Gamiette Family Farewell Tour and Zone Conference

In his final tour of the West Indies Mission, President Claude Gamiette and his family took part in firesides with members and zone conferences with missionaries in Guyana, Trinidad, Barbardos, Suriname, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Martinique.  For some missionaries it was their first time learning gospel principles from this master teacher . . . for others it would be their last!  Following outstanding presentations by Sister Gamiette and several well-prepared missionary companionships, including the AP’s, President Gamiette reminded missionaries they were sent – “not just to baptize, but to plant the seeds of conversion.  You are the angels sent by the Lord to preach the gospel and to prepare the hearts of the people of the West Indies.  No effort is wasted,” he said. 

Missionaries should always be in a “finding attitude . . . always looking for people to teach.  Fear cripples you so make your first contact within 5 minutes of leaving your apartment,” the President encouraged.

Speaking on the Atonement, President Gamiette reminded the missionaries, “the demands of justice require 100% obedience to the principles of faith, obedience, baptism, receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood and being endowed and sealed in the temple, and enduring to the end in order to have the gift of grace through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Mercy through the Atonement of Jesus Christ gives us time to satisfy the demands of justice.  Missionary work trains you to be obedient toward a goal to be like Christ.”

Jansens Say Tot Ziens

There are many ways to say goodbye in Dutch . . . but none of them fitting the departure of Elder Peter and Sister Ina Jansen who have served faithfully in Suriname.

As this dynamic and hardworking senior couple look back over the past 18 months, they are in total agreement, the most enjoyable experience of their mission in Suriname was the several weeks their grandson Jeffrey, from The Netherlands, served with them as a mini-missionary in preparation for entering the MTC himself in June 2012. “It was so good for him – and for us – to attend the zone conference with the missionaries and the opportunity he had to roleplay with President Gamiette,” states an enthusiastic Grandma Jansen.

Perhaps their greatest mission challenge was organizing two Young Single Adult Centers in Suriname, another two in Guyana and one in St. Vincent. “We hope these 5 centers will continue to grow, helping young single adults strengthen their testimonies through Institute, socialize in the homelike atmosphere of the Centre, go on missions and introduce the gospel to their friends, between the ages of 18 and 30,” notes Elder Jansen.

Another amazing and memorable experiencefor the Jansen’s was having a Dutch Patriarch travel twice to Suriname where he gave blessings to 75 members, of which more than half were youth and YSA’s.

Seeing the growth of willing branch leaders through proper training has also been memorable. Attendance is up, the number of YSA’s active in the branch is up and this year 2-3 young people in the Uitkijk Branch are preparing to serve as fulltime missionaries. These YSA’s will, in the future, create righteous families in the church. “We cannot ask for a more beautiful gift,”states Sister Jansen.

And, what will this dynamic missionarycouple miss the most? “It hurts to go . . . to say goodbye to those we have come to love so very much. On the other side is our sweet family, but a mission is something we have planned for 42 years - since we were both baptized. We will miss our many friends, especially our YSA’s who have such a deep desire to know their Savior and His commandments.”

The Jansens advise others planning for a mission, “. . . to be spiritually and temporally prepared to consider those with whom you serve as your heavenly family.” They also feel the rules for senior couples are “too broad and too tempting. It is better, as far as possible, to observe the same rules (as the young missionaries)." The couple also suggests the need "to research thoroughly the exact costs of a couples mission” including house rent, car costs, internet, telephone and utilities.

The Jansen’s next great adventure is a week in May with all their grandchildren. Then they will travel with their daughter for 3-weeks in America, including time spent with 14 returned missionaries who served with them inSuriname. They also plan to attend a temple wedding of one of “our” missionaries and have a reunion with Rodger Roundy, the missionary who first introduced them to the church 42 years ago –an “intense relationship” they have maintained through the years. After that? “It is our intention, after one year, a second mission to fulfill! Our desire is strong enough.”

This wonderful strong couple will be greatly missed in Suriname and throughout the West Indies Mission where they have willingly shared their knowledge of and love for YSA Centers!

Patriarch Re-visits Suriname

Patriarch Han Hogervorst has now returned to his home and duties in The Netherlands after his second 3-week trip to Suriname in less than a year.  During both visits he was able to give a total of 75 blessings – far and away more than he would normally give in a 3-week period.  His busy schedule allowed little time for sightseeing as he met with faithful members six days a week – some who had waited more than 20 years for their own personal “iron rod” on which to lean for guidance in their life.

The Patriarch was very impressed with the humility and faith of the members.  “A special moment for me is always when the brother or sister offer a prayer before receiving their blessing.  Though they undoubtedly have sorrows and cares, they have great faith in the love their Heavenly Father has for them. As for the youth, it was very clear they most desire guidance in this very uncertain life and insight from their Heavenly Father to set a course for the future.”

“I was so sorry not to be able to give blessings to all who desired them the first time,” notes Patriarch Hogervorst. “It was very moving as I learned how sad, even to the point of crying, some of the members were at not receiving their blessing in the first visit. The second visit was also different as many more of the youth received their blessing.”

In his very limited leisure time, the Patriarch was able to visit to an elementary school were his daughter served as an intern about 13 years ago.  The Primary from the Uitkijk Branch also enjoyed his company during a trip to the Suriname Zoo.

Would the Patriarch come back a third time?  “It is such a privilege to do this work. If asked to return, and the First Presidency approved it, there is no way I would say no.”

Another Goodbye to Those We Love

mis.sion.ar.y [mish 'n erree]. n (plural mis.sion.ar.ies): Someone who leaves his/her family for a short time so others can be with their family for eternity.

Thanks for your selfless service to the Lord and His children in the West Indies Mission to Ryan Anand Ramdeholl (Linden, Guyana), Natasha Phagwah (East Canje, Berbice, Guyana), Muna Mala Shrestha (Kathmandu, Napal), Alexander Chase (Provo, Utah); Maxime Georges Lagin (the West Indies island of Martinique); Thomas Jordan Guinn (Brigham City, Utah); Elijah Nolan Freeman (Blackfoot, Idaho); and, Tayten Michael Tullis (Hyde Park, Utah).

Our love goes with you wherever you go in the world.

Bomans Bid Au dieu

Elder Ron and Sister Rosella Boman will complete their third mission on 2 March 2012 when they will fly home to family and friends in Logan, Utah.

“We are looking forward to getting acquainted with new members of our family – grandsons-in-law, granddaughters-in-law and three new great grandchildren – and reacquainted with other family members and friends. On 3 March we will be in the Mesa Arizona Temple to witness the marriage of another granddaughter and on 4 March we will attend the blessing of our newest great-granddaughter,” notes Sister Boman who adds, “we have missed them but have always maintained the best gift grandparents can give their grandchildren is to serve missions.”

Nine Boman grandchildren are now serving or have served during the time the couple was in Romania, Guatemala or the West Indies. “We look back and see good things happening in our family and in the Church. We see Priesthood leaders ministering more to members, especially nurturing newly baptized members. We rejoice in our efforts - with the help of the Lord – in helping less active members come back and accept leadership positions. We have watched the miracle proclaimed in the scriptures that the gospel will continue to go forward ‘until it fills the whole earth’.”

The Bomans are humbled to have had the experience of working with members and investigators on the beautiful island of Barbados, meeting senior couples and senior sisters who have traveled there for various purposes and to being “grandparents” to the dedicated young missionaries serving in Barbados. “They are fantastic!”

They have also been blessed with an incredible mission president. His sweet wife and family have contributed greatly to his success.

“We will always remember his kind service, his loving and inspired manner, and his great teaching abilities. It has been a pleasure to pick him up at the airport and escort him around the island while discussing how the missionaries, the priesthood leaders, the members, and the recent converts are doing. Under his leadership we have seen numberless miracles. We will greatly miss President Gamiette, his wife and children,” states Elder Boman.

The Bomans call the members they have worked with “some of the dearest people we ever hope to find on this earth. We feel we have become more loving, kind and considerate because of their example and we cherish their friendship and will always remember them with fondness.
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They hope their next great adventure will be learning Italian so they can serve as ordinance workers in the Rome Italy Temple or maybe in another proselyting mission.

Thank you for all you have contributed to the success of the West Indies Mission. You will be greatly missed.

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).