A few Success Stories

I haven't had time to go through all the Success Stories lately but here are a few that caught my eye:

(please excuse all the asterisks - I prefer to keep the names of investigators and new members confidential)

Elder Tholen (Suriname) - Working this week with Elder Mecham on exchanges in one of my old areas that got closed (Uitkijk), we went to visit a member family. As we were leaving a group of extended family members came to the house and I, thinking we were going to be late getting home, just greeted them and started to climb onto my bike as I got maybe revolution peddling i heard some yell from behind," Do you give lessons!?"....skrrrd. Instantly my most primal missionary instinct kicks in. "Surely" I yelled back, "And where do you live ?" Come to find out she lives in the area that I work in thus i quickly made an appointment and peddled away. Long story short, she has been looking for the missionaries for 7 years after seeing them and instantly knowing that they could help with a "sorrowful" after the death of her husband. So after 7 years she has a baptism date along with 6 others that live with her.

Elder White (Trinidad) - thursday before last we were meeting with a man named ***. The way we met him was quite strange, he walked up to the other elders and asked "do you not talk to rastas? this is just a hair style." When we went to teach him his cousin spent most of the night trying to bash with us and finally after we explained a couple of times that we didn't want to bash, *** told his cousin he wanted to hear what we had to say. When we came back this tuesday, we started teaching, and part way through the lesson, we asked *** if he had prayed and asked God if what we shared was true. He said he had asked the night before, in the morning, and while sitting on the bleachers before Rugby practice. we asked him if he had felt anything. he said that in each of the times, he felt something, like someone had put their hands on his shoulders, and said "And I'm feeling it now" We testified to him of the Holy Ghost

Elder Daines (Guyana) - I have a story about three pastors- Pastor A***, Pastor T***, and Pastor C*** - and the village they live in called ***. Pastor A*** has a big *** Pentecostal church in the town. Pastor T*** didn’t like it and broke away, and formed the *** church. But T***'s co-pastor, C***, didn’t like some of the things that went on, and he left that church.
So we’re on a bus one day, and Pastor A*** asks me about the book I had - I told him a little about The Book of Mormon, and he says wants one. We teach him a few times, and he starts reading the Book of Mormon.
We’d never been to this town before, so we start talking with everyone-and we just happen to tract into Pastor C***. We sit down with him, and he is even more interested. Within a few days, he tells us he’s reading the Book of Mormon, and he’s getting an answer to his prayers.
Just a day or two later, Pastor T*** calls us out as we’re walking down his street. So we stop inside and teach him about the Book of Mormon and the Restoration. That lesson wasn’t as good as the other two, because an American man who claims to be an Apostle was sitting with us. (We asked if they had 12 Apostles, but he said he’s actually the only one.)
But the good part is the people who live across the street from T*** - They called us out, and brought us under their house, where they have a store room full of boxes from our church. These two women run an orphanage and shelter, and get newborn and hygiene and medical kits from the church every year. They know all the church leaders, and they love the Whiteheads, and have been attending the church regularly. There’s at least 6 people that live in the house and none are baptized yet. They don’t like Pastor T*** because his church’s music was too loud and it killed their mother, who had high blood pressure.
Plus, just last week, we found out that a strong member family moved into the same town just three weeks earlier.
So things are looking good. Brother C*** came to church yesterday, and should be baptized on July 4. Brother A*** knows that the Book of Mormon and the church is true, but he’s a little scared of what his congregation will do- we told him to just teach them all the truth, and change the name of his church. And Bro. T*** - he’s not going anywhere, but the family across the street should all be baptized by July 11. In the end, I’ve seen that none of this could have been done without the spirit, and teaching doctrine, especially from the Book of Mormon. It doesn’t matter who you’re teaching, our message is true.

Success Stories - June 15

Elder Holtz (Suriname) –This Sunday at church we had the lesson in Sunday School about Baptism... and reason #1 why I love having investigators at church = they feel the spirit... I was sitting next to an older gentleman that is an investigator of ours and the teacher of the lesson asked the class a general question: "Who needs to get baptized?" so our investigator put his finger in the air to answer the question and stood up and pronounced with a loud voice: "I DO, I WANT TO GET BAPTIZED, THIS SATURDAY!" I was kind of shocked that he just stood up in church and proclaimed to the whole Sunday school that he had just created his baptismal date! Elder Riding was sitting in the back of the class and he said aloud: "What time?" Our investigator looked at me and I just said... “4 o'clock?" He gave a nod of approval and sat back down.... I guess the spirit really does move people!

Elder Stebbing (Guyana) – We witnessed the power of a member's testimony a few days ago. We were teaching a woman named *** and her family. She's been keeping her commitments, but she's very hesitant to believe in Joseph Smith and the Restoration. When we asked if she was still going to be coming to church on Saturday, she said "I'll try", which any West Indies Missionary knows means a 90% chance of failure. Luckily we had *** and ***, two recent converts with us. We just let them loose and sat back and watched the show. *** testified and made church sound like the greatest experience on the earth. After she was finished, she asked *** if she would be coming. ZING! *** was totally changed; she was solidly committed to coming. And lo and behold on Sunday... ZING! She was there early for sacrament meeting, despite the rain. A member's testimony makes all the difference!

Elder Schroath (Suriname) - This week we were having a difficult time finding new investigators. We had been trying to teach this one contact elder Shakespear had more than a week before. We thought we'd give it one more try and then leave it if he wasn't there. So we went and surprisingly he was home. He had told us earlier he was from a different faith, so we weren't so sure how the lesson would go. We both felt prompted during the lesson to use the scriptures. So we shared several verses about the great apostasy and eventually Acts 3:19. By the time we got to the restoration the spirit was so strong and this new investigator said "It must be true!” He is excited to come to church and to prepare for baptism. I love the scriptures!

Elder Williams K. (Trinidad) - So Elder Sookram and I found out that sometimes the most prepared people are on the TALLEST HILLS. This past week we climbed up a huge hill and met with a street contact that Elder Sookram had earlier. She Turned out to be way sweet and also had two boys who are ready to hear the gospel with her they are excited and humble and willing to learn and they understood the need for Prophets in these last days, when we dropped by Saturday night they had their clothes prepared and were extremely excited for church. When Sunday came they showed up and fit right in and members welcomed them and they loved every bit of church. They are a sweet family and love the Gospel.

Elder Jestice (Guyana) - This week while on splits with some member boys, we found some sweet people; in particular, the *** family. The mother was a Jehovah's Witness... They loved us and especially our message from the first moment. To make a long story short, they came to church on Sunday and are all planning to be baptized this coming Sunday. They were definitely prepared before we found them.

Elder Fillerup (Guyana) - Elder McDaniel and I were having a rough week and didn't think we were going to have anyone to baptize this weekend. We were both fasting that things would work out and somehow we would have someone to baptize and confirm. We showed up to church and it was great. Even with the rain our attendance hit 100. We had 3 people show up and get baptized. One was ready a few weeks ago but left for Georgetown and got back Saturday and showed up to church without a reminder. The other prayed about a concern and read from the Book of Mormon and built up the faith to take that step of baptism. Another cousin of a member showed up on her own and decided she wanted to be baptized even though she was scared. We also had 7 priesthood ordinations to top it off.

Elder Averett (Guyana) - This week we have been working with a young man named *** he was a referral that was given to us by a member that was one of his friends. He was supper interested and he has been to church a few times now. The biggest concern was about the restoration. But he loved everything that we thought and wanted to come with us and see what it is like to teach with us so we took him with us and we had to teach a new family that just showed up at church on their own the restoration as we were teaching them *** bore his testimony and as he did you could feel the spirit come into the room. And see a light enter his eyes. He seemed to just get it. At the end of the lesson he told the new people that they should prepaid for baptism just like he is doing now and that he is so excited to do it.

Elder Holtz (Suriname) - Last week I wrote about an investigator of ours that literally stood up and proclaimed his own desire for baptism and then set his own date of the following Saturday, well, Saturday that gentleman was baptized, Sunday he was confirmed and he said that he loved every second of it! We had a chance to stop by his house on Sunday evening to check in to see how everything was going and to remind of about a fireside that night... Turns out he had forgotten about the fireside (he's an older gentleman) and when he told him he had only 45 minutes to get ready, find a ride and get there! He sounded a little worried because he thought he wouldn't have the chance to go but he promised us he'd go and come to find out he was actually earlier than us there!

Success Stories - June 1

Elder Clark (Guyana) – This week's success story has been titled "The Miracle of Members". We decided we needed to focus on effective power finding this week and so we thought of a few members that we could take with us to show us around the area a little more. The first morning, we took Sis *** with us and she was able to take us by some less actives and former investigators who gave us referrals. That afternoon, we asked another member to come to a lesson with us and on the way over she found a family of 8 that committed to come to church. The next morning we went to a different village and a different member went finding with us and we found two families that morning. We had been finding in these same areas previously, but when a member was there to testify look what happened. I love the members of the West Indies!

Elder Kelley (St. Maarten) – Yesterday while we were tracting, Elder Cottam led us to an area where we'd never been before, and we started calling in to people. At first, no one seemed interested, but then we met a woman as she was arriving home, and asked if she would like to hear our message. She welcomed us in and we taught her about the Restoration. When we got to the part about Joseph Smith, the Spirit was really strong as we bore testimony that we knew it was true. We waited a few moments as the Spirit bore witness to her that we knew it was true, and after, we invited her to be baptized. She quietly responded with a positive "Yes, I will." The Spirit knows who is ready, we just have to listen and follow where it leads us.

Elder Green (Guyana) - This week we were out checking by some people that we had met while power finding but didn't really follow up on. We went to one house looking for a man, but quickly found out that he wasn't home from a man working on a motorcycle in the yard. Well we got to talking to him and invited him to church and then to institute that evening. When we went to institute with another of our investigators, we sat there for a while when BAM out of nowhere here shows up the man that we invited. He absolutely loved institute and even contributed to the discussion and we discovering he has a friend who already attends the church. Then BAM he showed up to church Sunday and is now preparing for baptism. Thus we see...

Elder Warhurst (Guyana) - So there is this family that is part Hindu and part Christian. One day we stopped and asked the Mother, who is Hindu, if they would be interested in hearing the Gospel. She kindly told us no. So we go by a few weeks later and we meet her husband, who is Christian, and begin talking to him. He absolutely loved what we taught him and is preparing to be baptized this next Saturday. The mom is preparing to be baptized the Next Saturday after that. I know that she is doing this because she has been reading the Book of Mormon and knows that it is true. Get your investigators to read from the Book of Mormon and I promise you that more people will be converted to the Gospel because of how powerful the teachings of it are.

Elder Holtz (Suriname) - This week we saw a really cool blessing from a couple old investigators in the area. About 3 months ago they were dropped because they couldn't get married and a couple other circumstances and we had gotten a referral from an Elder to go back to see how everything was going with them. When we got there we had talked to the man and the first words out of his mouth were, "We got married 3 weeks ago!" I was shocked! His wife needed to go to a city 3 hours away to clear up paperwork and after that they could get married... well, now we're busy teaching them and getting a newly married couple ready for baptism!

Elder Jones (Tobago) - Last night we had our 8 o’clock appointment cancel, and especially on Sunday night this is the hardest time to fill. We still had several people we needed to contact for the day but it seemed that there was no one on the streets. We walked the long way home and talked to everyone. We passed our home and kept going with three to go. We got two more and then looked around. We had one more to go but no one was in sight and our apartment was just a block away. We thought about going home but decided that we would continue and get all 20 contacts. Then we ran into Mak, who has asked more questions of the soul in a contact than any other man I’ve met. We were blessed for being exactly obedient.

Elder Brenkmann (Guyana) - On Thursday we were having a rough time and after a difficult lesson I looked at Elder Cotton and asked if he ever feels like we’re standing at a brick wall beating our heads against it waiting to get through. We were waiting for anything to go well. A moment later we contact a 21 year old guy sitting at a shop. He invites us to sit with him and pray. We taught the Restoration and it was amazing. The Spirit was there very strongly. After the lesson we asked him to pray about it, and he said that he didn’t know how. After we explained it to him he prayed. As soon as he finished he looked up and said, “It's true.” We asked him to pray about getting baptized and he did. Then he said, “The Lord has a work for me and I haven’t done it yet.” At Church on Sunday we invited him to a fireside with President Johnson and he quickly agreed to go. President asked all future missionaries to stand. To my great surprise Rodney stood with all the others. It was awesome. After the lesson that Thursday night Elder Cotton replied to my rhetorical question by saying, “We just broke through.”

Elder White (St. Vincent) - This week we had a lesson on who is prepared and who is not. We had decided to work a long windy street on a hill earlier in the week, and as we were going down it, we saw a house, and headed towards it. As we hit the "point of no return" we saw a bunch of Rasta’s were in it, sure that they were drunk or high, feeling "here it goes" we shared about how God had called a prophet on the earth today. To our great surprise, a couple of them listened, and as we bore our testimony, we could feel the spirit testifying. We found out the main man listening was the owner of the place, and we set an appointment with him and left a track. We stopped by the place several times during the next few days, but he was never home. When we finally got to talk with him, he was alone, he had read the whole track, and he wanted to know more. There was such a look in his eyes. You really don't ever know who is prepared when you look at them.

Success Stories - May 4

Elder Schroath – Suriname
Yesterday I called one of our investigators to see if he would come to church. I couldn't reach him, so we both thought he probably wouldn't come. 5 minutes before church started we saw him walking up to the church. Right when he stepped into the church he said he felt good. During the testimonies he started crying and told me how good he felt. He said that he could feel it so strong in his heart that it was true. He said he didn't have to search anymore for a true church, he found it. He is preparing for baptism next week. The Lord prepares his people and the Spirit will confirm what they are searching for.

Elder Holtz – Suriname
This past sunday we pulled into church and we saw a face talking with our Branch President that we'd never before seen! We quickly went up and introduced ourselves to him and he said, "See, I told you I'd come today! It's been a while, but I feel it's time to come to church." ... Turns out he talked with someone else from another church and got confused what church was where and just decided to walk into this church... Well, turns out he made the best decision he could have. He even got up and bore his testimony and said that he feels like he is at home in this church and loves the church! This wonder/blessing came out of nowhere!

Elder Swart – Suriname
We hava now a investogator who is really a good Guy. We contacted him on the street in a very rich area, where most of the time don't even want to listen. But we contacted him. He came the first week to chuch. 3 weeks in a row now! Last sunday even he came up and shared his testimony about the B.O.M. He went from 20 sigarettes a day to 3 a day. He is almost done. We have a hard-date for him now this saturday!
Don't you love this work?!

Elder White – Trinidad
Today I would simply like to share a story of perseverence and dedication to the truth.--*** did not listen to us the first time we shared the gospel with her family-- she is mostly deaf. after a couple of times, she started to try to listen. We have learned a little sign language so that we can be clear with her. she does not understand big words, like "guilt" or "mercy" (we think she knows those ones now)-- but she asked God if Joseph Smith is a prophet and she received an answer and she knows that she received an answer. She used to be a member of the JW's, and they are calling her every day, asking why she is leaving and telling her all sorts of things. She moved out of her children's father's house. Her mother won't let her stay at her house. Her friends and Co workers are trying hard to get her to party--- but she has kept on because she knows that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and she will not let anything stand in her way. She is bright, but she does not understand everything, and she knows what it is that she does not understand, but she does not let that stand in her way, because she knows what God told her. She will be baptized this weekend.

Elder Riding – Suriname
Well we had a bunch of miracles happen this past week, and Elder Tholen mentioned one so I'll mention the other. We were going to check by some people that we had contacted and they weren't home. It had been kind of one of those days where we were trying to pick things up and teach some people but something just wasn't working. Well we decided to knock on the house across the street, and that morning, ***, who came to church yesterday, was praying that morning for something or someone to show her the right path through life. What a miracle for her and for us. Being an answer to someone's prayer is a very sweet feeling.

Elder Carlson – Martinique
well this week we set a really high goal of having seven people come to church this week: we worked really hard during the week, despite having zone conference taking a lot of time: and the Lord doubled what we had presupposed, with a miraculous 14 investigators at church!

Elder Rosales – St Lucia
We were power finding in this area and we tracted into this house. A rasta looking guy came out and told instantly I want to show you something I have in my car. He takes out of his car a gospel Principle manual. He told us that he got it 2 years ago when he visited the church, and that he wanted to come back but he fell ill for a long time so he couldn’t come. The man is almost blind and has heart problems. We invited him to church , and we forgot about him. Next day Sunday to our surprise he came to church driving, the service touched him a lot just like the first time he came and he want sto be baptized next week. God works in mysterious ways and helps those n who exercise their faith just like it happened to our friend ***.

Elder Shakespear – Suriname
I have gained a stronger testimony of the power of the spirit in conversion this weekend. WE have a great investigator who lives in a area with limited public transportation, so comming to church was a big concern. WE went by before church to see if she was going to come. She had already left and was walking the great distance to find a bus. She came and loved the spirit that she felt there. I can testify more powerfully of the power of the spirit in driving honest people to repentance.

Elder Brenkmann - Guyana
Earlier this week we found that everything had fallen through. Our backups for the backups weren't home. We decided to go to a village called Vergenoegen, where a recent convert lives, but we've never been to. As we rode the bus the conductor asked where to drop us off. I told him Vergenoegen. Then he asked what street. I had no idea, so I said, "Don't know ***, where should we get off?" He dropped us at a random street and we hadn't gone 20 feet when we met a couple, recently married and looking for a church to join. We set up an appointment on the spot to come back when they weren't busy. It was awesome.

Elder Lee – Guyana
This week we were in need of members taking us to people since they are in short supply. We had investigators who really needed member friends to fellowship them. We were finally able to get one to come who traveled a long way. Her name was Sister ***. She testified so strongly and helped the investigators understand about families being together forever and also about how this church was different than the one they went to the Spirit helped our investigators overcome all problems. They were able to calm their fears and doubts about what others had been telling them what we believe. It was really a miracle what Sister *** did.

Elder Biver – St Vincent
This week we had a pretty cool experience. We were trying to find new people to teach and felt like going into this new road. We talked to couple people, setting appointments to come back. Then we saw this man sitting on his porch. We said hi, and then realized that we already contacted this guy. When we had talked to him a week or so before, he just wanted to bash with us to prove that he was right. We were quite hesitant in talking more with him, but we already had engaged the conversation, and he invited us in. We were determined to make it short and powerful, without bashing at all. We prayed for the spirit to be there at the beginning and started to teach the restoration. He was listening carefully, and when we got to Jesus-Christ and his life, he started explaining to us how he believed that Jesus-Christ, God the Father and the Holy-Ghost were the same person. We listened as he was talking, and actually I was able to understand, from the scriptures he was quoting us, why he thought that. When he was done, we thanked him to share his belief with us and asked if it was ok to share what we believed. He agreed and we started to explain the godhead and who the Father, the Son and the Holy-Ghost are. We found out that he believes in pre-earth life, and he was really interested in what we said. He didn’t want to bash, but was really interested to know what we were thinking, he said that he had never thought about it like that before. We were able to give him a Plan of Salvation tract and set a time for us to come back. I was really impressed, his behavior was way different than the previous time, I know that was because of the echo effect that the spirit gave him. Teaching true doctrine touches people!

Elder Jarvis – Tobago
Boy the Book of Mormon is powerful! We met a lady not long back who was pretty sweet but said that her boyfriend "believes in mother nature" and was going to be the "chief fire officer in Hell" but he was really interested in the Book of Mormon. So we taught him the restoration and he listened and agreed to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. So next time we come visit he read like six chapters and felt that it was true and he wants to be baptized. The Book of Mormon is true and will change the lives of those who read it.

Elder Scott – Guyana
well the other day we took bro. *** out with us to go power-finding in this nice little area called hopetown. when we got there he was like "hey i know a family here." he took us and introduced us the nurse family. they are a family of....11! and the youngest kid is 9 years old!!! oh i almost cried. and the mom and three of the kids came to church this week. she loved church and wants to be baptized. we talked to her family and they will be following suit. WAY TO FULFILL YOUR MISSIONARY DUTIES BRO. ***!

Elder Montgomery - St Vincent
This week, we ordained Brother *** (who was baptized last week) to the office of a Priest in the Aaronic priesthood. He told us about how he was struggling to find work and stayed at home for 5 months straight, but as we walked into the water to baptize him, he received a phone call from someone who wanted to hire him. Then as he was working at that job, he got another phone call from someone else who had work for him. He has been absolutely shining ever since his baptism and is well on his way to enduring conversion. The Lord works in mysterious ways!

Elder Green – Guyana
This week we were able to contact a really cool referral that came to the baptism of one of his friends about a week previous. It took us a while to find his house but when we finally did he was right there waiting for us. There was a 26 yr old man and his 20 yr old little brother as well as another of their friends. When we taught him about the Book of Mormon the lesson was one of the most spiritual lessons of my mission. At the end he asked us to tell a story to him so Elder Marshall told the conversion story of Pres. Danzell and when he finished the Spirit was so strong in the room and Sean (the 26 yr old) gave one of the most sincere prayers I heard and when we gave him the BOM in the lesson he was so excited to get it that he kissed the book.

Success Stories - April 27

Elder Gilley - Guyana
We told a family on Saturday how church would be. The family said church would be boring because they found out we don't clap and play drums and things like that. We were worried they wouldn't like it. They actually came and they said they loved it. We know they loved learning at church and that God helped them realize that the church was good.

Elder Butler – French Guiana
this week, we contacted ***. she seemed mildly interested and we set a return appointment for saturday. when we returned, *** wasn't there, but her 3 daughters were. initially, they only agreed to a 15 minute lesson, but it ended up going for well over half an hour because they were so attentive, so interested, and had great questions. they all agreed to read and pray to know if Joseph was a prophet and seem enthusiastic about our next visit next week. it's worth it, trying to teach everyone. you never know who's going to be interested.

Elder McNeal – Trinidad
I can't quite explain how I felt Tuesday night other than spiritually full! Elder Cottom and I were on exchanges and we checked on one of our investigators, ***, who didn't come to church last week. He was real disappointed in himself and felt bad for letting us down. He promised to come next week and said he wanted the Bishop to 'pray for him.' I told him we could do it so we gave him a blessing. I felt very unsettled after the blessing because no one felt any different, not even ***. The words were inspired but the Spirit wasn't felt. I felt prompted to say "Whatever you're doing wrong you need to stop it now!" He kept asking, "What is it, what am I doing?" So I asked him to come outside so we could talk privately and away from his family. I wont tell you what was said but I was blessed with the gift of discernment and without even thinking, words came out of my mouth that caused us to discover his 'ice-burg' that was holding him back. The Lord knows everything and through the Priesthood and the Spirit we too can be given knowledge to help our brothers and sisters.

Elder Cottam - Trinidad
What a splendid week it was! *** was baptized! At the beginning of the transfer, I was blessed to take out Elder Powers, a new missionary finding. We went by an investigator and her neighbour, called to us “come pray for me nah.’ Elder Powers and I taught her the first lesson. She ate every word. We went by her for a month and she was able to quit her smoking and be baptized on Saturday, the 25 of April 2009. It was a miracle watching her change. Now that she is baptized, she has a greater light in her eyes, a firmer determination to do right and stay strong. She has a strong desire for her family to follow her. This taught me how I must talk to everyone, no matter what their first impression is.

Elder Weiderhold – Guyana
On Thursday we were walking around trying to find a family and we passed this young man, we contacted him and he seem committed to come to church and learn more so we set up an appointment for the next day. Friday came we went to go visit him. When we got talking with him we found out he worked with a member who had taught him a lot and when we started the restoration it ended up him telling us the lesson. He believed it all and knew it was all true, so committed him to baptism and he excitedly accepted. We taught him more on Saturday and also met his cousin, then Sunday came and they both came to church on their own, just what a miracle and *** has already started talking about him wanting to serve a mission!

Elder Barton – Tobago
this week, as well as last week, it has been amazing to see the effects of careful, patient, prayerful planning. as we worked to set realistic and stretching goals, we have seen the results. with investigators at church especially. we ended up setting a high goal and remembered about on saturday that we had planned on 9 investigators at church. we were intimidated, but still continued to pray and work for it. well, on sunday there were 10 investigators there. it was pretty amazing. the Lord is waiting to guide us in all aspects, even our goals. if we take the time and effort to take his revelations from goal to actual, we will see results.

Elder Parrish – Guyana
The other day we were at the branch presidents house. Sitting in front of his home discussing the needs of the branch and how we can help, there were many people that would just walk by us. He called some people to talk to us they would listen for a bit then leave. I got the idea to call everyone that passed into the home, so we were contacting people and dragging them into his gate, and sit for a bit and talk. He always knew everyone that we were talking to and it was a perfect way to contact and find people. It was fun and we were able to meet one of our investigators Garfield that way.

Elder Biver – St Vincent
This week we had something really cool happening. We were working with the *** family the previous weeks, and taught one of their friends, ***, whose two kids went to church twice in a row, so we kept trying teaching them. The mom was not really receptive though, but thanks to this family we met Juliette. She also has three kids and is much more receptive. She felt the spirit during the first lesson we had, and even though we were not able to see her for almost two weeks, we kept trying. ten days ago we were able to invite her to church. She was not really committed at first, and we decided to testify of the restoration. It brought the spirit and she came to church the following Sunday. Last week we taught her at the cupids and with bro phillips, and she kept feeling the spirit. She read in the book of mormon, and prayed about it. When she did, she had a vision with people she didn't know telling her that it was all true. This sunday, she waited under the rain with the kids until she caught a bus. Later in the day, she told us she wanted to come because she knew what we teach is true. She has so much faith!

Elder Fisher – St Vincent
Tuesday afternoon time we got a call from the Calliaqua elders. They said that a recent convert from their area was sick and in the hospital which is in our area. They wanted to pay her a visit and suggested an exchange the next day to do it. That put Elder Biver and I on foot in my area, which I'm not used to. It ended up being great. It allowed me to street contact at times and places I normally wouldn't have. I ended up meeting a man named Shane, around our same age. He told me about a life-changing dream that he had some time back. He just told me about it briefly, but it all reminded me of a lot of stuff in the Book of Mormon. We have taught him this week a few times. He loves the message. He has a great testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. He accepts everything we teach him and seems to be wholly prepared.

Elder Cotton-Betteridge – Guyana
This Thursday, as of yesterday, we are baptizing an older lady that was a huge miracle. She was shown to us by a neighbor not very interested in the gospel at all. We asked her if she knew anyone that needs to hear a message of Jesus Christ. She took us over there, and it didn't seem so promising, but turned out very well. Sunday she, this older lady, brought three of her grandchildren, all baptismal age, and they loved church. Miracles all around because we do what PMG says.

Elder Lee – Guyana
This week we were trying to get investigators to a baptism so they could feel the Spirit as they watched the sacred ordinance of the church. After we had gone by and asked people to come we didn't see much response. It was a long way for people to go, especially on their salaries. We prayed. We went by the last family of investigators we had. We didn't know if they would be able to come since they didn't make much money and had been out of work for a while. When we told them there was a baptism in the next 30 minutes a light came to their eyes and their faces brightened up. The family even came with us. We asked the taxi driver if he wanted to come... and he did! The Holy Ghost touched each of their hearts and they understood more clearly the importance of baptism.

Elder Clark – Guyana
This week, my companion and I decided to try power finding in a new area called Windsor Forest. As we were walking down each small street, calling into houses, we found quite a few families who seemed interested but wouldn't commit to anything. As we started down 5th Street, we passed a house where a woman called us over. She asked if we were from a Christian church, and after telling her that we were from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she asked if she could be baptized. She had just been through some illnesses and had decided that she now needed religion in her life to help "heal her". This was a testimony to me that the Spirit does go before us when we plan where we will go and what we will do. There are people who have been prepared to hear about the Restored gospel.

Elder Jones (Ben) - Trinidad
Wow, at the beginning of this week we didn’t have anybody ready for baptism. We were going through our area book and trying to find anybody who had been to church enough times to be baptized this week. We prayed and fasted hard for us to find someone who was prepared for baptism. On Friday night we had an appointment with ***, a man who had been taught off and on for over a year. We almost missed the appointment but the spirit told us to go back and when we did we discovered why. We had this lesson all planned out to commit him to baptism but when we got there the spirit told us to put it aside and listen to him instead. He told us of the really tough times he had in his life these past few weeks. We were sharing scriptures to bring him comfort and I felt the spirit tell me that he was already waiting for the invitation to baptism. So I committed him. Two day’s notice and he said yes! He was baptized Sunday morning and now his life is changed around. He took us to meet his family and friends and now we are teaching them as well. I know that the Lord has people prepared for us and that we will find them if we strive diligently to magnify our calling and pray with all our might. The Lord gave us the miracle we asked for- *** was 100% prepared!

Elder Averett – Guyana
This week we have seen a lot of success in working as hard as we can and being as obedient as possible. We went about Sunday morning to try and pick up some people for church and there was really not too many people that were looking to solid it really had me worried we called all the people that we could to try our upmost best to get all the people there that we were teaching. No one came I was feeling a little bit sad and depressed and I had a feeling to pray and plead with the Lord to allow someone to show up to church to feel of the spirit. It took a minute and it was a little bit scary but then some people walked in I was thankful for the opportunity to see that happen then at the end a member came up to us and said oh by the way elders here is one of my friends that wanted to come to church with me it was so great and the Lord blessed us with success.

Elder Baantjer – Suriname
this week elder harding and I have been working with a lot of new people that we just barely had made contact with. we were looking for a guy and came in contact with his brother. *** was a neat guy he did what we asked him and when Sunday came he went to church and when we talked with him about how he liked the church he said 'I am going to bring a note book next time so that I can remember more and it is just what I needed'. It was great to hear an investigator say that this is what they needed and realize that they had found what they were looking for.

Elder Swart – Suriname
A week ago we baptized a Brother called, ***. He already wanted to serve a Mission. This weekend I ordained him as a Priest and the branch presidency set him apart as a Assistant Branch Mission Leader! His determination to serve the Lord becomes bigger every day! True conversion comes through teaching him everything P.M.G. tells us to teach! I love it!

Elder Ash – Suriname
Last monday, we visited one of our investigators. He came to church the 2 sundays ago. We went to visit him last monday night, and he was completely drunk. His wife had just left him, and he wanted to dull his pain, and clear his mind. He like many other people in this situation, began to drink. We talked to him and tried to get him to throw out the alcohol, but he wasn't cooperating. We had to just leave his house. The next day, we visited him with a member and taught the Word of Wisdom. The member gave an awesome testimony and personal experience, and it really touched our investigator. He decided to stop using these things in his life. The next day he went from 20 cigarettes, down to 7. He's been smoking between 7-10 cigarettes during the week, and he made a goal to stop by this wednesday. He replaced coffee and tea with hot chocolate, and he committed to never drink alcohol. He has seen many blessings because of this. His wife came back, he came to church, and I have seen a new person beginning to form. He is now happy, and he actually smiles and laughs. He is motivated, and keeps his commitments. He understands the atonement. We will be planning on baptizing him in a couple weeks!


Elder Chambers - Guyana
The other day my companion and I were just walking contacting people on the way and what not, of course. And we saw a guy on the corner. His name was *** and we contacted him and committed to church back on Wednesday. However he did not seem that interested. So that was that. However on Saturday night at about 8:30 we were walking sort of making our way home. Not really paying attention to where we were. All of the sudden we get called out. And who is it? ***. We went up and shared the restoration. I asked him how he felt after hearing the Joseph Smith story. He said he felt light and that he could go run a mile. I asked if he felt it was true and he said he new it was. We told him we would pick him up in the morning for church. He came and he is awesome.

Success Stories - April 20

I am terribly behind on success stories. That's what happens when we travel.

Here they are:

Elder Jones (Blake) - Trinidad
We have been teaching this young family for about two weeks. The mother wants them to be baptized, and she loves what she is learning, but has refused the challenge of baptisms because she believes that her baptism in her other church still counts and she can't do it again. As we were teaching Elder Williams pulled out a scripture from the Doctrine and Covenants... after he read it she asked in a shocked voice...What book did you say that was from? she asked....the Doctrine and Covenants he replied.....she then explained that she had a dream about a month ago, in her dream there was no room in her church so she went to the next church that was above hers, and they were teaching from a book, that book was the Doctrine and Covenants. The lord does prepare people, and he does lead and guide us with his spirit.

Elder Barker – Guyana
Well this Sunday to elder lee and I were looking very promising, we found some cool people, and really were excited. well we had a big eye opener... not one came to church. but amidst all of the confusion of why, we went out that day and went by one of the families we dropped, we just felt inspired to, so we went. and we taught the plan of salvation, after finishing one of the investigators holds up the Book of Mormon and says i have something to tell you, and tells that saturday night she prayed, and asked God to know if it was true, and if it was that he would send us to there home Sunday, well Elder Lee and I both feeling inspired went, and now she says that she knows that it is true and the only reason she really found this out was because we dropped her, and after we didn’t go by for a couple of days, she decided to read more. and it was all because of our faith to drop her, and now they are going to all come to church.

Ellder Moala – St Lucia
We had to speak in Sacrament meeting, "Missionary Sunday". I had prepared a short talk, and then before i went up i decided to put it away. I said a prayer, in my heart, and asked to be guided by the spirit, to say what the members needed to hear. I was so nervous, but as a stood talking, i became calm. The talk went a lot better than i thought. After church, i over heard someone talking saying how they were amazed, because they had a conversation about the things i spoke about, and it was as if i was there listening and that why i talked on the things i did. I know that the spirit does guide us! tHIS IS THE LORD WORK

Elder Averett – Guyana
This week we saw great fruits from our labors it was great. We had been working with a young man. His wife was a member and his little brother is a member. They had been praying for a change in him so that they could go to church as a family. The received an answer to their prayers Sunday morning when he was baptized before church and because his brother held the priesthood he was able to walk into the waters of baptism together and the younger brother was able to help the older brother start a new page in life. It was so great to see them hug each other after the baptism and be able to see the joys of being in this great gospel together it was great.

Elder Jarvis – Tobago
We are blessed! This last week was so sweet! It all started when we really had a solid weekly planning session we set some inspired goals and went to work. So the following thursday we spent the morning planning and afterwards we went and caught a car and Sister *** who we had taught a week previously was in it. So we went up there and taught her and her father and committed her father to be baptized. We also scheduled some service for her Friday morning. So afterwards we had an appointment that fell through and so we were standing on this corner in Mason Hall and looking up the road where we hadn't been yet so we just start walking up there and we find a couple ladies and we invited them to church and then just as we are leaving a man named *** from the same house calls us out and so we go up and teach him and one of the ladies named ***. We commit him to be baptized and she totally felt the Spirit. So we finish and leave and go up the road that we have been concentrating on and we find Sister ***. She is sweet and has two kids and they are getting baptized as well! And to top the week off we had ten investigators at Church! Weekly planning works.

Elder Jones, (Ben) – Trinidad
On Saturday we tried tracting in a new area, but as soon as we got there Elder Sookram had the impression to turn back a little ways to a neighbourhood I had already been to before. Reluctant at first I followed but as we contacted those on the street I began to feel the spirit guiding the same way. We turned down this street and ran into a man outside a house with a maxi parked outside. We went inside and taught him a finding lesson with the spirit stronger than most and it was only after the lesson that I remembered: I had met *** driving that same maxi about 3 months ago and had always wanted to go by him. The Lord knows who he wants in His church and He led us to *** again to share with him the gospel.

Elder Thomas (Tyler) – Trinidad
Elder Nielson and I have been really trying to get the members to get excited and help with the work in San Fernando but hadn't been seeing any results from our efforts. A few nights ago we were at a recent converts house teaching the recent convert lessons and some of her family came in and had a whole bunch of questions for us. Our recent convert boldly shared her testimony with her family about the things they were asking and about how she found out about the truth. As she did the spirit testified firmly with her and I know at least some of her family felt it. If just a few members can be excited about spreading their testimonies like she was I know that the work will catch fire in San Fernando.

Elder Barton – Tobago
this week was wonderful as there were two baptized and confirmed. the great success in it was that about two weeks ago *** was baptized who is 25 years old. he has helped us in teaching his father and mother for a little while and on "Good Friday" *** actually Baptized his mother and participated in his father's baptism. one of my happiest days and more so one of that *** family's greatest days. Brother *** had tears rolling down his cheeks on that morning. then in church on sunday, after they were confirmed, again *** participated in giving his father the priesthood. it was amazing. member work is great.

Elder Rosales – St Lucia
This week we saw the power that comes when the branch President is your best friend. We were able to set 2 hard dates with two of our investigators. Both of them had concerns we couldn’t figure out, because they were social concerns. The branch president was able to see them and resolve them. Hurrah for the branch president in the west indies

Elder Butler – French Guiana
this week, we planned to teach baptism to the *** family. a beautiful family of a single mother and 4 kids. i had never taught anything from lesson 3 before, in english or in french. elder taerea helped me plan out the part of the lesson that i was to teach , trying to make it real simple, for the kids. with practice, preparation, and a lot of prayer, it worked. my french was simple and broken at times, but the message came across, accompanied by the spirit. i know that through preparation, diligence, and prayer, this work is possible, even for "bleus" like me.

Elder Kelly – St Martin
This week, we were really getting frustrated about not having anyone good to teach, and we had dropped most of our investigators for not progressing. So, we decided to have a special fast to ask for the Lord's help in finding people. That same day, we found some amazing people. A humble family of 3, a great younger guy, and another potential priesthood holder who was so excited to hear our message, that the first question that he asked us was "How would I become a member of your church?" ;-) The Lord really does hear and answer our prayers when we show a little faith!
Elder Christensen – Guyana
Well this week we were really stressing service, and we just so happened to come across a family pushing their broken down bus home. So we just started pushing it home with them and when we got home we started talking to the father and we told him about the church and he told us that he wold love to come with his family. The *** family is really sweet and we have been meeting with them almost everyday and they are all pretty set on being baptized now. So its really strengthened my testimony on service.

Elder Cottam – Trinidad
This past week has been full of miracles. Miracles surround us daily. We are working with ***, who I found with Elder Powers, a new missionary, his first day on his mission. She had a problem with smoking, it has been a problem for years, and had a great desire to change and to stop. She came to church once and loved it and came again, and loved it. She had a burning desire to change and get baptized this Saturday. Only she had one issue, the smoking. During church I felt prompted to give her a blessing, so when we went over that afternoon we gave her one. In the blessing she was told as she does her best to read, listen the CD with select Book of Mormon chapters, prays, and does all she can, she would have the power to quit smoking. The next day we went over and she smoked only one. Yesterday, on 24 hour exchanges, Elder Romney and Elder Westover went by her. She had stopped her smoking and nothing would and will get in her way of her baptism on Saturday. The Lord has blessed us a missionaries to help others overcome their sins. I am humbled to hold the priesthood, the power of God, to help others. Because we were worthy, ready, and willing, and she was ready and willing to do whatever she could, she was able to stop her smoking and is receiving the ordinance of baptism this Saturday!

Elder Brenkmann – Guyana

About a month ago a 17 year old young man named *** came to church out of the blue. We got his contact info, but he wouldn't let us come over. That week we never were able to meet him because he was studying for a big test at school. The next week he came to church again. Then his cell phone number got cut. For 2 weeks we never seen him and couldn't find him. Then he shows up at General Conference, 30 minutes away from his house. It was great. We were able to meet *** and teach him throughout the following week. On Saturday *** was baptized and announced that he was planning to go on a mission. The Lord really knows who he wants in His church, and its great that he really helps us out to find and get them.

Elder Bryan – Trinidad
We were teaching this 17 yr old boy, and we taught him the word of wisdom. He said that he smoked two packs a day, so we told him to cut out two a day. We also left him with Alma 36 to read and when we checked back two days later, he said that he only smoked one cigarette and when he did he felt really guilty and went and asked for forgiveness. He loved the story of Alma, and i know that it is because the power which is in that book that helped him to quit smoking.

Elder Clark (Jordan) - Guyana
We have been teaching an investigator now for about a week. Both of her sons are members and she has recently become interested in the gospel. She lives down a track and is surrounded by family members. Each time we have gone by to teach a lesson, one or more of her nieces and nephews have shown up to listen and participate. They all pray for there "auntie" to be able to be baptized. It has been really cool to see how the gospel can attract the attention of so many different age groups. It is also nice to see that families really are our most important support system while here on earth.

Elder Warhurst - Guyana
We were at a member’s house one night getting ready to teach them a lesson. We saw a boy that was not one of there’s and asked him were he stayed. He told us and we asked if we could stop by and visit his family. We visited his family and it turns out that they are a well educated family that is ready for the gospel. The mom reads from the book of Mormon every night and came to church. We are going to baptize them in a couple of weeks.

Elder Barton – Tobago
this past week many miracles happened. through obedience to the many rules and humility to seeking guidance from the spirit, the Lord led elder Jarvis and i directly to a road in mason hall where we were able to find many investigators that 10 of which came to sacrament meeting on sunday. one of those days we called into one house where two people said they would be baptized and felt the spirit while sharing the "first vision". the next house we went to was a lady that was praying to know which church she should go to right when we called in. the next house was a lady and her father that he accepted a baptism date and she was very interested. of those three houses we got into teach in a row, five people came to church. the success was unbelievable. it all came from seeking worthily the guidance of the spirit in this great work we are a part of.

Elder Payne – Trinidad
As we were persistent this week we were able to get the assistance of the members to help us in teaching and getting involved in missionary work. As we met and discussed it in a meeting we were able to find members who were willing to fellowship our investigators. We have a new excitement about missionary work. The Branch is so capable of bringing souls unto the Lord. Sometimes they don't know how to do it. As we work with them and we do it together the work will prosper. That has been my focus and we have seen our investigators change and respond different when the members bring them in and help them.

Elder Swart – Suriname
3 weeks ago, when I came in this area we had a investigator named ***. He is such a nice kid. He is 21 years old. This weekend he got baptized. But before baptism I was talking with him, and we where looking at a picture of the temple. I told him how holy it was. And then out of nothing he said, I will go serve a mission, and the temple is my goal! A TRUE CONVERSION! I could just jump in the air of happiness!

Elder Ash – Suriname
Yesterday we were at an appointment with our branch president and some new investigators, *** and ***. They are not yet married and they have a child on the way. *** said that a few days ago, he was really troubled. He didn't know what he needed to do, but he knew that God was there to help him. He said he had a few restless nights and one night he got up and went outside at 3am and prayed. He told God he needed help. He said the next day, as he was walking down the street, we (the missionaries) stopped to talk to him. We told him that God has a prophet on the earth again to lead us and help us. He believes that this is an answer to his prayers. We assured him that it is, and that God sent us for a reason. It was the perfect lead in for a commitment, and they are now excited to read, pray, and learn about the Restoration of the Gospel.

Success Stories - April 13

Elder Montgomery – St Vincent
We’ve been working with a man named *** for a few weeks now. (since before I was here) He was baptized in the Pentecostal church before and didn’t see the need to be baptized again. He said “Jesus was baptized once, so I will be baptized once”. Last night, we were teaching about the Priesthood and a light switched on over his head. “So that’s why you want to baptize me?!” We’ve been telling him over and over, but something about that night just made sense and now he is willing to be baptized for real. Can’t wait!

Elder Huntsman – Guyana

We met a man last Tuesday who said he wanted to be baptized but he drinks a lot and smokes. We talked up the game night the next night and invited him to come. He came and had a great experience with a member. Ever since that night he has not touched smokes or alcohol. He making great strides and it all started with the fellowship of that member.


Elder Jones (Blake) – Trinidad

This whole last week Elder williams and i were trying are hardest to plan efficiently, and to make it a habit. We saw so many people, and even though some plans fell through, i saw back up plans come in and rescue us. we did everything we could, and set goals for each day. As a result, we had 6 investigators at church, and even more trickled in, but after sacrament... If we plan to succeed, we will, if we don’t, then we we’re just "here."

Elder Jestice – Guyana
While checking a member this week we met a neighbor boy who was 15 who we'd never seen before. I decided to talk to him, hoping we could maybe go teach his family. He told us which area he lived in (there are no such thing as addresses in Crabwood Creek), and the next day we went to a different member in the same area to ask him if he knew the boy and his parents and where they lived. Luckily enough, he did, and he took us over there to meet them. Jackpot! There we found a huge awesome family, the ***, and were able to teach them all the restoration. The parents are married and both know how to read (the wife is a teacher), and were excited to learn more. This family will soon be kingdom builders here in Crabwood!

Elder Stebbing – Guyana
One thing that has been very successful this past week has been teaching with recent converts. Two recent converts in particular have really impressed me with the strength of their testimonies *** and *** have been having us go teach their friends, and they have helped us out alot by sharing their conversion stories and testimonies. I've never seen anyone so young in the church share such strong and powerful testimony. The guys that we've been teaching by them don't stand a chance against the power of their two vibrant testimonies of the restored gospel. Our recent converts have been a huge help.

Elder Averett - Guyana
This weeks success comes from working with a member. Sunday after church we set up to go on splits with a member to try and see the people that were at church so that we could set a date with all of them. I went with a young man that is 19 and is preparing to go on a mission. We had finished visiting all the people that we needed to and had a few minutes tell we were meeting back up. We had used this member several times before and I was not sure that he would have any referrals but I decided to ask him any way. He said that he had an old school mate that was living in the area but he had not seen her in like two or three years. He said that we could go and try and find her so we started walking and he looked and saw a house and he just goes "That is it I can just see her face in that house." So we went up and called in just then she came out and he said that is her. She went in the house to get some shoes to let us in. As she went in I had a flash back to a dream that I had at the very first of my mission and that the house was the very house that I had in my dream. It was so crazy and the spirit was there so strong in the lesson she prayed at the end of the lesson and said, "so what do I do just give up everything and follow this Joseph Smith or what?" It was such an amazing experience.

Elder Marshall - Guyana
We were on exchanges this week and we were doing some powerfinding out in sophia looking for some cool people. Nothing was really working out and we were starting to get discouraged but i said we cant stop until we find that family of five. A couple houses later we found a pretty cool family that was excited to have us there. We taught the restoration and committed them to be baptized. They accepted and their neighbor was there so we are going to teach his family as well. It is all about the attitude that affects the work.

Elder Clark (Jordan) - Guyana
We have been teaching a brother and sister since we arrived in Vreed en Hoop and they both committed to baptism on our first visit. Their father didn't agree with the baptism because they have already been baptized in another church. On our second visit, he told us they were both old enough to make their own decisions and he would not stop them from being baptized. We challenged him that night to read from the Book of Mormon and to pray to see if it was true. As of now he hasn't fulfilled his commitment, but he now tells us he is planning on coming to church and keeps asking us to come over and teach. If that isn't a success enough, the brother stopped drinking alcohol, tea bag, and stopped smoking after we taught the Word of Wisdom and extended the commitment. This just shows that the Holy Ghost has great power to change the hearts of men, when invited, and that our loving Heavenly Father will help us overcome any trial in order to continue living the commandments.

Elder Barker – Guyana
so there is this 74 year old man who was baptized less than two months ago, along with his 11 year old son. well this very faithful servant of the Lord, has come to church every Sunday since contact with the missionaries, and has had devotionals every morning with his 11 year old son earlon.
Thats not the best part yet, he has more sons and they work in the interior, and they havent been home for a while, well the sons are now home, and every single one of them and even their friends want to be baptized, they have felt the atonement in there lives, and it gives them a joy they say they have never felt, and want to make more changes in there lives, and get baptized, if this isn’t success i dont know what i;)

Elder Endemann – St Lucia
Wow success in Castries, this last week we were running late to an appointment but still on the way we had a prompting to contact this man, and what do you know this man of all times needed the gospel, when we contacted him we found out that he had been contemplating suicide, he even had a letter written and was on his way to the beach for what? i dont know, but all i know is that this man needed the gospel and he loves it he came to church sunday and now he is preparing to be baptized we are hitting him with 2 weeks notice.....talk about success

Elder Snow – Guadeloupe
this preparation day we were just winding down to take a nap, because we got up at 3:45 to see the sunrise at point de chateau.....so we were tired and right when i was just about to get into bed i thought (hey i think the story of the strippling warriors will be good for FHE tonight) we had already planned to watch "special witnesses of christ" but i decided to read through it anyways and pick out some good parts. so we go to FHE and the dad is wrapped up in the news and so we can't watch the movie. so instead we shared the strippling warriors and the son who has been wanting to get baptised in august changed his mind and decided that this week is his week.

Elder Kinghorn – Suriname
transfers ago, we taught a man that didn't want to listen. We left him a tract and didn't think anything else about it. He never touched the book again. However. his cleaning lady did. She started reading it everyday at work and gained a testimony that these things were true. So when the missionaries came to her door, she gladly let them in. And imagine my surprise at seeing her and her sons at the church as the most recently baptized members. We don't always know why we do what we do, or why we're where we are, but the Lord does. He has plans to bless all his children.

Elder Swart - Suriname
This week we where contacting a drunk guy on the street, so we where gone fast. But we checked his address. He wasn't drinking. We came in, taught the Restoration. He said in the end, together with his wife, with who he is lawfully wedded, They are searching for a church, and they want to come to the fireside on saturday and want to come to church sunday! Awesome! Blessing of getting contact!

Success Stories - April 6

We are traveling right now and the internet is slow. I'll post pictures as soon as I can but for know - here are last week's success stories


Success Stories – April 6

Elder Carlson - Martinique
this week my success is receiving three referrals in the last three days from members: i was informed of the difficulty of getting those here on martinique but as we simply taught doctrine to the members we visited; they were more than happy to give us referrals:

Elder Jones (Ben) - Trinidad
This week we went through the area book and pulled out all of the investigators who have ever been to church before. I was glad to see that we had a sizable stack. Last night we took these teaching records by the first councilor in the bishopric to see if he knew anyone. Almost immediately he pulls out one of the really old teaching records and says: "that is my cousin, he will get baptized."

Elder Harris – Guyana
Linden is just amazing. There are so many prepared people here. This Sunday we were really blessed by having 4 baptisms and 17 investigators at church. We have been trying to find men and this week we have found some potential Melchezidek priesthood holders. We were blessed that we found some this week. Linden is so close to becoming a branch.

Elder Ash – Suriname
Two weeks ago, we found a young guy named ***. He lived in America most of his life. He wanted to come to church. One sunday, he came, and there he met his aunt again for the first time in many many years. She was also in church for her first time. They greeted each other and talked about past times when his aunt was caring for him. I later find out that *** is a nephew to a man I baptized, and this woman, his aunt is a sister to the same man that I baptized. Yesterday, all three of them came to conference, and enjoyed it. The man that is a member is now so excited because if his sister and his nephew get baptized, then the rest of the family will soon follow! It is so interesting to see how the Lord does His work. I love it!

Elder Tholen – Suriname
*** seemed just to be another rasta, he was actually an investigator from the last elders in this area, and seemed best well interested in the message. After a quick lesson on priesthood we had to fly to the next appiontment. As we left he yelled that he would come to church and bring a friend. I mean how many times have we hear those words? It stayed in the back of my mind until sunday after conference when *** with his friend came walking throught the croud and greeted me, It took a second before i even recognized his face but he seemed a little different with a nice shirt and a smile he seemed to have just heard the voice of a prophet.....and with a smile he said my friend here wants to meet with you and when can you come back to my house i want to learn more. Is there a better way to feel the spirit and know there is a prohpet of God on earth than to hear his voice?

Elder Sarager – St Vincent
so on saturday morning i washed the white shirt that i was going to use that afternoon to baptized sister ***. i hung it outside on the telephone wire that was connected to the house and the telephone pole. the next thing i knew the wind had become stronger and started to blow the shirt on the hanger up the wire and eventually got stuck right next to the telephone pole. we had no idea how to get it down, then elder fisher decided to say a pray, so we did, and 10 mins later, the wind had changed directions and blew the shirt down the wire back to the house where we where at. everything else went great for her baptism.

Elder Moala – St Lucia
So we just baptized this person this last weekend, and when we were inviting the mother to come to church. She told us that she was already baptized 14+ years ago, when she lived Barbados. She also said that her daughter was baby blessed when they lives there, but never baptized. The Lord really knows who he wants in his church, and they will be found, no matter what country they live in. The Gospel is the same, every where we go.

Elder Huntsman - Guyana
This past week Elder Peterson and myself had the wonderful opportunity to blank into a new area. This was a great opportunity to help strengthen our faith. We decided to pray daily in order to reach the weighty goal we have set for this transfer. All though we have not reached our goal we did make a wonderful step towards doing so when we had 7 investigators show up to conference. They did not come because of our efforts but because the spirit touched them. If we will rely full in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and work our hardest, we will never have to wonder what to do next.

Elder Christensen – Guyana
Well this week was quite a ride, but what sticks out in my mind at the moment was General Conference. Right before General Conference we had a power failure so we all rushed out to the generator to get it started but for some reason it wasn’t starting up. So we said a prayer asking God to show us the way to get the generator working. So we started pressing the same buttons that we had been using before but something different came up this time and we were able to start the generator up. After we said a thank you prayer and got back in to watch conference. It really added to my testimony of prayer and how important it is and how much it can bless your life.

Elder Biver – St Vincent
this week we were preparing *** the 63 year old great grandma of *** (baptized last week), to be baptized. She really wanted to and had a lesson were we tried to organize the baptism. But her husband, ***, was surprised that she was preparing for baptism so quickly, and said that she could not get baptized this week. We tried to explain him that she was baptized, but he said that it was too soon. Finally Sister Hatton, who was teaching with us, said that he could pray about it and we could see him the next day. He said he would do it. The next day, even before beginning the lesson, he told us that her wife was ready for being baptized this Saturday. Later he told us that as he prayed the night before, he felt the spirit tell him that his wife was ready and should not wait. He is now preparing himself to be baptized.

Elder Scott - Guyana
this sunday we were going around trying to help people to come to conference and we had this one way sweet investigator named ***. we got to her place to talk to her and make sure she was getting ready and her nieghbors said that she was already gone. so we prayed extra extra hard that she was going to church and then went on our way. when we finally got across the river to canje we walked in just as conference was about to start and there she was. a member had come by her house and picked her up to come early. how sweet is member work?!

Elder Stebbing – Guyana
Well conference was a huge success for myself personally, and also for the investigators that we are teaching. 14 of them were guided by the Spirit to attend on sunday, and they loved it. As I listened to the inspired words of the prophets, I kept thinking "wow, this is exactly what Bro. So-and-so needs". I know that the conference was a spiritual highlight for investigators and members alike.

Elder Gilley –
I know that God will help us find those who are willing to hear. He might even have them bike right up to you and say Hi. The spirit is a blessing and when we feel it strong someone near is willing to be taught. God let us know it was ***, because he happened to bike right up to us and say hello.

Elder Schroath - Suriname
So last week as we were just about to walk out of the internet place after emailing this man walks in. He freezes, and stares at me. Then he asks are you a mormon? I said Yes we are from the church of Jesus Christ. His response, i've been looking for you! Brother ***, a chinese investigator from 7 years ago had been driving around on his motor scooter for a week looking for us. He was so excited to find us and told us that night he was ready to be baptized. This week we taught him everyday, he even stopped smoking after 45 years in one night. He went to China this week for 2 months to take care of his dad, who has lung cancer, but is preparing for his baptism upon his return. The Lord prepares his people!

Success Stories - March 30

I am getting behind on the Success Stories! Today's new ones are already coming in with the weekly letters and I haven't even posted last week's!

Here they are

Success Stories – March 30, 2009

Elder Holtz – Suriname
This week was something special... we had an investigator that we gave a Book of Mormon to only a week ago... Wellll turns out in 4 days he had read +/-84 pgs and a week after we gave him the Book of Mormon he had read 120 pgs and he's loving every page more than the last!! It's amazing what the Book of Mormon can do!

Elder Kinghorn – Suriname
We've been looking at this coming month and trying to figure out who we are going to baptize next week. We didn't think that we had any possibilities until last night. One of the members Granddaughters had come to church and then came over for a family home evening. We had a great lesson, and at the end asked if anyone had a question. She quickly responded "Can I get baptized this coming Sunday?" Everyone in the room was shocked, but now she's planning to get baptized this weekend! There are always people that are ready for the restored gospel!

Elder Baantjer – Suriname
We had the baptismal service for Rommy and his family came. When he bore his testimony he said he knew this is what he wanted to do after he had read and prayed about it. When he first met with us he was like whatever I'll listen. But when he began to read and pray he got his testimony and was baptized. Rommy didn't know that he was ready for the gospel until he tested it and found that it was what he was missing in his life. His wife is also preparing for baptism in the coming weeks.

Elder Biver – St Vincent
This Saturday morning, we had the baptism of ***, a nine year old boy, son of Sister *** who came from St Lucia two months ago. Kevin was so excited about being baptized. We had been teaching the two great grandparents at the same time than ***, and both of them had been feeling very well about it. ***, the great grandma, had been coming to church twice. When she attended the baptism, she was really touched. She told us yesterday that when she was there, and also when she saw the confirmation in Sunday, she understood that her previous baptism in the penticostal church had not been done the good way. She said she wants to be baptized next weekend! I am so excited about it, and this helped me understand also the importance of having a maximum of people attend the baptismal service and the confirmation, because people are going to feel the spirit.

Elder Daines - Guyana
We saw a well dressed man carrying a baby, walking down the street in front of our house. So we contact him and he tells us that he and his wife had been thinking about finding a church to go to. We taught him later, and he surprised us with his knowledge. He was a strong Hindu, but he told us that he believes in Jesus Christ and knows that he is the Messiah. Even gave a prayer before we left. When we talked to the neighbours about it, they were real surprised, and said he has always been a strong Hindu. And he lives 2 doors down from us. It’s amazing to see all the different ways that the Lord prepares people- and the unexpected places he puts them in.

Elder Stebbing - Trinidad
On saturday we tried to go by our investigator ***, but he wasn't at home. So we decided to go finding in an area that we had never been in before as a back up plan. After talking with a few people, we called into a house with a family outside. As we began to talk to the family, we noticed that *** was sitting in the hammock outside! It turns out that these people were his in-laws. As we taught them the Restoration, the Spirit was there powerfully. ***'s father in law was almost brought to tears as he described how he felt after he prayed to know if what we said was true. They all came to church the next day, including the father in law, who hadn't stepped foot in a church for years and was very afraid to. Having a spiritual finding lesson is so very important.

Elder Swart - Guyana
This week a investigator, named *** came to church this week for the second time. She came to me after sacrament meeting and said: Elder Swart, thank you for your love, and sincere heart to help me, if you where not here to help me, I would not be here!
The members welcomed her really good! I’m so happy!!!

Elder Lee – Guyana
This week we were going by a member and invited them to give a Restoration Tract to a nonmember friend. The member did so and we were able to teach them. We had not had any luck the other times before when we went to the house, but when the member gave the tract and taught with us they were willing to listen. We were then able to continue teaching them. It was really neat to see the difference members make in this work.

Elder Shakespear - Suriname
We had an awesome experience this week with the work with the members. WE asked members to work with us before hand and we did our best to schedule appointments for a time that would best suit the member. We had an appointment with the district president to come work with us one afternoon. WE got a call that the appointment that we scheduled would not go thru. WE really had nobody else to visit and we were going to pick up our member in a few minutes. On the way, a guy stopped us and asked if we could come by and pray for him. WE told him that we'd be by in a few minutes. WE got to the appointment with the member and it was wonderful. THe member we brought was perfect for the investigator! Always invite the members to work with you. It will bless the work.

Elder Carlson – Guyana
this week i was priveleged enough to give the Melchizedek priesthood to Samuel Ramnarine, a man that i baptized in november! it was such an honor that i was happy to recieve.

Elder Brenkmann - Guyana
Our wonderful branch president extended the first calling of his tenure yesterday. He wanted one of us to do the setting apart, but we told him no. He was scared bad. He had me stand there with the white handbook open and point to the words he needed to say, until the blessing, then I whispered, "now give her a blessing." He nearly panicked. However, the spirit took over and he gave a great blessing. The first ever. It was great and now he won't be afraid of it anymore.

Elder Fillerup - Guyana
We had been teaching *** and her children for about 3 weeks. She came to church every week and knew that it was true but couldn't commit to be baptized. We were a little disappointed and stopped going by as frequently. She showed up to church this week and had a smile on her face. I was sitting in the front and right after I announced the opening hymn and prayer I sat down and saw that *** was looking up at me. Right then she told me that she was going to be baptized that day. She was! Her kids all watched it and they decided that they want to do it too.

Elder Jones (Ben) - Trinidad
We have been trying to get the members more involved in missionary work for some time now and so we thought that we would challenge someone from the Elder’s quorum to give away a Book of Mormon. So right before Elder’s quorum meeting we testified of its power and gave them the challenge. To our great joy we saw 6 people raise their hands. Later another person came up to us and asked for a copy to give away. It is amazing to see the members at work.

Elder Jestice – Suriname
I've been praying for a while now, for that family of 4 that is ready to receive the gospel. I just didnt expect that that family would be found, right as i am preparing to leave the area. Last week we found a family, through a referral, that is awesome! A mother, father, and 2 daughters (one who is 11 and one who is 6). They live far in the corner of our area where probably not many missionaries have ever been. We've had about 3 or 4 lessons with them so far and they came to church yesterday and really enjoyed it. They are receiving answers to their prayers and preparing to be baptized as soon as they can get married. I'm so happy this family was found and is now preparing to be baptized together. That's what its all about.

Elder Silvester - Guyana
Well this week we were out working hard and we decided to visit our investigator ***. We stopped by her house and we were invited inside to teach her and her family. As we were following up on the commitments that we left the last visit we starting to become a little discouraged because she hadn’t read or pray like we asked and she couldn’t remember very well the lesson we had shared the last time. So we briefly reviewed the lesson then being prompted by the spirit we ask her then and there to pray about the message of Joseph Smith. So agreed and began to pray. As she pray the spirit was strong and she started to cry and had a hard time to finish her pray. At the and we were able to help here recognize the spirit that touch her heart at that moment to tell that its true. It really help me to see how much better the work goes forward when you listen to the promptings of the spirit.

Elder Wiederhold - Guyana
Its amazing how the Spirit can touch some people in such a way that they know what we share is true right from the start. This happened with us with a man named *** who we taught on Tuesday and we were following up with him to see if he prayed about Joseph Smith if he did indeed to see God and Jesus Christ. Well he said no and we were a bit concerned, but then he said why do i need to ask God in prayer if He has already told me it is true. He said he knew what we shared was true cause of how he felt on our last visit and we taught him about church and the Law of Chastity, he right off said he’ll stop with his girlfriend and live the law of chastity, but he said he’ll have a problem with coming to church cause he’ll be in the interior and will be leaving the next morning. We were so bummed but really encouraged him to come and see if he would like to go to the Lindon, and he said he’ll try his best to come. Lo and behold on Sunday he showed up and stayed the entire time and really enjoyed the church, what a miracle!

Elder Sturdevant – Guyana
My recent convert is turning in his papers from my first area of my mission. wow to get that call made me feel like a million bucks!

Elder Payne – Trinidad
This week we contacted a man named ***. Elder Kippins took his number and said we see if we could see him, Elder Kippins gave him a Restoration tract if we weren't able to see him. He seemed somewhat interested. We were in the area later and had him as a back-up in our plans. The plans we had fell through and we called him and he seemed ready for us almost. We went over to his home and he had chairs set up and had read the Tract Elder Kippins gave to him. he was way excited to have us come teach and he is very interested. He accepted a date and now has the Book of Mormon to pray about and recieve an answer.

Elder Moala – Guyana
So i was on exchanges and we were going to an appointment. I was so busy talking to Elder Sookram, that we had passed the house by about a block. When we stopped in front of a house turn around, the people home, called out and wanted to talk to us. They asked us where our church was and wanted to come. I gave them the directions and then told them what we were all about. They even agreed to be baptized. It was a sweet experience. I know that i meant to miss the intended house for a reason. The Proximity principle is true.

Elder Olsen – Guyana
Ah, finding time. You've gotta love it. Elder Lang and I were out to find a man who we'd contacted on the street the other day. The only problem was that he lived forever away. We walked out to his house and much to our dismay, he wasn't home. Luckily, however, his grown brother was. We were able to teach him about the restoration and he was so excited. When we invited him to pray if it was true he simply said that he knew it was true. Things had just happened for some reason so he knew that it was from God. How cool is that? Every disappointment sets you up for the next great thing

Elder Scott - Guyana
on sunday morning we wnt our to collect people for church...knowing that today was going to be much harder due to the fact that my bike was not around (it's a long story...i'll tell you later). but we went with members and each tried to help our investigators. we worked for an hour and a half and in the end...our labors paid off after Heavenly Father made up the rest. we had 18 investigators at church! and because of that we have three hard dates and plenty soft to start the next transfer with. hard work pays off. miracles surround us.

Elder Parrish - Guyana
Well I think the best thing that I can write about is just the change in the branch. I feel like I have left the area better than how I found it. I know that every companionship before me did the same. And that’s what is so wonderful about being transferred. The missionaries to follow will grow the branch in different ways that I could not. one year, or even 10,I would like to look back at the branch and see the growth and the difference. That is the miracle.

Elder Packer - Guyana
We made a cool contact to this boy named ***. He is 18. We got his information. and we forgot to get a hold of him agian. He came to church though, not only did he come to chruch, he was in a white shirt and tie. What? it was sweet we set a date with him and he is so prepared for the gospel. He is going on a mission.

Elder Palmer
I have an amazing story about a family Elder Huntsman and I Baptized in December.... the ***. On Sunday they came to church, but at somepoint during Sacrament their car was broken into and their wallets and purse were taken. All of their money and ID cards, Drivers Liscenses, Credit Cards, everything..... gone. Brother *** drives truck for a living, so now he can't legally work, they don't have any money for groceries, they don't have money to send their kids to school this week, yet their biggest concern was.... they lost their tithing. After talking to the police the Bishop called Brother *** into the office and asked what the ward could do to help. Without hesitating Brother *** took 40$ TT (less than 7 US) from his pocket, and tried to give the Bishop half of it. Bishop *** tried to excuse him, but Brother *** said ..... "I should at least still give half of what I have to God." ....... Not much else I can say that could make the story any bettter--- that man is a very strong member, and I do believe that I will embrase him some day in the Celestial Kingdom.

Elder Risenmay
When we got to Siparia there was a girl *** who was a member's daughter in law. While missionaries were gone from the area she came to church a few times with her mother in law. When we first started teaching her I was doubting her commitment plenty. She didn't listen that well and didn't keep her first commitment very quickly. I decided we would baptize her if she came to church that Sunday. She came and afterwards I shared with her my testimony of the Book of Mormon and challenged her to 10 pages a day. When we came back tuesday she had read 145 pages and by her baptism on saturday had finished Mosiah and started on Alma. Her testimony after he baptism was all about how much she loved the Book of Mormon and didn't want to put it down. The Book of Mormon will be the means of bringing many souls unto salvation! It made me realize how much more I need to use it and how powerful of a converter it is. We asked if she had any questions about what she read and she said "The Book of Mormon said if you get baptized and you fall away it would have been better if you never knew God, is that true?". Glorious!

Elder Vance
Thanks to fasting, praying, and a suggestion from Sister Robison we were able to have three families in church and part of another family. It was all of our investigators except for one. It was amazing, i know that when we fast and pray Heavenly Father hears and answers us. I've seen it before and this was just another witness.

Success Stories - March 23

Here's the latest Success Stories (a little late)

Elder Damm - Trinidad
The gospel really changes peoples lives. We were teaching a man who had a scruffy beard and had lost faith in Christ. He just wasn't put together. Well Sunday morning came around and he was dressed nice, clean shaven and told us he really felt a difference and was gaining his faith back in Christ.

Elder Findlay – Guyana
Well this last saturday I got the privalage of seeing the other half of a family enter into the waters of baptism. It was so good to see a full family that had entered into that covenant with our heavenly father. I know that there are more prepared families out their like ***'s family. It was strengthening to me to here the mother of the family say how grateful she was to have her whole family baptized into the true church of Jesus Christ. The work is moving forward at a rapid pace. I know that if we are diligent seekers of those who are looking for the truth that we will cross paths and rejoice in this glorious gospel.

Elder Riding - Suriname
There is a lady that lives near the church, that has never been too kind to us, and also the other missionaries that have been in this area, but she was taught a long time ago. Don't know what went wrong, but she came to church all of a sudden and couldn't meet with us after, but we're going there tonight. That was sweet and we just never know how the Lord will prepare his people to hear the Gospel and I'm excited. Her name is Graciela.

Elder Barker – Guyana
this last fast saturday we fasted for our investigator family, 888 and her family, that her husbad would come home and that they could get married, well we went over there yesterday (sunday) and our prayers were answered, they informed us that he is coming home today(monday) it also ends up that one of the daughters also prayed that he would come home. it is amazing what fasting and prayer does.

Elder Nielsen – Trinidad
The other day Elder Palmer and I were tracting around an area that was full of Hindus. We'd been hittin it hard for hours with pretty much nothin to show for it, but we tried one more home. Can you guess what we found there? More Hindus haha, but they referred us next door to a Christian home. There we met 888, a 19 year old girl who was prepared beyond belief! She read 150 pages of the BOM and then fasted and prayed (something she learned in Relief Society) to see if she should be baptized. The answer came, and she is going to be baptized this Saturday, only 11 days since we met. There are prepared people out there.. . . You cant catch fish without your line in the water :]

Elder Young – Trinidad
bro. 888, the head of one of the families we are teaching is the highlight of the week. we are reading with he and his wife, or rather they are reading together and we are following up and discussing what they read every day. he is already to 2nd nephi after beginning the book at the beginning of the week. he is recognizing the power in the book and it is laying a strong foundation for his testimony, he is sharing that excitement with his wife and helping her to find that same joy. my testimony of the book grows as i share in his excitement and hunger for learning from its pages.

Elder Parrish – Crabwood Creek, Guyana
The sister of a member here in crabwood came from orialla to stay for a week. This sister from orialla is amazing, her daughter was baptized here in crabwood about 4 months ago, she went back to orialla and converted her whole family. The mother demanded to be baptized. However she needs to be married, so she is going back this week to get her husband and come back to be married, and then she wants her whole family to be baptized. She has read the book of mormon, and knows its true. We sent her with a box of tracts, and copies of the book of mormon, and gospel principles books. She said she will give out all the materials so the church can start in that part of Guyana. Who knows what the result will be?!

Elder Jones (Benjamin) – Trinidad
This whole week we have been praying to find some really good new investigators. Well, the Lord answer's prayers. On Saturday evening we were tracting and both Elder Guy and myself thought to go up this one road, and then up this long set of stairs, and then even further up the hill. Eventually we wound our way around the top of this hill until we see this man sitting on the ground with about 4 children around him flying paper airplanes. His name was *** and we taught him and his wife the restoration with the spirit really strong. When, towards the end of the lesson, they learned that families can be together forever they got really excited because they were always taught that after death you won't know/remember your family. They committed to come to church the very next morning to learn more- they are definetly a prepared family.

Elder Huntsman – Tobago
This Sunday as we were about to start a man walked in I didn’t recognize. Elder Barton talked to him and they sat down. I was able to talk to him and get his full story after. He was contacted on the street about 4 months ago and that Sunday he decided to show up to church. This was a great testimony builder about contacts. Often times I think if nothing else I am getting my contacts because we have been commanded to do so, but what I realized is that sometimes people promise to come that week, then don’t, still may come later, when that are more prepared. Thanks Elder Marshall for contacting!

Elder Scott – Guyana
so this week we had ***'s baptizm and another investigator of ours we'll call her "betty" was at the baptism. she had fulfilled all the requirements for baptism but just felt like she couldnt do it. she saw the baptism...and felt the spirit so strongly that she had to get baptized too. we got her interviewed and long story short she was baptized! dont you just love happy endings? getting investigators to baptisms is such a great way to help them along.

Elder Olsen – Guyana
The Thirst Park Elders gave us a referral the other day for a man who was moderately interested. He had a nice family and seemed alright, but he was a "Try-er". You know the type- "I'll try, but I'm not making any promises now buddy." Well, he came to church and LOVED IT. He asked me during Gospel Principles how he could be saved and I shared about the gospel. After church he said that our church had filled in an empty space that he had inside of him for his whole life. He quoted preach my gospel in a Guyanese way. I am so excited for his family!

Elder Koenen - Suriname
we are the light of the world. we had this miracle. we were biking to a random place and this man across the street said, hey friend help me with my bike, i have flat tires!. i thought , o boy. for a second i thought to say we were busy but i decided to turn around and help the man. i helped him with the tires and inflated them with my bike pump. i never saw there was this man right by us. He sad in a busstop and started to talk to us and asked if the church from us was still in the same place it used to be. that was more then 10 years ago he used to visit it. not he had a great problem. he lost all he had because of drugs. he said his life was dark and it was time for a change. The spirit was so strong when this man started to talk he allmost gave up on life and started to believe there was no more love in the world. He said when he saw us turn around to help this random man on the streets he saw the love of Christ. He had to think of Christ leaving the flock to rescue on lost sheep. He explained his life and that the entire week people told him to change his life and now he knew what he had to do when we explained him about church and the gospel that will heal his soul. We found this man because of service and living the way we need to show we follow Christ. It was a very special experience and we will keep praying for opportunities to help others and find those prepared who wait for us out there!

Elder Holtz – Suriname
So every Monday we play soccer with a lot of kids from the city and last week Elder Pence (somehow) got the address from one of the kids and set up an appointment while we were playing. Went to the appointment and shared a quick lesson with him and told him we'd come back Sunday morning before church to pick them up. Turns out we showed up on Sunday morning and ask them if they wanted to go to church and the answer was anything but what we wanted to hear. Anyways we left to got to church and set things up and about 3 minutes before church starts one of the kids from the house walks into church with his KJV Bible and a Book of Mormon! He said the Book of Mormon is from his mom and we've got a return appointment to go back this week!

Elder Kinghorn – Suriname
One of our recent converts, ***, has had some really bad family problems in the past couple weeks. However, on Sunday, she was the first person waiting outside for church. As soon as the other members got there, we couldn't even talk to her. They were all talking and laughing with her. It was amazing to see. The church has become her second family. And its a place where she feels loved and welcome. That's the true church of Jesus Christ!

Elder White – Trinidad
Late a few nights ago, we were left with not too much to do, so we
decided to visit an appointment that fell through earlier in the day,
and talk to everyone on the way. we ended up walking with most of the
people, and they were all going the same way. We overshot the street
we were going to turn down and kept on talking with people walking the
wrong way. Then we met ***, a soldier who we spoke with who
recieved the message quite well. We taught him a restoration lesson in
front of his house by a busy road because his wife was putting the
children to sleep, but the Lord took that road a cleared it for us and
the spirit was very strong. At the end of the lesson, I testified--
"the Holy Ghost has told me here tonight that this message is true by
the feeling in my heart"-- *** said that he could tell the message
was true and promised to pray to ask the lord to tell him that this
message was true. The Lord does really put people in our path.

Elder Romney – Guyana
prayers do get answered. the elders quorum presidents niece came to live with them for the next few years and she just loves the gospel. missionaries tried to baptize her before but right before the baptism her mom called from the interior and said she can't get baptized so i guess she just wasn't ready yet. so as we were there for a Family Home Evening we challenged her to pray about getting baptized. She got an answer to her prayer! that night she prayed for a sign that she should get baptized and that night she had a dream...in this dream everyone at church was going to heaven but her cause she wasn't baptized, so she started begging her uncle to baptize her and he said it was too late. but then right before she woke up she heard a voice that said its never too late! ITS NEVER TOO LATE! she woke up and called her mom and got permission! elders its never too late!