Church and Visits

December 28 Sunday
We were prepared to wake up to rain - the weather forecast said there would be a 90% chance of rain.  Instead, when I opened the blinds on the window, the sun was shining.  We watched a brilliant green hummingbird flitting around the flowers below our bedroom window.  It was a good way to greet the day.
We dressed and had a dry walk to church for a change.  I played for the opening of Relief Society and then go to Primary to help with their music.  We have Relief Society, Primary, and Priesthood meetings at 9:00 a.m.  I am sure the Branch uses this order of meetings so there is a better chance of people arriving by Sacrament meeting.  There were 20 children in Primary!  The chapel was filled (estimated to be about 100).

When we entered the chapel, we noticed that several of the young men were proudly wearing white shirts and ties.  We brought eight white shirts with us for the Branch to distribute, and the missionaries shared their ties.  They looked sharp, and I think they felt sharp, too.  We have talked about having a family service project (all the Egbert family) to collect as many white shirts and ties as we can to give the Mission President to distribute to the many areas in the mission where the young boys/young men have no access to them.  Think about it. . .

 One of the speakers was Pres. Caio Pierajo from the District Presidency.  He strongly admonished the members to become stronger and more active as they prepare to become a ward and a stake.  They need to learn to stand on their own and not rely on the U.S. for too much  support.  They need to develop their own leaders.  He spoke of the sinking of the Bismark in World War II.  One of the reasons for the disaster was that the young sailors had not finished their training and they were poorly supplied and equipped.  He compared this to families who do not encourage (insist) that their children attend Seminary.  They are not prepared for missions and fail.  David said that his talk was the most dynamic one he has heard him give.  The four Canela Elders sang 'O Come All Ye Faithful,' and I accompanied them.  William played for Sacrament meeting today

The missionaries baptized Kaiylane after Sacrament meeting.  I played for the meeting and accompanied the four Elders as they sang the closing song.  These Elders all have nice voices and sing well together. Transfers are this next Tuesday (Schiavanni is going home).

We walked home in the sunshine and gentle breeze.  We were grateful for the ternas misericordias (tender mercies).  After a nice lunch of turkey and ham sandwiches, fresh pineapple, green salad, and the last of the maracuja, the rain came. 

At church, Camilla (from the Wizard School) informed us that our lesson this week was moved to Monday (tomorrow).  We have not completed our homework, so that was on the agenda for the afternoon.  After a short study time, David requested that we go with them to make some visits and to deliver some framed church art to two families.  We rushed to catch a bus out to the Saikai area where Pres. Marcos lives.  Ann and I just barely made the bus.  Merl and David got off the bus at a stop before us to visit Jose Ramos, past Branch President and currently David's counselor in the Elder's Quorum.
 Ann and I continued on the bus to visit with Marcos' family until the men showed up.  Sianari was so glad to see us, and we had a nice visit with the family - the two older girls have been taking English lessons at Wizard and appreciate any chance to practice their English.


Front room/Dining area

New family room and dining aread
 converted from garage.

 We ended up eating a very late dinner with them: steak,  aipim (looked similar to a potato, also known as cassava - tapioca is made out of it), rice, pineapple, bread and an interesting side dish.  I thought it was a hot vegetable dish and was surprised to find whole dill pickles mixed in with marinated cauliflower, cooked green peas, boiled eggs - it was a cold salad.

Pres. Marcos graciously drove us home so we wouldn't have to catch the bus. We quickly reviewed the vocabulary from our first Portuguese lesson and listened to the pronunciation on our training disc.  It was time for bed and hopefully sweet dreams.