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.