A Hard Day in the Mission Field

     Today was one of the hardest day since we got here.  As we were leaving for our walk this morning we found out that one of our branch presidents, Pres. Malarma of the Netts branch, his grandson died early this morning.  The baby was 2 months old and had gotten chicken pox about 10 days ago, he has been in the hospital for the last 6 days, and we really thought he was getting better, but about 2 this morning he passed away.  There are laws here that require that the body be buried within about 12 hours of the death, so we went to his funeral today.  When we got there, we went and sat with his mother and grandmother, Sis. Malarma, and sang hymns for about 2 hours, then they put the lid on the little wood box and carried the baby to the little grave and talked for a few moments and dedicated the grave and buried him..They have no shovels, so they put the dirt back in the grave with there hands, just like they had dug the grave with there hands.  It was really sad, but the family was so strong, the grandparents, Pres. and Sis. Malarma, have been to the Temple and been sealed to each other and there family, and they were explaining where little Abinadi was and that his parents would see him again.  I am grateful that I know what I know about where we go when we leave this life.
       To add to the already hard day, we have had several of our missionaries that have been sick over the last few months and weeks especially, it is like Satan is trying hard to stop the work that is going on here on Pohnpei and he is really working on the missionaries and the members Faith right now.  Last week on Friday, Elder Gasu had a bad bike accident and he has had to go to the hospital each day to get his injuries redressed and checked, then Elder Stewart had to have his toe operated on, Elder Davis was sent to Guam to have his kidney stones blasted, so they will pass, Sis. Kennach has hurt her back, and Sis. Salaiau has been in the hospital for the last 3 days with  gall bladder problems, she is flying to Guam tomorrow to have her gall bladder removed.  Please remember our missionaries in your prayers, we could really use the prayers for them.
    There was a bright spot today, we started our 1st Institute class at the College of Micronesia today and we had 7 students come. They were really glad to finally have an institute class on campus. We are going to finish teaching the Old Testament this year and then do a 6 week class on either the Teachings of the Prophets, or the Articles of Faith for the summer session. Then next fall we will be teaching the New Testament.  It was a ray of sunshine to see those happy faces in our first Institute Class.  We needed it after the rough start to the day.
   I am grateful for the medical miracles we have in the states and especially for Immunizations for children, they don't have that here and so many die from childhood diseases.
    I love the Lord and hope I can do His work to help all His children here in Pohnpei. Keep us in your prayers and Thank You for all the prayers you have already prayed for us here, we feel the extra blessings and help and comfort from them.