One More Baptism This Week

We had our 3rd baptism this week on Saturday, Jan.17th, 2009. Jeniffer Parris, 21, also from Caparo was tracted out by Elder Endemann and his companion, Elder Hickenlooper and then Elder Thomas. Jeniffer accepted the challenge to be baptized right from the beginning. She has such a wonderful spirit about her. She will be a strong leader in the church in Trinidad someday. She asked Elder Leishman to baptize her because she said Elder Endemann would drown her, Elder Thomas was too small (which in Trinidad means young) and Elder Leishman would be perfect, kind and old. He was happy to oblige.

Our First Beach Baptism

We finally had our first beach baptism in the West Indies on Thursday, Jan. 15th, 2009. Actually, most baptisms in the West Indies are in fonts now. But, every once in a while an investigator requests a beach baptism. Jessie, 20, and Latesha Ramnath, 22, brother and sister, were found in a new area that we helped open at the first of December. Their parents had been baptized over 10 years ago but quit going to church a few years later. Jessie and Latesha were too young to be baptized with their parents and eventually fell between the cracks. When we found them in December, Jessie and Latesha both expressed a desire to be baptized on the 2nd visit. They wanted a beach baptism so we went to the closest cleanest beach, Maracus Beach, a 1 1/2 hour drive away. It was so worth it. It was such a beautiful day! Check out the waves. They knocked Truman down and he lost his prescription glasses in the ocean. Thanks goodness he brought an old pair with him. Truman baptized Latesha and Elder Endemann baptized Jessie. Elder Endemann's new companion of one week, Elder Thomas, went out in the water as the 2nd witness.

New Kid on the Block

Meet the "new kid on the block". Elder Tyler Thomas just arrived in Trinidad on Monday Jan. 5th. He met his new companion and trainer, Elder Endemann, on Wed. Jan. 7th. Elders Thomas and Endemann have a few things in common - they are both from California and they both have a great sense of humor. Elder Thomas is not having any trouble adjusting to being a missionary. He is very friendly and, so far, willing to eat almost anything. He said that he was a real picky eater at home but I haven't seen that side of him yet and he has been introduced to some unusual dishes here.


Pictured are Elder Leishman, Nigel Singh, and Elder Endemann. Nigel is the young man who was injured so badly in the car accident in Dec. He was the driver. Elder Endemann and Elder Leishman stop by Nigel's house several days a week to check up on his progress. He is supposed to have his bandages taken off this week.

Elders and Senior Couples Visit to Hope Center on Christmas Day!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

WE DID IT! 2008 IN 2008 + 4 MORE

Truly we have seen miracles in the West Indies in the year 2008. Last year at this time the elders with under the direction of President Robison set a goal to baptize 2008 souls in the year 2008. That was a giant step for the West Indies because in 2007 the mission reported a little over 1,000 baptisms and the year before that, 2006, just over 400. We have seen a few of those miracles since our arrival in the West Indies in October and are grateful for those blessings. We know that angels have directed the paths of the missionaries to the places where they would find souls who had been prepared and were ready to hear the gospel taught to them.

That is not all we have seen in the line of miracles. We thank Heavenly Father every night that we go to bed that we were protected upon the streets and highways of Trinidad. Driving habits here are irresponsible and unsafe. Laws are not enforced, therefore they are not obeyed. We were especially grateful for the miraclulous survival of Elder Leishman and two young elders, Elders Hickenlooper and Endemann, when they were involved in a head-on collision on Saturday, Dec. 27th. Elder Leishman stopped his vehicles just as a drunk driver coming towards them rolled his truck twice and then slid right into the car Elder Leishman was driving. Elder Leishman said it is a miracle that the truck didn't finish his last roll and fall right on their windsheild. The elders all hurried out of their vehicle and rushed to the aid of the three young adults in the truck. The driver was severely injured with a head and arm wound. Elder Leishman's quick thinking and immediate first aid to stop the bleeding from his wounds surely saved the young man's life. The elders went the next day to visit him in the hospital where he is recovering after having 29 stitches in his head to sew his scalp back on.