THE HOMES WHERE THE MISSIONARIES LIVE

The young missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints live in all kinds of homes and apartments while they are serving here in Honduras.  Some of the homes are quite nice and comfortable, while others aren't for the faint in heart.  This week we began what will be a mission-wide tour of home inspections.  They weren't surprise inspections; everyone had been warned that not only were we going to show up but that we were bringing with us President and Sister Dester.  I'll bet that there was some serious cleaning done this past week. 

Sister Dester has so many responsibilities as the wife of the mission president.  One of those duties is to assure that the missionaries stay healthy.  She is the "mission mom," and she is taking this calling very seriously.   One of Wayne's duties is to act as the "housing czar."  He is responsible for the renting of the homes and as such should be familiar with every home in the mission.  Up until now that hasn't been possible. Since the mission split the normal work load has been cut in half.  We presently have 69 homes.  This week we visited eight of them. We brought with us mops, brooms, dust pans, toilet brushes, sponges and disinfectant cleaner for those who needed them. We will try to see a handful more each week until we have seen them all and know that they are all up to standard.

Our sweet little nurse, Sister Tolliver and her companion, Sister Bayles, live in the nicest apartment in the mission.  Besides having air conditioning, which is very rare, they have a spare bedroom, and a nice kitchen.  Tile floors are the norm - we have yet to see carpeting in this country.  This apartment was selected purposefully because we needed a place for the new sister missionaries to spend the night when they first arrive in the county.  So, there are eight beds in this apartment - however, there is only one shower, so it takes some serious give-and-take.

There are some problems in the homes.  What else could we expect?  The average apartment we have rents for $125.00 per month, and many cost much less.  So, we have small bathrooms, and lots of peeling paint.  The apartments are often very dark, and poorly ventilated.  A musty smell is common in all but the very best of the apartments.  Fridges are often empty, beds aren't always made, and the floors aren't always swept and mopped. But the missionaries actually do a pretty good job.

Clothing is hung carefully, and a general orderliness is found in most of the homes.  Curtains are a luxury we usually do without.  Spare sheets or the Honduras flag are used to keep out the curious eyes of those who might pass by.  Fans are our missionaries best friend and every apartment has two of them.  They are moved throughout the day and night to provide the most comfort possible from the oppressive heat.  Nowhere is a blanket to be found. Most of the missionaries sleep on top of their sheet - only covering themselves on the most deliciously cool of the nights.  A table with two chairs is about the only other furniture that you find in the apartments.  They all just barely received a brand new microwave oven - the first time ever in this mission.  They don't have much, but joy reigns!  The real story of this mission is NOT what you see in these apartments, but what you don't see!  Nowhere is there found a pornographic poster or an inappropriate book.  There isn't a TV or a boom box - boy, does that statement ever date us!  There are no skateboards, or bikes or motorcycle helmets. There isn't anything that would detract from the Spirit of the Lord being present.  The homes aren't fancy, but we both felt like the Savior would have felt comfortable within these walls.

Some of our missionaries are used to having a private bedroom. Many have come from homes where hot and cold running water is readily available.  Most haven't had to do much of their own cooking or cleaning.  For all of these reasons and many, many more, a mission is the most amazing educational experience a young man or woman could have at this time in their life.  After two years (or 18 months in the case of the young women) these missionaries will return home with an appreciation for what they have been given.  They will come home with a vast knowledge of the scriptures and with the ability to speak to others about their beliefs.  They will return home focused on what is important and with an understanding of those things that matter very little in this life.  Do our missionaries live like kings and queens?  No!  But, they are comfortable enough... and they are happy!

Elder Van Neck grins as we give his apartment a passing grade.

We are so grateful to be here with these young missionaries.  This mission has been a blessing in our lives.  We hope that the work we have done - and will continue to do for another few months - has helped these powerful young missionaries. 

THE LIFE OF A SENIOR MISSIONARY - AWESOME!

What a beautiful day we have arisen to see.  The skies are a crisp blue.  Billowing clouds sit on the tops of the jungle hills that surround the valley of San Pedro Sula.  Rain throughout the night washed away the smog and dust leaving a sparkle in the air.  Green is everywhere.  A four-inch long moth clings from our kitchen window screen as if it also is pausing from its daily journey to absorb the beauty of the morning.  Towering ceiba trees stand guard over the jungle greenery.  This is such a lovely land.

Early in our mission service I was asked by someone who was teaching a lesson to describe how being on a mission had changed my life.  I answered that it really hadn't changed our lives.  We have always done the things that we are doing now.  Yes, we are doing them in a different land and language, but our lives had thoroughly prepared us to serve this mission.  Being a senior missionary has been rewarding ... and not quite as hard as we thought it might be.

Our life really is about the same as it always has been.  We have always dated.  Sometimes we were with other couples and sometimes we went alone.  Nothing has changed there.  We still go on dates - usually nothing fancy.  Last night it was dinner at Denny's, but it was a date and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.  Before we came on this mission we would go to dinner and talk about the kids.  We do exactly the same thing now except we have adopted 250 more into our family.  Some of these young men and women will hold a place in our hearts forever. 
    Before our mission we had walls covered with love letters from grandchildren.  We still do.  Nothing has changed there except we have two more grandchildren to brag about than we did when we left home fourteen months ago.  For us family has always been the most important thing and that hasn't changed.  I'm pretty sure it never will.
   One thing has changed, and it has changed for the better.  We now spend all day - everyday - together.  We've never had that privilege before.  When we work, we work together.  If we exercise, we exercise together.  The dishes are a family affair.  However, I still let LaRae do most of them.  See!  Some things never change!



Elder Hebert savors LaRae's brownies.

   The rules for senior missionaries allow and encourage us to stay in touch with our family.  So, Skype has become a regular part of our weekly routine.  Before the mission we were able to go visit them face-to-face, but talking to them over Skype is the next best thing.  In the days of handwritten letters, it would have been such a difficult thing to leave your family.  But, now we really never leave them.  Nothing has really changed.
   Our lives prepared us so well for our mission.  We just do the same things we've always done.  LaRae brings cookies, or brownies, or fudgy jumbles to the office.  There is nothing different or difficult about that.  The missionaries absolutely love her for this kindness.  It is something no one else does down here, but it isn't new for her.  Really, being a senior missionary isn't all that different from life.

    The things we have done for years prepared us for what we do today.  For example: LaRae learned to cook and has come to enjoy doing it.  She still does it everyday.  Our meals are simple because they are cooked after we come home from ten hours in the office, but they are tasty and nutritious.  LaRae and I both learned how to speak Spanish when we were young.  Today we speak in Spanish all day long.  We're not completely fluent, and often the natives get a chuckle out of our clumsy efforts, but we get by just fine.  Wayne learned to play piano at an early age and now plays it wherever we attend church.  This has brought so much joy into the lives of those who love the enthusiasm of his playing and his loud singing voice.  Living on a teacher's salary taught us both the way to pinch a penny and we still find joy every time we walk down the grocery aisles and can joyfully pass by so many foods.  A simple jar of jelly beans can go a long way towards making life happy.

We both spent most of our lives teaching in church, at work and at home.  We still do.  Our life really hasn't changed all that much. We talk like we used to talk, think like we used to think and play like we always have.  Senior missionary life is ... well, just life.
 

We both do some things that we are not used to doing.  Wayne's present assignment as the financial clerk has been a real learning experience for him, and LaRae has needed to understand Excel and other computer programs.  For two people who are basically technologically challenged this has caused some sleepless nights.  But, isn't it wonderful that two people who have come to the age of retirement can still learn new things, conquer tough challenges and bless the lives of hundreds.  There are times we are asked to do and learn things that are out of our comfort zone.  But, what a wonderful way to spend our "golden years." 

PONDERING THE WEEK THAT WAS

Another week has come and gone - seven days during which time we had opportunities to work or be lazy, to serve or to be selfish.  The choice is always ours.  That agency to choose what type of a week we will have is an amazing gift from a loving Father in Heaven.  Today, as we sit down to record the happenings of this week we no longer see these past seven days as an opportunity to be seized, but as a moment of judgment from which we can learn.  Did we do all we could have done?  

President and Sister Dester, Sister Alvarez and Sister McCuistion

We attended Church with President and Sister Dester last Sunday.  Every one wants a piece of their time.  Every ward wants them to share the day with them.  We visited both the Fesitranh ward and the branch of El Bosque this week and will accompany them to El Carmen next week.  Fesitranh welcomed us so warmly.  We spent our first month in Honduras with them a year ago.  When they saw us walk into the building there were squeals of joy. Stake President Hernandez, saw us, walked directly to us, threw his arms around me and held me tight.  He said, in English, "I love you, Elder John."  The time we spent there last year certainly wasn't wasted.

Elder Roberts.  Doesn't he look good, Dad!

On Monday we had eight new missionaries arrive.  This always sets off a whirlwind of activity for a couple of days.  Airport visits, training meetings, feeding them - they are always hungry - assigning them their new companions, renting new apartments, furnishing those new apartments, and more.  This new group arrived only 10 days after President and Sister Dester arrived in Honduras.  Thankfully, it was a small group.  Had it been as large as normal we simply wouldn't have been able to do it all.
  This group of eight is the historically first group of missionaries ever assigned to the Honduras San Pedro Sula West Mission.  They are pioneers who during the next two years will be called upon to be the leaders.  They will open up many cities to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Assistants to the President, Elders Hebert and Polendo, commented that they were the most serious minded group of missionaries that they had ever seen arrive.  They will need to be special. 

Elder Daniels.  Fresh off the plane and ready to go!

Occasionally, our blog receives comments from the parents of missionaries who are presently serving here in Honduras or that will be arriving very soon.  We try to include pictures of your sons and daughters for you.  There is a song with words that goes something like this... "From God's hands... to your hands... to ours." Dear parents, please know that we, along with President and Sister Dester, are doing our best to watch over your sons and daughters.  They are amazing!  Thank you for sending them our way.

On Tuesday we went to the Bishop's storehouse in downtown San Pedro Sula.  In the attic of this building were stored the boxes and boxes of records that were moved from our office before it was remodeled.  We needed to located some of the financial records for the previous three years so they could be sent to Salt Lake City, Utah.  We were impressed with this building. Food is packaged, and stored here for those who are in need.  The supplies were few; the need is great.  It cannot supply all that is needed here, but it is a start.  We both felt the Spirit of the Lord very strongly here.  He is concerned with those of His children who have but little. 

The saga of human suffering is played out on every street of San Pedro Sula.  Stop lights provide a perfect place for the aged, the very young and the disabled to reach out for help.  Often with cars speeding past them on both sides, these people do what they must do to eat that day.  Our hearts break here every day. We offer what we can.  Our few pennies are but a drop in the ocean of need.  We are extremely grateful to belong to a Church that concerns itself with the physical well being of people throughout the world, in addition to their spiritual progression.  We are so blessed to belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (The Mormons)

Each time we experience the joy of new missionaries arriving, we also experience the heartache of saying goodbye to those we have come to love.  On Wednesday, Elder Ward and Elder Xol left us for their homes. They both served faithfully and well.  President and Sister Dester were kind enough to provide a delicious meal to celebrate the successful completion of their two-years of service, and we were lucky enough to be invited. 

On Thursday we met with President and Sister Dester and President and Sister Klein of the East Mission to discuss with them the financial workings of the mission.  Elder Dever, the financial secretary for the East Mission, helped in the presentation.  We explained exactly how the Church funds the Mission and how these monies should be spent.  These wonderful people listened with such appreciation for the hours that had been spent to prepare this information.

On Friday we met with the zone leaders counsel.  Sixteen of the very best missionaries sat in council with President Dester to discuss the challenges of the mission and the direction it should take.  We each had a few items to discuss with the group, but after our short time we excused ourselves to go back to the office to complete the normal duties of our days. 
   It's now Saturday again.  It's a day to do laundry, write this blog, do our grocery shopping and, perhaps, even make a special treat for us, and for others.  Today, LaRae made "nutty-buddies."  Yummy!  The week has flown by.  Six days!  More than 60 hours of office work and duties.  So now as we reflect back upon the week...  Did we do any good in the world this week?  Did we help anyone in need?  Did we cheer up the sad, or make someone feel glad?  Yes!  I think we did!

GETTING SETTLED IN

We have found ourselves in an enviable and unique position.  We live right next to President and Sister Klein of the East Mission; yet we serve with President and Sister Dester of the West Mission.  As a result we get the best of both worlds - we feel blessed. Both have been gracious in their gratitude for what little suggestions or help we might offer.  Both apologize frequently for taking a moment of our time.  What they don't realize is that it is a great privilege to just associate with them.  That is what we were able to do this past week.

Setting up their new homes requires that woman's touch and so LaRae and Sister Dester slowly roamed through the aisles of our version of Walmart - called Diunsa.  President Dester and Wayne just smiled and tried to stay out of the way.  This was last Saturday's activity.  We traveled from store to store - a pillow here, a bathroom scale there, a loaf of bread and more.  The real challenge is just trying to figure out the street system so as to not get lost.  We had such a good time with them.  We are positive that their missionaries are going to love them.  From a very personal standpoint - we already do love them.

Following their Saturday of shopping and stocking up their pantry, they began a grueling week of interviewing their missionaries.  They traveled to the furthest away zone and then did all the closer ones after that.  President Dester was able to interview 136 of his 138 missionaries.  We are sure they are exhausted.  Meanwhile we enjoyed having only half as many missionaries to manage.  This won't last long as we are expecting to receive more than 100 new missionaries in the next six months.  But, at least for this week, we actually had some free time.  We even came home early (4:00 p.m.) a couple of times. 
     Then today we were privileged to repeat much of the cycle with President and Sister Klein. They had left the very day after they arrived in Honduras for their furthest away zone and had taken all week to work their way back home.  The Lord, obviously, is blessing them with energy and strength.  They are keeping a schedule that would wear out any normal person.

One of the stores they both wanted to visit was Pricemart.  It is the Honduras version of Costco.  It carries the same brands and everything.  We helped direct them there, get their membership cards, and then just walked with them as they shopped.  We enjoyed our time with them.  They are good people and are already having an impact on their mission.

Then tonight the six of us went out to eat.  We took them to a Uruguayan Grill that we had once tried with President and Sister Veirs. The food was  wonderful.  The conversation was pleasant and, as you would expect, focused upon some of the situations they have encountered during their first 10 days as mission presidents. They are fully invested in doing the work of the Lord.  It has been a real privilege to be with them and to be able to call them friends.

MISSION DIVIDES, VEIRS LEAVE, DESTERS AND KLEINS ARRIVE

This was a historic week as the Lord continues to hasten His work here in the land of Honduras.

Our dear friends Ronald J. Veirs and Joanne Veirs were honorably released as mission presidents and left on Friday for their home in California.  They left behind some really big shoes to fill.  During their three-year tenure as the leaders of the San Pedro Sula, Honduras Mission, they presided over a little more than 500 different young missionaries.  President Veirs led with his heart. In the thirteen months that we have known him we have watched him struggle with dozens of difficult situations, but each has been handled calmly, lovingly, and with the best interest of the missionary in mind.  Sister Veirs simply served.  She never received the blessing of fluency in Spanish but she communicated through her smile, her cheerfulness and, of course, through her brownies.  She must have baked hundreds of batches of brownies and we never saw a missionaries not want to come back for more.  These two dear people became our friends.  We shared our home with them in Roatan, and they have shared their San Pedro Sula home with us.  Friday nights we frequently got together to play games, laugh and just talk some English.  Lots of times our conversation was "shop talk," but usually we just chatted about family, past experiences and the future.  For the rest of our lives we will remember "it's your turn Jeannie," and "I'm leaving on a jet plane."  We wish them a very fond farewell and the very best in their future.  We will miss them.

On Thursday, June 27th, President and Sister Klein and President and Sister Dester arrived to take over the newly divided missions.  They had flown completely through the night and so they were, obviously, tired, but there was an immediate excitement and energy.  President and Sister Klein will preside over the San Pedro Sula East Mission and President and Sister Dester will preside over the San Pedro Sula West Mission.  We have been assigned to the West mission and are excited and willing to do anything we can to help out. 

All 265 missionaries of the San Pedro Sula, Honduras Mission
gathered together on Wednesday, June 27th.  The purpose was two-fold: to bid a fond farewell to their former president and to divide the mission.  Excitement filled the air. Loud cheers rang through the chapel as announcements were made of companionship changes.  With each change the two new companions would meet and quickly take their place on either the west or the east side of the chapel.  When asked which mission was the best it was a moment to boisterously bellow their satisfaction with the changes. It seemed to us that the majority of the missionaries we have grown close to over these past months were taken into the East mission, but we will make new friends and we will find new ways to open our lives to those who are now our West missionaries.

Six other missionaries also left this week including our dear Elder Hunter Cannon. Due to his health challenges he has been transferred to the Wichita, Kansas Mission where it is hoped good ol' American food and sanitary practices will allow him to recover the strength he needs to complete his mission.  We love this young man!  We did absolutely everything we could do to try to nurse him back to health, but to no avail.  He was asked to come forward and bear a final testimony to the group.  Tears rolled down LaRae's cheeks as she heard him testify of the Savior and of the privilege it has been to serve here even though for eight months he has been sick every single day.  LaRae has worked so closely with this fine young man during these past six months that he has become in many ways like a son.  Good luck, Elder Cannon.  We miss you!

It didn't take long for President and Sister Dester to jump right into the work.  Less than 24 hours after landing at the San Pedro Sula Airport they held a multi-zone meeting.  Only the zone of Copan wasn't invited to attend because of excessive travel distance.  So, the picture above shows 90% of the newly formed West mission.  It is much smaller, but when they sang their voices still filled the chapel.  President and Sister Dester took about 15 minutes to individually greet each of their missionaries, quickly shake their hands and tell them they were glad to be here.  Then they took a few moments to introduce themselves and instruct us in their vision for the mission.  Sister Dester doesn't yet speak Spanish but prepared a script to accompany a few slides of her family. She did so well.  One elder who was seated directly behind us exclaimed as she tried valiantly to pronounce some of these difficult Spanish words, "Oh, my gosh, I love her!"  Her husband translated for her a few words of testimony and appreciation and then she took her seat.  President Dester then spoke for a few moments.  To me it was evident that the mantle of leadership had already descended down upon him. 

I remember as a young missionary myself when my first mission president left and a new one arrived.  They were so different, but I loved them both.  In like manner, no one who was here today will ever forget President and Sister Veirs, nor will President and Sister Dester be able to replace them in our hearts.  But, we will love President and Sister Dester in the same way.  They didn't come down here to replace, but to continue with the same work. They will do it in their own way, probably a little bit differently than did President and Sister Veirs, but that is not the issue.  This is the Lord's work.  He has placed them here to tend over this tiny piece of His vineyard.  He will bless them and He will guide them.  This Church is true, and it is rolling forward as a stone cut from the mountain without hands to fill the entire earth. This is our witness.  We haven't been chosen to direct this work, but rather to follow the direction of another.  This we promise to do willingly and to the best of our ability.  Isn't this work wonderful!

MOVING DAY

The time has finally come for us to move into the new office.  But, we aren't the only ones who are moving.  President and Sister Veirs were asked to vacate their home so it could be spruced up for the new mission president who is going to move in there. 

Box after box of personal goods and souvenirs were boxed up and prepared to be shipped back to their home in the states.  It wasn't long until the house was completely empty.  Arrangements had been made for them to stay in the Panarama condominiums for the two weeks or so until the new presidents come to replace him.  These are the fanciest living accommodations in all of San Pedro Sula.  They deserve it. They have worked hard.

They are on the 8th floor.  President and Sister Destler, the new presidents for the West mission, will be staying on the 22nd floor of this same project.  The view is incredible, the facilities are the best I've seen, the security is tight, the staff is polite and professional.  The Church didn't go to a great deal of expense to furnish the home because they will only be here for a couple of weeks, but what they did put in here was nice. 

This view was taken from the balcony of the 22nd floor apartment where workers are busy finalizing everything for the arrival of the Destlers.  This is the area of Jardines del Valle (The valley's gardens).  The red roof you see at the far left of this picture is the security building for the project where we live.  We are no more than one minute apart. 
     After having the mission office in our home for nearly three months it has felt good to finally get all the computers, tables, supplies... and yes, missionaries, out of our home for awhile.  We're not completely settled into the new office yet, but we're getting closer.

One of the biggest challenges we have faced is what to do with all of the missionary supplies.  Well over 100 boxes of pamphlets, scriptures, journals and garments were shoved into the office.  These were just the things that we had formerly stored in our home.  We still have all the Book of Mormons there.

West office storage area.

There simply is no room for all the stuff we have.  So, while Wayne was trying to train a new financial secretary for the East mission, and undergoing a 2-day audit by the chief financial officer from Tegucigalpa, LaRae met with a Brother Bonilla from the Central LDS Distribution office from that same city.  They made a detailed count of every item we had and arranged to send them all to the distribution center in exchange for credit.  From now on we will be using their services as our main storage center.  It will be tough for LaRae, but there really was not any other option.  The puny sized storage areas in the office will not sufficiently house all that we maintain. 
     Slowly everything is coming together.  The old makes way for the new.  It is the natural course of life.  We have been so busy these past three weeks that there just hasn't been time to enjoy the process.  Outfitting the new offices, training new secretaries, being audited, trying to split the files, divide all of the beds, refrigerators, tables, chairs, stoves and stuff, and get them all moved to the right areas has been tough.  To make it worse the Church continues to send us more missionaries than we need to maintain our numbers.  This requires the opening of new areas.  Each time an area is opened it requires the rental and furnishing of a house.  It is a major hassle. LaRae still hasn't been given anyone to train in what she does.  This means that the East mission will be starting next week with only two trained secretaries.  All we can say is "good luck with that!"

    This coming week we will be losing only six missionaries.  Twenty-two new ones will be arriving to replace them.  The six that are leaving have all been zone leaders and are some of the very best missionaries we have had.  Their leadership and example will be very hard to replace.  Elder Jacob McNeil from Salt Lake City has been a zone leader for most of his mission - longer than any other current missionary.  He is such a happy, cheerful young man.  His zone loves him.  He has led with example and an energy that has been contagious.  In our opinion, he has been one of the very best!

Elder Daniel Benitez

Elder Colter Shirley

Elder Jacob McNeil

Elder Daniel Benitez from Guatamala has been a zone leader for over eight months and has been one that I could always count on doing things right.  Elder Colter Shirley, from Idaho, has also served as zone leader for that same period of time.  He has been an extremely dedicated servant of God.  His service has been quiet, steady and consistent.  Very few missionaries will go home with more to be proud of than he.


Elder Joshua Peterson

Elder Alex Williams
 

Elder Joshua Peterson, from Orem Utah, has served as a zone leader for eleven months now - nearly as long as Elder McNeil.  Elder Alex Williams, from Ohio, has been in the trenches for six months.  He is one of the very few missionaries who has had his girlfriend wait the entire two years for him.  We have truly enjoyed working with him.  He is very intelligent and has been true to the cause. Every one of these Elders has proven time after time that they can be trusted to do what is right. 



Finally, Elder Aaron Roper, the real happy guy on the front row will be leaving after having served in leadership roles for more than a year. This picture is of a zone leaders conference that was held this past week. We have loved working with him.  He has watched over the missionaries in his zone with great concern.  He has been a truly fine missionary. 
    All in all, six Elders will be leaving on Thursday.  They have a combined experience of over five years of serving as zone leaders.  Even though we love and appreciate all of those who come here to serve, we don't get to know all of the missionaries as well as we have come to know these six.  We love them and they will be sorely missed!