Malta - Week 32

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Malta Week 32:  Back to class, a beautiful hike, and a baptism were some of our highlights this week!


 We had our first English class of the year on Monday night!  It was great to get back to teaching after skipping a week and a half for the holidays. We were worried about people coming back, but we ended up with a great group of students who jumped in and really participated.


Tuesday afternoon, we walked to downtown Naxxar and tried out a restaurant called TRIBE.  I took this picture to show the funky wallpaper.

After a three-week break, we're back to Institute!  We had a great turnout and as always, Steve gave a great lesson!  Everyone enjoys visiting and eating after the lesson!

A funny thing happened just before Institute was about to start.  I was out in the hall and found a mother and her adult son wandering around. I asked if they were looking for the missionaries and they said no, they were looking for the Nuns.  They said they had talked to some Nuns on the street who invited them to a scripture study tonight in this building.  I assumed they meant the Sister missionaries so I found them and a few minutes later they all came to class.  They left too quickly for me to ask what they thought of the class, but that is the first time I have heard the Sister Missionaries referred to as Nuns!  

Wednesday, PDay

The weather was beautiful on Wednesday and Torch and Gloria Morris invited us to go hiking with them.  They are experienced Malta hikers, but they had never done this one before.

We enjoyed the scenic beauty as we climbed the rugged hills above Gnejna Bay with beautiful views of the sea,

































The hills are alive in the winter in Malta!  During the long hot desert summer, we never thought we would see green grass and wildflowers growing on the countryside!  Wintertime is beautiful here!

Great Friends!



We even caught a glimpse of a wind surfer soaring above the water. 


Wednesday Night English Class!  
Our large group shrunk, but we were able to involve our small group in some one-on-one activities and had a great time with these students!


Friday - District Council
We had in person District Council on Friday, followed by taking our chair pictures.  The numbers represent the number of transfers we've been here.  Each transfer is 6 weeks.  The two sisters with the number 12 are going home. 



When they go home, it's called dying!  So we had a little funeral for them!



Sister Bennett even created an Obituary for them!

After the very sad funeral, we all went to Hungry Wolf for Lunch!  It is the restaurant where Julieth works, and she has been begging us to come.  

It is an authentic Maltese Restaurant.  So, the first thing we ordered was Rabbit, the specialty here!  We all shared this platter.  It actually tasted quite good, but it was very boney!
Some of our Elders and Sisters ordered Horse, Rabbit Spaghetti and Horse Spaghetti.  I tried the horse, and it was quite tasty!



Friday Night YSA Activity - Karaoke Night!
The YSA's had a blast singing Karaoke.  They even made me get up and make a fool of myself!  Scary!!




A crazy good time!

Sunday was the busiest day of the week.  Starting at 7:30 AM we had meetings all day, Branch Presidency and Ward Council Meetings, Sacrament Meeting, Relief Society/Priesthood, Temple Prep, A Baptism, Zoom for Shane's Sacrament Meeting, Zoom meeting for the Temple Trip and Mission FHE Zoom Meeting!


The Baptism of Alfonso Soto

Emilio, a member for only 3 months, was honored to be able to perform the baptism!  

It took 3 tries out in the chilly winter waters, but he finally did it!



The program included two talks and a beautiful duet by Sister Alvarado and Sister McIntyre.





Sunset over St Paul's Bay

A great ending to our week, was seeing our son put in as the new Bishop of his ward.  We are grateful for modern technology that allowed us to Zoom into Shane's Sacrament Meeting as he was sustained. Congratulations Shane!  

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