Missionary Report Oct. 30th- Part 2

Our dear Family and Friends,

Sorry we had to run away -- here is part 2 of what we started earlier. We were reporting on some of our experiences. As follows are a few more in random order. Some comical, some sad and some spiritual : -

We were speaking with some good friends who had recently been forced to close their thriving little greengrocery business. There are many small communities that historically thrive within large European cities. Where we reside, for example, not far from the city centre, there are numerous businesses that form a small town within a town and there may be 20 of these within a 2 mile radius. We had noticed that in each of these inner city communities they are many stores simply shuttered up for good. Our friends tell us that the paramilitary when the troubles ended simply turned to collecting protection monies illegally from each store owner. Our friends were forced to pay over 8000 thousand dollars per year, just to open their doors for business or face the consequences of being burned or bombed out. They and many others simply close shop and walk away.

We have also noticed a large difference in society over 40 years. While it is wonderful that the majority of the fighting has stopped -- that warfare has changed the people to some degree. Prior to 1970 the Irish were great church goers - it appeared that most went to a church of some sort ---- now a very large part of the population do not believe in God, let alone attend a church. Alcohol , tobacco and other drug use is widespread and we are finding as missionaries that many of the less actives are having great difficulty, especially with alcohol. It is so accessible with pubs everywhere -- one little village of 500 people, for example, boasts no fewer than 21 pubs. We, sadly, are working with some that say they love the church but cannot leave the bottle. It is such a terrible and terrifying disease. The governments answer appears to be, keep taxing the purchase cost. We are also seeing many young single mothers with very young infants and no husbands. As marriage has not been promoted by the government but large sums of money in terms of benefits are given to these young women, including free housing, day care, free food, baby needs, etc. This is another scourge in society and unfortunately too many of the less active young women in the church are in this category. Candidly, these are some of the challenges we have been working through, however there are also many stalwarts in the church here that are indeed the salt of the earth. One such sister is one of our branch missionaries. Maxine is over 80 years young and would think nothing of walking several miles to attend church. She is always the first to volunteer to help someone needy and knows everyone intimately, in the branch. She is a tremendous source of information to us and a fantastic example of all that is good.

We visited with a less active sister -- Lily and her sister Maddy ( the latter so rightly named as she is indeed a nutter, in Irish that means a little off the rocker ) Maddy will openly tell you that during the troubles she would go out and throw rocks at the police. They thought she was insane and picked her up, taking her to the local asylum. There she would have a " holiday " for a few days and would be sent home with a great and free benefit package that would last for another 6 months or until the next riot she could get involved in. Yes, a true story right from Maddy's lips. We could do nothing but laugh !!! -- only in Ireland. We have many of these tales to tell.

We went to find some lost sheep a few days ago - what a journey. The older couple had built a lovely home at the top of the mountain. What magnificent scenery as we drove on an extremely narrow road fit only for one very small car as it wound up the mountain side. The wife had serious challenges with health, both physical and emotional. In the course of our visit she had confided in us that she was suicidal and had attempted to take her life and would not fail next time. Her husband, a quiet man, but loved the church and his wife was trying to find some positive hope for his companion. We met for some time and were calling inwardly for divine help -- it came, as it almost always does. In the course of our communication she had mentioned one granddaughter that had been helpful to her. Although she had lost all hope for living, we went to work with this one thread and the scriptures that were unfolded before our eyes. We thank God each day for this great gift that has been given to all members of Christ's church, that of the Holy Ghost. We believe that she has grasped the concept that the entire sum of existence may be the magic of being needed by just one person. But in her case she has at least two -- her husband and her granddaughter. They want us to visit again and we intend to build on this and on the love of the Savior of the world and the miracle of the atonement.

May we finish with a funny story -- in visiting today with a family in Ballymena -- Doreen took us out for dinner. She has the greatest sense of humor with her Irish / Scots brogue -- Sister McBride had difficulty understanding it but I loved every minute of it. When she did not understand I would interpret. Doreen was using words that I have not heard for almost 50 years. She told this story of visiting America to see the missionary who taught her the Gospel. She was a dyed in the world loyalist and she insisted that her friends meet her at SLC airport, waving the Union Jacks. What she did not know is they had bought a bunch of TRICOLORS ( that is the flag of the Republic ) and the loyalists do NOT like that flag. Well they sewed them together and made a bedspead to cover her bed with them. So she ripped them off and the air was blue -- but they couldn't understand her in any case -- so as she says, " no harm done ' Then one time she fell out with her branch Pres. and asked him if he had ever seem the devil !!!! He said " absolutely not and was annoyed " Then she said " well I,m looking at him " Now how is that for some of the people we are working with --- it is never a dull moment, we can assure you.

We love the Saviour of the world. This is the church of Jesus Christ. God lives and we love his tender mercies. We love each of you and trust that you are all well and healthy. Keep the faith and continue to draw upon the powers of Heaven.

Elder and Sister McBride.

Scotland / Ireland Mission

Missionary Report Oct. 30th

Dear Family and friends,

It has been another beautiful day in the mission field in dear old Ireland. We have noticed with amusement regarding Elder Ockey's emails and the flooding in the Bahamas. I am pleased to say to all the couples " Come to the beautiful Emerald Isle " --- where it NEVER rains !!!!

I think since we have been here you could count on one hand the real rainy days -- however that is most unusual but we like to think the luck o' the Oirish is working for us !!!! We have reached the 6 month mark in the mission and with lots of experiences - some very interesting and some really quiet incredible, as we will explain later. We received our first transfer to the town of Antrim, still in the North - or as the loyalists like to say -- the prod side of the island !! Antrim is a very small branch and we have the charge of trying to build it up. The kids at the YSA centre held a farewell party for us and it was sad as we had developed a strong rapport with them and they with us. They gave us some gifts which made it all the more difficult, but hopefully we accomplished what we set out to do and that was to bless their lives. We also had the opportunity to reactivate several and that became a real blessing to us.

Elder McBride got his first ticket ------ ah, caught you --- it was not for speeding, although I must admit to driving , maybe a wee bit speedy on some of the fun narrow twisty roads. It was a parking ticket and I talked my way out of it anyhow by the reverse procedure that I use at home. Here, Elder McBride is a Canadian and that works very well, just like being an Irishman in Calgary, plus I am just a poor missionary !!

We celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving in Dublins fair city. We had 9 senior missionary couples there with 2 couples being Canadian ( Elder and Sister Hancock from Raymond and ourselves ) Also Elder Card is from Cardston. We had turkey with all the trimmings, pumpkin pie, etc -- the younger of us played basketball , etc --- it was a great day and we shared lots of Alberta stories with all our great American couples. They will have an opportunity to do likewise as we will get together again on US thanksgiving.

We spoke in Coleraine last week -- Elder McBrides old stomping grounds -- where he went to grammar school, seen movies such as the Beatles - HELP and " Its a mad mad mad world " --- and it still is. I told a story from the dedicatory service of the lovely little chapel when I was visiting there a number of years ago and some of the members remembered that. One sister came up to Sister McBride and told her she went to Primary school with me in Ballymoney. I asked her if I was the menace who pulled her hair !! That was indeed a trip down memory lane and we felt very much at home with the members there.

Yes, with the extended travelling and into little towns where nothing runs in blocks, nor Belfast for that matter, we finally spurlged on a SAT/NAV ( thats GPS ) and it is bailing us out of a lot of extra driving and with petrol at about 3 - 4 times what it is in Calgary -- that can be considerable. Now its fun to land at the very door with the input of merely a postal code. Only problem is that the girl has an English accent --- fortunately it can be changed to a lovely Dublin one !!!!

We have decided to stay in our flat ( apt. ) in Belfast -- our landlord likes us and will extend it do us on a monthly basis instead of long term. There may be some other changes that will require that type of flexibility and the commute is not too long. In addition we have been able to get another senior couple into the same complex as they will be in a nearby building and area. There are only 2 senior couples in the North, so that will be very good as we can help each other better this way.

We attended a Halloween party in Elder McBrides sisters ward. She makes a crazy witch in supertitious Ireland. It becomes a lot of fun when we can get a small break away from the work and we are very thankful for that. They are allowed fireworks here in Northern Ireland again after 40 years of a complete ban because of the civil strife. We still see traces of that period everywhere we go and there are still pockets of resistance with riots breaking out from time to time. We usually know where to go and where to stay out of, especially at nighttime.

We are experiencing some rich spiritual experiences with wonderful members in this little branch and also some " very different " ones. Let us tell you a few that you might find incredible -- but true.

The records of the branch are in pathetic shape ( that is our first item of business to get those cleared up ) Two priesthood brethren went home teaching to a home where no one had hometaught ( obviously ) for a very long time. They knocked at the door and asked for the sister by name. Now you need to understand that in Ireland they have these things called " wakes " -- that is when someone passes away the body is often kept in the parlour - front room - in the coffin and many people come to pay respects, a bit of a party and have a wee nip o' old Bushmills whisky.

Now ---- the sister had passed away and no one in the church knew it, so the 2 brethern were ushered into the parlour, offered a wee drink --- to their great surprise seen the sister --- however they could not share their message with her !!!!!! Only in Ireland !!

Sorry --- have another commitment to take care of ---- will finish this shortly,

Love you all and we love the Gospel,

Elder and Sister McBride.

Missionary Report Oct. 15th

Our dear friends and family,

It is the end of a lovely autumn day in the beautiful Emerald Isle. We managed to get a few minutes to go for a walk along the lovely Lagan -- for those who wish to view the scenery go to www.laganvalley.co.uk --- the leaves are just changing here now and a few are starting to fall. Because we came in early May we have now been able to witness 3 beautiful seasons. There are beds of soft leaves as we stroll through the leafy glen. Also stating to fall are the chestnuts and it is reminding Elder McBride of his boyhood days when the wee laddies played chessers or conkers. It was always a wee lads dream to become the conker champion -- anyone interested, I will tell you in the next email. Yes, can you believe it, we are out almost 6 months and we have received our first transfer. Usually senior couples get moved about every 6 months if they are on an 18 month mission -- a little longer if a 2 year mission -- most of the couples here are 18 months.

We will be in the small struggling branch of Antrim and we are sure we will have a host of things to do such as getting the records a little more accurate to begin with ---- we made a number of visits yesterday and among the first 5 visited -- a sister had passed away a number of months ago --- welcome to the mission field where many strange happenings occur !!! Antrim takes in a large area but struggles with a lot of inactivity and some internal conflicts -- yes, that's the Irish, they just love to fight -- it would definitly not be Ireland if everything was peaceful and calm !! We will also be taking in another area so things will be interesting and creative in trying to serve several different areas. We will keep you posted on our new exciting venture. The very interesting part of this is that it takes in the little town where Elder McBride was born and raised --- so directly back to the roots -- wonder if they will remember the snotty nosed, cheeky wean, frae the Rodding Foot, when hae wis running roon the toon !!!! Ah, it's the ancient ULLAN language -- an it's all comin beck tome -- dae ye ken !!!!

On our last PDAY we took my sister down to the old homeland -- we were on the graveyard shift -- that is we were seaching graveyards for our family history -- one of the perks of coming back to your homeland on a mission. Now this is typically the Isle of Erin -- it was a great day but suddenly a big black cloud comes out of nowhere and it just bucked right over us - nowhere else. Now, Ireland is the only place in the world where it rains sideways !! -- yes, we have a brolly over us and our head and upper is dry but the rain comes at us from the side and you're lower half gets soaked -- only in Ireland !! However, we hit the jackpot and got a lot of info and ---- the cloud just took off again leaving the day lovely again !!!

General Conf. was last week and because of time change between the US and Ireland --- most sessions are covered in one day -- Sunday. We watched 14 hours of conference in one day and it was great listening to the Prophets -- yes, the church is true all over the world. We finished at 11.00pm and went home very tired but happy.

Sister McBrides father passed away on Friday 24th Sept -- he had been in a coma for approx. 2 weeks prior. It was sad for her and challenging. She has been a great help to her older sister and it is wonderful helps the knowledge of the Gospel answers many questions and is such a strength at times such as this. We are so very thankful for you, our wonderful children in your phone calls and writing to your mother. It was a great source of comfort.

We had several visitors over the past few weeks and they were all great. We got to go to along the coast on several PDAYS. First was Knut and we laughed a lot -- it was good to see Saurkrout - as Edna says. Then it was Dan and Linda's turn and they got to visit not only the coast, but attend church with us and a feast at my sisters on Islandmagee -- also around the sights of Belfast city. Last was Shawn MacDonald and what a surprize -- we had just returned home after 9.30pm and a very long days work when our intercom rang -- " PIZZA delivery !!! " -- Sister McBride answered -- no we did not order pizza ( I said -- take it as we had not eaten all day !!! ) Then he said " PIZZA for missionaries " in an Eastern Indian accent !! --- we thought it was some of our crazy YSA kids so we let them into the building. Then he stood at our door with Jerrot and I opened the door -- what a shock !!!! He did not tell us he was coming. ---- well there is lots more -- I think they enjoyed there day here and the bridge -- and the Flash in the Pan chippie. They stayed overnight --- so the past month has been a lot of fun ---- anymore want to come !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I do need to go to bed soon as it is way past missionary hours and we have a busy schedule tomorrow ( or later today now ) Just a few more items. We were invited to a YSA party tonight to say goodbye -- to us. That was difficult as we have grown so close to many of them and they found it difficult also. We not only grew close to the active but also have been blessed with activating a number of those less active, who were there tonight. Our first priority was to bless the lives of the YSA and we believe we have done that. We did not want to leave them, but we are in the mission field however and our president is a very spiritual leader and needs us to work in another part of Lords vineyard. They bought us this lovely little Beleek China Irish cottage, which we will treasure as long as we live. We are invited back to challenge the ping pong and fooseball champions and also for them to enjoy Sister McBrides home baking, especially the sponge buns with icing and pastille topping.

We have had some wonderful missionary experience in our new area already and will explain in more detail in another email. It is indeed an exciting experience to constantly testify of the reality of the restoration and especially of the Saviour of the world. We are very blessed when we bear testimony as it is recorded in Heaven for the angels to look upon. Please remember that the angels rejoice over each of us as we declare what we know to be true. ( please refer to Doctrine and Covenants 62 v 3 ) We love the work we are involved in, it is true. We try hard to love these people and try to see them as God's children regardless of their challenges in life and their lack of following God's commandments. Jesus lives and this is his church -- that we know of a surety. We feel the great influence of the Holy Ghost in all ours dealings with Heavenly Fathers children and we are so very grateful to feel his presence nearby always.

We love you all and miss you. We pray always for you and thank you for your faithful prayers in our behalf.

Elder and Sister McBride.

Scotland / Ireland Mission.