We are finally feeling like we are settling into life here in Sri Lanka.  We get up around 6:30 am most mornings and walk up six flights of stairs and then take a half hour walk on the roof of our apartment building.  There are usually a couple of other people up on the roof walking or exercising at that time of morning.  If you don't do it early it gets too hot to do it later. 

Negombo Chapel


Last Sunday, January 23rd, we went to the branch in Negombo.  It was very interesting to us.  They would make the announcements in English then translate them into Sinhala. Some speakers spoke in English and some in Sinhala.  Needless to say our gift of tongues did not work for us.  During Primary I was asked to help with the singing.  Singing is good because they all sing in English.  The kids are just like at home, very active and full of life. Sister Fluckiger taught the lesson in Relief Society in English and another sister translated it into Sinhala. After church was over we went to the Fluckiger's apartment and had lunch with them.  It was nice to talk to someone that we could actually understand and they could understand us.  I'm glad that we will be doing most of our work here in Colombo where all the meetings are held completely in English. 

Elder Meyers and I have helped a couple of missionaries that have received their call. Brother Michael is going to New Zealand. We worked with him in "Preach My Gospel" on Wednesday afternoon.  On Friday evening we started Missionary Preparation Lessons for Vino who has been called to the California Santa Rosa Mission.  He is the first one from Sri Lanka to be called to the United States in fourteen years.  Vino is very excited.  He is scheduled to enter the MTC in Provo in May.  It will be our job to help get his visa and prepare him with the Missionary Preparation Lessons and the Temple Preparation Lessons.

We also got our first hair cuts here in Sri Lanka.  Sister Ann came over and cut my hair and also Elder Meyers' hair.  She did my eyebrows with something she called threading.  She used regular sewing thread and wrapped it around her fingers and rubbed it back and forth.  When she was done, around my eyebrows was nice and smooth.  The only place that hurt was above my lips.  It was something I had never seen or heard of before.  It was nice to have her come to our apartment.  She didn't want to charge us but we insisted that she take what we would pay our people at home.  She seemed happy when she left and we told her we would have her over to cut our hair again in the next five weeks.

Our English classes are scheduled to begin on Tuesday.  We have some materials to work from.  We are a little nervous because we have to be so careful what we say.  We can't say anything about the church or have prayer.  I guess one of the men that attended last session was a monk. He would try to get them to talk church and that is against the rules.  If they want to talk church they are suppose to be invited to come for a different class.

Today we were in charge of a Young Single Adult Activity.  There were around twenty five people who said they would be there so we had Sister Ann order rice packets for thirty.  We only had twelve show up all together.  Sister Ann ordered five wimpy rice packets for the Americans.  Those weren't spicy like the other ones.  They were actually pretty good for $1.70.  They were so big that Elder Meyers and I only ate half of ours.  We played games, sang songs, 

YSA Activity

had a spiritual thought and then ate.  We were disappointed that more didn't show up but those that were there seemed to enjoy being together.

 

My Dad did pass away shortly after I made the last entry in our blog.  Shortly before he died I called and my Mom told Dad that it was me.  She put the phone up to his ear and I said my good-byes and told him that I loved him.  I told him to find Asher and give him a hug and kiss from us.  Of course he couldn't respond but Mom said when she took the phone away he looked at her and blinked as if he understood.  I felt that was one of God's tender mercies that he was allowing me to feel.  The three kids went back and everything worked out like clock work.  I am grateful that they were able to go home and be with my Mom and brothers.

Colombo Chapel



We went to church in Colombo on Sunday.  Elder and Sister Fluckiger from Negombo came up and attended the Branch Council with us.  They were representing the District and had been assigned to speak in Colombo.  Their Branch Council was very organized and people were very talkative.  Elder Meyers and I were asked to share our testimony in Sacrament Meeting.  I was pretty emotional since it had only been a few hours since I knew that my Dad had died.  There were about 80 people in attendance.  They were very friendly and always gave me their Sri Lankan welcome.  That is touch right cheeks and then left cheeks. That's how they say welcome and good-bye.  After Sacrament Sister Primali, a sister that is in the Primary Presidency, asked me to help with Sharing Time.  She gave me a piece of paper that had some ideas on it and I quickly prepared something.  The hardest part was finding the supplies that I needed for the activity.  I found the janitorial closet and found a blindfold, a broom handle(to use as my iron rod) and a picture of the Savior.  It all worked out great!  After I finished my 20 minute Sharing Time, Sister Primali asked me to do about 20 minutes worth of singing.  So I did.  I guess that's what you call a minute woman.  After church the Fluckigers walked home with us and had lunch. 

One morning we went into the kitchen to begin breakfast and to our surprise something runs up the wall. 

Scary


 Elder Meyers and I both jump back to see, what in the heck is happening.  We discovered that we had ourselves a little pet chameleon.  We named him Scary because he sure scared us!
We held our first Seminary and Institute Class today.  So few students come that we hold the classes together and teach from the

Three young men in our first seminary


Seminary Program.  We had four students attend today.  Two seminary students and two institute age students.  We wished more were in attendance but we felt good about how it went. 
Life is interesting here. I miss not being able to jump in my car and go where I want to go.  Even if I had a car here I definitely wouldn't be driving it. I discovered okra at the vegetable market.  I was so excited about that! Many of you probably don't know what that is but the people of South Carolina will know what I am talking about.  The Sri Lankans call it Lady Fingers.  It was sure good fried up.  Elder Meyers even ate some. We also discovered where to get peanut butter.



We're finally in Sri Lanka!!!

We left the MTC on Monday, January 10th.  We went to Salt Lake Airport on a bus with several other Elders and Sisters. We all went our separate ways.  We landed in San Francisco and had to take the air train to our next terminal.  That was interesting trying to figure out where we needed to go.  Thank goodness we had a three hour lay over to figure things out.  We got out of San Francisco around 4:30 pm their time.  The next part of the flight was interesting.  There were about 500 people on this huge plane.

Plane to Dubai

We had around 11 infants aboard and 30 other children between the ages of 2 and 10.  The flight to Dubai was around 16 hours.  We were so glad to hear the announcement that the plane would be landing in Dubai shortly.  We got a little sleep during the night, but it seemed some infant was always crying.  When we got to Dubai, we had a 7 hour lay over there.  The terminal was beautiful.  

Dubai Terminal

It was so clean.  There was an attendant in each rest room.  The attendant was constantly cleaning up after people.  Our last plane took us to Colombo.  When we landed we had to go through immigration.  Then pick up our luggage which seemed to take forever!  As we walked out of the terminal we were ever so happy to see two white faces smiling back at us and they actually had name tags on from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  That was Elder and Sister Fluckiger.  They walked us to the curb and introduced us to President Anton and his wife, Sister Ann.  They had their two nieces with them, Cody and Milly.  It was great!  A van soon arrived at the curb and we quickly loaded in our suitcases.  We were so excited to go to our apartment so we could get some rest.  To our surprise we were going to go to a wedding reception. We stopped by Fluckigers apartment in Negombo and freshen up a bit.  We were so sleepy we weren't sure where we were.  After about a half and hour we headed to the reception.  The people here in Sri Lanka call it a Home Coming.

Bride and Groom

The couple had been married the day before at the chapel.  We waited for the bride and groom to arrive.  It was suppose to start at 11:30 but it was after noon before they arrived.  I guess time isn't too important to the people around here.  We did get to meet and visit with several members of the church.  They treated us like royalty.  Many of them were

Sri Lanka saris

dressed in their saris.  They were beautiful and very colorful.  The bride wasn't dressed in her wedding gown but she was dressed in a red sari.  I am told the bride always wears red at her Home Coming.  We finally arrived at our apartment around 5:30 pm.  President Anton had to go to work.  He is a doctor. Sister Ann got a trishaw and took us shopping.  She was very helpful.  We got just enough to get us by for a couple of days.  At last we are in our apartment alone.  We are exhausted!!! At 7:30 pm we collapse on our bed and fall asleep.  We wake up around 2 am and get up and unpack our suitcases and organize a few things and climb back in bed.  We woke up at 7 am and got going.  We felt a lot better after a little sleep.

The next day President Anton came over and answered many of our questions.  We still aren't sure exactly what we are doing but President Anton says he will go over things in detail with us next week.  President Anton is the District President. 

We also have a CES Director.  That is Patrick Cheuk.  He is in Hong Kong.  We skyped with him and he also said he would get back with us next week.

President Funk is our Mission President.  We haven't heard from him yet.  He is traveling this week so he will probably get in touch with us next week too.

Our apartment is great!  We have a large living room with a balcony off of it.  The balcony has two picnic tables and chairs.  We had breakfast out there yesterday.  We also have a dining room, small kitchen, laundry work, cleaning room, office, two bedrooms, the master bedroom has a balcony off it.  There are drying racks on this balcony.  We have a small washer but no dryer so we hang our clothes on drying racks on the balcony.  We have 2 and 1/2 bathes. The apartment building is a 7 story building.  We live on the first floor but there is a garage underneath us.  There is a gym upstairs a on the 7th floor and patio the length of the building.  We go up there most evenings and walk around.  No one is allowed up to our apartment unless the downstairs attendant calls and ask us if it is OK.

The country is nice and green.  It has lots of trees and shrubbery. The scariest thing is the driving.  They have a 3 lane road and you look up and they are making it a 5 lane road.  Motorcycles are dodging in and out.  Elder Meyers and I hold on for dear life.

We have ventured out a couple of times by ourselves.  This morning we walked a few blocks and discovered a fruit and vegetable open air market.  We were grateful to find that.  We purchased some fruits and vegetables.  Now we feel we might actually be able to survive.

We were without computer access for a few days.  We were so happy when we were able to Skype our family and hear their voices and see their faces.  We were informed that my Dad was near death.  The doctor expects him to go in the next few days.  He hasn't eaten or taken a drink since Monday.  My heart aches that I'm not there but I know I am where I need to be.  When he passes away three of our children, Jason, Mandy and Parker are planning on attending the funeral services in South Carolina.  I was suppose to do the Eulogy but our daughter, Mandy, has agreed to do that.  I wrote it and now she will deliver it.  Scott was suppose to dedicate the grave but our son, Jason will dedicate the grave. We are grateful that these children are able to attend the service and represent my side of the family. 

The Church is true!  Hurray for Israel!!

Last Week in MTC!

The first Sunday here at the MTC we were assigned a branch to attend.  There were four senior couples in our branch along with about 40 sisters and elders.  It was Fast Sunday so we had the opportunity to hear many testimonies.  After Sacrament Meeting we attended the Mission Conference where all three members of the MTC Presidency spoke. Then at 7 pm we attended a fireside with Gerald R. Williams and his wife, Claudia.  Brother Williams is a district president here at the MTC. They were wonderful speakers.  I especially enjoyed Sister Williams.  She talked of her mission in England.  Brother Williams was her Zone Leader.  They got together a year after their mission.  She told of some kids that she worked with on her mission.  A sister and brother were finally allowed to be baptized. About twelve years ago Brother and Sister Williams were called as Mission President to England and who should they replace but the brother that Sister Williams had taught years ago.  It was a touching story to hear what had happened over the years to this brother and how he had grown in the gospel.
On Monday we started our CES training.  It was a lot more relaxing than the "Preach My Gospel Training".  This training was done by adult leaders from the CES Program.  They would train us in a section of a lesson then we would divide up in small groups of three and practice.  This went on for a couple of days and finally we got through a whole lesson.  After all the practicing, several people were chosen to teach a lesson of their choice.  Thank goodness we weren't chosen!  Our CES training was over at 12:30 pm on Wednesday.  The testimony meeting that was held at the end of our training was so inspiring.  When that was over we were all ready to get started!
It amazes me to think that just ten days ago we met with these Elders and Sisters as strangers and now we are departing and saying goodbye to dear friends that ,we feel, will be our friends forever!
On Thursday we attended the temple.  It was a wonderful experience to be in the Lord's house and to feel of His Spirit.  I felt Asher there and know that he is happy and supporting us from the other side of the veil.  That gives me comfort and joy.

Jan & Mark

Friday was a quiet day.  We read, did indexing, went to the gym and exercised.  Mark and Jan, Elder Meyers' older brother and his wife, came and took us out to dinner at the Macaroni Grill.  We enjoyed the dinner but the special part was getting to visit with them and feel of their support for us.


Brad & Rae

 Saturday has been a fun filled day.  We exercised, did our laundry and had a fun lunch with Brad and Rae, Elder Meyers' younger brother and his wife.  They took us to lunch a Los Hermanos.  We had fun talking about family and our mission. We felt of their love and support.
Family is such an important part of life.  We want to say thank you to Mark and Jan and Brad and Rae for their visits and love and support.  You made us feel special.  We love and appreciate that!!
Tomorrow will be our last day here at the MTC. We will be leaving on Monday at 8 am.  Our plane leaves the Salt Lake Airport at 11:10 am.  We will fly to San Francisco.  Then change planes and go to Dubai.  We will have a lay over in Dubai of about seven hours.  We will arrive in Columbo, Sri Lanka on Wednesday around 8:45 am. That will be about 8 pm Tuesday night for you here in the U.S.  We're not looking forward to the flight but we are ready to begin our service to the people of Sri Lanka and to the Lord.
HURRAY FOR ISRAEL!

First Week in the Mission Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah.



Elder & Sister Meyers

 Elder Meyers and I flew from Boise to Salt Lake on Monday, December 27, 2010. Every thing went smooth.  We were so happy that our luggage was within the weight limit. When we arrived at the Salt Lake Airport we collected our luggage and found the shuttle that would take us to Provo for our training.  Bishop West called as we were approaching Orem.  It was nice to have our Bishop care enough to call and wish us well.  As soon as the shuttle stopped at the front doors of the MTC, a sister gave us directions, keys to our room and then several young elders came and assisted us with our luggage. They helped us to our room.  We had about an hour to unpack and rest for a few moments.  Then we went to an orientation There they had stations that you rotated to.  The stations were: instructions, meet with Elder and Sister Buchanan who were our senior missionary religious leaders in other words if you need help see them or at least know that phone number, visit with the nurse to make sure that all your shots and other things pertaining to your medical conditions were in order, the last station was personal information and what we needed to purchase from the bookstore for our training.

Our District

After lunch we started into the real life as Senior Missionaries!!! We met as a group and were organized into district. Elder Buchanan explained that this brethren that would be our district leaders were chosen by the computer.  Elder Meyers was chosen to be in charge of a district. Our district included ourselves, Elder and Sister Baker who are going to the Philippines, Sister Fellars who will be serving with the CES Program at Church Headquarters in their library, and Sister Oyhenart who has been called to serve in Bolivia with the PEF Program.  We did lots of training, talking and stressing with this group of individuals.  They are all wonderful people but Sister Oyhenart could drive a sane person crazy if you would let her.


Trainers

 We spend four days four days training out of the Preach My Gospel.  We were given instructions and then allowed to teach using role play.  This uncomfortable and stressful but I know that it will also be very useful.  It was interesting when we would relax and let the Spirit guide us.  Things went much smoother but it was hard to have enough faith to always do that. Our trainers were young and so so inspiring. Several seniors that had served missions were brought in during the week to share, encourage and inspire.  They were terrific to listen to.
One of the special things this week was the missionary devotional that was held on Tuesday evening.  Brother Lowell Snow (a member of the 70) and his wife, Tamara both spoke.  She bore her testimony and Brother Snow talked about coming unto Christ.  It wasn't what they said so much it was The Spirit that was felt.  Even before the meeting when we were waiting and singing with all the missionaries I became very emotional.  Singing "Called to Serve" with two thousand three hundred missionaries is awesome.


Senior Missionaries in our group

 On Friday several of our senior group left to report to their mission.  We will be staying another week for Church Education System training (CES).
The Gospel is true and life is good.  We encourage anyone that is thinking of a mission to get their paperwork started you will be blessed!

Till We Meet Again

On Sunday December 26, 2010 Elder and Sister Meyers were set apart as full time missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Nine of their twelve grandchildren were there.  We will miss them, but look forward to sharing their adventures through this blog. 
HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!   (Posted by Angie)

Mission call to India Bangalore Mission

On Oct 14th we received our mission call to India Bangalore Mission to serve in the country of Sri Lanka as CES specialists.  We were to enter the MTC in Provo on November 29th, but when the family was faced with our tragedy we requested a delay until December 27th.  We will be in Provo for two weeks of training and then on January 10th we will fly to Colombo, Sri Lanka.  We will serve for 18 months.  We will supervise Seminary and Institute Teachers, teach classes, run the distribution center, teach missionary lessons, teach regular Church programs, train the auxiliaries and priesthood programs and speak in church.  It will be exciting, different and challenging, but the Lord has called us and he will guide us. We will try to email, and keep up this blog. Feel free to comment and email us directly at scott.meyers@myldsmail.net.