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! 

What it's all about!

Friday, we had our Karaoke night with our YSA group. We are still very small in number but we had a good time. We had another Senior Couple, the Haakes here from Berbice. They had come down or over or whatever direction it is, for some seminary training. They are CES missionaries. Very nice people!
The following day, Saturday, we had the baptism of Robert Vyfhuis. His sister Manouska is one of our YSA. It was a beautiful meeting and he was so joyful! The brother who baptized him is a recent convert as well. It's what it's all about! Later we went to Robert's house and he showed us his farm and shared some coconuts with us. He has taken the Self Reliance course and his farm is amazing.
Sunday, We had our primary program. It went well, I believe. I had four weeks to teach 10 songs, one with sign language. They knew three with out words and the others I had the words for them to sing with. We didn't have a practice and I had no idea who would show up to give out parts. Honestly, it was pretty amazing how it came together. I am happy I get to be involved with these sweethearts. They call me "Miss" so much better than "Maam"  Dave was a big help. He handled all the music from his tablet, since we don't have a piano in primary.
That evening we were invited to a birthday party for one of Pamela and Joel's children, Romeo. He turned 7. We brought a cake and they made the biggest pot of fried rice I've ever seen! We played a game as we were waiting for the rice to cook. It's called "Get the dog bone" You put a stick in the dirt in the middle of the playing area, there are two teams and everyone has a number. Someone calls out a number and that number from both sides runs into the middle and grabs the stick. If the other one touches you before you get back to your team's side. They get the point. If you make it without being touched, you get the point. It was super fun! I actually got a point for my team once! Be sure to watch the video included in this post.....I should be embarrassed to show you but I'm really not. It was so fun to play with these kids! This is the family that the parents can't be baptized because they aren't married. We are trying to encourage them to get that done. For some reason the father is hesitant.
Annie and her family like to do a service for Christmas so they sent money and we bought this darling family a love basket full of food that should last them a couple months.
When the rice was done, there were at least 20 people from other homes around them. They fed them all with huge servings! It was like the loaves and fishes! Happily, the cake was enough too.
We didn't have any, ANY water from Friday night to Sunday night. I'm sorry, but it wears on a person. I was feeling super discouraged as well because we had again gone to speak to agencies hoping to get information about properties and again being told to go here or there. We got a name of another guy in Georgetown. So, we put our life on the line and drove out to Georgetown again. We were able to meet with him without an appointment and he actually looked on his computer and found possibly five sites that were available! We don't know if they will work but at least we had found someone who was willing to help us! He was so very helpful and gave us the name of another guy who may help us even more!  So, with that and getting to take a shower that morning, I was once again a happy camper!
Today, Tuesday, we had our district meeting with the five elders working here. It was such a sweet meeting and the Spirit was strong. God bless these young men! They are doing a great work! The membership is struggling here in this little branch but the potential for a great people is here. I think when we get out of this building and into something better, the members will be buoyed up and encouraged. We believe that proper Sabbath Day observance will bring blessings on this little branch. That is our hope and our prayer.

Andy Anderson and Shaquelle

 Manouska and Phil

The Haakes. They were singing Feliz Navidad and it just went on and on...it was pretty fun!

 Silver Bells duet

I wasn't clear on this brother's name but very glad he came and participated. I found out his name is Brian.

The place of the baptism

Waiting for others to arrive

    Manouska and Robert, sister and brother. She served a mission to England.

     Terrance and Robert

    All of us at the baptism. Five elders and three other branch members.

    Joyful!

Robert cutting a coconut for us to drink the water.

    Sluuurrrrppppp

    More slurping

    The Wismar missionaries, Robert and me in front of his very humble home.

    He sleeps on the front porch there with just dried weeds for a mattress.

    Visiting with the family parrot

    They also have a toucan

    You gotta give me credit for effort! This video may or may not play. 

I lost my balance and landed pretty hard on my buttskee in the sand! 

    This is Joel, the father and Phil a recent convert and close by neighbor.

   Playing soccer before dinner

The birthday boy Romeo has to choose someone to share the first piece of cake. 

This is his sister. It's very much like what we do at weddings.

It's a tradition they do with all birthdays.

    Then they are suppose to kiss, but he was being reluctant.....

    the curtains that you see are the separation of the room where all the five children sleep

This is what it's all about. Because of the Savior, we can get baptized, be forgiven, have forever families and have joyous fellowship with each other. This is all we need to remember the Christmas season this year. No tree, no gifts, no family, no holiday food, no winter, truly a unique experience. We aren't sad, just taking it all in. Our lives will never be the same after seeing and feeling what we have on this precious, hard, joyful, discouraging, growing, growling, sweet time serving the babe in the manger, our merciful Savior and Redeemer. We wouldn't want to be anywhere else at this time.

This is the love basket given by the Lawson family to Pamela and Joel's family. The food is the same price as it is in the states, possibly a little more. We will be getting a crate of eggs to take with us when we deliver this tomorrow. This is $23,000 GYD worth of goods, that's $100 USD.

Surroundings

Our days stay busy with teaching seminary daily. We added two new students this week! We will be taking a two week break after tomorrow for the holidays, which to be totally honest we have no feeling of Christmas here. I guess that's kind of sad but we're doing alright. I bought one of those paper nativities with the three tiers before we left and we have that displayed on our washing machine, which is in the kitchen because there is no where else to put it. We don't have end tables or the like so I am determined let Him in and make Him room. I'm sure He doesn't mind how we do it, just that we do.
That makes me think of the way the church is here. It isn't at all traditional the way we are used to it. We have had to let go of a lot of our standard procedures here and just smile, love and hopefully teach the gospel and church practices with example. The building we are in is not conducive to organized or peaceful gospel learning. There is much going in and out of the rooms to get drinks, buy snacks at the store next door or whatever. The Branch President's office is at the front of the building with two rooms outside of it that you have to go through each one to get in or out. It's a hallway that are rooms. Then the Priesthood meets in the foyer of the building so they get all the traffic of people getting drinks or buying snacks. This little branch needs a new place to meet so badly!  We will soldier on though until that happens and be happy to do so!
We spend a lot of our time trying to find out who owns the properties that we have looked at as potential sites for the new chapel. We have been to Lands and Development, Town Council, talked with the Mayor, talked with the CEO of some other Land department, been sent two hours away to Georgetown to talk with the CEO of the Guyana Land department, sent back by him to Linden to another Land department, then sent by them back to Town Council who sent us back to Mr. Alves  the CEO that we had talked to previously. We haven't talked with him again because he hasn't been in his office the last two days but we will try again tomorrow. Hopefully we can find out who owns what and if they are available to purchase. Such is life in a developing country.
Since this is the only record I am making of our mission, I am not sugar coating much. I hope you don't find me too negative. This is a culturally stressful country for us because of what we are accustomed to.We are becoming less and less stressed as we get used to things though. There is much good and beautiful here and we feel very grateful to be here, so I hope that is coming through as well.

All kinds of animals just roam around the town.

 These birds are so beautiful!

 Sheep out walking around

 These leaves are as big or bigger than Dave!

 Cool cement work with moss

 We took a walk down this path and found a home in the middle of this beautiful valley

 This is a piece of land we hope we may be able to purchase for the site of the church

 It rained really hard in the morning so we had lots of large puddles to drive through.

 This is a home on the way to visit some members. It is so beautiful!

 How cute is this!?

 They have lots of vultures here

 This is a typical lunch meal. Graham asked me about the food so I had to take a picture of it. It's chow mein. Fried rice is also common here. I haven't had any Roti because I'm a chicken and I can't see what I'm eating since it's all wrapped up. I will be brave soon.

 More cows in the busy part of town

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 Look at that face!  Well, both faces are pretty cute!

                      Some of the sweetest children on the planet, not counting my grand children!

            This is their home. Six people live in this home.  No electricity, or running water. 

This is where one of the other seminary teacher lives.