  Momma Ruth runs a school in her village and has done so for many, many years.  She invited us and the Myers over to talk about her plans.  We are the Education specialist Missionaries and the Myers are of course the Humanitarian missionaries.  We went to her small humble home which is made of cement and has 2 rooms.  There she explained to us her vision of wanting to help the village mommas learn some things to help with their children’s education along with their own ability to earn a living.  She was planning a weeklong mommas’ convention.  She would hold sewing classes, weaving, gardening, and educational activities. 

Momma Ruth's classroom with some of 
the student material hanging up.  

Mommas are coming to her daily asking if they can come and attend.  She said she would have it for 50 and she has to turn others away.  She has no funding for the project and would like our help.  She wanted Sister Myer and I to teach the Mommas phonics or an hour and a half class so they could teach their children basic reading skills (pre-5, and kindergarten age children).  This woman is so passionate and has such a vision to help her community to improve their life situation.  She asked for a device that would help her ability to organize things moving forward.  We were not sure what we could do as we don’t have access to funds.  She wasn’t asking for that much.  With tears in her eyes, she asked.  I am a BIG supporter of those willing to ask.  Well, the Myers went back to their Boss and He is going to make it happen!  The funds are going to be made available to assist Momma Ruth in implementing this convention week of learning skills that will hopefully help improve things in her village.   After we finished our discussion with her about her needs, Mark and I had to leave for another appointment.  Momma Ruth took the Myers up the hill to visit a home where there are 2 who are homebound -- a mother and a son.  The Myers said it was the saddest thing they have ever seen as this woman was blind and unable to walk, and her son was disabled and also not able to walk.  Both were on mats, with just the inability to even tend to their basic needs without the help of the villages.  The village Mommas come in and out daily taking care of them.  Momma Ruth was trying to get them wheelchairs and any help possible to improve their lives.   

I love and admire the service she provides in her community.  She holds preschool and really tries to make a huge difference focusing on the importance of education.  Momma Ruth fell sometime back and broke her hip.  Because healthcare is so limited for those without funds, she didn’t go and have it fixed.  She just took it easy until it healed.  So, If I can ask you all to say a pray for our Momma Ruth.  She is one of the amazing women living here in Vanuatu.  Pray that her vision of this project she is taking on will work out the way she hopes it will.  She definitely has faith it will all work.    

Part of the amazing fire 
show near Mele Beach

Fire show on Mele
Beach

Friday night we usually have our Volleyball and dinner and Institute class.  Due to some reconstruction to our meeting house building it was cancelled.  We hung out with Elder and Sister Myer who are our Humanitarian Senior Missionaries.  We went to a fire show!  What is a fire Show?  Well, A performance involving the manipulation of fire.  Thank you, Google.  They danced and juggled with fire, they breathed fire, they ate fire.  It was fun to watch and all I kept thinking was, “Man, my grandkids would love this!!”  So, crossing my fingers and hoping that if they make it here for a visit, we are going to the fire show with them.

Thankfully, he was just sleeping
off his Saturday activities and
not in need of CPR

Another thing you don't see all the time in the US.   As we were leaving our apartment complex to head to our church sacrament services on Sunday, we noticed that there was a man laying under a truck with the passenger door wide opened.   We thought, "oh no, we may need to administer CPR to him" as we truly thought there may be a medical problem going on. Mark got out of our vehicle and went over and knelt down besides him to see if he was breathing.  He shook him and asked if he was alright.   He started to hear the man was snoring.  After a few minutes of trying to get him to show he was alert, the man gave a thumbs up sign and then grunted.   He finally opened his eyes, flashed a smile, and did another thumbs up.   While he didn't get up from his resting place mostly under the truck, we left him there knowing he appeared fine, maybe just a little too much drinking the night before.

No our family didn't visit us, but we thought it was appropriate
to show a picture of our 2024 Thanksgiving in Florida.   
We love spending time with family and look forward
to doing it when we get home.  Happy Thanksgiving to our
family & friends in the USA.

It’s Thanksgiving week, and that is not a holiday celebrated here on our island.  I am remembering this time last year; we spent a week in Florida with our Kids and Grandkids.  My Nana heart will miss our huge gathering, the laughter, the food, BINGO, The Nana Closet, full of prizes, teenagers sneaking out to swim after everyone goes to bed, Hugs, painting, card games, adventures, kickball, piles of shoes!!! But my grateful heart will remember and be thankful for the opportunity to serve the God who made all this happen.  I am for-ever grateful for the blessing of knowing that Families are an essential part of Gods eternal plan of happiness for us all.  So, while we are apart, know that you all are ALWAYS, ALWAYS in my heart.  Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving week!  That’s a wrap for this week.  We love you all! Especially our grandkids!!  Shout out to our Oldest Son, who turns FORTY this week!!!!! 

Love, Elda & Sista Lovelace, aka Mark and Darleen, Mom & Dad, Nana and Papa

Temple got the stain glass on the steeple area. 
Looking good.