The Work gets started in Sydney

The week that we arrived in the Sydney Branch, we were just in time to participate in the baptism of Brother Friday (he got that name because he was born on .  .  . Friday).  He is from Nigeria via France, where his wife and children still are.  He is enrolled at a local University here, and as soon as he completes his studies, he will be able to bring them over to join him.  He's pretty motivated to do it, as you would imagine.  His English is very good, especially in writing and text.  He is very faithful and participates fully in the Branch at all meetings, activities, and projects.  His friend the very faithful Brother Jim helped Friday with his learning and conversion, and was invited to Baptize and Confirm him.  We are delighted to get to know him better.



Well, its not all work here.  The Saturday after we arrived the Elder's Quorum held an activity at one of the member's homes who lives out of town about 1.5hrs away.  He has just started an axe throwing and archery venue on his property, which is close to the Cabot Trail highway.  He should get a lot of business from the people coming along to drive that historic road (it is paved all the way).  Anyway, I showed them Canadian fellers how us Yanks can throw an axe.   We can also shoot arrows.  I had my bowstring release sent up in a package that contained an essential item that I forgot to pack, so next time I can do even better, and my fingers won't get sore.

We had a lot of enthusiastic participation, including a lunch cooked over an open fire.  It was a beautiful day with a lot of fellowship.  But I did find out that the bugs are out this spring, especially the little gnats called no-see-ums, so insect repellent is now with us whenever we are out of town.

 

And the Canadian national flower is:  well, it could be the dandelion as they grow everywhere here in the spring.  They make the fields and lawns quite colorful, and no effort is made to eradicate them.  So for a while the whole countryside is covered with yellow.  Except for the areas that have been cleared for roads, fields, and houses, all of Nova Scotia is covered with mixed evergreen and hardwood forests.  When we first arrived the woods looked half-dead, but nearly a month later the hardwoods have greened up and it looks completely different and alive.

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