Barbados Week 2: Mission Life

 Bonjour amies!  Half our islands are French speaking, so Doug & I are learning basic French to help with our assignments.  We probably will not serve on those specific islands; however, we do have to serve those who serve on those islands so French will be helpful!

Our week went fast, but Doug says some days feel like the movie Groundhog Day.  The Culture, people, and missionaries are all just delightful and we just  them and it!  The missionaries asked Doug to accompany them on a discussion and a visit this week and you would think he won the lottery!  He loved hanging out with the elders, doing service, and meeting members and new friends!

There’s a storm in the Atlantic, so we got some rain this week.  We learned to take our umbrella with us all the time OR you may get stuck.  Luckily, most rain showers come down hard and fast and move on.  One particular one this week definitely filled the streets up very quickly and we had flash flood warnings for a good 6 hours.  Life on an island.  

We are still learning the island and ventured out shopping to stock up on emergency supplies.  It’s hurricane season, so we must prepare.  We attended the Oistens branch this Sunday and that was the topic of our 5th Sunday lesson.  Island living is simple, so most don’t have a year supply or even a 72 hour kit like we do in the states.  I’ve been working this week on updating our Mission Emergency Plan, so our Mission Leaders can take it around on the upcoming Zone Conference Tour.  

Zone Conferences are once a transfer and are done on the 8 individual islands, so the Mission Leaders and APs travel about 60% of the time.  It’s easier for them to travel than all the missionaries.  Travel is CRAZY.  Currently, Air Antilles is on strike which is wreaking havoc on Caribbean travel.  

We had 9 youth from Barbados fly to the Dominican Republic with 2 YSA leaders to attend FSY.  First time for several to ever be on a plane, meet other church youth outside of Barbados, and attend the temple to do baptisms.  We don’t appreciate the opportunities in the states until we see first hand what an impact these kinds of activities have on the future of the church in these areas.  It truly was a sacrifice of the families and the mission who helped get them there.  We are so excited for them this week.  Our mission is a district, so there are no stakes and wards….only branches.  They really are worshipping Christ and teaching the doctrines of the gospel without purse or script.  

We had family home evening with the senior missionaries in the Office and the APs.  We celebrated the birthday  of our mission secretary, Sister Stoffers, who is a single sister my age serving her 2nd mission.  Incredible human who we !  Our message was from the APs who asked us all Why we are serving a mission? And/or Why we stay?  The Spirit was so palpable.  Doug & I always talked about serving, but timing was always the kicker.  It was in the temple last fall, that we both received the impression that the time had come.  Fast forward, we can see lots of tender mercies that prepared us to be here.  Barbados is the perfect place for us.  I looked at Doug yesterday and said, “I really am an Island  Girl!” To which he responded, “I know!”  

FHE:  APs Hunt & Smith, Sister Stoffers (bday gal), Fullers, Sister Newell, and us!

Friday night, we played games after work with all the senior missionaries hosted by the Kirkham’s (who apparently know Ashlyn’s in-laws! Small world in the church!) We learned a new dice game and Hand & Foot Card Game.  It was fun, but we were all so tired and laughed at ourselves that 11 pm was too late for us to stay out!

Saturday is our p-day, so all the office missionaries: The Fullers, Sister Stoffers, Sister Newell, the Kirkhams (Humanitarian missionaries), The Bickmores & the kids visiting for summer, and us went to brunch for Sister Stoffers birthday  and snorkeling at Batt’s Rock.  The Mission Leaders don’t often have the time to do that, so this was a fun treat!

Fullers, Bickmores, Kirkhams, Newell, Ellis's, Stoffers

There is a specific tree here that is poisonous and will burn your skin.  Of course, it was raining on Saturday and the outdoor beach restaurant was right under these trees.  Luckily, we were shielded by umbrellas  and no one was injured in eating delicious local food.  Doug finally got his first Red Snapper!  

The beaches are all public here!  After brunch, we walked right out and enjoyed the water and reefs with snorkeling .  Saw some beautiful , but no turtles.  There was a small .  It was overcast and rained off/on, but the water was fantastic!  

This week is a Barbados holiday on August 1st.  Not sure if it’s the end of Crop Over—-if you recall these islands were slave islands, and we celebrate the end of harvest season OR Emancipation day when the slaves were freed.  We are learning the history and it’s fascinating!  Our apartment complex is converted historic slave housing into a current Air BNB.  Believe me, it’s not like the Air BNB that you’re thinking of!  

Happy birthday this week to Sydney who turns 21 and Blake who turns 30!  We  you and hope you have a great birthday ! If you see them, give them a hug!  

That’s our week!  Life is better with sandy toes!

Sunset from the Boardwalk