Latest from Neal:
"OK so it finally hit me. Today is Sunday morning, I am in a guarded compound with bars on all doors and windows, it is raining, so we won't be going outside much. We have shared every story that we have with each other over a couple of weeks, and we have been sharing a room and sleeping on bunk beds which feels like summer camp with the scouts.

It is 6:30AM and my bunk mates are giving me a hard time about being ready for church, white shirt, tie and all. I told them it was an example that I learned from my Father. Besides, I have learned that the tie protects the white shirt from the BBQ beef MRE stains. Today we cook our own breakfast. Tonight one of the doctors wants to treat us to something special. (He does all the cooking at home)

I did dishes for the second time to keep myself busy and tried to get the guys to take a picture to prove to my wife. No chance they said.

It didn't take too much personal wining to realize that in an hour I will be sitting with the good Latter-Day-Saints of Haiti who are still living in tents, it is raining, there are no showers unless the rain counts, they have to get thier children fed and dressed, and they have been studying thier lessons for thier classes and quorums today. It is hard not to be preachy even to myself.

You can see the stress is taking its toll on the Priesthood Leaders. They had two accidents this week with the motor pool cars. One of the Presidents found a way to send his family to Long Island NY. So he can focus on his duties here. Overall, they are remarkable leaders who are following principles and teaching from the scriptures.

I love Sunday's. I love the break from normal duties. I am not a fan of early morning meetings (in case President Meservy reads this) but I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in any capacity. Today back home the Stake will hold Welfare Council. I'm sure that they will be discussing the same issues. Preparedness, employment, family services, ect... Welfare Principles are universal. I have seen how they work in Haiti and Utah.

Tonight we are going to the mount where President Monson dedicated Haiti for missionary work when he was an Apostle. I'm looking forward to that and I'll send a note about that later.
I still mean what I have been saying:
Haiti is close to Heaven"

I'm not quite sure what this is; it looks like some sort of vehicle but in the e-mail that it was attached to Neal said, "my replacement has arrived." Now I don't know if the truck is his replacement or the other guy in the picture but he said they were the first to get to take it for a ride - the truck I mean. :)

Marjorie who is one of the interpreters and one of the doctors who is also their "chef."

This is one of the doctors. He is an orthopedic surgeon and team doctor at USU and he is also an Iron Man runner. Neal told him he would pay him 800 Gould which is $20.00 if he would climb the tree and get a coconut for them to shred over their rice. Neal said it was worth the $20 to see. :)

The $20 coconut...


Robert Hokanson, employment center manager and Neal's roommate at the Croix Des Mission chapel. He was able to get 60 people employed over the weekend.

Robert Hokanson and some children of the Croix Des Mission.


More from the Croix Des Mission. They have mango and banana trees growing on the chapel grounds. Wouldn't that be nice? To have fruit trees right outside our churches. Talk about your between meeting snack!