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