blackrockbulletin: Adventures in Paradise 22

ADVENTURES IN PARADISE 22

Kia orana, everyone! Our excellent adventure continues with a quote from the late John Lennon. John once said that “Life is what happens when you are making other plans.” I’m certain that most of us have experienced those moments when we have realized that no matter how carefully we plan, life will always have the last word on how well those plans are utilized. We have all had those “How in the world did I get here?” days, months or even years. Where did I lose control? How did this happen? Might I suggest that sometimes the answers may come in the form of Tender Mercies or the quiet guidance from One who knows far better than we what is best?

In late November, Ward and I returned from a Family Home Evening that didn’t happen. We, ok, I admit it, I, was tired and very perturbed that we had taken the time to drive halfway around the island, only to discover that no one was home. In my frustration, I suggested that this situation was hopeless, that the people here were thoughtless and that I felt that our time and efforts had been totally wasted. (You must remember that this was almost five months ago and I was learning….) That’s it, I told Ward, I am going to take a hot shower and I just want to go to bed early. Don’t bother me, don’t talk to me, just leave me alone to work this through. I was very upset that the evening had not gone as planned.

As I was stepping out of the shower, I could hear the phone ringing and I was tempted to not answer it. A man on the other end of the line was asking where we were and when would we be coming, or at least that’s what I think that he said. The people here used to have accents that I couldn’t understand. It’s amazing how much they have all improved in the last five months! From what I could gather, his family was waiting for us so that they could begin their FHE. We had never met these people and had no idea where they lived! We managed, somehow, to understand their directions, and twenty wet hair and no make-up minutes later, we walked into a home where fifteen people and dinner were waiting. We were welcomed and then the time was turned over to us for our lesson. What lesson? We had no lesson! It matters little what the lesson was that evening, although we did manage to present one. What really matters is what became of two of the people that we met that evening.

Alisha’s first words to us that night were that she really wasn’t interested in anything we had to say. She was seventeen, sullen and clearly unhappy to be in our company. Having shared her opinion with us, she sulked off to the darkest corner of the house and said nothing for most of the evening. At some point, I noticed that she had quietly returned and was now sitting on the floor near our feet. Alisha began coming to the house on Wednesday mornings for cooking lessons. We talked a lot during our times together and at some point, those cooking lessons became cooking/missionary lessons. We have grown to love Alisha and she is being baptized on Saturday.

Alisha’s life has not been easy. She is living in a house with eleven other people. She has not seen her mother in over two years and she spends much of her time looking after her four younger brothers. There is no money for anything but the basics and Alisha saw nothing different than this for her future. We are helping her apply to BYU Hawaii, as she is graduating from high school in November. If accepted, Alisha will be able to work at the Polynesian Cultural Center to help pay her way. Her tuition is pro-rated on the family’s income or lack of it and after she graduates, she is required to spend two years working within the South Pacific area to pay back her tuition assistance. Alisha is the young woman that you have heard me mention before and now she has a new outlook on her future. Just recently, I shared with her the story of the night that we almost didn’t meet her and I spoke to her about the Tender Mercy that made it possible. While I was busy complaining about my personal disappointment “Other plans” were being laid that redirected Alisha’s future. Alisha’s younger brother John, will also be baptized in the coming month.

So, as I said, these lovely people are making themselves more easily understood. Perhaps I could suggest that we are listening with new ears. When someone here asks people to put their hands together, it is not for applause, it is to help someone; to work together, if you will. You do not need a ride, you need transport. You are not scheduled for work, you are rostered. You set out your rubbish not your trash. If something is delicious, it’s nice and a lot of anything is heaps. Women over the age of childbearing are called Mamas and this is a term of great respect, although it does make me feel old to be addressed that way. Do not look for Scarlett O’Hara on the plantation. A plantation here is a very humble taro patch or a bunch of banana or mango trees. Oranges are green, lemons are the size of grapefruit, grapefruits are very sweet and avocados are three times the size of the ones we have at home. We do the “Gecko Dash”, which consists of pulling into the drive at night and checking the front door area for any of those creeping little things before we get out of the van. Then Ward runs up the front steps unlocks the door and that is my signal to jump from the van and run into the house and slam the door before we have any unwanted guests. Those of you planning a visit be sure to bring your track shoes! Oh, yes, if you want a real thrill, try catching a ride on the back of one of the local scooters. Our van was in for repairs and a friend offered to bring Ward home on the back of his bike. Let’s just say that Ward’s screams of “slow down” were not heard and when they pulled into the drive, all of Ward’s hair was standing straight up. The wind-blown effect left him looking rather startled.

As always, we are happy and trying to work hard. We have learned to be much more accepting of the “Other Plans” that make up the fabric of our lives. I have learned to be more patient, although I am definitely a work in progress. We are learning to be less controlling and more accepting of the island timetable. We hope that you are open to the possibility that “Other Plans” may be just what you need in your lives from time to time. Many of you have come into our lives at times that we did not expect to make new friends, but there you are anyway. So, “Let it Be” (courtesy of John and the rest of the Beetles)

Love, Ward and Susan Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in the Cook Islands

Postscript: Many of you may have heard about the tsunami warning posted for the South Pacific, among other areas. We received a call about 1:30am, this morning, directing us to higher ground. The projected arrival for the tsunami passed and we were all allowed to return home, tired but safe.