We have frozen this blog as a historical, yet informational view at what life is like in the West Indies Mission for all those called to serve. This blog was designed for the families and friends of those missionaries serving in the West Indies Mission from July 2006 to July 2009. Every six weeks, photos taken at zone conference as well as a new slide show including every person baptized were posted on the blog. All of the slide shows are also available on our You Tube channel. The current West Indies Mission blog can be found here. Posts on our missionary experience can be found here and earlier. And finally, if you are a returned missionary who served in the West Indies, there is a current blog for you. Click here or visit westindiesrm@blogspot.com

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Special French Guiana Baptism




We attended the baptism Saturday of these two fine young men. I don't think I have ever seen such seriousness and dedication in teenage new converts. They are already talking about serving missions. They were found and taught by Elders Swain and Lines. Members did the baptisms and confirmations. Here is Elder Swain's account of finding and teaching them:

I decided that we would go to the Botanical Gardens [for gospel study] which is found in the centre of Cayenne. It's a quiet location set apart from the busy noise of the city surrounded by palm trees. We found ourselves a gazebo, gathered together and opened with a prayer. Then, to my suprise I saw familiar faces in the distance. Closer inspection found that they were our investigators. Finding Olivia and Tmoulsse the week previous had already been a miracle in it'self. Two teenagers singing rap music on a down town bench didn't present themselves as the most likly of potencial investigators. But when we met them in the church building the next Sunday morning a half hour before church started my opinion on their potencial progress quickly changed.

We had made an appointment for later in the day in the same location as our district meeting and they had arrived early.

With our district and now investigators joining our meeting I lead a ensuing discussion that followed the flow of highly prepared material. Our meeting soon evolved into a group discussion. Applying teaching skills in a real life setting taught us real lessons in Introducing The Book of Mormon. Heavenly Father poured out his spirit as we studied his words.

Olivia and Tmoulsse accepted our teachings and knew immediatly the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon. They came to church that week and the next. They have solid baptismal dates. They have found strength from the Book of Mormon and have kept every commitment, every time. When asked about how they felt about the Book of Mormon, They responded, 'magic', 'it's simply magic'.

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