The Blessing of Ordinary Days

Hello Family & Friends,

When we first received our mission call, we imagined there would be extraordinary experiences around every corner. While those moments certainly do come, we have learned that much of missionary service is made up of ordinary days that, over time, become extraordinary through consistency.

Looking back at our calendar this week, it looked remarkably similar to many others. We held Succeed in School classes each afternoon, teaching, bringing snacks, or sometimes both. We connected with seminary teachers, attended church and leadership meetings, participated in our monthly ministering discussion with Seminary & Institute Supervisors from Santo, Tanna, and Port Vila, supported students preparing for the Fiji re-exam, attended Institute class, and spent a fair amount of time driving from one location to another.

At first glance, it might not seem very exciting.  Yet we are discovering that the Lord often accomplishes His work through small and consistent efforts.

One day this week, Darleen and I found ourselves discussing whether we are truly making a difference in the programs here. There are days when things seem to be moving forward and other days when progress feels slow or going backwards. We talked about setting goals for our final five months to make sure we use our time as effectively as possible. As we reflected, we realized that we are seeing more steps forward than backward, even if baby steps. The progress may not always be dramatic, but it is there.  Often, it comes in the form of small victories that might easily be overlooked. We are learning that growth rarely happens according to our timetable. It happens according to the Lord's timetable. Time and again, we are reminded that discipleship is a lifelong journey.

In our educational assignments, we continue work on getting our teachers to be present to teach the students, and for students to attend. We meet young people who are working hard to improve their futures through education. Some of the most meaningful moments happen not in formal meetings, but in simple conversations before or after class, where students share their hopes, concerns, and dreams for the future.

One of those moments came this week during a math review session for students preparing for Fiji re-testing. As I tried to hand the class over to Sister Lovelace so she could teach the comprehension portion, the students kept saying, "One more! One more!" It was fun to see their enthusiasm and their desire to keep learning. Moments like that remind us that learning can be exciting when students begin to gain confidence in their abilities.

Our monthly ministering meeting with the Seminary & Institute Supervisors across the islands always gives us valuable perspective. Each island faces its own unique challenges, whether it is finding and retaining teachers, strengthening support from local leaders, or helping students overcome the difficulties of distance and transportation.  Although circumstances differ on Santo, Tanna, and Efate, the commitment of these supervisors to bless the lives of students remains steadfast. We always leave those meetings inspired by their faith, dedication, and perseverance.

Institute continues to be another highlight of our week as we watch it start getting built back up in the separate units, after being held for most of the year all together in the Stake Center.   There is something special about gathering together to study the gospel. Each week we are visiting a different Ward or Branch unit across Efate, to get to know the YSA's better and to see how we can better strengthen to teachers as they teach about the Savior and ways to get to know Him better.   This week we attended Institute at the Simbolo Chapel with members from the Port Vila 1st and 3rd Wards. Attendance was smaller than usual because of the rain, which often discourages travel. Still, those who came received an excellent lesson from our Coordinator, Katimal, on how to study the scriptures more effectively and learn from them personally.

One of the students, Moses, received some exciting news this week.  After waiting for his visa approval, he got notified this week that he will be leaving this Thursday for the Missionary Training Center in Auckland, New Zealand, before beginning his service in the Australia Perth Mission. We are thrilled for him. Moses has a genuine enthusiasm for the gospel and a strong desire to serve others. We know he will be a wonderful missionary, and we look forward to hearing about the experiences he will have.

Moses enjoying eating 3 pieces of 
pizza all at once after the Friday Institute class.

One thing that was a little different this week was that the Area S&I leader asked us to create a video answering six questions about how Succeed in School supports Seminary.   Some of the topics included attendance improvements, Seminary growth, more consistent participation, increased confidence, and academic success.

Putting the video together turned out to be a lot of fun.  At one point, Darleen started asking a question, and I interrupted with, "Do you want me to start the actual video?".  We both immediately burst out laughing.   Needless to say, it took us a moment to regain our composure and continue recording.

While I'm not sure Hollywood will be calling anytime soon, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.   It was a fun opportunity to reflect on the positive impact Succeed in School is having on students and to share some of the successes we have seen firsthand.

I have mentioned pickleball a few times before, but perhaps not enough. When we first arrived, we had a group of eight to ten senior missionaries who played pickleball at 6:00 each morning at the Stake Center, except on Sundays. Over time, that number has gradually dwindled as senior missionaries go home.  We have some great senior missionaries, but they are not pickleball enthusiasts. Now, most weekdays it is just Elder Meyer and me, with perhaps a third player (his wife) joining us on Saturdays. These daily games continue to teach me an important lesson: there is a significant difference between knowing how to play pickleball and playing pickleball well.  Elder Meyer has become an effective instrument in teaching humility. Most mornings the score seems to end somewhere around 11 to 5, usually in his favor. Every once in a while, when he is a little tired and I happen to play well, I manage to get a win. Those rare victories give me something to aim for and keep me coming back. Fortunately, my ego has survived the experience.

Saturday gave us an opportunity to experience something a little different. We attended the Port Vila Rodeo, which turned out to be a fun way to spend the afternoon watching local cowboys and cowgirls compete.  The rodeo featured more than 100 participants, so many of the events lasted quite a while as each competitor took a turn. One of the main events was the flag grab race. Two riders would race their horses across the arena to retrieve small flags mounted on poles, then sprint back to deposit them in a barrel. They repeated this process through five different stations around the course. If a rider dropped a flag, they had to jump off their horse, pick it up, place it in the barrel, and then continue the race.

Locals watching from a tree vantage point.

Flag race

Bronco riding.

Bull riding.

Part of the entertainment came from watching some of the horses, which clearly had plans of their own. While the races were fun to watch, after about fifty heats we felt we had probably seen every possible variation of the event.   We also were entertained before these races by the local military band that had some fun playing and riding their instruments.   The local youth cracked up when they did that.

Future cowboy

Small military band having some fun during the

rodeo kick-off

The bull riding was definitely the highlight of the afternoon. Darleen said she enjoyed watching the bulls as much as the riders. Most rides seemed to last only a few seconds before the rider was introduced to the ground, but the real show often began afterward.  Some of the bulls were in no hurry to leave the arena after bucking the rider off. A few charged around the pen, occasionally turning their attention toward the horseback riders who were trying to guide them out. Others seemed determined to stay put until another bull joined them. Only then would they finally settle down and head toward the exit gate.

It was a simple, small-town rodeo, but it was also a unique glimpse into another aspect of life and culture here in Vanuatu. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were glad we had the opportunity to attend.

As we reflected on the week, a simple thought came to mind.  The Savior spent much of His mortal ministry doing what some might consider ordinary things. He walked from village to village. He taught individuals one at a time. He listened, served, encouraged, and lifted people wherever He went.

Many of our days as missionaries feel much the same. We attend meetings. We travel. We teach. We support. We encourage. We listen.   Yet it is these seemingly small acts, repeated day after day, that become the means through which the Lord blesses His children. We may not always see immediate results. A seed planted today may not grow for months or even years. But we trust that the Lord magnifies sincere efforts offered in His service. We are learning that missionary work is often less about dramatic moments and more about faithfully showing up each day, willing to do whatever the Lord asks.

For that lesson, and for the wonderful people of Vanuatu who continue to teach us through their faith and example, we are deeply grateful.

With love from Vanuatu,

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

Cowboys posing for picture

Local youth enjoying the rodeo

Cruise ship in port.   We are seeing one about every
week as spring and summer arrive.

Etas SIS class on Tuesday with our teacher Anna.