We Report in 8 Days!

Well, our bags are packed and we’re ready to go – the house is empty and we’re pacing the floor – it’s nearly time for us to begin our mission to Taipei!

But how did all this get started? And many people ask -  why are we going again, for the third time?

We’ve always wanted to serve a senior mission together, ever since we were first married. It was something in the back of our minds over the years. That plan shaped many of our earlier decisions – financial and debt issues, health and

Our wedding day -
a very long time ago!

lifestyle choices, retirement plans. Going on a senior mission takes much more preparation than sending your 18 or 19-year-old out the door for a mission experience!  There is a lot to think about and many things to prepare for.

But with all the different kinds of senior mission opportunities out there now, it is much easier of a choice and much easier decision than it used to be.

I’ve heard that wondering what to do with pets is a big issue for many!! But here are the top three questions we get asked by strangers and friends alike, about serving senior missions:

1.       Did you have to learn the language?

We served our first mission in the Hong Kong Area office as humanitarian specialists, in a Cantonese/Mandarin/English speaking country.

We served our second mission in Vietnam as MLS missionaries, in a Vietnamese/English speaking country.

We are now going to Taiwan Taipei as office specialists, in a Mandarin/English speaking country.

I think you see the pattern - English is spoken nearly everywhere!

Our MTC Senior missionary group studying how to
share the gospel - all in English!

Seniors are not required to learn the language. You simply would not become fluent and effective if you started from scratch and tried to learn the language of whatever country you are assigned.  If you know the language, great! If not, just stick with English as there are plenty of people who speak English and who will translate for you.

On a final note, there are tons opportunities in English speaking areas of the world – way more openings than they can possibly fill. You are needed everywhere!

2.       How much does it cost to serve?

Mission costs are very straight forward.  Kind of.  On the church’s senior mission opportunities website (Church Senior Mission Website) each mission need is listed, along with the cost for that mission. Some missions are relatively inexpensive (like a Handcart Trek specialist in Argentina for $1050 a month for two people) or can be on the higher side (like the Ivory Coast Abidjan CES Program Specialist mission which is currently $4300).  In the search engine, you just specify how much money you are able to spend each month, and the computer will find missions to match.

We found that we usually spend pretty close to what the website specifies, though sometimes we came in lower.  We tend to be frugal by nature.

As an example, our current mission expenses breakdown is this:

Housing - $1400 (which includes rent, utilities and furnishings)

Transportation - $100 (for public transportation or other in-mission travel)

Personal expenses - $850 (food, things and stuff)

Medical insurance through Missionary Medical – about $550 for the two of us (we’re not on Medicaid yet)

Total: $2900

Here’s the clincher – if you’ve been able to plan ahead and have no debts (your house is paid for and your cars are debt free) – then going on a mission can actually be cheaper than living at home!  We spend less on our missions and can actually find it a good way to save retirement money!

3.       What about your children and grandchildren?

We have 9 wonderful children, 7 amazing spouses, and 23 perfect grandchildren. And we bank on this promise given to missionaries: Elder Robert D. Hales said, “The Lord will send special blessings to your family as you serve. ‘I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that I will provide for their families’ (D&C 118:3). Couples are sometimes concerned that in their absence they will miss weddings, births, family reunions, and other family events. We have learned that the impact on families while grandparents are on missions is worth a thousand sermons. Families are greatly strengthened as they pray for their parents and grandparents and read letters sent home which share their testimonies and the contribution they are making in the mission field.” 

Our senior missionary MTC group in 2014 - seniors training to serve
all over the world and US. 

Some seniors think that they need to wait for the perfect time to serve a mission – where there will be no obstacles of finances, family needs or upcoming events, health, etc. If you wait for the perfect time, it will probably never come.  There are flexible missions with flexible hours, missions from home, part time missions, 6 month missions – so many to choose from!  We know from personal experience that if you just put your best foot forward and tell the Lord you want to go, He will do the rest.  Doors will open in ways you never imagined.  We’ve seen it happen over and over again, to many, many senior couples.

Many seniors want to do something exciting and are afraid of getting “stuck” in an office position, but the thing to remember is this – we go on missions not because they are fun vacations, but because we love the Lord and want to serve. We are there to do whatever the mission president or area president wants us to do.  We are there to help them. Period. We served an office mission in Hong Kong and it was truly one of the highlights of our lives. You’ll have to read our blog posts to find out why. And we’re doing another office this time round.  Stay tuned and we’ll keep you posted on how we make it, too, one of the highlights of our lives.

So why are we going again?  Because missions are awesome!  Because we love the Lord and want to serve Him as full time as possible for the rest of our lives. And because the MTC food is amazing!  Can’t wait to go there again!  Ha!

Studying at the MTC

Directing the Blur in our Lives

I learned a new word the other day. I’ve been experimenting with my camera, and I’ve learned about the background blur in quality photos which gives a sharp, clear emphasis on the main subject of a photo. I just never knew it had a name.

Bokeh – (BOH-kay). It’s a Japanese word that means, appropriately, “blur”. It’s the attractive quality of the blur that is produced in the out-of-focus part of a photograph.

Our aspen tree after a snow fall

By focusing on the foreground image in the photo, the background images tend to soften, even seemingly disappear. Oh, they’re still there, but because we are so absorbed in the intensity of our point of focus, the bokeh effect blots out the unnecessary distractions in the background, often even making them beautiful and aesthetic.

It really got me thinking about focal points in life. Many times we try to focus all at once on everything going on in our busy lives– with lots of dizzying distractions derailing us from those things which are most eternally significant.  While in the photograph as well as in life, bokeh can have its rightful place as it becomes our best course of action to focus on Jesus Christ and let the bokeh effect blot out or soften the myriad of distractions around us.  

President Russell M. Nelson invited us to always keep our focus on the Savior. He said, “Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee.” He added, “Faith in Jesus Christ propels us to do things we otherwise would not do.” Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives, Ensign ,May 2017.

I like that – “riveted on the Savior…”

For some, going on a senior mission can be a fearful thing.  Fears, doubts, distractions, and just plain “life” get in the way and take center stage.  I like President Nelson’s promise, “When we focus on the Savior, our doubts and fears flee.”

With permission I share an email from a family member written recently to my husband.

“I have been wanting to say thank you for a while.  I hope you know you were a huge influence in getting (my wife) and (I) on a mission and it has been an amazing and transforming experience!

When you came to visit us after you got back from Viet Nam, we were thinking about going, but stuck in all the reasons why it would be hard to do.  You told us, ‘You just make the commitment to go and the Lord works things out.’

That was what I needed to hear and that is exactly what happened.  None of the problems in our family have gone away, but a door opened whenever we really needed one.

Thank you!!

We are happier now than we can ever remember and feel like we are where the Lord needs us!

We will think of you tonight when we are teaching English to a room of Chinese immigrants in Flushing!”

However we serve, and in whatever capacity, we have the promise that focusing on Christ will cause our doubts and fears to flee.  What great power we can have in our lives through Jesus Christ!

Bokeh.  I like the sound of it! 

(We have nine weeks left before our mission to Taiwan!)

Sludging Through the Mekong Delta

The human powered canoe quietly made its way through the muddy canal which cut through the middle of Tan Phong Island.  As a short cut to the other side, the canal sees more than just tourists wearing cone shaped hats. Slender canoes wound their way around us loaded with bananas, rice or other wares.

Our daughter Kristi flew in from BYU-Idaho to join us for Christmas break. It was a great reason to excuse ourselves from the busy mission work and see some sights together.

 

Our friends, Elder and Sister MacDonald, joined us for the excursion.  They are the LDS Charities humanitarian couple in Ho Chi Minh City and they do amazing charity work all throughout the southern part of the country.

Tan Phong Island sits between Tiền Giang and Vĩnh Long provinces (just in case you want to Google it!). The village of Cái Bè , and the island near it, are popular tourist sites. The island is also a paradise for growing jack fruit, papaya, mangostein, bananas, dragon fruit, guava, milk apples and a host of other fruits.  Tropical flowers surrounded us on every turn.

Courtesy of flickr.com Adrian Salgado

There we were, sitting on the banks of the Mekong River, snacking on dragon fruit and watermelon, listening to traditional music by musicians in local costumes, basking under the thatched roof and surrounded by tropical lush foliage. It was a world away from the world.   

And a world where tourists can dress in typical local farmer clothes and participate in traditional fishing practices. Kristi and I were excited to go. Our wonderful tour guide accompanied us.

Little did we know what awaited us! Rather than iconic river fishing with nets, we sludged through heavy thick mud, looking for elusive snakefish, while our tour guide and the attendant lowered the water level of the canal with a 68 year old bamboo basket.

Who would have known mucking through the canal mud could be so much fun! Gross, but fun!

"I caught one"!!!!!

It took awhile, but finally we caught three!  We had the option of grilling them or letting them go.  We let them go. After all that mud-mucking, they didn't look very appetizing...

You can see the cone shaped 68-year old bamboo basket they used to help lower the water level in the ditch so we could find the elusive fish!

Our trip continued down the Mekong River.  The shacks and shanties along the river, often held up only by deteriorating posts and thatched walls, depicted the despondent river life of poverty.

Even so, people smiled and waved to the tourists - bringers of much needed income, bringers of sustenance for another day.


Video of the Mekong River trip: HERE  and also HERE

 
  

The famous, iconic floating markets along the Mekong River are slowly diminishing.  Still, many set up their wares daily, selling more to locals than to tourists, coming in from the countryside to live on their boats for weeks at a time until their goods are gone.  Some live on their boats forever, making them their life-long habitation, using the life-giving river for both water and bath.





Some even have a generator to provide electricity for important things like lights and television!

Then it was off to a local village to see how the villagers make popped rice, rice paper, and coconut candy, with delicious samples of each.

Here a woman demonstrates traditional rice paper making.

A delicious seafood lunch topped off the day- elephant ear fish and river prawns. The river provides life and sustenance, income and community. 

And the boats are the center of their lives.

The river people paint large bright-colored eyes on their boats. The boats, which are central to their lives and livelihood, need the eyes to scare off evil spirits and keep the boat safe.

Eyes are an interesting thing - we talk about our eyes being single to God - meaning we focus on Him for our daily walk and our protection.  We focus on Him as the center of our lives.

"And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things." D&C 88:67

As we work to keep our own eyes single to the glory of God, we recognize the eyes of the Lord watching over the good people of Vietnam.  This is their time. This is their day.

All eyes are on you, Vietnam. Good things are coming! 

The Tân Sơn Nhất Branch of Ho Chi Minh City

Little feet straggled in, filling up seats in the front of the chapel. Teachers held fingers to their lips as the children settled in.  All 6 of them, then one more, then another.  Eventually 10 children were in their seats.

Fidgeting hands and swinging feet kept little minds busy as they waited.

Finally, it was time to begin. 

The song “I Will Follow God’s Plan for Me” opened up the Tân Sơn Nhất Branch 2016 Primary Program. Later, the first two verses of another hymn were sung by the little group, followed by the congregation standing to their feet and joining in for the last two verses.  Choked with emotion, I could no longer sing.  There I stood listening to the future church leaders of Vietnam sing praises to their Savior and of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In Vietnam!  The embodiment of all the dreams to build the future with eternal families stood before me singing lustrously, in Vietnam!

Primary Children of the Tân Sơn Nhất Branch

Primary programs and children singing usually elicit tears from my eyes, but here the emotion was different.  This was Vietnam! I can still hardly wrap my head around these images.  As I walked the streets in a war torn country decades ago, I could never have dreamed to be here listening to the songs of Zion by the 2^nd, and sometimes 3^rd generation of faithful Saints.  We are truly grateful for all the miraculous events that have brought this reality into existence, grateful for the current peace.

 

Later, the branch of Saints joined together for a pot luck dinner – hungry hands reached in to serve up platefuls of food - and before we knew it – the food was gone!

Enjoying fellowship, friendships, and good food following the potluck.

Elder Coffey and I have spent some time getting to know branch members and leaders to find out how we can be of service.  We met in branch council last week - the branch council concept here is alive and well!  They do an amazing job!

Our branch president (second from left) and his counselors (first counselor not shown) exemplify the outstanding leaders the Church has in Vietnam. They are men of faith, men of action, and men of God. It is such a privilege to work with them.

And work with them we do!  Among the assignments we have been asked to do, we are assisting and advising the Young Single Adult group and the Returned Missionaries group, working with the branch presidency on self reliance and welfare needs, providing leadership training for the branch presidency and branch councils, doing apartment inspections for the young missionaries, attending district meetings and English preparation meetings and providing in-service training to the young missionaries, teaching a monthly self reliance workshop for members and for the public, bringing food to the potluck (!!!), teaching a weekly English class, finding people to bring to church or English class, and fellow-shipping and sharing the Gospel message!  And much more. And we love it! There are many ways to be engaged in the service of the Master. Serving a full-time mission is just one of them. But what a blessing it is!

Young Single Adult (YSA) Activity Night

YSA Family Home Evening - Game Night!

Of Light and Heat

I am intrigued by the words of Jesus Christ when He said, "I am the Light of the world." (John 8:12). The symbolism in Light is awe-inspiring. My mind is filled with wonder as I ponder the words that describe Christ as, 

...the light of truth;  Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.

As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;  As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made; And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand. 

And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes...                                                                              Doctrine and Covenants 88: 6-12

The light from the sun brings both radiant light and burning heat. Both are essential to our progression toward Him.

Of Light and Heat

The sky, they say, is black at night,

When in truth it's filled with light,

Enough to see the path to keep –

Enough to trust while others sleep.

Lord, here’s my hand. I cannot see  

Unless I put my trust in Thee.

Flickr.com - courtesy of George Thomas

The graying of the dawn awakes

The greater view which road to take.

The shadows bow and take their seat

As cool gives way to fervent heat.

      Lord, here’s my heart.  I cannot see

      Unless I put my trust in Thee.

Flickr.com - courtesy of Rania Hatzi

Unfettered day with rays unfurled

Brings burning heat upon the world.

Faint, seeking Balm to soothe the brow –

The dross is cleansed in me somehow.

Lord, here’s my will. I cannot see

Unless I put my trust in Thee.

Flickr.com - courtesy of Luca Castellazzi

The sunset warm begins to glow,

Another time and place to show.

The path now clear with radiant light,

I take my place within His sight.

Lord, I am thine, for now I see

Both light and heat bring us to Thee.

Flickr.com - courtesy of Magic Foundry

Deborah L. Coffey

2016