Sometimes I think not much happens in a week. Then we start thinking and all these pivotal things come to mind.
One of our members had been disfellowshipped a year ago. He has done so well and we need him desperately in our little branch. As soon as his time was up and all interviews completed President Hendricks and President Ockey made special trips from the Bahamas and Jamaica for him to be reinstated. They were only here for the evening and left the next morning. It cost well over a thousand dollars to have this meeting. Things like this remind me constantly of the importance of each person. This church is a church of individuals.... not masses. Christ comes to us one by one to give us personal confirmation of His reality.
We also found out we are getting a young married couple from U.K. moving here for at least a year. They have been very active and will be a great addition to our numbers. We are so excited. We have so many new converts and not many members that have been involved and know what the church should look like.
We got a new elder , Elder Johnson...from Jamaica. It is so exciting because so many here have never seen a black elder. All these members have seen is white missionaries. He is a sharp elder and we are thrilled to have him. He joined the church about 4 years ago. His sister is a member but that is the only member of his family. I am so hoping he can influence a few in our branch to have a desire to serve a mission. Lucky Us! Of course he could not just come in without some drama from this country. When he landed and tried to come through immigration, a security agent came out to tell us that he could not come into Turks and Caicos without a “letter of invitation”. The church pays a lawyer big bucks to handle things like this for us. I had taken all his paperwork to them over a month ago so we would not have any issues of this sort. Well the lawyer finally had to come to the airport to get him in. Elder Johnson was a good sport about it. We explained to him that this would be the first of many experiences here in this country. We warned him to keep his paperwork on him all the time to prevent confusion with immigration who might stop him any time.
We spent a lot of time this week working a deal for the elder’s new apartment. They have lived in their old apartment for the whole time we have been here and have had a lot of trouble. Every time it rains, water comes in through their walls and on to their floor. The landlord has known and done nothing to fix it. The elders have been charged way too much for some of their utilities so they are excited to leave. The new apartment is very small but sufficient for their needs. It is in a better location and is brand new. I feel we were directed to find exactly the right place for the elders.
The Young Women (all three of them) had a dancing activity this last week. We learned the Salsa. It was great fun. The Relief Society is having a movie night this week. (The Testaments in French and English). The first activity is about 10 months. We had an Elders activity last month. The Primary program is planned and we are practicing. So...... it may not look like Eagle River, but we are very slowly pulling together and leaning how the church should operate.
We continue to be amazed at the support we receive from tourists and others who are invested in this country and the members here. On Tuesday, we sent Franscois home to Haiti with the generous donations of tourist who wanted to help. He was thrilled to go home. We pray that the economy in Haiti will turn around and change the outlook for that country. So many that have gone home (are thrilled to be there) but without work there and we worry about them.
When we came home from the airport early Friday, the sun was just coming up and was behind these clouds. It was beautiful! I wish it was as easy to see the silver linings when our life got dark.
School starts tomorrow here for the kids. Some are excited, and some discouraged....just like in the States.
We are keeping tack to the hurricanes in the Caribbean....but so far none are coming our way! Hurricane season lasts until December!
We love you all very much and are thankful for this opportunity!
Elder and Sister Herbert
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