Merry Christmas from Elder Darrel and Sister Joanne Hammon

Merry Christmas from Elder Darrel and Sister Joanne Hammon

from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic—December 2011

Wow! What a year this has been for the Darrel and Joanne Hammon family. We decided to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In January, we completed our missionary paperwork and sent it off to Salt Lake City. Then, the wait began.

On March 24, 2011, we were driving home from some event and stopped at our mailbox, just down the road. Darrel cautiously opened the box because of the incessant Wyoming wind, which can whip anything out of your hand and fling it anywhere. He pulled out a large white envelope that read “Elder Darrel L. and Joanne B. Hammon.” We held our missionary call in our hands. We looked at each and said, “Shall we wait for the girls?” As tempting as it was to just rip open the envelope right there and then, we decided to go home, call them on Skype and the telephone, and open it up with them. Traditions! So we rushed home and called them.

Anna Rose was on Skype; Hailey was on the phone. We opened up our call and read: Elder and Sister Hammon, you are hereby called as Welfare Specialists in the Caribbean Area Welfare Office.” There was silence for a moment and then tears of joy burst forth on both ends of the phone. Then, the real work began—decisions about our home, our belongings, and Mother Boltz, Joanne’s mother who had been living with us for five years.

We decided to sell everything we did not need, including our home in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It was amazing what we really did not need. Anna Rose and Emiline came and helped us prepare our home and get ready for our three garage sales. John, Joanne’s brother, and his wife Lawane decided to care for Mother Boltz while we served.

Then in July, just before we went into the Missionary Training Center (MTC), we loaded up a huge truck and headed to Provo, Utah, where we placed everything we now own in a 10’ x 20’ storage unit. We spent the next two weeks, visiting family and friends in Utah and Idaho. Dennis, Darrel’s brother and a professional photographer, took us on a “Jackson Hole” photo shoot, truly a highlight. Finally, it was time to pack the one suit—yes, just one suit—and lots of summer short-sleeve shirts and head to the MTC.

We reported to the MTC in Provo, Utah, on July 25^th. We celebrated our 32^nd wedding anniversary while there. It was actually quite romantic in the dorm-like room with a hint of that men’s locker room smell where they put missionary couples. Plus, the evening food at the MTC was especially generous, and we topped it off with a delicious dessert and a glass of milk.

Hermana Joanne y Elder Darrel Hammon

We arrived in Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic, on August 5, 2011, a tremendously hot and muggy night. Since then, we have been on the run, doing Priesthood trainings (“capacitaciones”), introducing the Addiction Recovery Program, helping oversee the Bishops’ storehouse (“el Almacén”), serving with President Glazier in the Centro de Capacitación Misional (CCM or MTC), working with a small branch, attending the Santo Domingo temple every week, teaching a Spanish class to the spouses of some of the senior missionaries, assisting the Humanitarian missionaries, and doing whatever else needs to be done.

We are totally enjoying the 86 degree weather and having incredible experiences each and every day. We are learning to love the people and the work that we do here. Yes, we also enjoy the beach, the fresh fruit, and vegetables. Just think of it: the biggest avocados you have ever seen for about 25 cents. And the mangos, pineapples, banana….Truly we are blessed.

 Christmas is almost upon us. Thus, in lieu of a Christmas card, we are sending you this newsletter directly from sunny, beautiful Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Elder Darrel y Hermana Hammon overlooking Santo Domingo

Merry Christmas! May God bless you all

with His love and spirit this Christmas season!

Elder Darrel and Hermana Joanne Hammon

You can write us at darrel.hammon@gmail.com and/or joanneh2010@gmail.com. You can also send a letter to Elder Darrel and Sister Joanne Hammon, 2250 NW 114^th Ave., Unit 1A, Miami, Florida  33172

“José Ramón Rotellini: Escultor Dominicano”

“José Ramón Rotellini: Escultor Dominicano”

Elder Darrel L. Hammon

José Ramón Rotellini and Bennie Lilly

The day dawned early for us. We went on a special tour today with Brother José Rotellini. Sometime ago, I learned he was a sculptor of some merit here in the Dominican Republic who is actually quite famous among the art crowd. He has worked at the University—Universidad Autónomo de Santo Domingo (USAD)—for some years and still does.

José Ramón Rotellini

José Ramón Rotellini, the son

Juan Pablo Duarte

In the art world, he is known as José Ramón Rotellini who began his artistic studies in the Dominican Republic and spent a couple of years in Spain honing his sculpturing craft and his ideas. He has won many awards for his sculptures that have been placed in numerous public and private places throughout the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Venezuela, Martinica, and Spain.

Brother and Sister Rotellini are the Thursday coordinators at the Bishops’ Storehouse and work in the Santo Domingo Temple on Friday evenings. They are truly amazing people. And we were able to find a little more about Brother Rotellini and his incredible talent that he has passed down to his son also named José Rotellini who help his father guide us on this tour I have titled: “José Ramón Rotellini: Escultor Dominicano”. The depth of each piece is intricate and detailed. We were pleased to view just a few of his pieces:

La Justicia

• Estatua de “la Justicia” en el Palacio de Justicia, just a few blocks from where we live
• Busto de Eugenio M. De Hostos, a bronze near the Iglesia Regina in the Zona Colonial
• Estatua de Patricio Juan Pablo Duarte, Bronce, Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD)
• Busto de Patricio Juan Pablo Duarte (He has done many of Juan Pablo Duarte who is considered one of the fathers of the Dominican Republic)
• Mural, “El Cangrejo,” located on the Malecón, one of the main travel arteries in Santo Domingo that winds its way along the ocean front
• Bustos de “los Trinitarios”—Juan Pablo Duarte, Fransciso del Rosario Sanchez, and Matías Ramón Mella, Pedro Alejandrino Piña, Vincente C. Duarte (brother to Juan Pablo Duarte), y Juan Isidro Pérez. These busts are located in the Museo de Duarte, which is the old home of where Juan Pablo Duarte was born.
• Estatua de “Musa de la Pintura” outside the Palacio de Bellas Artes

José Ramón Rotellini and "Musa de la Pintura"

We enjoyed our time immensely. Brother Rotellini and his son are incredible artists whose talents far exceed their contemporaries. We wish we had had time to have seen all of them, but I think it would take us years to do because José Ramón Rotellini has over 130 of them around the world. Some of the ones we saw today were a joint effort between the two of them. The Dominican Republic government commissioned many of the works of art, particularly the ones of former governmental leaders.

Baptism in San Pedro: Los Llanos y Consuelo

"Baptism in San Pedro: Los Llanos y Consuelo"
Elder Darrel L. Hammon

                 

       Two Saturdays ago, we had the opportunity to go to Consuelo and pick up one of the little families and take them to San Pedro for a baptism. The young son who was almost ten was going to be baptized. We arrived a little early to the capilla. As we were sitting there along came the branch president and his little son. He seemed surprised we were there. Either he had forgotten about the baptism or we were really early. I’ll take the latter. He hopped in, and we took him to his home where he changed. Then, we headed to the capilla to pick up the family.

                When we arrived, there was the Hermana with her four little children. We loaded them up in the back—the branch president, the mother, and her four little children. It was a tight squeeze for a Honda Civic. I suspect we would have been pulled over in the U.S. But we trundled forward and arrived at the Kennedy building, which is also the District building.

                Soon, Elders Anderson and Cowley came and then Elder and Sister Eickbush with Elder and Sister Yturralde. They drove all the way to Los Llanos to pick up the young man who was going to be baptized from their branch. He was about 39 and was ready. They had brought Presidente Vasquez and Brother Fernandez, the first counselor in the branch presidency. Before the baptism, we took several pictures of the candidates and their families with the missionaries and branch president. They love having their picture taken.

                Joanne and Sister Eickbush had brought three cakes between them. By the time we were finished so were the cakes. I cannot believe how much cake can be eaten by such a few people. I guess, though, there were probably twenty people when the final headcount was taken.

                What a great baptism it was. I was able to bear my testimony once again of the truthfulness of the gospel.We enjoy doing this.

"Los Llanos Baptism"

"Los Llanos Baptism"

Elder Darrel. Hammon

Probably nothing is more sweet than to witness a baptism while you are serving. Last Saturday was one of those days.

Elder Cowley, Hermano Romero, y Elder Anderson

We went with the Eickbushes to attend a baptism in their little branch Los Llanos. What an incredible experience! The ride out was forgettable. Actually, it was downright miserable. We took the Boca Chica exit and headed north on a fairly decent road. Before too long, however, the road turned into a gravel road with huge potholes. Brother Eickbush swerved here and there, and there and here.  He did a great job maneuvering around the potholes. He crossed two railroad tracks. If they had been Union Pacific’s, they would have fired the guys who were supposed to keep them up. A whole car could have been swallowed up. In fact, on one of them, Brother Eickbush rubbed the tail end of the car. If he had been going any faster, the bumper would have been removed.

The "font"

                When we arrived, we walked into the capilla or the building that they hold church in. There in the middle of the floor was a swimming pool—a real swimming pool, like the kind you might buy at Sam’s Club to put in your backyard. This one, though, was in the middle of the floor. But it was full of crystal clear water. I don’t know what it took to put it up, but they did it, and it was ready to go way before the baptism.

Los Fernandez

         Many people had come to the baptism. It was nice to meet and greet everyone. Los Fernandez were there with one of their grandchildren, an 10-year-old named Amber. What a delight she is! They are the ones who went through the temple a couple of weeks ago. Last Sunday, Hermano Fernandez was called and set apart as one of the counselors in the branch presidency. He was all smiles and gave us all hugs. He is such a sweet man.

One of the sisters who was at the baptisms for the dead a month ago had brought three of her sisters. None of them is a member. They enjoyed being there. Two of them had children who came with them. They were wonderful women who are dedicated to their families.

                It started almost on time. Presidente Vasquez is one of those excellent branch presidents who likes to move things along in their proper order. The speaker was Elder Anderson and then two members gave testimonies. They all did wonderful jobs. Then came time for the baptism.

Hermano Rafael Romero

Hermano Rafael Romero, age 60+, was going to be baptized. They had to literally pick him up and place him into the font because there weren’t any stairs for him to use. Elder Cowley, a new elder, performed the baptism. Unfortunately, a leg came up the first time. Then, a toe came up the second time. Before we attempted a third try, I talked to Hermano Romero and Elder Cowley. I told Elder Cowley to place his feet into front of Hermano Romero’s feet. I told Hermano Romero to kneel instead of trying to go straight backwards before being baptized. Well, it worked. The third time was the charm—as they say. Hermano was completely immersed.

Some members of Los Llanos Branch

                Presidente Vasquez asked me to say a few words before I prayed, which I did. After the prayer, I congratulated Hermano Romero. It was fun to see him baptized. It was wonderful to be in the branch and meet the people.

Joanne and Sister Eickbush had made some cakes, and they were ever so popular. Before too long, other kids from the neighborhood came running. I don’t know who ran out and told them, but they came, eager to participate in the cake letting. Joanne had found some pumpkin at Nacional and made a pumpkin cake. It was delicious.

                After the cake letting, it was time to empty the font. We began by dipping pails into the water and carrying them outside to dump them. Before too long, they had completely dismantled the pool, and the water gushed out onto the floor, and the sisters were there with brooms to sweep out the water. It was an incredible rush of water out both of the doors. I just stood and watched, bucket in hand, until all of the water had been swept out. I told Presidente Vasquez that if he had a baptism every week, he would have the cleanest chapel in the entire church.

Young people in Los Llanos Branch

                We said our goodbyes. They were sad to see us go. I really like Presidente Vasquez and Los Fernandez. They are good people, trying their hardest to make the branch grow and develop. The ride was a good one. The bumps were still there, but we were riding high from the incredible baptism we had just witnessed.

Tuesday Devotional with Elder Wilford W. Andersen

"Tuesday Devotional with Elder Wilford W. Andersen"

Elder Darrel L. Hammon

What a wonderful day today! It started off with our regular Tuesday devotional for the week. This was a special week, come to find out. Every second Tuesday, a member of the Area Presidency comes and speaks. Today, Elder Wilford Andersen came to speak to us. His Spanish is flawless. I was very, very impressed with his language skills. What was more impressive, however, was his ability to bring the spirit to the meeting. His topic was Cuba.

                The Area Presidency has been working with Cuban officials to have the Church become an official and recognized entity. It was been a lengthy struggle, but these men have seen miracles. Just a few months ago, the BYU Ambassadors were able to go to Cuba and deliver a wonderful program. The Cubanos loved it. One of the government officials was there and enjoyed it immensely. Elder Andersen said they have a solid friend in this person.

Elder Wilford W. Andersen

                A miracle occurred before all this happened. They had received visas to go to Cuba to begin the conversations, but they had to go to Miami to pick up the tickets because they didn’t deliver them electronically. To top it off, this was one or two days before they were supposed to go, and they were about to resign themselves to the fact they couldn’t go because of the time crunch and tried to find someone who could obtain the tickets. They called around about how they were going to get the tickets because that office was going to close in one hour. One of the people from the office, I think it was Rafael from the PR Department, said, “Let’s call Esteben de la Cruz. He knows lots of people.”

Rafael called Esteben and asked him where he was. As Rafael was listening, his face blanched. He turned to Elder Andersen and said, “He is in the Miami Airport.” So they made arrangements for him to go pick up the tickets. Elder Andersen said, “What are the chances of that happening? The Lord knew we needed those tickets, and he also knew we were not going to be able to get to the airport.”

                Just incredible! The Lord definitely has a hand in all things. And we look forward to hear more.

The Liceo Project

"The Liceo Project"

Elder Darrel L. Hammon

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is incredible! Its willingness to help with humanitarian projects continues to amaze me.

One of the stakes here in the Dominican Republic--the Las Americas Stake--is doing a 75th Anniversary Project. They have submitted a project to transform a neighborhood apartment building into a school for secondary students. The Stake President is Presidente de la Cruz, a wonderful man who is willing to help everyone in his stake, including members and non-members alike. Like me, he believes education is the key to success.

A couple of weeks ago, we went out to the project to see what it all entailed so we could write it up and then submit it to the Caribbean Area Presidency for review and possible approval to complete. We met Presidente de La Cruz at Los Frailles 2 chapel building. He drove because we didn't know where it was located. 

The apartment building to be converted

 We stopped to pick up his first counselor who really knew what was going on with the project. We clamored over and down roads that had huge rocks jutting out. I don’t think our little Honda Civic would have made it. We stopped in front of a building that looked almost completed. We were introduced to the director of the school and a handful of other people, some teachers and community members. We then went on a little tour of the place. It has nueve aulas (nine classrooms), which can ostensibly hold 35 students each. They will have 200 students in the entire school from the 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. session and another 200 students from the 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. session. When we went up there to one of aulas, I couldn’t believe the space could hold have that many student, but they assured me they had a capacity of 35 students.

The courtyard that will also serve as the P.E. spot

Inside one of the classrooms

What the Stake wants to do is convert this apartment building into a school for their children and for the community. It will cost about $12,000 to transform it from an apartment building to a school. Our K-12 educators would literally scream if they had to teach in this environment. Now, couple the environment with no computers, no air conditioning, no real playground, no real area for teacher offices or workrooms, no lunch room, no principal’s office, etc., etc., etc. Yet, the community is willing to make the sacrifices for this to become a liceo for their secondary students because there is no local school for them, and they now have to walk almost two miles to get to school. While school is mandatory here until they are 16-years-old, many do not go because of the challenge of getting to school. I complimented the directora por su coraje (courage) y vista (vision).

First Counselor in the Stake Presidency and the Liceo Director

The community, school supporters, Stake President, Elder and Sister Hammon

And to think Cheyenne built a new South High School for just under $70 million with all of the goodies one would ever need. And the people in this poor suburb of Santo Domingo are trying to convert an apartment building with $12,000 of humanitarian money to do it, and they are grateful and feel blessed that the Church wants to help. When I went to visit the second time, they had already begun with 140 students with no chairs, no chalkboards, no computers, no books.Many of the students brought their own chairs. After seeing what I saw, I have nothing but respect for what they are trying to accomplish.

I wrote up the project when I returned. The Area Presidency approved it on Wednesday with a couple of caveats. I returned on Friday with a couple of Church engineers to make sure the structure is stable enough, especially after taking out the entire wall between the living room and the bedroom, thus making a single room for students. It appears the Las Americas Stake has some service to provide, but they are more than willing to help the community of Las Brisas to get it done.

After thanking all of them for their work, we drove over to the first counselor’s home to meet his family. He has a wonderful little family—a beautiful, vivacious wife, four cute kids, the oldest one being 13. They live in a small home, behind another home. They were very happy to have us there. We stayed for only a moment. Then, we walked down the street, and Presidente de la Cruz greeted several people who were members of the church, some less-active but mostly active families.

We walked over to another house where a young woman was outside doing wash. Her mother came out with another daughter. Both daughters were teenagers. Soon, another little girl came walking up, probably five or six, and jumped into Presidente de la Cruz’s arms and gave him a big hug. He said, “We shouldn’t have favorite families, but this is my favorite family.” They were definitely humble people. After saying good bye, we  walked toward the car. Just as we arrived, he saw another family at the Colmado (little store on the corner). We stopped and greeted them. It was one of the hermanas (sisters) with her esposo (husband). She said she was a member but hadn’t been coming because she had been ill.  He had a nice visit with them. He told me that he had been the bishop here and had very fond memories of the place, and these people were in his ward. Now, they were in his stake. I could see that he was a man of God, loved by all of his people. His heart was full of love, and he wants to help all of them. He is a good man.

We said our good byes, climbed into his car, and he took us back to the capilla (the chapel) where he opened the door for us and for the missionaries who had come to teach English to a group of people. One of the sisters from California was going to teach the English class.

Front of the building with the big gate

I'll keep you posted about the Liceo. It is an exceptional project, one that will help hundreds of young people obtain an education that they might not have otherwise.

“The Consuelo Branch”

“The Consuelo Branch”

Elder Darrel L. Hammon

One of the grand opportunities senior missionaries have is to attend small branches in the Church. After talking to President Hernandez, the Santo Domingo East Mission President, and his counselor President Mauricio Munive, we will be going to the Consuelo Branch, a small branch out in the San Pedro District, which is located beyond Boca Chica and Juan Dolio, both resorts on the beach. Instead of heading toward the beach, you head away from the beach. It is about 1.5 hours from our home in Santo Domingo.

Opening to the Consuelo Branch meeting house

Last Sunday was our first visit. We rose early in order to get ready to go to our little Consuelo Branch. We met President Munive who also works at the Area Office in front of our apartment. He was a bit late; so I knew we were going to be late to the meetings. But we began our journey. We followed him down Bolivar to Gomez and then onto to the Autopista. And away we went. He was driving pretty fast, even though there was a bit of rain falling. He got up to 109m kph. I thought that was pretty fast, but we were already 20 minutes late.

We arrived at the branch meeting house around 9:15 p.m., and they hadn’t started priesthood meeting yet. We had probably around ten brethren there, including the missionaries, President Munive, and me. The Branch President is a young man named Gary Montero, who has been home from his mission for about eight years. There were several children there. One little girl by the name of Ana came up to me. She is nine and very cute. All the little girls have long hair, and it has been divided up into little twisted pony tails, bound extremely tight, with bobbles at the ends. To me, it would hurt my head if I had little pony tails wrapped everywhere on my head. They seemed happy though.

Front of the Consuelo Branch building

The Consuelo Branch building is right on one of the streets. During the meetings, motorcycles and other cars race by. Sometimes, I thought the motorcycles revved their motors just a bit more as they passed our doors. We had to leave the doors open just to have some sort of circulation throughout the building. Ceiling fans are the only things that circulate the warm air.

Priesthood and Relief Society came first, then Sunday School, and then Sacrament meeting. The branch president taught the priesthood lesson, and a single mother of four taught the Sunday School lesson. It was pretty good. She had a quick smile. I tried to respond a couple of times. Sacrament was very good. Two of the brethren spoke who had gone to the temple the day before. They both had excellent experiences. Then, President Munive, the concluding speaker, called on Joanne and me to bear our testimonies. I went first. Then, Joanne gave her sweet testimony. Tears welled up in both of our eyes. Someday, she will be able to stand on her own and give her testimony without notes. I know it is difficult for her now, but wait, she will be excellent before the mission is over.

After church, we visited some of the members and the missionaries. We did talk to a young woman by the name of Ana Maria who is about 14-years-old and who really wants to learn to play the piano. We told her about a program the church has for people just like her. We also told her that we would find out about it and let her know next week. It would be wonderful for her to learn how to play. It would enhance her life and her way of thinking and doing business.

Today was our second Sunday at the Consuelo Branch. We left early and drove along the beach until we merged on to the Autopista. The trip was extremely pleasant, not too much traffic this early in the morning and on Sunday. We arrived early and parked in front.

Ana Maria y Samuel

During Sunday School, President Montero approached me and asked that I take him to his house, which I did. Apparently, he left the Duty God and YW medallion at home for two young people named Samuel, age 17, and Ana Maria, age 14. It was heartwarming to see these two young people stand and go to the front. They were both wore incredibly huge smiles. Their parents accompanied them. When President Montero handed these two awards to these two young people, you would have thought he had given them each $10 million. Both bore their testimonies today and told how grateful they were to have earned these awards. To them, completing the assignments was easier because they wanted to do what the Lord wanted them to do. Their testimonies were impressive.

I talked to Samuel and Ana Maria’s mother after the meeting and told her what wonderful young people they are. She just beamed but shared some important counsel. She said parents need to be diligent and vigilant in helping the young people perform their tasks. “It is the parents,” she said, “who can help these young people grow and progress.” What a wonderful mother she is! She just glowed when we spoke to her about her children. You can see she loves them and wants to do what is right. We truly enjoyed visiting with her. On the way home, we noticed that their family stopped by a neighbor’s and was visiting. Ana Maria and her father waved at us as we drove by, Ana Maria still grinning and still holding her medallion close to her. What a pleasant sight!

We are enjoying our time at the Consuelo Branch. These humble people treat us like royalty each Sunday. They make sure they shake our hands and ask how we are doing. We already love them and know there are many who are not active whom we should visit. The Consuelo Branch is working diligently on working toward building a chapel. The Church has already purchased a wonderful piece of property for them. Our hope is they can reach their goal before we leave.