June 6, 2010

6 June 2010 Baptismal Records and Month-end Reports


New computers were installed the second week of May. It took three weeks to get the programs we needed for scanning documents and for entering and submitting baptismal records. The baptismal records for each month are supposed to be entered and submitted by the first week of the following month. They are submitted to South Africa and then forwarded to the general church records in Salt Lake City. The records are entered and then double checked by the AP's, elders who are assistants to the mission president, at which point they can be submitted. The missionaries had over 170 baptisms for May. I was only able to fully process 112 because the AP's have also been traveling. Financial reports are also due, so Detlef and I have been very busy.

Essentially Detlef's job in the Mission office is similar to what Mary does in the law office, except the Mission functions financially on a very primitive level. Paying and keeping track of all mission costs, Facility Management costs, and stake costs that include monthly missionary budget, food, travel, rent, repairs, utilities, cash pouches for postage, visa work and anything that is needed for the office supplies and then reconciling these details with the cash box and bank statement and reporting all these details to the South Africa Area Office is what I do. We still use Excel-spread-sheet journaling with many opportunities to make errors. And I take advantage of all such opportunities. Well, this is only my second month. I am getting better and hope that June will be a mystery free month.
New elders were called in to sign documentation for their visas. A member who is to be married in the Johannesburg temple on Tuesday, June 8th, had an interesting problem. He completed his mission last Spring. Three missionaries returning to Madagascar were three days beyond their visitor visa status and received a fine which had to be paid or they would not be allowed in South Africa for any reason. We were able to have the fine paid at the South African Embassy so that they could go to the temple. These and other "interruptions" of one sort or another really slowed the progress of entering baptismal records.

We received word that one of the missionaries scheduled to serve in Reunion did not have a French visa and was being reassigned to Madagascar. President Donnelly was out of town at the time that I received a phone call from the missionaries mother. She said that her son, the incoming missionary, was born a French citizen. I could not understand why the missionary would be reassigned since the island of Reunion belongs to France. Emails with questions and partial information flew between parents, our office, travel department, MTC and the missionary department. President Donnelly returned the next day. A careful review of the missionary's file President Donnelly found that the missionary was from Australia and had an Australian passport. At the time of his call his parents were told that he would not need a French visa, only a US visa to attend the MTC. After prayerful consideration, President Donnelly asked me to contact all parties involved with his conclusion that this will be a blessing to the missionary who is currently extending at the MTC to now learn Malagasy. Having an Australian passport may have been a determination of citizenship. He will apply for a French visa here and will be in the unique position of being able to serve his mission in Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius. Nearly all missionaries serve only in Madagascar or only in Reunion and Mauritius (French Speaking). There is only one missionary who currently has that privilege. The Lord knows what is best. We usually understand in retrpspect. I have decided that I need to gather additional information before drawing conclusions...even when I receive a call from the mother of a missionary.

Today we had the sweet experience of again attending the meetings in Ankazube. Under authorization of President Donnelly, Detlef interviewed Eric, Christian and Dinah to receive the priesthood. Eric and Christian became Priests and Dinah became a Teacher. They were sustained by the members, set apart in the meeting and then were given the opportunity to bless and pass the sacrament. They were very reverent. Elder Tenney who conducted the meeting, bore his testimony and then opened the testimony meeting to the members. Beautiful, humble, fervent testimonies were born by several of the members. Detlef also bore his testimony. That meeting then was closed with song and prayer. A combined meeting was then held. Brother Christian gave a short talk based on D&C 6:17. Then sister Fanza, wife of Eric, gave a lesson from one of last year's October General Conference addresses on faith. Following these two talks, Detlef introduced the general meeting organization and gave the families booklets about families and about priesthood and auxiliaries. I then introduced the Relief Society, Young Women's and Primary programs. We gave them two copies of The Latter-day Saint Woman, Book A, the Young Women's theme and illustrated Bible and New Testament stories for children. The two young women read their theme which I then discussed. The illustrated books can be used by families and also by the Primary to teach gospel principles to the children. I then bore my testimony. That meeting closed. Before leaving they talked about wanting to bring friends to church but that there was no room in their tiny house. There were 19 in attendance in one very small room. One of the sisters knew of a house that was available to be rented which was on the main road. She also knew the owner and asked that they negotiate the rent before we "whites" saw the building. When Malagasy see "whites" they raise the rent. That is true from food on the street stands to buildings. This is an FM (Facilities Management) responsibility and those serving there are Malagasy. I still think the locals could negotiate a better price. It is so humbling and exciting to see their testimony and commitment to the gospel. They were truly converted by the spirit as they studied the Book of Mormon on their own. As I have said before, this is their book and their people. We are grateful to be a part of this great eternal work.



Detlef- "The Money Changer"


Baptism- And new priesthood for Ankazube


Ankazube- Walk to church


Ankazube Terraced Farming

May 29th 2010- Some pictures and a family letter

The Bennetts


The sun through the fog


Sunrise at the mission office


Local meat stand


Malagasy home by the office


Local women washing


Local fruit stand


A Baptism photo

29 May 2010

This past week has been very busy preparing for the arrival of eight new missionaries, three transfers out to another mission and seven others completing their missions and going home. Monday was an activity day - soccer match between the missionaries and the stake youth. Then we had the Bennett's over night for two nights. Elder Bennett a former stake president from Taihiti, was a national soccer star in his youth. When he joined the church he refused to play on Sunday. The soccer commission changed the games from Sunday to Saturday because of the strength of his conviction and their desire to have him play. His story was written up in the Ensign. Thursday the culmination of all the preparation and activity. We had two missionaries stay overnight Wednesday night, provided breakfast for eight missionaries, drove the three transferees to the airport and made sure they were able to check-in without difficulty. Then we had a different set of missionaries Thursday night. Elder Bennett came down with a cold when they were here. Thursday night one of the elders staying with us was sneezing and coughing a lot. When I could finally slow down, my body succumbed and I am now working through my first cold. I should be fine in a day or two.

Detlef participated in the first branch presidency meeting for our branch. Everyone is so new that they need a lot of training, outlining meeting formats as well as clear direction to leaders using suggestions and then discussion. It is coming along. They sat in a circle of chairs speaking a mixture of English, French and Malagasy. I sat about ten feet away writing on my computer. Detlef taught them how to plan ahead for meetings for the next three months based on topics and giving speakers specific scriptures and conference talks as the background for giving talks in Sacrament Meetings. Most members are so new to the gospel that they often act as though they have to be a preacher rather than giving a talk and testimony. They have only had the Book of Mormon since a few years ago. They now also have the Triple. What a blessing. It is so difficult to teach leadership and how the auxiliaries help families learn the gospel when they have no materials in their own language. So they are learning as we set a different example and encourage them.

Being a devoted wife and mother is a great work with eternal significance....even if the days become routine. The miracle of created life, partnering with Heavenly Father in bringing about His eternal plan for His children is a wonder to behold. I feel very humbled as I have grown in my realization of Heavenly Father's incredible trust in us, his daughters, to be faithful to this great work in all kinds of circumstances, to rear and teach these precious children about who they are. So much of what they learn is what we model in our lives. Most of the women here in Madagascar have very little of material means, but they tie their babies close to them as they travel, daily wash their clothes, feed them and love them. Many Malagasy people live in what we would call shacks. They live most of their lives outside and go in at night or when it rains, like the old pioneers. They carry all their cooking and personal water in buckets from public water sources. On Sundays the members come to church in their best clothes. They are clean or learning to be so. Some children come in bare feet because they have no shoes. We in the US have so many worldly comforts even if we have little.

I am conducting Relief Society. Even just using an organized agenda helps them see a pattern and how a leader leads a meeting. I am teaching them to lead music so that they can increase skills and opportunities for service. I find that the young women are quite good in recognizing the rhythm and are able to copying the proper arm movement. In future we will be attending the Ankazube group about once a month if we can. We will need to establish good habits here in the branch so that we can be gone. If we must lead the music and teach classes, we are failing. It is like parenting. The goal is to help them become strong and independent. It is a very small branch in Sabotsy Namehana, about 47 members. Last Sunday there were 71 in attendance, including many investigators from the area immediately around the building. Today there were probably more than 60. Detlef had encouraged the missionaries to tract around the building. They are teaching three families now,

Sister Dalton was here Tuesday to train the Young Women leaders and the priesthood leaders about the YW organization and how to encourage the YW to grow and become strong in the church. She asked them to make budget funds available to that organization for activities and to support the YW's personal progress program. She was surprised that we do not have these materials in Malagasy.

Saturday was cleaning and laundry day. There was quite a pile of sheets and towels. President and Sister Donnelly are away in Mauritius for meetings this weekend so I was able to use the large commercial washer and dryer in their apartment. It is a great help but still took an entire day. Then Saturday afternoon we attended a baptism. There was a family of four and another boy who were baptized from our branch.

We send our love and hope you have a great week.
Mom and Dad