Sunday, June 24, 2018

Sunset in Kingston

This is the view from our front door looking actually almost due east rather than west. The sunsets have been spectacular lately because of the smoke from the burning of sugar cane fields. There's also often a slight aroma of burnt sugar in the air. 

Our time on this beautiful tropical island is quickly coming to a close. We are extremely busy trying to finish up projects we've been working on for months. Of course, we realize humanitarian work all over the world is never really finished, but we certainly would like to see these right to the end. They are so near completion, and we hate to leave with them not quite finished. There has been a big set back for our replacements, Elder and Sister Arrington, receiving their visas. It looks like it could be several weeks or even months before they arrive. We mentioned last week we had a Plan B, but now we're brainstorming a Plan C to cover what we need to do before we leave and in the following weeks to cover for this lapse of time. There are chickens and feed to purchase, hospital equipment to purchase and make sure is delivered, and..., and...

We keep reminding ourselves the Lord is in charge; peace, be still! We will just keep working hard to do all that we possibly can. 

We failed to share some pictures from Kingston Stake Conference in the last post. 

Elder Jose Alonso 

Caribbean Area Presidency First Counselor

Sister Alonso with Spanish - English interpreter

Interim Jamaica Kingston Mission President 

Kevin G. Brown

One of two instances Elder Stewart wore his suit here in Jamaica. 

Not sure why such serious face.

Stake Choir

We especially wanted to share this photo with Brother and Sister Nugent. The Nugents were the first members of the Church baptized here in Jamaica.

Nugent Family 1974

A co-worker of Brother Victor Nugent  here on assignment from the U.S. introduced him to the gospel. The Nugent family was baptized more than four years before the Church was organized in Jamaica in 1978 and were the foundation for more than two decades before immigrating in 2000 to the United States, where all five of Victor and  Verna's children graduated from BYU. 

In a previous post, I had mentioned the Be One celebration that was held a few weeks ago in the Conference Center in Salt Lake commemorating the blessings of the priesthood being extended to all of God's children everywhere in the world in 1978. One of the main cast of the historical presentations of the event is the Nugent's grandson. The Nugents live in the U.S. but were here in Jamaica hosting a huge family reunion. 

This week found us at the Jamaica Society for Blind on two different days to receive training on using the Victor Reader Stream listening devices. Through a recent LDS Charities project partnering with this amazing society, we were able to acquire 30 devices, most of which are for members of the Church who are blind or severely visually impaired so they can easily listen to the scriptures. 

  

We wanted to get these into the hands of the ±25 members before we left, but since the devices arrived later than anticipated, we personally may only be able to take them to one or two people. When we deliver them, we want to have time to show them how to use the device. We plan to train our dear friend, Tracy, and she will then in turn train others. One sister here in Kingston was able to meet with us at the JSB to receive her device and be trained. 

This sister and others will be able to receive further assistance as often as needed from the Jamaica Society for the Blind and especially from our good friend, Conrad Harris, the Director. We are so appreciative of his Christlike service to so many in Jamaica.  

On another day of the week, we traveled to Savanna-la-Mar and Top Hill to conduct wheelchair interviews/inspections. We are still trying to visit with people who received their chairs as part of a 2015 project. We have had many challenges finding the people to meet the required percentage we need to interview. As expected, many of the chairs are out of service, and unfortunately some of the recipients we've tried to reach are deceased. We were able to visit with four people this week, so we only need four more to reach our goal. 

We first went to the Westmoreland Infirmary in Savanna-la-Mar. 

   

Our new friend, Dwayne, had a cheerful outlook 
even in the midst of such extreme physical disability and poverty.

And another new friend, Matron Russell

It's take a special kind of person to fill the demanding position she has especially in these harsh circumstances. She shared with us her commitment to do all that she can to assure the residents receive adequate care; we could tell she is sincere. This is more than just a job for her; it is her way of serving the neediest of God's children. 

We then travelled to Top Hill up in the hills close to Junction. Elders Shepherd and Rich kindly offered to call the contact, and then we were able to follow them to her home. The recipient is an elderly lady whose daughter cares for her. We enjoyed talking with the daughter while a few quick adjustments were made to the chair. 

We've been sorting and organizing and were able to take a couple of small loads of humanitarian supplies and equipment this week over to the apartment where the  Arringtons eventually will live. The plan is to enlist the help of some strong elders to move all the office equipment at the end of the week. Transfers are this week, and the new Mission President and his wife arrive on Thursday. With the rest of the packing,  organizing, and preparing for a smooth transition we need to do, it is going to be a bit hectic. We'll gird up our loins and fresh courage take - we'll be ready! 

We had the occasion to take a couple of elders out for dinner at a nice Chinese restaurant we like here in Kingston. We had enlisted their help in moving our treadmill to the family who purchased it, but  because of a change of plans in the family's schedule, the delivery fell through. We still wanted to treat the elders to dinner.  After a delicious meal, the elders were excited to have a photo op with the Jamaica's favorite-son runner Usain Bolt's "little" brother, who is actually one of our favorite waiters at the restaurant. Even though he looks stern in this picture, he is very friendly and a very competent waiter.  

  

We were able to get the treadmill delivered on another evening with the help and strength of our apartment manager and a neighbor of the buyer.

Great men of God

Mandeville District President, Anthony Robinson; Jamaica Kingston Mission Presidency First Counselor, Elder Richard Stewart; May Pen Branch President, Carlos Frater; May Pen Branch Presidency First Counselor, Clinton Glaze; Mandeville District Presidency First Counselor,  Jason Piper; and Mandeville District Presidency Second Counselor, Paul Durrant. 

Today we attended the May Pen Branch Conference. We enjoyed three wonderful hours of meetings. Buddy spoke in Sacrament meeting and shared how we had visited the May Pen Branch our very first Sunday on the island in August 2016.  He mentioned how hot it was that day and our thinking - well, especially me - oh no, I don't do well in the heat. Fortunately, we have become very accustomed to the heat overall. Actually today, there was a wonderful breeze during all the meetings, so we were very comfortable.

During the third hour, President Robinson and President Stewart led a session of counseling together for all the youth and adults. There was a great discussion of needs and possible solutions to a few areas of concern expressed by the members.  We appreciated President Robinson's teaching the principles to not just complain but to counsel together to come up with ideas of what can be done going forward. The end result was realization by the district and branch leaders and membership that all the concerns can be addressed and solutions found through a well-functioning Branch Council as they unitedly seek and follow the direction of the Spirit. 

Elder and Sisters serving in the May Pen Branch.

Sister Penman, on my right, concludes her full-time mission this week. She has been one of the sweetest and most valiant sisters we've known. We know she will continue to be a great missionary for the rest of her life. 

Mosiah 2:17

And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. 

Our prayer remains to have strength of mind, body, and spirit to continue to serve God as we serve our fellow beings not only as we conclude this full-time humanitarian mission but in every future aspect of our lives. We truly believe our whole life prepared us to serve the Lord and His children. Our love for God's children and our desire to serve have "qualified us for the work." We feel we have other opportunities to serve ahead of us and expect to meet these with enthusiasm and commitment. We trust the Lord to know best where, when, and what those experiences will be.

Until next week...all our love.