Starting a new mission

We have now been on our new mission for almost 5 months and apologize for not updating our blog. We are serving in the Puerto Rico Mission. It was two missions, until this last July, but has been collapsed into one. This mission serves all of Puerto Rico, and eight other islands. They are Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, St, Croix, St. Thomas, Tortola and Virgin Gorda. Nevis and Virgin Gorda have family groups that are associated with neighboring islands. Scot is in the Mission Presidency serving with President Jorge Alvarado. Though we have a nice apartment in San Juan, our assignment takes us to the six major islands each month. We spend 3 days each month on each of these islands where we get to know the members, work with the missionary couple on each island and train the local leadership on the area priorities. It has been great to get to know the members through out the islands. We also enjoy our time with the couples in San Juan. The things we have learned in St. Lucia, Guyana and Tobago have been valuable and helped us in being familiar with both mission and island culture. We are settled and ready to share our adventures with you. So stay tune.

A few months back, we had a visiting Authority come for a training visit. In preparation for his fireside, the young adults sang a special musical number. These are the young adults who preformed. I taught them the song, but Sister Kippins, a Returned Missionary and current District Young Womans president, actually conducted the song. Afterwards, it was rice Krispie treats all around. They did a fabulous job. I was so proud of them. They really brought the spirit as they sang How Great Shall be your Joy. Very appropriate, since Elder Johnson taught us about who our sheep are.

This is a typical house in many areas of Guyana. Many of them are one room. This house is about 10 by 12 feet. An amerindian family of 6 lives here. We had to walk over a plank over a little trench to get to their home. This trench is where this family gets their water. Quite a humbling experience.

One day when we were out in Canje, Scot was asked to do a second interview with a man who was to be baptised. He does all the second interviews for all the baptisms of the country. A person needs a second interview if they have had an abortion, have been in prison, or have children from another woman. When we arrived, he had just gone to visit a friend who had a family death. So we visited with this sweet family. The wood structure behind the family is their outdoor cooking area. You cant see the outhouse, there is no electricity or running water. They live upstairs but spend time under the house playing and cooking. That is how it is with many of the people here.

Amerindian Primary children

Look at the sweet faces of these three primary children at their home. Only one was old enough to be baptised, but the other two were anxiously awaiting the day. After a short visit, we all sang, I am a child of God. Nice to know that some things are the same everywhere in the world.

Earlier this month we went to Canje to attend a zone conference there. These fine sisters can make a mean hawiian haystack meal for hungry missionaries. Afterwards we went shopping for bread for a delicious spagetti dinner at the Lingrins home. It is so fun to get together with the other couples. Seems like all we do is meet and eat.

Sister Missionaries