Hey Mom, April 26, 2015
So I have a question about my backpack. The zipper has separated from the bag. I took some pictures of it and will send those when I get a hold of a card converter, hopefully tonight. I also need some new shoes because the ones I have are falling apart and are currently half held together by super glue, haha.
Well I am doing good otherwise. We just had a baptism on Saturday the 25th. His name is Deno and he was the last one in his family to join the church. So now they all can work together to go to the temple and be sealed together for time and all eternity. I am super excited to help with that. Other than that it has been pretty normal. We watched a drunk guy get into a fight with this member named Ramon (the drunk guy lost). Then some other arguments from that. Very exciting stuff.
We have 7 new people to start teaching. Hopefully they will begin to progress towards baptism.
Love Jeff
We don't know what shoes he is talking about. His Sunday shoes or the Keens we bought from REI. If they are the REI shoes, I will be disappointed. The backpack is also from REI. They have a replacement policy that we hope to take advantage of.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Monday, April 20, 2015
Elder Payne's detailed typhoon report
Finally received a 'snail-mail' from Elder Payne today. He gave more details than in his previous e-mail
Dear family, April 6, 2015
Well this last week has been quite eventful. It started with last Sunday March 29th when we were setting up for church. We were not expecting a big turn out because it was pouring rain and we had been hearing for the last three days that there will be a typhoon. So we setup for church and we get a call from the Zone Leaders. They tell us to have church but afterward we are just to stay in the house and wait because the typhoon is going to hit. So the first thing that goes through my mind was the'typhoon' that hit Guam and that I was in for a boring day. But boy, this one was different! The Hardy's had come down to do an Easter Sunday School and we had a whopping 2 people. One girl that lives next door and one of the two kids that will head out soon for a mission. So no real church, but we watched a good video about Christ. Then we tried to get the Hardy's out, haha. They had got down to the church okay, but in twenty minutes 3 trees had fallen. They were of large size and would take more than two machetes to clear. So we walked the Hardys down to Neno where the Zone Leaders picked them up.
We walked back to the church. At this time the wind had been getting stronger. So we walk on and we reach the top of the hill with the big Catholic church. Now, start that 'tornado movie' haha. It was crazy. The wind was blowing so freakin strong we watched trees bend to ridiculous angles and then break and fly away. Also watched tin roofs fly away. All this from the safety of this concrete church awning/porch. It was way cool.
After a few minutes we jump back into the Hardy's truck and drive it back to the church. We almost make it back when this massive mango tree falls in front of us about 20 feet ahead. So we park the truck on sombody's land and made a run for the church. We made it in time before the REALLY big wind and rain.
Around 4pm it began to die down and we ventured to step outside and look at the destruction. We didn't leave the church grounds but it was fun to look around. For the rest of Sunday and the rest of the week our schedule was; wake up, study for 1/2 hour and work + work + work until you cannot work anymore. Take a nap, wake up, work some more. It is extremely tiring to chop through a tree with just a machete. The Chuukese people are really good at it and make us outsiders look stupid, haha.
Well that made up my week. Pretty exciting. I wrote this letter by hand because I don't know when the Internet will be up.
Well, love you guys and hope you are all doing good too.
Love, Elder Jeff Payne
Here are a few pictures posted by President Zarbock
Dear family, April 6, 2015
Well this last week has been quite eventful. It started with last Sunday March 29th when we were setting up for church. We were not expecting a big turn out because it was pouring rain and we had been hearing for the last three days that there will be a typhoon. So we setup for church and we get a call from the Zone Leaders. They tell us to have church but afterward we are just to stay in the house and wait because the typhoon is going to hit. So the first thing that goes through my mind was the'typhoon' that hit Guam and that I was in for a boring day. But boy, this one was different! The Hardy's had come down to do an Easter Sunday School and we had a whopping 2 people. One girl that lives next door and one of the two kids that will head out soon for a mission. So no real church, but we watched a good video about Christ. Then we tried to get the Hardy's out, haha. They had got down to the church okay, but in twenty minutes 3 trees had fallen. They were of large size and would take more than two machetes to clear. So we walked the Hardys down to Neno where the Zone Leaders picked them up.
We walked back to the church. At this time the wind had been getting stronger. So we walk on and we reach the top of the hill with the big Catholic church. Now, start that 'tornado movie' haha. It was crazy. The wind was blowing so freakin strong we watched trees bend to ridiculous angles and then break and fly away. Also watched tin roofs fly away. All this from the safety of this concrete church awning/porch. It was way cool.
After a few minutes we jump back into the Hardy's truck and drive it back to the church. We almost make it back when this massive mango tree falls in front of us about 20 feet ahead. So we park the truck on sombody's land and made a run for the church. We made it in time before the REALLY big wind and rain.
Around 4pm it began to die down and we ventured to step outside and look at the destruction. We didn't leave the church grounds but it was fun to look around. For the rest of Sunday and the rest of the week our schedule was; wake up, study for 1/2 hour and work + work + work until you cannot work anymore. Take a nap, wake up, work some more. It is extremely tiring to chop through a tree with just a machete. The Chuukese people are really good at it and make us outsiders look stupid, haha.
Well that made up my week. Pretty exciting. I wrote this letter by hand because I don't know when the Internet will be up.
Well, love you guys and hope you are all doing good too.
Love, Elder Jeff Payne
Here are a few pictures posted by President Zarbock
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| Chuuk Zone |
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| Elder Payne getting a good meal at Zone Conference |
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| Boats pushed up on shore after the typhoon |
Monday, April 13, 2015
Letter from Elder Payne about the typhoon
Dear Family, April 13, 2015
I survived the typhoon!!!!!!!!!!!!! This one was much more exciting than the one in Guam when I was there, haha. Well, I sent a big handwritten letter about the Sunday so I will just include info on the rest of the week. Monday: survey the destruction. So the church is mostly fine just 2 breadfruit trees fell behind the church, one took out about 5 ft. of overhang and the gutters got trashed. The other tree fell and destroyed the church bathroom (which is a seperate building). Just the very top of the tree fell on our house so no damage to the house. We then went out to Mwan to find out what the plan was because there was no cell service in Wichap. Pretty much everything got trashed, there were 3 huge mango trees across the road to the church.
Tuesday: Start work. We headed out with machettes in hand and started chopping up the trees that fell on the church. Then started working on the Road because it became a top priority to get the Hardy's truck out. So we worked hard for a few hours that day and then went to check on the members. Only 2 houses got destroyed amongst the members and we quickly helped them put them back up.
Wednesday: Kept working. About half way through the day I was exhausted and couldn't hold a knife anymore. So i took a nap that lasted about 4 hours then was quite hungry.
Skip to Sunday: Food from the church arrived and we started handing out bags of rice and ramen to the members. That is what we have done up until today and there is still allot of work to be done but President Zarbock wants us to start proselyting again. But we will still be able to devote a couple of days to working.
Well time is going to run out, love you all and hope the best for all.
Love Elder Jeff Payne
I survived the typhoon!!!!!!!!!!!!! This one was much more exciting than the one in Guam when I was there, haha. Well, I sent a big handwritten letter about the Sunday so I will just include info on the rest of the week. Monday: survey the destruction. So the church is mostly fine just 2 breadfruit trees fell behind the church, one took out about 5 ft. of overhang and the gutters got trashed. The other tree fell and destroyed the church bathroom (which is a seperate building). Just the very top of the tree fell on our house so no damage to the house. We then went out to Mwan to find out what the plan was because there was no cell service in Wichap. Pretty much everything got trashed, there were 3 huge mango trees across the road to the church.
Tuesday: Start work. We headed out with machettes in hand and started chopping up the trees that fell on the church. Then started working on the Road because it became a top priority to get the Hardy's truck out. So we worked hard for a few hours that day and then went to check on the members. Only 2 houses got destroyed amongst the members and we quickly helped them put them back up.
Wednesday: Kept working. About half way through the day I was exhausted and couldn't hold a knife anymore. So i took a nap that lasted about 4 hours then was quite hungry.
Skip to Sunday: Food from the church arrived and we started handing out bags of rice and ramen to the members. That is what we have done up until today and there is still allot of work to be done but President Zarbock wants us to start proselyting again. But we will still be able to devote a couple of days to working.
Well time is going to run out, love you all and hope the best for all.
Love Elder Jeff Payne
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| Man stands by an uprooted tree on Weno. |
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| Photo of Maysak from the International Space Station |
Friday, April 3, 2015
Typhoon Maysak Hits Chuuk
On March 29, 2015 Typhoon Maysak hit the islands of Chuuk.
We have not heard from Jeff yet. President Zarbock reported to the missionary parents the following day that all the missionaries were accounted for and safe.
We are hoping to hear from Jeff soon!
In the meantime...
Below are some descriptions and news posted by some of the missionaries on the islands:
Typhoon Maysak Notes from other Missionaries
Elder Bloxham provided the following information:
The outer islands were hit pretty hard. From what I saw in Weno, I can only imagine what the other islands look like. All elder's were still on their islands when the typhoon hit. Elder Hunter and few others who's houses were destroyed came in on Tuesday. The plan was to get everyone in Weno in the next few days.
The Udot and Pata homes were destroyed so those elders went to Romanum for a few days then were brought to Moen. Elder White and Maughan I think are in a tri with Elder Heim. They could be in Mechitiw now.
Romanum was not destroyed, sorry if my last post made it sound that way. Romanum is where the elders were sent who's homes were destroyed until the zone leaders could come get them on Tuesday. I know the elders in Udot and Pata lost a lot of stuff, if the house has open windows it is very possible lots of stuff got wet. That was the case with the Mechitiw house.
The Mechitiw home is still standing. The roof started to come up and lots of water and debris got inside but it's fine. the missionary house and the church in Mechitiw were some of the only structures still standing in that area. The members are living in the church now.
As of Tuesday the plan was to get all outer islands in Weno in the next day. I am not sure if that was suppose to be long term or not however. If their home is ok, they may have just been coming in to get food and water and then head back out to help on their islands.
We had heard from local's the day before that a typhoon was coming, but saturday night the baptist radio was saying the typhoon was not going to hit chuuk. we were not notified from the church (zone leaders) until the first part of the storm was already starting to hit. They texted everyone and told us to stay in our houses. Luckily, the worst of the storm didn't hit until after the eye went through, so everyone was expecting it at that point.
Sister Eliason posted this on FaceBook
I just wanted to post a note about the recent (March 29, 2015)typhoon in Chuuk. We didn’t know it was coming until Sunday morning when it was very rainy and windy. So we looked online and saw the satellite view of the storm coming directly onto Chuuk. Shortly after than we lost electrical power.
The storm raged for about two hours and then subsided. We watched our neighbor’s corrugated metal roof flap up and down even though it was tied on. We saw trees down. When it got calm again people were out picking mangoes from the trees on the ground. It was calm for about 1 ½ hours and we began to think the storm was over. However, it picked up again and quickly become much stronger than before. It was coming from the opposite direction. Pieces of corrugated metal were flying around. There was noise from all the wind. It was frightening.
We were in a cement apartment building. All over the islands people took refuge in cement buildings such as schools, churches. Many houses are made of wood and corrugated metal and many of these were blown away or flattened.
One of the long term effects of the typhoon was loss of electric power. Without electric power there is no running water because they need electricity to pump the water. There is no internet or way to communicate. Cell phones began to work within a day. Many businesses and apartment complexes here have generators. We had generator power most of this week for a few hours each day. Two nights ago we got full power again, but it occasionally goes off. We still don’t have internet, although some people do. Many places still don’t have electricity.
The missionaries are all safe. Two apartments were destroyed but those missionaries have been brought to Weno. They have been working hard to help clear the roads and check on the members. Yesterday we spent many hours in a crowded Laundromat with a group of missionaries washing clothes since it was the first day the laundry was open. People all over the island had all their belonging rain drenched.
I understand that 95% of the homes were destroyed. Even some of the concrete homes lost their roofs or a wall collapsed. The news indicated that 5 people died.
One of the greatest losses was the native food. Banana trees, coconut trees, mango trees (loaded with fruit), breadfruit trees are down. The mountainside looks quite devastated. Even the trees that did not fall down have lost many of their leaves and fruit. Many of the people here depend on this native food. It will take a long time for the vegetation to recover and supply the food they are accustomed to. Some boats were also damaged so this may affect the fishing.
I have been amazed at the resilience of the people. They seem to go on and rejoice in what they do have. We see many out cleaning up and fixing up. For many of them, things like electricity were not a part of their daily life even before the storm. There are many also who are devastated. But the Lord is in charge. Families and friends help each other. Flowers will bloom again. Bananas and breadfruit will grow again. We see children out playing again, and life goes on.
We have not heard from Jeff yet. President Zarbock reported to the missionary parents the following day that all the missionaries were accounted for and safe.
We are hoping to hear from Jeff soon!
In the meantime...
Below are some descriptions and news posted by some of the missionaries on the islands:
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| Weather image showing Typhoon Maysak right over Chuuk. |
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| The island of Weno is about 5 miles long. The airport is visible on the north shore of Weno. |
Typhoon Maysak Notes from other Missionaries
Elder Bloxham provided the following information:
The outer islands were hit pretty hard. From what I saw in Weno, I can only imagine what the other islands look like. All elder's were still on their islands when the typhoon hit. Elder Hunter and few others who's houses were destroyed came in on Tuesday. The plan was to get everyone in Weno in the next few days.
The Udot and Pata homes were destroyed so those elders went to Romanum for a few days then were brought to Moen. Elder White and Maughan I think are in a tri with Elder Heim. They could be in Mechitiw now.
Romanum was not destroyed, sorry if my last post made it sound that way. Romanum is where the elders were sent who's homes were destroyed until the zone leaders could come get them on Tuesday. I know the elders in Udot and Pata lost a lot of stuff, if the house has open windows it is very possible lots of stuff got wet. That was the case with the Mechitiw house.
The Mechitiw home is still standing. The roof started to come up and lots of water and debris got inside but it's fine. the missionary house and the church in Mechitiw were some of the only structures still standing in that area. The members are living in the church now.
As of Tuesday the plan was to get all outer islands in Weno in the next day. I am not sure if that was suppose to be long term or not however. If their home is ok, they may have just been coming in to get food and water and then head back out to help on their islands.
We had heard from local's the day before that a typhoon was coming, but saturday night the baptist radio was saying the typhoon was not going to hit chuuk. we were not notified from the church (zone leaders) until the first part of the storm was already starting to hit. They texted everyone and told us to stay in our houses. Luckily, the worst of the storm didn't hit until after the eye went through, so everyone was expecting it at that point.
Sister Eliason posted this on FaceBook
I just wanted to post a note about the recent (March 29, 2015)typhoon in Chuuk. We didn’t know it was coming until Sunday morning when it was very rainy and windy. So we looked online and saw the satellite view of the storm coming directly onto Chuuk. Shortly after than we lost electrical power.
The storm raged for about two hours and then subsided. We watched our neighbor’s corrugated metal roof flap up and down even though it was tied on. We saw trees down. When it got calm again people were out picking mangoes from the trees on the ground. It was calm for about 1 ½ hours and we began to think the storm was over. However, it picked up again and quickly become much stronger than before. It was coming from the opposite direction. Pieces of corrugated metal were flying around. There was noise from all the wind. It was frightening.
We were in a cement apartment building. All over the islands people took refuge in cement buildings such as schools, churches. Many houses are made of wood and corrugated metal and many of these were blown away or flattened.
One of the long term effects of the typhoon was loss of electric power. Without electric power there is no running water because they need electricity to pump the water. There is no internet or way to communicate. Cell phones began to work within a day. Many businesses and apartment complexes here have generators. We had generator power most of this week for a few hours each day. Two nights ago we got full power again, but it occasionally goes off. We still don’t have internet, although some people do. Many places still don’t have electricity.
The missionaries are all safe. Two apartments were destroyed but those missionaries have been brought to Weno. They have been working hard to help clear the roads and check on the members. Yesterday we spent many hours in a crowded Laundromat with a group of missionaries washing clothes since it was the first day the laundry was open. People all over the island had all their belonging rain drenched.
I understand that 95% of the homes were destroyed. Even some of the concrete homes lost their roofs or a wall collapsed. The news indicated that 5 people died.
One of the greatest losses was the native food. Banana trees, coconut trees, mango trees (loaded with fruit), breadfruit trees are down. The mountainside looks quite devastated. Even the trees that did not fall down have lost many of their leaves and fruit. Many of the people here depend on this native food. It will take a long time for the vegetation to recover and supply the food they are accustomed to. Some boats were also damaged so this may affect the fishing.
I have been amazed at the resilience of the people. They seem to go on and rejoice in what they do have. We see many out cleaning up and fixing up. For many of them, things like electricity were not a part of their daily life even before the storm. There are many also who are devastated. But the Lord is in charge. Families and friends help each other. Flowers will bloom again. Bananas and breadfruit will grow again. We see children out playing again, and life goes on.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Two short letters in February and March
The Internet in Chuuk has been unreliable as usual.
:
When Jeff was able to send a message on February 23rd this is what we got in answer to a couple of questions that were asked:
Dad,
Hey I did get the $20 birthday money but I havent gotten the SD card.
Love ya
That was it for the month of February.
March 8, 2015
Hey Mom,
Sorry the Internet is still down at Mwan and so the Eliasons we kind enough to let us use their computers to send an email. So here I am. Well I haven't been able to read any of your emails (or anybody else's) that were to me because I haven't been able to log onto myldsmail in forever. But oh well, I have faith that you guys are strong and healthy and no big problems have befallen you guys.
So the biggest news here is yesterday was transfers and who'd have thunk I am going back to Wichap!!!!!!!!!!! The home land, the place of my birth, the place I had many difficulties and sickness in. I will now be able to go back do much better because I know Chuukese now. But to be humble I am really glad to be going back because I feel that the Lord still has work for me to do in Wichap. I am going to try hard to find out what it is so that those that need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ can. There is a ton of work that can be done and I am the blessed individual that gets to help it along. well I love you guys and need to get off the computer because there are others that need to email home as well so there parents don't worry to much. ;)
Love Elder Jeff Payne
We were able to pull a couple of new pictures from other Elder's parents FB pages
Monday, February 9, 2015
Short Letter to Start February and Some Pictures
Dear Family Feb. 9, 2015
Well I have not gotten your birthday letter with the money yet but it should be soon, haha. I am doing good. Today we had a Weno p-day out on a little island called Pesiwi and it was super fun. I got super sunburned haha. So that will be fun over the next couple of weeks.
Some people we have been teaching? One is a couple named Churida and Sour, all there kids have been baptized but they have not. The wife Churida went through the Baptismal interview but didn't get baptized because her husband Sour didn't feel ready. But we are working with them and trying to help them.
Well love ya,
Elder Jeff Payne
We received an SD card with pictures. Here are a few, but I will post more in the next few weeks.
Well I have not gotten your birthday letter with the money yet but it should be soon, haha. I am doing good. Today we had a Weno p-day out on a little island called Pesiwi and it was super fun. I got super sunburned haha. So that will be fun over the next couple of weeks.
Some people we have been teaching? One is a couple named Churida and Sour, all there kids have been baptized but they have not. The wife Churida went through the Baptismal interview but didn't get baptized because her husband Sour didn't feel ready. But we are working with them and trying to help them.
Well love ya,
Elder Jeff Payne
We received an SD card with pictures. Here are a few, but I will post more in the next few weeks.
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| Picture from the beach in Guam |
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| Church building in Chuuk |
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| Elder Fermanis (not sure what he's doing - Jeff didn't say) |
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| Elder Payne - Back in Chuuk |
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| Elder Payne, Eltereen, and Elder Kleven |
Monday, January 26, 2015
Another letter from Chuuk... Finally!!
January 25, 2015
Hey the Internet is up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So my house is good just have kids asking for everything and a half, but it has gotten better.
Dad asked if I pulled money out before I left Guam and yes I did. I knew that there would be absolutly no food in Mechitiw because it was near the end of the month. I get there and I was correct there was nothing. Sorry if it messed up some master plan but I felt hunger was a good reason.
So I got the 3 boxes. Thank you so much for the protein drink powder, it has been awesome. I am still on the chocolate one, it is good and it helps a ton. One of the boxes exploded and one of the ravioli cans blew up so everything was covered in ravioli! But it still tasted good, haha.
other than that everything is good. Yesterday was transfers and Elder Kleven and I are staying together. I am going to get to send him home because this is his last transfer.
I am good, no sickneses, no leaky roofs, just missionary work!!!
Thanks,
Elder Payne
Hey the Internet is up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So my house is good just have kids asking for everything and a half, but it has gotten better.
Dad asked if I pulled money out before I left Guam and yes I did. I knew that there would be absolutly no food in Mechitiw because it was near the end of the month. I get there and I was correct there was nothing. Sorry if it messed up some master plan but I felt hunger was a good reason.
So I got the 3 boxes. Thank you so much for the protein drink powder, it has been awesome. I am still on the chocolate one, it is good and it helps a ton. One of the boxes exploded and one of the ravioli cans blew up so everything was covered in ravioli! But it still tasted good, haha.
other than that everything is good. Yesterday was transfers and Elder Kleven and I are staying together. I am going to get to send him home because this is his last transfer.
I am good, no sickneses, no leaky roofs, just missionary work!!!
Thanks,
Elder Payne
Just a short letter. But at least Dad and Mom know he's okay. :)
Including some older pictures as we wait for the next SD Card to arrive with new photos.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Last letter for 2014
Hey Dad, December 29, 2014
Ya sorry if you guys didn't hear all you wanted to out of me at Christmas. I just wanted to listen to you guys talk so I know that everything is still all right with you guys.
So about my companion and the area we are assigned to serve, Elder Kleven is his name. He is from Logan, Utah he is into dirt biking and off roading and camping, etc. The area is called Mechetiw and it is kind of like Wichap. There are lots of corrugated tin homes and only a couple of roads big enough for a car. I went to that branch when I was in Nantaku so I kind of know some people already.
What do I need you to send me? One thing that would be nice but is kind of expensive, would be a protein drink mix. You can get it at any vitamin store, and I want it beacuse it means I can eat a little less because helps fill you up. If you do get one of those, get one that I can mix with just water. But if that isnt an option a new watch would be nice.
Love
Elder Jeff Payne
Ya sorry if you guys didn't hear all you wanted to out of me at Christmas. I just wanted to listen to you guys talk so I know that everything is still all right with you guys.
So about my companion and the area we are assigned to serve, Elder Kleven is his name. He is from Logan, Utah he is into dirt biking and off roading and camping, etc. The area is called Mechetiw and it is kind of like Wichap. There are lots of corrugated tin homes and only a couple of roads big enough for a car. I went to that branch when I was in Nantaku so I kind of know some people already.
What do I need you to send me? One thing that would be nice but is kind of expensive, would be a protein drink mix. You can get it at any vitamin store, and I want it beacuse it means I can eat a little less because helps fill you up. If you do get one of those, get one that I can mix with just water. But if that isnt an option a new watch would be nice.
Love
Elder Jeff Payne
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| Elders got together on Christmas day for dinner and phone calls home. Thanks to the Hardysblogspot for the photo! |
Friday, December 26, 2014
Christmas Phone Call from Chuuk
12/26/2014
We were lucky enough to hear from Elder Payne two times this week!
He surprised us with a call on Sunday December 21. Jeff called Curtis' cell phone and we almost didn't answer because we didn't recognize the number that was displayed in Caller-ID. Luckily Curtis decided to answer. Jeff simply said, "Hey".... long pause ... "This is Jeff". Curtis was very surprised and felt bad he didn't recognize the voice. He had to hang up so we could call him back because the missionaries can't pay for the international call. We called right back and scheduled the official Christmas call (and chatted for a few minutes). We learned that he had just arrived back in Chuuk the night before and hadn't really been able to see anybody or do anything.
The scheduled call was for Christmas Eve, 7pm Mountain time in the U.S. Noon on Christmas Day in Chuuk. We decided to completely skip trying to Skype since it didn't work so well last Mother's Day.
Skipping ahead to the Christmas Eve call!
The phone call was excellent. The only technical difficulty was the slight delay which meant we had to repeat questions a few times.
Jeffery is on the island of Weno serving Mechitiw area. He began his mission on Weno and was very excited to be back there. His companion is Elder Klevin (don't know about the spelling yet - we didn't ask) from Utah (somewhere, Jeff couldn't remember what city). He will miss the air conditioning and luxuries in Guam, but isn't worried at all about getting by in Chuuk.
We asked about his apartment and living conditions. His apartment is okay, there isn't a microwave, but they do have a refrigerator. The refrigerator doesn't have a working freezer. They have an electric stove that works when there is electricity. He is back to taking 'bucket showers' since there isn't running water for a shower. His bed is a table without a mat. We offered to send a sleeping pad which he declined. He says they are available if he wants one. This is the same kid that used to sleep on picnic tables when camping. He's okay on a hard flat surface for sleeping.
For Christmas he was going to go visit some families that had invited the Elders over. They got permission to watch the movie 'Polar Express'. He had already opened the Christmas packages we sent. He liked the Slinky and socks. He said that before leaving Guam he decided to buy extra socks. Then got the socks we sent and received more socks from a family in Guam! He has plenty of socks now! He enjoyed the home made cookies. Dodie wrapped them up in little bundles and packed tightly in a plastic bowl. That kept them from getting dry and/or crushed during shipping.
To end the call Jeffery bore his testimony in Chuukese. It was awesome! We could feel his love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He spoke of the prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration of the Gospel. We heard about how the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. We know that he loves serving God's children in the Micronesia Guam Mission.
Ending the call was a little emotional. We all got to say how much we love Jeffery and how proud we are of the man he has become.
What an awesome Christmas!
We were lucky enough to hear from Elder Payne two times this week!
He surprised us with a call on Sunday December 21. Jeff called Curtis' cell phone and we almost didn't answer because we didn't recognize the number that was displayed in Caller-ID. Luckily Curtis decided to answer. Jeff simply said, "Hey".... long pause ... "This is Jeff". Curtis was very surprised and felt bad he didn't recognize the voice. He had to hang up so we could call him back because the missionaries can't pay for the international call. We called right back and scheduled the official Christmas call (and chatted for a few minutes). We learned that he had just arrived back in Chuuk the night before and hadn't really been able to see anybody or do anything.
The scheduled call was for Christmas Eve, 7pm Mountain time in the U.S. Noon on Christmas Day in Chuuk. We decided to completely skip trying to Skype since it didn't work so well last Mother's Day.
Skipping ahead to the Christmas Eve call!
The phone call was excellent. The only technical difficulty was the slight delay which meant we had to repeat questions a few times.
Jeffery is on the island of Weno serving Mechitiw area. He began his mission on Weno and was very excited to be back there. His companion is Elder Klevin (don't know about the spelling yet - we didn't ask) from Utah (somewhere, Jeff couldn't remember what city). He will miss the air conditioning and luxuries in Guam, but isn't worried at all about getting by in Chuuk.
We asked about his apartment and living conditions. His apartment is okay, there isn't a microwave, but they do have a refrigerator. The refrigerator doesn't have a working freezer. They have an electric stove that works when there is electricity. He is back to taking 'bucket showers' since there isn't running water for a shower. His bed is a table without a mat. We offered to send a sleeping pad which he declined. He says they are available if he wants one. This is the same kid that used to sleep on picnic tables when camping. He's okay on a hard flat surface for sleeping.
For Christmas he was going to go visit some families that had invited the Elders over. They got permission to watch the movie 'Polar Express'. He had already opened the Christmas packages we sent. He liked the Slinky and socks. He said that before leaving Guam he decided to buy extra socks. Then got the socks we sent and received more socks from a family in Guam! He has plenty of socks now! He enjoyed the home made cookies. Dodie wrapped them up in little bundles and packed tightly in a plastic bowl. That kept them from getting dry and/or crushed during shipping.
To end the call Jeffery bore his testimony in Chuukese. It was awesome! We could feel his love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He spoke of the prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration of the Gospel. We heard about how the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. We know that he loves serving God's children in the Micronesia Guam Mission.
Ending the call was a little emotional. We all got to say how much we love Jeffery and how proud we are of the man he has become.
What an awesome Christmas!
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Sites in Guam and transfer news
December 4, 2014 Letter sent with package of gifts
Dear Family,
I am still doing good though a little sick right now. Just a runny nose and a sore throat, but it isn't bad.
Recently on P-day Elder Kruger (one of the other Elders in the area) and I have gone to see stuff on Guam. This past Monday we went to see Two Lovers Point and took pictures and stuff. Last week we got a chance to drive down South and saw a few people that Elder Kruger knows and some other cool places.
Love Jeff
December 14, 2014
Hey guys,
I am very surprised that the box I sent is there already. But am glad it got there. I hope the boxes you sent get here today or this week because of... Transfers, thats right it is that time again (dang it) and I have been transfered back to Chuuk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am going to be in Mechetiw on the main island so I can still email every week if the internet is up haha. I am going to miss Guam and the people of Dededo really bad (and air conditioning, good cars, warm water, fast internet etc.). But I am excited to go back to Chuuk and apply what I havce learned here in Guam to the work there and try and keep the work going forward.
For Christmas, if it is okay, I am just going to call this time because I dont like the whole trying to work with skype thing in Chuuk.
Love Jeff
Dear Family,
I am still doing good though a little sick right now. Just a runny nose and a sore throat, but it isn't bad.
Recently on P-day Elder Kruger (one of the other Elders in the area) and I have gone to see stuff on Guam. This past Monday we went to see Two Lovers Point and took pictures and stuff. Last week we got a chance to drive down South and saw a few people that Elder Kruger knows and some other cool places.
Love Jeff
December 14, 2014
Hey guys,
I am very surprised that the box I sent is there already. But am glad it got there. I hope the boxes you sent get here today or this week because of... Transfers, thats right it is that time again (dang it) and I have been transfered back to Chuuk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am going to be in Mechetiw on the main island so I can still email every week if the internet is up haha. I am going to miss Guam and the people of Dededo really bad (and air conditioning, good cars, warm water, fast internet etc.). But I am excited to go back to Chuuk and apply what I havce learned here in Guam to the work there and try and keep the work going forward.
For Christmas, if it is okay, I am just going to call this time because I dont like the whole trying to work with skype thing in Chuuk.
Love Jeff
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| The Elders always attract a crowd. |
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| He said he was only a little sick... |
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| All better now. :) |
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| and now a few post-card shots from Guam by Jeff |
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Thanksgiving letter from Guam
Dear mom, November 30, 2014
Ok what I want for Christmas is (my 2 front teeth, haha heard that in a store today and thought why is Christmas music on it isn't even cold yet...) I could use new white shirts because the ones I have are getting to the point of dirty that the dirty doesn't come out when you wash it haha. Some other things that would be nice but not necessary; some more of the nice family pictures like a bunch if possible because I like to give them to the families that I get to know really well, I would like a tie clip/pin, I need a new oil vial (it dissapeared somewhere between Chuuk and Guam and I have looked everywhere) and whatever other random New Mexico tourist stuff to trade people for random Guam/Chuuk tourist stuff, haha.
We do have a Christmas tree!
Right now it's just me and Elder Rice, Elder Matalolo got moved last transfer. Elder Rice "dies" or goes home on December 18th.
We are teaching Mattheus and Irine, they are an older Chuukese couple that we have been seeing. They agreed to be baptized if they find out it is true, they are really cool people and they always make us kool aide when we come, and Mattheus is from Uman and Irine is from Wichap. We teach a ton of Chuukese people and they are all super cool.
So I had 3 thanksgiving dinners and 2 others that I couldn't eat anymore on Thanksgiving so we just packed some plates to take home and eat later. And here on guam thanksgiving consists of rice/red rice (depending on if they are Chamoro or not), BBQ chicken, turkey, ham, potato salad, turkey tail and a few other things depending on who you eat with. It is was hard for a lot of people to do a thanksgiving dinner because they don't have a lot of money.
Well Love you guys.
Elder Jeff Payne
Elder Payne's current mailing address:
620 W. Route 8
Barrigada, Guam 96913 U.S.A
Ok what I want for Christmas is (my 2 front teeth, haha heard that in a store today and thought why is Christmas music on it isn't even cold yet...) I could use new white shirts because the ones I have are getting to the point of dirty that the dirty doesn't come out when you wash it haha. Some other things that would be nice but not necessary; some more of the nice family pictures like a bunch if possible because I like to give them to the families that I get to know really well, I would like a tie clip/pin, I need a new oil vial (it dissapeared somewhere between Chuuk and Guam and I have looked everywhere) and whatever other random New Mexico tourist stuff to trade people for random Guam/Chuuk tourist stuff, haha.
We do have a Christmas tree!
Right now it's just me and Elder Rice, Elder Matalolo got moved last transfer. Elder Rice "dies" or goes home on December 18th.
We are teaching Mattheus and Irine, they are an older Chuukese couple that we have been seeing. They agreed to be baptized if they find out it is true, they are really cool people and they always make us kool aide when we come, and Mattheus is from Uman and Irine is from Wichap. We teach a ton of Chuukese people and they are all super cool.
So I had 3 thanksgiving dinners and 2 others that I couldn't eat anymore on Thanksgiving so we just packed some plates to take home and eat later. And here on guam thanksgiving consists of rice/red rice (depending on if they are Chamoro or not), BBQ chicken, turkey, ham, potato salad, turkey tail and a few other things depending on who you eat with. It is was hard for a lot of people to do a thanksgiving dinner because they don't have a lot of money.
Well Love you guys.
Elder Jeff Payne
Elder Payne's current mailing address:
620 W. Route 8
Barrigada, Guam 96913 U.S.A
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| The Elders all enjoying Thanksgiving! |
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Letter from Guam and pics from Chuuk and Guam
Wednesday Nov. 5, 2014
Well to start I would like to apologize for the lack of snail mail this past transfer. E-mailing is just so much easier and faster but I am sending my SD card so snail mail it is. Well this past transfer has gone by mind blowingly fast but more or less enjoyable because the people here on Guam are super prepared (except for some) and are very kind and generous to us poor hungry servants of the Lord, ha ha. I am writing this transfer night because it is possible that i will get sent of Guam but I dont think I will. Man some of the people here are definitely becoming my favorite people. The Villario family or this recent convert from the sisters named Jennifer who feeds us every sunday, ha ha. I have been thinking recently of moving here for a while, I dont know yet we'll see what happens. In some ways Guam is harder than Chuuk, like it is hard and takes lots of planning to get peopley married. People here are more attached to their churches and want less to learn about another. Another wierd thins is knocking on doors... never had to do that in Chuuk and I am super awkward when it happens but I am working on that so anisiei non iotek, ha ha. I am working hard and trying to baptize the island!
Love Elder Jeff Payne
Sunday Nov. 9, 2014
Hey so transferrs came and went and I am staying with Elder Rice in Dededo South... So this means that I will send Elder Rice home, mwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. I am doing good, still working hard. I sometimes get a little frustrated because there are tons of less-active recent converts in our area and not many of them are making any real progress. There are a few rays of gold like Rachel's family and this Chuukese family we are teaching. But for the most part everything is good. We have been starting to tract! We are really awkward at it because neither elder rice or I have done any tracting our entire missions, so if you have any advice, and I mean any, it would be greatly appreciated :)
Well love you, Elder Payne
Well to start I would like to apologize for the lack of snail mail this past transfer. E-mailing is just so much easier and faster but I am sending my SD card so snail mail it is. Well this past transfer has gone by mind blowingly fast but more or less enjoyable because the people here on Guam are super prepared (except for some) and are very kind and generous to us poor hungry servants of the Lord, ha ha. I am writing this transfer night because it is possible that i will get sent of Guam but I dont think I will. Man some of the people here are definitely becoming my favorite people. The Villario family or this recent convert from the sisters named Jennifer who feeds us every sunday, ha ha. I have been thinking recently of moving here for a while, I dont know yet we'll see what happens. In some ways Guam is harder than Chuuk, like it is hard and takes lots of planning to get peopley married. People here are more attached to their churches and want less to learn about another. Another wierd thins is knocking on doors... never had to do that in Chuuk and I am super awkward when it happens but I am working on that so anisiei non iotek, ha ha. I am working hard and trying to baptize the island!
Love Elder Jeff Payne
Sunday Nov. 9, 2014
Hey so transferrs came and went and I am staying with Elder Rice in Dededo South... So this means that I will send Elder Rice home, mwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. I am doing good, still working hard. I sometimes get a little frustrated because there are tons of less-active recent converts in our area and not many of them are making any real progress. There are a few rays of gold like Rachel's family and this Chuukese family we are teaching. But for the most part everything is good. We have been starting to tract! We are really awkward at it because neither elder rice or I have done any tracting our entire missions, so if you have any advice, and I mean any, it would be greatly appreciated :)
Well love you, Elder Payne
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| Elder Fermanis and Chuuk wildlife |
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| Elder Jeff Payne selfie |
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| Last sunset in Chuuk |
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| Resorts in Guam |
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| Elder Payne relaxing. |
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| Rocking the cheap duds picked up from one of the locals. |
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