nPostednon September 9, 2015
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nOncenupon a time, in the early 1800s, there was a man named Jacques-DesirenLaval living in France. He had a pretty comfortable life as anwell-educated doctor.
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Butnthen he nearly died in a riding accident. After he recovered, hendecided to change his life – dramatically! He gave up his medicalnpractice, became a priest, and quite soon became a missionary sent tonthe island of Mauritius, which is off the coast of Africa, in thenIndian Ocean.
Butnthen he nearly died in a riding accident. After he recovered, hendecided to change his life – dramatically! He gave up his medicalnpractice, became a priest, and quite soon became a missionary sent tonthe island of Mauritius, which is off the coast of Africa, in thenIndian Ocean.n
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nNow,nI personally am not too happy about a missionary going to a foreignnland to convince people that their native religion is wrong, and thenmissionary’s religion is correct – but it’s always wonderful tonread about people who devote their lives to genuinely helping othernpeople. And apparently Father Laval did just that. n
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Thenpeople Laval lived with were poor, uneducated people who had onlynrecently been liberated from slavery. Laval’s learned their languagenand participated in every facet of life with the Mauritians, helpingnthem set up sanitation facilities, teaching them about medicine andnscience, and helping them better their agriculture methods. When foodnwas scarce, Laval fasted. I read that Laval lived very humbly –neven sleeping in a packing crate!
Thenpeople Laval lived with were poor, uneducated people who had onlynrecently been liberated from slavery. Laval’s learned their languagenand participated in every facet of life with the Mauritians, helpingnthem set up sanitation facilities, teaching them about medicine andnscience, and helping them better their agriculture methods. When foodnwas scarce, Laval fasted. I read that Laval lived very humbly –neven sleeping in a packing crate!n
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nWhennLaval died at age 60, on this date in 1864, there was a processionnbehind his coffin of more than 30,000 weeping people!
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nThenanniversary of Father Laval’s death is still marked by a festival andna procession to his tomb. People put candles, flowers, or other signsnof respect on his tomb. n
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nMorenon Mauritius…
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nMauritiusnis sort of a new hot-spot for tourists. When you check out photos ofnMauritius, you can see why!
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nIt’snespecially known for its beaches and resorts…
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nIt’sngot lovely botanical gardens and an amazing crocodile park…
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nAnnunusual bit of natural beauty is called Seven-Colored Earth. Whoa!
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n It’s got some gorgeous rocky cliff-y coastline.
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nAndnone of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, Rochester Falls,nis in Mauritius.
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nSpeakingnof waterfalls, the famous “underwater waterfall” is at thensouthern end of Mauritius. It’s just an illusion that can be seennfrom high in the air – but it is beautiful!
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nChecknout this earlier post about Mauritius.
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nAlsonon this date:
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nIndependencenDay in Tajikistan
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nCelebratenNew Words Day
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nAnniversarynof the patenting of an ice cream maker
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nPlannahead:
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nChecknout my Pinterest boards for:
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nSeptembern holidays
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nSeptembern birthdays
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nHistoricaln anniversaries in September
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nAndnhere are my Pinterest boards for:
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