One Third

1st picture: Took this sunset picture Friday night. (There is one season here....summer!)

2nd picture: Family night "Candy Bar" game

Dear Family and Friends,

Exactly 6 months ago we entered the MTC. 1/3 of our mission is over. In some ways the time has gone so fast, and in other ways, it seems like a lifetime. We pray every day that we can do what the Lord would have us do with our time here. There are so many unmet needs, so many people hurting and hungry. Yet, there is so much love and tenderness, so much kindness and charity. I often wonder if when we go home if things can ever be the same. I hope we complain less, judge less, and love more.

I wish I had grand adventures to share, great successes to tell. In reality each day usually passes with some joy and a little discouragement. We see some people that are so faithful and some that makes us worry. We visit, admonish, teach, listen, and learn from most that we encounter.

Immigration has been out in full force lately. For a while after the earthquake, they left the Haitians alone. But they have gathered many, arresting and jailing them. They have been burning much of the land where many live in the bushes. Some of our members have been burned out. Many more are moving out of their houses and into the bushes because they have no way to pay rent. Most do not have money to buy a work permit and until they get a work permit they can not work legally on the island. They are easy targets for immigration. Some have told me stories of people who were picked up and jailed, only to pay a fine (which is really a bribe), and then released again.

Boats keep coming in with new people. The boat owners go to Haiti and gather people, tell them there are lots of jobs here now that the British has taken over. Haitians believe them, sell their homes, and bring their families here. There is nothing for them here. So sad. It is hard to help them with real constructive methods to teach about job hunting skills, etc., when they are illegal and the prospects of jobs are nil. The welfare needs are great and perhaps it will get worse before it gets better.

One of the things that never ceases to amaze us is how clean they are. Sometimes when we are in Alaska and camping, we find ourselves in Homer going to church. No matter how careful we are, we feel disheveled and unkept. When these men come to church, their shirts and pants are pressed and they look sharp. They come with their scriptures, manuals, and ready to learn. President Ockey brought more white shirts from their wards in Florida and they men look so good in their new shirts and ties. They all want me to take their pictures so they can send them home to their families in Haiti.

We had four baptisms last week and one more this week. That is 20 people who have been baptized since we got here. Even though we see heartache and pain, we find much joy here too. Many of these men live a form of the united order. When one has money they share food with all in their yard. When one works, they help others in need. How can we explain such love in a letter? We came to serve and find that we are the ones who are served. We came here to share, and find we are the ones who have the most to learn.

Please keep praying for these people. We love you all so much.
Elder and Sister Herbert

Terrible Thought

Papa had a terrible thought and I know you must be doing all you can do to help the situation!

He reminded me that Aurora is probably going to kindergarten in the Fall. Stop it! Do something to stop them from growing up!

We love you so much.

Mom and Dad

*Aurora is the oldest Grandchild.

Dear Children,

Question: How many Haitians can one put in a little Kia Sportage?

Hi my dear children.

I love you so so much. The hardest part of our mission is being so far from you.

I know that when young men and women go on a mission, they are told to immerse themselves in the work and that the Lord will bless their family. At this time when Aimee is about ready to have a baby, and the other grandkids are growing up, and you are all progressing and making important decisions, I rely on those promises. We are fine and continue to try to do what the Lord would have us do. I have faith that you are doing all you can to be obedient and teaching your children. I pray each day that you are well and that peace reigns in your home. I also pray that Heavenly Father will guide you in your choices and decisions.

We had four baptisms on Saturday. We waited for something bad to happen. Last time we had so many was when our home was burglarized. One of the great blessings of a mission is the love we are given for the people we serve. We are afraid that the answers to our problems here will not come for several years, and after changes that the gospel can bring.

If you don’t hear from us it is only because we are busy. We love and miss you terribly.

Love, Mom and Dad

Jean Lindor

Jean Lindor. Whenever I pull out the camera....they all want their picture taken.
One of the things we have been praying for is for more families. Our mission president does not want this to be a Haitian branch, but right now it looks more like a Haitian branch than anything else. Our branch consists of about 55 single (or married with their wives in Haiti) Haitian men. Then there are literally two families and a few single women....some with children. So we have prayed for families to come in to the church to strengthen us. Well a few weeks ago this man came to church. It turned out he is an elder....lived here for 12 years and has his family with him. He and his wife and two older children were all baptized before they ever came to the island, but he did not know the church was here. He is from Santo Domingo and all his extended family is active. He was so thrilled to find the church here, and we were thrilled he found us too. Anyway we got his records and he has been so faithful since learning of the church here. His wife works on Sunday so has not come to Sunday meetings. But we have been to their home and they are choice. I think they are an answer to our prayers. Their 10 year old son will be baptized tomorrow.

However we still need more families. It just amazes me that when we pray for things, we get them. (Where is my faith?) We need to be more specific with prayers, and then expect them to be answered!


The elders want to sponsor a game night every Friday night. We had the first activity tonight. This will be an opportunity for members to bring their friends and have fun together. We are excited about that. However, we may find it will turn out like English....something for all these men to do... and we could be swarmed. We will see how it develops.
Love to all of you. Elder and Sister Herbert

White Shirts

Got stung by a wasp last week. My hand swelled up and it was painful. I kept ice on it for a long time but, even after a week, my hand is still sore. I think as I get older, I am more allergic to things like that.

Well Elder Davies is back in Jamaica. Elder Talbert took his place. We took Elder Davies to the airport this AM and picked up Elder Talbert this afternoon. Yesterday we took Elder Davies around to say goodbye. We will miss him but I think Elder Talbert will be a good addition. He plays the piano and is is very good on the computer. I listened to him teach for a few minutes tonight and was very impressed.

There were about 65 men in the English class tonight. I have no idea why they keep coming, but we do have fun. There were about 60 that stayed for institute. About 15 were members and the rest just stayed after English class. It is a lot of work but I hope that perhaps some are getting more than just English.

The Ockeys had a dozen white shirts with ties sent from their ward in Florida. We passed them out Saturday and Sunday to some of the men who did not have white shirts. They loved them so. We watched as they passed the sacrament and attended to their priesthood duties. It was so fun.

Nancy

Went to see Nancy with the Ockeys on Friday night. She was so sweet. She has been a member for several years. When she moved to this island 6 years ago she looked for the church (but it was not here, of course). She went back to Haiti and someone convinced her that it would be ok to go to another church until she could find our church. So for several years she has gone to a local christian church. She sings in the choir and is involved in all their activities. We had a nice conversation about the church and talked about the Book of Mormon. She said she “likes” the Book of Mormon, but she has two problems with the church. She does not understand why we don’t “sing and dance to the Lord” like the other churches. From the time they are little they learn in school and at home to worship with song, dance, clapping, and moving. Our church is a lot more reverent. So I have been looking for talks and/or lessons that would help explain why our church is different. The other issue is life after death. She does not understand about temple work and the possibility of salvation because of work done here on earth. She speaks fairly good English but it is very difficult to communicate. It was funny because even as she was telling me this she said she had a friend that wanted to learn more about the church. I suggested she take the lessons again with him so she could refresh her memory. I am very grateful that she is willing to let me come and talk to her. She is an amazing person...... Several times she was close to death and was saved. I told her I thought it was because she has an important calling on this earth. I think if she will return to church, she will be a huge boost to our little branch. She came to church and so many people knew and loved her. I think she felt welcome..... but still tied to her other church.

Ward Activity

Reverence....Very interesting....a lot to learn.

A member got up in church and said he had forgot to prepare a talk. He said with the spirit he knew he could give a good talk anyway. But, he said, he needed a prayer to help him......so he just started praying to begin his talk. So, we thought, he needs to be taught. Well the next week another man got up and begin his talk with another prayer. So we take one step at a time. Most of these members are so new....they just don’t understand.

Sunday we had a wonderful musical number in Sacrament meeting. They sang page 42, Hail to the Brightness of Zion’s Glad Morning. We had six men who had practiced for a few weeks. We had two tenor, two base, and two melody. They sang one verse English and four of Creole. They sang soft and loud at the right places, they came in and ended on cue, and sounded great. At the end the whole audience broke out in applause.

We had our first official ward party the other night. We had a movie (101 Dalmatians) in French. The Ockeys provided sub sandwiches. It was a great evening. We now have an Activities Committee Chairman and a committee. It is fun to see some things coming together.

We are so excited to be getting some white shirts. President Ockey had his son gather several and is sending them. We have several men who would love to have a white shirt to participate in passing and blessing the sacrament. We have encouraged white shirts but can not insist because most cannot afford them.

We have several men who have no home and come in from the bushes to come to church. We can not believe how nice they look. They come clean and neat every week. How they do it, I do not know. We have more and more that are asking for church assistance. One man who was just baptized and came in from the bush to live with another member, now has two friends who want to take the discussions. I hope they are sincere and not just looking for a place to live.

A funny thing happened in priesthood on Sunday. A man stood up and announced that he would give a great prize to the one who brought the most investigators. So Jacques has 12 rounded up to come to church this week. Another man called and told the missionaries he had two who wanted to take the discussions. It will be fun to see what happens. I don’t know what the “Prize” is..... but it better be good. A little unconventional but not very many things work the same here as home.

Our branch president and his wife had their baby. A little boy named Lucas. They are both in Utah where she had the baby. All are doing well. He will be gone for three weeks. Monica won’t be back for two more months.

On P Day we went to explore another part of the island. This mansion was built on the end of the island. Then they dug around it and built a man-made mote. There is an electric bridge that turns and opens for the to drive in the driveway

We are well. Thanks for the continued prayers. Love you all. Elder and Sister Herbert

The Kitties

These are the cats Papa feeds. Please notice these wild kitties are in our house, on our chairs and in our bed..... OH THAT PAPA!

Love you all