2020 Semaine 18 (27 avril-3 mai)

Even if things have quieted down in travel time, we were able to accomplish much thanks to technology.

I have made a few trips to the immigration and labor offices to renew work permits and visas.
After 2 weeks, I have received both our work permits, just to find out there was a mistake in the way they wrote one of grand-papa's names (Marchel instead of Marcel) and I was able to give it right back.  I was told to come back next week to get it.  When I got to the mission office, my work permit had been stamped but not signed by the commissioner.  Another Vanuatu surprise!  Maybe I will be able to get the documents for the renewal of the visas this week and walk up and down this small street below to the offices.  I need to take more pictures of my walk over there.  Actually I should take a video.  It would give you a nice feel of life in Vanuatu.

 Their view of social distancing is kind of scary if coronavirus was here.  There are some good things though.  In front of every store, bank grocery store etc, there is a place to wash your hands.  It started with water containers, soap and paper towels.  Now we see more of water and soap but no more paper towels.  I should be able to take some pictures in front of the bank tomorrow.  They only let a few people at a time inside the bank.  Outside all the people are congregated in one big lump, to wait their turn to go in.  No lines on the ground outside here.  When the state of emergency was declared, I had never seen so many people in groups filling up paperwork to receive some kind of monetary support.  The road to the mission office was closed every day for a month with cones so the people could assemble to wait for...I am not quite sure what.  I pray COVID-19 will not come here.

Grand-papa went and took some pictures of the hospital in Port Vila.  I have never been there.  We send the missionaries to a private hospital which is more like a clinic with one hospital bed.

This week grand-papa went to teach with two sets of missionaries.  He remembered to take a picture with the second companionship.  It was a very nice experience to be with the missionaries and see them teach and feel the Spirit.

 

We had a special meeting with the Area Presidency and their wives and part of the missions in the Pacific ( Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Lae, Tahiti, Marshall Islands/Kiribati and Vanuatu)  It was an opportunity to share how we were lifting up the missionaries remaining in all our missions.  I received some good insights on what more we could do to help them. 

We also had a video conference with the missionaries serving in Solomon Islands.  Two missionaries returned home this week and we now have 8 missionaries with the senior couple there.  We discussed what we had shared with the missionaries in Vanuatu two weeks ago.  We shared D&C 118:3 In the heading we read that this revelation was received in response to the supplication, "Show us thy will, O Lord,..."

" Let the residue continue to preach from that hour, and if they will do this in all lowliness of heart, in meekness and humility, and long-suffering, I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that I will provide for their families; and an effectual door shall be opened for them, from henceforth.

We had a good discussion with the missionary about what it means in lowliness of heart, meekness, humility and long-suffering.  We talked about the importance of being humble and willing to submit to the will of the Lord because He knows best.

The Lord is anxious to help us.  The study of Mosiah 7-10 this week was so comforting and confirmed to us this principle is true.

Mosiah 7:19, 33 " lift up your heads and rejoice, and put your trust in God..."

" if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage."

Mosiah 9:17-18  "...in the strength of the Lord did we go forth...for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us... And God did hear our cries and did answer our prayers; and we did go forth in his might;"

We love you so much.  Stay close to the Lord.  Whatever questions you might have I share with you Nephi's counsel in 1 Nephi 15:8

"Have ye inquired of the Lord?"

We know He always answers, teaches and guides.  If we desire to Hear Him, we will.

Lukum yufala