Elder and Sister Garrett in Singapore!: October 2011

Update on Elder Dass

Hello from Singapore!
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We are finally alone again after 3 weeks of company and it is really lonesome! The Oriens left today (back to Bintulu). We have really enjoyed having them here and our nightly chats although we will probably get more sleep now. They are an amazing couple. The major thing that happened this last week was the injury to one of our Elders - Elder Dass. He is a native from Kuala Lumpur. He is the one who was robbed and beaten up a few weeks ago. The President transferred him to West Malaysia after that for his protection. He has been serving in Penang. Last week he fell down stairs in his apartment (he was on crutches due to a hurt foot) and was completely paralized. He could only move his head. All the tests done on him at first showed that he would be permanently paralized. The mission immediately had a day of fasting and prayer for him plus his name was put in many temples. I've attached a letter that President Clark (Mission President) sent out regarding his amazing recovery. He is such a great Elder and everyone loves him. He spent the first month of his mission in the hospital and almost died then of an intestional infection. He was told in his setting apart as a missionary that he would face many trials on his mission, but that he would be able to complete it and would serve valiantly. He has certainly done that. His brother served in Northern Colorado mission and he actually served in the Fort Collins Stake.

We had Stake Conference this weekend. In our Saturday night meeting they had returned missionaries speak, ones who are waiting to leave, and ones currently serving speak. The President's mother, who is 85 years old, who has been serving in East Malaysia, spoke. She is an amazing lady. Her companion is 20 years younger and has had a hard time keeping up with her. This is her 5th mission! An incredible lady! One of the returned missionaries served in the Manila, Philippines mission. After the meeting, we asked him if he knew JJ Kovach(our grandson), and he said he did and went on to talk about what a fantastic missionary he was (of course, we already knew that!).

We had a new Elder come in from Indonesia, Elder Nggiku. We had to keep him, and his trainer, here for a few days while Dave went through all the paperwork involved in getting him a work permit (required of other Asian missionaries). It is an expensive and long process. We were finally able to send him out today however they almost didn't let him leave! We had to purchase a ticket back to Singapore for him to prove that he would be coming back! It has taken many trips to different agencies and we still have to pick up his final permit on Saturday. Then the whole process has to start again for another Elder coming in soon.

We have returned to the rainy season. It was nice when we would have several days in a row of dry weather. Now it is raining just about everyday. Luckily it usually doesn't last too long, but when it does rain, it pours! We understand that Fort Collins is supposed to get snow tonight. It is hard to imagine when it is so hot here. We have to laugh at the ads for fall and winter clothes in the stores here as it is never any cooler!

Well we need to get some sleep so we will close for now. We love and miss you all, however, we love serving the Lord here in Singapore and working with such wonderful missionaries!

Elder and Sister Garrett (mom & dad, grandma & grandpa, relatives, and friends)

The letter from President Clark:

Dear Elders and Sisters, It is with gratitude and thanksgiving for all the prayers and fasting in behalf of Elder Dass that I write you now to share the good news. Elder Dass has now regained feeling and mobility again in his limbs! As you know, he fell last Thursday while going down the stairs with crutches for his sprained ankle. When he landed he struck his head and neck, injuring his spine and paralyzing his body below his neck. He was in considerable pain and totally unable to move anything but his head. His companion, Elder Osborne, did everything right, notified President Leblanc (local member), Elder and Sister Johnson, and called me immediately. He gave Elder Dass a Priesthood blessing and invoked the power of Heaven. Paramedics were called and transported Elder Dass to Loh Guen Lye Hospital. The Doctor’s testing with painful stimuli revealed he had no feeling in his extremities and he was diagnosed with a traumatic spinal injury with resultant paralysis. It was at this point that we asked all of you to join us in fasting and prayer for Elder Dass. I spoke with the Area President, Elder Perkins, the In Field Representative in Salt Lake, Brother Pincock, as well as our Asia Area Medical Advisor, Elder Heiner. Elder Dass’s name was placed in the prayer roles of the Hong Kong and Salt Lake Temples. His condition was discussed at the highest levels of the Church and prayers were offered in his behalf. We notified his parents, who immediately drove the 8 hours from Kuala Lumpur to Penang to be with their son. The crushing emotional pain they felt at the thought of their son being paralyzed was beyond words. Elder Dass received a second Priesthood blessing by Elder Johnson shortly after he arrived at the hospital. Later that night as the neurologist and radiologist reviewed the CT Scans and Xrays, they did not identify any fractured bones or injury to the spinal cord; which was a tremendous relief. Apparently the paralysis was caused by the “shock” to the spinal cord, coupled with the extreme pain. Elder Dass’s Mother has been staying with him night and day since arriving, while his father drove back home 8 hours through the night to start work the next morning (he is a physician in KL and had a busy day with patients). At this point, Elder Dass has been able to get up on his feet and begin physical therapy. We are very pleased and confident that he will fully recover in every way. His rapid healing is nothing less than miraculous! He still needs your prayers but the greatest fear of total paralysis has been resolved. We know the Lord’s hand has been in his amazing recovery and is indeed an answer to the faith and prayers of all of you. Please extend our appreciation and gratitude for all the prayers and fasting by members and others who have expressed their love and concern.
Love,President and Sister Clark

At arrival night devotional – after traveling for 24 hours!!

Elder Nggiku arriving from the Manila MTC the next day.

Missionaries at the airport.

Pray for Elder Dass

Hi,

We had an Elder who was severly injured his afternoon. He fell down the stairs in his apartment and broke his neck. It is looking like he may be permanently paralized. The doctor said there is a small possibility that it could be that he could regain some movement after about a year. The mission is having a fast for him and we are asking people to put names in various temples around the world. Could you please call the Denver and St. George temples and put his name in. It is Elder Ruben Dass. He was serving in Penang in West Malaysia. He is a great Elder - one of our best and also one of the most likeable. He is from West Malaysia and his dad is a doctor. He is the one that they moved out of East Malaysia after he was attacked, robbed and beaten up on his bicycle. I think satan doesn't want him serving a mission! Everyone just loves him. His brother actually served a mission in the Denver North Mission. I think he served in Ft. Collins in the Wellington Ward.

It is so hard to have an Elder injured. I know they are protected, but for some reason, the Lord does put trials in their way - especiallly when they are doing so much good.

Please keep him in your prayers. We are all hoping for a miracle. Thanks for putting his name in the temple. If you know someone in another area who could also put his name in their temple, that would be wonderful.

With love,

Mom

October 25, 2011

This is the letter from President Clark:

Dear Elders and Sisters,
It is with gratitude and thanksgiving for all the prayers and fasting in behalf of Elder Dass
that I write you now to share the good news. Elder Dass has now regained feeling and
mobility again in his limbs!
As you know, he fell last Thursday while going down the stairs with crutches for his sprained ankle. When he landed he struck his head and neck, injuring his spine and paralyzing his body below his neck. He was in considerable pain and totally unable to move anything but his head. His companion, Elder Osborne, did everything right, notified President Leblanc (local member), Elder and Sister Johnson, and called me immediately. He gave Elder Dass a Priesthood blessing and invoked the power of Heaven. Paramedics were called and transported Elder Dass to Loh Guen Lye Hospital. The Doctor’s testing with painful stimuli revealed he had no feeling in his extremities and he was diagnosed with a traumatic spinal injury with resultant paralysis. It was at this point that we asked all of you to join us in fasting and prayer for Elder Dass. I spoke with the Area President, Elder Perkins, the In Field Representative in Salt Lake, Brother Pincock, as well as our Asia Area Medical Advisor, Elder Heiner. Elder Dass’s name was placed in the prayer roles of the Hong Kong and Salt Lake Temples. His condition was discussed at the highest levels of the Church and prayers were offered in his behalf.
We notified his parents, who immediately drove the 8 hours from Kuala Lumpur to Penang to be with their son. The crushing emotional pain they felt at the thought of their son being paralyzed was beyond words. Elder Dass received a second Priesthood blessing by Elder Johnson shortly after he arrived at the hospital. Later that night as the neurologist and radiologist reviewed the CT Scans and Xrays, they did not identify any fractured bones or injury to the spinal cord; which was a tremendous relief. Apparently the paralysis was caused by the “shock” to the spinal cord, coupled with the extreme pain. Elder Dass’s Mother has been staying with him night and day since arriving, while his father drove back home 8 hours through the night to start work the next morning (he is a physician in KL and had a busy day with patients).
At this point, Elder Dass has been able to get up on his feet and begin physical therapy. We are very pleased and confident that he will fully recover in every way. His rapid healing is nothing less than miraculous! He still needs your prayers but the greatest fear of total paralysis has been resolved. We know the Lord’s hand has been in his amazing recovery and is indeed an answer to the faith and prayers of all of you.

Please extend our appreciation and gratitude for all the prayers and fasting by members and others who have expressed their love and concern.

Love,
President and Sister Clark

We watched Conference a week after you

Hello,

This will be a short letter. We have been so busy the last couple of weeks and the coming one will be just as busy! Week before last we had our 2nd Quarterly Senior Conference here in Singapore. We had 34 total Seniors. Five of the couples stayed with us from Tuesday to Saturday. They were all here at our home Thursday night for dinner and then we had the conference on Friday. Buying and preparing food, arranging housing, transportation, etc. was a huge job, however once everyone was together it was worth it. What we wouldn't have given for a Sam's or a Costco! What a wonderful group of Seniors! We stayed up until at least midnight everynight just talking and laughing. It was wonderful to hear all their stories and how much they each love the people and areas they serve, even though many of the areas are extremely difficult. The Oriens have been here with us since. Elder Orien had his hand operated on and Sister Orien had a colonoscopy this week. He needs to stay until the doctor can take the stitches out. How we love having them here. They stayed with us several months ago when she had her knee replaced. They are such a fun couple, but serve in probably the hardest and poorest area of our mission. They go home in January (to Alaska). The mission will really miss them. Is there anyone up to replacing them????

This week we will have transfers and 17 new Elders/Sisters coming in - which also means 17 trainers coming in. It will be a wild week as we pick them up at the airport, feed them,arrange for their support, train them (the President and AP's do the training), and get them off to their new areas in two days times! Luckily, we don't have anyone going home at the same time. We also have the Gregory's coming on Tuesday. They will be with us for two days along with their daughter and her husband. Then on Saturday, the Gregory's and an Australian couple who are in JB will come over for Stake Conference on Saturday and Sunday and stay with us. It will be a busy week. When everyone leaves, it will be really lonesome!

We love our mission and the wonderful people here. The gospel is growing in this part of the world so fast. It is amazing how willing the Asian people are to listen to the missionaries - more and more Chinese are getting Bapized.

We watched General Conference last week (a week after you). It was wonderful to hear the voice of the Lord for our day and age. Even though times are perilious and can be hard, it is still a wonderful time to live and we can be happy if we live the gospel in our lives and serve our Heavenly Father. It is so good to know that while the morals of the world change, the teachings of Jesus Christ do not change.

We love each of you and pray for you daily.

Elder and Sister Garrett, Mom & Dad, Grandma & Grandpa, relatives and friends.

Senior Missionaries at opening night dinner – our home

Our “Sabah” Malaysia Sr’s. singing song

“Chinese Elders” with investigator before baptism

Dave on exercise equipment at the park.

The Orien’s at the park on exercise equipment.

Our quarterly Senior Conference is coming

Hello all,

We missed sending out our weekly letter last week. We didn't get home from JB last Sunday until too late to write. We both spoke in the JB Branch and then also attended the Masai (same building) Branch. Afterwards there was a baptism and a potluck dinner. It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday. We took one of the AP's with us. He left for home on Wednesday and wanted to say good-bye to some of the people he had baptized when he served in JB. Four of our favorite missionaries left this week. Three of them served in Singapore. One is from Utah (his dad is the BB coach at Utah State), one from Sri Lanka and one from China. We had one Sister leave from East Malaysia. She is half Japanese, but is from the US.

We moved our offices this week from the 4th floor to the 5th floor of our building. The Service Center for this area of the world was on the 5th floor, but they have moved the Service Center to Kuala Lumpur and two of the administrators are moving to Hong Kong. What a job and what a mess, but as we get settled it is really nice. Thank goodness for the young Elders! Our Stake President, who is also the Institute director, moved his office into part of the 4th floor. The rest will be used for classrooms and a Bishop's office for one of the Wards who meet in our building.

This coming week is going to be our quarterly Senior Conference. We are really looking forward to it, but it is a lot of work!!! We will again have 5 couples staying with us from Tuesday to Saturday. The rest will be staying with the President and other members of the Stake. We've been cooking and freezing meat, cookies, and brownies and shopping for food for about 35 people for meals on Thursday and Friday. The plus side is renewing friendships with these wonderful couples! The Orien's will once again be staying with us for surgery - this time for Elder Orien (Sister Orien had her knee replaced when they stayed with us before). He fell and broke his finger in East Malaysia. The doctor there said it was fine, but it now points in a different direction - he can't even type! They will probably be here at least a week. How we enjoy having them!

One of President and Sister Clark's daughters, along with her husband and two children, have been here for the last week visiting. The Clarks have been here for over two years and had never seen their little grandson. They were so thrilled to have them visit. The Clarks have actually taken some days off - which is a rarity for them! You would not believe how busy life is for a mission president and his wife. They are on the go non-stop. He is such a good teacher and motivator. He insists that we have the best missionaries in the world! We do have fantastic missionaries. The President, Sister Clark and AP's travel to all the areas of West and East Malaysia at least monthly. They are traveling every week and often twice a week.

We had a few weeks without too much rain, but we think the rainy season has returned. We have had rain everyday this week, although it doesn't last all day. When it does rain though, it pours! It must be their fall as some of the trees are losing their leaves (although they don't lose them all) and turning orange. The temperature never changes though - except maybe just a few degrees. The hours of daylight remains the same year around. It is light from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Singapore is a beautiful, lush green city. All the trees are numbered and taken care of on a regular schedule. All the trees and bushes along all the roads are always trimmed and neat. They employ a lot of people just cleaning and trimming. Landscapers use weed wackers on the grass along the roadways. We have never seen a lawnmower used except a small one on the lawns around our home and church - the large lawns we have are not found in many places. We have never seen any graffiti in Singapore. I'm sure one reason is the severe penalty for any kind of crime plus the long hours kids spend in school and doing homework. We do feel very blessed to live and serve in this beautiful city/country.

Today, we took Jean (who used to work in the Service Center) and a Korean friend of hers, along with her friend's daughter and baby boy to JB with us. The baby needed to have his passport stamped to stay legally in Singapore. The Korean lady has a visitors pass, her daughter has a student visa, her husband has a work permit but her baby has to get a passport stamp every 90 days. It took us a little over two hours to get to JB, 3 hours at church, and it took us another 3 hours to get back and the baby was so good. He is 9 months old and only cried one time and that was only for a short period. He is so cute. President and Sister Clark, along with their daughter's family, followed us over there today (so they didn't get lost). Both sacrament meetings were wonderful and the spirit was so strong, even though the Masai branch is in Malay. They won't get General Conference in Malaysia for two more weeks.

We finished our Institute class this week. We have really enjoyed it even though the class was really small. We have particularly enjoyed the unusual desserts our teacher had for us each week. They have been so kind to us!

Well, that is all the news this week. We love serving a mission for the Lord and spending time with the wonderful people we have met in Singapore and Malaysia. They are truly a blessing to us. We do, however, miss all of you and you are continually in our prayers and thoughts.

With love,

Elder & Sister Garrett (mom & dad, grandma & grandpa, relatives and friends)