March 29, 2016

Bon Dia (Good Morning) from Curacao! Sister Scott and I have finished our first full week here in Willemstad, Curacao. What an amazing week it’s been. We’ve experienced: meeting new wonderful people in the branch and around the island, communicating in fragments of Spanish and Papiamento, finding our ways through Dutch marked and unmarked streets, unique traffic and street signs, having a brush with the law(just a parking ticket Mom), unique foods, exchanging dollars into Guilders, ties and white shirts and dresses at all times every day, observing two holidays and attending several church meetings. Amazing and busy for su

After passing through customs and immigration, then while waiting at the Curacao airport for Elder Walker and Elder Sariemento to deliver our luggage to our home here then return for us, I met Kenny, an airport police officer standing on the curb. I knew he would speak English because of his employment. I enjoyed learning much of our new country, people and about him and his family.  While he understood I was a missionary of Jesus Christ, I asked him if he with his wife and two children might be receptive to a message Sister Scott and I along with the Elders would like to share with them. He enthusiastically agreed and asked if we would come to his home and share it.  We will see him soon.

After leaving Salt Lake City on the 19^th at 1:00am, we had arrived in Curacao on March 19^th mid afternoon. On the evening we arrived the first District Conference of all three ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) ever viewed by Skype was held. The District Meeting was conducted in Aruba by President Yuyues in the language of Papiamento. It was challenged with slow internet, but it was successful and the youth were able to participate with questions via Skype.  Sunday Conference meetings were likewise held on over Skype connection.

We’ve learned some Church History in Curacao. We’ve learned the island was visited on December 14, 1981 by Robert E. Wells by (First quorum of the Seventy) I’ve included a section of promised blessings he delivered to those who inhabit or visit the island who are faithful and keep the Lord’s commandments.

Richard E. Turley Jr., Church Historian was traveling with Mission President Greg Egbert and Sister Egbert through the Caribbean this last week and stopped on Curacao for the day on Thursday. We enjoyed an evening with him as he taught of the importance of keeping records. He likened the importance of family recordkeeping to scriptures. If Prophets had not taken the time to write down their experiences for posterity, what would we have but verbal stories and accounts passed down from generation to generation. Stories and accounts verbally repeated, often become changed or exaggerated.  If you have not seen them before, visit josephsmithpapers.org. I was amazed at what history is there in journals, hand scripts, pictures, keepsakes and just how organized the Lord manages His records upon the earth.

This country strongly recognizes Good Friday. It is hard to find any business or commerce opened on Good Friday. Largely a Catholic faith people, this weekend is used to remember the Savior, His crucifixion and His Resurrection. They also take the Monday off  of working after Easter Sunday. I could not find an answer as to why it is a holiday. It seems it is ‘a tradition of our fathers’ and to have a 4 day weekend. 

Sunday, we were introduced to the branch during our first Sacrament meeting and we each bore testimony of the Living Christ and His atonement. About 100 members were in attendance. Our branch represents a reverent and humble people who demonstrate strong testimony of their beliefs and for each other. Men smile and shake hands with each other, women shake hands and exchange a kiss on the cheek with each other. Ever so quiet in meetings. No one in the congregation speaks or whispers during meetings. So respectful! Even babies don’t cry which I didn’t understand. I’ll watch what the mothers do to keep the babies quiet next week. All listen intently to the speaker at the pulpit. All. A lesson for me. We wear headphones to understand the services in English as Brother Alrich translates when he is finished playing the organ. Church block meetings are the same here as they are anywhere else excepting the language. There are 4 new investigators in Gospel Doctrine who are being taught the Gospel in the second hour. Priesthood Meeting has combined Melchizedek brethren as the YM are off to their classes.

Something interesting to note, Brother Aldrich is the owner of a publication company on the island. He speaks several languages fluently. He has already received this Sundays General Conference talks in English from the brethren and has translated them into Papiamentu and sent them back to Salt Lake, where they will be broadcast with the video feeds during all 5 portions of conference, in this rare language.

Monday, a day off of work for Curacao, our branch elects to annually meet at 6:00am for a half day of social time. Yes…starting at 6:00am. Thirty-Seven members of the branch were here at the church building at 6:00am.  (A scouting activity is the only outing I had ever experienced with a church meeting that early in the US) We had a prayer then it was off for a 7-kilometer walk. It was great! They love to take walks here for health. When we returned we had oranges, Ginger root drink, Organic oregano tea and sandwiches with cheese. Not grilled cheese, bread with cheese. It was great! We then played…basketball, had pitch with baseballs, Rope jumping, played jacks, marbles on the ground, board games for the older adults, story telling, and dancing all in the parking lot of the church. There is not a blade of grass at the church building nor just about anywhere else here. It is a desert island, not a deserted island.  Water is sparse and expensive to desalinize. This was all enjoyed in a little shade of the church eves and in the parking lot. A lunch of spaghetti was then served then all was completed at 1:00pm. Other than a modest meal and snacks, no expense was made for this morning of social closeness. So fun! There was a parade in the afternoon we heard of. This culture really enjoys their celebrating. We had a district Missionary meeting at 1:30pm.

At home we are still trying to make it a Home. Sister Scott and I have both cleaned all the tile floor inside and outside twice now. We have a rock and gravel front ‘lawn’ area and a dirt back ‘lawn’ area. We have air-conditioning in our bedroom, but none in the living area or la cocina and we run it only when we are here. Outside clothes dryer. Works fast!

 

 

Food is different as it is from the Netherlands and some from South America. Milk is more expensive than gasoline. $8.00 per gallon of milk, $2.94 for the gas.  Milk must be flown here from Miami. Not a cow anywhere, just goats. The Dutch package a milk that is in a carton on a shelf that needs no refrigeration. Much less expensive. I tried it and it tastes fine. Just need an Oreo.

We sleep well and enjoy this quiet neighborhood. Everyone but us it seems has a dog for security, but they only bark when you walk by their front yards.

It is humid here. About 85-90% but very bearable so long as the Caribbean trade winds are here and they are most always.

Our work is great. We serve with Elders, Walker, Sarmiento, Rios and Munoz.  While we struggle to anchor ourselves, these four humble young servants not yet 20 years of age teach, pedal, and proclaim the Gospel to many who will hear it. They are hard working servants who are disciplined in every way from 6:30 am to 10:30pm. They are ever so inspiring. I’m honored to know them. Sister Scott and I also find our gratitude deepen for my own children Brad and Arin, and for Nate and Sean, the young men I have served with and all other missionaries. Sister Scott and I are assigned to visit those active and later, less active. We also teach the YSA. The Elders have several baptisms scheduled and we find happiness in participating where we can.

We love this work. We testify of its goodness and its message of our Savior. We already love this island and its people. While we might miss our family and friends, this is where we belong for a season and we are delighted to serve.

With love, Elder and Sister Scott