Tons of Iguanas!

One of the interesting things we've shared before, is that there are lots of iguanas on the island.

About a month ago, we participated in a fund raising activity for the branch.  Our members prepared some goods to sell at the monthly (last Saturday of each month) market held at the Cultural Center in Rincon. 

Among other items prepared by the members, like Pumpkin pancakes, cupcakes, and other treats, we sold Iguana Burgers!  Hermano Chirino and President Albus sold all 30 that they brought!  They were B-B-Q'd  at the market and served with a stack of hot French fries, for $8 each.The burgers were the draw of our booth!

It couldn't just happen be itself.  Before such an activity could happen......we needed some Iguana to make the burgers!

I was able to go on an iguana hunt on a hot Saturday afternoon with 3 members of the branch, Ellery (the hunter and expert), Hensley (Counselor to our Branch President) and Hensley's wife Diana (Primary President). The 4 of us hoped to return from the adventure with 6 iguanas.

We wandered through Ellery's 6 acre "kunuku" looking for victims.  Diana was a great spotter and shortly after the start led us to a tall cactus that had a fairly large iguana clinging to it.

The theory is that Ellery, with his extension pole, opens the pole up and puts the nylon line loop around the iguana's head, tightens the noose and yanks the iguana off the cactus so we can grab them and tie them up.

After about 10 minutes of maneuvers, we had to give up.  That smart iguana kept climbing higher up on the tall cactus until the pole was insufficient to reach him.  That one "got away".

Shortly thereafter, another was spotted.  This time we were successful! Our 1st catch of the 6 we hoped to capture.

One of the attached photos shows how as Hensley held it while, Ellery tied it's legs together behind it's back. First the front ones were tied, then the back. Then it was laid on the ground, like a little handcuffed criminal, unable to leave!

A short time after that, we really hit the jackpot.  We found a cactus that had 6 iguanas on it!  After some work and tying their little legs behind them, we ended up with 3 of them. The others, again got up too high to reach with our pole. They'll have to wait for another hunt!

We wandered through the brush looking for more, but to no avail.  We got hotter and thirsty and gave up. Those 4 were all that we were able to get......we were short a couple but we had the product needed for the Fundraiser.

The 4 helpless victims, with their "hands" behind their backs, laid on their tummies in the back of the truck as we drove back to the town.

Since that day, I've seen many more iguanas.  Daily we spot them on the side of the road running into the brush, or on the bush against the house in our backyard (see photo!) looking down at the swimming pool.  We often see them by the Elder's apartment where the vacant lots, grown over with brush, provide refuge.

The biggest surprise for me, however, was on this past Wednesday. Elders Atkinson and Harsh invited me to work with them to do some cleanup ("service project") at Edgar and Marta's. 

The Elders said, "Elder Vander Veur, you've got to come to Edgar's".  "There are tons of iguanas in their backyard". "They live under the backporch".

I doubted the accuracy of their tale. It wouldn't be the first the Elders stretch the story a bit!

So...... as we arrived at the house, I quickly walked around the back to check out the accuracy of their claims. 

WOW!    Iguanas everywhere!  At one point, I counted, within my eyesight, 17 at once!  Various sizes, some greener than others, some huge and some smaller, but tons of 'em!

I'm a believer!  Today I told Ellery about them and asked when we could "hunt" right there minutes away from home! Not sure when we'll do that.  I'll have to wait and see. 

Tons of iguanas!

Elder Vander Veur

Land of the Iguanas

Visiting Teaching

Greetings from Bonaire!

Sunday we took Marta home from church. She was so excited! She only speaks Espanol so we weren't sure what she was so happy about but we knew it had something to do with, maestras visitantes and how she is very activo and came todos dias to iglesia.

Marta is a "dry member" of the church, who wants to get baptized but can't because she isn't married. She has been living with Edgar for many years, they have a grown son and daughter, anyway Edgar is dragging his feet about getting married.

She comes each week to church and loves the missionaries and loves the gospel. Months ago the Relief Society counselor asked me if non-members could be visiting teachers.  So I called my friend Berthene to have  her check. She called Kristie the Stake RS Pres., who called the general board and they said if it is ok with the local priesthood leader and she comes to church and has a member partner it is fine.    

I never imagined visiting teaching could cause such joy. The Elder's said she was "giddy" when she told them that she could be a visiting teacher! What a faithful woman.

What a lesson for us. She has the true vision of visiting teaching that we often miss. It is a privilege and blessing to be a visiting teacher... In the red book it says, "visiting teaching gives women the opportunity to watch over, strengthen, and teach one another....visiting teachers sincerely come to know and love each sister, help strengthen her faith and give service."

Congratulations to Marta. Called to be visiting teacher!

The Day After

The day after Mother's Day, yesterday, I thought I'd try to call my Mom. Mom will be 92 in July. The last time I called, it was hard for her to hear and impossible to have a conversation.  So I threw in the towel and sent her an email. Easy to read.....no repeating required. 

Well.......yesterday I hit pay dirt! I dialed her on my cell, she answered almost immediately...... and we talked for 40 minutes! Clear as a bell!  No problem at all. What a blessing today's  communications are! We had a wonderful visit. Among other things, we spent time comparing notes on the senior missionary experiences she and Dad had in Holland years ago with the experiences and activities Sister VV and I are having here on the island of Bonaire. It was great! I love my Mom. I love the gospel. l love my wonderful wife. I love the young Elders. More than ever I realize how important knowledge of the truth is, recognizing things as they really are.

A few Sundays ago, as we taught our little group of 5 young men and young women in the Bonaire Branch, we were talking about this. We reviewed the example of gravity. Is it real? What's going to happen as you step off a cliff? We decided that gravity is real, if you believe it or not it will pull you down! Everyone needs to know what's really going on, what's real, the truth.

I know our Father in heaven is real. He is a loving father. He wants us to be happy. He's provided the way, the gospel of Jesus Christ. He wants us to seek him through personal and family prayer, to learn to make right choices so he can bless us, to keep the commandments. That's really what it's all about. 

Mom and Dad taught me the truth. Sister VV and I are having a great experience here on Bonaire hoping to help others know the truth.

It was great talking to Mom, The Day After.