Mauban

We frequently work with missionaries not in our immediate area. One area we have enjoyed in Mauban. Though it isn't far away it is a difficult trip because the road is being reconstructed. There are areas where there is no road at all. The town of Mauban is difficult to figure out. We don't have to go far before we are completely lost. It is a town of stark contrasts. For example the Church is located very close to the local red light district. It is right on the ocean and is picturesque in places, but dirty in others.

We have been working with a man who claims he was offended many years ago when his friend was released as Branch Pres. We think we better understand the situation now, but the good part is he has agreed to return to Church. He is elderly and clings to his hurt feelings like we would a long lost friend. He thinks we are some kind of authority and is honored when we visit him in his home. Another family we have been working with is a local barber. There is a history to his becoming inactive, but the good news is he has agreed to return to church work out his problems so he can baptise his daughter (there is a picture of her included).

we agreed to return to witness the baptism on June 1. We feel like getting people back into activity is more important, in some ways, than convert baptisms. The one thing these small wards and branches need is leadership.

As you know, our daughter Kim, has been updating our blog site so you can see our pictures and know what is happening. Not everyone could open the pictures we were sending so this seems to be the best solution.

The two missionaries working in Mauban are really good missionaries. Elder Gywn is from Minn. and Elder Yomol is a native missionary. Elder Gywn is one of the hardest working missionaries we have. He is always grateful for our willingness to meet with less active members and some investigators. During this last trip they took us to a poor part of town (see the attached pictures) where we met with a father who has been inactive for a long time, but his 10 year old son rides his bike to Church every Sunday (about a 15 KM round trip). There is a picture of Diane with him attached. The father also agreed to return to Church. Elder Gywn is funny. He knows Diane has a stiff knee, but he still walks like he has to cover the whole town in one day. He took up and down stairs I didn't think she could do, but never complained and always kept up. During this adventure (like home teaching on steroids) we visited with several less active and invited them to put behind them whatever caused them to become inactive. In some cases they lack the money to get to and from Church and in others there are deep buried secretes. Diane was particularly vocal this time and helped a family realize they have the money to go if they will save 3 pesos each day. 3 pesos is about 6 cents. In others when we sense a deeper problem we allow them to tell us if they are comfortable doing so, and if not we just urge them to work through the problem. It seems to help them if we don't show any dismay at indiscretions - being non judgemental is guess. Again, I may be wrong and should show more outrage, but their humble existence makes that difficult. Only once have I been bold and straight foreward with a man. I try really hard to allow the Spirit to guide us.

In one of the pictures Diane is standing near a girl making thatching for walls and roofs of huts. She earns 40 pesos for making 100 of these long strands. I don't know who the people are in the last picture - they just seemed to want their picture taken.

Enjoy the pictures and see how others live. We love you all.
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