More from Jamaica

Technology is wonderful.  We were able to attend General Conference (all sessions) via the internet and it was wonderful. We attended with the branch members at the chapel and took Marlin an investigator with us to the Sunday morning session.  The whole experience gives us great appreciation for the gospel and its universal application to those who will persue studying, praying and living its principles. We love the faithful Jamaican saints and share the bond the gospel and priesthood brings.  After the Sunday afternoon session  we were helping with the take down of equipment and window covers and after we completed that President Powell (a counselor in the district presidency) said  I have another job for you to which I replied "I hope it pays better than the last one" and he directed me to a class room with a sister from the ward who is struggling with personal challengs and said he would like me to assist in giving a blessing to her. I agreed and then he asked me to give the blessing.  All I can say is it was one of those special experiences and I was thankful for it. And it did pay well with a good feeling about the opportunity.

Fran and I have been busy with PEF firesides and inservice meetings.  Since our territory comprises of nearly 1/2 of Jamaica for CES and all of Jamaica for PEF I will share some of the pictures that will give you a flavor for this beautiful country. (as a note when we first came we saw primarily the poverty and run down building and very little in the way of beauty) Now after one year we view everything with different eyes. 

Our view while dining on Pizza

I have mentioned before that when we go to the Junction branch for engagements we usually schedule them for 3 pm which frees us up to drive to Jack Sprats at Treasure Beach for Pizza and a little relaxation. On a recent visit I was suprised to see this Jamaican.  If George Felt happens to see this blog - GO UTES! (click on the picture to enlarge)

On our way home from Montego Bay one Saturday morning we saw the laundry being done by these Jamaican ladies.

A sample of a local business woman in front of her store waiting for customers

On Tuesday March 1, 2011 we had scheduled a training session in Ocho Rios with Nigel Lee.  On our last trip (in Feb) we did not get out of Ochi until after 3 pm and encountered a construction road closure in the canyon about half way home from 4 pm - 7 pm.  We had not seen the sign (yes there really was one this time) on our way up so arrived at 4:20 with an option of taking a alternate route or waiting. We elected to take the alternate route to avoid driving after dark.  Our fuel gage was low but I thought surely there would be a gas station along the way.  We drove for a good hour up though the mountains (thank goodness we purchased a GPS and had it programmed when we got here) and eventually came down into Spanish Town.  I was very concerned as there was not even one business of any kind in the area we traveled.  Fortunately I know where we could get gas in Spanish Town so we were very happy to be there.  The next morning we found out that about the time we went through town there was two gangs and the police having a shoot out and two gang members were killed.  I am glad we did not know that at the time as personal safety is very desireable.  The shooting experience brings to mind a sermon we heard at a funeral 2 weeks ago. A sister in our branch had lost her mother who was a Seventh Day Adventist and our Branch President asked all who could attent the funeral do so to support Sister Bodly.  As part of the sermon the preacher said "When I was a boy I used to hunt birds and we could go anytime. Not so now, you  have to have a license to hunt birds. No longer can you hunt anytime but you have to have a license and it has to be in season. Now man...that is a different story, here you can shoot a man anytime but for a bird you must have a license.  That pretty much says it all.  As a side note the government is really trying to decrease the number of killings as it has been a problem for a long time giving Jamaica the number one murder capital in the world.  So you do not get alarmed know that we missionaries use the same kind of judgement you would use at home for personal safety and we do not feel unsafe here.  I have digressed a bit so now returning to our trip to Ochi.  We made arrangements to meet at the Chapel at 10:00 am which required us to leave at 7 am to make it on time.
Little did we know that part way there the road was closed due to a severe accident and all traffice was rerouted through the mountains on an alternate route.  As you will see from the following pictures this process was not well thought out as the alternate roads are approx 12 feet wide and in may places there are drop offs on one side and rocky embankments on the other which do not allow for trucks with their width to pass.

Plenty of volunteer traffic directors

AT LAST HELP ARRIVES

The culprit

FREE AT LAST  with the trucks getting around each other we were finally able to proceed- 1 1/2 hours in this grid lock and we did arrive at 12:00 noon only 2 hours late.

There was a bright side however to this experience.  The following are pictures of Jamaica we would not have seen without this diversion.

Cane Fields

On our way home we came through Christiana just as school got out.

Some additinal random photos

Gentleman hauling his goods to market

A sample of colorful buildings in Jamaica.

When we came into this village Fran aske me to stop for this picture as it was a reminder of our trip with Josh back to his mission field in Wales.

I often encounter Melissa Brown walking to school in the mornings when I am out for my exercise.  I was suprised to find out she is 20 years old as I thought maybe 15 or so. As you can see she the cell phone is the bread of life for the young.

This week we went into the food court at our shopping center for lunch. Everything in Jamaica is very expensive except for food at the food court.  As you can see the food served is plentiful and with soup, our plate of food and drinks included the total cost is $10.00 US  for both of us, and it is good!

Enough for today.  We are enjoying ourselves and keeping busy.

Love you all and miss you all  - Jack.

Mission experiences

Jack writing.  It's been a while since I have shared any Jamaican experiences.  We tend to share some of the travel experiences around the island so I thought it was time to share some of the interactions with the saints here  and a little spiritual perspective.  We absolutely love the brothers and sisters who with many challeges are faithful in  living the gospel and share genuine concern about each other. We are enjoying our mission and know we have been blessed greatly as we serve. President Hinkley announced the Perpetual Education Fund in April conference 2001 and I remember distinctly that meeting.  Little did I know or realize that the day would come some nine years later that Fran and I would have the opportunity to share that vision with those who without the fund would not be able to "break the cycle of poverty they have been in for so long".  Last Wednesday we met with Nigel Lee. He is a recently returned missionary, native Jamaican, who joined the church and then had to learn to read and write at a sufficent level to go on his mission.  He was released a couple months ago and is very discouraged at his prospect for the future. We presented the PEF fireside to him and his response was one of  now having some hope that perhaps he can progress with his dreams. 

Elder Lee prior to completing his mission

We are now working with him to proceed with the loan to complete his high school then apply for mechanic training.  This is just a glimpse into the programs of the church to help our less advantaged brothers and sisters in what we call thrid world countires.

Once per month we attend Family Home Evening at the mission home with all  senior missionary couples that live within a reasonable distance.  Last Monday we had a pot luck meal as Elder/Sister Herbert were going home to Alaska having completed their mission.  President Hendricks shared much from the scriptures then we held a testimony meeting open to all after the Herberts time. It was a very spiritual meeting and something we needed as when we arrived at the FHE we were coming off a couple weeks of discouragement but when the spirit speaks...we should always listen.  We came away realizing that we had responded to the prophets request for more senior missionaries and with that peace and satisfaction we found ourselves rededicated to contnue to contribute all we can for the remaining seven months.

Below right to left: President & Sister Hendricks then Elder & Sister Herbert then sister Russell

Yesterday (Sat Mar 19th) we attended the Relief Society Anniversary (yes I said RS but  the priesthood was invited to attend).  I have included a few pictures of the event.  The meeting was announced for several weeks in Sacrament meeting and other meetings as starting at 10 am.  We arrived and there were a few sisters setting up displays and then a few people would show up now and then and at approximately 12:15 it formally got started...ya mon..no problem...Jamaica.   After the meeting I took the branch president and his counselor to visit two members in their home.  I enjoyed that experience as with our assignment we seldom visit members in their home.  One of the homes the wife is active but her husband is not.  The branch president talked for a few minutes then I was quite suprised when he said "Brother....what is your problem?" I could just see that direct approach working at home..like you would probably be excused immediately.

Sister Williams with some of her handiwork

 Sister Andersen - she is the one in the yellow

Sister Bailey and Johnson. Sis Johnson teaches Institute.

 Sister missionaries. right to left. Sister Everette from North Carolina, sister Payne from Mesa, Arizona and Sister Wilkinson from Morgan, Utah. Vaughn White a returned missionary from our branch on the right and Anthony an investigator on the left.

Today Fran was giving piano lessons after church and I went outside and sat on the cement base to the flag pole and was reading while waited..  It is up a hill about 75 feet behind the chapel and one of the investigators the sister missionaries are teaching wandered up the hill and I could tell he wanted to talk.He is 18 years old and very sincere in his search for the truth.  During our conversation he said his is getting it and  is learning the truthfulness and shared with me that he has one thing in his favor and that is his mother is willing to support him if it makes him happy. He shared that he does not have a father in the home and when I asked about the last time he saw his father he said they tell me I was four years old.  It is sad that so many children are raised with only one parent but that is a long Jamaican cultural issue.

Jamaica is not an easy mission but we are happy to be here serving.  We have been blessed for our efforts and our family has been blessed at home.  We have missed the birth of a precious grand child (Carter Sekikawa)  the baptism of Eliza Randle and all birthdays but we knew that when we came and would do it again for the opportunity to accept the call from our prophet and serve the Lord here.

Sometimes we find it necessary to drive to Treasure Beach (one hour drive in Jamaica but the 16 miles would be about 14 min at home) for Pizza.  Last Wednesday we found it convenient to do so. We really enjoy our time there relaxing and eating in the wonderful Jamaica out of doors.  I took this picture to document Sister Andersen's new hairdo.  The picture below is our view as we dine.

We miss all of you and love you and will resume civilian life in October.

The End

more

I must add one more conversation to the last post which was several hours ago.  We have just come from the baptism of 10 year old Chemieka.  You could tell as she was going into the water that she was freightened and as soon as she was standing next to Pres. Powell she started to cry. Nobody could reassure her.  One of the sister missionaries started to go but Sister Powell said to her "No, don't go".  First her mother went back but that didn't seem to help.  Next Sister Powell went and Chemieka went back into the water.

After the meeting I said to Chemieka, "I understand your fear.  When I was baptized I worried so much about going under the water but I didn't tell anyone".  Sister Powell overheard me and then pulled me aside.  "I played a little trick on her.  I went back and said to her, ' you love Presiden Powell.  If he let you drown while you were under the water the police would come and take him away and shoot him' - and off she went into the water'."  Whatever it takes, I guess.

Frannie

random conversations, etc.

This blog is proudly brought to you by Pepsi - unofficial owner and sponsor of Jamaica.
Some are hard to see but by clicking on the picture you can enlarge it.

There is a whole wealth of these all over the island.  Every parish has it's "Welcome to (insert parish of your choice here) .  Yesterday several of the senior sisters went down to the Kingston Craft Market.  On the way was a double size sign  with the rotating slats but I didn't have my camera.  It was in Old Kingston (read -
 site of the Dudas War) and nobody was willing to go back so I could get a picture.

Just a quick insert here of a couple other missed pics.  Last Saturday early morning coming down from MoBay a small group of women washing their cloths in the river.  I so hope we can catch that photo op another time.  The other was today on the way home from Kingston (in Porus - my favorite) we passed a man on my side of the car (he was extremely close).  I saw that he didn't have a shirt on (nothing unusual) but as soon as we were past Jack said "That guy was completey naked".  I asked him (Jack) to turn around but he wouldn't.

Now on to a random conversation which I got second hand so this is to the best of my rememberance.
Our two local elders went into a cook shop.

Elder M:  Do you have Coke here:
Cook shop lady:  Yes...but we call it Pepsi.
Elder M.  Well, which is it Coke or Pepsi.
Csl: They're both the same.  It's Coke - we just call it Pepsi.
EM:  They're not the same Coke is Coke and Pepsi is Pepsi.
Csl.  Ours is Coke but we call it Pepsi.

The next random conversation took place when I was trying to explain time signatures for music to three of my piano students.  I was not at all sure anybody actually understood so I said "If, at any point, you don't completely understand something here stop me and I will try to think of a better way to explain it".  Very softly Sister T. said, "Why don't you explain the better way first?".  Bless her heart.  I don't know why.

Jack stopped to talk to Caspian Burton on his walk one day last week.  He asked  Brother Burton (the Methodist Minister) if he had read the Book of Mormon he had received from the previous senior missionary couple (Elder/Sister Striebel)  He man replied in his melodic Jamaican voice  "No, it has such a flimsy cover.  It's hard to handle it when it has such a flimsy cover.  It would be nice if it had a nice hard cover and was bigger print. Jack:  Well, we give these away so that is why we have the soft covers. He said "well it is such a flimsy cover and it would be nice to have a hard cover if it wouldn't be too much of a drain on the church's resources.  Yesterday we were in Kingston at the Mission office and were able to pick up a hard cover albeit it has small print but we will be presenting it to him this week. That

Our weather is very nearly perfect but it's been very dry so we really should be praying for rain.  We did have a little bit yesterday.  We actually have loved our last two or three trips to the beach and hope we get one or two more before it gets hot. That was designed to create a likkle (Jamspeak) envy.  Did it work?

We've had dinner (I should say feasts) twice in members homes.  They treat us so graciously and the food really is delicious.  We both have had curry goat - a specialy here - and I quite enjoyed it.  Too many bones for Jack.

I also have another first to report.  I DROVE part of the way between Negril and MoBay and, most importantly, all the way through Lucea which is crowded with people on very narrow streets.  Jack was shouting instructions and praying at the same time.  I felt it was good for him to have the perspective from my side of the car.

We miss you all so much.  We have our own time markers and play head games to make the time left seem less.  Which is not to say that we are not enjoying even when we are not sure we are affecting or effecting, I'm not sure (I'm not actually sure either one of those is a valid choice ).  We love you and thank Heavenly Father for each one of you who have touched our lives.  As my grandmother used to say - so long.

Frannie

Random Photos continued -

It has been almost one month since we last blogged.  We are very much involved with our assignment working with seminary and institute teachers and interfacing with alot of saints here.  The Jamicans are a warm and friendly people who live in much more challenging circumstances than we do but they get by and for the most part are a very happy people.  There is no sense of urgency for getting to a meeting or starting it on time.  One of the challenges we have had is trying to understand the culture and not getting too frustrated with that tradition. An example:  last Friday we had scheduled a visit to a seminary and institute classs in one of the branches.  Seminary and Institute start at 6 pm.  The institute teacher has to come directly from work and gets there about 6:20 which is not bad compared to seminary.  The teacher for a 6 pm class arrived at 7:20 pm and her daughter who is a class member with her.  Three students then arrived at 7:41 and therefore did not get much of a lesson as 8 pm was the end of class. I haven't talked for quite a while about the "neighborhood" people but I still walk in the morning and have visits with many of them on a regular basis.  One of the men I was impressed with actually did take 3 or 4 discussions from the missionaries but it is about over. Ganga (Marijauna) is a big problem as many of them smoke it and are not willing to give it up. That is his problem.  Now the pictures: 

This pick up passed us and is traveling about 65 mph and the passengers seem unaffected about any safety concerns

Fran and I were invited to a seminary/institute social in the Junction branch and the children are always very friendly and oftentimes like to touch our skin to see how it feels due to our color

In the orange is Sister Green the Institute teacher

Below is Paul a convert of about 5 months and has attended institute for a long time and is now preparing for a mission.  His mother made fried chicken for the party

In the middle is Sister Osbourne of the Santa Cruz branch. She has been a seminary teacher there.

Next is President Lee the branch president in Montego Bay and his wife Sister Lee.  She teaches institute and works at one of the exclusive all inclusive resorts.  President Lee is a very flamboyant extrovert who is fun to talk with.  We visited last Friday evening and he shared with me his conversion story (again).  He claims he was the best rum drinker on the island with bottles per day and found himself in jail one Friday evening. He said that if you are arrested on the weekend you have to wait until Wed before you can get a hearing and make bail to get out.  Conditions in the jail were deplorable and he could only turn to the Lord for help.  He made a commitment that if the Lord would get him out he would quite drinking and devote the rest of his life to him.  No sooner had he made that commitment than a guard came to the cell and called his name and released him. Truly a miracle in Jamaica.  He is a jeweler by trade and the next week a Senior Missionary couple came into his shop to have an arm put on their watch.  Of course with their badges he could see they were missionaries and they asked how much they owed him he told them nothing. However, they insisted on paying him and gave him $20.00 American and a Book of Mormon and invited him to church on Sunday. He had now not had any rum and after talking with them decided to go to church and see what it was all about.  It was fast and testimony meeting and he said it was the best meeting he had been in in his life.  After church he went home and took all the "girlie pictures" down and had the missionaries come and teach them.  He gained a testimony and wanted to be baptized but he and Carol were not married so they got married and he was baptized.  Everyone that knew him said it would not last....even his wife. She said surely he would not be a changed man overnight and she was not baptized with him because of that. After 6 months she realized he was serious and got baptized. They have been to the temple and they have now been in the church since 1991 some 20 years. He gets real excited when he gets telling his story and he said you know what?  I had nothing when I joined this church, only a black and white tv.  Now I own my home, have a car (about 30% of Jamaicans own cars) and it is all because of tithing. I pay my tithing and the Lord has blessed and blessed me.

We were in Savannah la Mar (Sav) last Thrursday evening to visit and present our in service lesson. This little girl took a liking to me which suprised me.  It was fun but made me miss our grandchildren.

Monthly we go to Sav on a Thursday and to Montego Bay (Mo Bay) on Friday. Since it is a 2 hour drive to Sav we go on to Negril for an overnight stay.  Negril is a resort town with 7 miles of beach and just down from the place we stay is Margaritaville....so it is not all work as we have eaten there several time. So this picture is "hanging out in margaritaville"

Thanks Brewers for your visit....random photos of the fun

January 20th a great day. Our dear friends Stan and Diane Brewer arrived at Montego Bay and we picked them up for a great 8 day reunion. We had a great time together and will cherish the memories of it.

We started out by spending the first two nights at Rondel Village in Negril.  As you can see the beach (7 miles in length) is quite nice.  To those of you who have visited Carmel the bay penisula remids us of that scene also.

TheBrewers in our palacious living room in Williamsfield, Manchester, Jamaica

This photo is at the Brick Oven Pizza place we have referenced in past posts.  Below,  this gentleman, Mr. Forrester introduced himself as the owner.  We had a nice visit with him while our pizza was baking.  He was not short on self confidence explaining that not only did he own the guest house but was also the largest sweet potato producer on the island with some 80,000 lbs annually.

On Monday January 24th a memorial service was held for Elder Walker in Spanish Town.  (Elder Walker was with 7 other Elders on a P Day activity when while stopped in traffic the police were chasing car thieves and gun fire erupted with a bullet entering the van through the rear window striking and killing Elder Walker.  An indeed sad experience for all.  Our hearts and prayers go out to his sister as their mother had just been buried 10 days prior to this event) 

After the memorial service we drove on into Kingston and had lunch at Gauchos, one of our regular places to eat while in Kingston.   The food is good and we are well known there.   In addition to Stan and Diane Brewer we had the sisters with us who are assigned to our Mandeville Branch. On the left is Sister Wilkinson from Morgan, Utah and on the right Sister Payne from Mesa, Arizona.  We love them and have them to dinner at our apartment nearly every Sunday.  They are indeed hard working dedicated missionaries and are making a difference in the branch.  While in Kingston we dropped by the mission office to show it to the Brewers.  The mission recently purchased this property and moved into it.  It is a great improvement from the location and environment they were in before.

Next on to Treasure Beach for Pizza and relaxation.  We have posted Jack Sprats on the blog previously.  We love to go there, sit under the tree on the edge of the beach and enjoy our pizza and the serenity around.  I think Fran (Sister Andersen) and the Brewers were shell shopping when I took the shot below.

On the way we stopped in at the Junction chapel to use the restroom. I did not understand brother Powell when he said someone was in the restroom so I opend the door and his granddaughter was in there.  I quickly closed the door and after she came out she promptly adivsed me that I should not be opening the door when someone was in there.  Her picture is below. She is a beautiful child which indicative of so many Jamaicans  Her name is Tiamoy.

On January 26th we then returned to Rondel Village for two more nights,  We did try a new restaurant the first evening Margaritaville (Jimmy's Buffets song comes to mind) but is not a bar for missionaries to hang out in but rather a restaurant on the beach.  Fran and I walked up the beach in the afternoon to look at the menu and to find out about eating out on the beach that evening. We asked for a menu and after discussing our desires to return in the evening I asked the waitress her name.  Rose Marie.  When we returned that evening and asked for her to serve us you would have thought we were part of her long lost family.  She was very attentive to our needs and I think quite suprised that we had actually returned and asked for her. All in all it was a good experience.

On Friday we drove to Montego Bay to take the Brewers back to the airport.  We were sad to see them go home but very thankful for their coming and spending time with us.  We are thankful that we are serving a CES/PEF mission as we were able to schedule our duties on both sides of the visit allowing us full time to enjoy our friends.

We miss all of you and want you to know that even though Jamaica is not an easy mission we are enjoying our service here.  Last Sunday in church the realization came that we are going to leave someday and return home.  We will always cherish our memories of these saints and neighbors.  They do not have it easy like we do at home but never the less they have wonderful hearts and are a very friendly and caring people.  Jack.