Little Red Visits Ayah and Ibu

There is a gorgeous sky and glorious clouds... It is a tropical day in Borneo... Little Red (riding hood), having survived her last adventure with the wolf...and having grown up considerably... decides to try a walk into the jungle.....

Again, she packs a basket; but this time takes a companion, and they start the journey on foot.

Grandmother is far away but Little Red and her companion are looking for Ayah and Ibu... They understand the wolf has been this way too... He is always seeking to get there before they do! "...your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he might devour." I Peter 5:7

The trail narrows. Outhouses, bath houses and "houses" are passed...the way no longer seems so dreamily tropical; but still no Ayah and Ibu.

Little Red and her companion remind themselves that it is not Grandma's lunch that they have in "the basket" but the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and they must keep going. They look up to see that the beautiful clouds are still in the sky, lest they should be tempted to turn back.

Deep in the recesses of the hot and steamy Kampong, they find them! Ayah and Ibu, waiting eagerly for the contents within the basket.

Today, Red's companion has brought knowledge of the Priesthood. Ayah has no concept of this gift. How do they explain "hold the priesthood"??? These are unfamiliar words to Ayah, he has never before heard of Priesthood.

Patiently, Elder McKellar, in very small steps and with simple words, tries to clear the mysteries in Ayah's mind and reveal this new knowledge.

It is a huge leap for Ayah, to cross so many unknowns, so many missing foundational stones; to move without any previous experience, any childhood training, any family example or knowledge from friends, and attempt, at age 60, to understand this power available to him.

Little Red and companion must go...But they will return, with more awesome and wonderful knowledge in the basket, revealed truth, that baptism has been made available to Ayah and Ibu.

Week after week Ayah and Ibu will wait for us, with faith, that we can bring them understanding. "I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people." Heb: 8:10

How vast the cavity is to be filled! Yet they are willing. And we are willing... That is what is required.

"...Be patient therefore...behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth and hath long patience for it. " James 5:7

Light-Filled Moment with Vanessa

"When you are with Others Ask: Who AM I With Really?" Sister Nelson

VANESSA: She is the little girl pictured with Dad in the news. We went to see her today. THese children WILL break my heart! At times she is terribly swollen and covered with big ugly patches of dry crackled skin. The skin is so dry and hard that it hurts her, and her father has to carry her everywhere, but Vanessa is a beautiful child. She looks sooo different when she is not swollen, and in pain. Today she is running and laughing. I couldn't take my eyes off her. Her hair was shiny and black...no big flakes peeling off... She took my hand and we sat together on the floor. Then she was on my lap. Oh!!! What shall I do. I love these little ones! I just held her close and hugged her!

She has two sisters. One lay asleep, four years old, on the floor with no clothes on. Another little sister and baby brother nearby. I had brought a sack of sweet mandarins. I peeled it one and handed them a slice. They loved them. Even the baby sucked on it with delight!

They have NOTHING. They live in a little lean to shack at the back of a construction site. We sat on the floor of the one little room ... with four children. They didn't say, "Oh don't look at my house, its not clean... or I'm sorry I don't have a chair, or I'm so embarrassed to have you see how I live..." They are so happy!

The Mother and Father love the children dearly. They smiled and said, "Come in Come in! You are always welcome. Come in!" I thought of them as we sat there. I thought: We are not really teaching them. We are only their servants. Who are they really? They are only poor in worldly goods. We don't know who they REALLY ARE. They may stand among the most noble and great hereafter "Unmarked" and "Unjudged" by their worldly condition. They may seemingly "be in the dark" but they are a light to us!

I noted to myself: Serve Humbly. Serve with great respect to those you serve. You don't know who they are, Really. Worldly possessions mean nothing. How foolish we can become about our false status.

Jirau, Yvonne and family. "Who are they really?"

The Setting: This is their home. The "view" directly in front of the door that they were standing in. What a strong and worthy spirit one must have to smile and emanate light in this surrounding!

The Father. Does the father love his child? Jirau, his only boy, and Vanessa. Jirau's eyes hurt him terribly this day, but his love for his children was so obvious. He will work is for them, despite the pain. Does he teach us of OUR FATHER?

And Light? Where and how does one find "light"? This family shows it here, in the abyss of poverty and seemingly no hope. They demonstrate just that: hope and light.

Is it any wonder that the Lord searches in "the nethermost part of the vineyard" to find such choice children of his?

Who are they REALLY? HIs sons and His daughters! There is no greater status. Mosiah 5:7

John and Vanessa on the "veranda"... note the yard. Do our children have grass? What a luxury. Note: Jirau's leg...tattoos are traditional among the native Iban.