January 7th we facilitated another Self-Reliance Devotional in Ashland, KY. This resulted in 48 people forming 7 new groups that will start their 12 week courses.
Our Tri-state literacy learners continue to make progress. Working with these learners is probably one of our most meaningful experiences here in WV.
As we continue with our mission duties we just added another one, and quite the challenge it is. As the Pathway Connect deadline approached we were trying to recruit students to sign up and be ready for the new program this semester (which at the time we did not know there was a minimum). We were told that between our 18-30 group and Elder and Sister Mazon's (stake Missionaries) 31+group our Huntington program did not have enough students to qualify for the Pathway Connect Program.
So our North America North East Pathway Program director opened up the opportunity for a "Virtual" Pathway program for this area. This allowed for more students to participate virtually in pathway gatherings and not have to drive such long distances. This has been tried in Russia because of the huge distances but is now available here in North America NE area.
This created another issue as to what to do for the Institute class for the students. Again, we were given the opportunity to be a pilot program for a "virtual" Institute class also. CES strongly believes that an "in person" experience should always be the first choice for Institute. However in our situation this blesses the lives of so many more people that would not have been able to travel to Huntington every week.
So we now teach two Institute classes. Pat teaches the live, "in person", class for those that are within an hour of the stake center, and I teach the "virtual" institute class for those further away. One of my students is about 7 hours from Huntington but this allows him to participate too. Then we all meet together for a virtual Gathering.
This has required us to learn to use a computer program called Zoom, that allows us to see and talk to each other. This required us to stretch our technology challenged brains. But I can report that last Thursday night was our first week of classes and through much prayer and training from Pathway support and help from above, we did it. We were able to get everyone in the Zoom room and stay connected for both the Institute class and the Gathering. A huge thank you to our Emily. She knows the Zoom program and was able to teach us in a more understandable way how to set up a Zoom room (that our students would come to each week) and use the program, encouraging us along the way that we could actually do this.
From time to time we have been asked to drive the Sister missionaries to transfers in Charleston, WV. This past Friday we drove Sister J and Sister W to Charleston as Sister J was departing for home. Sister J was dear to us. We picked up Sister T, fresh out of the MTC, that Sister W would be training. On the way back to Huntington Sister W ( who does not have a drivers license) casually mentioned something about driving on West Virginia roads. Sister T announced that she does not drive and does not have a license either. This meant that neither sister was capable of driving the mission car waiting at their apartment. Sister W quickly called the Mission President as we turned around to head back to the transfer church building. President Lindhardt had to do some fast thinking as all the other cars had already left to drive to their areas throughout the whole mission.
Long story short, 1-The President ended up creating a three some so that there would be a driver.
2-We had to stop to get the new Sister's stuff, 3-We tried to take them to their apartment but couldn't because of a Gas leak which was being repaired and service trucks blocked the stairs to their door. 4- We kept them with us in our small yet comfortable place all day, including 2 sets of luggage, a boxspring and mattress, a desk and a dresser which were delivered here because the zone leaders could not access the apartment either. 5- We made arrangements with our Elders Quorum President to come after this work day to get the sisters stuff. He came with a forty foot covered trailer because it was still raining hard. 6- Finally delivered the Sisters to their apartment by 6:00 PM to unpack the truck and move up the stairs, all in the driving rain which then was turning to sleet and then, yes, snow. Hmmm, very eventful day.
Saturday, lots of snow. We stayed in the whole day.
We also have another new assignment that we have put on hold until we get this Zoom thing under our belts. It's a literacy opportunity for members of the stake. I will report on that next time.
We love you all. We are cold and happy. We love the people here. We love our Savior Jesus Christ.
Almost Heaven, (I'm questioning that this time)
Traynors
PS. More snow over night, expecting more tonight.
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