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News Item: February Letter From Sis. Jensen
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| February Letter From Sis. Jensen | 05 Mar 2006 |
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Dear Friends, President Jensen and I just finished my favorite month, February. And Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday. (Just ask any of our children.) Valentines Day is probably not celebrated here in Indonesia quite as much as in the USA, but we definitely celebrated it in the mission. I had fun decorating and preparing a Valentines Luncheon for our wonderful Sisters who are serving in Jakarta. (We felt bad our sisters from the other areas couldn't come.) They were so appreciative and sweet. President Jensen was in Hong Kong for a Mission Presidents Seminar at the time, but surprised us and had long stem red roses delivered for each sister and a beautiful bouquet delivered to me right before they arrived for the lunch. (He sure got a lot of “points” for that one.) What we thought was going to be a quiet February ended up being one of our most stressful months. For some reason we have had more sickness in the mission with our missionaries than any other time we can remember. It might be due to all the rain we have had and also a flu virus that has been going around. (Don’t worry, not the bird flu, at least not yet) One of our Sister Missionaries contacted dengue fever and was hospitalized for 4 days. The president had assigned her to Solo, an hour flight from here. When she started getting sick and the doctor in Solo told her she should be hospitalized, President Jensen immediately flew her to Jakarta to be close to us. When she got here, our doctor put her right in the hospital. I definitely felt like a mother again and stayed by her side in the hospital everyday. When she got released, we brought her to the mission home and she stayed with us until the doctor said she was strong enough to return to her missionary work. We are grateful for the prayers that were offered in her behalf and for her quick recovery. President Jensen did a lot of traveling this month. He “loves” to stay with the missionaries when he visits the priesthood leadership in the districts. He says he can “kill two birds with one stone.” There is not a lot for me to do when he is there in meetings, so I usually stay here and take care of the missionaries and “hold down the fort”. I say he “loves” it because he is able to have some personal time with the Elders, but staying in their barracks with them at night really takes a toll on his almost 60 year old body, although he always comes home happy -- he is usually very tired. President Jensen was thrilled this month when he traveled to the Surakarta District. He was amazed with the progress they are making in building up the Church in that area. He challenged the new district presidency last year to prepare to be come the first stake in Indonesia. They had enough members but lacked tithing faithfulness, being self sufficient in fast offerings plus many other areas of leadership. As a result, tithing faithfulness by Melchizedek Priesthood brethren has increased 30% in the past year. This is truly amazing since there had been little change in numbers in the past 7 years. Fast offering contributions have also increased 180% in the past two years. In two of the branches in Solo there had been no baptisms in the past two years, however, in the first two months of this year they have produced 13 baptisms. It is a joy to see the enthusiasm of the saints as they work together in this effort to be the first Stake in Indonesia. Although we have many challenges and hazards to face in this country of Indonesia, we feel the protection and guidance of the Lord in our efforts. Missionaries can be wimps one moment and then strong as nails the next. It is exciting to work with them. There is never a dull moment in our lives. We rejoice when they rejoice and we are saddened when they become discouraged, rejected, or sick. They never cease to amaze us by their quick wit and unflinching courage. Even our foreign Sister missionaries from USA are incredibly strong. One of their apartments is having a lot of problems currently with rats. Not just your normal rat, but rats as big as cats. They are even too big to fit in a rat trap and stronger than the gagah (elephant) glue traps they set out. The president said that one sister wrote to him in her weekly letter, “That’s OK President, we are tough cookies.” They say they love taking baths with nothing more than a bucket and a tub of cold water. Some even prefer the squatter toilet over the western one. (At least that is what President Jensen claims....but I don’t believe a word of it.) They certainly don’t take after their mission mom...that is for sure! We want to thank all of your for your support and prayers for us and the wonderful missionaries and members here in Indonesia. HAPPY VALENTINE'S TO YOU ALL! We Love You, Sister Jean Jensen |
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| David Brewer | Send Email |
