New Elders

Yesterday we were busy with the welcoming of six fine new West Indies missionaries.

They actually arrived at the mission home Monday night around 10. They had no trouble getting through immigration (usually a sticky spot). We fed them, chatted for a while and sent them to bed.

We let them sleep in until 7:30 Tuesday morning (5:30 in Provo - so not terribly decadent). We had a nice big breakfast of President Robison's famous sour dough pancakes followed by a devotional with counsel from President, myself, and the assistants.

Then we took a break for some photos and a walk around the mission home yard

Elder Olsen is having too much fun - he must love bananas


President with assistants: (new) Elder McDaniel and Elder Williamson


How did we ever survive without cell phones? Just fine from what I recall

From West Indies Mission

We were just in time to see two men come pick our coconuts. That was exciting for the new elders plus they got to drink fresh coconut water - so good!

From West Indies Mission

Yes - he is climbing on barbed wire barefoot!

From West Indies Mission

Then the missionaries went to the mission office for orientation on finance and practical issues.

After that, they were fed a nice big dinner/lunch, thanks to the wonderful couple missionaries who help out so much.



Here is something interesting about that welcome dinner. I asked the assistants (there happened to be three since we are in transition with Elder Walker going home) what it was like for them their first day in the mission. I was amazed that they each could tell me which dining room chair they sat in, where everyone else sat and details of the conversation. That first day must be an incredible moment for new missionaries.

Then the exiting part started. The new elders paired off with an assistant or another experienced missionary, went out to the San Juan area of Trinidad and got to work. They must be a powerful group because they taught 12 lessons (many of them with members), helped 3 people set baptismal dates, invited 83 people to church, and set up 8 return appointments - in only 3 hours. The assistants treated them to 'doubles' - a traditional Trinidad snack of flat bread and curried chick peas - and then they returned to the mission home. They loved getting out to work and couldn't stop talking about the people they met and taught.

We finished the day with a testimony meeting and assignment of trainers (via photos since our mission is so spread out).

This morning the four elders heading to Guyana departed at 5:00 AM and we have two more still here waiting for their transportation within the next few hours.

So - does that mean today will be nice and quiet?

Absolutely not!

It is transfer day and there are missionaries in cars and planes scattering all over the West Indies. The house will be full with Elders in and out and we will be on the edge of our seats until each of them is tucked into bed tonight.

Oh, and also, we have four departing elders arriving for their farewell dinner, devotional and mission home sleepover - that is the absolute toughest task of all.