Monday night we attended a ward family home evening at our Black Sands Ward. When we left our apartment it was raining super hard. We were betting that hardly anyone, if any, would be there since they have to walk in the rain to get there. We were dead wrong! There was probably about 50 or 60 members as well as inactives there. The young missionaries gave a message and a fun object lesson about being happy. It was all given in bislama, so we didn't understand most of what was said, but the members were participating and having a great time. They also played a church video with a great message about the diversity among all of Gods children and that he loves us all. After the meeting they played games and played a Disney movie for the kids. After the activities they served dinner. They handed us each a HUGE plate of dinner! There was about 2 cups of white rice with a curry juice/sauce with carrots, potatos, 2 chicken wings, 2 legs, salad, 2 big chuncks of yam, 2 chunks of taro (ick) on one plate, and we had dinner before we left home!! We asked them for a smaller amount, but they wouldn't hear of it! Elda Robison gave part of his plate to another man. I couldn't begin to eat mine. Sister Mahit, our bishops wife, told me I could take it home. PHEWWW! They are the most generous, loving, people and you would never want to disappointment them. I think the reason they get a good turn out a these evening activities if because most of the people don't have electricity. At night when it gets dark, they sit outside of their homes and visit until bed time. As I mentioned, the people here are so poor and don't have alot of money to buy things. They do have gardens, chickens, and some have pigs, so they have good healthy food. Their housing is really poor, but they do have a place to sleep. Their homes are basically tin and wood shacks. Some of the people that have a little money have a home made of cinder blocks and even have one line of electricity with a light bulb if they're lucky. You know though, they seem to be just fine with what they have. They are so soft spoken and humble, and I think they get it. They know what's really important in this life, and that's to live a good life so that they will be worthy to return home to our Heavenly Father. We've learned alot from them.
We're expecting a new senior missionary couple next week. They will be taking care of seminary/institute classes. It's hard to get programs going around here. It seems like they start to come and then fizzle out. It's hard to keep them motivated. We all just do the best we can.
Juliette, the Relief Society President asked us if we would be willing to teach English to the women in our ward. Their children learn English in school, and they can speak it a little, but they can't read or write. We told them we would be happy to. Our plan is to hold a short class after church on Sundays since they're already there.
Elda Robison and I will be heading to the island of Malekula this next week end. We're approaching the new audit cycle, so we're going to do some training with the good people there. The mission president and his wife are going to visit the missionaries that are there. We asked if we could tag along and have him introduce us to the District President and audit committee. We'll be spending three days there. We're looking forward to seeing the different islands. I'll close for now, but know that we love and miss you all very much.
Love, Elda and Sista Robison XOXOXOXOXO!
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