Dear Elder and Sister
Christensen,
We
think of you almost daily. I have told the Elders here of your faithful
service and the blessings that came because of it. Yes, we're still here
on Bornholm, and I'm still the Branch president. We're preparing for the
branch Christmas party, branch Christmas Sacrament meeting, Light the World,
tithing settlement, teaching institute on Friday nights to our four YSA kids,
working with the young missionaries, plus many other things. So, even
though the branch is small, there seems to be plenty to do.
We
had a total mission conference in Fredericia on Wednesday, December 5. We
met Elder Jepsen for the first time, and it was great to get to know him.
He's a very fine, faithful servant of the Lord. I know he's been
taught and prepared by the best too! I have included a picture that
Sister Hess and I took with Elder Jepsen.
After the mission conference, Sister Hess and I drove to Esbjerg to spend
the night and then see the old city again. I served there from December
1970 to June 1972.
It
was foggy and cold. After we checked into our hotel on Wednesday night,
we went out walking around...and NOTHING looked familiar. There is a big
mall downtown now. They have blocked off one of the main streets and
created a long, very nice walking street. The main torv which was really
a hub of traffic in the old days is now blocked off to traffic and it connects
with the walking street. There is a big ice skating rink and a Christmas tree
on the torv now.
All
of the fishing boats are gone. The city doesn't smell like fish. I
thought, "what has happened to my beloved Esbjerg?!" We
strolled over to the train station, which was familiar to me. Just as we
were walking onto the platform, the four Esbjerg missionaries were just getting
off the train. It was super exciting to meet and greet Elders Jepsen and
Bailey and Sisters Thorpe and Routh. We talked for 20 minutes and then
had to let them go because it was late.
The
next morning, the fog was very thick and we couldn't see anything, so we
decided to buy two big vienerbrød stangs and give them to the missionaries. By
the time we called them, it was already 10:00 a.m. and they were all obediently
out of their rooms and working.
We
met Elders Jepsen and Bailey on the street where they were street contacting
and gave them their vienerbrød. I included a picture of the Elders and
Sister Hess and I. Then we found the Sisters at the city library where
they conduct many of their teaching appointments.
I
know you can feel what I'm saying, but it is such a joy and a thrill to be with
these wonderful, faithful servants of the Lord, who are out in cold, foggy
conditions valiantly proclaiming the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. And
they are doing it at Christmas time, thousands of miles away from their loved
ones. The Lord really loves these valiant, worthy missionaries who
sacrifice to serve Him!
We
said goodbye to the missionaries and we drove to 126 Rolfsgade to see the old
church building and the yellow brick house where we used to live. This is
really the first thing that looked familiar to me! I've included
those pictures as well. The Church sold the old church building about 25
years ago and built a new building on the outskirts of town.
The
branch president when I was in Esbjerg was Knud Homboe. He is very old,
but still alive. A faithful family in the Esbjerg branch was the Pedersen
family. They had two daughters, Susie was the oldest, and two sons.
One of their sons, Jan Pedersen was 12 years old when I was there,
and he was just released as the Esbjerg Bishop, and his best friend in the
branch (I can't remember his name now) was just sustained as the new Bishop.
These folks have remained true and faithful, they have served missions,
married in the temple and raised a righteous posterity.
Richard Andersen was a faithful, young returned missionary when I was in
Esbjerg. Years ago, he served as a Stake President and now lives north of
Copenhagen.
Bruce, I've got to tell you, that I went to the Copenhagen Temple...the
old Priorvej building, and it was packed with faithful Danish temple patrons.
I participated in some sealings, and when I heard the sacred words of the
sealing covenants pronounced in Danish by a Danish Sealer, I could not hold
back the tears. The church has not grown so much in size, but the members
are strong and committed. There are Danish Mission Presidents, Stake
Presidents, Bishops, Temple presidents, Patriarchs, Sealers, and many
missionaries who are serving from Denmark. The Church is strong and
mature in Denmark.
Thank you for your example and your continued valiant service. As I
have told you before, my wife has heard and been inspired by my "ABC"
story for our entire 44 years of marriage.
Sister Hess and pray that the Lord will bless and be with you and your
family now at this special time of year and always.
med kærlig hilsen, and
all of our love,
Ældste and Søster Tim
and Suzanne Hess
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