Just Another Week in Paradise

On Wednesday we went to visit Libonair and DJonny. They have a hard time getting in to church on Sundays because they live so far away.

1st Picture: Libonair was so proud of his home. He found plywood (somewhere) and got permission from the owner of the property, to build this little lean-to in the foundation of the owner’s home. (All over the island are structures like this one....foundation in, the start of walls...and just left unfinished). He has been in the bushes for a long time....so he was excited to have this place. His friend (also a brand new member of the church) sleeps in there with him. We wanted him to move in closer to the church to he could come to his meetings. But he is so excited to have his new “home” that he does not want to move. All we have to offer him is other members who live in the bushes closer to the church. It is so far from my reality that I can not understand it. But he is not unhappy....in fact I have never seen him without a huge smile on his face. I have no idea how he got to church today, but afterwards he said, “I feel good today”. He and others are such good examples for us.

2nd Picture: Elder Herbert with Claud. He is the branch clerk. He went with us to translate when we went to see Libonair and DJonny. We drive about a mile off road and then up about 100 yards on this path. Then we get out of the car and walk another hundred yards up over the hill to where they stay. Claude is so willing to serve and help. He is a spiritual giant.

3rd Picture: Michel-ange was baptized yesterday. She is one that the Packs taught before we got here. It is so exciting to find women. For some reason more Haitian men join the church than women. For on thing there more more Haitian men here than women, but our mission president said that is true in Haiti also. I don’t know why. But we are excited to have her. I hope she turns out to be strong.

4th Picture: See how Lemonin is draped over Michel-ange and Pierre Paul? Haitians are very physical people. It is not uncommon to see women and even men walking down the street holding hands. It means nothing other than they are friends. That is one thing we love so much about them. Often they give me a kiss on the cheek when they see me. I will miss that someday when we leave.

The last picture was taken 1/2 hour before English class started. I took the picture because I am so amazed each week. These men come in so early to get a good seat, get out their notebooks and start to write. They write everything I have on the board and begin asking questions before class. They are so excited to learn and they think everything I say is “gospel.” I have to be careful what I say. It is so nice to have Mike there to correct my spelling, act out silly situations, etc. He always has ideas how to teach. But it is such a pleasure to be with them each Tuesday and Thursday. This is only half that come, but these are the ones that are so faithful and early each week.

Well, for the third time since we have come to the island we were “visited” in the night by unwelcome guests. About 5AM Saturday morning, (April 24th) I was awakened by what I thought was people trying to get into the car. Half asleep I contemplated getting up and checking, but the thought passed quickly when I heard footsteps up to our front and someone trying our door. The lights were on outside and I sat up in bed in time to see a person walking by our kitchen window. There would be NO OTHER reason for someone coming to our kitchen window other than trying to get in our house. I woke up Mike in a panic explaining what I had just seen. He jumped up, ran over, and pulled back the drapes and stood face to face with three men.... He told them to get out of there, that the police had been called. The brazenly told him to “Shut up and go back to bed”. They then walked around to our neighbor’s house, pounded on their door, yelling for them to open the door. Then they just meandered back to their car and left. In that time I had called 911 (we were very grateful they answered....as there have been times on the island where no one is on the other line when 911 is called), and gave somewhat of a description of the men, the car, etc. The police came and we talked to them for a while, and were not able to sleep again before it was time to get up. As we analized what had happened, talked to our neighbors, and thought reasonably about he whole situation, we concluded they were just drunk and were in the wrong place. Our neighbor had been out drinking the night before and he thinks they were some men that he had met at the party. He apologized profusely but could not identify them for sure. We feel safe, in that we don’t think they were really trying to hurt us or steal anything. It was just a very scary morning. The first thing I did while Mike was talking to the Police was kneel down and thank Heavenly Father for protecting us one more time. I feel there are special blessings being missionaries and we are grateful for the many that we are granted daily.

We love you all and pray that you are led and directed in all you do.

Love, Elder and Sister Herbert

Pres. Graff's Visit

Dear Family and Friends,

The mission President, President Graff, came on Monday (left Tuesday) and we had great experiences with him. One more time it was revealed to us that he is the one the Lord has assigned to this mission at this time. He said that he was here to interview the missionaries and that is really all the business he did while here. One of the things he said to us is that the Lord called us to this mission, at this time. There was no mistake. He knew our talents and our desires and will use them here. He said there are thousands waiting to hear the gospel and all we need to do is to listen to the spirit and do what we are led to do. He said the people have been prepared and taught by angels...much better teachers than us. He challenged us to listen closer and be willing to follow the spirit. He also told us that he expects we will be moved from this island before our mission is over....but not for several months.

We took him around the island and showed him the area. We talked a lot of the circumstances and lifestyles of our members who live here. He has a meeting with General Authorities in a few weeks and I felt he wanted to see and understand so he could report.

So many of our men see the futility of living here and have a desire to go home. Most do not have the $200.00 it takes for the plane ride home. I am not sure Haiti is better but the potential for jobs is there, and for sure, not here. At least not at the present. Even though so much money is being poured into Haiti, we do not know how much of it is really helping the people. We hope there are checks and balances on the leaders, but people who know, say that it is very hard to get things done because of corruption.

Mike and I had a different experience last night. We went tracting. It was very interesting. On our children’s missions they went tracting and I thought it only right that while here, we give it a try. (Our children all set good examples for us....thanks you guys!) We only went for 1 1/2 hours but I think we got a feel for it. The difference here (compared to the States...I think) is that most black Jamaican, Bahamans, or Turks Islanders will take time to talk. They are interested in religion and want to learn more. While the white people here are too busy, or are not interested. We were able to give away some copies of the Book of Mormon with commitments to read, study, and pray about what they learned. That is all we ask of the world..... to find out for themselves. Never do I ask them to believe us or take our word for it. We met some very nice people. We will call them back and see how it is going for them. I often pray that we can be bold in our testimony of the Savior. How I long for us to be the people He asks us to be.

As most of you know our daughter Aimee, and her husband Kaleb welcomed their third boy into their home on Tuesday, April 13th. I am so grateful things are ok. We miss them all very much and are thankful for the guardian angels sent to help...many in the form of human friends and relatives. We are hoping they come up with a name soon. We have all offered our suggestions for his name, and I don’t know why they have not accepted our ideas. (Dancing with Doodah, Herbert, Prophet....all wonderful names!)

Through the miracle of technology, Mike (and I) got to listen to Chugach Stake Priesthood meeting last night. It was wonderful to hear voices of such great friends. We could not get the video, but enjoyed visualizing all laughing, crying, and learning together. New and exciting things happening there!

Today is P-Day and Mike and I took off all the screens in our cottage and washed them. I can not believe the difference it makes. I think that often our lives are like that. We finally make the effort to repent and change, and then we notice how clearly we can see and are able to put things into perspective. But it is not until we make that effort that we know how clouded our vision has been.

No pictures this week. I guess I just need to take my camera more often. Love you all.

Elder and Sister Herbert

Dances with Doodah!

Dear Beloved Family,

It is with great joy that I announce another great grand baby for our mother Grace, and our 8th grandbaby.

Aimee had her third baby boy today.

8 LB 1 Oz

21 inches long

No Name yet (however they have a dog named Doodah.....so Mike suggested they call him "Dances with Doodah.....since their second little boy was nicknamed "Running Bear" until they had a name for him).

All seem healthy. I am a little depressed that I can't be with their family, but thankful that all is well. I know Mom helped too.

So Aimee and Kaleb have

Noble Wain (3 years old in March)

Braze Bjorn (1 year old in October) and

#3.......(Dances with Doodah) born today.

April 13th is a good day!

Singing!

Sunday April 11, 2010

After we clean the church on Saturdays we usually have a little singing practice. These guys love to sing and it is so fun to watch them. Because they all want to learn English we try to sing in English. To watch them give these beautiful hymns such energy and to watch their faces shining as they put their hearts and souls into music, is such fun for me. I added a YouTube link for you to watch if you are interested. This song is so special because our stake president, President VanOrden loves it so much. Mike and I could not help but think of him as they practiced. Then they sang it today in church.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XNzlzWk3Tg

A new lady member came to church today. She has been a member for 12 years. She joined the church in Haiti and came here two years ago. She did not know the church was here until last week. Now we are up to 79 members (10 children, 14 women, and 55 men). We average about 66% Sacrament meeting attendance. When a branch has 100 members, then the branch may qualify to have a new building built. So Mike and I have set our goal to have 100 member by the time we leave. However, because of the demographics of this area we are not sure these men will stay on the island for much longer, and perhaps it will take the saints longer to have their own building. But we are still amazed at the growth in the last year.

Our mission president is coming for a visit tomorrow. I think he just wants to come to interview the missionaries. We can’t help but feel a little uneasy because we don’t have an agenda. Because it is P-Day for the Elders, they talked about getting the mission president a bike to enjoy the day with them.

The former mission president told us success would be measured in millimeters here in Providenciales. We see huge strides with missionary work. Then on the other hand, we see the many problems that come when church standards clash with culture and when poverty is so overwhelming. We have great faith that no matter the problems, the church will continue to improve the lives of those who immerse themselves in the gospel.

We love you all.

Elder and Sister Herbert

Some of the sisters in our branch. Terrible of me...but cute of them!

Restoration

Happy 180th birthday to the church

Had an interesting experience tonight. Gelin was teaching the lesson in Family night about Genealogy. Several questions arose about the need for baptism for the dead along with eternal marriage. Most of the men are not members of the church and have different beliefs about life after death. They felt very strongly about Matthew 22 where Christ talked about marriage in the resurrection.They feel that scripture means that no one will be married after this life. It got rather rowdy and they asked me to help answer. I asked that they let Gelin finish the lesson and we would be happy to stay after and answer questions if they wanted. Well there were about 7 who stayed. Mike and I bore testimony about the restoration of the church. We explained that in order to believe, or even understand our beliefs, they must understand the need and possibility for modern prophets. I know they wanted to argue about marriage, but I think the restoration was more positive. They left with copies of the Book of Mormon and a promise to read and study. After those men left the missionaries told me they had already taught some of them and they already had copies of the Book of Mormon. We will see what happens. It is really true that a testimony of the restoration answers so many questions that trouble investigators.

Happy Late Easter

Dear Family and Friends,

Happy Late Easter

What a wonderful day yesterday. The conference talks were filled with things that I personally needed for the next six months. Did you hear all the talks about strengthening families? It gave me reason to pause, wondering if we could have done better in some areas and hoping my children heard what they need for their families.

We had so many visitors at the church to hear the prophet. When they hear there is a prophet on the earth at this time, they are very curious. It will be fun to hear what many of them thought. We asked them to pray to know if the things taught were true. We set up two computers. The Branch President brought a projector and we showed conference in French on a big wall in the chapel, (and then Creole when we discovered it was available), and the other room we hooked up a to a TV and showed it in English.

Pierre Paul...picture 1

We found out last night that Pierre Paul is going home in the next few weeks. We have waited and known that some would leave. With things so hard here and with new hope for Haiti, we think it is only a matter of time before more go home. We will miss him as he is so very faithful. He has a wife and two children and it is best that he be there with them. Mike feels the reason these men are here is to learn the gospel and then go home and be leaders of the church in Haiti.

Teacher Mama

I was visiting a little while ago and ran into some people from English class. I was introducing them and they called me “Teacher Mama”. I took that as a compliment. They love their moms and revere them.....so to be called “Teacher Mama,” was so sweet. (Simple joys of life).

Dogs

Every morning I wake up and go for a walk as soon as it is light enough to see. The first part of the walk is along the dirt road that runs into our street. I worry about dogs and people that live in the bushes. Last week a dog ran up to me, teeth barred, and barking. He hit my leg with this teeth, but actually did not bite me. I yelled and screamed at him, picking up a rock, and he ran away. Anyway since then I have been more aware and carry rocks when I get close to where he lives.

Then there is this dog who lives at the end of our little street. At first it would bark at me every time I went by. I did not like it because it would chase and bark every morning. I started carrying a stick for it and the many other dogs around the neighborhood. I carried that stick for a few weeks until I finally made friends with it. Now it bounds out to meet me and is such a sweet little dog. I laugh at it because it does so many funny things. Well, Yesterday morning, as I was on my way home, I saw it ahead of me, probably a hundred feet, and did not think anything about it. As I rounded the corner, something literally landed on my back leg and about knocked me over. The dog had been crouching down waiting for me and when I went past and turned my head, he pounced on me. He is so funny. In that way he is more like a cat than a dog. He wanted to play. Scared me to death!

Haitian Party picture 2,3.4

Last night after conference we were invited to Claud’s for dinner. We were very excited because 1) It meant I did not have to cook and 2) because we were really hungry and 3) we have tried to fellowship his family since we have been here. His sister and brother in law have been coming to church for the last while and we are hoping to see them baptized. None of his family had come to conference because they were all at home cleaning and cooking. Well we got there and had no idea it was not just dinner but a huge party. There was more food than I have ever seen at any ward party. (There was no alcohol, no smoking, no coffee. The biggest sin was Coke.....). There were probably only 25 people there but there was enough food for 125. When it was over everyone filled up styrofoam food holders and took enough home for at least one more day. I have no idea how much money they spent on that dinner, but it was huge. We felt honored to be a part. We asked if this was Haitian parties were like. They answered yes. We loved the food, the new people we met, and the sweet spirit that was there.

Aprive told us yesterday that when we left he would cry tears. I tried to tell him we weren’t leaving for a long time. He is the one that makes us laugh every time we talk to him. One of the problems of a language barrier is that often we don’t really know these men like we would like, what they think and feel. He is one that we wish we knew better.

We love you all. Have a great week!