May 18, 2014

We know you just got an email but here it is time to do another one.

Mission work is fun and rewarding but with each project come with lots of hard work, planning, computer entry, and obstacles to overcome before anything can happen.  However it is the hard work and struggles that make the projects worthwhile, after all if everything was easy how would we know when we are doing well or when things were good.

What you see in these pages is only a small fraction of the kindness, and the great work being done by the Church all over the world. 

Most of this week we have been starting new projects and working the Humanitarian reports and documents.  Between the Project Development Worksheet, and getting all of the information down in the correct order with all the documents attached to the church computer program it is a lot of work.   We are progressing but not as fast as we would like. 

We had Zone Conferences this past week. We attended the one in the Mandeville District as we were asked to speak in that conference.  Mom spoke on Patience and Dad spoke on Diligence. Dad did a really great job and even threw in a Search and Rescue story about Tug, our first SAR dog.  Everybody loves a good animal story… Mom did well too; she said she is still trying to learn how to be patient and that it’s more than just waiting for something to happen. It is doing all you can to make it happen. There are no magic pills that make you patient and no book to read so you end up patient when you’ve finished

We visited with the Ocho Rio Branch to attend a service/humanitarian project where Branch helped residents of the St. Ann Infirmary with personal health care and afterword they gave some hygiene kits and quilts.  The Hygiene kits were donated by the Churches Humanitarian Department.  The quilts were hand made by members of the Church (back in Utah).  When we first arrived residents just stared and wondered where all the visitors came from.

 We found they were all friendly and happy in spite of their struggles.   This young man was really happy to have someone pay him a little attention and get his picture taken.

 President Lester cut finger nails and toe nails while getting acquainted with the residents. Other members cut hair and shaved some of the residents.  The residents come from all walks of life Masons, Farmers, Backhoe drivers, Mechanics and Taxi cab drivers.  Most had one thing in common; they had no one to take care of them and no one who came to visit them.  The little kindness and friendship offered by the Ocho Rio Branch really brightened up their day.  One man was expressed his thankfulness;  he said they take good care of us here, but life in an infirmary can be hard and discouraging so he asked if we could come back once in a while with a spiritual message.  President Lester was so touched by the experience he announced on Sunday that the Branch would go the infirmary periodically and give uplifting spiritual messages.

 Brother Francis is a new member who is all fired up and eager to serve in any way he can, including attending church and cutting finger nails.  He has sacrificed much to become a member but is rock solid in his faith.  If you remind us when we get home we can tell you about his inspiring story.

 At the Closing Ceremony President Lester turned 60 hygiene kits (soap, towel, tooth brush, tooth paste, and comb) and some quilts (Vicky and Carma will recognize them) over to the Infirmary caregivers who will distribute them to the most needy residents.  A North Coast Newspaper writer was there to take pictures and get information for his news column.

Love and miss you all.

Mom and Dad

E/S Murdock