Members in Guyana: Devon Sandiford

Devon can’t read, so in his frustration as a youth he turned to drugs and unsavory friends he describes as “criminals” to fill the void. Then four years ago, the missionaries knocked on his door with a message he now knows he had been waiting all his young life to hear! These two young men from the United States taught him about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ . . . and that there is a living prophet on the earth today who receives guidance from God, for the Church and for Guyana.

His life here still isn’t easy but he loves the Church and the gospel. Since his baptism, he has not missed a single Sunday meeting, although he sits in the back because he is self-conscious about “my stinky shoes” and because his clothes are worn and dirty and he can’t afford to buy anything new. His ability to read has improved since he committed himself to reading a scripture or two every day from the Book of Mormon, but he still struggles to find meaningful employment as a mechanic or carpenter, the fields he loves.

At 30-years-old, he is too old to qualify for PEF but he is nonetheless “worthy, ambitious and in need”. We hope to help him find work. He is a delightful young man - although it is obvious his earlier drug use has impacted him - who deserves a break or two in life!