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
Hello from Singapore!
.
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)
.
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)
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
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
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