Our congregation here in France is very small. As of late though there have been additions to the ward that have boosted the number of children from ten to twenty six (or something like that). The last time I was in a primary of this size was when I lived in a small town on the East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Church was held in an old church building that was once owned by another religious group; and classes were held in a house across the road. An old house with a veranda of peeling paintwork and a back yard leading to the beach where my older brothers always hung out. I remember that time well because my mother was the Primary President and there were around twenty children half of whom were from one family. It was the best of times then, and it’s likely that I’ll experience another one of those of times, even if only for seven weeks. Last week I was asked if I would accept a calling to work with the children in primary as Primary Secretary and I accepted.

Anyway, while I was observing primary today I couldn’t help but chuckle about a story Sue told me. A story of a missionary couple from North America serving a mission for the Church in Africa. The sister missionary was asked to serve in the primary organisation and on her first day was quite the observer. Directly after opening prayer was given everyone walked out the building into a nearby field where the children were given permission to chase the goats. It was quite an eye opener for the sister missionary who decided to dismiss the occasion as an offbeat day. But then the following Sunday directly after opening prayer the same thing happened again. And the week following. The third time it happened the sister missionary just had to enquire what on earth they were doing to which came the reply: Why sister, we are doing opening exercises!

Of course opening exercises today was not half as energetic as that in Africa but ours was just as animated and full of chuckles. Maybe next time the children get restless I’ll suggest purchasing a couple goats to put in the car park. You just have to have a good chuckle to learn how members around the world adjust from their cultures to learn another.