All is right!

I had to post again because of the tender mercies of the Lord. Today, Christmas Eve, we purchased food stuffs for five families in our branch. Three single mothers, Robert, who just got baptized and basically lives off the land and Phil, an 18 year old boy who is another recent convert that lives alone with his ailing mother. It took some time to gather it all together and then we went to deliver it.
There were hugs and tears and "Merry Christmases" Some very sweet exchanges. When we went to Phil's house, which is one room no bigger than a normal size bedroom in an average American home, He wasn't home but we found his mother sitting on the steps eating some rice. Her name is Lattesha, We told her we had some Christmas food for her. Tears came to her eyes and I hugged her. She wrapped her arms around me and just started to sob and held on tight. I sobbed right along with her. I felt like she probably hadn't been held for a very long time.
 Nothing against her son Phil, but what 18 year old boy hugs their mother on a regular basis? Plus, he is in charge of her every need. Do all the laundry in the river etc.  He is really a very nice, sincere young man.  I believe she has Parkinson's because her hands are shaking all the time.
After we left, I was just overcome with all of the hardship and scarcity that is all around, every where I look. I realize that this is what these people know and they eek out a living the best they can. Here it is Christmas Eve and people were still selling from their make shift stands, trying to get money for Christmas. We bought as much as we could from them. Eggs, carrots, pineapple,tomatoes, and potatoes.
When we got back to our apartment I was overcome again and had to crawl up in bed and just sob...like ugly crying sobs. It was a good release. Dave held me and I said I wanted to go back to Lattesha's and read to her or something. I couldn't stand to think of her alone most of the time in that little shack, no water, no electricity, and shaking and hurting.
So we did! We got Dave's lap top and drove back over the bridge and down the sandy, bumpy road. We got there and she was just sitting in her hammock in the room. We watched the first part of the Presidents Devotional with the beautiful lights of Temple Square and the beautiful music of the Tabernacle choir. Dave and I each held a hand of Lattesha's.  The hand I held was constantly shaking. I tried to hold it tight enough to give her some relief from the shaking but it still shook. Then I starting to squeeze her hand and then move up and squeeze her forearm, up and back, up and back. That seemed to stop the shakes. Maybe I gave the nerves something to distract them so they didn't shake. I was happy to give her some relief for how ever long I could. When the choir and congregation sang Silent Night, we sang too. It was truly one of the sweetest things to be singing about the birth of our Savior while trying to do some loving for Him.  Then we watched the Nativity and said a prayer with her. She said "you comin back tomorrow?" We said we would. Since we are away from the people we love most at Christmas, this was a pretty good way to spend our time.
We got home and we had water so I took a shower. Usually the water is room temperature even with the little heater we have on the shower head, So cold showers are the norm. Dave figured out how to get hot water by only turning the water on enough to let it get warm and even hot! So, I let some nice hot water run on me for longer than usual, because I do hate to waste water. It felt so good.
When I got out of the shower, I checked my phone and "what to my wondering eyes should appear?" but a Maro Polo message from Nate and Brianna! I opened it up and heard the notes of "The Nativity Song"  you know "this is the season..." and I started bawling again...this is the song we would sing at all our family Christmas parties and I had stickers for them to correspond with the lyrics. There our sweet grand children were on the floor with their fisher price nativity singing at the top of their voices and pointing to each piece! We were so touched by this sweet gesture of love and remembrance. we were both weeping. After our time with Lattesha and that song. We were alright! All is Well, all is bright!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!  God bless us everyone!

 This is what we got to see and listen to them sing this very significant song to us. Nate was closest to the mike since he was holding the phone, and I gotta say, He has a very nice voice!

 This truly was one of the best Christmas gifts ever and one we will always remember and 

never forget! 

 This is where Lattesha and Phil live. It's in a beautiful area by the river just very primitive.

 Even though this was a very sacred moment, I'm glad we have a picture of it.

She kept saying her hand hurt but we couldn't see anything visibly so we didn't know how to help her. It's a very unsettling feeling. 

Wait, what? It's Christmas?

This week has kind of been a blur. It's really hard for us to wrap our minds around the idea that it's Christmas. We are so far removed from all that reminds us of Christmas. Perhaps when we get to talk to our kids and grand kids and see Christmas there, it will be good.
The missionaries from the Wismer side went and did service for Hanniff at his farm. We love this family so much. Molly is his wife and his youngest daughter is Sarah. He is manning this huge farm mostly by himself. He also has a large chicken coop and a pig pen. The missionaries and Dave cleared away some debris and a huge fallen tree. They worked very hard. Molly fixed us lunch of rice,beans and chicken. Whenever we go to Hanniff's we always stand in a circle holding hands and we say a prayer before we leave. It's such a tender thing and makes me want to incorporate that in our home.
As we were driving home, the men were soaked to the skin, muddy and tired and wanting a shower. As you know, we have a water issue here on the Wismar side of Linden. Sometimes we get water on schedule and sometimes we don't. So, we were all hoping there would be water for us to clean up when we got to our apartments. I was so touched by this conversation as we drove home. Elder Hollinger said to the other two missionaries. "I'll pick a number between 1 and 20. The one closest to it will get to shower first and the other second." He was wet, muddy and tired too but he put his companions needs before his. Such a kind, unselfish thing to do. He will be leaving us to go home on the 29th. He has served so well! He will be greatly missed.
We had our branch Christmas party on Saturday. The Branch President asked us to get a tree, decorate it, decorate the tables and get gifts for the children. We found a little tree the same height as me and found some decorations. We went to the church and cleaned it all up. It's always full of sand and roaches. We weren't sure about the gifts for the children since we have only ever done candy canes in our wards in Utah. We found some small cars and coloring books. There were no crayons to be found. We found some colored pencils and we cut them in half and I sharpened all of them so each child would get a set of 6 colors. It was a little challenging since I only had a little sharpener. I ended up having to wear gloves because I got blisters on my hands after a short while. We were trying to be thrifty because we didn't want to spend too much of the Lord's money.  The President ended up getting gifts for the children. All the boys got large plastic tanks and the girls got barbie like dolls. We had a very large crowd for dinner and they served fried rice, curried chicken, some chickpea thing....challa....not sure, and roti wraps and cake. There was food left over so a lot of people took food home in take out boxes. I think everyone had a good time. We cleaned the church up again and set up for Sunday meetings.
I was asked to speak in church and I told the story of the Prince and the Pauper. How, because of a mix-up, The Prince became the pauper and the pauper became the Prince. The Prince then found out what life is like for all of the common folk of his kingdom. He was thirsty, hungry, cold, dirty, and even got beat up. Somehow the mix-up is corrected and the Prince becomes king and because of what he went through was a very compassionate and loving King to his people because he knew how they suffered.
We also have a Prince that became a pauper. The Prince of Peace. He left worlds of glory and light voluntarily to experience everything He had to so He would know how to care for us.  I loved that correlation.  I do know that Christ suffered all things in our behalf.
"He was born to change all hearts, end all goodbyes, heal all wounds, fix all mistakes. Born to overcome anguish, regret, depression, fear. He understands you, He heals us. He can bridge the gap between God and man and bring us home. If we let Him. If we love Him. If we follow Him."
( I borrowed those words from a Mormon message) I believe them!
May you all have the meaning of Christmas in your hearts every moment and feel Joy regardless of what ever is going on around you. If you are reading this, I love you!

 The work crew (left to right) Ronaldo, Phil, Dave, Hannif, Molly, Sarah, Me, Elder Hollinger, 

Elder Revilla, Elder Moracca

 Moving the huge tree

 Sarah and Molly

 Working hard. You can't tell but it's pouring down rain on them. 

 More hard work, Elder Hollinger is giving it all he has along side my hard working man! 

Here the sun is shining again. It changes within minutes.

Children at the party. There were many that we have never met. Probably children of guests of members. Darling children! I just realized that Dave's face is hidden, The Santa hat is him.

 This is some kind of something that was under the log after they rolled it away

More....sorry to gross you out.....nature is fascinating!

This is our Mission President and wife, The Bairds. We had a Christmas devotional on Sunday. 

There were 27 connections in this meeting from 6 countries, 90 missionaries, 10 senior couples. 

So the 7 of us in Linden were singing "Silent Night" at the same time with all others in

 the Trinidad Port of Spain mission.

Technology is amazing!