Oct. 5, 2009

We are a little late getting this written this week because Sunday and Monday were so busy. So, this is still for last week even though it is being sent on October 15.

We have found that getting Brendon and Cardian ready for marriage is more difficult that we originally thought it would be. They are from the island of St. Lucia and immigration is making it hard. We went there on Tuesday and they had everything ready we thought and they didn't like how they had formatted a letter that was required and so we went to an internet cafe and retyped it and they still said that they would have to come back on Friday to get the letter that is required at the court house so they can get a marriage license. They are still doing well with the lessons, reading and praying. He got a job and that is an answer to prayer even though it doesn't pay much.

After Kingstown's PEC meeting on Thursday night, we went with Elders Huntsman and Stebbing to Carlton"s home which is way up a gap. We walked quite a ways with our flashlights to get there. He was amazing! He has 3 boys, 5, 7 and 9, that he is raising by himself. His lady took off and he has been doing it all for several years. He works at the port and there are at least two people to every job which means that it is part time for all of them. He was on the national soccer team several years ago and loved it. He has never gone to school because his mom insisted that he be a hustler (sell whatever on the streets) from the time he was very young. He had already put his boys to bed, so we had his full attention. He was very receptive and the spirit was strong. He committed to come to church with his boys on Sunday. It rained while we were there and so it was extremely slick when we left and I could not keep my feet under me. I fell over and over again; Elder Stebbing was in front of me and was trying to help me and I would slip and nearly knock his feet our from under him. It was so steep, slick and dark but we finally made it to our vehicle. So, after laughing most of the way and getting more muddy by the minute, Elder Wheeler is calling Sister Piggy. Carlton did come to Church on Sunday and they started him with the reading class and he is so excited.
Elders Huntsman and Stebbing have also been working with Sheena Providence. She has been coming to the Kingstown branch off and on for years and has finally caught fire. She loves the Book of Mormon and reads all the time. She committed to baptism and wanted to be baptized in a river like the Savior. The Kingstown Elders went to work and dammed off the river behind Brother Jackson's home to make a pond and it made a beautiful location to be baptized. The baptism was Saturday at noon and it was wonderful.

We also had a baptism for two brothers who are 10 and 12. They have been coming to church with their neighbors, great boys. There are quite a few neighborhood kids that have been attending church and family home evening with the Adams family. The branch president agreed to their baptism if Brother Adams would continue to make sure they attend church regularly. It was a very touching baptism with the branch family there to support them. Their mom gave permission for their baptism but didn't come. Good, good people here!

The Adams wanted to feed the missionaries but their home is so small that it was not possible now that we have 10 of us. So, we had the dinner here on Sunday night. Sister Adams is originally from Guyana; they made us curried rabbit (which they raised) and bakes. I made a cake and we had a wonderful time.

Another great week here in St. Vincent!!! We love hearing from you and updating us on our corner of the world; keep the e-mails coming!!!