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.