Wanted to let everyone know about our frightening experience yesterday.
At lunch time we were turning around at a park close to our apartment. As we were pulling out, there was a high hedge and we were both looking left to see if we could pull out. We heard a big crash and thud. I screamed as I looked up to see a person on our windshield and a bike on our hood. A young Korean exchange student was riding down the sidewalk on a hill hurrying to class. Because of the hedge we never saw him and he never saw us. He must have been going pretty fast when he slammed into us. I thought he was dead. My heart was pounding. After he was flung onto the ground he got up. I got out of the car to see if we needed to call an ambulance. He said he was alright but I could tell he was in pain. He wouldn't let us call an ambulance or take to to the hospital. Our mint condition car got several dents and paint from his bike. A man in the park came over and told us we should call the police and file a report to get our car fixed.
It was obvious the young man would not be riding his bike because it was too damaged and he kept grabbing his legs. When the man told us he witnessed the whole thing and it wasn't our fault because in Hawaii it is against the law to ride a bike on the sidewalk and against traffic which he was doing both the Korean kid got tears in his eyes. He said he didn't want to get sent back to Korea because he is just an exchange student and if he caused any trouble he would be sent home. I told him if the police told us it would get him in trouble we wouldn't file the report. When the police got there the first thing he said is he would have to issue him a citation for not having his bike registered. Hyngjun (his name) didn't know his bike needed to be registered.
We could see the guy was upset (probably because of the pain, his ruined bike and it was apparent he was very afraid of being sent home). We told the police we weren't going to have him report anything and the kid was very happy and humble (bowing saying he was sorry).
A guy who works at the park told us he just picked up a bike off the street to fix for his daughter. When he brought the old bike out of the shop, it was the same brand as the Koreans bike. Neither one of them was rideable. Because he can't miss classes or be tardy without being sent home, Dad told him we would drive him to class and Dad would come back and fix the bike. It took Dad and the nice man at the park several hours to make one bike out of the two. They finished about an hour before he called us when he was finished with all his schooling for the day. The back brakes didn't even work so we aren't sure if he just didn't see us or couldn't stop. When we picked him up, he was very happy to have a bike even though it was pink and blue. Dad called his school today and explained why he had missed the one class.
While we were taking him to his school (about 3 miles from the accident) I asked him what religion he was. He said he didn't have any beliefs. His Mom is Buddist and his father doesn't believe in any kind of God. He has a wonderful spirit and we felt we should stay in touch. When I invited him to dinner next week, he said "no, I need to cook dinner for you". Dad reminded him today to get his bike registered and he is coming to dinner on Tues. Hopefully, he will want to learn about the Gospel and if not he is a nice person to be friends with. What a way to get a contact!!!
Another part of the story is the nice man at the park said OH! Elder and Sister!!! We found out he is inactive because he wife is anti but she works on Sunday so Dad invited him to come to church with us while she is working. We love apple bananas. The are smaller and sweeter than regular bananas. They are even more expensive than reg bananas but we found some Sat for $1 a pound and tried them. He (Patrick) has a tree in his yard and is bringing us some tomorrow. So we are hoping to get him back out to church and get Hyngjun to take the discussions. We have a Korean missionary (Elder Choi) in our ward. He is the one who baptized Andrajit, the young man from Sri Lanka who we took a picture with and sent to you already. So Elder Choi can speak to him in Korean and English if we get that far. Say a prayer.
I am still amazed at the strength of the people from so many different countries. We had Bro. Mills (second counselor to our Bishop from Emery County Utah) play the piano and our Gospel Doctrine teacher play the violin Sunday. No one wanted it to end. They played "A Poor Wayfaring Man". After church, I asked Sister Reeves how long she had been playing. About as long as Jessica. She makes a living playing with the Symphony here. Wish I could send you a recording of that.
Tomorrow is transfers at the tabernacle. We were invited to go to that. The other seniors said it is one of the most spiritual meetings we will ever attend while here. I am sure the young missionaries coming in are just as nervous as we were. We will let you know about that.
We love you all and miss you! Give our sweet grandchildren hugs and tell them they are from us.
Love Mom and Dad
