This once again has been a sad week as we said good-by to six missionaries returning to their homes. As we listened to their parting testimonies and experiences we never cease to be amazed at how missions have changed their lives for the better - how unselfish and caring they all are. They also shared some of the funny things that happened to them on their missions and funny they were! In spite of their hard work they also manage to have a lot of fun. One of the stories involved two of them when they were companions. The bus they were riding in ran over a big python snake. The bus driver stopped and everyone got off to see the snake. It was still alive but with a big flattened area in the middle where the bus tires had run over it. They decided that it would be good to take to one of their Ibon families (they eat snake meat). They were trying to smash it's head with a big rock to kill it. After many tries they succeeded and put it in a big bag and took it home (it was about 9 feet long). They decided it would make a good prop to scare the other set of Elders that lived with them. They rigged up wire on the body and laid the snake out in the entry way to their apartment. When the other Elders returned home, they hid and pulled the wires - it worked! The other Elders were scared to death! After many good laughs with it, they took it to an Ibon family who skinned it and gave the skin to the Elders. They also enjoyed a great snake meal!
All the Elders love to take souvenirs home with them - the favorite being large swords, knives and blow guns. It's always fun watching them get these thru security when they leave!
We also had a young man come in from East Malaysia who is going to the US to serve his mission in the South Salt Lake City Mission. He arrived Monday afternoon, was set apart by the Mission President, had his Patriarchal Blessing from the Stake Patriarch and then we took him to the airport. He was scared to death. He didn't want to leave us to go through the gate to go to the airplane - he kept hugging Dave good-bye! He comes from a small Kampung (village) in E. Malaysia. The English he knows he learned from the American missionaries serving in his area (and it is pretty good). He flew to Tokoyo for a 7 hr layover and then from there to SLC. Three of our returned Elders who live in the SL area (and know him) will pick him up at the airport, take him to the Temple and then to the MTC. What an experience he is going to have! He was an absolute delight to get to know - even if for such a short time - a remarkable young man.
The rest of the week was office work as normal (BUSY). Today was again spent in Jahor Bahru in church. One sacrament service in English and one in English with one of the missionaries translating it into Malay. Both branches are growing each week since they were split into two branches. The people in these branches are wonderful and always make us feel so welcome.
The other night Dave went up to our room and found a gecko on one of our walls. He tried to catch it and after chasing it around he lost it under our bed. I decided that we have really become "Singaporeans" as it was not a big deal and we just went to bed as normal without giving it another thought! That wouldn't have been the case a couple of months ago! We take an institute class from one of the local members in the ward in front of our home. His wife recently had both feet operated on so for the past 3 weeks we have been meeting in their home. They decided that it would be fun to give the "American's" a taste of good Chinese treats! The first week it was a black bean soup (dessert). The next week it was a sweet potato soup (also a dessert) and this last Thursday it was a Yam cake. Northing ever turns out to be what you think it will be. The soups were ok, but not something we would ever want to fix ourselves. The yam cake sounded like it would be better, but it is not at all what it sounds like. They cook rice until it is a paste and then mix in pieces of sausage, yams, cucumbers and who knows what else. They then squash it all into a solid mass, put it in a loaf pan and steam it. They slice it and have it with hot sauce! She said she is famous for her yam cake! The others there loved it, but Dave and I had a hard time choking it down! Hopefully this next week will be without treats! Even though the class is in English and the teacher speaks good English, some of the other members' English leaves a lot to be desired. One of the members was telling about one of his experiences for probably a couple of minutes and we only understood maybe 3 or 4 words out of all he said! They speak so fast and with such an accent that it is as hard to understand as it would be if they were speaking Chinese - I guess he was speaking what they call "Singlish".
The work of the Lord is really going forth here and in Malaysia. There have been many baptisms and our Elders and Sister work so hard at spreading the gospel. The people here have no preconceived ideas and are willing to listen in increasing numbers to the missionaries. We are not allowed to teach muslims or even talk at all to them about the gospel, however they are very friendly and kind (unless they are in immigration!). We couldn't even get them to smile today. It is probably because Ramadan is going on for the entire month. During this time the muslims fast from sunup to sundown. In Malaysia if the muslims are caught eating during the day time they can be arrested! This does tend to make them less cordial.
As we continue to serve here in Singapore we feel very blessed to be able to serve our Heavenly Father, even in this small way. Being able to be around our young Elders and Sisters so much keeps us feeling young. Their testimonies are so strong and it is a privilege to watch how they love serving their Heavenly Father and how hard they work to bring the gospel into peoples lives. How they all love the ones they serve! We are so grateful for the two grandsons we now have serving the Lord in Indiana and one in the MTC going to Chili. We know they love (or will love) the ones they serve too!
Until next week, remember that we love all of you and pray for you daily.
Elder & Sister Garrett (mom & dad, grandma & grandpa, realatives and friends)
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