Last Mission Post 26 Feb 2016

Hi All, 

Yesterday was a heart-rending day as we said goodbye to our friends in Portland.  Sacrament Meeting was a musical meeting where people came up to the pulpit, said their favorite hymn and then we sang it.  The Bishop got up to close the meeting by dedicating a song to us, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again”.  I lost it.  Afterwards they had a linger longer where we got to say goodbye to many. 

Following the meeting we went to Andrew Bassford’s house to help him set up a blog as he looks for other work as well as eating a wonderful dinner.  He is a professional chef and what a meal!  He also showed me a history of his father who was an infantryman in World War II which was very moving. 

After that we went to the Earnshaws for another wonderful dinner with them and the Sister Missionaries.  The Earnshaws are like the poster child for what Latter Day Saint couples should be like and the Sisters are almost like our daughters.  We felt love a great deal of love for them. 

We then went to Beatrice’s apartment and then Jan’s apartment.  Beatrice and Jan are like Sisters to Sandy.  Both Beatrice and Jan cried.  It was particularly moving when Sandy prayed with Jan.  We felt the Holy Ghost strongly and afterwards Sandy said that she felt the words said in the prayer were inspired.

On Friday night Ann came over to our house to be taught by the Elders.  She has a very simple, sweet faith and believed everything being taught.  Sandy said that she was inspired to tell her that she had a beautiful smile.

This week I went with Joseph to visit the hiring person at Advantage Health Care.  Joseph wants a second job and this was recommended.  The person at Advantage Health was very impressed with Joseph. 

We also went with Azziza to move her application for subsidized housing along at AVESTA. 

Joren is in her apartment now.  The ward people have been so good to her.  Sis Earnshaw got her beds, food and so many other things.  “Furniture Friendly” a non-profit delivered table and chairs.  I told Joren that God has blessed her greatly and she needs to write a letter to Sister Earnshaw. 

We are also going to miss the Elders and Sisters in this District very much.  They are wonderful, hard-working and fun to be with.  We’ve cherished our time with them.  We’ve been very impressed when teaching with them at their wisdom, sincerity and kindness.  We told them at our last district lunch that we want invitations to their weddings and we give expensive wedding gifts

so it would be worth their while.

  

15 Feb 2016

Hi All,

We had miracles this week in finding an apartment for Joren: 

On Wednesday Joren called us and said that she could no longer stay with Lucy and Boniface because their Grandmother was coming to live with them.  Joren told us she went to the shelter and they told her there was no room at the shelter for them.  I had probably called about 40 landlords and they all told me there were no vacancies though a few said they would accept General Assistance people but they had potential vacancies in March, April.  This was indeed a precarious situation.  I emailed the Bishop and he asked that we start searching for a motel. 

However, both Sandy and I had the feeling to call the shelter again.  I talked with a person at the shelter with whom I have a good relationship, having talked to him multiple times.  He told me the shelter was completely booked and unlike last year, they have limited budget and can only put 3 families in a motel and 3 families are already in the motel.  He was interrupted and said he’d call me back.  When he called back I asked for his advice on where I ought to look and what I ought to do.  He hesitated and then said he has a room at the shelter Joren could have if she got there right away.  Needless to say, we got her there. 

When I told the Elders in our district, they said they had been fasting that morning for Joren to find something. 

The shelter is not a good place to stay but at least she has a roof over her head.  There are four families in Joren’s apartment who share stove, refrigerator and bathroom. 

The second miracle occurred on Friday.  We went to one of our member’s apartment—Beatrice—to have an English discussion.  As we were leaving Beatrice said that there was a vacant apartment next door.  I looked in and it was vacant but I had already called the particular landlord.  In fact, I’d called him twice.  Also, the apartment looked like it was being gutted and would take some time to be ready.  The first time I called him he was one of the very few landlords that was hopeful, who said he rents to General Assistance people.  He took my number and told me he would call me when he got a vacancy.  Last week, I called back just to have him keep my name in his mind and left a message.  Anyway, like I said, the vacant apartment looked like it was not ready yet.

However, I had the feeling to call him.  His wife answered and said that the vacant apartment wouldn’t be available until April but there was another apartment available.  I called him and he said there was an apartment available in another complex.  We made an appointment to see him on Monday. 

We went there today and the apartment looks great.  He said we could have it, it’s now a waiting game for all the paperwork to get done.   

Below is a group of our African friends at Church

Below are some pictures from the Family night we had two weeks ago that somehow didn't get included

Joren and the boys with Sandy visiting beaches

8 Feb 2015

We really enjoyed going to the Boston Temple to do an Endowment Session.  We took some members of the Ward and one of our Temple Class people, Brian Curry, went to get his own endowments.  We are very impressed with Brian.  He is very strong in his commitments.  He is leaving to go on a mission in France next month.  

While driving, I had a good talk with the Bishop of the Portland Ward.  He pointed out how the Ward at one time was very strong with a lot of young people.  Now, all the young people are gone and the Ward is almost like a student Ward.  His comments tracked what I have been thinking and spurred me to think about how I would suggest that the couple that replaces us focuses on getting a family or two to church from the inactive lists.

 

We’ve been helping Maisha and Azziza search for new housing.  We’ve been helping them fill-out applications.  We got a notice from one of the housing agencies of a vacancy.  Hopefully they will get it.

I’ve been calling from a list of about 100 landlords and management companies for an apartment for Joren.   It is difficult for her to speak English, so I am searching for her.

We had a lovely dinner at the Bassford’s home.  He told me he needs to get a new job so we are walking him through “Me in 30 Seconds”, “Networking” and other job finding tools.  Andrew is very competent and sharp and we’re hoping he can get something really good.

John M. sent us a text saying he has had about 100 lessons and believes the Church is true and should therefore be baptized.  We texted him back saying we are impressed with his knowledge but there are also commitments needed in order to be baptized.  We have not heard back yet.

We have greatly enjoyed being with the District.  We hope to be invited to weddings and keep in contact with the missionaries. 

Below are pictures of the drawbridge up because a ship is passing underneath and our district at a District lunch.  We also got a picture of “My Commission” by Bruce McConkie, as well as a picture of a river in Gardner, Maine. 

2 Feb 2016

We had a family night with our African folks this past week.  We had a dinner, short lesson and then some games.  We played Pictionary.  They laughed so hard I thought some people were going to loose it. 

We had a Temple Prep lesson where our three Africans laughed so hard one had to get a tissue to wipe away the tears.  We told them about treating the clothes with respect and dignity.  One said what should I say to my wife who is not a member?  We told him to give her the Temple pamphlet.  He said but she’ll keep on asking, what am I going to say?  The other two laughed so hard about his wife continuing to nag him about it.

We visited our friend who is a ghost seeker.  She showed us her “Ghost Meter” that measures when a ghost is present.  We taught her about the plan of salvation and read statements about what the prophets have said about the spirit world.  We actually enjoyed being with her because she is a humble, believing person.

We had our biggest class ever with English.  Over 10 people showed up to our English class.  It reminds us of Albania where we eventually got to over 30 people at the class and a referral to the missionaries every week.  One person who was at the class, Jay, came to Church this past week and enjoyed it.  Another couple (Francois and Michelin) and their son (Andrew) are coming over this week for dinner and a lesson with the Elders.

We had another good lesson about the Plan of Salvation as part of the Temple class with Joseph B.  I feel that God helped me with the words because they came out so clearly.

In addition to trying to find an apartment for Joren, we are helping Aziza and Maisha find an apartment.  They are easier because they have income and so are eligible for more programs.  In fact, it looks like we have a very good shot at one already. 

We continue with the Soup Kitchen atmosphere of feeding Africans and Elders.  We do at least 3 meals a week. 

Below are pictures of a walk we took at Kettle Beach this week.