April 25,2010

Dear family and friends,

Another week has come and gone in paradise. We had a few good rains
but plenty hot in between. Sister Wheeler has agonized over a
decision to have someone here cut her hair. Finally, decided to try a
lady (very nice Jehovah Witness) named Lizma who has a shop in her
home just up our gap. After a few whacks and $25 Jan has spent the
remainder of the week trying to repair the damage. Oh well, I guess
we try someone else next time.

We taught another temple class lesson on the plan of salvation. We
have been three weeks teaching what is usually taught in one. There
are many misconceptions regarding many points of doctrine that people
have because of their backgrounds in other churches. We are really
enjoying teaching and are excited at the prospect of seeing some of
these people prepare and go to the temple in the next few months. We
hope to do the same in the Calliaqua branch later in the summer with a
goal of going to the temple sometime in October.

Annetta Tobierre, a single member in the Calliaqua branch, had a baby
this week. Her third child out of wedlock. It is amazing to us how
many people here have children outside of marriage. It is so socially
accepted here that it is a huge problem inside as well as outside of
the Church. There are very few of what we would term "traditional
families" with a father and mother in the home.

Our one faithful and dependable seminary teacher had a miscarriage a
couple of weeks ago and so we had the branch president call a man to
substitute for her for a couple of weeks. Because the regular teacher
is also the supervisor, we had intended to have him called full time
as he has a great teaching talent and has served a mission and seemed
to do a great job relating to and motivating the youth. He taught for
one week and we thought did a great job. Then, on Sunday, an 18 year
old boy who joined the Church 8 months ago but had recently been
mostly inactive, talked to the branch president and accused the
seminary substitute of very serious misconduct. A disciplinary
counsel will be held by the mission president. When terrible events
like this happen in one of these small branches, which struggle with
so many things anyway, it is devastating.

We are excited that the art for the Calliaqua branch has finally
arrived and we will be able to have it hung by branch conference on
May 9. It will make a big difference in the Calliaqua building
feeling like a chapel and meetinghouse. President Robertson was able
to get it through customs without a huge duty and is so excited.

We are loving our service and look forward to any updates from home.