July 8th

Hello!

First off, I think maybe I gave everyone the wrong address. So here is the one for packages:

Eglise De Jesus Christ (SDJ)
BP 80511
97490 St Denis CEDEX
La Reunion

and letters go here:

19 ter log 2 Chemin Creve Coeur

Bois Rouge

97460 St Paul

La Reunion

okay! now let s categorize.

The Island.

Is beautiful. Some places look like America, like our apartment. But a lot of it looks like it could be Mexico and of course a lot of it looks like a poor African Country.

But there are wild fruits everywhere and we sure as heck pick them when we are porting. Also there are flowers everywhere too...the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen! The weather is typical. We live on a mountain so it is pretty cool but down in actual St. Paul it is so hot! I am getting a nice tan. There are a lot of mountains and dogs/chickens/goats and small black children run freely on the road...another reason I do not yet drive.

The Language.

Is rough. I can understand French pretty well because that is ALL I hear. With two native French Speaking companions, both who speak very little English, it is necessary to learn to understand. Creole? Nothing. But I am speaking lore during lessons. Kind of. Mostly I am just the awkard white girl.

Work.

I will not lie, it can be very discouraging. For people here it is not lack of humility, it is just not understanding the need for a change. Everyone here is catholic and that is how they want to stay. Other parts of the island are very much 'I do not need religion' but St. Paul is 'I already have religion. Also I am an islander so I don't like to keep commitments.' But like I have said, people are very nice. We have a lot of pleasant experiences when porting. We are told no with a smile.

Experiences that I had this week.

Hm. Interesting week. We went to one of the recent converts house, the Perfillons, and cooked pork. Let me clarify. This is actually a group of shacks where the roofs are all woven palm leaves. and brother Perfillon, who is VERY creole, took a giant machete and just chopped up this...animal...and then we cooked it over a fire and ate it with pumpkin soup. Really good but wow it was heavy.

We met some Jehovahs witnesses. They were mean. I hated not being able to say things back to them when they mocked the BOM but my comps are wonderful and they knew what to say.

We also went to an outdoor market. My mind was blown. It was tons of fruits I have never seen and African goods and wild dog (to eat) and vinilla! We are going back this week...Mom do you want any vinilla beans?

Today for Pday we went to a waterfall. These two members had machetes and honestly lead us through the forest. You think I am kidding but I am so serious. I have scratches all over my legs from the bamboo and rocks. I kept thinking.... not sure if this is a good thing for missionaries to be doing. But it was quite the adventure. After we had a BBQ. The fire was started using bug spray. haha also not the best idea.

Well I love you all. We have a baptism this Saturday! Pray it works out.

Sister Edwards