FISHERS OF MEN

While driving down a road in the small fishing community of Gouyave, Grenada, we happened upon this trio of fishermen, casting their nets into the sea while one person was out of the boat, either untangling a net or driving the fish into it.  Perhaps this swimming gentleman fit into neither of those scenarios.  Maybe, just maybe, if we let our imaginations run wild, those fishermen were capturing him in their net.  Perhaps, they were "true fishers of men".  Okay, that's a stretch, but at least we have a visual.

President Gordon B. Hinckley once spoke about how each of us, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has taken upon us Christ's name.  We are all in this great work of saving souls, together.  His assignment as the Prophet wasn't any greater than mine or yours.  We have all been told to "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees".  (D&C 81:5).  We were all called by the same Savior, whose church this is.  We must all help to "bring to pass the eternal life of man".  How we touch a life is as serious a matter for all of us as it would be for the Prophet.

Our responsibility is to touch people so that they will make choices that will lead them to eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God.

Setting the proper example in meekness and humility is key in bringing souls unto Christ.  Others will feel God's love as you testify for the need of the Savior's Atonement and as you serve them.  You will teach them commandments they can keep.  

"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.  And he said unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.  And they straightway left their nets, and followed him".

He can make you and me fishers of men, however inadequate we may feel.  Follow him, he will qualify us to assist him in touching lives.

This is one of our cute little "fishers of men", Future Missionary, Elder Tytan Wright.  We gave him a missionary tag, Book of Mormon and tie for his 3rd birthday.  Cuteness!!!

Our Gouyave Elders, Larson and Strong, had a baptism on Saturday, February 8, in the river behind the church.  Sherry Ann Sampson was the short little baptizee.  These Elders are great fishers of men!

There was quite a good group attending the baptism.

Sister Callist

Sister Morris and Abigail

The cute George family

Sister Jean

Bro. Smart

Sister Kime and Elder Smith

Sisters Cragun and Kime

The backyard view of the Gouyave church/Elder's apartment

 Front view of the church.  The church is held downstairs in the missionary apartment.  As of next week, the Elder's apartment will be moved to the upstairs and the church will continue downstairs.  It's a better idea to have the missionaries live in a different apartment than the church.  The upstairs is a gorgeous apartment.  Wish we could live there!!!!

Saturday morning, we were invited to Rimble Campell's home to help him dedicate his home to the Lord.  This was one of the sweetest events that have taken place on our mission.  Rimble lives in very humble circumstances, yet he is one of the happiest people we have met.  He loves the Lord and desires to do what's right.  He walks for hours to be at church meetings.  He knows how to sacrifice to qualify for the Lord's blessings.  When we grow up, we want to be like Rimble.  We talked to him about how to dedicate and bless his home....... and he did it himself.  It was a beautiful and tender experience.

Rimble chose the color of the walls in his home himself.  This shows the blog reader just how colorful these folks are!  It take a very confident man to paint his walls bright pink!

Elders Strong, Smith and Smith with Rimble, in front of his home

On the pathway leading to Rimble's home.

The river next to Rimble's home, where he get his drinking and everyday water

On Monday, for P-day, our Zone went on a serious hike!  We hiked a VERY muddy mountain (volcano) called Qua Qua.  Our entire hike was through a rain forest, and, of course, it rained.  Absolutely gorgeous!!!  There was a lake, which was the caldron of the volcano.  Impressive.

We washed off our very muddy feet in the lake

Some muddy feet ----- and some that are washed off already

Hurry, find me a pageant, quick!!!!

This picture must have been taken before we fell down a hundred times in the gooey mud!

We sure did a lot with the Zone this week!  We all went out for pizza at Rick's after District meeting on Tuesday

On Wednesday, the St. Georges missionaries were invited to lunch at Tessa's home.  She cooked us a delicious Grenadian meal of lambie (or conch shell).  It was fabulous!

On Thursday we visited the Grenadian Government Ministries to obtain permits for our new, incoming missionaries.  This is Kelly Patrick with Elder Smith.  Kelly is the minister in Agriculture that we are working with on a humanitarian project.  He is wearing a shirt in the Grenadian national colors.  This week was Independence week and everyone dressed in the national colors.

The following pictures are of the colorful people in Grenada celebrating 40 years of Independence on February 7th.  RED, YELLOW AND GREEN EVERYWHERE!!!

This woman sold me all the "provisions" to cook the Grenadian National dish of OILDOWN.  I really made it, and did OK, if I must say so.

Sister Petra Smith

We went to the National Cricket Stadium to experience Grenadian Independence Day.  It was colorful!

Sister Petra again!  This was her expression when I told her that Elder and Sister Bush were coming to Grenada in May for a visit!  The Bushes were missionaries who served here a couple of years ago.

Friday Fun Night Activity included the "OilDown" that Sister Smith made.  She was quite adventuresome.....and her guinea pigs were very brave

To end our blog this week, we feel that we need to post a picture of our F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S Zone because the dynamics of our group will change this week, with transfers.  We will be getting 3 new missionaries, but only losing one, making a new companionship in Grenville and losing.............

SISTER CRAGUN.  Boohoo.  We will miss her.  She will be transferred to the lovely island of Tobago

The End