The Rains Can Delay, But Not Deter the Work of God

Dear families and friends,

Our rainy season has begun, but it is thus far not as much destruction as last year.  It has rained 3 times in the past week, but in between it is sunny and warm.

Last Thursday and Friday we had planned to visit the island of Santo Antao by boat, and get a van and drive to the other end of the island to deliver school kits and hygiene kits from the Salt Lake Humanitarian Center.  Our young adult committee of 3 and one of the church leaders would be going with us.  Sadly, early that morning we got a phone call that the rain during the night had washed out the roads to that part of the island, so we should not come.  The months of August, September and October are unsettled in weather, and yet they are the months when we travel to other islands for helping schools before and when they first begin.  We will need to schedule another time to go, and hopefully it will work.

We will be traveling to the island of San Nicolau on the 27th--29th of September to visit two school districts for the same reason as above.  Hopefully the weather will be more cooperative.  Access is by airplane (regular jet type), so we can get there, but then we have to drive a van around the island.  It also requires three days of our time because the flights do not go every day, so we will have some time to be "tourists".  We are friends with the welfare director on the island, so we will at least know someone to go around with, and we visited there last October and enjoyed our time.

Last Monday morning we attended an opening ceremony for activities, games, etc. at the prison.  They schedule a week of sports and other activities at the end of summer.  We were two of three invited guests and were seated on the stage area at the front of the big group.  It was like sitting on thrones as a king and queen, and Larry was asked to give a talk (at the last minute).  He talked a bit about religion in our and their lives, and how it is meant to be an everyday part of each of us.  The exciting thing is that the other guest, a Naval official whom we had met before at other ceremonies, came up to us afterward and asked to make a time to talk together to answer some questions he had about our beliefs--he was very positive and seems to really want to know. 

The water project is progressing through the government officials (they really are helpful), and after the rainy season, work will actually begin on providing hookups for families who do not have water in their homes.  Some are too poor to pay the monthly charge, and some are living in new areas where pipes for water have not yet been laid.  All of this should be taken care of through our project.

Two weeks ago an air conditioner was installed in the Institute room of our chapel where we hold Outreach activities.  It is SO NICE to be able to cool off during our meetings--until this time we would be "bathed in perspiration"--not just us, but everyone here.

Most of our work in the past few weeks has been distributing school, hygiene, newborn kits to organizations who will give them to the individuals who need them.  We do not give out the kits; schools, Red Cross, hospitals, etc. do this.  Thus we are protected from mass groups of people gathering to get something; it works very well this way, and the people who need the kits can go to their local leaders to get them.  School and hygiene kits for Church members are distributed through the branch presidents who know which persons are in need.  The kits are just for those in need, not for every person.

A couple of weeks ago, we mentioned that the seminary age youth had gone to the big island for EFY.  Late one of those nights, we got a phone message from their leader to "pray for the kids at EFY."  So we did--many other leaders also received this message.  When they returned at the end of the week, it was Testimony Sunday.  Every youth bore testimony of the marvelous spiritual experience that happened when they prayed in deep faith for their friends there.  Several youth said they felt a great peace and a light around them, and the Spirit was very strong, assuring them all that their friends would be all right.  Apparently several kids had gotten sick suddenly and had to go to the hospital--not knowing the cause, and fearing for the safety of their friends, the ones who were not sick spent a long time in special prayer together, and said it was the greatest spiritual experience of their lives thus far.  The sick ones were soon restored in time to come home at the end of the week.

Happy Birthday to Joe next Sunday and to Marie on Thursday the 23rd.  It will also be our 37th wedding anniversary on the 20th.  We went out for a special dinner last week to celebrate, not knowing if we would be traveling somewhere on that day.

Hope you all are happy and well.  We pray for each one of you every day.  Thank you for the letters you send us; we treasure them.

Love always Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister

Kyiv, Ukraine Gets a Temple -- Our Son Matt Served His Mission There

Church News

Kyiv Ukraine Temple: Expressing love for a prophet

By Gerry Avant
Church News editor

Published: Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010

Related articles:
President Monson dedicates Kyiv Ukraine Temple, first in former Soviet Union
Photo gallery
Spiritual pilgrimage accomplished through sacrifice and faith
Photo gallery: Preparing for the dedication
Missionary couple integral to Church history in Ukraine
Video: Kyiv Ukraine Temple Primary Children Sing
Video: Kyiv Ukraine Temple Saints Speak
Kyiv Ukraine Temple fulfills 1991 prophecy

KYIV, UKRAINE
The love members in the Kyiv Ukraine Temple district feel for President Thomas S. Monson is, quite literally, beyond description. Even if there were no language barriers, many would have no difficulty expressing their feelings for President Monson’s legendary role in bringing the first temple to Eastern Europe in the vast area once under Soviet control.

Gerry Avant, Church News

President Thomas S. Monson applies first dab of mortar to seal symbolic cornerstone prior to dedicating the Kyiv Ukraine Temple held Sunday morning, Aug. 29. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, his second counselor, and Sister Harriet Uchtdorf look on.

Gerry Avant, Church News

President Thomas S. Monson hands trowel to President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, his second counselor, during cornerstone ceremony for the Kyiv Ukraine Temple.

It is little wonder that when he came to attend a cultural program on Saturday evening, Aug. 28, and to dedicate the Kyiv Ukraine Temple on Aug. 29, his presence evoked an outpouring of love and admiration.

Gerry Avant, Church News

Before leaving the Kyiv Ukraine Temple after presiding over dedicatory services Sunday, Aug. 12, President Thomas S. Monson pauses to say a final few words of farewell. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf is at right.

Several times during his visit, President Monson expressed his love for the people of this vast temple district, which includes eight nations: Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Romania, Russia and Ukraine.

Gerry Avant, Church News

Dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple, Sunday morning, Aug. 29, 2010.

As often as possible, he paused to shake hands with members young, old and in between and engage them in as much conversation as language barriers allowed. In reality, a common language wasn’t necessary since this man is known for his compassionate and caring nature and communicated his love for the members through his smile, the warmth in his eyes and his good-natured humor.
During a brief ceremony to seal the Kyiv temple’s symbolic cornerstone Sunday morning, he spoke of his interest as a young boy in geography. He said that he saw maps and read about places such as Ukraine and other countries and wondered if he would ever travel to them. He then commented that he assigned himself to dedicate the Kyiv temple, so he could come here. He barely mentioned his extensive travels to other parts of Eastern Europe.

Gerry Avant, Church News

President Thomas S. Monson selected several youth from the audience to assist with the cornerstone ceremony prior to dedicating the Kyiv Ukraine Temple.

Gerry Avant, Church News

Iryna Nekrasova, who supervised the music for events pertaining to the dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple, helps a youngster apply mortar to the temple's cornerstone.

President Monson’s history in this part of the world began in 1968, five years after he was called to the Quorum of the Twelve, when he was assigned to oversee the work in countries in Eastern Europe behind the figurative Iron Curtain and the literal Berlin Wall.

Gerry Avant, Church News

At cornerstone ceremony prior to the dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple Sunday morning, Aug. 29, are Elder William R. Walker, left; President Thomas S. Monson, President Dieter Uchtdorf, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, Sister Wendy Nelson, and Elder Russell M. Nelson.

He has made numerous visits to this once closed-off section of the world, ministering to members, and offering words of counsel, comfort and confidence. He buoyed spirits in congregations and provided one-on-one service to members, “lifting hands that hang down” and “strengthening feeble knees.” For many Latter-day Saints, especially those in East Germany, Elder Monson was the face of the Church, their tie to headquarters in Salt Lake City. His was the apostle’s voice that conveyed continuing revelation, bringing hope to Latter-day Saints in a desperate situation under communism’s yoke.
On a hillside overlooking Dresden he offered a prayer of dedication on the German Democratic Republic (DDR) on April 27, 1975.

Gerry Avant, Church News

Vesna and Igor Gruppman are all smiles after leaving dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple Sunday afternoon. He was born in Kyiv (Kiev) and lived here until he was 16.

Twenty years later, on Aug. 26, 1995, President Monson, then first counselor in the First Presidency, returned to that hillside with a small group of people, including his wife, Sister Frances J. Monson, and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the Seventy and now President Monson’s second counselor in the First Presidency, and his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf.
During the 1995 return to the hill, President Monson spoke about the occasion when he offered the prayer upon the DDR in 1975: “It was a cold, rainy day. I felt impressed that I should offer a dedicatory prayer, realizing that as the DDR had become a new nation with the division of Germany at the end of World War II it had never been formally dedicated. As I said the words, `May this be the dawning of a new day for the Church in this land,' we heard a rooster crow in the valley below. A church bell began to chime. Then I felt warmth on my hands and face. After I finished the prayer, I opened my eyes and saw that the clouds had parted and a ray of sunshine was streaming down on the spot where we were standing. Before we could return to our automobile, the clouds had gathered and it began to rain again” (Church News, Sept. 2, 1995, p.5).

Gerry Avant, Church News

A crowd gathers to watch the cornerstone ceremony for the dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple held Sunday morning, Aug. 29.

Gerry Avant, Church News

Lada Serdyuk participates in the Kyiv Ukraine Temple's cornerstone ceremony Sunday morning, Aug. 29.

Over the years President Monson has continued to work in behalf of the Church throughout the world, including “Iron Curtain countries.” He had a key role in gaining permission from the DDR government for the Church to build the Freiberg Germany Temple. He broke ground and dedicated the temple site on April 23, 1983. President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the temple on June 29, 1985.

Gerry Avant, Church News

President Thomas S. Monson greets Colleen Biddulph. She served with her husband, Howard L. Biddulph, when he was called as the first president of the Ukraine Kiev Mission in 1992.

Church leaders from headquarters and Eastern Europe, as well as many members in the area recognize the pivotal role the Freiberg temple has had in the progress of the Church here and upon individual lives and their testimonies. Ever since the first group of Latter-day Saints traveled from Kyiv to the Freiberg temple in November of 1992, the Freiberg temple has been “their temple.” (Please see Church News, Aug. 28, 2010.)
Latter-day Saints in other Eastern European nations also laid claim to the Freiberg temple as they began making visits.

Gerry Avant, Church News

President Thomas S. Monson gives a wave as he returns to the Kyiv Ukraine Temple after conducting the ceremony for the symbolic sealing of the temple's cornerstone Sunday morning, Aug. 29.

Gerry Avant, Church News

President Thomas S. Monson takes a few moments to visit with members after dedicating the Kyiv temple on Sunday, Aug. 29.

In 1994, Gottfried Richeter, who was first counselor in the Freiberg temple presidency, told the Church News:
“The Freiberg Germany Temple, once planned and built for the members of the German Democratic Republic, experienced a substantial extension of its district after the collapse of the communist government in the eastern countries of Europe (1989-92).

Gerry Avant, Church News

Members bid farewell to President Thomas S. Monson following dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple on Sunday, Aug. 29.

“Now the visits of Czech, Polish and Hungarian members are not uncommon. They even bring their own temple workers along. Most of those visitors, however, are comparatively new converts to the Church. In their homelands, the materialistic doctrine was the doctrine of their government, and the whole educational system accordingly was atheistically defined. The desire of the people of the eastern countries was for freedom, truth and justice, and their longing for something better, more noble and more beautiful was great.
“As members from many parts of the eastern countries have a long trip connected with personal sacrifices, the trip for the members of Ukraine is by far longer and more strenuous, not to mention the material sacrifices. The first groups from Ukraine always arrived by bus, which was filled to capacity — a real 'old timer.' They had to pass two border checkpoints, and, at one time, their wait lasted eight hours.

Gerry Avant, Church News

Dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple, Sunday morning, Aug. 29, 2010.

“In terms of social status, they have the lowest of all the countries mentioned. With an average monthly income of $12, they have to somehow exist and do without all the things the people in the West take for granted.
“Life had been very hard to them. But their great faith, their humility, their love and willingness to learn touched the temple workers deeply. They never complained about their situation, nor felt sorry for themselves.
“For their young people, baptisms for the dead were arranged. When we saw a group of young women (about 15 years old) coming toward the temple on the morning of their arrival, we opened the door for them. But we watched them standing on the first step, close together as a group, with their heads bowed in solemn prayer. This was their attitude before they entered the temple for the first time in their young lives.
“When the hour of departure was near, the members turned around again and again to hug and thank the temple workers. Some of them stood crying at the outside wall, with their heads leaning against it and their arms stretched out wide, as if to embrace the temple and hold it tight” (Church News, Sept. 24, 1994, p. 7).
Members who gathered in Kyiv, Ukraine, for the dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple recognized President Thomas S. Monson not only as President of the Church, the prophet of their day, but also as their friend. From the expressions on their faces it was obvious that they love him for the work he has done in their behalf, and are grateful that he came to dedicate “their own” temple.

© 2010 Deseret News Publishing Company

Time Sure Flies!!

Dear family and friends,

How are you all?  We are fine. We are looking forward to Ryan's baptism this Saturday--we will be thinking of him especially on that day.

He is growing up so quickly! What a good looking young man.

The time goes by so fast each week--it has been two weeks since we wrote, and it does not seem that long--sorry!

We had a cultural night at Outreach on Friday, the 20th--native foods, music, dances, etc., and a professionally-made video of a tour of all the islands--very beautiful and interesting--it was fun to see the places where we have visited or are living, or may never get to visit. Our part in the food preparation was to make lots of rice--the leaders asked for 3 kilos, equal to 6 pounds.  It made an awful lot, and most of it was still there at the end of the evening, so we sent some home with the young adults, and gave some to missionaries, and ate some for the next week.  6 pounds of rice filled a kettle a little bigger than a water bath canner!

We have had enough water, no real shortage for us, although we still conserve it.  Our tank stays full enough, and it helps us to have the landlord living in the same building, so when he gets low on water, he calls the water truck to come and fill the tanks on the roof with a long fire hose taken to the roof of the building.  Only one day has it rained thus far this year--it rained steadily all night  a couple of Saturdays ago.  When we got to church the next morning, some of the ceiling tiles upstairs near the chapel had fallen down and there was a big mess of broken tiles and water all over the floor.  Young men quickly cleaned up the mess.

Today the maintenance workers installed an air conditioner in the Institute room (where we have Outreach, and other meetings).  How nice it will be to have a cool spot.  The chapel is cool enough, because of many ceiling fans and cross-ventilation windows.  But everywhere else in the church is always too warm.

We had a tour of the church a couple of weeks ago, put on by the young adults.  They did a super job, and we all invited many people, but sadly no visitors came.  But the young people enjoyed giving the talks and displaying their assigned areas for the whole group of Outreach, so it was a fun evening anyway.  It is always fun just to be all together.

We visited a day-care center in town where they have children who have cerebral palsy.  We wanted to see how we could help them.  Two little girls, about 6 and 10, must have felt our love for them, because they both hugged me and did not want to let go.  It felt somewhat like hugging our grandchildren, whom we miss so very much!

A couple of nights ago, 60 + high school kids went to EFY in Praia on the main island.  They left at night, about 11 p.m., on a huge ferry boat, for a 12-hour ride to the destination.  They will be gone for six days.  They were all so excited and we are too.  The cost of the boat ride and the week of EFY was very low and most of the kids paid it themselves.  Airplane flights would have been way too expensive, and impossible for that many people.  Hope nobody got seasick!!

One of our friends, a young man who took piano lessons from me, has now gone to Hong Kong for medical school; he left last week.  Another friend, a young woman, also one of my piano students, left the first of August to study medicine in Brazil. It is exciting to see them have a dream and then be able to fulfill it--he had worked in the summer on one of the other islands with taking the 2010 census.

Birthdays this month are for Joe on the 19th, and Marie on the 23rd.  Have a happy special day!
Davy and Marie and family have moved to Circle, Montana for Davy to teach math, grades 9-12.  Matt is teaching 5th grade in Alpine.  Grandchildren are all in school by now.  We don't know very much news other than this, but we would sure like to hear some more!

We love each of you and pray for you every day.  May the Lord's tender mercies be with each of you--He certainly does bless us in this way.

Love always,
Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister

Beach Party!!

Dear families and friends,

Our big happening this past week was the beach party on Friday afternoon/evening.  The Young Adult committee hired a city bus to take the 35 of us to San Pedro Beach, about 15 minutes from the church.  We had been there before, and the waves are always high, so no swimming, but it is so beautiful and even has a lighthouse high on the rock cliffs.  We built a bonfire after dark and told stories and ate a picnic supper, furnished by the committee.  Before dark we played beach games in the sand and had lots of fun.  We all got real dirty in the sand!

Playing games around the fire on the beach!

Elder Goff and I have received a container on a ship from USA (bales of items from Salt Lake City sent to New York by train, then on ship to Mindelo, Cape Verde).  In this container (a container is like a railroad boxcar, filled with cardboard boxes of items like wheelchairs to distribute, school kits, hygiene kits, newborn baby kits, boxes of new young child toys like stuffed animals, blocks, dolls, etc.).  We now have the wonderful privilege of deciding, through prayer, where would be the best places to give these items.  We also talk with leaders of various organizations, on this island and other islands, to learn about needs of the people for these items.  It is amazing to see how much can be done to help here, and how all parts of the decisions seem to fit in place together.  It truly is the Lord's work, and we are instruments to help Him here.  We will need to travel to other islands in the next few months to distribute items.  For example, the toys come in a box of 100 each, and there are 16 boxes=1600 toys!  Over a thousand school kits, hygiene kits, newborn kits.  We are going to hospitals, daycare centers, public school districts, the prison (they have school there and need school kits supplies), Red Cross, etc., etc.  We want to get all the items distributed by the end of this December.  (Good luck!!)

If any of you watched the TV program earlier this year about Cape Verde (Sherrie told us about it), it mentioned a branch president who had been Br. Pres. for 15 years--he was just released last Sunday--many people were touched by his ministrations.  We knew him and loved him too--he is on the island we visit by boat frequently.

I read the American Heritage School newsletter on the computer, and noticed that school begins there on Aug. 30.  When does school start for Matt?  It starts here the last week of Sept., but they did not get out of school until the last of June. 

Another fun thing we did: this past Saturday, the mission nurse and mission president's wife came here and taught a dance class:  square dance, other group dances, and we had so much fun and got so energized (meaning hot and tired but happy).  They left us a CD of the music and a book of instructions for each dance, so that we can use it for Outreach activities.  Since all square dance calls are in English worldwide (they need to rhyme), Larry will likely be the "Caller".  Fun!

We are thinking of each of you and pray for you every day.
Much love always, Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister

Sunset on the Beach

Last night we had a beach party with our Young Adults--they filled a city bus, almost 40 people--the surf was too high for playing in the water, but we played games on the beach, built a bonfire, told stories, etc., and had a picnic supper.  The stars were so big and beautiful, and we enjoyed the sunset over the ocean.

Baptisms and Dancing!

Dear families and friends,

Aside from being very hot, we are sure having a lot of fun activities here.  One that is not as fun, however, is the water shortage--we still have some, but really have to conserve--when tourists come in the summer, they use so much water, not realizing what that does to the residents' supply. 

Back to the fun:  A side effect of the water shortage is not having enough water in both chapels to have weekly baptisms (fill the font), so we have all the baptisms for the week at the other chapel.

Baptism of a special friend.

Last week when the water level was somewhat low in the font, the baptizer had to lean way over to get the person under the water.  For two weeks now, we have all gone to the other chapel via a hired "bus"--last week it was a pick-up truck with seats in the back for the men, and the women rode inside.

"Bus" to the baptisms.

Yesterday we had a station wagon type van in which everyone could be inside.  As we rode through the city both weeks, we saw the lineup of taxis with honking horns and flashing lights meaning a wedding had just taken place (we wrote about that in April).

At Outreach on Friday night, the Young Adults put on a 60's dance!  Fun, fun!  Many of them, boys and girls, came in costume, and danced to some Elvis Presley music and Brazilian rock n roll.  We had a big turnout, as usual for dances. They downloaded the music from the Internet.

Today for church we were the speakers at the other chapel, and also the pianist and chorister.  It was lucky that our assignment was today, because we had visited the sister of our favorite missionary elder on Friday, and invited her to church.  She came!  The elders are teaching her.

Our prison class for the men in Gospel Principles is going very well.  One of them asked for a copy of the Gospel Principles book, and several asked for copies of the Book of Mormon, both of which we gladly supplied, and they are so willing to read aloud in class and even to pray in class. We will be getting more copies of the Book of Mormon to give out next week (the box of them had been sent from the mission home, supposedly here, but were accidentally diverted to another island).  The men's interest in the gospel is a real spiritual uplift for us each week. 

If we remember correctly, this is the week that Matt returns from his summer trip.  Is it really almost time for school to begin??  Good luck to Matt and Davy in their school beginnings.

Love and prayers always,
Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister

Dear families and friends,

The time is passing so quickly--every time I turn around, another week is gone. 

Two very special birthdays are coming soon-- Christian will be 7 on Wednesday, July 28; and Ryan will be 8 on Wednesday, August 4.  Ryan also will be baptized soon, a very special happening!  We will be with both grandsons "in spirit", thinking especially of them, loving them, and wanting to hear about their celebrations and the baptism.

This morning we had a strange and funny happening:  outside there are lots of little chirping sparrows all day long, but this morning they seemed louder and closer than usual.  To our great surprise, we looked up at our front window to see a little bird perched inside our house on the edge of the shutter.  It was quite a trick to shew her outside, but we finally did so after she flew all around our kitchen and living room.

The little bird on our inside shutter.

We are noticing the many tender mercies of the Lord to us each day-- it's just a little thing perhaps, but I needed to buy several embroidery flosses for a tablecloth being made for us by one of the lady prisoners whom we teach how to sew.  We tried lots of stores looking for certain numbers, and even asked Marie to look in Utah, but we couldn't find them.  Then one day someone told us of another store to look at, and marvelously we found all but one at that store.  The lady has since finished the tablecloth (and I can stop worrying about it!).

Last Wednesday at Outreach, we and the Young Adults staged a surprise birthday party for the Seminary/Institute director.  We had his wife come to the meeting and speak to us as a Family Home Evening, and then we unveiled the big signs made to wish him Happy Birthday.  We had lots of treats and it was fun. Everyone had kept the secret very well!

Then on Friday evening for the Outreach activity, we gave a program about pioneers, telling the stories of the handcart pioneers, singing "Come,Come Ye Saints" and telling that story, and "The Handcart Song".  I wish we had had costumes, or at least hats, but no way to get them.  We then spoke about Elder Uchtdorf's talk in July 2008 "Ensign" and "Liahona" entitled "Heeding the Voice of the Prophets".  He talked about not having any Mormon ancestors who crossed the plains, but that he felt kinship with them, and he used the phrase "We are all pioneers."  That is especially applicable here, where most of the young people are newly baptized (within the past 2 years) and often are the only member (or active member) in their families.  It is also true of both Larry and me.  Some of the young people shared their own stories as part of the program.  Then we all joined in a little farewell for the missionary who would be leaving the next morning.

We also told about Elder L. Tom Perry's revelation about the strength of the Church and its future in Central Europe, and that it would come through the young adults; and therefore, they should have a special program (Outreach) to further their growth in the Church and keep them strong in testimony.  Outreach is a Church program for young adults that is now world-wide, and is especially active in the European countries, and we in Cape Verde are part of that area.

We wish for each of you good health and safety, and please know that we love each of you and pray for you every day.

We are having an enjoyable time here, but it is very, very hot and humid.

Love always, Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister

This is the pink palace ("Palace of the People"), a government building downtown--pink for all the granddaughters!