Our Morning Walks

The past few weeks we're back to daily walks to start our day.
I really enjoy greeting and occasionally visiting with the other regulars, gazing at the moon, watching the sun rise, looking at the colorful little fishing boats, many sailboats and occasional yachts, looking into our "aquarium" (the sea!) and enjoying the amazing shapes and colors of the fish.....and planning, reminiscing and learning with my wonderful companion, Sister VV!

Flat Tire

Greetings from Bonaire!

It has probably been about 6 months since we have had a flat tire! We drove down to Playa today and parked on the boulevard ready to  go for our walk and noticed the car tire was flat! -  flat as a pannenkoek! 

Elder VV got busy changing the tire. Several people walked by said "Bon dia" but one sweet American woman from Alabama stopped. She said, "Oh, no! can I help you? Is everything alright?" I said that we were fine, Elder VV looked up and smiled as he worked. She said if it was her husband he would be swearing then interjected, "But y'all don't swear do you." We chuckled and she went on. 

I recognized her and had waved and said hi in passing but we actually had never talked to her before. 

We met her on the way back from our walk and chatted briefly and she was telling us about some of the fish swimming by.

We found out she has been here for 13 years and had been coming to the island for the past 30 years. They saved up their money, bought a few rentals units, had just sold them and built a house. They love Bonaire. 

As she parted she said, "Well, thanks for coming to Bonaire to help save our souls!"

It was a humbling experience to realize that we are watched and noticed. People recognize us and take note of what we do.

I am so glad we weren't swearing! 

"God Loved Us So He Sent His Son"

Easter on the Island of Bonaire - 

A few days before Easter some of the members of the Branch decided to "resurrect" a tradition from 3 or 4 years ago. An early morning hike up the mountain Seru Largu (which is the 2nd tallest peak on the island), breakfast and an Easter egg hunt on the top for the Primary children. Elder VV and I got on board with the fun and we decorated eggs Thursday with the missionaries and some of the Primary children. 

Sister Petersen and Sister Ramirez letting their creative juces flow -
M&M and the Divers decorated eggs

We decorated eggs back by the pool. snorkeling anyone?

On Friday morning at 6:30 am Elder VV and took about 100 hard boiled and plastics eggs to the top of Seru Largu and hid them. The rest of the group came a little later.

Seru Largu right this way

To see the sunrise

View from the top

There has been a drought on the island for a number of years so some of the members were surprised that the top of the mount was not as it was then. 

Stairs to the monument and the view!

Getting ready for the Easter message

Water!

Richard and Hermano Solarin

Monument at the top of Seru Largu

Our darling Primary children

Enter the Lone and Dreary World (the red flag marks the spot)

Where can I hide I'm pink!

"Into the Woods"

The golden egg!

Can  you find the hidden egg?

I couldn't help but think of the Lone and Dreary world as we hid the eggs under rocks, in the crooks of trees and some times in plain view. We are living here in the lone and dreary world - our desert island.
The Elders are searching for the Dutch people who are ready to hear their message. It is a challenge for the missionaries. 

It is kind of like looking for the Easter eggs on the top of Seru Largu.  It is an exciting discovery when you see a brightly colored egg... or the golden egg! The investigator!, who is ready to listen to the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ - and sometimes they are hidden in plain view.

Let the hunt begin!

Do you need a clue?

Where's Waldo?/Elder VV

President and Sister dePalm

As we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ at Easter time we are eternally gratefully for our older brother's suffering and Atonement for us - He is Risen!