After the mass exodus of most of the foreign missionaries (the American elders), the two zones in Berbice, Guyana, (out in the sticks) where we were serving were left with only 6 foreign (American) missionaries and one full-time Guyanese missionary. Seven of these would be the elders left behind for the branches in our district. Notice, Elder Jordan on the left is Guyanese.
Here’s some chocolate banana bread I made them. They finished off all 3 loaves before I could get a piece!
These 2 zones normally had 20 elders. One of these elders was assigned to each of the six branches and his companion was to be one of the newly recruited Guyanese missionaries. Unfortunately, these 14 Guyanese boys weren’t ready to serve because they were still struggling to complete their physicals, passports, and dental. So, none of these six elders had a companion.
A second plan was initiated was needed to gather temporary companions of these American elders until their new Guyanese companions were ready to serve. These boys just needed to be at least 16 years old and there was no requirement of how long they had been a member of the church. They would serve the 2-3 weeks as mini missionaries until the “real” missionaries were ready to serve.
So, our 6 elders paired up to make 3 companionships and went looking for their temporary companions (mini missionaries to be) while they waited for their Guyanese companions to finish their missionary papers. It took about 7-10 days for them to round up their temporaries and to get them moved in with them. By the time we left, September 28, they all had just gotten their mini-missionary companions. One boy was 17 and had been a member for 2 weeks. Another was 16 and was the younger brother of one of the 14 Guyanese boys who were actually being called to be full-time missionaries. These young boys were thrilled to be missionaries. Their smiles were huge. As you can see below, they didn't know how to tie their ties.
Here they are with their zone leader companions and 16 year old Kevon who is a mini missionary wanna be.
One of the mini missionaries, Ameer, was barely 17. He said to me, “I’ll serve for a whole year as a mini missionary and then 2 more years as a full-time missionary, if they need me.” Here is is with his companion, Elder Prince.
One 16 year old boy came up to me as I was walking into church and said, “I want to be a missionary.” He wasn’t even on the list.
Some funny things happened as these American boys were teamed up with the young Guyanese boys. Elder Duncan, one of the zone leaders, called me about noon the first day and said, “We have a little problem. Our Guyanese companions won’t eat cold cereal for breakfast. They want rice and roti (like a tortilla) for breakfast like their mothers feed them. What are we going to feed them? Here they are trying to eat my American dinner of tamale pie. They definitely loved the chocolate cake for desert.
1 comment:
I loved looking at your blog and hearing how the missionary continues to move forward with the hand of the Lord, no matter what happens. I am a friend of Kathy Jensen, saw her at our shift at the temple yesterday, and she told me all about your experiences and offered to send me your blog. I returned from Brazil about a year ago--a senior sister with wonderful experiences as well. Your story is so faith-promoting. Keep up the great work! Sister Ann Papworth
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