One Week Later

One week ago last night was the break-in. Spent much of the week calling all over the states trying to get my credit cards, debit cards, ID cards, all my personal information straightened out. What a mess. For any who have lost your wallet, you will understand the pain. Mike has been very good about not nagging/ reminding me that a wallet should not be stored in a car, even when it is locked. It makes me sort of sad because I like keeping my wallet in the car.....so I don’t loose it. I keep thinking the wallet will show up somewhere. Nothing in it will do anyone else any good. It would just be easier if they just would give it back. Trying to get a new driver’s license is proving to be a whole other crazy circle of roadblocks. I will probably try to get a local one.....costing way more than we want to pay......... then get a replacement when I get back to Alaska. Otherwise I will not be able to drive for the next 16 months, which is unacceptable.

We had a great Thanksgiving....way different than any I have had before. When we saw the $88.00 dollar price tag on a big (not huge) turkey, we figured we could do a little “different”. We ended up having a branch dinner. There were four ladies who cooked for about 40 men. When you think that is only cooking for 10 each, I guess that was doable. One lady cooked two turkey breasts. Another did a 20 pound potato salad. I did a huge “Wendy Crichfield” chicken salad along with my cinnamon rolls (made without my Bosch). The last lady bought rolls and drinks. It seemed to be enough for everyone. I actually enjoyed going to bed without being stuffed, and not having 30 pounds of food left over. Maybe this year I won’t gain 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year. We had a sing-a-long. The Haitian men love to sing and several have amazing voices. Anyway everyone had fun.

Erin is here with her two beautiful little angel girls. It is wonderful to see them. Now if I had a license, I would leave the kids with Mike, and Erin and I would run around together. There is no shopping to speak of, but we could go visiting. Now poor Mike has to tag along even if he does not want to. Erin brought us an endless list of things we needed that we can not get here. It is funny because now that she is here, we have already started another list for the next visitor.

With the Christmas season upon us, Leah helped us set up our 1 foot tree tonight. She put the decorations on and them took them off again to play with them. Having children around puts me in the Christmas spirit.

We went to the beach today on our P-Day. It was about 85º....slight breeze. Kids had a ball. Could not ask for more. Tomorrow Erin is helping with English Class and Family night. We love you all.

Mike and Bonnie

Hurrah for Zion!

This is an update to the weekly letter Bonnie sends out. Isn’t she great about sharing our experiences with all of you? Anyway, to the update..... last night I returned from taking the Elders home after dinner. The usual routine went on as we prepared to turn in for the evening. As usual, I emptied my pockets and placed my wallet, watch, etc. on the dresser in our bedroom area. We locked up the house and turned in about 10:00 PM. The night’s rest was uneventful except that sometime in the night we heard what we thought were cats out on the veranda.

This morning Bonnie arose, showered, and was preparing for the day (P Day) when she went into the kitchen. She returned to the bedroom and asked me, “What are your shorts doing on the floor in the kitchen?” Of course I had no idea. Then she asked , “Where are the car keys?” We usually leave the keys on the kitchen counter. The key ring contains car keys, house key, and keys to the doors of the church. I told her I didn’t know where the keys were if they weren’t on the counter. She then walked out the kitchen door and reported the our car was missing. We then began looking at what happened, and piecing details together.

It seems as though while we were sleeping, someone took out the screen over the kitchen sink, climbed through the open window and proceeded to burglarize our house while we slept only a few feet away. Apparently he came into our bedroom area, took our watches and picked up my pants. He must have found nothing in them and thrown them on the kitchen floor. Apparently, he picked up the car keys from the counter and used the house key to open the deadbolt on the door from the inside. He then must have made his getaway in our church owned Kia Sportage. Some of the neighbors were also victimized but to a lesser degree.

We believe we were blessed in that it could have been much worse in many ways. We of course have spent most of the day completing police reports, talking with the mission home, etc. Oh yes, I didn’t mention that Bonnie had a habit of leaving her wallet in the car. And that wallet contained her driver’s license, Military dependent ID, and many credit cards. So, she as been on the phone (thank goodness for Skype) all day canceling cards and notifying financial concerns. We’re also waiting for a locksmith to arrive to change the house locks.

We received a call from the police that they believe the car has been found. We are told that it appears to be in good shape inside and out. We didn’t dare ask about the wallet for fear that if perchance it is not missing...it would be when the police saw it. The keys were not in the car that was found. So that means whoever took them knows where we live and has a car key. The mission home folks told us that although it is expensive, they want the car re-keyed. The Church PFR said he doesn’t think we need to change locks at the church since there is nothing to indicate what those keys are for.

In retrospect, as I mentioned, it could have been much worse. Our good neighbor told us that 3 years ago in a house close by, the airline pilot occupant awoke while his home was being invaded. He confronted the thief and was killed. My first thought was that I wish I had awakened. But, maybe I was blessed by being fast asleep during the invasion. Anyway, all that was taken can be replaced. And they could have taken our laptop, MP3 player and dock, my wallet, Bonnie’s camera, etc. They were all within mere inches of the watches and that pair of pants. All those items would have been much more difficult to replace. Nevertheless the Gospel is true. I suppose the adversary was not happy that we had five baptisms yesterday...this was his payback!

Hurrah for Zion!

Elder and Sister Herbert

Kicked in Door

Another new experience. We picked up the elders at 10 AM on Wednesday morning and took them to the church. When we drove up Mike noticed the door frame had been broken. When we went to check we saw the the door to the clerks office had been kicked in. All of us had visions of the computer stolen. The elders had their bikes stored in there and that is where all the food is kept. As we studied what was there it seemed all that was taken was two cases of Gatoraid. We could not believe it. It seems like it was one person, on foot, and that is all he (or she, I guess) could carry. I have no idea what would cause someone to break in a church, kick in a door and steal two cases of Gatoraid. It actually had someone’s name on it as it had been left for a certain young man in our ward. The police came and took fingerprints, but we have little hope of finding out who did this. Here is my hope. I hope it was someone who came in with someone else and noticed it. I just don’t want it to be a member. I doubt we will ever know....but I don’t want to start worrying about the honesty of the members. I love them so.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers about Lemorin last week. He has decided to return to Haiti on December 20. Mike and I worry that when he goes, many in the bight will go with him. He is such a binding force in our branch. We worry that many others will go with him.

One of the members (Ralph Joseph) came to English class and Institute on Thursday night. We had not seen him here for a long time so were thrilled to talk to him. Turns out he has no place to live....just goes form one friends house to another....no job and no food. We convinced him to visit with President Otin (our branch president). He asked if we would come in with him and talk. There is such a language barrier here. We convinced him to take a Creole speaking brother in and they visited today. He told me he hadn’t eaten and has no food. I gave him some cans of soup which we had purchased for just this reason. He left with several people from the bight. They have a special brotherhood there and seem to take care of each other. The poor taking care of the poor. Another of our Sisters had not eaten in two days and was sick today. It is hard for me to understand why they stay here. Haiti must be worse.

It looks like Erin and her two little ones will come and visit us soon. We are looking forward to that.

It my mother’s birthday today. If she were alive she would be 90 years old. I miss her.

Here is a picture of all the men singing, “I am a child of God.” This was my English Class last Thursday night. I think this link will work if you want to hear them on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHTb7BBZ7dc

We had 5 baptisms today. The elders have worked so hard this week to make it happen. The first three weeks we were here there was a baptism every week but we have not had one for three weeks now. So to have 5 today was wonderful.

We love each of you so very much. Thank you for your prayers.

One of the things Mike and I have a hard time with is....the “haves” and the “have nots”. We drive down the road and on the right side is this resort and ohter mansions. On the left you drive up this broken up excuse for a road, and there is extreme poverty surrounding you. It is very hard to take pictures of their houses as they are very sensitive about that.

Cooler?

It seems cooler this evening. It is only 86º.....and there is a nice breeze. We are slowly.....very slowly getting to meet with some of the members. It is harder to meet with the men because so many speak Creole and no English. I get real upset with “down” time. I think we ought to be trying to meet with people all the time. I feel especially bad because the elders have people to teach all over the island and they don’t have a car. We have access to a car and it seems it sits a lot.

We went to try and find two people who Lex Olerenshaw told us to contact. One was not interested but said she might be willing to come and teach a basic class on genealogy. She is not a member but works on the church genealogy web page. She is a genealogy buff and had such a hard time finding names for people on the island. But it started her actually working to put names in. (Spirit of Elijah!)

We took Claude to the Bishopric meeting tonight. We like him so much. He always has questions. He loves the church and wants to do everything right. We are taking the missionaries over to Claude’s friend’s house tomorrow. He would like to go to church Sunday....but he needs a ride. Hopefully, some time soon, more will be able to help with rides.

OK....MIKE.... There is this little gray, stray, cat. (There are stray cats all over the island.) I guess some neighbors, who left, were feeding it. I told him about the cat and he said, “We can’t feed one cat or there will be cats all over expecting to be fed.” I said nothing. OK, Stop the story! I know anyone who knows Mike will know what happens next. The next night there was a small bowl of milk out on the deck, the gray cat eating with great joy. The next hour, Mike runs to the store to get food. We put one bowl out and a little calico comes begging, to which Mike runs for another bowl. Well this AM there is a new black cat on the deck and there are three bowls of food. I am sure they will tell all their friends. I asked Mike what we would do if more came. He just smirked. Fridaynight.....Update....there were 7 cats feeding on our back deck this evening.

Mike had a Branch Presidency Meeting tonight. Mike was teaching them about agendas. One of the men stopped and said, “You are my father. You are my teacher.” The first day we were here, the same man told Mike that they had been praying for us to come before we ever heard about the Turks and Caicos Islands. We have felt loved and appreciated before they even knew us.

I was talking to a few non-member ladies about coming to church. One of them said, “Do you want me to come to your church every Sunday?” I said, “Yes, every Sunday.” She said, “ OK, then I will. I want to go to a church where somebody cares about me.” (We will see if she really comes.) I think that is the way with so many of us in this world. We want to be where people care about us.

Good Day

This huge crab was walking across our road. Mike put his hand by it just to show how large it was.
Teencie and Sonja invited us to eat. They are sisters. Tencie on the left is the Relief Society President and Sonja is the Primary President.

Elders The elders were eating at a cafe a few days ago, when a member couple from Utah talked to them. The couple wanted to do something nice for them so they bought them a $100 gift certificate at this hamburger place where they were eating called the Salt Mills. The elders were ecstatic as they do not get fed much and they really like this place. So today they went to eat there to use part of the gift certificate, and much to their chagrin, the waitress told them they had to use the whole thing at one time. They called us on the phone and asked us if we wanted to come over and eat on them, as they had to use the $100 all at this meal. Elder Herbert was not feeling well and I had just eaten so we opted out of eating on their ticket. We gave them some other ideas and let them deal with it. A while later I called about another matter and they were still at the restaurant. We went over to where they were to see if we could help them in any way. We laughed and laughed because they had ordered all $100 worth of food. They were both sick. They finally got their last order of two pizzas to go and we took them home, bikes and all. They are coming over for dinner tomorrow and we are having the two pizzas. They don’t have a microwave, they could not imagine how to eat them with no microwave. They really are becoming like our children. Elder Herbert was pretty upset with the cafe....because that was clearly not the intent of the nice LDS couple that bought them the gift certificate. These are the things you laugh about for years.

We went to visit three inactive members today. There is no way to describe their living conditions. They were so happy to see us and so kind. They all said they really wanted to come to church but they do not have a way. Two of the three do not have jobs and a Chit-nee (taxi) costs $3.00 each way, which adds up to a lot of money for them. We ache for them and know they are sincere. Part of what we all need to learn is faith. We teach them that they must pray diligently, with faith, for answers to these problems. I believe that our Heavenly Father opens doors for His faithful and He wants them to be successful. Tithing is a major issue for so many here. Malichi teaches them that Heavenly Father wants to bless them, but they must exercise the faith to do His will. It is so much to ask, but necessary for them to find a way out of the problems they now face.

Hot Mike was not feeling good today. I think it is the heat. It really does wear on us Alaskans who are used to a little cooler weather. I hope he wakes up feeling better. Poor guy. I think he is losing weight. I seem to be able to eat just fine....no problems there. We have quit walking because even so early, it is just too hot. The elders reminded me today that this is a nice fall day. When I responded that I could not wait for winter, they reminded me that I would not notice much difference. You might be interested in knowing that we are not eating much ice cream even though I love it so. Our little tiny freezer can not keep it frozen hard and it just doesn’t taste quite as good as I remember. Banana popsicles have become our new best friends.

Another baptism today Watson is a great guy. Just want to come to church with his friend, and was ready instantly. He is really a jewel. We went over to his house yesterday so Mike could do a baptism interview. We met with several neighbors that would be open to teaching. Good people everywhere we go.

Fabian

Institute tonight! Fabian was there! We were all so excited. Last night we had come home so discourage because Fabian had been picked up by immigration authorities while walking home for lunch. I wrote in my journal about him and how we prayed for his safety and hoped he was at peace whatever was happening to him. He has a wife and family in Haiti and I was thinking this might be the Lord’s will that he go home. But he had just gotten a job and things were looking up for him here, so we were all bummed that he was leaving. And there he was tonight! Immigration kept him over night and then told him to go home. I wonder if they just did not want to process him....or if they were just tired, in a good mood, or were inspired. Whatever the case, he was back and so happy. He is a good man and we all rejoiced to have him back. It is amazing to see the world from such a different perspective. I have always thought we needed to be more careful with our borders in the United States. Here I have such a different view of the situation here. We feel so at home with these people.

English.....The institute teacher was a little late tonight so Mike and I worked with them teaching them English. We went over “I am a Child of God”, reading and singing it several times. Then we taught them several commands, like “Stand up, Sit down, Hop, Raise your right hand,” etc. Then we started to play Simon Says. It was fun. The men really enjoy all the interaction. President Graff does not want us to teach an English class per say....but he said we could work with them on English scriptures and songs. He feels they will learn better that way anyway. So we are going to take a few minutes before family night and institute each week and work with them on some basics. It helped me to have taken my Spanish class. It gives me ideas to use.

Kids. We talked to all the kids for just a few minutes tonight. It made us homesick. They all sounded wonderful and happy. Skype is amazing. It was really funny though because we had better reception talking so far away than we did when we tried Skype in the States.

Island Time We still do not have a phone in the house, which means we do not have the internet. We laughed about “Mormon Standard Time,” which means a little late. Island time is MUCH worse. If we say we will be at someone’s home to teach them at a certain time, it means nothing to them. This man asked us if we could give him a ride home from the church when he was finished with his job there. We went over and waited and he was not ready for two hours. Totally different concept of time!

Elder Davies, Jean
Augustine, Elder Figueora Alot of the guys there to recieve the priesthood.

Institute. Fabian is in the second row with the blue t-shirt.

Depressed

I know I can’t have the spirit when I am depressed.



Claude and his family are being kicked out of their home. He is only one of a whole subdivision. The land is technically government property.. The man who sold it to the many Haitians so many years ago did not own it. These people bought the property and have a paper to prove it. The government has known they were building for years...and just let them build. Now they are telling them to get out. They are coming with bulldozers and knocking down everything they own. How is this possible? What will become of them? Because many of them are really illegally here, they will offer to pay for a one way ticket back to Haiti. These are people who have worked and worked and spent thousands of dollars to have something they thought was their own. When the economy was good, they needed them here to do all the jobs that were here. Now the economy is horrible and they want them to go home.



We had (Tuesday night) family night planned and no one came so we closed up everything and headed home. It rained really hard today. I think that is why no one came. Last week there were about 20 people there, so we thought at least a few would show up.



Kesner came just as we were in our car leaving for home. He had just gotten off work and came as fast as he could. We took Kesner home. He is 24 years old, was baptized within the last six months, and was just made an elder. He works for Business Solutions.....an office supply store. He gets $200 a week. He works all the hours they need him and lives there as the guard at night. He has no where to go to the bathroom or take a shower. His parents live in Haiti and he sends much of what he makes home to them.



Mike and I are having a very hard time. I hope we make it.



I think the devil is not going to sit around and do nothing when so many are getting the priesthood and building the kingdom.