How We Spent Our Easter Monday

Easter is a favorite holiday here in Guyana . . . because it means 4 days off work for most people. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are usually spent partying with friends, but Easter Monday is the day families gather for picnics in the park and kite flying!
 

In the spirit of the day, we decided to spend our Easter Monday working at Sister Mala Bramdeo’s house. This feisty little single mom built her own house, put up her fence (with the help of her 14-year-old son Avanash), and is in the process of doubling the size of her home so each of them can have a bedroom instead of her sharing her room with 9-year-old Anthony and Avanash sleeping in a hammock in the kitchen. Her yard (on the property she owns outright) is a saucer-shape where rain water puddles, causing flooding from time to time. But, she wants to put in a garden and raise chickens (fryers and layers), so we gathered with three missionary companionships (E/S Sappington, E/S Cook, Elders Anderson, Rollins, Durfee and Hall) to move a big pile of dirt from the street to the low spots in her yard. It was a hot, sweaty day involving dozens of wheelbarrows full of dirt, blisters, sun burn and brownies – while we were always mindful “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.”

Our Boys in Guyana

Approximately two-thirds of the missionaries in Guyana were together on Conference weekend. What a fine group of young men they are, from left (back row) Elders Hartshorn, Rodney, Anderson, Andriamanantena, Ward, McClain, Stephen, Peck, Larsen, (front row, from left) Rollins, Khan, Porter, Ramdeholl and . Those from Berbice were not with us. These soldiers in the Army of Helaman are some of the best young men we have ever worked with! Each has left his mark on our hearts!

Secretary School Grads!

Another 2-week, 20-hour Secretary School has concluded with the "graduation" of five students, including (from left) Vanessa Chance, a mother of 7 who has been working as a nighttime security guard for more than 8 years and who desperately wants a job in the daylight. Other class members were Alexis Lespeur, a 19-year-old single mother with very few skills; Marissa Waterman, a talented dancer who will finish high school in May with 7 CXC’s and a bright future;Wanita Hussain, the oldest daughter of Vanessa Chance; and Temica Waterman, an outstanding athlete but not a great academic. As with all our other students, we have learned to love this vivacious group and hope anything we have been able to teach them will make a difference in their life!

Indexing . . . My New Favorite Hobby

It’s no surprise to anyone who knows me that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE genealogical research, but as a fulltime missionary I do not have time or access to records. "It will just have to wait until I get home," I have told myself numerous times since arriving in Guyana. But, an article ("A Call for Indexers Worldwide") in the March 2012 “The Liahona” magazine recently caught my attention. Indexing has now become my new favorite hobby!!!

Indexing is the process of reading digitized versions of physical records – such as census, vital, probate and church records – and keying the information each record contains into an online searchable database, making it possible for members and other family history researchers to easily locate their ancestors’ information on the internet.

Since this program was first introduced in 2006, volunteer indexers have transcribed 800 million records. But the work is far from done. The Granite Mountain Records Vault in Salt Lake City (in Big Cottonwood Canyon, not far from our home in the Granite Ward in Sandy) has more than 15 BILLION records filmed and waiting for indexing.

I have set a personal goal to transcribe 2000 records before we leave for home on June 27, 2012. It is quick and easy to do. So far I have transcribed 265 Texas death records for the year of 1957!

It is something I can do in quiet moments in the evening, the early morning hours when I can't sleep or while traveling in the car. It is so much more fun and rewarding than playing Solitaire!!!

The Neighbors Upstairs

Lynn and Sharon Angus, our upstairs neighbors for the past ten months, go home to their home and family in Vernal, Utah tomorrow! This amazing Humanitarian Services couple has served for 23 months, spent tens of thousands of dollars in donated church funds to complete and hand over hundreds of projects designed to benefit both members and non-members in the Caribbean. They have provided wheelchairs for those who can't walk, clothes, bedding and emergency supplies for people in need from Barbados to Trinidad, from St. Lucia and St. Vincent and back home to Guyana. They have organized service projects, arranged training for hospital personnel and dozens of other activities. They had just begun to develop a foods initiative designed to provide members with seeds and plants to create a garden to feed their family . . . and pens and chicks for eggs and broilers!

Val and Marsha Cook, from LaVerkin, Utah are the mission's new Humanitarian Services couple. They will not only take over the Anguses assignment, but their apartment and car as well. I worked with Marsha a little when I was at the Volunteer Center and she supervised Washington County's detention center work crew, so even before they went to the MTC, she knew who I was and I knew her name, as well. Our neighbors in southern Utah and Georgetown, Guyana are feeling very overwhelmed as they take on their duties and responsibilities here in the West Indies Mission, but we are certain they will do a wonderful work and will enjoy the people and the beautiful islands of the Caribbean in the process.

Our Amazing, Terrific, Very Good, Very Busy and Emotional Day

Last night we had the privilege to sit in on the devotional broadcast from the Dominican Republic where Elder David A. Bednar, one of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, answered questions submitted by young single adults from all over the Caribbean!!! It was wonderful and thankfully I was paying attention.

Sunday morning dawned the same as every other Sunday morning in the mission field. We jumped out of bed, rushed out the door for another full day filled with meetings and appointments. After Sacrament meeting - with 157 in attendance (we all pay close attention to attendance here in Guyana) - I settled into our little office to work on a couple of things between meetings, when I was startled by Marissa, one of our young members, standing in the doorway. “Sister Sappington . . . we don’t have a teacher today. Will you come teach our class?” I took a minute for a quick prayer than ran down the hall to face a classroom filled with 18 teenagers. I plunged in, using many of the messages from Elder Bednar which were perfect for this age group!

After the “amen” I wandered back in a daze to my little office . . . then Kenny poked his head in the door saying, “Sister Sappington, our teacher didn’t show up either. Can you come teach our class?” Sure. Why not? At the other end of the hall, I found a room full of boys waiting for a lesson of some kind. I spent the next 30 minutes sharing the value of serving a mission! Whew. Survived. Life is good. The Lord is in charge.

After church, I taught the Family History class while Elder Sappington met with Jamaal Sobers who has tried for several weeks to find a job despite his obvious strengths and skills. What could be the problem? Elder Sappington to the rescue.

After my class, a couple was waiting to talk to us. He literally blew out his shoulder when a gun discharged by mistake when serving as a security guard. He has not been able to work since the accident. She does security work, but makes very little money so there are many days when there is absolutely NOTHING in the house to eat. They will likely lose their home soon. Sad situation and an emotional meeting as we prayed for answers to their dilemma.

Then off to a 2-hour meeting of the Young Single Adult Conference Planning Committee. Only 9 weeks to go before YSA’s from all over Guyana and neighboring Suriname gather for a 3-day activity filled with food, fun, workshops, a dinner dance, talent show and a fireside (with real fire of the bon variety). Whew. Are we done yet cause by now we are getting hungry!

At the end of the meeting, I took one of our returned missionaries aside for a VERY emotional heart-to-heart! Last week he sent a suicide note and disappeared sending all of us into a panic as we combed the city looking for him before he could do what he threatened to do. Our tall, handsome Leon was only 19 when his 14-year-old sister got pregnant, had an abortion and died from complications of that botched procedure! The lose of his beautiful and beloved little sister was difficult enough, but his mother blames him because “I was supposed to be keeping an eye on her!” Five years later, his parents are getting a divorce because “she blames him . . . he is blaming her” and Leon, caught in the middle, is anguished over this event and the resulting complete meltdown of his family! I am determined to find help for him. He is such a great young man. No one should have to carry the emotional burden he is carrying. It is destroying him.

After drying my eyes and seeing the committee off to their various homes, we drove to Patentia to meet with Mala and her two sons (14-year-old Avinash is one of my favorite bright, creative, full-of-fun kids in this entire country). This beautiful single mother is hardworking, creative and has lots of skills and abilities but has not been able to find a job. As we prepared to leave, Avinash made me promise to bring him brownies the next time we visit (Note to self . . . brownies for Avinash!)

On the way home, we passed the nighttime nesting area of the flying egrets as we came across the Demerara River where it feeds into the Atlantic Ocean. We stopped and walked out onto the bridge for the picture as the sun went down. This is the picture we have been trying to take for the whole time we have been here!

In summary, we spent our "day of rest" teaching 3 lessons, counseling 3 jobseekers to help them find work, conducting a lengthy meeting and weaping big tears for the pain and suffering of one of our favorite young men. What a start for a new week! Today may have just been the busiest, most emotional, and happiest day of our mission. It is possible, some of the experiences of the last 24 hours might be the answer to the question, “who knoweth whether thou art come to this country for such a time as this?” (paraphrased Esther 4:14) It was a remarkably spiritual day!

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 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 another presentation, President Gamiette encouraged senior couples to “build . . . not tear down. Praise . . . not criticize. Teach . . . not dictate. Train . . . not do!”

Trekker Runs for the Border

Last week, we took Trekker and packed our suitcases for a quick trip to Suriname (for those of you old enough to remember, Suriname was formerly known as Dutch Guiana) to visit Elder and Sister Jansen in Paramarabo. The most important reason for our run to the border, however, was to get a stamp in our passports so we could once again be legal in Guyana. When we first arrived, immigration officers gave us 90 days to get our work permits – it has now been nearly ten months. We have asked three times for permission to travel out-of-country for this purpose . . . and have been turned down three times by leaders who reasoned our travel was “not necessary.” Last week, it suddenly became a crisis to everyone and we were ordered to make a mad dash for the border!!!

Even though we had permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs (Guyana’s version of our Department of Homeland Security), the immigration officer at the ferry landing was hesitant – even snarky – to give me permission to cross while Dad / Ed got through without any problem (guess I must look like a drug smuggler). Finally, as the ferry was about to leave, he reluctantly stamped my passport, so we are legal again!

Unpleasant confrontations with immigration officers is one thing I will definitely not miss when we come home!

Trekker had a great time in Suriname although it poured down rain the entire time we were there. Our traveling tiger fell in a mud puddle at one point and was soggy and wet for two days, but still enjoyed the little bit of sightseeing, a delicious lunch at a nice restaurant, shopping at the most beautiful grocery store he has seen since we left the U. S. and Family Home Evening at the home of a Suriname family.

Here's What 100% Looks Like

My most recent Secretary School class was unusually small, but included four enthusiastic learners from the Demerara Branch. Nazmool Sukhdeo, age 53, has worked in her husband's auto parts business for 35 years . . . without a computer! Tanuja Mohan, age 16, dropped out of high school to help in her mother's sewing business while this smart and talented teenager dreams of having "a nice house, a car of my own and a husband who doesn't beat me!" Steve Lall, the Demerara Branch clerk, is studying business at the University of Guyana and considers himself "a self-taught computer expert."

By the end of the 2-week class Sister Sukhdeo, who is ready for a change, felt she now has enough skill to apply for a job . . . Tanuja has decided to go back to school so she can go on to college . . . and both Brother Lall and Elder Sappington felt they had learned some things about the computer they didn't know. In addition to their new skills, all left the class with a "graduation" certificate and a fresh, clean and newly updated resume!

On that note, we are thrilled that 100% of jobseeking members with whom we have worked have been successful in getting a job! We do help them to a small degree to find employment opportunities, but the most important help we give is to update their resumes - including a list of skills they have developed as fulltime missionaries and in their callings as members of the Church - to help them develop an effective "Me in 30 Seconds" statement, and teach them how to interview!

One of our students told us yesterday, he took his resume, his "Me in 30 Seconds" statement and his newly honed interviewing skills to three job interviews on Friday . . . and got offers from all three!!!

Missionary Ties

Missionaries love ties! At the beginning of their mission, they arrive with a colorful assortment then eagerly await new ones in Christmas or birthday packages from home. They trade them, pass them from one companionship to another (signed by each missionary who has worn it), and leave them behind for others to enjoy when they go home. In short, a handsome tie is the coveted accessory for enhancing the day-to-day bland missionary wardrobe of black slacks and white shirts.

Sadly – according to Elder Sappington - many of them don’t know how to create a decent knot. We have seen many odd configurations since arriving in the WIM, so Elder Sappington – a haberdasher in his younger days - decided he needed to teach a lesson on knot tying to some of the more uncomely at our recent Zone Conference. Unfortunately, although many participated in the lesson and likely got the concept, they will probably continue to find new and creative – albeit “ugly” – ways to tie missionary neckware!