The great men of Canje and Berbice

(women too)

You may wonder about their table manners after looking at this

From Sept 08

From Sept 08

From Sept 08

From Sept 08

From Sept 08

But they are actually enjoying a Guyana style zone conference lunch of curry and roti (forks optional).

Sorry moms, I hope you can reform them when they come home. This is how you eat curry in Guyana. However, President Robison is very firm with the elders about gentlemanly manners. They will be fine husbands and fathers some day.

They sure do love Guyanese cooking. You see, they are not allowed to eat in homes at all in Guyana. This rule was put into place before we came on our mission and it decreased missionary sick days by 70%. It's tough on the wonderful Guyanese sisters who want to mother and fatten up your sons, but it is for the best.

Here is the delicious meal - roti, curried chicken and pineapple (Guyana pineapple is the absolute best in the Caribbean)

From Sept 08

Roti is Guyana and Trinidad's version of bread (and fork). It makes a perfect 'scoop' for curry.

From Sept 08

The expert - Elder Kippins is from Guyana and serving in Guyana

From Sept 08

Elder Lang is officially the pickiest eater in the mission. But the missionary miracle is happening (after two weeks in the field) and he actually ate two bites of curry.

From Sept 08

Here are the 'moms' of Guyana who made our delicious lunch

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and this is where they cooked!

From Sept 08

that's right - out back behind the church (we do have a kitchen in the church, but I guess it couldn't handle this big pot)

From Sept 08

Brand new Elder Baantjer thinks dessert is good too

From Sept 08

The zone conference was great.

The assistants had some fun teaching the elders that you can't do anything in missionary work without first finding someone to teach as they challenged a team of elders to beat them in soccer - with no ball!

From Sept 08

They also compared these fun video clips to typical responses missionaries get when

street contacting:

(if it won't play go here)

tracting:

(if it won't play go here)

and member referrals:

(if it won't play go here)

the elders decided they'd much prefer member referrals where people are more likely to 'jump into the water' and be baptized

Check out these great looking 'red tied' elders (singing a musical number)

From Sept 08

Don't they look sharp? I happen to know that Elder Ritchie and Elder Dayton shined the shoes of the elders in their zone before zone conference

From Sept 08

The testimonies were wonderful. Here are a few phrases:

"I learned the secret to missionary work - it is to be happy."

"I stand in the presence of greatness. You are some of the greatest men I know."

"I am so happy, SO HAPPY! I will never ever know the same happiness I know now."


Here they are - great missionaries

Berbice

From Sept 08

Berbice on fire

From Sept 08

Canje

From Sept 08

Canje ready to get it done!

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and the assistants - Elders Hyde and Laurtizen, the new 'traveling assistants' for Guyana, and Elders McDaniel and Williamson

From Sept 08

After zone conference we had a missionary fireside in the New Amsterdam building.

Here come the members and their friends

From Sept 08

From Sept 08

The Bahadur family - brand new members

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and cute little Travis

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To finish the day, while President Robison conducted interviews, I went visiting with Elder and Sister Bullock. They took me to Cow Dam - dirt roads, tiny wooden houses and no electricity. It was dark! I could only see Elder Bullock's bright white shirt a few feet in front of me with my little flashlight.

From Sept 08

I can't describe how sweet it was to spend time with new members Travis, Jade, and their little son, Travis jr. Their home was humble, lit only by a small lantern, but the spirit was bright. Travis bore his testimony saying that he loves the Gospel and would serve God for the rest of his life. He said he is working hard to learn his duty as a member of the church and as first counselor in the branch presidency. Jade teaches the Gospel Principles class. We closed our visit by singing "I love to see the temple" - in hopes that soon, this sweet family will be able to go there and be sealed for all eternity.

From Sept 08

From Sept 08

Missionary work is the best!