Week 80 - Dwight

Snow?

 Saturday morning we woke up to a dusting of snow on the ground and some ice and snow in the trees.  This is the 1st snow we've had since we got here 18 months ago - we had none last winter.  When I was young, we'd have winters without any snow, but some winters we would have a lot.  If there is a threat of snow here, school is canceled since they don't have snow plows and all the kids are bussed to school.  Many times here, if the conditions are right, we'll get freezing rain, which will stick to and bring down power lines, tree limbs, and make the roads very slick.  Had a little of that this time, but thankfully not a lot.  

We often get reminders that we are not strangers in a strange land, but we're actually serving a mission at home.  We see people we've known for years almost every day.  We drive on roads that I've used since I can remember.  We live beside the little country post office that my dad worked at for about 25 years, and we live in the house where my best friend lived when I was a boy.  This week we got a couple of other reminders.  One of the sisters (a long time friend) at church gave us a picture of me and her husband from about 25 years ago, in the MT Olive building, at a pinewood derby.  I think I was a judge?  We lived in Goldsboro at the time (same stake).  Then, at zone council this week, while the young missionaries were doing role plays (given scenarios and practicing teaching or contacting people), Susan showed me a poster in the seminary room.  She made the poster at least 25 years ago when she was teaching early morning seminary, and it's still there!

Dwight, Pinewood derby judge 25+ years ago, Richard Brown background

 

Zone council, Role Play 

Susan's Poster from 25+ years ago!

We had a lot of good experiences this week.  We helped the friend (Leccius) of one of our members (Alin) get a job and helped him move to Mt Olive.  We visited some friends, Greg, Mackendy, the Lafortune family and Judy and had dinner with the Ward family.  And, we participated in many lessons.  Today, we had approximately 50 Haitians at church!  About half of them are not members of the Church.  Two on those were Christmonor and Charlemise (who we've worked with very closely). Plus, for the first time in many months, I did not translate at all for Sacrament Meeting!  The young elders took it and ran with it and did a great job! 

Our friend Judy

Leccius, Luz (Butterball recruiter and friend), Alin

We've only got five months left and the weeks seem to be flying by.  Over the last couple of months the missionaries are really getting good at Creole, we have excellent, seasoned Haitian members that have moved in and it feels I can begin to play a background role and let the others lead.  When we leave, it will be in good hands and that feels great!  This group will soon be a branch, and that branch will soon be a ward.  I don't see the growth stopping anytime soon, and we feel like we will forever be a part of what has, is, and will happen here!

Now, while we'll continue to work with the Haitian group, we should be able to start spending more time with the long time-members in the Mt Olive and Woodington wards.  We thank Heavenly Father that He's allowed us to be a part of this.  It's a little sad to start to let go, but we can't stay here forever and there's a lot to be done in other places and other ways.  Five more months and we'll finish strong wherever we're needed.  More adventure awaits!  There's still time!

Love you all,

Elder and Sister Potter