Trip to Grenada to deliver wheelchairs

So here's a really touching story about Mom and Dad's latest trip to Grenada to deliver wheelchairs.

Here's what they wrote...
Grenada was wonderful..the senior couple there has it made!! Theywalk on the beach every morning so we walked with them the twomornings we were there. The water is really torquoise blue. I havenever seen water so beautiful and the beaches are unbelievable!! Ican definitely see why people go there for vacations!!! Thewheelchair ceremony was very touching for us.

When we went to Grenada and met many people who received wheelchairs,
we wanted to share one of the stories with all of you and this is the
one we chose. He was such a pleasant man and so grateful for all he
had!! Atttached with the story is a couple of pictures we took of
him. And we are sending a picture of him with two of his police
friends that was sent to us after we left Grenada.

Mark James comes from a family of eleven children. He is the eighth child. Unfortunately, for Mark he is the victim of thalidomide and was born handicapped with no legs or feet except a flipper at the end of his right leg which goes not quite to the knee. The right hand is missing and the left hand has only three badly deformed fingers. When he was 8, he was put in an institution in Trinidad where he was taught to cope with life in a very positive manner. He was trained in ordinary living skills and adapted well to his circumstances. As he grew older, he was trained in arts and crafts…such as cleaning shells, weaving mats and other such things. With these skills he has been able to maintain his own way of living and taking care of his needs and wants. Now he makes a living selling CD’s, post cards, spices and baskets that have been woven by others, to tourists from the cruise lines and anyone else who will buy from him.
The gift of the wheelchair was very heart touching to us! Mark was suppose to be brought to the wheelchair ceremony by a policeman who was his friend but because of work Mark was not able to come so we took the chair to him! There sat Mark James in the street of the Mall with two of his friends.. a taxi driver who was going to take Mark’s old chair for his crippled wife (we want to see is she can get one of those new chairs also) and a woman who also has a booth outside the Mall. They tried to help him transfer from his old chair into the new one but he did not need any help…he hopped out and struggled by himself to get into his new chair!! The whole time…his friends kept telling him how blessed he was with ‘Praise The Lord” in every other breath as the wheelchair was unfolded. These friends showed him the pocket in the back with the church’s logo on it.
Mark moved into the new chair and just beamed and beamed. When he could speak, all he could say was “thank you, thank you” I am so blessed” over and over again. Tears fell from his eyes and all our eyes and before anyone knew it, Mark was off in his new wheelchair as fast as he could move it to the front of the mall. Propelling it with his right arm and his deformed hand. He wanted to show all the other venders his new chair and just smiling and so happy….they were all so happy for him!!
If ever there should be a man who was on liquor or drugs to drown his deformity or have depression from living with what he has lived with his whole life, it should be Mark, yet he assures us that these habit forming aids have never been considered by him to cope with life in a wheelchair. He has a wonderful independent nature that keeps him upbeat and happy. We are so fortunate that we have had the opportunity to get to know such a man!

Is this place for real?

Here are some of the latest pictures of where Mom and Dad live. The kids are extremely jealous that Mom was standing that close to what they call giant dragon lizards. I was extremely worried. Are those rabid dogs? It's hard to believe there are places on earth that still look like this. I guess it's a good thing that this is where Mom and Dad are sent to do humanitarian service. But Mom and Dad, Zack and I both agree you shouldn't get too close to those animals, they might bite!

Here's what Mom and Dad wrote...
The pictures of the dogs are our neighbors and they bark all the time!!The donkey was walking across the street so we had to wait for him tocross...I am looking out my window and I see a boy selling somethingfrom his cart.....there is a picture of some children playing withtheir little baby puppies...they don't live very far from us......andthen there is a picture of two iguanas that a boy wanted me to buy. Ididn't want to take an iguana home with me!!!! They eat geckos and Ididn't want him to eat my gecko.

We finally got our internet and will be forwarding/blogging pix and will send some infor.. on how hard this assignment is and how this is an Amazing place.. like 200, years ago except.. some things... like horse carts, tons of them all over the roads, and all farm animals all over the road loose. and then modern Mini busses (their public transportation..15 passengers Toyota vans) and these guys that drive them are really crazy.15 got killed last week in one van when they were speeding and hit a parked logging truck out in the hinderland.. 100 traffic deaths, and 80 homicides since the first of the year,, this is not a big populace city.. anyway.. great people and so many needs we have a ton of work to do.. IF we can navigate all of the forms, finances, and red tape.. and guess what all on the computer,,,and FOR sure I would rather watch a duck build a nest for 5 hours, than spend one hour in front of a computer.. so this learning curve is to steep.. anyway.. Sherry did not... want an iguana for dinner.. They were alive and kind of neat animals, however these two boys, had caught them and had them for sale,,, 1000.00 each that is $5.00 USD..the driving is almost like being in a race, at all times..and on the left side of the road.. looking out for cows, horses, donkeys, chickens, goats, sheep, and tons of dogs.. and they ALL run loose really they just find their way home or get eaten..

Some serious TROOPERS!

We've gotten a few emails from Mom and Dad and talked with Mom on the phone the other day. Boy do we miss them. They are such TROOPERS! Mission life is certainly not easy right now. It sounds like they are living in a pretty primitive area with a lot of crime. And on top of all of that, they are expected to be computer geniuses. Dad we admire you for even trying....I find myself wishing they were serving in some safe stateside mission...Nauvoo, Washington, or Idaho. Hmmm. I am so grateful that I know the Lord is looking out for them and keeping them safe. We Love You MOM AND DAD!

Here's some of the latest updates from some emails I've gotten...

Mom says...

It has been so hectic and busy with all our moves and no internet..I have really missed our communication. It hasn't been as easy for me as I thought.I realize I'm not as strong as I thought I was!! but I'm going to make it!!! Our apartment is ok. Many things don't work very well butour landlord is very nice and is going to see that things are fixed.It wasn't very clean and I have been scrubbing cupboards. Things are going to work out and we are going to be very busy...I can tell!There are so many people we can help!!It's a bit overwhelming with all the paper and computer work that hasto be done. I don't mind the work...it's if we can remember how to do everything. Honestly, it's like we are running a business. There's alot to do and of course, working with church money! After we have donea couple of projects completely through, I think it will be easier!

Dad says...

We have signed up for DSL.. but it will take a week or so,, at least, but can still use this computer in our office right now.. slow and close to giving up the ghost, so I'm trying to make my flsh drives work,,any suggestions.. I'm so glad you two got to visit for a few days in Beijing.. that was a classic thing to do,, we are so happy you two could do it. We are so struggling, every morning we look for a reason to head to Utah.. and then we have an exp. that tells us to hang in there,, we have seen and exp. so so much already.. but this operating a business when you can't even keep your own Personal affairs in order is a BIG order..I hope we can survive all we have to do in the next while,, as we have so many requests and that does't count ALL of the ones we have to finish and pursue, that we inherited.. so other than that.. Mom fixed and cleaned and cleaned our place so it is spartan, but adequate... guess what this morning was.. before church.. at 7 this morning we went to theSenior Citizens housing,, you could not even believe it... and we helped serve them a special breakfast,, put on by oneof our favorite ladies, who we have and will work with a ton.. she is a member of Parliment ,and runs a school for needy kids, and is the number two person in the opposition party here in Guyana.. and we have a project going with the1st Lady of Guyana.. we have to devide our help. as there is politics nationalities, to deal with too.. anyway...Mom served FISH sandwichs this morning,,, last night we were at a senior citizens nite movie, and treats, and the movie was shown in the daylite, and what a deal... 15th cent. living... horse carts on the road,,, they have total right away even with the crazey bus/van drivers... this place is amazing.. only a few red lights, ( nobody obeys) and no street signs, and all of this in the last few years.. and the roads.. just wide enough for a horse/mule drawn cart.. and then a brand new RAV 4 ddrives by, or a big Toy. Truck . and then I have to drive on the left side of the road, and the Steering wheel is of course on the right side of the car too.I must quit murmuring huh.. anyway,, I' m way to old and dumb for this job.. but We are going to give it a couple of months,, we have to as our bank account here is something else to.. the drivers licence, the utilities, are so bureautic.. like in Midvale when I was 10 years old.. We went to a Hardware store to buy acouple of things, a padalock for one ( we have at least 3 locks on every door, ourgate, with razor contintine currled wire all around.. and the neighbors,have armed gaurds 24 hours. and there was a guy killed two nights ago and two others shot a week ago here in our area,, and we live in a nice area.. , it took four people to check us out of the hardware store... you pick out what you want (caged) then take a number to the cashier,(caged) and she gives you three receipts, and puts a stamp on each one and then stamps ( rubber stamp ) each again and then you go to the next place and give them your receipts, and she checks every thing you bought, and then walk two feet and a guy checks all of the sacks contents,and then marks the receipts one more time and then you walk out,,, past an armed (shotgun) guy,, to your car... this is in the day light too. enough today... we love you guys,, I might move to England or Hong Kong as I get better on these roads.. but there are no rules \here on theroad... But the Gospel is true, and these members are so new in the gospel but have neat stories, and there are two sets of Elders in the Branch we attend/// Love yaDAd