Waterfalls and Waves

The start of our walk up to Mele Cascades Waterfall 
with Elder & Sister Meyers.

Family and Friends!

Here I am again with an update on our Missionary experiences. Some weeks seem to just fly by. This week has been one of those weeks. Here in Vanuatu, we not only had a national holiday for good Friday we also had Easter Monday. Mark and I, along with Elder and Sister Meyer, decided to check out Mele Cascades Waterfalls. We were anxious to visit the falls, but we were told to wait and go during rainy season. It is an interesting adventure, I will explain. When you first arrive in the parking lot you pay a fee; I am assuming to park and walk up the trail where you hike to the falls. At the head of the trail, you pay another fee because there is a separate owner who owns that land. They seem to ask for different amounts; no one is charged the same. We told them we were locals and they charged us less than the folks behind us. Then another group of local teens came in and there was no way they paid what either of us paid. I find it interesting how they can get away with charging everyone different amounts, it is a Racket. Enough about that, the walk to the falls was peaceful and beautiful. What I love about Vanuatu is that you do not have to worry about snakes, anything biting you bigger than an insect, no crazy animal like bears or lizards, or alligators. It was a peaceful hike and then you get to the cascade of waterfalls.

The start of our journey up to the falls.

If I could imagine a garden of Eden this would be the spot. The views were not a disappointment, it was spectacular. We have some pictures we will share, although pictures will not do it justice. I was the only one that climbed down closest to the large waterfall. It was very slippery I thought I would lose my balance, but I did not. I did however lose my missionary name tag. There was a small cascade with a pool; I of course jumped in and backed into the water falling. It felt so good to have the water pounding on my shoulders and back. I was enjoying it so much I did not even think about the possibility of the water knocking my missionary tag off. We all looked for it but decided not to sweat about it; I have others. It was just so nice to be outside and walking and taking in the beauties of the earth.

Our little "Wendy's" in Vanuatu.

After hiking we headed to what we call “Wendy’s”.  No, we do not have Wendy’s on the island. There are no commercial food chains here. We went to Port Vila Burger. It is owned by a Danish man and is operated out of a small mobile trailer. We had a burger & Fries and then headed home. I loved having 4 days off for Easter.

Saturday and Sunday we had the opportunity to listen/watch our church’s semi- annual General Conf. broadcasted from Salt Lake City, Utah. We have two two-hour sessions on Saturday and Sunday. The first Presidency, Apostles, Seventies, and General leaders of the church gave talks. As the week has progressed Mark and I have taken the opportunity to rewatch/listen to most of the talks again. I just cannot seem to get enough, the focus on Jesus Christ and his Atonement, the Resurrection, loving, ministering, and serving as he did is what defines Joy and happiness. I felt well fed spiritually.

Tuesday, we of course got back to work. The first week of every month we have monthly ministering meetings (MMMs’) with our Seminary /Institute supervisors on 4 of the Vanuatu islands. In those meetings we discuss the needs of teachers and students, the needs of the supervisor, priesthood leader support, attendance, enrollment, and we may even have some training. This month we discussed our plans to hold in-service meetings (which are training meetings) on their islands. So, this week we are going to Tanna, our Coordinator, Katimal, is going to Malakula. The following week we will meet Katimal on Santo. April is a busy month for us. In preparation for those meetings, we have been putting together our agendas and coordinating with supervisors and making travel arrangements. We are also meeting with the education specialist to introduce Succeed in School. We are hoping to get the program started In Tanna.

Wednesday we taught our Missionary Institute class, which is always a favorite part of our week. Thursday, we traveled to Eton to pick up Rachel for another Dentist appt. We have mentioned in prior blogs that Rachel is preparing to serve a mission. This is the last thing that she needs to do before submitting her papers for a call. Rachel is Brave and Strong, and I am learning so much from her. The Dentist work being done is paid for from a humanitarian fund organized for helping missionaries be prepared to serve. The generosity given is changing lives! We take for granted how easy it is to get medical and dental care. Most people on the island never get the dental care needed. This week I again am grateful Rachel is getting the Dental care she needs. Mark and I slipped in and had our teeth cleaned also. I am just so thankful for so many good-hearted people who supply aid to those in need.

Ocean surge up towards the Eton area.   It was so
calm and soothing I could have stayed for hours
watching it.

As we drove past the ocean on our way to Eton and back, we had to STOP! The waves of the Ocean were crazy BIG! We had a Cyclone go between the Vanuatu Island and Fiji. We did not even get rain. But the Ocean was not normal. Mark pulled over and we watched the waves. I could have sat there for at least an hour even more. Later that Night, (I am going to share something more personal) as I knelt beside my bed, I told Heavenly Father that I was thankful to see him today in his creations. I told him I saw him in the mighty wave. I saw his beauty, his power, his majesty. I saw how he comes into our lives with power and how he gently holds back allowing us to grow and to become. I am grateful for moments when I see God in his creations.

After not seeing our Students for SIS on Good Friday or on Monday we were happy to see them again as they returned this past Friday for class. We were so sad to hear that one of our students has moved.  We will miss Frank; we will have to travel to Paonangisu to see him.

Friday evening was Institute for the Young Single Adults. I got a call 15 minutes before class started that we had a teacher who could not make it and could I teach. Mark and I had gone home after SIS to prepare dinner and then we were going to head back over for Institute.

I had been sending messages to this teacher during the day to find out what lesson she would be teaching, and I had planned to attend her class to observe. Well, I of course accepted the invitation to teach; The topic: “The Eternal Nature and Purpose of Gender.”

Yes, quite the topic! I skimmed over the lesson as we drove to the Church. When we arrived, we found out another teacher was not there so Mark was asked to teach that class. The Topic: The Restoration of the Priesthood.

We have four different classes held on Fridays and the Students were able to sign up for the course of study they wanted for the year. The four courses of study are:

• Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel
• Foundations of the Restoration
• Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon
• The Eternal Family

Each course has 28 weekly lessons. I taught The Eternal Family Course and Mark Taught Foundations of the Restoration class. Usually, we attend and observe and hang out with our Young Adult friends. I must say even with so little preparation I felt like my class went pretty well. I do not owe that to myself. The students’ participation and discussion were an aid in what was presented. I felt power beyond my own capacity aiding me. Sometimes, the Lord just needs a willing heart.

[Mark in red] As Darleen mentioned, I had the opportunity to teach at the last minute. When we arrived at Institute, one of the young women in the class told me that their teacher would not be attending. I asked which lesson they had prepared for, and she said “Lesson 8.” With less than 10 minutes before class started, I quickly reviewed Lesson 8. However, when I began the class and mentioned that we would be covering Lesson 8, the rest of the students corrected me and said they were actually on Lesson 7.

That left me with no preparation to teach the lesson on the Restoration of the Priesthood. Fortunately, it is a topic I am somewhat familiar with, so I was able to present it reasonably well. I was especially grateful for the students, who contributed meaningful thoughts and helped carry the discussion. Like Darleen, I felt that I received help from above during that lesson.

Mark and I were given the opportunity by Katimal to train our new Seminary/Institute supervisor for Efate island. I shared with her the story found in John 6:9-13, where "there was a lad who had five barley loaves and two small fishes. Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So, the Men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus Took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore, they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with fragments."

This week I saw how the Lord takes whatever we have, and he multiplies it to be not only enough but more. I know he will do the same for all of us. I hope you have the opportunity this week to see God. If you do, I sure would love to hear all about it. We love you all so much and hope this week is successful and joyful and above all that you see God.

Nana & Papa, Mom & Dad, Mark & Darleen, Elda Lovelace & Sista Lovelace

Additional Pictures from the Week

Right up the road from our apartment.   This is our main road that
they were working to fix all the groves that are caused by rain.   This
is a never ending activity that they do to fix this one road.  Typically,
it last a few rains storms.

View of the falls.

Me right at where part of the waterfall
cascades down and hits the stream below.

Where I think I lost my missionary name tag.

Mark and I on the path up to the falls.

Posing for a picture

View of the waterfall.  Doesn't 
do it justice.