November 25, 2013

God's Window - but not a clear day.

A LITTLE FRIEND

They tear up the store just like in the cartoons. 

P-DAY WALK AT CHEERIO GARDENS

Feeding the chiefs at our meeting.

Primary on the porch of Matome's home - only 3 sleeping!

TOO HOT INSIDE SO GOSPEL DOCTRINE ON THE LAWN

Dearest Family and Friends,

We like to walk in the mornings, but summer is approaching and that's the rainy season here.  Since we left our floaties at home we decided to skip this morning.  Last week we planned a meeting with 9 of the chiefs out in Motupa and a few of their council members.   Because the church is growing, the opposition is growing also.  When we arrived in this area the people would wave at the "old white couple" as we drove by.  Now we get stares along with the young Elders who were actually summoned into court 2 weeks ago with an attempted restraining order.  Anyway we asked the District President to speak at our meeting because he is from the area and is a well respected educator.  The meeting went well.  We started with only 2 guests and were afraid that even the chiefs did not want anything to do with us, but as the morning moved on they showed up slowly and we ended up with 24 guests.  The spirit was strong.  We shared our basic beliefs and showed a video titled, "An Introduction to the Church in Africa." They all clapped at the end when one chief said, "You will be welcome in my village."  At the end of the meeting another chief approached Ed and in his broken English said, "You will teach my family, YES."  Gladly Ed thought. He got all the information and sent the Elders over a few days later.  While the Elders were there we  got a phone call asking what time our Thanksgiving dinner would be because they will be going back for a second visit this Thursday, Thanksgiving Day (for us).  We assured the elders that their meeting came first and we could eat anytime. 

Speaking of Thanksgiving, the Smith family has one more bit of news to be thankful for.  Ryan and Ashley are expecting number 5 and after 4 darling girls they are thrilled to be expecting a boy.  As for all of you, HAPPY THANKSGIVING.     

We love you,

Ed and Jolene, mom and dad, grandma and grandpa and happily Elder and Sister Smith