Visitors

We have had a very busy and interesting week.  Cyril Figuerres came from Salt Lake City to do some research into the online seminary program.  Cyril works for church correlation and is sent to gather empirical data whenever the leaders want to make a decision on a given program or situation.  The information he and his co-workers garner will be influential in the fate of online seminary.  We took him to meet and interview teachers, students, parents, and priesthood leaders around Christchurch and in Blenheim. 

Cyril Figuerres with Jaysleen, Jeron, and Justin Prasad in Blenheim.  Sister Prasad fed us a dinner fit for Indian royalty.  I think she had been cooking all day.  She had fish curry and goat curry along with many other dishes I could never pronounce.  I am always amazed at the generosity and kindness of these people. 

In our travels we had hours to talk with Cyril—what a lovely, lovely man.  He is soft spoken and gentle, very bright and interesting.  He has a wealth of stories drawn from a full life of service in the church and a very intriguing job.  He has a Phd from Purdue in social psychology and has researched everything from the family to family Book of Mormon project (Remember when we had our family pictures taken and put them, along with our testimonies, in the front of BOMs to be handed out by missionaries?) to sister missionaries.  He talked about when his department first came into being and how some people thought it was unnecessary to do research;  surely the Spirit would direct the brethren in their decisions.  I think the research is part of the Lord’s direction to “study it out in your own mind” (D&C 9:8) so that a decision can be made to take to the Lord for confirmation.  Cyril told us that out in the world, people are hired to do “advocacy research”.  They construct questions, interpret answers and slant statistics to prove the point of the person or company who hires them.  He said the leaders of the church have never once, in all the years he has worked for them, given even a hint of what they hope the research will prove.  They have a desire to hear the truth and only the truth.  I’m not sure what the truth is about online seminary, but I can see much value in it and I appreciate all of the work that has been done to provide seminary for these students in outlying regions.

Cyril left on Thursday morning and Paul flew in Friday afternoon.  I cannot describe how happy I was to see him.  Family after all of these months!  I was just thrilled to see my brother and I didn’t realize how much hoopla the presence of a general authority creates.  Evidently I should have informed the Stake Presidency about his visit.  There is a protocol they are instructed to follow.  Everything worked out and we were able to spend some quiet time laughing and visiting.  He was also able to meet and talk with the people we have grown to love here.  We took him to Ashburton to attend Mata’s seminary class—an unforgettable experience.

While there he patiently listened to my piano students as they each played their favorite hymn.  As usual, these islanders prepared a feast. No one is ever allowed to leave hungry.

Sunday night he gave a fireside for the Young Single Adults in Christchurch.  There were over 90 in attendance—definitely a record.  It was a question and answer session and he was marvelous.  He said so many things they needed to hear, and, because they came from a general authority, they listened and believed.  The kids have been quoting him ever since.  After the fireside I watched as so many of them sought his help on individual questions that they didn’t want to address in the group meeting.  Again I watched as he patiently listened and gave advice.  He wasn’t feeling well while he was here, but that didn’t stop him.  His coming blessed the lives of these kids.  They will never forget it. 

If I wasn’t returning home in a few weeks I could never have let him go.  Thank you, Paul.  I love you!

Yesterday we had a visit from some young Christians who attend a Bible school in Geraldine.  They came from America, England, and Canada.  They came to talk to young people from our faith—to ask questions and learn about our church. 

It was great to hear our young people answer questions using the scriptures and bear testimony from their hearts.  It was also wonderful to meet other kids who love Jesus Christ and are passionate about Him and their faith.  The world will be in good hands when we, the old ones, are gone.

What a great week!  I’ll just wrap it up with a few pictures from our travels.  I love John and his camera.

Blenheim is on the northeast side of the island and the Prasads live about five minutes from the ocean.

The wind was really blowing and these birds were just riding the currents.

An oreo cow.

The park in the heart of Blenheim.

Seals at Kaikoura.