"THE BOYS" AND BROTHERHOOD

Every once in a while, Heavenly Father allows us to be part of something that changes us for the better.  As missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the West Indies Mission, we are witnesses to something so remarkable, it's difficult to write about, but we will do our best.  We have become friends with a group of men that we affectionately call "The Boys".  They range from ages 23 to 40 and are the best of friends.

Junior Julian, Ryan and Ricky Stanisclaus, Roger and Jemin Courtney

 One by one, Sisters Kime and Cragun-----now Sisters Kime and Bennie-----have taught and prepared each of these men for baptism.  Saturday, another one of "The Boys" was baptized.

Sister Bennie, Ryan, Sister Kime, Ricky, Elder Kent Smith

Ricky and Kent

Sitting: Elder Dohrman and Roger.  Standing next to them are Jemin and Elder Strong

Ryan, Sisters Bennie and Kime, Michael Bruno, Kent, Ricky, Elders Hill, Larson, Loewen and Smith

Men are looking everywhere to see if there isn't  something positive in which to tie their lives.  "The Boys" decided that the gospel was that very thing.....and they fastened themselves to it. 

At the baptismal services, both Ryan and Roger spoke on the topics of baptism and the Holy Ghost.  As new converts to the church, their undertanding and spirituality are extraordinary, to say the least!  They, like the sons of Mosiah and Alma, their close friend, are "The Boys".  "Yea, they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God."  Alma 17:2  All of these "boys" are on fire with the gospel and they want to share it with everyone!  "Now, they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish: yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure torment did cause them to quake and tremble.  And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners.  And the Lord saw fit in His infinite mercy to spare them."  Mosiah 28:3-4.   Sister Kime brought to our attention the fact that none of this conversion process has been a coincidence with "The Boys".   Heavenly Father has been in charge of this miracle from the beginning, pulling so many strings to get "The boys" in the exact situation that was needed for conversion to take place. 

At the baptism, Ryan bore testimony to his brother, Ricky, of the fact that we all, as members of the church,  have a work to do as missionaries. (he is certainly doing his part)  Roger spoke to Ricky of brotherhood and friendship and  about the travels they have had together in their lives........that they would still travel together, but their path will now be different, as members of the church.  

They are now new brothers in Christ, with a love in their heart and a message to all of friendship, brotherhood and spirituality.  

Our own mission brotherhood,  Elders Hill and Larson, chilling in their new apartment

 Elders Larson and Dohrman

 Elders Loewen and Smith

 Elder Smith Sr. with Elder Dohrman

 Elders Hill and Larson

 Elder Larson working on adding more members to the brotherhood

 Elders Smith and Loewen

We don't want to leave the Sisters out this week.  It was, after all, the Sisters who found and taught "The Boys"

This is Sister Bennie and Sister Kime

                                                WHAT A GREAT ZONE WE HAVE!!!!!!!

Here are some other highlights from our week

Elder and Sister Bateman came to visit us from Trinidad.  They are from Levan, Utah

 We had a day and 1/2 to show them as much of Grenada as possible.  Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, we found monkeys in the Grand Etang.  It's the first time we have seen them, and we've been there several times.

We watched a woman shell cocoa beans

We showed the Bateman's lot of gorgeous Grenadian landscape

Took a picture out of our front door. (still have to pinch myself everytime I look at the view)

We had Elders with injured ("eeenjoored") hands from helping some fishermen haul in their nets

 Poor Elder Strong and his toes.  We did another toenail removal.  Sister Bennie was quite excited to be part of the surgery.  Who Knew????

Elder Dohrman made cinnamon rolls for the Sisters (he owed them, big time) while Elder Strong was  in recovery mode from toe surgery.

Family fun night on Friday!  A great lesson by Dan Pierce followed by games and treats!

 Erin Anderson, Lizzy Wright, Mindy Cox

 Lizzy and Delisa Williams. the pink ladies!

T'WAS A GREAT WEEK!!!!!!