Anguses Say Farewell

After 23 months, thousands of miles of travel to each of the mission’s 12 countries, and the completion and handing over of hundreds of Humanitarian Service projects, Elder Lynn and Sister Sharon Angus return to their Vernal, Utah home on February 24, 2012. “We are excited to see our family – especially two granddaughters born during our time in the WIM,” state the proud grandmother.

What will they miss most of their grand adventure? “The people! The people here in the Caribbean are the greatest. We have been touched by their strong testimonies of the gospel. They are the sure foundation – the future of the Church in the West Indies. It has strengthened our testimonies of the gospel to associate with them. I will also miss the frogs at night. I really enjoy their rhythmic music which sings me to sleep after our long busy days. We have also enjoyed the beautiful lush green vegetation and swimming and snorkeling on the beautiful beaches here in the Caribbean. We have worked really hard and have enjoyed our mission,” notes Sister Angus.

The Angus’ have also made many friends among the other senior couples with whom they have worked. “We have enjoyed their association and hope we can stay in contact with them when we go home.”

Sister Angus is especially looking forward to spending time with family, getting their home put back together, writing her father’s history, doing some quilting and crocheting and “just being home.”

Elder Angus plans to go back to work in the family construction business upon his return, but will be forever changed by his mission experiences. “I have learned so much from the people. They have so little, by the world’s standards, but they are very appreciative of every little thing. They also have so much faith and trust in the Lord. If they do not have anything to eat in their home they know something will turn up . . . and it does. They are very loving and share what they have. I know the Lord loves them and has great things in store for their future. I will miss associating with and learning from them.

In the meantime, the Angus’ look forward to the next great adventure the Lord has in store for them. They will be missed by those who have served alongside them. Elder and Sister Angus, our love goes with you!

Incoming Number Eight

Every missionary transfer brings bright new faces – new recruits in the Lord’s army - filled with excitement, enthusiasm, testimony and a new resolve to serve His children in the West Indies Mission. Welcome to Aran Luke Stephen (Diamond, Guyana), Andy von Griffith Anderson (Linden, Guyana), Ganesh Ramkissoon (West Bank Demerara, Guyana), Ty Richard Tillotson (Highland, Utah), Gael Manampisoa Andriamanantena (Madagascar), Isamaeli Salima ( Savaii, Samoa), Teran Zevon Giddings (St. John’s, Antigua / Barbuda) and Oshane Antonio Stewart (Spanish Town, Jamaica).

Meet the Cooks

Elder Val and Sister Marsha Cook, of LaVerkin, UT, bring a wealth of experience and energy to their calling as Humanitarian Service missionaries in the West Indies Mission, although “we don’t have a clue as to what we will actually be doing!” says Sister Cook. “We have wanted to serve a mission for many years. However, we wondered if we would be able to because of the expense so had pretty much decided we would just serve local missions. Then I lost my job and with so few opportunities for work available it seemed like the right time to go. We put in for Africa so the WIM was a big surprise!”

Elder Cook, who served a mission to Ohio as a young man, is a highly skilled woodworker who builds beautiful furniture and other heirlooms. He has been in a bishopric, served as an executive secretary, spent many years in the scouting program and most recently in the High Priest Group Leadership. Sister Cook loves to sew, quilt, garden and play with the grandkids. Both taught seminary for several years and Sister Cook has served as a YW president, RS president and Primary president. Most recently she served as the second counselor in her ward’s Young Women’s program and also team-taught the temple preparation class with her husband. Her favorite calling, however, was the time spent as a nursery leader alongside her eternal companion.

The couple met in Alaska – though he is from Idaho and she is from southern Utah – and together they have made a home and reared their family in such faraway places as Alaska, Texas, Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada and Idaho before settling down in her hometown of LaVerkin, Utah.

“No question the hardest part about serving a mission is leaving behind our four children and five grandchildren between the ages of 2 months and 12 years,” states the grandmother. “But we have had numerous miracles which make it possible for us to serve so we are excited to come . . . for the blessings and the adventure.”

Regis Are Trini Pioneers

Michael and Marciana Regis are pioneers in the Church in Trinidad and Tobago as the first couple missionaries in their home country.

Their decision to serve did not come easy, but “the Lord worked it out” states Sister Regis who was just starting her career. “I finished my degree in Business Management from the University of Sunderland (England) in 2009 and had only worked in this capacity for a year and was looking forward to getting a Master’s degree so I could teach. Elder Regis is retired so I knew we might not get another opportunity to serve together so we jumped at coming on a mission. We have been called to the Point Fortin area to provide member support in the branch where my husband serves as Branch President and where attendance has grown from 5 to 32 in the past several weeks.”

Married 23 years, this dynamic couple share a “forever family” including five children (ages 19-32) and a July 7th birthday in common, “although not the same year.” They were sealed in the Jordan River Temple in Salt Lake City in the spring of 1997 and sealed as a family in the Orlando Temple three years later.

Elder Regis’ career was in law enforcement in his country’s capital city of Port of Spain, where he was best known as a detective in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and was also the first Interpol Investigating Officer in Trinidad and Tobago. After he left police service, he worked for the Jamaica/ British Embassy as a driver then in various capacities in different organizations until he retired.

Elder Regis loves to read so their home in Woodbrook has a very large library. He also loves penmanship and has mastered the art so he is in demand for creating wedding invitations and official documents. He is also not shy in sharing his testimony, inviting all to a better way of life through the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ by fully understanding and applying its precious principles. Elder Regis has served in many different capacities in the Church and has taken a personal interest in the Home Teaching Program.

Although this hardworking and dedicated couple have lived their lives in the West Indies it is still appropriate to say "Welcome!"

Eleven Say Goodbye

Adieu, tot ziens, adios, farewell! No matter the language or how it is said, saying goodbye to those we have grown to love is bittersweet. Home with honor in this transfer are Christopher Kamehameha Chun-Ying Tyau (Ewa Beach, Hawaii), Ethan Troy Anthony (Hyrum, Utah), Ryan Christensen Lunt (Orem, Utah), Kolton James Arnold (Cliff, New Mexico), Tyson Johnson (Green River, Utah), Zachary David Ipson (North Las Vegas, Nevada), Skylar Todd Stratford (Riverton, Utah), Brandon Joseph Figaro (Redland, California), Lance Tyler Badoni (Spring, Texas), Trevor Samuel Norton (Lindon, Utah) and Erik Murray Schwab (Kennewick, Washington). You will long be remembered for your service to the Lord and His children in the West Indies as an example of Christlike love and you will always be sons of the West Indies Mission!

Couples Conference in Trinidad

Eighteen couple missionaries and two senior sister missionaries gathered at the Trinidad home of President and Sister Gamiette on Tuesday, February 7 for a 2-day Couples Conference. During this get-together, friendships were renewed with couples serving on one of the mission’s nine Caribbean islands or three South American countries and acquaintances were made with those who are new to service in the West Indies Mission. More importantly, during this annual event information was shared, rules clarified and spirits nurtured with the good word of God.

Topics discussed included such housekeeping issues as care of apartments, vehicles; missionary health, fitness and safety; travel and immigration procedures, finance and reporting. But couples in service to the Lord and his children also heard about patriarchal blessings, how to help a missionary complete an online application, humanitarian and employment services, the Perpetual Education Fund program, YSA Centers and Seminary and Institute.

The couples also had the opportunity to enjoy inspiring music from Elder and Sister Bush and an impromptu men’s choir; lots of delicious food created by a committee chaired by Sister Gamiette; and, a relaxing boat ride through the Caroni Swamp Bird Sanctuary, a maze of waterways in a mangrove swamp which held the promise of sightings of mammals, reptiles, crustacean life, and more than 186 species of bird wildlife.

President Gamiette shared his love and spiritual knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ noting his struggle to teach the missionaries the importance of finding the balance between baptism and retaining members. According to President Gamiette, the mission goal for Sacrament Meeting attendance is 4000 but the actual attendance at this time is just 2800. The mission goal for Melchizedek priesthood holders 1000. Currently there are only 370. One thousand is also the goal for endowed members. At this time there are 500 who have been to the temple.

He also reminded missionary couples of the importance of members strengthening themselves – their commitment to service in the Church, their knowledge and love of the gospel and of the Savior – noting, “we can’t do for them what they can and should do for themselves but if we are frustrated about their behavior we will never be able to help them change! Each branch should have a temple recommend class and should be doing effective home teaching, primarily to recent converts, receptive less actives and families with special needs.” Borrowing from a presentation from another couple, President Gamiette encouraged senior missionaries to “build . . . not tear down. Praise . . . not criticize. Teach . . . not dictate. Train . . . not do!”

January Zone Conferences

Throughout the month of January, missionaries serving in all twelve countries of the West Indies Mission had the happy experience of gaining additional gospel knowledge from President Claude Gamiette at recent Zone Conferences in Guyana, Trinidad / Tobago; Barbados, St. Maarten and St. Lucia; St. Vincent and Grenada; Suriname, French Guiana; and, Guadeloupe / Martinique.

Elders Dyson and Largent (Assistants to the President) set the tone for the meetings with an outstanding gospel-centered presentation on planning encouraging missionaries to “pray for guidance, review each discussion, and obey all laws to obtain the blessing (“remember, every little rule counts!”).

President Gamiette continued with the theme of planning and faith when teaching investigators, reminding missionaries of the need to “sanctify yourself. In the spirit of meekness, seek a remission of your sins . . . seek to have a clear knowledge of the doctrine . . . seek revelation and discernment as you listen to what they are NOT saying, then ask inspired questions.” President Gamiette also stressed the importance of memorizing scripture and asked each missionary to send him a list of “what I will do differently to obtain more power in my teaching.”

In Guyana, Elder Anderson, 2nd Counselor in the Caribbean Area Presidency gave powerful guidance centered on the commandment to “love the Lord with all your heart, might, mind and strength.” His powerful teaching helped define those centers of strength. “Loving with your mind encompasses common sense, education, your five senses and education. Loving with your heart involves seeking the Spirit, asking, feeling and having a desire through your faith. Loving with your soul is a matter of putting into practice those things you believe, applying gospel principles in your life and ‘becoming’ all that your Father in Heaven would have you be!”

All missionaries went away spiritually fed and re-invigorated in their work among the Lord’s children.