The Importance of Each Person

Dear Family and Friends,

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

Elder Wilford Anderson

Dear family and Friends,

What a wonderful week.  We had an amazing experience with Elder Wilford Anderson, of the 70, this last week.  He is a member of the Caribbean area presidency.  He was doing a tour of the mission and stayed over for a special fireside on Wednesday night.  We had prepared for many weeks by cleaning and organizing the building, teaching members about church leadership, and planning for rides etc.  As it turned out it was more than worth the efforts.  We are so grateful for all who went out of their way to make the evening so special.  Immigration had been out in full force and we knew some members would be afraid to come.  Those who had the faith and ventured out to the meeting were well paid for their righteous actions.  We all had our separate prayers and they were answered by peace from the authorities and and outpouring of the spirit. President Ockey had rented two big vans and Mike and I drove to different parts of the island to pick up those who have no way to come in.  We have 73 members in our branch and 120 attended the fireside.  We feel so bad for those who chose not to come.

Elder Anderson commented that it was truly a miracle that in less than two years so many were gathered in our beautiful building.  It is the faith of so many here who made it happen.  

I am not sure you can appreciate this ......  But after being here almost 11 months, we now have running water in the ladies bathroom.  (Don’t ask!)  There are some things about this mission that we will never forget.  There are some things that we count among our greatest accomplishments.  This is one of both.  I can not begin to explain so that anyone can understand (or believe) the process that we go though to get anything like that done.  We have been working on air conditioning almost since we came, and we know others worked on it before we came!   ( I would never complain but it does get several hundred degrees during primary.)  Well, after Elder Anderson told us it would not be installed any time soon,  we just got word from a different source, that it is all approved. Now it goes from Puerto Rico, to Dominican Republic, to Jamaica, through all the red tape, and then perhaps we can have that done too, before we leave the island.

We have so many blessings and are so grateful to be a part of this great work.  Do you remember Daniel’s dream?   We feel like little pebbles of that great stone rolling forth though out the world.  So thankful to be here.

Love,  Elder and Sister Herbert

After a branch activity.

Tencie is the Relief Society President.  This is her serving the ball.

President Hendricks on the phone.  Elder Anderson said it is only appropriate that the picture is with him talking and solving problems every minute.  The life of a mission president!

 A branch picture after the fireside.

Good Week, Bad Week

Dear Family and Friends,

Good week!  Bad week!  More good than bad so at least in the right direction!  

The government is up to it’s old tricks and it causes a multitude of emotion.  Friday and Saturday they had road blocks all around the island.  They picked up over 200 Jitnys (the illegal taxis that people get around the island) and impounded the cars.  We are not sure what they will do with the cars.  We are hoping they will give them back but there is no TV or radio stations here to find the news.  Right now transportation is at a stand-still.  Those who have jobs can’t get there, and there were few able to get to the church today.   In the same time period 175 people were picked up and jailed, waiting for deportation.  No members that we knew of.  Many people just sit tight and don’t move around a lot.  The police/immigration authorities go into subdivisions and get people out of their homes to take.  Many of our members who live in the bushes are safer, because the police don’t usually go through the bushes looking for individuals, they go where there are more numbers.  

 It seems to us there is a huge difference between our problems of illegal immigration in the United States and the immigration problems here.  Perhaps I am just looking at it from a different perspective, but it sure seems different to me.  A white real estate agent told me a story that happened not long ago.  The police entered this lady’s home.  The lady was legal and had proper papers but the police were asking about her 42” TV.  They were accusing her of stealing it and said they were going to take it.  She hurried and called her boss who came right over.  When the police heard her talking on the phone, they left.  By the time the boss came the police were gone, but they would have taken her TV if it were not for her white boss. I’m sure  not all are corrupt but many here  are afraid of police or immigration....even Haitains  that are legal.  

The missionary work is very slow lately.  No one wants to come out of their house to learn or discuss anything right now.  There seems to be a distrust that is difficult to overcome.  Only 7 came to English class on Thursday which is a huge drop in numbers.  

But on a positive note...and there are many positive notes...we have some great members that are learning and growing stronger every day.  Our elders are pro-active and hard workers.  Some that are recent converts study so hard, try to learn, and want to help the missionaries in every way possible.  Ruben (our one week old convert) came to me and told me thanks for all I do.  He gave me such great compliments.  I could not help but be so thankful to be here serving these amazing people.  I could name many that are learning English so quickly and are translating for the elders.  As they listen (and translate)  the lessons over and over, it sinks deep into their souls.  We have great hopes for them.  I continue to be amazed with Michael (Pierre Osnor is his real name!)  as he is at the church every day, learning, growing, serving!

We went out to see the Manassa sisters and DJonny today.  They are fairly recent converts that live in an abandoned structure that was started as someone’s home.  They found plywood and remnants of carpet and mattresses which serve as a home.   I have no idea where they get food but they greeted us with big smiles and appreciated the prayer that we left.  They want to come on Sunday but now, more than ever, it is hard for them to get the 10 miles to the church.  Surely we will be judged differently according to our abilities and circumstances.  I learn much more than I teach.

I laughed at Claude today.  We were looking at the ocean and commented at how beautiful it is.  He said, “I don’t understand something about white people”.  (That was so funny because he was putting all white people in a category.....  something we as white people get in trouble for if we do that to another race).   “Why do they think this is such a beautiful place”?    We really laughed out loud.  It isso beautiful here.  But he sees it from a different perspective.  He associates this island with a lot of pain, and has a hard time separating the beauty of the island and the things which have happened to him.  I wish he could come and see the beautiful mountains in Alaska.  (I think he would be cold!)  Maybe some day he can.

President and Sister Ockey were here for the weekend (which is always a treat).  He completed the first, ever, annual audit.  They found one $.86 error which was corrected on the spot.  I think Mike was relieved to have that work out so well.   We continue to work on several projects to finish the church.  We still do not have air conditioning in most of the building.  It is so very hot and we just sweat and sweat.  All the projects here go though the mission in Jamaica, then Puerto Rico for approval, then money from Dominican Republic.  When projects go through 4 countries, it seems to take forever to complete.  The worst for me is that there has never been a woman’s bathroom that has running water at our building.  When a woman wants to use the bathroom, she has to use the little one in the primary or use the men’s.  Weird!    We have learned this is all part of the growing pains of starting a new branch in this little country.   Millimeters ..... that is how we measure growth.

We love you all so much.  We are happy.  We love hearing from you and know you are doing great things wherever you are. To our dear teacher friends, have a good “back to school” week.  We miss you and the camaraderie we felt working with you all those years.

Have a great week.

Love,

Elder and Sister Herbert

Gerland, Me, and Natalie.

 Claude and Natalie’s baby, Clyde Lee.  He is 

10 1/2  months old and a little doll.  A newborn when we came.

 The Manassa sisters, Sister Ockey and myself.

President Ockey, Claude, Mike, and DJonny.

 Sunrise, walking on the beach with Sister Ockey.

 Sand Crab on the beach....Can you see it?

A Little America

We have enjoyed the last few days immensely.  We got to go to Jamaica for the weekend!  Yea!  To get off the island for a few days was a great treat, in and of itself.  We left Friday very early in the morning and stopped in the Miami airport just long enough to get a Whopper at 9:30 AM.  You have to understand there is no Burger King on our Island and Mike has looked forward to that for many months.  We got to Jamaica fairly early and went to the mission office.   (Standing in line for over an hour in customs was not our favorite part of the trip....)   We got to visit with several mission leaders and got several items of business taken care of....in person.  The office couple took us to eat at a Chinese restaurant...which was so exciting for me.    President Hendricks took us to the mission home where ate again and went to bed early.  We enjoyed being with the Ockeys who had come for the weekend also.  

Saturday morning we were instructed in the new focus’ of Preach My Gospel.  So powerful!  I am so thankful to be a part of this great work.  There are 8 new areas of focus (not to be confused with Young Women values), and they all have to do with revelation.  Joseph Smith had a revelation and so much each of us to be converted.  We will probably not see an angel, but the Holy Ghost will burn a testimony into our soul, such that we can accomplish all He intends us to do!   Missionaries must be prepared with their own testimonies and guide, teach and expect revelation for new convert.  Often Mike and I get busy doing all the “things” we do that we forget whose work we are doing.  What a great reminder.  Then all the senior couple in the whole mission....a total of 16 senior missionaries were there and we had a great day, eating, playing games, visiting, sharing experiences.  What a fun day!

Monday was a terrific day back in the USA.  We requested and received permission for a several hour lay-over in Miami and rented a car.  We were afraid we would have trouble driving on the right side of the road, (because we drive on the left on our island), but Mike did a great job and we found our way around without a hitch.   We looked forward to three things....  Walmart, Costco, and Golden Corral.  We did Walmart and spent as much time as Mike could stand, and were amazed at the low prices, the large variety of commodities, and customer service.   Mike found a Bass Pro Shop and I had a hard time getting him  out that door as it reminded him of Cabelas.  Then we headed to Costco and bought nuts and dried mangos....two things we have sorely missed.  We did not have time (nor could Mike stand more walking up and down the isles) to enjoy more of the ambiance of Costco.  (Of course our membership had run out months before, so we needed to renew it....so much for saving any money there.)  We could not find a Golden Coral, Sizzlers, or anything similar so we ate at Dennys, and it was really delicious.  (We don’t have any chain restaurants in Turks and Caicos and miss food from the States.) 

BACK TO WORK !

July 30, 2010

Mike interviewed Ruben and he was baptized this morning.  He is such a great guy.  The elders have been teaching him for months....none of us could figure out why he was not being baptized.  He read and studied, prayed continually, and continued to ask questions.  We knew when he made up his mind he would be wonderful....and it finally happened.   Turned out he was so concerned that his father would be upset.  It ended up his father was not particularly happy, but was willing to let his son make his own decision.   He is one we found because of English class.  I did not do much to help teach him the gospel, but I am so excited to be a small part of his story.

 This is Elder Packard with Ruben.  These guys become like our children.... Take them out of their white shirts and they act so silly!

Off the Island

Hi You Guys....

       We made it off the island after 10 straight months. We are at the Mission Home this morning waiting for a ride to church. We've had a great time here, meeting with the other couples, etc. Tomorrow morning we leave Jamaica on an early flight that will get us into Miami at about 10:00 AM. We don't leave for Turks and Caicos until 8:00 PM. So we will get a rental car and head for Walmart, Costco, and other places on a quick shopping trip. That will be fun! We already have a list of things we need to buy and take back with us. We hope you are all well and safe. We will try and talk with you soon on SKYPE. We love you guys.

Dad and Mom

P.S. We will hit our 10 month mark in 3 days!

Happy July 24th!

Happy 24th of July!  

Today is a special day for LDS people.  Today is the anniversary of the day Brigham Young brought the first group of pioneers down into the valley of Salt Lake in 1847.   Salt Lake City became the end of the long trek west for thousands of saints who sought religious freedom.  Up to that point they had been persecuted and driven from their homes and were forced to go far away to the west.   So we celebrate all the sacrifices and hardships they suffered  in order to worship without persecution.  We honor those who went before and dedicated all they had to serving the Lord.

Fenn

It is very hard to describe Fenn but suffice it to say he is a character.  He is the most humble crazy person we have ever known.  Fenn gave a talk a few weeks ago.   He speaks both Creole and English so he did not need a translator.  When Fenn talks he has a tendency to go on and on.  Sometimes it makes little sense and we often just shake our heads.  This time he was talking about the blessings of tithing.  He said that no one should have a hard time paying tithing on our island....because anyone could go fishing, and sell the fish, and bring the tithing to the Lord.  Then he went on and on.... “and if you can’t sell the fish, just bring the fish to the church and give it to some people who are hungry”.  Then he continued to talk about growing plantains and bananas (which do not grow on this island) and bringing them to the church for tithing.  While talking with a Creole speaking man after church, he said that Fenn told different stories and examples in Creole than he did in English.  That is so scary because often people say things and we are never sure what they are really talking about.  How can we correct mistakes or false doctrine when we don’t know what they are saying.

Spiritual Experience

Had a great experience at English class last week.  We had talked about Joseph Smith previously and one man asked how we could believe about the first vision because the Bible is very clear that man can not see God and live.  I told him I would prepare some things and get back to him the next class.  Anyway I found and listed 12 Bible scriptures that recorded where prophets had seen God.  For about 1/2 hour we discussed why Bible scriptures can seem confusing, the characteristics of God, and what Joseph Smith learned.  I am not sure how many will change or want to learn more, but I was so excited to get to teach.  The spirit was really strong and I felt I was able to do what I was sent to do......

Rain!

Had tons of rain Wednesday.  What a blessing for us.  We have paid a ton of money for water to be brought to fill the cistern under our house.  We were thinking we would need to have it filled again, but alas, it was filled almost full in one day.   Tropical storm “Bonnie” threatened to cause a lot of trouble, but it blew over only leaving the water we need so badly!  

Family night with the Chalas Family

 Great kids in our branch.

English class....one of my favorite things.

Fritz with Elder Packard.  What a great new convert....so faithful.

Passed Half-way!

Dear Family and Friends,

Two weeks since we wrote.  Just want you to know we are ok.  I keep thinking there is nothing really happening that is new to interest anyone else.  We continue to be involved in the building of our little branch.  We think we are successful in baptizing and teaching, training, and supporting, then immigration takes more of our sweet members and we get discouraged again.  My English class has shrunk to under 20.  That is wonderful for the “English” part of my class, but not so wonderful for our teaching pool.

We finally got several amazing pictures up in our rented church building.  It brings the spirit of the Lord and feels more like a place of worship.  We are working on getting air conditioning in the whole building...(thank you,thank you) but it IS the Caribbean and we really do not know when anything will actually be accomplished.  We are also waiting for a car for the missionaries.  That should have been here months ago and will be a great blessing when it comes.  We found out recently that there are 3 new senior couples coming to our mission.   That will do a lot to further the work here.  They are in desperate need for a couple for the mission office.  Anyone interested?  

It is so hot and we finally started using the air conditioner at night.  What a great blessing.  We wake up refreshed and are able to enjoy a deep sleep.   However it makes me feel guilty because so many of our members have no home, and we have so many blessings.  We put on our mission clothes in the morning and start to sweat.  Drink and drink water.

We were blessed with another visit from our good friends the Ockeys..(mission Presidency) last week.  We so enjoy their visits and always feel appreciated and loved when they leave.

We passed our 9 month mark which means we are half way done with our mission.  In some ways it has gone so fast.  We just want to do what we are called to do while we are here. 

Our Friday night volleyball games have become a big hit.  We have more and more coming, more for the missionaries to teach. Love those elders.

We love you all.

Elder and Sister Herbert

 Trying on a new white shirt!