September 28,2009

We have heard from several of you and it always makes our day to receive updates from you. Another week has come and gone and the time is flying by. We have been in the mission field for almost two months. We had a "hump-day" ceremony for Elder Harris on Thursday which was fun for me as I had heard about them but never witnessed one.

Highlights of the week!!! We baptized a rasta man at Indian Bay Beach on Saturday. He is so excited to be changing his life and it was sweet to see his hair all in a white turban for the devotional before the baptism. He was very nervous about the water, as many of the people here are, but it went very well and he has a very humble spirit. We are also teaching a young couple who moved here from St. Lucia about 3 months ago. Their names are Brendon and Cardian and they are not married and are expecting a baby in March. Three years ago Brendon received a terrible beating in his rough neighborhood and was in the hospital. He had a near death experience and has been looking for answers ever since. Their questions and understanding are wonderful. The spirit has had a strong influence with them because of their prayers. When we were talking to them about being married last night, they both got tears in their eyes and expressed their desire to have a family different than what they both have had. Brendon's father has never had anything to do with him or his mother and Cardian's mother abandoned her when she was a baby. Being married is the exception here in the Caribbean and there is another couple that need to get married so she can baptized. We have a set a baptism date of October 24 for them. Every missionary companionship on the island had investigators to church on Sunday. We also had some members who have not been active for awhile in attendance because of our visits and committing them to come back. We are experiencing wonderful things here. We had a great P-day with the Elders on the island of Bequia, which is one the Grenadine Islands and is the closest to St. Vincent. Pres. Gamiette gave us permission and it has been a good day for all of us. We took the Rav 4 on the ferry and it made it possible for us to see most of the island; it has beautiful beaches.

We are looking forward to General Conference this coming weekend. We watched the General Relief Society meeting at the Kingstown chapel on Saturday night. We looked at each other and both were thinking the same thing. We have not seen that many "clear people" since arriving in St. Vincent. It makes us hope that the members here will be able to feel the strength of the Church because all they know is a small branch. We will be thinking of you as we enjoy Conference with you!!! May you all have a great week.

Much love,
Elder and Sister Wheeler