Saying Goodbye To January

Dear Family and Friends,

The Ockeys.....
New Counselor to the Mission President. Good Choice. He will be over
our Island and will visit us often. They came to visit us for the
weekend. They came Friday afternoon and we just said goodbye to them
tonight...Sunday evening. They rented a car and will take themselves
to the airport in the AM. They are builders from Canada. Started
life as school teachers. After 11 years and 3 children they begin
with one house....then another etc. You would never know they had
money. Down to earth...workers.....go getters. They came to eat at
our house today and Sister Ockey got up and did the dishes...no
questions. They were so appreciative of our simple dinner. They
are very generous and want to serve others using the blessings given
from the Lord.

They had us hopping all weekend. We went visiting and finding and
working and meeting....etc, etc. Made me happy to find two people we
have looked for.

Had very interesting experiences today..... extensions of what has
been going on. More people with dead or missing families....no money,
no place to live. They are often the ones with more faith.

Some of them walk around with a huge smiles on their faces. One of my
favorites is Gelin. His sister died about two months ago of some
sickness.....he has no idea what. His mother died a few weeks
later....they don't know why. She had been so sick and they just
waited for her to die. He had no money to go home to the funeral or
to say goodbye. Then the earthquake hit and he did not know for days
if any of his family was still alive. He found out that they were
all ok, but their house is gone and they are some of the thousands who
now live in tents around Port-au-Prince. So now, at 25, he is here,
trying to work to make some kind of future for himself. Before his
mom died he heard some men talking about the church and asked if he
could learn about it too. He is one of those that missionaries dream
about. He knew immediately that the church was true and has not
turned back. He is so faithful about reading the scriptures. After
English on Tuesday we have Family Night. On Thursday night we have
Institute. I heard him on a few occasions, stand up and explain
about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon to non members. He
translates with the missionaries to teach their lessons. Always has a
big smile. I asked him last week how he is doing without his mom and
sister. He said, "Fine. They are dead, what else can I do?" I said
that I guess we could cry. He says he cries every day. But I never
see that. One day he said, "Life is like that you know. This is not
where we will get our reward. God is in charge." So one more time,
added to the 100 other times, I learn from them. There are several
cases similar to his....some have it worse, because their testimonies
are not so firm.

In so many ways they are like children. Sweet, innocent, and
dependent on the Lord. I want to be more like them. But I don't want
to pay the price they are paying.

We had another baptism yesterday. One child of record and new
convert. Have about three planned for next week. We love our
missionaries here. They work very hard and are delightful. We feel
so lucky to be around them.

Mike was appointed as the 2nd counselor in the branch yesterday. He
will be a great benefit who work with him. 52 at English class last
Thursday. Only 12 were members. 45 stayed for Institute.........

This is such a beautiful island. When we left to come on our mission
people would tease us about going on a vacation....not a mission. We
have learned that all missions (even for senior couples) are
different. And all missions (even for senior couples) make those
missionaries reach down to the center of their core to decide what
they are all about.

We love you all very much.
Elder and Sister Herbert

You Are Cold, We Are Not

Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings to all in the frozen north, south, east, and wet west. We missed sending out a weekly update from the warm country last week. We’ve been quite busy lately dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. It has greatly affected members of this little branch as nearly all of them have family or friends in the Port-au-Prince area. Most were unable to communicate with their families there due to all phone communications being disabled. Some have not yet received word from their homeland; others have. Nearly all have lost some family members, or their people are now without homes and possessions. Several of our branch are trying to return to Haiti to help. But, alas they lack the funds to do so. Some of those have come to local church leaders asking for $$ to purchase a ticket. Of course, they left disappointed since there are no Church funds available for that purpose. It is a very sad situation that tugs at our heart strings. However, we have been able to use our computer and SKYPE to try to help some reach their families. In several cases they received sad news. We have done a great deal of consoling as you can imagine. Please continue praying for these valiant saints and all those in that devastated land.
On another note, you may recall in November while sleeping in our bungalow, we were visited by someone who climbed through the window and took our watches and car along with Bonnie’s wallet, license, credit cards ,etc. Well last Tuesday night apparently we were visited again during our sleep. Despite extra security measures we have taken in the house, this time our visitor only broke into our car. The car was not taken, but all the pockets, ashtray, glovebox, etc. were gone through. Of course we leave nothing in the car. However, the intruder made away with two CDs by the Tabernacle Choir. Maybe that will help lift them spiritually, or even convert them! The culprit also paid a visit to our neighbor’s car where she had left some groceries the night before. There was some food items missing, but I wonder what thieves will do with that large bag of dog food? There are some really hungry folks here.
On another front, we now have MLS online in the branch. The branch President was eager to learn how to conduct tithing settlement. We still have a ways to go with the members however as only five of them attended the meetings with the President. Then again, I’m sure many thought that if they had no income to report, they didn’t need to attend tithing settlement. Also, after many emails, phone calls throughout the Caribbean, and conversations, we have a branch budget. The checking accounts are almost straightened out as well. I’m reminded daily of what the previous mission president meant when he told us, “ progress in T&C will be measured in millimeters; not feet or yards.” There is inspired wisdom in his words.
Bonnie is continuing to have great success with her twice a week english class. We average 40-50 students each night. By far most of the attendees are not church members. Following the class each evening, we have either a Family Night (Tuesdays) or Institute (Thursdays). This is providing an opportunity to teach many about the Gospel without them realizing they’ve been taught a lesson. It generates many good questions, and several solid referrals.
We thank all of you for your expressions of love and support. We believe we are blessed to be able to serve the Lord as missionaries, and work with many of His choicest spirits. Have a wonderful week and enjoy the cool weather. (It’s been in the 70’s and 80’s here through December and January.)

Much love to you all,
Elder and Sister Herbert

Questions About the Earthquake?

Dear Family and Friends,

We have had so many emails asking about Haiti. Thanks for your concern. We are fine We are glued to the TV every chance we get to hear the latest. Our island is about 80 miles from Haiti. Most of the members of our branch are from Haiti and have family that live there. Most communication is down and they are all worried. Mada (our dear new convert) is concerned about her husband who is visiting family and friends in Haiti. It is so hard for us to understand why people who are soooo poor now have this new disaster to overcome.

I know there will be great relief efforts . I looked up the church web page and found that they have help on the way as well. But there are so many trapped and such poor systems in place to handle the problems. The infrastructure, even before the earthquake, was very poor. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Please pray for those who are hurting.

I talked to our mission office today. They said 1. No missionaries were killed. 2. Several members are among the dead. 3. No chapels were damaged. (That says a lot for how they are built).

The elders went with us today and we visited the bight (where many Haitians live here). We talked with many. They are all upset because they can not call family. Many are talking about going home to Haiti to help. Today the airport in Haiti was down and so no one could go. So many have wives and children there. Everyone is so sad. Tonight we are taking our computer and letting people try to contact family on Skype. I wish there was more we can do. Just for your information, if you go to the church web page," lds.org" and go to "news and events", then "Newsroom", there is a place you can donate if you would like. The thing I love about donating to the church is that there is NO OVERHEAD. All the money goes directly to those who need help.

Was so impressed Sunday. There is this lady who had a new baby. She has not been to church for several weeks because she does not have a ride. They have very little money and she does not like to take her baby in a jitney (illegal taxi used here) because she does not feel safe. Anyway she got a jitney and brought her baby and came to church. I figured out a rough estimate of what she makes per hour and what I made last year per hour. If she was paid a comparable wage, I figure it cost her over $100.00 to come to church. I wonder if I would make the sacrifice that many do here. I love them for their example and sacrifice.

We love you all.

Elder and Sister Herbert

Earthquake in Haiti

How does the earthquake affect you and the islands? I know there is a Tsunami watch posted.

In Earth Science this year we learned that if you are on the beach and you see the tide recede way far out to the ocean, and you see fish flapping around--the temptation is to go out and pick up the fish. However, this is a definite sign that a Tsunami is about to hit, and a lot of people have been tricked into going after the fish and died in the following Tsunami. If someone sees the tide changing so drastically, they need to start heading to higher ground immediately--Tsunamis are very fast.

Do they give you any kind of training on the islands concerning hurricanes and Tsunamis?

We love you, Kathy

Thanks for your concern. We are fine. In case some have not heard, yesterday Haiti had a 7.0 earthquake in the capital. We know little but the news says there could be thousands dead....we heard 3,000,000 affected. Haiti is only 80 miles from us. They did post warnings but even then, they said it was not likely a Tsunami would reach here. We are more worried about Haiti. Most of the members of our branch are from Haiti and have family there. Many are from Port Au Prince where the earthquake was centered. Most communication is down and they are all worried. Mada (our dear new convert) is concerned about her husband who is visiting family and friends in Haiti. It is so hard for us to understand why people who are soooo poor now have this new disaster to overcome. I know there will be great relief efforts and I know the church will be a part of that. But there are so many trapped and such poor systems in place to handle the problems. The infrastructure, even before the earthquake,is very poor. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Please pray for those who are hurting.

We love you,

Elder and Sister Herbert

Tired? Ha ha!

Hi to all,

Surprise! Bonnie said she was tired of doing this weekly update (not really), and so it is my turn to put pen to paper so to speak. Another day, week, month, and year has come and gone here in sunny Turks and Caicos. There seems to be some new event or adventure to overcome each step of the way as we continue to figure out which direction to go in service to the Lord. Tomorrow we do a full court press on the local DMV office in pursuit of obtaining local drivers licenses. Bonnie takes her first in a series of tests (this is the international road sign test) When she finally gets her driver’s license we will be made whole after our break in and robbery a few weeks back. We finally received our replacement credit cards and a new PIN so we can again get cash from the local ATM. Of course the banks here would not cash “off island” checks for us, and they won’t let us open an account without depositing tens of thousands of $$$. That’s just not going to happen. Here’s what I’ve been going through to get the church vehicle registered and get a local license....

Experience #1.... Registering the car.... I can’t tell you how many trips to the Dept of Motor Safety to get this done. Finally and only with the help of a local member, it is legal to take it on the roads

Experience #2 ... Local Driver’s Lisence ..... I made no less than 10 trips so far to get the license. The computers were down, their copy machines aren’t working, I needed cash and only had a credit card, I needed to go to a different office to pay the fees, etc, etc. It took three trips for them to figure out Alaska was part of the United States...so he had to have special signature in order to proceed. Finally after all the running around and days of returning to visit our new (and becoming very well acquainted) friends, after paying the standard $125.00, I have to go back in tomorrow ( two weeks later) to pick it up. What do you believe the odds are that I will have the license this time tomorrow night? I’ll never complain about the Alaska DMV office again!

On another front, we had more vandalism done to the church building yesterday. We have been trying to get some fairly extensive remodeling done on the building. One of the members runs a small construction company and he got the job to do the work. Apparently one of his workers (not a member) was mad at him because he has not been paid. Anyway, this worker paid a visit to the rear of the building and brought along his handy-dandy cable cutters and cut the 220V wire bundle to the building in 3 places. When we discovered the damage, I called our member “boss” and told him what happened. He said he would come right over. In the mean time I made all the appropriate notifications by phone. However, when I tried to call and report the incident to the local sterling police department, I tried for an hour to reach them by phone (911 and local numbers) but never got an answer. Kind of makes you feel really safe and secure doesn’t it? By the time I returned to the rear of the building and talked to the “boss” he said he knew who did it and he had called him on the phone and confronted him. The worker admitted doing the damage because he was mad and said please don’t report it to the police, and he would come right over and repair it. He did. That took a bit of the sting out of knowing the entire T&C police department had apparently taken the day off. That’s the way things happen on this island.

On a more positive note, the work continues to move along here. Today was testimony meeting and several of these sweet and humble people stood and shared the contents of their hearts with the rest of us. Bonnie’s twice a week ESL class continues to be very popular. There now seems to be more non-church members than members. However, that fact continues to generate new teaching pool leads for our elders. I think most of them simply come to see the “cheer-leading white lady” bounce around the room on Tuesday and Thursday nights. It’s a fun sight as you might imagine. Our Mission President is paying us a visit this Friday and Saturday. It’s always fun and uplifting to visit with him and his wife when they visit. Although the local elders go into a panic each time.

I have rambled on enough for this installment. We feel very blessed to be on the Lord’s errand. thank you for all your support, emails, and prayers. They really do make a difference. Bye till next time...

Mike and Bonnie

Below are pictures of non-members learning the Articles of Faith and Family Night Bingo with Elder Herbert!

English Class

Dear Family and Friends,

English Class

Every Tuesday and Thursday I teach an English class for 1 hour. Elder Herbert has started coming and he makes for a lot of fun in class. I teach the same rules of reading and writing that we taught in elementary school. (Mike always walks in my class and corrects my spelling/grammer, the same as he did at Homestead). However many of the dialogues and readings we study are not about Dick and Jane....but about Joseph Smith, Nephi, etc. We started with 3 or 4 men but the word has spread. Last week we had 30....27 men and 3 women. After class on Tuesday we hold a Family Home Evening with a lesson, game, and refreshments. Thursday night is Institute where there is a lesson in Creole with and excellent teacher. So the English students usually stay for one of the gospel centered classes. This has been a great tool for the missionaries as they have several in their teaching pool. I think some started coming just for the English class, then stay and are interested in the gospel. This has become the favorite part of my week. Last week as I looked at each of them, I felt the love the Savior has for each. There is no way I can describe my joy being around these humble, sweet people. I am not sure I will ever understand (at least not in this life) how it is fair for some of us to have so much and for others to have so little. But I do feel the Savior’s love and peace here.....amist all the trouble and poverty.

Visiting

The missionaries came with us to visit the other day. We had a wonderful few hours....lots of fun and jokes.....but NOT ONE person found home. It was an interesting day. Our jokes became, “Well, we found where he isn’t.....so that is not a failure.” Many Haitians return to Haiti, or find work somewhere else and it becomes difficult to find them. Most do not have addresses or a permanent residence. So if they do not want to be found, it is easy for them to become lost. One convert even returned to his old profession as a preacher. We have looked and looked for him but to no avail. We know he is still on the island, but not living where he lived before. Transportation to church meetings is a major problem here. Others who know more than I say it is the same problem in all the Caribbean.

Christmas Party....Oh Help!

We were warned....but did not understand how it could be. We have about 60 people in our branch....only about 12 women. People worked all day Friday to cook. ( Ham, Turkey, chicken, lots potato salad, Creole rice). So we stopped counting at well over 100 people who showed up. I felt like I was in the middle of one of those news reports where they are passing out food for starving people.....and the people are going crazy. All part of a learning curve. Then this AM there were about 10 men there to clean it all up. If the Lord calls on me (which I know He does not need me to help HIm) to speak for these humble, sweet members, I will have nothing but good to say.

Mada’s Baptism

It was so fun. She was excited and happy. She and others like her are what make this wonderful experience. When I first met her, she cried every time we talked. For the last two weeks she has smiled and laughed and sang. I know her circumstances have not changed but her heart has changed. I think because she is my age, we have become great friends. Her husband came to Mike during the baptism and said he would tell Mike when he was ready. We so desperately need families in our little branch. At this point her husband works only one day and week...and that is on Sunday. They need the money so badly that it makes it very hard for him to decide to give that up. He is a good man.

Neighbors:

Our cute British neighbors had a huge Christmas Party last night. They invited us up to join them but we were at our own party and did not get home until late. They were so cute about including us. They had several very important people (high rollers) there and there was a DJ...lots of loud music.... decorated to the hilt. This has been a very multicultural experience. Our neighbors include British, Canadaians, Italians, French, those from the Island, and of course, Haitians.

Mike’s Driver’s license... lessons of frustration

Experience #1.... Registering the car.... I can’t tell you how many trips to the Dept of Motor Safety to get this done. Finally and only with the help of a local member, it is legal to take it on the roads

Experience #2

Mike needs to have a local driver’s license. He has made no less than 10 trips to accomplish the task. The computers are down, their copy machines aren’t working, he needs cash and only has a credit card, needs to go to a different office to pay the fees, etc, etc. It took three trips for them to figure out Alaska was part of the United States...so he had to have special signature in order to proceed. Finally after all the running around and days of returning to visit our new (and becoming very well acquainted) friends, after paying the standard $125.00, he has to come back in two weeks to pick it up.

I won’t even go into what is taking for me to get a driver’s license here. For one thing, there is no road manual on this whole island for me to study......I have to pay to take each test....and if I fail...I have to pay to take it again.....

Christmas....

I hope your are all ready for Christmas. We love each of you so much. Thanks for all your influence in our lives and the lives of our children. We have so much to be grateful for, not the least of which is our friends and family. We are so thankful for the Savior and this sacred time to celebrate His birth.

Love to each of you,

Elder and Sister Herbert

Mom and Dad

Papa and Monga...etc..etc...

PS. As for us, we plan of snorkeling on Christmas Day. Eat your heart out, Alaskans.

Knocking the Computer

Last week in Primary a child knocked my computer off on to the hard tile floor. I was sure my nice new computer was ruined. It is dented but seems to work fine. I don’t know what we would do without it. I keep everything on it....from English to Primary, from who we have visited and who we need to visit to our finaces. It would have been very difficult without it. I know it is just a thing.....

Well the floor is clean, all the bedding is washed, the dresser is clean, most of the borrowed things are returned and the house is quiet. Way too quiet. Erin and the girls left this afternoon and it is amazing the hole that is here when they are gone. They filled our lives while they were here. Although I have to admit I am looking forward to sleeping in until 6:30 tomorrow morning. Perhaps now we will concentrate on more missionary work.

The people here loved Erin and the girls (some of the men wanted Erin to give them her picture and we had to make sure they understood she was happily married everywhere we went). I think Erin and the girls were influential in Mada telling us she is ready to be baptized. Mada is a lady, about my age, who has had such a hard time and I think Leah brought life that she had not had for a while. Every time Leah would see Mada, she would run to her, yelling, “Mada, Mada,” and run into her arms. Mada loved our visits with Leah. We have been after her to commit to baptism for the months we have been here. Yesterday, she came up with it all by herself. When asked if she was sure, she started crying. Even Lucien, her husband, promised to come to the Christmas party. We told him he really needed to take the lessons so he would understand what she was doing. Her only child, a 28 year old daughter died last year and she was not able to go home to Haiti for her funeral. This has enveloped her life for the last year and I don’t think she has felt much hope. I have tried to explain that her daughter is learning about the gospel in heaven and that she is waiting to have her baptism ordinance done also. I am not sure Mada understands that yet.

The branch president called tonight and asked if I would speak in church tomorrow. This is the third time I have spoken in Sacrament meeting since we came. (Does that show they are hard up for speakers?!) I read several talks about Christmas and still have not a clue what I will talk about. I should be working on that. One would think it would not be so hard.....to come up with a talk. We love the people so much and they are so teachable. It is important not to waste time with fluff. They need to be taught solid doctrine.....and then taught to have the faith to live it.

Almost daily, someone will see my name tag and stop me on the street and ask me about the church. How wonderful to be in a place where people are searching to find Christ. We love wearing the name of our church over our hearts. I guess we should live so that we don’t need a name tag, but that our countenance would show who we serve all the time.

Walking up to see Mada

Mada , Lucien, Leah and Abby.