A Mission for Our Church: First Primary Program!!!!!

Dear Family and Friends,

Primary program. Today was the first Primary program this branch has ever had. We had twelve children there....only one missing. (Three of those come from non-member families). Before the program started I talked for a few minutes about how the Primary works. I think it was interesting to them that everywhere in the world we have the same sharing time lesson. Children everywhere today in their Primary were having a lesson on the importance of prayer and correct way to address Heavenly Father. The kids did very well in the program. Wish I could have taken a picture. Of course I could have used Kathy Strawn and Lessa Bridges to spice it up a little. It did add a little “flavor” when we used a translator also. One of the guys from our English class came to visit. It was so wonderful to see him there. We have formed tender bonds of friendship that will last forever.

Stake Conference. Thank you so much President Van Orden for giving us the URL so we could watch and listen to the meeting this AM. What a wonderful experience. It is an amazing thing to be half way around the world and to see and hear people we love. It was a tender time for us to be in fellowship with old friends. As the camera moved around the room we would say, “Hey look there are the Clarkes. Do you see Lisa Weight? Hey, there is Jason Smedley.”... and the list went on. We too, felt the spirit of of the wonderful new stake presidency. We will all miss President VO.

Time Flies. It is amazing that one year ago (on the 21st) we spoke in Sacrament meeting and left for our mission. More and more we realize how much the church needs senior couples. So many I have talked with want to go on missions but are nervous about what they may be expected to do. What these places need is people who have had some experience ... knowing what a Relief Society, a Primary, Priesthood should look like. I wish I was better at music and I wish I knew Creole.... but what they really need is just people with some experience. We would encourage any who have a desire to work towards it as soon as possible. We know that every mission and every assignment within a mission will be completely different. Mike and I have had some pre-conceived notions and have had to set them aside. We never know what we will be asked to do. But we have been amazed that our talents (few as they may be) are used to accomplish specific work needed here. We take no glory, just are grateful to be a part of the work.

One Example.

Last Sunday evening our mission president called and said someone in our hospital needed a blessing. A couple from Texas came for a vacation and the wife had a heart attack. They were both fairly new converts. She called her home teacher in Texas and said she wanted two things..... her name put on the temple prayer list and a blessing. Her home teacher found out the mission, the mission president and made the call. Isn’t the church amazing? We were able to go on Monday morning and help with the blessing. We visited them several times before she was medivaced out of here and we have some new, very dear friends. We were hoping they could not leave for several more days so they could come to church and be a part of our little branch. It would not surprise me to see them back here one day. (When she got back t the US, she had two stints put in as she had a total blockage in one of her arteries).

Home in the bushes.

This evening we delivered some food to a man who lives in the bushes. Usually we take the food to the road and call him to come out. Tonight I asked if we could come and see his house. He said that would be fine. We walked about 100 feet though stickers, rocks, and heavy bushes. (It is no wonder Immigration has never found him). There is no way to describe his house....but I will try. It is a very heavily wooded area with a winding path and I felt I was hiking in bush Alaska....except I was sweating. (When we finished I had to pull stickers out all over my skirt.) His house was made of very old (lots of holes) plywood....maybe 8’ by 8’, and only about 5' tall. The top was plywood too and it was all covered with black garbage bags. He did have a door, of sorts, and a mattress inside. Besides the mattress, there was probably two feet of floor space on one side. That was the extent of it. He had places for cooking outside. He had one plastic chair outside. He had a few buckets and other necessities. ( I wonder where he goes to the bathroom). He has to carry water from somewhere else. I tried to take a picture of it but there was too much brush so you can not really see what it looks like. Some of these come to the church on Saturday to take a shower and wash their clothes with water from the church. They come to church with ironed, clean clothes. I am so thankful to know them. They make me want to be better with all the privileges I have been given.

Missionary work

When we first came missionary work was hopping. I know the elders are discouraged because we have not had a baptism in almost two months. It is hard to explain, and I am not sure I understand, what is happening. We blame it on immigration.... but the country here is economically depressed and everyone here is having a hard time. People are leaving the island in droves. I also think Satan is working over time as other churches are starting to send out anti-mormon literature. We pray about it constantly and know the Lord is in charge!

We love you all and are very grateful for your friendship and support. We know the church is true and are thankful to be working, as are you, to teach the truths that make people happy and families forever. Hurrah for Israel !

Love,

Elder and Sister Herbert

Huge cockroach....I know it is blurry....but you cannot imagine how painful it was for me to take this.