May 25th update

We have had an interesting and fast week and a half. We were invited along with the other Senior Missionaries to attend graduation exercises at the Church Of Christ school on the far side of the island about 20 miles away on Saturday 19th. The LDS Humanitarian Services helped the school out about 6 weeks ago with a gift of 15 sewing machines and other needed items. The LeFevre's arrived early and were escourted down to the front and sat on the row with the Governor of the island. The Kjar's and us arrived a little later and they put a bench in at the back for us to sit on as honored guests. It was a very nice program. The graduation gowns had been sewn by the students and looked very nice. We had to leave early for a baptism in Palikir branch. The LeFevres had the baptism clothes but didn't make it to the baptism. Luckily they found some clothes in a closet at the church.

We have a great brother who is serving as a General Counsel for the FSM here in Pohnpei. He is a wonderful example of Christ like living. Last week he caught a swordfish just outside the reef and it was a big one and he gave it to the tiny branch that he lives in and it fed 40 people. He is raising turkeys from an incubator he made so he can give them to people to raise for food. The island people say: "he may be white, but he's got a brown heart." He loves these people very much and they know it. He brings them to church in the back of his truck(picture to follow).

We attended a variety program at one of the high schools on Friday Night. The power had been cut by the workers who said that they would get it fixed by Friday but it didn't happen. But in show business "the show must go on." And thus it did. Bro Yaingeluo (a physician) got an electric cord from the kitchen of the cafeteria and strung it to the lunch room and had 2 light globes and a big amplifier and the singing and dancing went on. It was quite dark in the building but the kids who participated had a good time. Elder Vincent spent most of the night with his fingers in his ears trying to prevent permanent deafness. Even stepping outside the door did not help because there was no window glass in the windows. Now this was at the conclusion of a 12 inch plus day of rain. It rained 2 and 1/2 feet in three days last week. There was flooding in parts of the town for a little while. But it runs into the ditches and ground and before you know it, it is all gone except for a few puddles of water.

We were unable to attend the baptism of a young man who has been waiting for a year for his fathers permission for him to join the church. When Elder LeFevre asked the father what was his concern, he told him that he was worried that the church would take too much of his son's time away from his studies. Elder LeFevre and Sis LeFevre told him that just the opposite is true for church members. With the gift of the Holy Ghost, those who apply themselves, are successful in their education and also their church activity. Tfhe father then said he wasn't sure that his son understood what he was being taught. Elder LeFevre gave him an outline of the bapt. review questions for the father to review with his son. After that the father gave his permission for his son to be baptized. It just happens that both of the Elders who initially taught the young man were on the island to do some training among the missionaries, and were able to be to the baptism. It was a really spiritual night for them to see Larry baptized. Now his 18 year old sister is being taught by the missionaries. The parents attitudes toward the church have really changed and we are looking forward to the day when they will want to have the discussions.

We had an interesting experience with the taxi's this week. We called for a taxi to take us into town. They try to get as many people into the taxi to make the run more profitable. Going in there were only 4 people in the taxi(including the driver). We called for a taxi to take us home at the conclusion of our business. We were picked up and there were 3 in the car (4 passenger car -small car) and he said he needed to make one more stop. He drives to a school and here came out 3 high school girls and piled in the back seat with Sister Vincent. There we were packed like sardines in a moving can. He drove us home with 6 in the car (about the size of a SMALL Nisson). We were grateful we hadn't been grocery shopping.

All the missionaries on Pohnpei had a zone activity on Monday this week (21st.) We took a boat ride over to an island and spent the better part of the day having fun relaxing. We could walk around the island in half an hour. They had an eating area with a thatched roof. There were 24 of us including the 2 AP's from Guam. Not all of us could fit in the building but they had shade trees near by so everyone had a good time when we had lunch. The Senior couples brought salads and desserts and the the young sister missionaries purchased the hot dogs and buns. The tide was out when we left Pohnpei and with 27 people in the boat it was down in the water, and at one point the boat owners/employees had to get out of the boat and push it over some underwater coral reef to get us out in the channel. Once in the channel they dropped the outboard back in the water and we were off for a 15 minute ride to the island for a day of fun.

Many of them played rook and phase 10, some read,some of us went looking for sea shells. I brought several shells that Elder Loveless found for me. He just seems to have an eagle eye for sea shells. We then had lunch and then went over to a nos and played mafia. It was really fun, the young Elders and Sisters really enjoyed themselves, as well as us Senior Couples.

When we got home I put the sea shells on a small corner table in the living room. When we woke up the next morning we found one in the bedroom, one in the kitchen and two on the floor in the living room. We discovered that they had hermit crabs inside and they got themselves off the table and were trying to make a fast get-away. The same morning I discovered a gecco at the top of the stairs (second floor), and the gecco without any hesitation, just jumped over the stairwell and landed on the stair almost at the bottom of the stairwell with a splat! He then crawled into the bushes a few feet away.

Yesterday(Thursday) three of our fine young Elders flew out of Pohnpei on their way back home having honorably served 2 years as missionaries. We are going to miss them as we had learned to love them. Some of the local members of the church came out to bid them farewell at the airport and all of the missionaries were there to bid them farewell. Elder Tadd from Las Vegas was our zone leader and was really a great young man. His very first baptism here was a Bro Yakana who is currently serving as 2nd Counselor in the Kolonia Branch Presidency. He was there to say goodbye to his beloved Elder who had taught him the gospel and they both shed tears. Bro Yakana joined the church after all the rest of his family had joined because of the example they set for him. He has been a member of the Pohnpei state legislature and made a big adjustment to his life when he joined the church. He had the opportunity to baptized his granddaughter last night. He is preparing to go to the temple with his wife and children to be sealed.

Last night (Fri-25th) we went out with Elder Stewart and his brand new greenie Elder Eyre from Lyman, Wy. We have been with Elder Stewart and Elder Bourne several times and become acquainted with several of their investigators. We have helped teach them and have shared our testimonies with them. An older man about our age has been studying the church for the past few months. His nephews have impressed him as he has watched them and their families. His one nephew is the District President and his other nephew is the Elders Quorum Pres. for the branch.

I loaned Bro. Hemon (Emmon) our Nov. 2011 Ensign that he could see the fruits of the gospel as he read the testimonies of the speakers at General Conference. When we visited Bro Hemon last night he told us that he really enjoyed reading the ensign even though he didn't understand everything he could feel the spirit of love by the speakers. He said he is prepared and wants to be baptized. We were just thrilled beyond belief. He is going to attend the branch meetings Sun. and we are planning to attend that branch to be there with him. We know that he will feel the Spirit of the Lord in our meetings.

We also visited with Pedros who is planning on being baptized tonight. He is just a wonderful young man. He turns 18 next month and so we should be here next year when he will submit his papers to serve a mission for the Lord. It is just wonderful to see the changes in these peoples lives as they learn the principles of the gospel and begin to adopt them into their lives. You can see a transformation in the light in their eyes and the joy of their countenances. We really do see the hand of the Lord moving people who are humble and seeking to know His ways. Tender mercies occur daily in our lives.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK! Missionaries leave their families for 18 to 24 months so that others can be with their families for eternity!

We are really loving the work. Sincerely, Elder and Sister Vincent

Well, another week has flown bye so quickly.  We thought that we would say something about these great people, especially the local leaders of the Church here in Pohnpei.  The church here is a District of the Micronesia,Guam Mission.  There are 8 branches of the church here basically surrounding the island.

Two small branches on the South end of the island. two on the North end, and 2 on each side (East, West) of the island.  There is one road that goes around the outside of the island that is composed of twists, sharp curves. steep up and down hills, and people and dogs using the road.  Most of the time, speed in the 30 to 35 MPH range is all you care to drive, for safety sake, and usually slower.  When someone dies and they have a funeral, the road is lined up with cars on both sides making it dangerous because it is only a two lane road.  So there is a lot of give and take to make it past such areas.  

Anyway back to the leaders, of the branches and District.  Almost all of them are converts to the church.  Many came from very different backgrounds but because of the gospel have changed their lives and are great examples to members and non-member alike.  It isn't unusual for people to become interested in the church because of these great leaders and the big change in their lives and others, seeing the fruit of the gospel in these people lives coming to them and asking about the church and they end up joining the church also.  I have heard for years, "the gospel of Jesus Christ makes bad men good, and good men better."  I see it every day out here in the mission field just as you do at home.

The Palikir Br. Pres.told us the other day about the building of the new chapel just completed a year ago.  When they had a ground breaking for the construction of the building, there were protesters all around the property and even on the property who were very much against the construction of the building.  The police were called and told about these protesters and they came out and told them that from that day forward they were not allowed on the property and if they came on it they would be arrested.  The next day there were 10 police cars out on the road surrounding the building and there was not any more problem with protesters.

Pres. Ongesol the Br. Pres., said that area of the island used to have a bad reputation for having lots of problems at night with teenagers, etc., but since the chapel was built and they have provided basketball courts with night lights, and the youth both member and non-member alike are invited to come and use the recreation area (volleyball, basketball, etc.) that even the children of the protesters are coming and using our facilities.  The parents who were the protesters, no longer create difficulties for the church because their children are there using the facilities.  It has broken down many barriers for those against the church.  Pres Ongesol tells the non-members about our standards (no drugs, drinking alcohol or sochou, swearing, cussing, playing on the Sabbath, etc.), and the kids are keeping to the standards. Some are attending the church meetings, seminary, church activities, etc. and we think are talking around the dinner table about the good things that they are experiencing with the church.  

Talking with one non-member neighbor up the street last week, she said that she often had to call the police about all the juvenile problems on the street, but since the chapel construction it is a wonderful thing to see the kids doing something instead of getting into trouble and she has not had to call the police once.  Her sister's grandson is named Nuan (about 11 years old) and he lives next door to her.  He is over to the church all the time and is a really good boy.  

He attends seminary, English class and all the activities.  He gets himself up every Sunday, dresses himself and comes to Church meetings.  All the rest of his family are Protestant, but he prefers to come to the LDS church.

Pohnpeian rains are much different to what we are used to in Utah.  It doesn't just rain, when it is a rainstorm, it is barrel full storms, not just bucket full storms.  The water flows down to the low spot where there is always a river, and it flows out to the sea.  The ground is also very absorbent so the grassy areas feel spongy.  It is getting into the rainy season(monsoon) now and it usually rains 3-4 times a day and at-least once a night.  It makes the evening cool enough that I have to pull up a light blanket to cover my metal knees to that my legs won't keep me awake.  With so much rain and heat it is easy to understand why there is so much jungle everywhere.  They use weed eaters everywhere instead of lawnmowers (to many rocks and lava).  Machetes are used to cut everything else above grass level, and believe me they are good with them.  They are razor sharp and they cut palm trees, banana trees, brush, anything with machetes.

We are going out visiting with members, active and in-active.  Getting acquainted with them and asking for referrals, inviting them to prepare to go to the temple and receive the blessings that God has for them in His Holy House.  We are also going out with the young missionaries whenever we can and love to be with them.  The other night while walking out about a 30 walk in the jungle back to our car. stumbling through the rocks, tree roots and wet grass, Elder Vincent nearly fell into a ditch but managed to avoid falling completely to the ground managing only to get a few scrapes on his arm and some mud on his pants.  It is challenging walking in the jungle, especially at night with only a flashlight to see where to walk in all the undergrowth.  Most people don't even think a thing about it because they have never known any different.  It is like walking the the sidewalk around the block to them.  It is a lot more fun that just being home and working out in the yard.  Elder V. has been asked to teach a Book of Mormon class which he started this week.  The members want to just read it so they can understand it better.  He is also am going to try to share some insights from studying the Book of Mormon as well as his testimony.

Sis. V. is hoping to help out with the Visiting Teaching.  She hopes she can help them understand the importance of visiting the in-active sisters and not just the active sisters.  In the states, we just don't always appreciate the value of 5 or more generations of the church which we stand upon for our knowledge and experience.

The people here are wonderful and we love them.  It feels good to be able to start to recognize some faces and remember their names. Elder Vincent had the experience today with the other Senior Elders and two local brethren, of dressing a member who died yesterday, in white temple clothes and temple robes for his funeral tomorrow.  As we have said, they don't embalm here and so the family has to bury the dead within 3 days, unless there are extenuating circumstances which requires two family members to be present 24/7 until the funeral. 

 Learning the language is another story.  For now, we are just sticking to learn some words and work on some phrases.  We will see what happens later.  Time to go now, we have taken up way to much of your time.  We remember you in our prayers and love all of you.

Sincerely,          Elder and Sister Vincent