Week 1: Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah
Elder Marc Poussard, Hermana Nadya Poussard (Canada Montreal Mission), Soeur Meg Poussard at the MTC
The background: Now that we are full-time missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we (Marc/Meg) will be known as Elder Poussard and Soeur (sister in French) Poussard.
Our youngest daughter, Nadya, is also serving a mission at the same we are! That's fairly unique and we are thrilled to share the same goals during this 18-month mission with her. She will now be known as Hermana (sister in Spanish) Poussard and as Soeur (sister in French) Poussard. She will be serving her mission in the Canada, Montreal Mission. Since Quebec is a French-speaking area in Canada, she will be learning both languages. She will stay at the MTC for 6 weeks learning Spanish. She will learn French on her own, mostly in Canada. But she has a good start with High School French and her French 5-week study abroad this past spring. She seems to have a natural inclination for language and loves learning in general. She will also be keeping a blog so we'll let her relate her own experiences. Please let us know if you would like to be added to her blog.
So where are we going on our mission? We are headed to the France Lyon Mission (southern France and French-speaking Switzerland) as Member Leadership Support (MLS). It is anticipated that we will spend the full 18 months in Tarbes, France in the southwestern portion of France along the border with Spain ....see below.
Tarbes, France in the Southwest corner of France
Below you can see the outline of our branch (smaller, basic congregational unit) in blue markers around the small city of Tarbes. Our area covers a larger geographic area that includes many small towns and backs right up to the Pyrenees Mountains that separates Spain and France. The small mountainous country of Andorra is nearby to the southwest. Toulouse is our nearest large city. The region is known for biking, hiking and horses.
A notable town in our area is the French city of Lourdes. Lourdes is a pilgrimage site for the Catholic church. So we are eager to learn about that famous spot in the near future.
Blue markers outline our branch boundaries. Tarbes has a green marker in the center
What do we do as Missionaries? The main purpose of our mission is to help members of the congregation we have been assigned to come closer to Jesus Christ and to introduce those not of our faith, who express interest, to the doctrines, teachings and gospel principles of the Restored Gospel as contained in scripture.
So it is a spiritual journey we are on. Helping others on their journey while we try to live the tall order of becoming better disciples ourselves.
Of course being in a different culture, and traveling through parts of France, we'll gladly share those aspects of French culture, countryside and cheeses of every variety.
Life at the MTC: There are 55 languages taught here with most language training taking 6 weeks to get a foundation and a few taking 9 weeks. For the younger missionaries learning a language, it's a rigorous schedule (up daily at 6:30 am and lights out at 10:30 pm— every day for 24 months, 18 months for women). Everyone has a companion (some are in a threesome) who will usually be serving in the same area as they will be. They are self-disciplined to keep to the schedule and promise to put aside all "worldly" distractions like TV, chatting with friends from home, listening to popular music, going to movies, dating and news for the duration of their missions. That's a tall order for young adults. They take the directive seriously, look forward to their missions with gusto and are a very happy lot. They are eager to share the joy they feel and multiplied by the energy and enthusiasm of youth, they are an awesome and dedicated group. They've certainly gained our respect.
For the couple missionaries, we learn any language needed with an on-line tutor that meets with us twice a week. While here at the MTC, we receive intensive teaching techniques training. But for all missionaries, we learn about our purpose and how to help others along the way.
Missionary Purpose: “Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.” These concepts together are called the Doctrine of Christ. It's a simple concept but has profound meaning and life-long application.
The week’s
training was centered on that concept, the Doctrine of Christ. Brian K. Ashton (Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency) says it this way: "The doctrine of Christ allows us to access the spiritual power that will lift us from our current spiritual state to a state where we can become perfected."
If you want to know more, you can visit https://www.lds.org or http://www.mormon.org His particular talk and the full talk can be found at https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/the-doctrine-of-christ?lang=eng
If you want to know more, you can visit https://www.lds.org or http://www.mormon.org His particular talk and the full talk can be found at https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/the-doctrine-of-christ?lang=eng
“The
“doctrine of Christ” is that all men everywhere must have faith in Jesus
Christ, repent of their sins, be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and
endure to the end. The doctrine of Christ is the only way to be saved in the
kingdom of God. It is the foundation of the Church and the central message of
its missionaries.”
Our Language: As we are going to France.....we are trying to learn French....with some difficulty (old age) but lots of desire. It's a beautiful and very expressive language. The French take a lot of pride in their language, keeping it pure and grammatically correct. It's not uncommon for the everyday person to have a discussion about point pertaining to
correctly-spoken French.
correctly-spoken French.
MTC French language coach Sam Spoors, and the 3 Poussard missionaries
Here's our French Tutor.....who just happened to serve his mission in our same mission of Lyon, France, but in different areas of southern France. He's also from Europe (London) and loves French. He has worked with us twice a week for a few months and after we get settled in France he can help us for another 6 months to become more proficient in the language and in fulfilling our purpose. He's MUCH wiser than his years and we are amazed at what we have learned from him.
Hermana Poussard, companion Hermana Yee On, Sister and Elder Evans of Canada Montreal Mission Office
Hermana Yee On is from Tahiti and is fluent in French. She is one of Hermana Poussard's three (total) companions in the MTC. Here at the MTC, Hermana Yee On studied English for 4 weeks and now will finish out in Spanish. The Evans couple will serve in the Montreal Mission office . We happened to have the same French tutor. It was fun for Hermana Poussard to meet The Evans here and again in Canada.
Elder and Soeur Poussard with Elder and Sister Kaupert, teaching partners
Elder and Sister Kaupert were a perfect match for us. They are such a personable couple and we had some wonderful learning opportunities with them. They are the proud parents of 11 children, 9 of whom wore a missionary tag! And now they said it's their turn. They are headed to Detroit.
It's a unique opportunity to be here. The focus is all spiritual and there are not many times in our lives that we can focus that long and without interruption on scriptures, dynamic and inspiring teachers, and of course the purpose of our mission: to invite others to come to Jesus Christ.
We've formed wonderful friendships, met dedicated and inspiring people both young and not so young, and deepened our own understanding and commitment.
À la prochaine!
Elder & Soeur Poussard
I love this photo! How many families get to be in the MTC together!
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