Andorra or Bust

Hola Querido Familia y Amigos,

In just a blink another week has passed as we press forward in several area simultaneously.  We finally received notice from the church area authorities that the office space we selected was too expensive and required a long 5-years lease, with a 4 months deposit.  Andorra has some difficult laws that have served them well for 900 years.  So our new directive was to find a hotel willing to lease us a conference room every Sunday afternoon.  We called several and visited four hotels in the main city of Andorra La Vella. Most turned us down, however, we found one hotel that was very accommodating at a reasonable price 70 Euros per week.  The Hotel Centric is 4-star and centrally located.  The room they offered us is set in a quiet corner on the second floor big enough to hold 25 chairs.  The Area Office is now working the monthly contract and we plan to hold our first group meeting on the 26^th of this month, Hermana Fowers’ birthday.  So we have a lot of work to do announcing, visiting long-forgotten members and preparing to rebuild faith and spirituality. 

New location for Andorra Group

The country of Andorra was opened to the gospel in 1995 with 6 full-time missionaries.  The little branch grew initially but members were very transit.  The branch was relocated to Spain in 2007 to the city of Le Seu d’Urgell, which is where we now live.  Most of the members in Andorra went inactive because of cost and crossing the border to attend in Spain.  An example of the church absence in Andorra is Sonia Douiri.   Sister Douiri joined the church 20 years ago as a young lady.  We found her records, search for her on facebook, made contact and arranged to visit her.  She delighted that we found her and is willing to come back to the church.  But with no contact with the church for such a long time, she thought Gordon Hinckley was still the prophet!  Yes we have a little work to do to resurrect the church in this country after a 10-year absence.

Some of the Bolivian Hermanas wanted to lose some pounds so it was decided in Relief Society to start regular Zumba classes on Wednesday evenings.  Hermana Fowers joined in but could not achieve the dexterity required for some of the Latin movements.  However, the calling of a senior missionary sometimes causes one to stretch, literally.

Hermana Fowers...not quite up with the moves!

Working out together.

Aiator is the soon to be husband of Cecilia, who is a long-time member.  They are getting married on Saturday.  Aiator is a excellent chef, having worked at some of Andorra’s finest restaurants.  Every time we visit them, he provides us with a superb gourmet meal.  Here is a picture of the sea food bonanza he prepared for us last week: Salmon, shrimp, cuddle fish and muscles.

Master Chef...Seafood feast.

We had another baptism on Saturday, Arianny None Silvero, the 15-year old sister of Dariana who was baptized two weeks ago.  Both of these Dominican sisters show great promise and are already talking about serving missions.  Their parents are very supportive, but have not yet attended church due to their work responsibilities.  Their father milks cows 7-days a week on a dairy farm just out side of town otherwise he would come to church.  I have arranged to help him with the milking next week as a way to build a relationship. Again, sometimes senior missionaries have to stretch to spread the gospel wherever and whenever they can. 

Hermanas in the Gospel

Arianny with Elders Bown and Bromley

Font-side at baptismal service.

Farewell with this magnificent sunset over the French countryside...

The heavens are opening...

Much love to all who read our blog and lift us with your prayers and support. We know that you are there cheering us along in our efforts in this little corner of Spain.

Elder and Hermana Fowers