Hao, an atoll. Seriously crazy!

Sunday, July 23rd we flew to the atoll island of Hao (pronounced "How"), in the Tuamatous archipelago in French Polynesia (look it up)...So interesting! An atoll is a coral island that formed around a volcano millions of years ago. The volcano has since disintegrated and all that is left in the middle of this island is a huge lagoon. The lagoon in the middle of Hao is large enough to fit the island of Tahiti. It is so large you can't see the land on the other side of the lagoon. The actual island looks like a large misshapen donut from the air and is anywhere from 20 to 200 yards wide. One side is the ocean, the other the lagoon. The inhabited area is about 10 miles long. The lagoon is so still...it feels as if time doesn't move there.

The dock on the lagoon side of Hao island.

  

Hao island lagoon.

There are about 1200 people, depending on the time of year and whether the head count was done recently, who live on the island. We were there for a Juenes, Soyez Forts conference (EFY French style). There were 60 youth and about 30 adults there for this conference and it was the biggest thing to happen on Hao in years.

You can only fly in to Hao two to three times a week so once there you are committed for a few days. The airport is only open for a few hours those days. The only work on the island is fishing or coconut farming. There are schools up through Jr. High and after that the kids have to go to Tahiti for school. There is no tourism at all. There is just not a lot to do on this little island. We enjoyed meeting the two missionaries who are there and spending time with them.

We arrived back in Papeete Tuesday evening. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday we had all day Zone Conferences. It was wonderful being with the missionaries those three days. The training is all done in French so I am being stretched language wise as well. I did half my training in French and had one of our assistants translate the rest for me.

Saturday we finally had a day to be home...first one in a while. Unpacked our things that had finally arrived from the states, and prepared our talks for the next day's Stake Conference. I gave a very short talk in French for the Mahina Stake (about 800 people). I was even complimented on my French! (I think they were just being nice😉)

We have our first departing missionaries today, so we are experiencing the sadness and joy of seeing a missionary complete their mission. I can only imagine how excited their mom's and dad's are as they await the arrival of their son or daughter!

We love these missionaries and are experiencing the good and the bad with them. We love them and truly rejoice and mourn with them. It is a ton of work, but the missionaries are the best part.

Hope all is well for all of you at home. Love you!

(A few more pictures from Hao)

At the pass (break) between the ocean and lagoon.

The island of Raiatea.

On Tahaa

The chapel on Tahaa

The island of Mahina

Bora Bora...the most beautiful water!

The view from our hotel room in Bora Bora...an OK hotel with a gorgeous view!

The Isles of the Sea

Last week we spent five days interviewing almost all the missionaries. By this I mean that Steven met with each one for about 15 minutes while I chatted with those waiting for their interviews. It was a grueling few days schedule wise, plus I was sick for part of it, but it was great to get to know the Missionaries on a more personal level. It is amazing how quickly you can learn to love them!

Sunday we spoke in two wards...we'll, actually just bore our testimonies...and went to a missionary choir concert. Left home at 9am and got home at 9pm. Luckily we found a cooler at the mission home to take food along.😀

This week we are visiting some of the isles in our mission. We've learned that when you say "Tahiti" here it is just the island of Tahiti. When you say "isles" it means the leeward islands in the Society Islands such as Raiatea, Huahine, Bora Bora, along with the Tuamotus and Marquises islands. So, yes, I am typing this as we sit in the hotel lobby in Bora Bora. But our experience is not like a tourists'. We see the actual life of these islands...some of the homes and churches and all. Which is both good and bad. Real life is never a vacation. This country has a lot of poverty and struggles...unemployment, etc. Very humble homes with equally humble people.

The missionaries out on these islands are amazing. There are only four to six of them per island. They really get to know the people...and love them! They are far from the mission home and office and are on their own a lot. They really need to rely on the Lord and each other. I am very impressed  with them and their courage.

I didn't serve a mission when I was younger so this is my first time. I don't know how these young ones do it with such grace and such a positive attitude over all. There are times they all get down, depressed and stressed, but for the most part they are working hard and learning to love it. I will never look at missionaries in the same way again.

We went with one set of sister missionaries on the isles of Huahine to teach a lesson to a couple of new converts. We drove up a mountain side to get there. There were goats and pigs, along with the ever present chickens and roosters, all in a tropical jungle. We asked these sisters how they found these brothers and they said it is the members who referred them. In fact, they said that they never go door to door tracting because the members are always referring people and usually these referrals have been taught several times by the members and know a lot about the church before the missioaries meet them.These members are doing the work of the missionaries! It's awesome!

Even though we are serving in "paradise" it can be tough out on a mission. At times I get homesick and just want to go back to the life I know. I know the Missionaries here feel the same way at times, but they are working hard and doing well. I am sure they are exhausted, as am I still. But it is wonderful to be involved in the work of the Lord and helping these missionaries teach others about His plan of happiness for us.

We love you all!

...pictures to come...

Still haven't been to the beach

This week included many meetings. We met each of the amazing office staff: The Hoffmans...she is the administrator and he takes care of the cars and anything else needed. The Lucas...in charge of the housing and general fix it stuff for the missionaries. Sister Hunter...the financial person, also taking care of the medical calls for now while I figure out the ropes. The office Elders...Heckman and McGrevy. And the Assistants to the President (APs)...Elders Piazza and Crandall. I cannot say enough about how amazing all of these people are! We have been so well taken care of and instructed.

We had a Meet the New President and Companion meeting on Tuesday so we could meet our new missionaries. All except those serving on the outer islands were able to be there. It was wonderful to walk in and see so many excited faces. We shook each hand (over 100), and tried to remember their names, but felt each of their spirits.

Wednesday was meet all of the other support staff...technical, facilities management, service, etc.

Thursday we had a Conseil des Dirigeants...missionary leadership council. 30 of the missionaries who are Zone leaders, Sister Training leaders, and  the APs. Lunch was made by Julie, our Tahitian home help. It was a great day getting to know what these leaders think and how they envision the mission going forward.

We spent Friday, all day, and Saturday morning with the Lucas' going around the whole island seeing all of the homes and apartments that the missionaries are living in. It was great to see where they all live, the conditions, and the different areas of the island of Tahiti. It takes about two hours to drive around the island...and that's only going 30+ MPH for the most part. The main road is the life blood of this island. There are no freeways. Most of the population lives within a half mile of the main road. But there are some beautiful areas for sure. We are definitely not in the USA anymore, though.

Finally went grocery shopping and found more than just survival food! Starting to be able to see beyond the foreign-ness of everything!

It is definitely work everyday to communicate. And there is so much to accomplish each day, especially for Steven. But we are getting better. Well, at least we figured out how to put gas in the car and actually pay for it; we found our own way to the chapel where the baptism was on Saturday; and we used an ATM :) But truly, I think between all of the office staff they are wondering when we will be able to survive on our own and they will get to stop babysitting President and Soeur Fox and get on with their own work! The missionaries and staff are the best! We truly have grown to love them so quickly.

We are still exhausted. I think that will be the case for a long time...maybe even three years...

Love you all!

Lunch with Elder and Soeur Lucas

View from lunch on Friday.

The traditional MTC map picture.

On our way to Tahiti

The first week

As I write this I am exhausted but what an amazing week we have had! We entered the Missionary Training Center on Saturday, June 24th and left Wednesday evening, June 28th. "Those were days never to be forgotten," to quote Oliver Cowdrey. We received counsel and instruction from most of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We felt their love and support for each and everyone of us (and I don't mean just those of us at the MTC). We have a lot of information and thoughts to digest. It was a spiritual feast for sure!

The next day we had to say goodbye to our children and grandchildren 😭 and left Utah for Tahiti. We arrived in Tahiti at 11pm (3am Utah time) and were greeted by 30-40 people...many with leis for us. What a welcome from such warm and loving people!

After sleeping a bit, we were shown our home for the next three years and the mission office, and were given a lot of information...much in French! (Our French is coming back, especially Steven's.)

We have already had two meetings with the APs (assistants to the president) and been out teaching with them. It is wonderful to see how humble and teachable the people are here.

Tonight we attended a missionary concert, "Le Christ Vivant" (the Living Christ). The choir was beautiful! The solos amazing! and the Spirit was so strong. I am so grateful we were here to hear these missionaries share their testimonies of Christ through song. We were again warmly welcomed by all who attended.

It took a couple of days just to unpack our suitcases and put our clothes in the closet. But we are now moved in, for the most part, and have begun to get to know the area...at least the grocery stores 😊 It is amazing how many people in the stores, or on the plane even, stop and talk to us because we are wearing our missionary tags. Have I mentioned enough times how warm and friendly they are here? 😊

It is difficult to imagine that we will actually be here for three years, it seems long from this vantage point, but we know this is where we are supposed to be right now. We feel blessed to be in a place where we are so warmly welcomed.

Know that we love and miss you all.

Debbie

P.S. Pictures to come soon.