august 23 2009

Dear Family and Friends,

We have had another wonderful week in St. Vincent! We will start with Monday which is our P-day. We left early in the morning for the leeward side of the island. There were unbelievable views in every direction. Our first stop was the farthermost destination. It is Dark View Falls and is also a bamboo refuge. You can see all of the pictures we took on our blog. We then went to Wallilabou Bay which is where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed and that was great fun. We had lunch with the Elders there and then went on to Fort Charlotte which was built in the 1600's. Great history for the history buff and the view was spectacular. We finished in the early afternoon and did our P-day chores. We then had family home evening with the Adams. There home is about the size of our kitchen at home. They insisted that Jim and I sit in the two chairs that were in the kitchen/living room and the 4 Elders and Gary and Maazen sat side by side on the floor. Elder Cottam gave a great lesson and testimonies were shared. Maazen made pizza for Gary's birthday, which was very good. They are raising ducks for some extra money and we all became quite well acquainted with them before we left as they were right by the front door. Elder Vaea sat on the front steps and talked to the ducks until it started to rain and then we all were inside together. It was a wonderful experience and reaffirmed our belief that what you have is not what makes you happy but what you believe and how you live. Gary and Maazen are very strong members of the Kingstown branch.

We had the Elders for lunch after district meeting on Tuesday and they loved it. We had wonderful grilled chicken and a batch chocolate chip cookies that didn't turn out like home but they didn't know the difference and guacamole and chips. Adams had huge avocados growing right next to their house and gave us one. Lunch here will probably become a tradition after district meetings.

Wednesday and Thursday were quite quiet because Elder Vaea and Elder Cottam took turns being sick and needing some assistance. We did renew passports for the first time and Elders Cottam and Cronin had the paperwork so well prepared that we sailed right through.

We went to the market on Friday. We liked the variety at one vendor and bought several things from a lady named Joyce who said, "Jehovah told me to sell to you for less." She and her daughter also taught us how to prepare some of the produce that we are totally unfamiliar with. We then found a vendor who was selling fresh fish. There were three men who were very helpful in teaching us how to prepare the fish. As we were leaving, one of them said, "Will you pray for me Jesus lady? My name is Ammaron." I said that I would and that we would be back next week.

Saturday morning we had a wonderful walk in the rain at the cricket field. We then went visiting inactives with Elders Moala and Vaea. We went to a lady that had been offended in the Calliaqua branch. When we went into her house, she had sewing machines all over and had once had 40 employees who made clothing. Sharp lady and we hit it off right away. She does like to run things which can be a problem no matter where you are a member. We challenged her to forgive and to come to church on Sunday and she said she would. Surprised the Elders, us too. She did come to Church today and said she would come again next week. We have had some spiritual experiences visiting less active members. The Small family from the Kingstown branch are coming along and we are very hopeful that they will be ready to go to the temple while we are here.

The Kingstown branch had an Open House Saturday night which was to help the community understand what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is really about. Elders Cronin and Cottam and the branch mission leaders did a great job. We taught the workshop on the Family and the Proclamation. We were excited about some of the people that came to find about the Church. At the end, the branch put on a skit that was hilarious to everyone except Elder and Sister Wheeler who didn't understand any of it. They talk so fast! Just when we thought we were getting better.

Today has been a very busy day. We took a vehicle packed with members to Church and then to took a vehicle even more packed home. I stayed at the church while Jim took them home to make more room. We both had meetings etc. after the block. We got home about 3 and fried some fish and plantain (like bananas) for dinner and then took another vehicle load back to the church for YW meetings and our first choir practice. Pres. Robertson called a new convert to lead the choir who can sing gospel music so well. She doesn't know how to lead music so he taught her right there. It was something we will not forget for a long time. Great spirit! As he has expressed concerns with the missionaries he ends his comments with, "These are precious people." We returned home shortly after 8 and decided to send this e-mail tonight instead of tomorrow.

Our blog address is http://jimandjanwheeler.blogspot.com which will have our e-mails and the pictures that we are taking. Good week for pictures because of our trip on Monday.

We are very grateful for all of you and your support. We love hearing from you and know now how our family missionaries loved news from home. Our prayers are always with you and hope that all is well on the home front.

We love ya lots,
Mom and Dad (Elder and Sister Wheeler)