A Very WIM Christmas

From St. Lucia, Elder and Sister Bush write, “Our two Christmas dinners were very different, but both delightful. A traditional dinner in Grenada with ham, potatoes and pie on the Tuesday before Christmas, was with Elders Hunt, Hartshorn, Rice, Nielson and Sisters Fish and Stephenson. Our second dinner on the beautiful island of St. Lucia was with Elders Jones, Bastien, Palmer and Webb. Potato soup and wassail are not on any traditional Christmas menu, but everything was good.”

On Saturday in Georgetown, Guyana, the missionaries sang carols and distributed newborn kits to mothers and babies in the maternity ward of a local hospital, then gathered for turkey and ham with all the non-traditional trimmings. After dinner, the Georgetown Twelve played some "Minute to Win It" challenges. Skyped-calls home took awhile during which companions watched "Lost Land of the Jaguar," a BBC documentary about Guyana's interior.

On Saturday in Berbice, the missionaries visited an orphanage where they sang Christmas carols, played games and had the children participate in a Nativity play as Elder McLain read from the Bible. Sunday after Church, everyone sat down to Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, shared their favorite holiday traditions in their home, then watched “17 Miracles.” Phone calls home were a bit difficult since Skype was interrupted 3 times by black outs.

As always, Christmas in the West Indies Mission was filled with good service, good fun, good food, good companionships, phone calls to loved ones at home and a renewed dedication to reaching and teaching Heavenly Father’s children in the islands of the Caribbean and in three countries in South America.

Goodbye to the Clarkes!

Elder Douglas and Sister Jean Clarke have recently returned to their home and family in British Columbia, Canada after serving nearly two year in the West Indies. Thanks to this outstanding couple for their service to the Lord’s children in Linden, Guyana as well as in Trinidad and Tobago.

Goodbye, Elder and Sister Young

Just in time for Christmas, Elder Verrol and Sister Helen Young will say goodbye to their mission experience which they call “the best thing we have ever done aside from our baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

As they prepare for a future which will likely include “visiting our family in the UK, taking a cruise, then serving a six-month mission in the London Temple” they reflect on time spent together in the West Indies Mission.

The Young’s will miss meeting people and are grateful for the challenges they have overcome and which have given them strength. “We have done what we could to help others and have learned to accept that some can only be helped by the Lord. Elder Young’s service as a branch president – twice during their mission – was not easy and we felt we didn’t get enough training in the beginning, but it’s all part of mission work!”

“There was the joy of seeing a family of five baptized – a new experience for me because I had not ever seen so many people baptized at the same time,” states Sister Young. The couple will also never forget the youth conference in Canje which drew 125 participants. “We were overwhelmed by the turnout. They all had fun, made friends with one another and enjoyed learning more about the gospel.”

The Young’s are grateful, too, for the opportunity they had to be part of the Humanitarian Service project at the New Amsterdam Special Needs School. “The Church’s contribution was fantastic. The children and staff now have water in the toilets and in their kitchen. They have writing desks and air conditioning in the computer room to make learning more comfortable. These are experiences we will always keep in our hearts,” states Sister Young.

Surprisingly, the thing they will miss most about life in the mission field is “transfer. I just love transfer even when we had to leave home at 4:30 a.m. to drive to the airport. It was sad to say goodbye to those going home, but exciting to see the faces of new missionaries fresh from the MTC and anxious to begin their work of bringing souls to Christ.”

Thank you for your service, Elder and Sister Young. You will be blessed for your dedication and hard work and missed by us all!

Humanitarian Service is Goodwill for the Church

On Wednesday, December 14, dignitaries from Guyana’s Ministry of Health and representatives from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered for the official “handing over” of a semi-truck sized container filled with 235 wheelchairs, walkers, canes and crutches. Elder Lynn and Sister Sharon Angus’ efforts to help the disabled in this South American country is just one of many projects designed to spread goodwill and friendship for the Church and its members throughout the West Indies Mission.

Over the past several months, the Anguses have been involved in the donation of an X-ray machine and autoclave to a hospital in St. Lucia. In Barbados, members from two Church branches worked shoulder-to-shoulder to create 600 hygiene kits – some will be distributed by the branches and some by the Ministry of Health – for use in times of emergency. Humanitarian Service funds were also used to refurbish a neighborhood special needs school in St. Vincent. The school’s kitchen, to be used for life skills training, saw the addition of cupboards and appliances and through HS funding, the school now also has a playground and grass. In a Georgetown, Guyana neighborhood, a community center received a gas stove, 2 large folding tables, 50 chairs, kitchen wares, cots and mattresses, books and bookshelves.

In the new year, the Humanitarian Service missionaries will focus much of their time on helping to teach and train recipients of chicken coops and chicks and will help families create backyard gardens to build self-reliance among members and friends of the Church in Guyana. They will also finalize plans for delivery of computers to four local prisons to enable prisoners to develop marketable skills.

Throughout the Caribbean, government officials and agency recipients of the Church’s generosity are united in their praise: “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a valued senior partner and one of our most efficient and responsive donors.”

WIM Welcomes Holiday Arrivals

In another split transfer, the West Indies Mission is pleased to welcome five incoming missionaries fresh from the MTC and excited for the opportunity to serve the Lord and His children in this part of His vineyard. Elder Robert John Palmer (Providence, Utah)and Sister Sarah Walch (Tigard, Oregon) arrived two days after Thanksgiving . . . while French-speaking Elders Tyler Kenneth Ward (No. Ogden, Utah), Justin Michael Cox (Erda, Utah) and Arnold Sosa-Murillo (St. Hubert, Quebec, Canada) arrive in mid-December - just ten days before Christmas.

These five incoming missionaries are certain to bless their respective areas of service with gifts of dedication to the church, devotion to their Heavenly Father and a deep love for His children.

Goodbye, Elder and Sister Childs

“No doubt about it, the best thing about our mission was meeting and working with the members of the Church,” say Elder Ralph and Sister Paulette Childs, returning to their home and family in early December. Their assignment as Assistant Area Auditor and Trainers required them to travel the mission where they met and worked with stake, district and branch presidents, senior couples and young elders and sisters.

High on Sister Childs’ list of best things was her opportunity to meet all the missionaries as they came in and out of the Mission Office. She enjoyed the opportunity to prepare their First and Last Wills and Testaments. Preparing these two documents enabled her to get to know them better and appreciate the growth they experienced on their missions.

The Childs’ also enjoyed the chance to watch over the Gamiette children when President and Sister Gamiette were out of town. As surrogate grandparents, they enjoyed trips with the Gamiette's five children to the zoo, 85-ft. monkey, Pizza Hut and Wendy’s. What a great family!

From a selfish family perspective, the Childs were grateful to be able to witness the baptism of their grandson, Carson and his two cousins on October 14 in St. Lucia. “It was a blessing for both sets of grandparents to witness this special event in this beautiful setting by fathers worthy to perform the ordinances."

The Childs’ spent their entire 18 months in Valsayn, Trinidad living in an apartment just behind the Mission Office, although their assignment took them to 11 of the WIM’s 12 countries.

“We will miss relationships with people we have grown to love. Elder Childs will miss President Gamiette’s doctrinal discussions on faith and repentance. Sister Childs will definitely miss hugs from sisters throughout the mission. Elder Childs wonders if he can greet sisters in our home branch with a kiss on each cheek like he did in the French Islands. Probably not!” laughs Sister Childs. The couple say they will also miss bake-and-shark at Maracas Bay and the beautiful Caribbean beaches and warm clear water.

The couple will not miss living in a walled and gated compound with bars on every window. Elder Childs, who has now become accustomed to driving on the left side of the road, wonders if he will be able to drive on the right side of the road. However, he will not miss congested traffic, cars parked anywhere in the roads, and deep unprotected drop-offs into drainage ditches . . . and, of course, crazy drivers. Elder Childs’ goal was to finish the mission without a wreck but unfortunately, he did not accomplish that goal. Luckily he only hit a fire hydrant.

Their immediate plans upon arriving home in American Fork, Utah are “to spend Christmas 2011 with all of our children and grandchildren. Elder Childs will likely go crazy with all the noise. However, that will be offset by being able to ski with them. The grandchildren are already jockeying for dates to get him on the hill before Christmas,” states Sister Childs. “We also look forward to getting acquainted with all the new members of our branch, going to the temple regularly, delving more deeply into family history, and doing whatever the Lord has in store for us. We are grateful for the opportunity to have served in the West Indies Mission and are appreciative of the many blessing the Lord has poured out on us and our family.”

WIM Celebrates Thanksgiving

Families at home can rest assured their missionaries were well-fed in the company of their mission family on Thanksgiving Day. Even though Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday, elders and sisters throughout the islands of the Caribbean and countries in South America gathered for a day of prayer and thanksgiving and traditional and not-so-traditional feasting.

In the mission office in Trinidad, more than 40 missionaries – young and not-so-young – as well as Trini members working nearby enjoyed a huge traditional Thanksgiving dinner . . . even including beautiful centerpieces – one for each of 8 tables - made by Sister Andrus from flowers, leaves and dried palm fronds she had collected for more than a week on her early morning walks.

On the island of Grenada, a Thanksgiving dinner was served after zone meeting on Tuesday. According to those who enjoyed the gathering, “The Elders made the pies and the Sisters made the cornbread muffins. It all tasted very delicious!”

In Georgetown, Guyana a dozen missionaries and two senior couples sat down to dinner following the zone meeting on Thanksgiving Day. The meal included turkey and gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, cook up rice, two desserts and homemade root beer.

In Guyana's Canje area, missionaries and senior couples also shared a pleasant afternoon and lots of good food.

To quote one enthusiastic missionary, the day - whether Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday - “was SO much fun! The missionaries just loved it and had such a good time seeing each other in a non-meeting setting and just visiting. It was great!”

Ten "Return with Honor"

It is time once again to say “goodbye” to ten dedicated missionaries who have completed fulltime service to the Lord and His children here in the West Indies Mission. As you return to the arms of friends, family and a bright future, we pray – in the words of President James E. Faust – “you will always honor four sacred principles: reverence for Deity; respect and honor in family relationships; reverence for and obedience to the ordinances and covenants of the holy priesthood and respect for yourself as a child of God.”

We wish you well (from the upper left): Jordan Matthew Groff (Kaysville, Utah), Santakumar Pitamber (Georgetown, Guyana), Weslande Olysse (of the beautiful island of Martinique), Tyler Murphy White (LaVerne, California), Triston Leandro Murray and Premchand Bharat (both of Georgetown, Guyana), Clayton Jones (Beaver, Utah), Hayden George VanMeeteren (Ogden, Utah), Ted Spurgeon Bushman (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and Christina Jaipaul (Georgetown, Guyana).

WIM Welcomes the Lindorfs

The West Indies Mission is the third foray into the Lord’s service for Elder Paul and Sister Kristene Lindorf of Prospect, OR (near Crater Lake) who have previously served together in Thailand and Slovenia. “We have a goal to serve 18 months on – then 18 months off,” states the senior missionary who hopes he will be able to regain some of his French language skill learned when he served a mission in France as a young man 40 years ago. “I’m hoping it will come back to me as we are immersed. I guess we'll see.”

With a BS degree in Marketing and Accounting from BYU, Elder Lindorf was employed in the Marketing Division of Shell Oil Co. in several states for 16 years in Marketing and later as the CFO of Western Wats Center in Provo, UT for 10 years. He retired at age 50 to care for his aged parents with plans to serve missions after their demise.

Calling himself “a jack of all trades, master of none,” Elder Lindorf likes computers (especially Macs) and has written an e-book.

Sister Lindorf, who loves music, plays the piano, organ, guitar and enjoys conducting, hopes to give lessons here in the WIM, if the opportunity arises. A fulltime wife and mother to the couple’s six children, became a “computer devotee” in self-defense in her family of computer geeks. As such she maintains regular communication with their large family – including 17 grandchildren – through blogging and newsletters. She also enjoys healthy cooking and sharing her testimony of the Gospel through updates on their mission activities to hundreds of family members and friends.

“Mostly, I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” says the incoming sister missionary. “My love for the children of our Heavenly Father increases each year I am in their service. I can't imagine a more delightful retirement! I'm humbly thankful for this small way of showing my gratitude to God.”

Welcome to the WIM, Elder and Sister Lindorf.

A Dozen Welcomed to the WIM

A beautiful new group of elders and sisters arrived this week for service in the West Indies Mission, filled with a mighty testimony, a great love of the Lord, and a huge desire to bring His children in the Caribbean unto Christ.

Welcome to work among the beautiful Saints in the islands of the Caribbean and three South American countries to the following: (front row, from left next to Sister Delphine Gamiette), Elicia Matte Danielsen (Littleton, CO), Lindsay Michelle Stephenson (Idaho Falls, ID), Jocelyn Kaye Udall (Pinetop, AZ), Heidi Kelsch (West Jordan, UT), and Deanna Rose Steinmetz (Hempstead, TX). (Back row, from left next to WIM President Claude Gamiette) Justin Paul Durfee (Gilbert, AZ), Collin Alexander McClain (Burley, ID), Brandon Richard Kramer (Salt Lake City, UT), Alex Emil Boyer (Keller, TX), David Payne (Farmington, NM), Scott Rice (Plano, TX) and Hans Kiimaiha Munanui Vivish (Paea, Tahiti).

Goodbye to Sixteen Headed Home

They have served faithfully and well, and now the time has come to say goodbye to another group of 16 missionaries going home to family and friends in all parts of the world.

Farewell to the following sons and daughters of the West Indies Mission: (top collage, from left) Andrew James Nufer (Cedar City, Utah), Juan Enrique Rodriguez (Mairena del Aljarafe, Seville, Spain), Jake Alan McKeachnie (Highland, Utah), Jonathan Miles Call (Sandy, Utah), Oratio Odone Cornwall (Portsmore, Jamaica), Tracey Youlanda DeFreitas and Naomi Abiola Fraser (both of Georgetown, Guyana), and Talon Leis Carter (Mt. Home, Utah), (second collage, from left) Braden Scott Baker (Centerville, Utah), Josiah Allen Jones (LaVerkin, Utah), Michael Joseph Gordon (Spokane, Washington), Rusden Reed Albert Scott (Layton, Utah), Alexander Michael Thompson (Salt Lake City, Utah), Harrison Samuel Bowles (West Valley City, Utah), Richard McKay Winzenried (Logandale, Nevada), and Ryan Richard Bell (Providence, Utah).

S&I Graduates Celebrate Studies and Testimonies

“The Church’s Seminary and Institute of Religion is an inspired program from a loving Heavenly Father. It is designed to bless the lives of young people here – and everywhere around the world,” state Elder Larry and Sister Karen Harris who have just attended the last of more than a dozen graduation programs in the islands and countries of the West Indies Mission.

In ceremonies before Church leaders, parents and S&I instructors, 269 students in both programs received Certificates of Course Competion; 20 were awarded Seminary Certificates of Achievement; 13 Seminary and 4Institute students received 4-year diplomas for completing year-long studies of the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. In addition, five Institute students received Certificates of Advanced Achievement for completing two additional years of study beyond their 4-year Institute degree.

How much of an impact does S&I make on the lives of students? An institute student from Guyana shared a personal experience in his graduation talk. He heard about Institute soon after his baptism only two years ago. “I wanted to go but was embarrassed because I couldn’t read or write. I heard a voice telling me ‘don’t go’ but I listened to the promptings of the Holy Ghost instead. I went to institute and through studying the scriptures – and with the encouragement and support of my institute teacher - I taught myself to read. I know the Book of Mormon is true because I have read it.”

In Sangre Grande, Trinidad, a class of four young men met with their instructor each morning at 5 a.m. Two of the boys graduated recently with 4-year diplomas. The third student received a Certificate of Course Completion and the fourth, a new member of the church, received a Certificate of Course Completion for Doctrine and Covenants and a Certificate of Achievement. The four friends celebrated their graduation together with enthusiasm and are now planning to submit mission papers as a group!

“S&I programs help young men and women develop their testimonies, encourages them to serve missions, create their own forever families through temple marriage and become leaders in the church and in their communities,” added the Harris’ who have shared CES responsibilities in the West Indies Mission with Elder Robert and Sister Sue McIntosh. The Harris’ provided support to S&I programs in Trinidad/Tobago, Barbados, Guyana and Suriname. At the same time, the McIntosh’s, who finished their mission and returned home in August, shared their love of the gospel with S&I programs in Grenada, St. Martin / St. Maarten, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique.

ERS Opens in Georgetown

It really isn’t much yet, but the Employment Resource Services Centers, located in the Prashaud Nagar chapel in Georgetown, is the beginning of something wonderful for the members of the Church in Guyana . . . and the first step toward the fulfillment of prophecy as stated in Elder M. Russell Ballard’s dedicatory prayer.

On February 23, 1990, Elder Ballard opened the door to missionary work in Guyana but also asked, “Heavenly Father, please bless this land that economic conditions might improve. We acknowledge this will take some time, but we pray Thee to give national leaders the vision of things they need to do to bring a comfortable lifestyle for Thy children here by giving them employment and an opportunity to work and earn a living.”

Right now, the ERS Volunteer Center is nothing more than a small room with borrowed computers, but already jobseekers are finding the center the place to go to research employment opportunities. The ERS will connect students with trade schools and colleges and identify businesses willing to provide on-the-job training. For students wanting to further their education but without the means to do so, the ERS will also be the go-to place for one-on-one assistance on such things as how to write a resume or complete the on-line PEF loan application.

This program is one more evidence the Lord is mindful of the West Indies Mission.

YSA Centers Open in Guyana

Guyana’s first two YSA Centers opened for business in LaGrange (Wednesday, September 21) and in Georgetown (Wednesday, September 28). . . the business of bringing – or bringing back – Young Single Adults (ages 18-30) to a place where they can socialize and have fun while also participating in programs for their personal development.

Thanks to support from the Georgetown District Presidency and guidance from Elder and Sister Jansen, the YSA Centers in Guyana - patterned after two successful YSA Centers in Suriname – are certain to become favorite gathering places where members - or non-members - can take part in priesthood driven, doctrine centered, missionary oriented and people focused activities and service projects, home evening each Monday night, Institute classes, learn more about PEF, meet with Employment Resource Services specialists or enjoy a simple meal!

Under the direction of President Tracy Boodenhall in LaGrange and President Sophie Henry in Georgetown, the future is bright for these wonderful YSA's and the Lord - as well as the leadership of the Georgetown District - is mindful of their needs. There is much learning and fun ahead!

Goodbye, Elder and Sister Salmon

Elder Doug and Sister Valerie Salmon depart the West Indies Mission on 29 September 2011 for their home and family in British Columbia, Canada after 18-months in a variety of assignments.

“Each time we thought we had life in the mission field ‘sorted out’ we were moved to another assignment. We started in Cayenne, French Guiana (10 days) setting up a new apartment. Then in Fort de France, Martinique (6 weeks) long enough to begin to gain the confidence of members there, before moving to Guadeloupe to ‘learn the ropes’ in the “French office” (6 weeks). From there we were re-assigned to Martinique, the ‘jewel’ of the French West Indies, where we spent 10 ½ wonderful months. Our final move was back to Guadeloupe to work in the ‘office’ once again and to serve the good members of the Basse-terre branch.”

The language barrier has unquestionably been the greatest challenge for the Salmons, but “we won’t miss urgent phone calls from missionaries in the middle of the night. We also won’t miss poorly designed and maintained roads, rude ‘me-first’ drivers and 'les embouteillages' (traffic jams). We will miss those in the West Indies who we now consider our brothers and sisters but we are looking forward to good customer service at our bank, telecommunications company, utility companies, post office and city hall."

The Salmon’s recognize the great blessings they have received and the growth they have experienced while serving the Lord. “Our younger daughter was married. Our elder daughter gave birth to a new daughter. Family members have found joy in the continuing service of their parents and grandparents. We have grown.”

Their advice to any couple coming into the mission. “Retain your health and vigor through a healthful diet and daily exercise. Be prepared to face unexpected changes with a sense of humor and with optimism. Love those you serve. Stay humble . . . and most important, be flexible.”

After their mission, the Salmons have planned a cross-Canada road trip to visit family and friends. The highlight will be a side trip to Boston to bless a new granddaughter – “I can hardly wait to get my hands on her!” notes Sister Salmon.

Doug Salmon adds, “The mission experience has provided another opportunity for us to keep our sacred temple covenants. We are thrilled to have enjoyed the confidence of our leaders in this assignment, and look forward to following the example of the Savior and his servants by continuing to respond to calls to serve in the future. Christ has indeed restored his Gospel in these latter-days! His redeeming love blesses our lives, and we rejoice in opportunities to work in his Vineyard.”

Goodbye, Elder and Sister Drolet

On September 29, Elder Jean and Sister Catharina Drolet return to the arms of family and friends in British Columbia, Canada.

Before leaving home to come on a mission, Elder Jean Drolet told his wife and missionary companion, “If you think it is hard to leave family and friends to go on a mission, wait and see how you feel when it will be time to leave the mission and the friends we will have made there.” Says Sister Drolet, "He was absolutely right. Of course a mission is hard. Like Sister Sheri Dew said, 'If it weren’t hard, it would be easy'." Elder and Sister Drolet have witnessed the hand of the Lord "from the day the Spirit whispered to us the time had come for us to serve a full time mission until now, and “we will yet see many more miracles well after we return home to our loved ones.”

You could never convince the Drolet’s “the day of miracles has passed” They have witnessed so many during the course of the past eighteen months. “How wonderful to know in some small way we were able to touch a few lives and helped some to come unto Christ, and a few others, to be perfected in Him. We could have never imagined the goodness of the saints in French Guyana. If anyone has benefited from our friendships with so many of them, it is us, the Drolets. It was hard, however, to see very many in need and in trouble we simply could not help. It would be so great to be ‘Bill Gates’ and be able to lift people out of misery.”

“We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve and to lift and to bless some of our Father’s children. We love then dearly. Everything else, the beauty of our surroundings, the climate, etc, is secondary. Good bye, beloved saints, friends, and co workers in the Lord’s vineyard. You will be missed tremendously.”

Love and best wishes to Elder and Sister Drolet, a wonderful bi-lingual couple who have served well in the West Indies. You will be missed - on both the French and English sides of the mission.

A Caribbean Missionary

Elder Robert Bush, one of nearly 40 testimony-strong senior missionaries currently serving in the West Indies Mission, penned this beautiful poem in honor of those of all ages who serve with him in the islands of the Caribbean . . .

A Caribbean Missionary
by Elder Robert Bush

To this isle of rocky shores and ecru sand,
In humble youthfulness I stand
To proclaim to all His holy name,
To work and serve is why I came.

With a commission and a testimony in my soul
To do my best to pass the test and reach the goal.
With all my might the sickle I thrust
With faith in Him I put my trust

I search and talk and teach the few
Who listen to the gospel restored anew
To bring the elect unto the Lord,
The Christ and receive His holy word.

I am a missionary sent here to reap,
To call the lost, to gather His sheep
I work and play and fast and pray
I’ll endure to the end, to my final day

And when it’s over I’ll shout for joy
Not ‘cause it’s done for this young boy,
But because I gave the work my all,
So I can look in the mirror standing tall.

Missionary Work: It's All in the Family!

When they first heard North American sister missionaries would be serving in the West Indies Mission, Elder and Sister Gibson were excited about the new opportunities for growth this would bring to their island of St. Lucia. But when Sister Brisson arrived on their island to join her companion Sister Fraser, the Gibson's were surprised to learn the strawberry blond sister missionary from Alexandria, Virginia is also his great-niece he had never met.

Another interesting example from the "It's A Small World" Department of service in the Lord's church.

President Viñas Visits the WIM

President Francisco Viñas shared his extensive gospel and scriptural knowledge with missionaries and members during a recent two-week tour of the West Indies Mission. Accompanied by President and Sister Gamiette, the President of the Caribbean Area and a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, presided over zone conferences in Guyana, Barbados (including missionaries from St.Vincent, Grenada and St. Lucia); Guadeloupe (including those serving in Martinique and St. Maarten); Trinidad and Tobago; and ending in Suriname (with attendance by those in French Guiana).

President Claude Gamiette encouraged missionaries and members to teach to develop faith unto repentance for the remission of sins, reminding those present, “it is a process. We must continue until members reach a point where they have no more desire to sin.”

President Viñas taught, “Seventies have apostolic authority, but not the apostolic keys. As a Seventy, I’m a messenger here to remind you, we have two choices relating to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You can accept it or you can reject it, but you can’t change it!” He spoke of the growth of the Church in the West Indies but questioned whether it is growth . . . or real growth. “Real growth,” he told missionaries and leaders, “involves conversion, retention and activation because we are in the work of salvation!”

Expressing his concern relating to the reasons the Church has not yet developed to a point where “wards and stakes dot the land,” President Viñas reminded missionaries and leaders, for a branch to become a ward there must be at least a dozen active Melchizedek priesthood holders and as many who are full tithe payers and records must be accurate and current. “If worthy men are ordained to the priesthood, but the ordinations are not correctly recorded, they are not priesthood holders.” He also noted, “missionaries and members must rescue the less active, praying for them name-by-name, then acting upon revelation to lead them back! It’s not enough just to baptize. We must teach them to read. We must help them get an education so they can qualify for jobs so they can support their families and pay their tithes and offerings. We must minister to them from birth to the cemetery.”

September Transfer Says Goodbye to Nine

Elders Tucker Michael Brague (Tigard, OR); Jared Scott Miller (Menan, ID); Jaxon Baxter (Rigby, ID); Aaron David Bytendorp (Sandy, UT); Miles Clinton Haig (Mesa, AZ); Jason William Livingston (Afton, WY); Gavindra Kumar Sookhoo (Georgetown, Guyana); Nathan Williams (Swindon, Wiltshire, England); and Nikita Kinsi Vi (Salt Lake City, UT) are going home after serving the Lord with all their heart, might, mind and strength for two years.

As these sons of the West Indies Mission say goodbye to members and friends, they will take with them memories of the joy which comes from teaching the gospel to someone who has been deprived of these teachings throughout their life, the excitement that comes when teaching the law of the Lord, the happiness of bringing "souls unto Christ" in the waters of baptism; and, the blessings received from following Him.

Thank you for your dedicated service, Elders . . . to the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the West Indies Mission.

Goodbye, President and Sister Ricks

President Gary Ricks (First Counselor in the WIM Presidency) and Sister Florence (aka "Christie") Ricks bid a fond farewell to service in the West Indies Mission, but say, "Goodbyes are hard for us. Our preference is to be like 'old soldiers' and just 'fade away' - preferably, quietly into the sunset. To paraphrase the opening line of A Tale of Two Cities, this mission has been the best of missions and the worst of missions.

When we "fly away" on September 1, 2011, we will be taking memories filled with the brilliant colors, sounds, smells, contrasts and heartbeat of the tropical wonderland which makes up Guyana and Suriname. More than anything else, people stand out in our collection of remembrances against the brilliant backdrop of everything else; little children, especially little girls, in neat, colorful school uniforms with hair done up in braids and ribbons to match their clothes, walking hand-in-hand along the roads going to or from school; a father carrying a toddler on his shoulders through crowded streets; an Amerindian family bathing and brushing teeth in a river; men wearing tall rubber boots and armed with weed-whackers clearing tall grass and other growth from the drainage ditches; sleeping under mosquito nets sold by mosquito net merchants hawking their colorful wares on busy street corners; long lines of people - each patiently waiting a turn at the window to pay a bill, make a deposit, mail a package, or collect a pension.

The responsibility to 'oversee' the 7 mission dependent branches in Guyana and 2 districts provided one the most enjoyable aspects of our service here. Attending a different branch every Sunday gave us the blessing of meeting and becoming acquainted with many more Guyanese and Suriname Saints than any other assignment would have provided. Meeting personally with the various branch leaders as we discussed concerns and provided training, gave us insights into the struggle the saints have between Church culture and Guyanese culture which gave us increased patience by this understanding. The 'downside' to this wide exposure was the limitation to being more fully involved in the lives of members of any single branch.

No doubt, it will be the people we miss the most. Although, curry and roti may run a close second along with the faces of dedicated, optimistic young elders and sisters!

We will NOT have trouble doing without Guyana's humidity, heat or mosquitos, or hours of driving, however.

Advice we would give to any incoming missionary - young, old, married, single, male or female - is to recognize that as we accept mission assignments to serve the Lord, we do so by serving His people. Forgetting ourselves and our comfort zones as much as possible and focusing on making the most of our commitment will increase our effectiveness. It makes for a truly great adventure when viewed with this perspective.

We leave our next, great adventure open to inspiration from the Lord, but we have recently sold our home in Santa Barbara so our first task will be to pack up all our belongings for a move to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. We look forward to becoming reacquainted with family and friends, Mexican food, and being ordinance workers in the temple."

Til we meet again, President and Sister Ricks . . . we thank you for your steady leadership. You will be missed among the Saints and missionaries in Guyana and throughout the West Indies Mission.

WIM Welcomes the Summers

Bradley J. (aka “BJ”) and Martha Rae ("Marty") Summers of Leavenworth, Washington are very excited about their call from President Thomas S. Monson to service in the West Indies Mission.

“We feel events in our lives have led us to this point” states Elder BJ. “Two years ago, I retired as a commercial airplane pilot with Alaska Airlines, then we sold our home and many of our possessions. So what we have left is a small house next door to our children. We are probably as ready as we can be to leave without much to worry about.”

Sister Marty grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. Elder BJ grew up on a small farm in Oregon, then served a mission in Frankfurt, Germany. They met at BYU, were married in Manti, Utah, then spent the next 8 years in the Air Force. The Summers’ have lived in Lubbock, TX, St. Louis, and Frankfurt, Germany before finally settling in Washington State.

A few years ago, the couple – who both love the out-of-doors - relocated to Leavenworth, a small town in the mountains of Washington to enjoy such hobbies as water skiing, hiking and white water rafting, gardening, camping and flower arranging when not delighting in the company of their five married children and ten grandchildren.

Elder BJ has given most of his Church service to the young men’s program while Sister Marty has served in almost every auxiliary, including Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women. Together they have worked in the YSA program and completed a home mission at the home storage center in Kent.

Elder and Sister Summers . . . thank you for bringing your lifetime of experience to strengthen the Church in Guyana! We know you will make a difference in the lives of the Saints here in the “land of many waters.”

Goodbye, Elder and Sister Luster

Elder Jim and Sister Joan (nicknamed “Joey”) Luster will say goodbye to the West Indies Mission on August 26, 2011 when they fly home to friends and family eager to welcome them home in Ephraim, Utah.

Time and assignments for this talented couple while in the WIM have been busy and varied. The Lusters have served twice in the mission office – Elder Luster as the Finance Secretary and Sister Luster, first as Secretary to the President and later as WIM Travel Secretary, assigned to help schedule airline reservations. In between, they served on the island of Tobago where Sister Luster taught seminary and provided shadow leadership to the Relief Society, Young Women’s program and the Primary in the branch, while the former college professor worked with the priesthood brethren and branch presidency and managed petty cash reimbursements and JP Morgan Cards for senior couples - all done remotely from Tobago. The couple’s final assignment was a return to the work they enjoy most of all – working with members in the branch in Point Fortin, Trinidad.

According to the Lusters, “the most memorable part of our mission was the time we spent in Tobago working with members in the branch there. We grew to love and appreciate those people because of their dedication and testimonies of the Gospel. Our experiences there will forever be stamped in our memories.”

Another memorable experience while serving in the West Indies Mission was the opportunity to attend the Couple’s Conference held in St. Lucia. “It was great fun to meet face-to-face with senior couples who, up until then, we had only known through conversations on the phone or through e-mail. We will cherish the acquaintances we have made with the wonderful senior couples with whom we have served. What an inspiration they have been to us! After we all return home we hope to be able to visit many of them and reminisce about our experiences,” say the Lusters.

“We will miss the native people, their friendship, and bright smiles. They are truly our brothers and sisters in the Gospel and we have felt at home here. Also dear to our hearts are the young missionaries. Their spirit and dedication to the Lord’s work has been very impressive. It is truly a miracle to see the enthusiasm with which these young people leave the comfort of their homes to travel to an unfamiliar part of the world,” says Joey Luster.

What the Lusters’ will NOT miss are "bars on the windows and padlocks on the doors and doing business in offices where clerks are hidden from view behind a glass plate where communication is only through a small hole,” states the Utah sister missionary. “We are anxious to return to our family and friends, but it will be bitter-sweet to leave behind those we love in the Caribbean.”

Until we meet again, Elder and Sister Luster . . . you are loved and will be very much missed here in the West Indies Mission.

Goodbye, Elder and Sister Stevens

On August 26, 2011, Elder Dallas and Sister Sharon Stevens will complete their 2-year missionary service on the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Maarten to return to their life and family in the beautiful skiing community of Park City, Utah (where many of the most memorable events of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games were held).

According to the Stevens’ the most enjoyable experience of their mission was “being able to share our testimony of Joseph Smith, the restoration of the gospel, repentance, baptism and the promise of eternal life . . . then watch investigators gain a testimony for themselves until their desire to be baptized burns in their heart.”

More than anything else, the Stevens' will miss the interaction with the people of the West Indies. “We have learned to love those we have met, have learned through their examples and have been touched by their sweet spirits and testimonies. We have become family. We have gained a great respect and love for the elders and sisters with whom we have shared the experience of proselyting and through the relationship with other senior couples, we have found answers to problems in common and don’t feel so isolated. We will miss the closeness we have with our Heavenly Father and the knowledge we’ve been doing the Lord's work, and, of course, we will miss being under the leadership of President Gamiette. . . but, we WON’T miss the traffic or the mosquitos!”

Their advice to other senior couples? “We don’t know who – or if anyone – will replace us, but we hope they will love the people, and try not to let the distractions of home and family impact their desire to serve the Lord. Be flexible and relax! Things will occur on your mission for which you are not prepared, such as illness, robbery, and change of assignments. Just go with the flow! A mission is like a roller coaster: there are up's and down's, but in the end it's a great ride. Oh, and one other thing: READ THE AREA BOOK.”

The Stevens’ first order of business back at home is, of course, “to visit all of our children and grandchildren. Then we will probably fix up and sell our house . . . and maybe go on another mission!”

You will be greatly missed in the islands of the Caribbean and countries in South America. Ne soyez pas consterné adieux, un adieu est nécessaire avant que vous pouvez rencontrer de nouveau et de nouveau réuni, après quelques instants ou des vies, est certain pour ceux qui sont amis.

WIM First Counselor Named

At age 29, Colin Ransford Goodluck has already had more leadership positions in the Church than most have in a lifetime! The newly called First Counselor in the West Indies Mission Presidency joined the Church as a young child in March, 1994 in his homeland of Guyana. At age 19, he was called to serve as a fulltime WIM missionary in Trinidad, St. Maarten and Barbados (2004-06). Since his honorable release, he has shared his joyful countenance and deep love of the gospel of Jesus Christ as Branch Clerk, District Executive Secretary, Elders Quorum President, Branch President, Georgetown District President, and most recently as First Counselor in the Georgetown District Presidency.

As the mission's First Counselor, President Goodluck - also recently hired as the Church's Facilities Manager for Guyana and Suriname - will assist President Gamiette in efforts to "bring souls unto Christ" in those same two countries. He will assume the responsibilities of President Gary Ricks, who will conclude his mission on September 1 after 18-months of “steady leadership” in the mission presidency.

In his very limited spare time, President Goodluck enjoys spending time with his eternal companion Vonella and their two small boys; a rousing game of basketball and classes at the University of Guyana where he is taking a one year sabbatical from his studies for a degree in International Relations toward a future career in government.