I posted this photo last night, but don't think many have seen it, since the thread is now on page 7. We spent time with Kin and Mary Jo Suen, in Hawaii, where they served for several years in the circuit work. We stay at a beach house on the North Shore of Oahu, and they were serving the congregation there while we were there. We had dinner together and had some good talks during the week too. Someone posted that they are no longer in Hawaii, but are back in California. Mary Jo called Hawaii "Gehenna". They both hated it.
Here is the photo. (May 1991) I was a regular pioneer and they invited me to the pioneer meeting. I went for part of it, but I was on vacation, and just needed to go to the beach. I put in 20 hours during the two weeks we were there. I loved it, probably because it was a change from the norm. It was in Mormon country too.
I sure liked those folks. It was a treat whenever they visited our congregation. I seldom looked forward to a visit by the traveling overseers, but they were an exception.
I know what you mean, Tammy. They were so down to earth, and Kin would just let her ramble on, complaining and telling all kinds of confidential stuff. Of course my hubby was an elder, so maybe we were considered safe. Our eldest son and his wife were with us on that trip, and they sure got an earful too.
Mary Jo kept her maiden name from us, for two years. (mid 70's, when they served our circuit) Finally she told me it was Forkel. The name embarrassed her, and she was glad to trade it in for Suen.
During one Circuit Assembly, Kin interviewed our niece and her husband, who were newly married. He teased our niece because she had a sore neck. He told the entire audience it was from "necking". She almost fell off the stage she was so embarrassed. But loved it. He was a REAL person, and didn't put on airs.
Mary Jo was a good friend of my sister, Sisowuzzy. They traveled together once, and my sister really enjoyed getting to know her on a personal level. We heard Kin was involved in some of the stuff that went down around the time R. Franz left.
I'm sending your post to her. She has some fond memories of being "good buddies" with the Suens. Thanks,
Wasasister
Edited by - wasasister on 22 September 2002 12:21:21
Yes, they sure were nice people. There were many other COs and DOs that came and went and I was mostly glad to see them go, but the Suens were not among them. Real down-to-earth stand-out people and very funny. They were really nice to be around because you always had a smile on your face. I was sad to see them move on to other assignments.
