blackrockbulletin: Adventures in Paradise 15

Adventures in Paradise 15

Kia orana, everyone! Our excellent adventure continues with a vague recollection of a line from an old movie. Memory may fail me, but I seem to recall Vincent Price telling someone that he had always relied on the kindness of strangers. If anyone can enlighten me on the movie or the exact quote, I will be happy to give you complete credit! For now, it is enough to acknowledge that thoughtfulness from strangers exists in abundance here.

Saturday morning, we received an emergency phone call from a friend serving on another island. Her husband had suddenly taken ill and needed to be flown to Rarotonga, where he could receive much needed medical care. We met them at the airport and took them immediately to the hospital. I might interject, that the hospital here, is very primitive by American standards and we have actually prayed that we would never need its services! It wasn’t long before the “coconut wireless” had spread the news that someone was in trouble. Long before the doctor arrived, our friends had their first concerned visitors. Knowing that the hospital could not supply many basic items, these strangers presented our friend with fresh fruit, juice and a simple meal for his wife. Oh, yes, did I fail to mention the watermelon? Later, when Ward and I returned to check in with our friends, we found three women, again total strangers to our patient, quietly keeping watch over him as he slept. They arrived with two bags of groceries and I was astonished to see what they had thoughtfully delivered. Knowing that the family must supply most of the the patient’s meals, they had included cold cereal, milk, cookies, canned fruit, bread, chips, crackers, and treats of all kinds. Being aware, also that drinking cups and cutlery are not generally provided, they delivered them as well. Our friends were touched by the concern of these strangers. They also sang hymns to him in the quiet of the evening.

As I was leaving the hospital that first night, I happened to notice that a woman I knew was also a patient. As I visited with her, I introduced her to my friend and we happened to mention in passing that we had not been aware that the hospital did not supply gowns or soap or towels. After being released the next morning, this woman returned with those items and some other items to make their stay more comfortable. Johanna, also offered the use of her cell phone and wanted to help in any other way that she could. Although familiar with the island ways, our friends, were touched by the kindness of people whom they did not know and who knew nothing of them other than they needed assistance. They came and went quietly without ever leaving a name or any way of being thanked. This has been such an example to us of selflessness.

After posting last week’s blog, we were amazed by how many of our readers chose to comment on the difference between needing and wanting. This subject seemed to have hit close to home with a lot of people and the comments were heart warming. Our friend, Lynn, wrote to us about a similar situation that he had experienced in Tonga. There, a family sold everything they owned, just to get to the temple. When they returned home, they had nothing and were in need of a place to live. We have included a photo of the very humble tin shed that they built for their family. They lived a life in that shed of peace and gratitude for the blessings that they enjoyed. Thank you, Lynn for sharing with us.

We have had our more lighthearted moments as well. Our mission president came to visit the island and when we introduced our young friend, John to President Smith, John asked, “Are you Joseph Smith”?! Well, at least he had been paying attention in primary!

We were visiting with a young couple who were teasing Ward. Actually, they were trying to out-tease Ward, which is almost impossible. At some point a comment was made and Ward replied, “Well, Tarieu, if the shoe fits, wear it”. I leaned over to Ward and suggested that in a country where shoes are optional, this might not be the most appropriate phrase!

A cute young couple who are expecting their second child informed us that they had named their first child after a former missionary couple. You have seen photos of beautiful Miss Janice Ira Tree Femoni, who is named after Elder Ira and Sister Janice Tree from Salt Lake. I was teasing the young mother that I just knew that she was going to have a boy and that Susan would make a great name for that baby. Ward informed me that they could very likely take that suggestion seriously and did I really want that responsibility. He suggested that I come up with an alternative idea. The young mother loves my Ray-Bans and once I treated the family to homemade bread and Milo (New Zealand hot chocolate), so now, whenever I refer to the little one, I call him by his new name…….Ray- Ban Milo Femoni. It has a certain ring to it, I think! We will keep you posted when the baby arrives. Let’s see…………I do remember Johnny Cash or was it Jimmy Dean singing about a boy named Sue. Hmmmm…

As always, we are happy and trying to work hard. We have seen miracles and tender mercies. We have learned to trust in the Lord’s timing and have seen his hand in the lives of those around us. We have appreciated the goodness that we see in all of you as well as the people here. Our friends here are not the only ones who have been the recipients of the kindness of others. We have experienced this first hand, ourselves. As always, we appreciate your notes and your e-mails and the sweet messages that we receive from you. We are truly grateful for all of you and the influence that you have had and continue to have on our lives. If any of you need help picking out a name for a new family member, I would love to make a suggestion or two!

Please be good to yourselves and each other.

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