We participated in a wonderful memorial service for Elder Walker at the Spanish Town building. All the missionaries in Jamaica were able to travel and participate. President Hendricks is so wise to bring all the elders together and teach them (one more time) about the plan of salvation. Elder Coleman of the 70 was here with his wife. They both gave great talks and everyone was edified. Since this has all happened President Hendricks has been interviewed several times by newspaper people. They all want to know if he is pulling out the missionaries, if the church is going to sue the police, if the church blames Jamaica, and other such inquires. It is so funny to hear him repeat over and over that the church blames no one, that the church is staying here in Jamaica, and that this was not a tragedy. Without the perspective of Eternity, I can see why some would be inconsolable. It seems the newspapers want to make this into some sensational.
Elder Walker’s little sister was there. What a beautiful young lady. Her aunts and uncles have taken her in. I know she is very lonely without her brother and mother. But she is in a place where she feels loved.
Fun with Senior Couples
One of the fun things on a mission is the friends you make. We have had some wonderful experiences with the other senior couples. A few weeks ago we went down the Rio Grand River on banana boats. It was quite an experience. We spent a few hours on the river, had a wonderful, traditional lunch, then another hour down to the take-out place. When we were finished, assistants pulled the boats back up the river (about six miles) by hand….all barefoot. The boat captain allowed Mike and I both to go to the front and used the stick to guide the boat. Lots of fun.
George
George is our wheelchair friend. A few weeks ago he told us of one of his dreams. (He is the one who was stabbed in the back, cutting his spinal cord, leaving him a paraplegic). He said someday he wants to walk up to bear his testimony. We talked of finding him a walker to start with. Today at church there was a lady who had a walker and George traded her for the day. She was having trouble getting around with her walker, so George, being George, just traded her for the day. He was so slow and careful but he walked up (with the walker) to the front and bore his testimony. The whole congregation sat stunned and you could have heard a pin drop as he made his way to the front. It took all his concentration and his legs shook the whole time, but he made it. (I told Mike I wanted to take a picture. He just rolled his eyes and said something like, “you can’t”, which made me want to do it even more. But I didn’t take it.) However it is etched in my brain and I am so thankful to be here and see it. I think the whole audience wanted to cry. This is the guy who gets in his wheelchair and goes over an hour to get to church every week. He is always here and always early. What a great inspiration to us all.
I know this is short. So much more has happened, but much sounds the same. One of the wonderful things about being a missionary is that life is really simple. We get up, exercise, study, find, teach, visit, visit, visit. We have so few other cares. I think when we go back to “real life,” it will be hard to manage all that is required of normal people.
We are getting excited to come home….but trying not to think about it. We love you.
The seven Elders that were in the van with Elder Walker at the time of the shooting….and Elder Walker’s little sister.
Mike pulling banana boat
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