Mosquitos

Isn't it a beautiful Summer morning?  Oh wait, I mean cold wintery day?  I guess it depends on where you are in the world?  It certainly isn't cold here in Vanuatu.  We're all blotting our faces with cotton clothes and drinking plenty of water.  We can expect to be uncomfortable until about May.  It's starting to rain more, and with the rain comes malaria and denge fever.  I haven't heard of too many cases of malaria, but denge fever is pretty common.  We thought one of the newest elders had it, but his blood work came back negative.  The symptoms are similar to the flu, but worse.  The more severe cases can be life threatening.  We have all been warned to wear mosquito repellant and we do. 

There's a  group of missionaries preparing to go home.  We've been here eight months now, and have become quite attached to some of them.  Elder Gray will be return home to Kaysville, Utah.  I'm jealous! He's anxious go to Bowman's Market and get a maple bar.  I love their maple bars!  It will be nice for this group because they will be home for Christmas.  This generation of young people are so amazing with technology.  The instruction book that we put together for the district presidents was in a program that was challenging at first, but these cute elders helped me out, so I was able to get through it.  They are always willing to help.  As we say, "many hands make light work."  Elder Gray and Elder Bybee helped alot.  I made them each a batch of their favorite cookies as a reward.  I also brought a tray in for any other missionaries that drop it.  They were thrilled!  As many of you know, I love to bake cookies! 

This past Saturday, Greg attended a coordinating council meeting.  Elder Johanson, and the District Presidents, came in from four islands and three countries to attend.  The first meeting he attended was just a few weeks after we got here.  It was a little challenging because he didn't know anything about church auditing.  He's much more comfortable with the auditing business and how it works now.  He really enjoys meeting with the District Presidents.  The meeting/training was at a hotel here in town.  Afterwards they had lunch at the restaurant in the hotel.  These good men very rarely eat in restaurants because they don't have them on their islands.  They may have a few little road side places, but for the most part they don't eat out.   

On Sunday, the Granger's had them all to the mission home for dinner.  They invited Greg and I also.  It was so fun to see them all again.  I get to travel with Greg, so I get to meet all these sweet men.  We were all happy to see each other again.  They are really trying hard to learn the policies of the church and the sacredness of the Lords money.  Luckily, Greg hasn't found problems with improper use of the funds they are given.  He's been told of instances of what they call defalcation.  That is where church funds are used improperly.  We sure hope that doesn't happen on our watch.  It's a sad thing to have to deal with.

We've started having transmission problems with our monster truck.  The other day we were driving along and Greg heard a clunck, and third and forth gears were gone.   We could still drive it (well, not me), but he could still drive it.  The mission may just trade it in depending on what it will cost to fix it.  Everything is expensive here, I can't imagine what it would cost to fix a transmission!  yikes!  Anyway, we've been without transportation since Monday.  We've been riding to the office with the Davidson's (office couple)and spending the days there.  We have a few office duties, so it hasn't been so bad. Besides, we get to interact with the young missionaries that come in and out.  Sister Davidson asked me if I would help her make cookies to take to government people that she deals with daily.  So, I left with her that afternoon to make cookies.  Greg stayed and  worked on a project for President Granger.  We had a great time making cookies, her kitchen looked like a bakery.  We made five kinds of cookies.  They were all yummy.

Yesterday, Sister Davidson and I walked uptown to Mama's handicraft market looking for Christmas gifts.  It was a hot and humid 15 minute walk!  As couples, we are having a progressive Christmas dinner on Monday night.  We all end up at our apartment for dessert. After dessert, we are exchanging gifts.  We are each to bring a gift of no more than 1,000 vatu ($10.00).  They are suppose to be gender neutral.  We both found our gifts at mama's.  I bought a carving  of a popular statue here in vanuatu.  They say if you keep it in our home it will bring you happiness and prosperity.  I also bought a cute basket.  Both made by the people here.  If your not careful, you get the stuff made in China.  They sell all that stuff at Mama's too.  I'll attach a picture of the mama's weaving.  They are so sweet.  The Davidson's leave work at 4:30.  They take turns walking home from work for exercise.  It was her turn to walk home so I walked home with her.  It only took us about 40 minutes, but we were drenched with sweat.  Exercise is good.

Next Wednesday night we are going caroling to the people in our apartment building.  We will also be taking them a plate of cookies.  Five of the Seniors will be spending Christmas off the island.  The Collette's are going back home to New Mexico for two weddings.  They have a son and a daughter getting married December 27th and 29th.  The Granger's asked Sister Tucker to go to Santo and help Elder and Sister Ipson with the young missionaries and their Christmas.  Elder and Sister Davidson are going to New Caledonia which is a French speaking Country.  They will help Elder and Sister Jean with the Missionary Christmas there.    There are missionaries there that also speak English so they will be able to get along okay.  They are excited to go.  The Granger's have invited those of us that are left here to go to the mission home and spend Christmas with the missionaries here in Port Vila. 

We hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas season.  We think about home and all of you.  We miss you all.  Stay warm and we'll try to cool off!    

With much love, Elda and Sis Robison