Some Things Pass, Some Just Started

 This week was the last of Elder and Sister Packer's service here. They gave the spiritual portion of the devotional on Tuesday, conducted the Zoom devotional of the NE area where missionaries, volunteers, and professionals from all over the NE area join in. Sunday night they gave their farewell testimonies to the missionaries. They have poured their hearts into this mission, including extending for 5 months, and they will be sorely missed by everyone.

One of many outings with the Packers. They have
become mentors and great friends.

We worked with several employment candidates, all with stories that tug at the heartstrings; some more than others. They vary from lack of confidence to not really sure why they should be tied down to a job, to practically homeless. Almost all in desperate situations. We do what we can to give them the tools to succeed at finding an appropriate situation. A woman from Sri Lanka came in as we were leaving the Union Square Employment Center on Thursday and stayed for another 1.5 hours. She is a returned missionary, but her lawyer filed improperly when her H-1B1 visa expired. She is looking for work with no work permit and has a heart condition, as well. When we finished talking she asked if I would give her a blessing. I was happy I could.

We met with our manager, Chris George, in person this week instead of by Zoom. He lives about 3 hours away, in Connecticut, but had to be in the City on Thursday, so he met us at the Union Square Center. We had just a few people to meet with that day, so it worked out well. After our meeting and just before he had to leave, he mentioned that he, and others from Public Affairs, had been meeting with the consulate officials of El Salvador who are interested in using English Connect to teach their people English. As part of the conversation, he was asked if Elder and Sister Anderson would be willing to teach the class! It sounded like a fun opportunity to me, Olivia was less ready, but by the time we had talked it through, we were both willing to accept the challenge. There is still a lot to work out before it can happen. There are two consulates; one in Manhattan, the other in Long Island. 

Chris George is our manager and a good friend.

A street view of the Consulate

 

Saturday we were invited, along with other senior couples to an interfaith event in the Lincoln Center building (part of the temple building). It was a meal and demonstration of the practices and skills of the Buddhist faith, shared by members of the Hua-Yan Buddhist Association. It was very interesting hearing, watching and talking to some of the guests. 

The representative of the Association,
in red gave an introduction and then
read a Chinese welcome interpreted by
the woman next to him. Much of the
presentation was their pride to be in the
USA, enjoying its freedoms.

Some traditional Chinese dishes for
lunch. Jon Ammons is the local Public
Affairs Director and his very curious
daughter, in front.

A former Buddhist monk in China, he is skilled at
a type of cursive. This piece is called the Heart Sutra.
One of the women we talked to told us that his
work, such as this, is sold for $2,000+. This was
gifted to the Church, but will be mounted and 
framed first.

The woman in blue in prior pictures told
us the ancient writing such as cursive,
and the figures above are only understood
by a relative few people, making them
more valuable. This is her work.

The presentation to the Church

 

Elder Hill (L), former Idaho Senate President,
now, with his wife, are the Public Affairs missionaries to the United Nations and
New York City. Elder and Sister Hunsaker are
assigned to two wards in Queens.

This very formal prayer was to open the meeting and bless the occasion (and the food, I suppose).

A lot has been happening in the NYNY YSA Stake. I reported a post or two ago that a high councilor who had heard our sacrament meeting talks was anxious to see things moved along. He met with the stake presidency and was told that a new high councilor was being called specifically (I assume, in part) for Self Reliance. We met this new high councilor on Saturday for about 1.5 hours and he attended our Facilitator Training class on Zoom Sunday evening. Also attending was a facilitator from the Queens YSA Ward who will be starting an Emotional Resilience course soon. We know of at least 3 more who want to be facilitators in the stake. 

Trent Dahlin is a talented thespian who is working
in television. He is skilled at creating and editing
videos, so we will involve him with the videos
we are trying to finish up. 

We went to the Bronx for church services on Sunday. It is a fascinating ward. They are in the Olmsted area with an older building that was recently updated a little. The ward has people from Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, various Hispanic countries, and born and bred Bronxites (I looked it up, that's what they are called).

A nice, big building, but no parking.

Just a sample of who attends church, here.

She told Olivia, "My name is Gift, like a gift from
Heaven!" She is from Nigeria. Olivia enjoyed meeting
everyone in Relief Society.

Speaking is a man from the islands. 
Seated and looking this way is a man
with a distinct Caribbean accent. Both
welcomed us warmly. If the one in front
turned his head you would see a dreadlock
ponytail to his shoulder blades.

Seated up front is the EQ president from
Costa Rica. Standing is his counselor,
a New Yorker who has been a member
for 9 months ("But in my heart for a year.")
He had everyone stand and tell how long 
they had been members of the Church. 
Most for less than a year. None were children
of record baptisms, except the missionaries.

Well, the young missionaries have done it again. I didn't get a screenshot this time, but the month's goal for baptisms was 161, by the end of the day Sunday they had achieved 178. By Friday, they will likely hit 180. Their member present lessons goal was exceeded, but they were off by less than one for the average weekly new members in church. We are blessed to be in a position to see this kind of progress and dedication.

So much for this busy, interesting and exhausting week. We have been reminded in so many ways of how the Lord is involved in the Lord's work on both a grand scale and on a personal scale. We are happy to be involved and pray that we will make a difference for someone.