SAYING GOOD-BYE

As missionaries, a common occurrence in our lives are transfers.  Becoming attached to the people we teach is inevitable, because we tend to love those we serve and help come into the kingdom.  Therefore, the transfer call comes with much anxiety, for most missionaries.

Saying good-bye to those we have grown to love is never easy.  The people whose lives have been touched have become close to the missionary because of the treasure of knowledge that has been shared between them.

A thousand tears are shed as one goes around saying good-bye to saints and converts whom they have  taught and brought into the church.  Those converts will always bless the name of the missionary that brought the "good news" of the gospel to them.  

Roger and Jemin

Converts have been taught the law of tithing, fast offerings, temple and priesthood blessings and even going on a mission!  Ryan, (below) is doing the paperwork, right now, to go on a mission and help others learn of the restored gospel and grow a love for him as he does for the missionaries who brought the gospel into his life.

Ryan

There are all sorts of difficulties in the journey of church membership.  It would be easy to say the price of membership is too high.  But to dare to meet persecution, because there is not a doubt in the minds of these new converts, is to take the high road, which includes the goodness of the gospel.  They know that God is anxious to help because they have felt His loving arms envelope them.  Doubt and fear have fled being replaced by peace and comfort.

Ricky

Sisters Kime and Bennie walking up the pathway to Ryan's home

In front of Ryan's home

Mrs. Stanisclaus, below, is the mother of Ryan and Ricky.  As she lets her son leave on a mission, she will feel a great joy and peace come into her life.  She will find that money cannot buy the love that others have for her son as he brings the truths of the restored gospel into their lives.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matt. 6:19-21

What could a person have done during those months of young adulthood that would lay away treasures in heaven like the time they are spending in the West Indies among these people?

One missionary said "there is no greater work than missionary work.  There is nothing as wonderful------NOTHING-----as tasting the joy and success of missionary labors."

We owe it to the world to share the truths of the gospel.

Nothing can be as important as preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  His great message is to be preached to all the world, rich, poor, educated-----in preparation of the coming of the Lord.

Ricky, at his home and garden

D&C 18:14-16  "Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.  And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!  And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me in the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!"  And so....the loving attachment grows for those who have been involved in the teaching and the conversion process......thus making it difficult to say good-bye.

Picking golden apples from the trees at Ricky's garden

Hahaha.  I think Ricky's attitude has now changed!

It seems we did a lot of eating with our missionaries this week!  This is the Gouyave apartment with Elders Hill, Larson, Dohrman and Smith (the latter 2 were visiting)

Sister Bennie taught us how to cook Guyanese Curry Chicken.  Sister Kime taught us how to make Roti.  Then we invited the Elders to come and partake of the yumminess!!!!!

This is actually the day that the Sisters found out that they were being transferred.  Not a lot of happiness going on here.....

It seems like we eat together a lot!  Pizza time!!!!

Ryan and Mindy Cox invited us over for lunch after the baptism on Saturday.  We had fried peanut butter and honey sandwiches.  Our new favorite.  There's only a few calories!!!

Playing some Minute to Win it games.  Hilarious!!

Filling out Missionary Paperwork for Ryan in the Branch President's office.

Saturday was a baptism for Tracy and Carlos Fletcher

The font is full!!!!!

Elder Dohrman and Tracy

Elder Hill and Carlos

Abigail Morris and Sherry Ann Sampson

Visiting after the baptism

We had "The Boys" and the Sisters over for dinner and a beautiful lesson on the Priesthood tonight. Such a great day.  Jemin spoke in church for the first time, and all of them either passed or blessed the sacrament, some for the first time!  They even signed our sea shell!  We think today was a red banner day!

Saying goodbye to our remarkable Sisters Bennie and Kime.  They will be successful wherever they go because they know that the worth of a soul is great in the Lord's work!  Love these two!!