Things are going okay here on St. Lucia. I have been thrown into a place where the main language is Patois. Pronounced pa-twa (the a is like "a"pple, the o is like "o"bject). It's a little bit like Creole and French which helps, but it is a different dialect, so I have some work to do! The area is a bit different than I expected. I thought it would be a city setting like Port of Spain or like parts of St. Maarten but it's not. We are on the ghetto end of St. Lucia and no tourists come to this end of the island! It looks and feels a lot like Tobago did.
We have started working in a new area since I came over here and we found a sweet family. There are 17 people in it! Unfortunately only about 4 of them are interested right now but we are working on it. We set a baptism date with one of them for the 13th! We went to the Mom's Church of God (7th Day) on Saturday and that was weird. Apparently it had a profound effect on her because when she got home after the service, she announced to her whole family that she was never going back to it again! That was cool to hear.
There are currently 8 missionaries here on St. Lucia. I am in a 4 man apartment with Elders Lundburg (from Logan!) and Welch, and my companion Elder Morris. I don't think that Elder Morris is a bad missionary. Sure he has a few problems with his teaching style and he hates talking to people on the street but I should hopefully be able to help fix those things. I think his biggest problem is that he doesn't know how to relax and just enjoy it. He is a little socially awkward. I think that is because he dropped out of high school in the middle of his junior year and never finished it. It will be a bit challenging but we'll make it work.
There used to be 2 sister missionaries in Castries but they are in Guyana now. We have a total of 3 companionships of sisters in our mission, there is 1 on Grenada and 2 in Guyana. I didn't think I would ever see the day! They work hard though and they are all easy to get along with. I'm just glad that they are locals and not from the states. (I probably won't live to see that day!)
Our branch has about 40 people. We have 6 Melchizedek Priesthood holders (not including the missionaries) which is great for a branch this small. Elder Lundburg and I had to speak this week which was fun. He was kind enough to leave me 30 minutes but I was able to fill them. We split the plan of salvation lesson from Preach My Gospel and I taught from the Atonement to the end. It was pretty easy and I enjoyed doing it. (It was just the 3rd time in 7 weeks that I have talked in Sacrament Meeting!)
Last night we stayed in Castries (the city in the north where the other 4 elders are) and I had a good chance to talk to Elder Prince (the zone leader) about everything that needs to happen on the island this transfer. Then we all went to the beach this morning and played a game of American football. I haven't done that my whole mission! One of the games we played was the 4 oldest vs. the 4 youngest and it turns out that I have been out longer than the whole younger team put together by about 3 weeks. That makes me feel old!
I'm glad that the Aggies have finally got their heads back on. Did you hear about BYU's basketball team? 19-1. Yep... that loss was to us! I wear my Aggie shirt every time I know they are playing. (Which is every game because I have the schedule!) I wore it last night in Castries and Elder Prince (who played hockey for Weber) just laughed about it. I'm surprised that we get along so well! In the absence of Elder Williams, he has become my best friend down here.
P.S. The other elders are having a baptism this week. We are all excited for it!
The scripture of the week is 3 Nephi 27:13-17.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Saint Lucia Informtion
Saint Lucia is an island nation in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is part of the lesser Antilles. The larger map shows where St. Lucia is in relation to the other islands of the Caribbean. The smaller map of Saint Lucia shows the location of Vieux Fort, in the south, where Jonathan is serving.
St. Lucia is a lush tropical island of jungle, mountains, and beaches. It is teardrop-shaped and has an area of approximately 385 square miles. It is about 27 miles from north to south and 14 miles across. It is volcanic in origin and is more mountainous than most other Caribbean islands. It's highest point is Mount Gimie (3120 ft.) Two other mountains, the Pitons, form the island's most famous landmark. St. Lucia is also one of the few islands in the world that has a drive-in volcano.
Pitons:
St. Lucia was named for Saint Lucy of Syracuse. [Lucy or Lucia was born in 283 and died in 304. She was a wealthy young Christian martyr. She is the patron saint of those who are blind. Lucy consecrated her virginity to God, refused to marry a pagan, and had her dowry distributed to the poor. Her would-be husband denounced her as a Christian to the governor of Syracuse, Sicily. Miraculously unable to move her or burn her, the guards removed her eyes with a fork.]
St. Lucia was first visited by Europeans in about 1500 and first colonised successfully by France who signed a treaty with the native Carib peoples in 1660. Great Britain took control of the island from 1663 to 1667 then went to war with France over it fourteen times, and finally took complete control in 1814. Because it switched so often between British and French control, St.Lucia was also known as the "Helen of the West Indies." A Representative government came about in 1924. From 1958 to 1962 the island was a member of the Federation of the West Indies. Finally, on February 22, 1979, Saint Lucia became an independent state of the Commonwealth of Nations and recognises Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State.
The population is about 160,000 of which about a third live in the capital city of Castries. The majority are of African descent (81%). There is a significant mixed minority and Indo-Caribbean or Indian groups. There is a small number of European origin (descendants of French, British, and Irish colonists) as well as small numbers of Greeks, Lebanese, Syrians, Chinese, North Americans, Portuguese, Germans and Italians. About 70% of the population is Roman Catholic. The rest are Seventh-day Adventists, Pentecostalists, Anglicans, Evangelicals, Rastafari, and a small minority are Baptists.
The official language is English, but a creole language called Antillean Creole is spoken by 80% of the population and is getting increasing official recognition.
The economy depends on banana production, tourism, and light manufacturing. The tourism industry has suffered during the current recession in the United States and Europe.
St. Lucia has a hot, tropical climate throughout the year. The average daily temperatures is 80°F but tends to be tempered by the trade winds. The driest time on the island is between January and March. Rain showers can occur throughout the year, but they are usually over quickly. Hurricane season is from June to November.
St. Lucia is a lush tropical island of jungle, mountains, and beaches. It is teardrop-shaped and has an area of approximately 385 square miles. It is about 27 miles from north to south and 14 miles across. It is volcanic in origin and is more mountainous than most other Caribbean islands. It's highest point is Mount Gimie (3120 ft.) Two other mountains, the Pitons, form the island's most famous landmark. St. Lucia is also one of the few islands in the world that has a drive-in volcano.
Pitons:
St. Lucia was named for Saint Lucy of Syracuse. [Lucy or Lucia was born in 283 and died in 304. She was a wealthy young Christian martyr. She is the patron saint of those who are blind. Lucy consecrated her virginity to God, refused to marry a pagan, and had her dowry distributed to the poor. Her would-be husband denounced her as a Christian to the governor of Syracuse, Sicily. Miraculously unable to move her or burn her, the guards removed her eyes with a fork.]
St. Lucia was first visited by Europeans in about 1500 and first colonised successfully by France who signed a treaty with the native Carib peoples in 1660. Great Britain took control of the island from 1663 to 1667 then went to war with France over it fourteen times, and finally took complete control in 1814. Because it switched so often between British and French control, St.Lucia was also known as the "Helen of the West Indies." A Representative government came about in 1924. From 1958 to 1962 the island was a member of the Federation of the West Indies. Finally, on February 22, 1979, Saint Lucia became an independent state of the Commonwealth of Nations and recognises Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State.
The population is about 160,000 of which about a third live in the capital city of Castries. The majority are of African descent (81%). There is a significant mixed minority and Indo-Caribbean or Indian groups. There is a small number of European origin (descendants of French, British, and Irish colonists) as well as small numbers of Greeks, Lebanese, Syrians, Chinese, North Americans, Portuguese, Germans and Italians. About 70% of the population is Roman Catholic. The rest are Seventh-day Adventists, Pentecostalists, Anglicans, Evangelicals, Rastafari, and a small minority are Baptists.
The official language is English, but a creole language called Antillean Creole is spoken by 80% of the population and is getting increasing official recognition.
The economy depends on banana production, tourism, and light manufacturing. The tourism industry has suffered during the current recession in the United States and Europe.
St. Lucia has a hot, tropical climate throughout the year. The average daily temperatures is 80°F but tends to be tempered by the trade winds. The driest time on the island is between January and March. Rain showers can occur throughout the year, but they are usually over quickly. Hurricane season is from June to November.
Monday, January 18, 2010
I am going to St. Lucia on Wednesday!
Things are going pretty well. It's been hot in the Caribbean the last week or so. We had 3 days of blistering sunshine and ever since it has been rainy all day and night. I'm getting pretty sick of being wet all of the time!
We pretty much have the same investigators but they have all stalled at the moment. None of them came to church yesterday for a variety of reasons. One of our former investigators, a guy we were teaching about a month ago, saw us and asked us when we were going to come by his house again. We told him that it would be when he came to church. He said he couldn't come this week because he is currently out of "perfume". That is the worst excuse that I have ever heard! (And I've heard some pretty bad ones!)
We have heard all about Haiti. In fact, Elder Damm and I heard about it roughly 5 minutes after the earthquake happened because we were teaching a lesson to some Haitians right when it was happening. All of their friends started calling with the news. We had a tsunami warning at night but they called it off just a few minutes after they released it. I'm glad to hear that Mandy (one of the nurse that went to Guatemala with Jonathan was in Haiti when the earthquake happened) is alive and mostly well. I've heard far too many terrible stories about people who have lost loved ones in awful ways over there this past week. I think it was missed in the US because of the Haiti quake but there was also a 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Venezuela this week as well!
We heard from the Dominican Republic mission president yesterday that all of the Elders are safe there. (One of Jonathan's best friends is a missionary there). Their mission president took his scooter out and rode around until he found all of them! All of their church buildings are standing and pretty much completely fine. Oh when you work for the Lord!
Transfers are thus: I am going to St. Lucia on Wednesday to be in a city on the south coast called Vieux Fort. I am really excited! I was supposed to be the zone leader but President decided to put we with an Elder that has been really struggling. Neither of us wanted me to have to deal with all of it at the same time. That pretty much means that I won't have to be a zone leader! That is fine with me. I know some missionaries really want that job but I don't! I will miss Elder Damm, we had a good time being companions. This is a video of one of the many interesting things that we did together.
Our Conch BBQ!
I'm super glad to hear that the Aggies are starting to look better again. Elder Oliver in Trinidad sends me an e-mail occasionally to let me know what's going on and the last thing I heard was that they were doing terrible. I hope that they keep doing well because I want to hear good news in March!
(We try to keep Jonathan updated on his friends. We tracked down one friend who is now home from his mission and forwarded him an email from another who serving in Guatemala). Thanks for trying to get a hold of my friend for me. I hope that he gets his head on straight and is alright. Breaking the Word of Wisdom is just stupid! I don't understand why anyone, especially a returned missionary, would want to do that! I totally agree with what Rob said in his email about it being easier to talk about following and teaching by the spirit than it actually is. It makes it even harder when everyone you see is breaking a serious commandment like here on St. Maarten!
I'm excited to read the book that I gave Dad for Christmas. Sorry that some of the content was a little questionable. That's really how the Caribbean is. We just have to deal with it and not get sucked in ourselves!
My toe is still doing fine. The shoulder is still tender. I'm trying to rest it but it's not an easy thing to do! I do have a new problem as of this morning though. I have another ingrown toenail on my left foot! It is on my 4th toe on the lateral side of the nail. It is going to be a real pain, literally and figuratively, to get it out because it is ingrown so far down the nail. It's not a very comfortable thing! I did put medicine on it after my first attempt to dig it out this morning. I'll have another go this afternoon. I didn't have any problems for 14 months. Why does this keep happening? Don't worry, I'm fine.
These are pictures from our activity on the beach this morning:
I'm glad that things are going well for everyone doing the D&C countdown. It's hard to believe my mission is coming to a close soon! I am going to ask President Gamiette not to move me again. I am really sick of moving. I only have 18 weeks left so maybe he'll let me "die" in peace!
The scripture of the week is Mosiah 5:13, 15.
We pretty much have the same investigators but they have all stalled at the moment. None of them came to church yesterday for a variety of reasons. One of our former investigators, a guy we were teaching about a month ago, saw us and asked us when we were going to come by his house again. We told him that it would be when he came to church. He said he couldn't come this week because he is currently out of "perfume". That is the worst excuse that I have ever heard! (And I've heard some pretty bad ones!)
We have heard all about Haiti. In fact, Elder Damm and I heard about it roughly 5 minutes after the earthquake happened because we were teaching a lesson to some Haitians right when it was happening. All of their friends started calling with the news. We had a tsunami warning at night but they called it off just a few minutes after they released it. I'm glad to hear that Mandy (one of the nurse that went to Guatemala with Jonathan was in Haiti when the earthquake happened) is alive and mostly well. I've heard far too many terrible stories about people who have lost loved ones in awful ways over there this past week. I think it was missed in the US because of the Haiti quake but there was also a 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Venezuela this week as well!
We heard from the Dominican Republic mission president yesterday that all of the Elders are safe there. (One of Jonathan's best friends is a missionary there). Their mission president took his scooter out and rode around until he found all of them! All of their church buildings are standing and pretty much completely fine. Oh when you work for the Lord!
Transfers are thus: I am going to St. Lucia on Wednesday to be in a city on the south coast called Vieux Fort. I am really excited! I was supposed to be the zone leader but President decided to put we with an Elder that has been really struggling. Neither of us wanted me to have to deal with all of it at the same time. That pretty much means that I won't have to be a zone leader! That is fine with me. I know some missionaries really want that job but I don't! I will miss Elder Damm, we had a good time being companions. This is a video of one of the many interesting things that we did together.
Our Conch BBQ!
I'm super glad to hear that the Aggies are starting to look better again. Elder Oliver in Trinidad sends me an e-mail occasionally to let me know what's going on and the last thing I heard was that they were doing terrible. I hope that they keep doing well because I want to hear good news in March!
(We try to keep Jonathan updated on his friends. We tracked down one friend who is now home from his mission and forwarded him an email from another who serving in Guatemala). Thanks for trying to get a hold of my friend for me. I hope that he gets his head on straight and is alright. Breaking the Word of Wisdom is just stupid! I don't understand why anyone, especially a returned missionary, would want to do that! I totally agree with what Rob said in his email about it being easier to talk about following and teaching by the spirit than it actually is. It makes it even harder when everyone you see is breaking a serious commandment like here on St. Maarten!
I'm excited to read the book that I gave Dad for Christmas. Sorry that some of the content was a little questionable. That's really how the Caribbean is. We just have to deal with it and not get sucked in ourselves!
My toe is still doing fine. The shoulder is still tender. I'm trying to rest it but it's not an easy thing to do! I do have a new problem as of this morning though. I have another ingrown toenail on my left foot! It is on my 4th toe on the lateral side of the nail. It is going to be a real pain, literally and figuratively, to get it out because it is ingrown so far down the nail. It's not a very comfortable thing! I did put medicine on it after my first attempt to dig it out this morning. I'll have another go this afternoon. I didn't have any problems for 14 months. Why does this keep happening? Don't worry, I'm fine.
These are pictures from our activity on the beach this morning:
I'm glad that things are going well for everyone doing the D&C countdown. It's hard to believe my mission is coming to a close soon! I am going to ask President Gamiette not to move me again. I am really sick of moving. I only have 18 weeks left so maybe he'll let me "die" in peace!
The scripture of the week is Mosiah 5:13, 15.
Monday, January 11, 2010
He was there yesterday and loved church!
Zone conference on St. Lucia was good. We were supposed to spend from Wednesday until Saturday there, but they managed to find us flights back on Friday afternoon. It was an adventure going and coming back though. We flew from St Maarten to Nevis to Antigua to Barbados to St. Lucia on the way there. On the way back it was St. Lucia to Antigua to Nevis to St. Kitts to St. Maarten! It was a couple of long days to say the least!
The best part of this zone conference was meeting Elder Prince. He played hockey for Murray high school and then last year he played for Weber State. It was fun talking to him about hockey and the people that we both know.
Unfortunately the baptism scheduled for Saturday had to be pushed back at least a week. Wayne was unable to make it to church because of work. Oh well. We'll keep trying and it will work out the way that it is supposed to. We are going to try and get Kevon baptized next week because he was there yesterday and loved church!
This morning we left the apartment at 6 AM to go to the French side for a hike to Picture Paradise. This is the view from the top:
This is on the hike back down. It took us 3 hours to hike the whole thing so my legs are a bit sore.
The toe is doing alright. The hard covering that it developed has started to come off little by little. It was sore when I first came back because of all the walking but it is doing much better now. I still have probably between 2/3 and 3/4 of the medicine left. Hopefully it will last as long as I need it to!
My shoulder has been hurting for the last couple of days and it hasn't been very fun. I don't know what happened to it but it aches dully whenever I bring my arm across my body quickly. So I just avoid doing that motion! Bryan can check me out when I get home if it still hurts. It doesn't effect the work so no worries.
We found and cooked a conch this week. I will try and send the video next week because it's on Elder Damm's camera and he didn't bring it today. We barbecued it and it wasn't too bad at first...
Transfer calls come this week so I'll know what's going on next Monday. You should tell everyone to just send stuff (letters) to the mission office in Trinidad now and that way they will always get to me.
I can't think of any other news. I'm glad you're doing the D&C count down with me. It should be a fun family activity!
The scripture of the week is Ephesians 6:13-19.
The best part of this zone conference was meeting Elder Prince. He played hockey for Murray high school and then last year he played for Weber State. It was fun talking to him about hockey and the people that we both know.
Unfortunately the baptism scheduled for Saturday had to be pushed back at least a week. Wayne was unable to make it to church because of work. Oh well. We'll keep trying and it will work out the way that it is supposed to. We are going to try and get Kevon baptized next week because he was there yesterday and loved church!
This morning we left the apartment at 6 AM to go to the French side for a hike to Picture Paradise. This is the view from the top:
This is on the hike back down. It took us 3 hours to hike the whole thing so my legs are a bit sore.
The toe is doing alright. The hard covering that it developed has started to come off little by little. It was sore when I first came back because of all the walking but it is doing much better now. I still have probably between 2/3 and 3/4 of the medicine left. Hopefully it will last as long as I need it to!
My shoulder has been hurting for the last couple of days and it hasn't been very fun. I don't know what happened to it but it aches dully whenever I bring my arm across my body quickly. So I just avoid doing that motion! Bryan can check me out when I get home if it still hurts. It doesn't effect the work so no worries.
We found and cooked a conch this week. I will try and send the video next week because it's on Elder Damm's camera and he didn't bring it today. We barbecued it and it wasn't too bad at first...
Transfer calls come this week so I'll know what's going on next Monday. You should tell everyone to just send stuff (letters) to the mission office in Trinidad now and that way they will always get to me.
I can't think of any other news. I'm glad you're doing the D&C count down with me. It should be a fun family activity!
The scripture of the week is Ephesians 6:13-19.
Monday, January 4, 2010
We set a baptism date with Wayne!
Elder Damm and I had a good week. We are leading our zone in almost every statistical category which doesn't matter but it feels nice all the same. We set a baptism date with Wayne, an old investigator of mine, for January 16th. I'll keep you updated on his progress.
Our other cool investigator is named Kevon. He has been to the church in St. Vincent a couple of times and was super excited when we gave him a Book of Mormon. He is one of the rare people that we find that asks, when we ask if they have any questions, when we are going to come back. I think that he will go a long way.
Sadly, the whole mission still isn't doing very well with baptisms. There were only 11 people baptized this past weekend total! That is really low.
I guess Elder Damm likes doing e-mails early so mornings will probably be a normal thing from now on. I am glad that you liked the pictures from last week. I got the picture of Mom and Dad on the Buzz Lightyear ride. I can't wait to go and do that again! It's good that Jonathan (Roylance) was able to pass the "Disneyland Challenge". I guess he can be part of the family after all. I still need to make sure that he can survive a good camping or backpacking trip though! That will just have to wait a few more months.
So Michael got asked if he was a pastor huh? Poor kid. Tell him to dress a little more shabby! I know how he feels though. I would bet that at least 4 times a week we get called "father" or pastor. The best is when we are in Philipsburg in the electronics stores and we have people ask us questions about what the store sells. It's usually tourist and we help them out! (Michael was singled out for a carry-on bag search at the Long Beach airport. The TSA agent asked what his scripture case was so he told him it was his scriptures. Then the agent opened the case and thumbed through his quad and asked if he was a pastor!)
We fly to zone conference in St. Lucia on Wednesday with the meeting being Thursday morning. Unfortunately there are some strange decisions being made in the office about travel arrangements so we won't be coming back to St. Maarten until Saturday afternoon! I guess they want us to all travel together. If they would split us into 2 groups, we could all be home by Friday night. Oh well.
That's about all. Sorry I forgot to bring my planner with the scripture of the week. I will try to remember next week.
Our other cool investigator is named Kevon. He has been to the church in St. Vincent a couple of times and was super excited when we gave him a Book of Mormon. He is one of the rare people that we find that asks, when we ask if they have any questions, when we are going to come back. I think that he will go a long way.
Sadly, the whole mission still isn't doing very well with baptisms. There were only 11 people baptized this past weekend total! That is really low.
I guess Elder Damm likes doing e-mails early so mornings will probably be a normal thing from now on. I am glad that you liked the pictures from last week. I got the picture of Mom and Dad on the Buzz Lightyear ride. I can't wait to go and do that again! It's good that Jonathan (Roylance) was able to pass the "Disneyland Challenge". I guess he can be part of the family after all. I still need to make sure that he can survive a good camping or backpacking trip though! That will just have to wait a few more months.
So Michael got asked if he was a pastor huh? Poor kid. Tell him to dress a little more shabby! I know how he feels though. I would bet that at least 4 times a week we get called "father" or pastor. The best is when we are in Philipsburg in the electronics stores and we have people ask us questions about what the store sells. It's usually tourist and we help them out! (Michael was singled out for a carry-on bag search at the Long Beach airport. The TSA agent asked what his scripture case was so he told him it was his scriptures. Then the agent opened the case and thumbed through his quad and asked if he was a pastor!)
We fly to zone conference in St. Lucia on Wednesday with the meeting being Thursday morning. Unfortunately there are some strange decisions being made in the office about travel arrangements so we won't be coming back to St. Maarten until Saturday afternoon! I guess they want us to all travel together. If they would split us into 2 groups, we could all be home by Friday night. Oh well.
That's about all. Sorry I forgot to bring my planner with the scripture of the week. I will try to remember next week.
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