July 12, 2012

F.B.I. Report (From.Big.Island)

We have now been on island for five weeks.  Hard to believe!  The first two weeks were a blur.  We were "white-washed in" - that is the term when you arrive in an area without a transition.  We had lunch in Utah for a couple of hours with the mission couple who were here before us.  They left May 4 and we arrived June 4.  They gave us an overview of their mission and wished us luck!  This is a very complex mission area.  We know it's Hawaii, and we know it's part of the United States, but this is certainly not the Hawaii of our vacations.  I often ask myself how I could have come here on vacations and be so clueless!  The answer is:  I was on vacation, staying at hotels or condos and swimming at nice beaches and eating at nice restaurants.  When I went for drives, I saw the blue skies and foliage.  I didn't see the homes and the people.  I didn't really "see them". 

Now we see them and know them.  We are finding our way around by ourselves now.  Our ward list has very few addresses on it.  Our dear friends, Matt and Roz have been invaluable.  They were both born and raised on the Kohala Coast and they know everyone.  They are loved and well respected entertainers, who play guitar, ukelele and sing beautiful Hawaiian music.  Matt is our ward mission leader and Roz is our Relief Society President.  

The people of Kohala are so related, it has become almost funny to us - not that they are related, but that whenever we mention a name of someone we have met, they are either a relative or classmate of theirs.  Why, of course you are!!   There is a lot of local pride and spirit.  Kohala is a very special place, in fact it is the birthplace of King Kamehehe and his statue has a place of honor in our town.  Note:  I said "our town".  We feel very protective and proud of our adopted home.  

 King Kamehehe day celebration.  June 11, 2012.  The people of Kohala make leis of all kinds and they are draped individually on the statue.

There is also a lot of need here.  It is hard to explain the layers of the culture.  Family first, foremost and always.  Most families live together generationally.  First, because it is cultural for these families, and it is the best way of making it financially.   The homes where generations live together often have a bed in the living room and they often do their family eating and entertainment in the garage or under shade canopies extending onto the driveway.  It makes sense and is good use of space.  There is often not a lot of room in the kitchen for a dining area with a large family, so we often are entertained in the garage.  The weather is favorable and for this reason, most do not have garage doors.  It is so sensible and we make ourselves "right at home".  Also, a lot of couples on the islands do not marry.  They live together and have children and go to work and the grandparents take care of the children.  Everyone older than you is an auntie or uncle.  A mark of respect.  Also, they probably are your auntie or uncle if you really look into it.  When we are teaching the gospel to families who are not married, the parents can not be baptized until they marry.  This is a big decision, as they are likely to lose some benefits.

The food is wonderful.  Every meal is accompanied by rice.  We love it.  There are so many ethnicities here - Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Tongan, Samoan - so we are treated to some outstanding meals.  Many times, the meat is cooked in an "emu" pronounced "eemoo".  This is cooking in the ground.  On Sunday, we had Thanksgiving dinner in July.  The family had raised and prepared two pigs and a turkey in an emu and they served it kahlua style.  (pulled - pork or turkey).  It was so melt-in-your-mouth delicious.  We stopped by to see a family - (we like to pull in between 5 and 6 because they might be cooking something delicious )- and they were steaming lau lau.  This is a little packet of pork and fish, wrapped in luau leaves, then in foil and steamed for about four to five hours.  They season it with black pepper and Hawaiian salt.  Yum.  Most people hunt and/or fish and they eat what they catch.  Wild pigs are plentiful and very destructive.  They run amuk and ruin gardens.  The men catch the young ones and raise them until they are fat.  Then they are used for big celebrations and luaus.  We have had a lot of pork lately at high school graduation luaus.  Every occasion is a cause for celebration.  Birthdays, anniversaries and graduations are the main reasons for parties.  

As for our missionary work, we are always looking for a way to serve and bless lives.  It is best to have been introduced by a local member and then people are happy to invite us into their homes and lives.  We try to leave a short message and a prayer/blessing on the home.  People have been very receptive.  We are teaching a fellow who is Marshallese (from the Marshall Islands).  He is very shy and we have been told that when he sees the Mormon missionaries, he usually heads out the back door.  However, he has been very friendly to us and told us to come by any time and we are always welcome in his home.  His girlfriend is a less active member and they have the most darling baby called Brett.  Again, they would have to get married in order for him to be baptized.  They are now engaged, so we call that progress. 

Aysha, Danica, Anella and Harley.

We are also teaching four darling girls - cousins - ages 8, two nine year olds, and a 14 year old.  They are so cute and shy.  Their grandmother is a recent convert and they have no religious training in their home.  They love to answer our questions and light up when we say they are right!!  We gave each child a Bible and Book of Mormon, a picture of the Savior and a couple of bookmarks.  You would think we had given them gold!  They have been coming to church in jeans, so it was fun to pick out dresses for them at Wal-Mart and Target in Kona.  You should have seen the delight in their eyes when they were presented with dresses to wear to church.  They have learned how to pray now, and they stand by me and I whisper to them to help them.  Their parents have consented to their being baptized and they are really looking forward to that.  It will probably be the first part of August, after school starts. 

Yes, Elder Rapier was the ring leader of this expedition!

After one of our lessons, the girls got up on the roof of the shed and harvested lychee.

 

 

 Oh Hi!  I told you "I don't go Tracting".

You never know what you'll see on a Mission.

We came around the corner on our way home from Hilo and there were these animals.

Well, it's late here.  Before this turns into "War and Peace", I will close for now.  Our mission has been such a blessing in our lives.  We miss our friends and family so much, yet there is no where else we would rather be than right here, right now.  This Gospel is true and we love our Savior.  This is a small way we can show our appreciation for all that He has done for us.  Sharing His message of peace and happiness is a privilege.  God bless.  More later.  Love always,  Sister Rapier.

 

 

 

 June 14, 2012.
This is our cute little cottage in Kupuka'a, HI.  It's about 800 sq. ft. and meets our every need. 
Below is the view from the front door.  Elder and Sister Kelson, the missionary couple before us, were the first to live in this home.  It has a bedroom with a queen size bed and windows on the front and side of the room, for good airflow.  There is a nice sized office, where we each have a desk.  In the kitchen is a small table with two chairs, and there are two stools under the counter.

There are two chairs that go with this love seat.  They came from a company that buys hotel furniture and sells it at retail.  You will also see below the "laundry room" and "the pantry".  We are very happy and feel that God has greatly blessed us.  We did a lot of visiting today and met some wonderful people.  God Bless.  More soon.

The laundry room.

The Pantry.

P.S.

Sorry, one more thing. We would love to hear from you by email. As time permits, we will check our email daily. susanrapier@yahoo.com jerryrapier@yahoo.com If something urgent happens, or if you just feel like chatting, call me at 801 369 1947. I'll answer if I can. If not, I will know you called, you can leave me a voice mail and I will call you back if I can. If you call and I don't call you back, please do not be offended! I haven't forgotten you. We are busy on the Lord's errand and can't always call during "regular" hours. Sometimes, we don't finish until about 7:00 p.m. Remember that we are four hours ahead of Utah time, which means if it is 10 a.m. there, it is only 6 a.m. here! (thanks). Our mailing address P.O. Box 27, Hawi, HI 96719. God Bless. That really is all there is for now. I mean it! I'm done, finished, tired! No more to write. My brain is empty. That is all the news that is fit to print. xx Sister Rapier.

The first week.

REPORT : F.B.I. (FROM. BIG. ISLAND) June 10, 2012 It is still Sunday evening here. Tomorrow is one week since we left Utah for our mission field. What a week it has been. My mind has been flying, trying to get everything in order here in our "home away from home". I certainly could not have done it without my companion! Elder Rapier is a trooper and such a hard worker. We make a list and add to it as we think of things we need to do and buy. I'd say we are doing well, all things considered. (all things being that we are 65 and 67 years old). You may have heard that we were called to the Hawaii Honolulu mission. It should be named the Kohala Coast Paradise Mission. This is where heaven meets the earth! Our hearts have been very full this week as we have adjusted to our new surroundings. So full, in fact, that our eyes leak very often, if you know what I mean. We have met some of God's finest people here. Most of the people in our ward were born here and have lived here all of their lives. They are intertwined by history, marriage and fellowship in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When you meet someone new or see them at church or out and about, they pull you close and kiss you on the cheek. So many have already told us "I love you". We were each given a lei when we arrived at the airport. Today, Brother Alfonso Mitchell, a former Bishop in this ward, was waiting at church with a lei for us to welcome us to the ward. He had picked the flowers in his garden and his wife had made the lei. We were introduced in Sacrament meeting. Then again in Relief Society and High Priest Group. So many have said that they have missed having senior missionaries in the ward (the previous couple left at the end of May) and have been praying for our safe arrival. We arrived on Tuesday and the dinner appointments began on Wednesday evening at the home of our Ward Mission Leader Matthew and his wife, the Relief Society President, Roz. Their last name is Kupuka'a. (Say Coopooka'ah.) They served us a hearty pasta soup, bread and dessert. No wonder this is called "the 40 lb. mission." The next night, we dined with the Sanchez family. Four generations live in their home. The grandmother is in a hospital bed in the back of the house, being tended by her daughter, Gwen - known as Tita. One of their daughters, husband and two children live there also. The little children are called Mohonri and Liahona. Their mom is expecting their third child in a month. Again, a feast and we were sent home with food! As if we hadn't eaten too much already at dinner! The head of that family is James Sanchez, the former Bishop of this ward. He is a gentle giant. We dropped by there last night with a plate of brownies, to find them cooking a huge batch of poi. They were tending the tarot roots, which would take about 4 hours to cook. On the third evening, a dear sister, Udell and her son Rick welcomed us into their home. Udell is a widow and her son Rick is single. He is the ward Elder's Quorum president. Love and hospitality are shown by feeding you too much delicious food. We wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, would we?? We were invited to attend a funeral yesterday. An elderly man, whose son had taken care of him on the mainland, had passed away. The family had brought him home for the funeral and burial. Pedro was a Filipino, with four sons and one daughter. All the children, spouses and most of the 31 grandchildren and some of the 34 great grandchildren were there. It was so interesting to see how the ward and the friends and family handled the day. The ward provides refreshments for the viewing, which lasted three hours. The family comes for the first hour and then friends and neighbors come for the next two hours. They come and visit with the family, pay their respects and then are served refreshments in another room. Also, there is entertainment. The viewing is in the overflow and cultural hall. They had one set of entertainment from 9 - 10. Then, our new friends, Matt and Roz entertained from 10-11. They are very accomplished and well known entertainers in this area. Matt plays Hawaiian guitar and sings, Roz plays ukele and sings harmony and they have an electric guitarist. They sing soft Hawaiian music. Matt and Roz also sang during the funeral. The choir sang "Aloha Oe" (oi) as the pall bearers carried the casket out. After the burial, the family returned for a slide show and Filipino food prepared by the family. When we arrived on Tuesday, the ward mission leader took us to the chapel to meet the youth and some of the ward leadership. Just as we do on the mainland, the youth were preparing their 5 gallon buckets for the Trek. They left Wednesday morning and came back on Saturday. They made their own handcarts and wore pioneer clothing. Just as we do, they represented a pioneer who had come across in the handcarts, or in some cases an early church member in their family. Today in church, they and all the leaders wore their pioneer clothing to church and the youth - all 4 girls and 3 boys, bore strong testimony about their experiences. Each of them told us the name of the pioneer they were walking for, one of their best experiences and bore their testimony. Imagine the shock we felt when one of the boys said he was walking for James Godson Bleak! That is Elder Rapier's great-great grandfather! We took pictures of this young man and a short video of Elder Rapier talking to him. We filled the young boy in on some of the details of James's life. James almost died on the crossing, both feet were frost bitten and his wife had to pull him in the handcart. After they were rescued, the Bleak family (pronounced Blake) settled in Ogden. Four years later, Brigham called James and his family to move to St. George aka "The Cotton Mission". He helped finish the St. George and became the first temple recorder there. Later, he was private secretary to Brigham Young during the president's winter stays in St. George. Elizabeth Moore Bleak, James's wife, was the first telegraph operator in Southern Utah and sent the confidential information to the Quorum of the Twelve in Salt Lake City. James lived to be 87 years old. All in all, quite a week! We also visited a lot of the members to get to know them. Everyone insists that we take something home with us. We received fruit picked from their trees, candy bars and flowers. Our home is fragrant today from our leis and from gardenias picked in our yard. We have papaya trees in the back yard and a lychee nut tree. We tasted that delicacy for the first time today and we are hooked. There are grow boxes on the side of the house, so we will buy some tomatoes squash plants when we are in Kona on Tuesday. Everything is three times as expensive as it is for the same item at Wal-Mart in Kona, so we keep that list going! Sorry this post is so long, but I am trying to catch up and give you an idea what our life is like. This will also serve as a journal of sorts. Tomorrow is King Kamehemehe Day. King Kamemehe is from the Kohala Coast. There is a full size statue of him in the park. Tomorrow there will be a ceremony when his statue will be draped with long leis to honor him. Then there will be a parade with lei covered horses and floats. After the parade, there are food booths in the park, where we will have lunch. Tomorrow is Preparation Day and we plan to spend a few hours at the beach. Tuesday, the missionary work begins in earnest. We are getting a good idea of who's who and where to begin. Is this a wonderful church or what?? No matter where you are in the world, you can feel at home because you have a brother or sister to welcome you. In the next post, I will add some pictures to bring you up to date. Elder Rapier and I sure do love all of you, our dear friends and family. I hope every week flies by as fast this week has done. We know our kids are coming to see us. Some of you have expressed a desire to come over. If so, please let us know a date. We are staying busy doing the Lord's work, but can take a day per week, plus perhaps Sunday to spend time with you. Thank you for your prayers. God Bless you. Our love always. xx Elder and Sister Rapier.

MTC Week

June 10, 2012 What can I say about the MTC week? It was busy, intense, spiritual, challenging, tiring, wonderful and a week not to be missed! There were 92 senior missionaries in our class - 44 couples and 4 single sisters. I have to say "Seniors Rock"! Elder Holland says seniors have to "Lengthen your Shuffle"! The oldest couple were 78 years old and this is their second mission! Our class were assigned to missions ranging from Hawaii (3 couples) to Kuala Lumpur, Estonia, Croatia, Argentina, Brazil, across the U.S. and Canada. Serving missions doing proselyting, welfare, health, humanitarian and office. Some were in the MTC for one week - as we were and some were there for two weeks. We quickly grew to know one another, love one another, practicing teaching one another. We ate together, prayed together, sang together and learned together. There is a spiritual depth in seniors that strengthens and stabilizes the areas in which they serve. Some couples were driving to their missions. There were some big motorhomes parked by our car and they left within 15 minutes of the closing prayer. One couple were driving to British Columbia (in the Calgary mission) to strengthen a branch of 8 active members. They would receive a different assignment during the winter when the branch was snowed in. After the MTC week, we finished packing and spent Saturday and Sunday with different members of the family. Todd and Loreen were at Loreen's family reunion until Saturday night. They had hoped to see us Saturday night and/or Sunday before we left, however on Friday night, members of her family at the reunion became ill and it spread like wildfire. They thought they had escaped the illness, but Garrett got sick on the way home and Todd became ill by the time they got home. We didn't get to see them before we left, but have spoken to them and have felt of their love and support for us. Shawn and Vanessa brought their kids over to say good bye on Sunday afternoon. We were all doing fine until family prayer. It was very emotional to hear Shawn pray for our safety and comfort. Quinn and Paul then showed us the video of everyone wishing us aloha. Thanks Quinn! Brook and Lola came to see us and we were able to spend time with them. Thanks to our girls for the hardest job before getting out of Dodge - cleaning out the freezer and pantry. By then, my brain was fried. I don't want to say I'm a hoarder, but it seems I still shop like I have four kids at home and still feed all their friends. At least I didn't find any corn dogs! I had been emptying the pantry for weeks! Several of the kids and Lola came on Monday morning to see us off. Shawn drove us to the airport, keeping it humorous on the way. By then, we were so ready to be on our way. Delta from SLC to LA and then on to Kona. A darling sister missionary and a couple of members brought our car to us. It was quite hilarious to us to try to put four 50lb. duffle bags in a Corolla! Do you know how big a 50 lb. duffle is?? Do you know how small a Corolla is?? We knew we would be tired and it is a 70 minute drive to our home from Kona. So, we had booked a room for the night. Tuesday morning, we hit Wal-Mart for pillows and a few grocery necessities and we left for our home. It is a cute little cottage, which had been on a plantation. The missionary couple before us had furnished it and fixed it up with cute curtains. We are so fortunate ti have an extra room for an office with two desks. Elder Rapier has his laptop and reports on his desk and I have a small corner desk for my ipad and keyboard. I miss my big Mac, but this will serve me well. More sonn! xx Sister Rapier

Did I mention that it would be a tough assignment to speak in the worship service on our last day at the prison?  Well, it was tougher than I had imagined. 

There is a wonderful spirit in the Promontory Branch.  We have a great Bishopric.  They are completely devoted to the needs of our friends in the branch.  The men we meet with are at different points on the path to freedom - both physically and spiritually.  It is a very stark place where we meet.  By the time we get to the cinder block room where services are held, we have gone through five doors and have scanned our ID badges three times.  As a door opens and you proceed through, that door closes and locks behind you and you are in a vestibule of sorts.  When the door behind you locks, the door in front of you opens and allows you into the next space.  The inmates joke that it is harder for us to get into prison, than for them to get out! 

Humor plays a large part in prison life.  I suppose it is either "laugh or cry".  We have done both with these men who have become our friends.  When our daughter in law, Loreen and her friend Bobby came to perform, Loreen asked if there were any requests.  "Please release me"  was among the requests.

But I digress.  The room in which we meet is made of painted cinder blocks.  There is a black line around the room.  On the walls are the words "No spitting".  "Keep your feet off the walls".  "This door is to remain locked at all times".  You can tell it is Sunday because the piano is at the front of the room, there is a podium, and we have a picture of the Savior hanging at the front of the room.  The chairs are molded plastic patio chairs that stack on top of each other at the close of services.  Promontory Branch has a fabulous choir.  Susan, the accompanist and choir director comes a couple of times each week to help prepare the choir for Sunday performances.  Music always invites the spirit, but to hear these wonderful men's voices is to experience the spirit directly into your heart.

We could have attended another activity during the month of May, but chose to leave on a spiritual note, bearing testimony.

Jerry gave a great talk on the subject of Hope - "Hope in Christ".  My talk was on the atonement.  We felt a lot of emotion as we bade our friends goodbye.   This assignment has helped me to "get over myself" and get real.  It has made me a better person.  Two sayings come to mind:  "There but for the Grace of God, go I".  "Never say never"!!

So, now for the final few weeks!  Eighteen days from today, we enter the MTC for a week of training.  Most of the practical, day-to-day tasks here at home have been taken care of.  When I study, I am reminded that I am of a "certain age".  My brain doesn't retain information as easily as it used to!  Gratefully, the Lord makes up the difference and I will just do my very best. 

More later. 

April 26, 2012.

Two more steps toward missionary-hood. 

Step one:  Next Monday, Jerry is retiring from corporate life.  A stellar career crossing 44 years of our marriage.  Words can't express my gratitude for all the hard work he has done for our family.  We were talking about it the other day, and he said he has worked since he was 12 when he had his first paper route in Anaheim, California.   When he took over the route, he had about 17 customers and built it up to 80.  His career in sales started early.  He had other jobs throughout jr. high and high school.  He cleaned pools - a job he loves to this day and worked in a deli.  At one point in high school, he lived with his Uncle Don and Aunt Lorna and went to work with Uncle Don every day at Sinclair Paint in Los Angeles.  Uncle Don was the CFO of the company, and Jerry worked in the warehouse, lifting five gallon paint buckets all day long.  This was how he saved most of his money for his mission.  One day, as they pulled into the parking lot, there was a line of identical cars in front of the building.  Uncle Don explained that these cars were provided for the sales people and the company paid for the gas.  Thus was planted the seed of a career that began shortly after his mission.  Thanks, Jerry!  I love you.

Step two:  We both went to the doctor and passed our final physicals.  Dr. Merrill checked out the blood tests, etc.  I think he really just wanted to talk about missions.  Dr. Merrill is a member of a branch presidency at the MTC  and is excited about the work.   One more Hepatitis A&B shot and we are good to go!

This Sunday will mark our last day of service at the prison.  We have been serving as Family Home Evening volunteers for the past 17 months, a calling which has blessed our lives profoundly.  Our area of service has been in the Promontory Branch, which focuses on addiction and recovery.  The inmates there have become our dear friends and we will greatly miss them.  Perhaps when we return from our mission, we can resume our work there.   We have come to know how much the Savior loves each one of us and knows us by name.  Some of the members of our little family there do not receive any visitors and they have turned to us to be there consistently for them.  I have become more acutely aware of the blessings of the Atonement.  We will give our farewell talks on Sunday - tough assignment!

More later.