June 8, 2014 - Shelley

June 8, 2014

Dear Ones,

Well, another week has gone by.  It has been wonderful to be able to communicate with several family members during the week through emails and Skype.  Actually, it’s pretty mind-boggling to think that we were chatting with Spencer while he was walking through the Redwood Forest and we were on the other side of the world!  Technology can be wonderful!  It’s really fun to hear how your first days of summer are coming together.

I do want to correct a couple of things.  We have received some letters from grandchildren – keep them coming!  J  One, however, mentioned that he/she (I won’t say who) felt sorry for us.  I’m feeling pretty terrible if we have portrayed our life here as awful – it really isn’t.  It’s just different.  We actually live like royalty compared to 99% of the people who live here.  We’ve been told that after a few months, all black people won’t look alike (you must realize that they say the same thing about white people! J )and we will feel more like it’s home.  We have chosen to serve – and the Lord has chosen this spot for us – so everything is good!!!  Don’t feel sorry for us or worry.  We feel safe. 

 In another letter we were asked how many baptisms we have had.  Well, our assignment in the mission is not to look for people to teach or to baptize.  Our job is to look for ways that the Church can help the people who live here to have a better quality of life.  We don’t look for things that will just help Church members – it’s for everyone.  Having clean drinking water is their number one problem – so finding water for them is one of our projects.  It involves drilling holes in the ground and pumping out water.  Grandpa and I are not actually digging the holes (thank heavens!)– we’re using church money to pay someone to dig for water.  Water is just one of the projects, but it’s a biggie!!!

Just after telling you that we feet safe, I will say that we had a little brush with the law this week.  Of course, you must remember that we stand out in a crowd, merely because of our color.  (I actually saw another white lady at the grocery story, but she didn’t speak English.)  Anyway, an immigration officer saw us on the street and made us come across the street to his “office”.  I use the term “office” loosely.  It would remind you of something out of “The Three Amigos” – dirt floor, broken out windows, etc.  We had our passports, but we actually didn’t have all of the official papers he was looking for – they were in my purse at home!  He could have taken us to jail.  What he really wanted was money to overlook our mistake.  After arguing for about an hour, our translator, Flavien, finally told him that he would have to reconcile with God about taking a bribe from poor missionaries who were only in his country to help.  And he let us go!!!!  Hooray for Flavien!!

It has also been great to be able to communicate with friends who are currently serving in various parts of the world.  Our Chicago friends, Don and Bonnie McCauley, are serving in Ukraine amid much strife and conflict in the country.  In speaking of their mission, Bonnie recently wrote, “It has taught us how easy it is to open our hearts to people who only appear to be different from us;  it has taught us the pain of not being able to communicate despite a deep desire to do so.”  Thank you, Bonnie – we have felt exactly the same way!  We just returned from three hours of church where the only thing we recognized were the sacrament prayers!  Actually, there was a translator for the meetings – he translated everything from French to Swahili – so no help there!!! Haha  We love to go to church to see the people.  They are very friendly to us, even if all we can do is greet each other and smile.  And the children are absolutely beautiful and well-behaved.

 Before we left home, I expressed my concerns to President Ferry about leaving my mother.  He assured me that our children would grow to love her even more by serving her in our absence.  After seeing what you all are doing, I know that he was right.  I have truly been blessed with the most wonderful family ever – and I know that Edie feels the same way (even if she can’t always remember your name!).  Thank you!!!!

We had a fun “P” day yesterday.  Since we still don’t have a car, the two senior missionaries who work in the office – Sister Riendeau and Sister Anthony – picked us up and we all went to lunch at the zoo.  The zoo is very close to us.  Actually, they don’t have many animals – but the Italian restaurant was wonderful!  We had our first pizza in months!  Then we came back to play Five Crowns.  Totally fun afternoon!

We’ve been listening to our Tab Choir tunes, of course.  They all seem to have special meaning and it’s hard not to get a little misty.  One that particular hit me this week says, “What does the Father ask of us? Have faith, have hope, live like His Son, help others on their way.”  We trying to do that, and we know that you all are doing wonderful things with your lives, your time, and your resources – and we are so proud of you.  We pray for your well-being every single day and hope you have a great week!  Happy Birthday to Davis on the 12^th!!!!  We’ll call.  Much love and many kisses,  Mom