Pruning The Lord's Vineyard in Tobago

    I  just want to tell everyone that I am very grateful for all of your support in helping me to decide to go on a mission. I really wasn't wanting to and didn't see the point of going. I hope that I can change into the man that God has intended me to be and I am truly grateful for the decision i was encouraged to make. I love the people i'm serving... The love i'm talking about is the type of love God has for everyone of his children. Charity. I have been doing a lot of study on Charity and how we can increase it. There are lots of different ways we can and it is a life long process. 

    I feel that i have been blessed as a person, because now that i'm in Tobago and i see white people everyday, i'm almost scared to be around them... i know, who would have thought! But Overall I'm truly grateful for the decision i made to turn my papers in and have enough faith to go on a mission for the Lord... pruning his vineyard and putting new grafts into the limbs of the fruitful trees. (Jacob 5) I really love that story and i hope you all can go read it and tell me what you think. I promise you that as you do the Lord will teach you and you will be able to relate it to something in your life.

Beautiful Island of Tobago

Well Everyone, I landed safely on the small island off of Trinidad, called Tobago....We were flying in a big twin prop and it was really awesome! It was only a 20 min flight and i talked to a really neat lady on the plane. She was on a connecting flight to Manchester England and so she had a Trini/British accent and it was actually pretty fun to listen to her talk. I taught her the restoration and she was like that was so wonderful. I invited her to pray about what i shared when she got a moment and to also read about the Restoration booklet i was going to leave with her..she flat out told me no... because she's Roman Catholic. (What a stonch ol' lady! haha)  Didn't talk much after that.

Tobago Church

Well E. and S. Linton picked me up from the Airport and i love them to death. They were actually in Chaguanas for a time just when i got there, then they traded places with the Blacks, another senior couple that was in Tobago for a time but then came to Trinidad. I loved the Lintons so much in Chaguanas, they were like my 'you guys' only real far away from home. They dropped me off at the Apartment and I met Elder Peterson. The apt. is right on the mountain side of Scarborough, overlooking the Atlantic ocean. It is absolutely breath taking. The Water is Beautiful. O yeah, it's got A/C baby! It's way nice and really cool. No fans needed.

 

Nice Apartment (sunny and no window bars)

 
We will be getting a car on Friday. And so it will help a lot because most of the members live outside of our walking distance. We had a branch party on Friday and it went well. Thirty members showed up and it was tons of fun.. I participated in the pudding eating contest with Sister Linton. I pretty much won hands down... two gulps and it was gone. She got it all on her face - i got it all in my mouth... ;)  

Sister Linton and Elder Hill

Egg Toss Game

Snapshot of Trinidad and Tobago

English is the official language of this island nation, however Trinidadian creole and Tobagonian creole (both English-based creoles) are commonly spoken on the two islands. Most of the population lives on the island of Trinidad. While the majority of the population is Christian (around 60%), there are also significant populations of Hindus (about 18% of the population) and Muslims (about 5% of the population). Calypso, rapso, steelpan, soca, chutney, and parang music all originated in Trinidad and Tobago. Carnival is an important cultural event in Trinidad and Tobago, accompanied by parades, floats, live music, and elaborate costumes (though missionaries should stay probably stay away from the festivities)! Competitions between different musical groups also form part of the celebrations. Cricket and soccer are the two most popular sports, though rugby and basketball are also somewhat popular. Fried bake is a popular type of dumpling that is served with fish and steamed vegetables. Callaloo, a spicy vegetable stew, is commonly served with starchy foods such as cassava or plantains. Macaroni pie, a baked macaroni, egg, and cheese dish, is also popular. A wide variety of seafood, including shark, is also eaten. Several types of tropical fruits, as well as ice cream and sno-cones are also popular snack items.

More about Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies Mission

...More Trinidad ....More Tobago

Farewell Chaguanas

Well everyone, I'm leaving Trinidad and I'm going to Tobago!  Island life at last!  There are only two elders and two sisters and a senior couple.  Everyone wants to go to there. I leave Wednesday morning at 7:00 am and will be taken to the airport with the other missionaries that are leaving the mainland, then hop on a flight (LIAT Airlines ... liat stands for late in all terminals..haha).  I will be picked up by Elder and Sister Linton in Tobago and taken to our apartment to drop my stuff off.  E. McClain said he served there and loved it; he also said the apartment has A/C....Oh Ya!  

   A cool experience I had today...like an hour ago. Well it was raining so hard...like the pics i sent of the rain a couple weeks ago...but worse. This Sisters called and told us that their tire had just popped and that they were pulled over but they didn't know how to change it. It was fairly close to our apartment so we caught travel down there. E. McClain told me he didn't know how to change a tire so he was hoping that i knew how. Boy oh boy was i happy that i paid attention to my father dearest while we worked on changing oil and car stuff together. So we got there and sure enough their tire was flat. I got their jack out of the trunk and it was a tiny little piece of junk thing...I was like great! what the heck is this...then they had a wrench. I took and loosened the bolts and lifted the jack carefully because it wasn't very sturdy. I got the nuts off and the tire wouldn't budge. I was getting so angry and frustrated over some dumb little thing. I stood up and threw the wrench on the ground and sweat was streaming off my face, it was hot and i realized the rain stopped and was sunny just where we were. The Lord was making it comfortable for us to change the tire. I struggled for 20 min trying to get the tire off...rusted on. Sis Jex, being herself, said let's say a prayer for the rust to be softened...I was like psh..that's not going to work. We knelt down and said a prayer. It was a very humble prayer she gave and then she closed. As she prayed, a thought came into my head. Same tool, other end and pry...i was like uhh ok. So i stuck the tool in and twisted and pried. It slid off like butter and the rust didn't even interfere! It was amazing. 
   
   It was a very powerful experience i had and will never forget that when we are frustrated and need help the best person to turn to is Jesus Christ and Our Heavenly Father! The love i have for the Lord is growing so much every day. The gratitude for the Atonement i have is such that i can not simply express in words. I have really been trying hard to lose myself in the work and not look back. As we left, the sisters thanked us and we started to walk to catch a ride back to our apartment...right when we got in a car, it started to poor rain and i just thought, wow! The Lord knew how long that it would take and i was just a tool he used me for. I am so glad that i knew a little bit about cars because if i didn't, the sisters would have been stranded for some time.

Well, thanks for all your letters. I love everyone a ton and you are in my thoughts and prayers!  Much love from Trinidad and soon to be Tobago!

Elder Hill

Awesome Week!

This past week was super awesome! We had Zone Conference on Wednesday...I loved it and it was exactly what I needed to boost my spirits and have a greater love and appreciation for the Lord's work.  I have had a really great week and i also received a partial transfer call.  I was told directly from Pres. Mehr that I will be leaving Chaguanas, but he can't tell me where I'm going!

Saturday we had a service project for some of the members that are bed ridden in our branch. It was way fun but super dirty and itchy.  I look like a boss using the weed whacker!

Anil had a great time at the YSA overnight camp. His testimony is really growing.  He has given us a referral. He also came with us when we taught a lesson to a less-active. As we go with members, it brings a sense of fellowship and someone to trust. As they see the missionaries, they remember how they felt when they were learning and how they felt at the waters of baptism.  They remember the song of redeeming love!

Another beautiful Caribbean sunset! 

So here's what my day is like:  I wake up at 6:30 and exercise (go running with comp), shower, then it's study time at 8:00 am. We study until 10 and we're out the door! We pack our day pretty full and we hope we get fed; most of the time we don't but we take breaks and get snacks. yummy, yummy brownies are my favorite!   Yesterday I ate a new type of food...it's called Sawine (Sa-wine). It is a Muslim food and it tastes a little like mom's rice, cinnamon, and sugar but it's noodles instead...kinda weird but good.

Today we traveled down to San Fernando to play sports with the South and Central Zones.  We played American football.  It was a lot of fun...and since I probably won't see most of the elders again on my mission, I enjoyed it a lot!

I don't really have time to tell you all of the miracles I'm experiencing out here in the mission field.  I'm writing in my journal every night, and haven't missed a day.  Aren't you proud mother dearest ;)     Well, I'm out of time. I love you all very, very much.  I always look forward to Mondays so that I can hear your voices...well, in my head! 

Elder Hill

A KISS FOR YOU ALL!

Graduated Greenie

We are working hard every day!  I'm not in the training period anymore so we are going out at 10:00 now. Maybe that's why the first few days of the week seemed longer - I had an extra 2 hours of proselyting time. After everything fell through on Saturday, we went back to the apartment and prayed for guidance. I asked Heavenly Father if this is what he wanted to have happen today and i felt so much peace i fell asleep on my knees for like 40 min haha. I was so tired and sick of walking.

Some of the things that are really hard is when you are feeling the spirit and your companion is feeling the spirit and your investigator is definitely feeling the spirit and you invite them to be baptized and thy say no, i don't want to leave Pastor C---'s Church...that makes me vex boy!  It's also really hard to teach Hindus and Muslims, which is most of the population.  

I'm really starting to love what i'm doing out here.  The people are really nice and it took me a while to adjust but I love the feeling i get when someone accepts the message and humbles their self and repents and gets baptized and completely changes their ways.

I love everyone so much and their encouragement and support for me being out here serving our Lord and Savior.  I have learned a lot to trust in my Father in Heaven because he knows what I'm experiencing and he knows how i feel.  I love him so much and i know that i'm doing the right thing no matter how hard or stressful at the time, it's helping me grow.

Love, Elder Hill

Laughing is a great stress reliever!

PICTURES !!

Went to the hospital for a heat rash on my face.  The Dermatologist said it is fairly common here with foreigners because they aren't used to the humidity and climate.  It was really itchy and puffy enough that I couldn't open my mouth real well.  They gave me an IV of hydro-cortisone and a minor steroid/antihistamine for the swelling and discomfort.

           

       



                                 Preach Unto Every Creature   ;)

Visiting Sylvester

Elders McClain and Hill

                San Fernando Hike

Rainy Season...

Hey Everyone - Elder Hill here in the Rainy city of Chaguanas!  It's the rainy season and it's been raining a lot...it's crazy how hard it rains!  We put our stuff in plastic bags and then in our book bags because everything gets wet.

6 inches of rain in the gutter after 5 minutes of rain!

There are 2 seasons in the West Indies: Rainy... June through December (averaging 8-10" a month), and Dry: January - May (2-4" a month) with 80% humidity all year long.  Low temps are in the 70's and highs in the 80's...the humidity makes it feel much warmer!

Baptisms!

"Saturday was really good. Sylvester was a little nervous at first but after he was baptized he was grinning ear to ear.  He definitely had the light of Christ in his eyes after he was dunked.  Afterwards we took pictures and went to the cultural hall and the missionaries did a musical number.  It was really powerful.  As they let the congregation bear their testimonies I got up and shared mine.  I can definitely say this mission thing is growing on me."

"Anil's baptism was really great. The Spirit was very strong and the program was super powerful.  We had an investigator show up to the baptism as well.  I was able to do the Confirmation in church and give him the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  Anil is being taught the New Member Lessons now and absolutely loves the Doctrine and Covenants."

So proud of these young men...ALL of them!

Testimony

My testimony is growing everyday of my mission.  I'm having a great time teaching and it's actually one of the best things I like to do.  The spirit I feel is pretty amazing...

I know that this is the Restored Church of Jesus Christ.  I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and that he sent us here to succeed and not to fail.  He is always there for us in our time of need and it is up to us to put forth the effort and go to Him first.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word and Work of God.  I love everything about this gospel and I absolutely love being a disciple of Christ in the West Indies.  I may not get a bunch of baptisms like the missionaries in Guyana but I know that people have been prepared for me to find them in Trinidad.  I have to be diligent and obey with exactness to experience these miracles set aside from God for my own personal Conversion.  As I teach about the messages that Christ has given us to teach, with out a doubt in my mind I know that God lives and he is with us all along the way guiding us back so that we can live with our Father in Heaven Eternally!  My Calling gives me Authority...my Authority Gives me Power...I am a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I love my job of bringing lost souls back to our Father.  I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is Real and the healing power that comes with it is extremely powerful.  As we live what we learn our faith is constantly increasing.  I know that my testimony is still growing and I know that as we try our best God will do the rest.  My prayers are for the people so that they can find their way back to our shepherd, savior and redeemer.  If anyone is thinking about serving a mission - DO IT!  I can't believe the things I've learned and the things I'm soon to learn.  I love my Heavenly Father and I Know that I'm supposed to be here in The Caribbean.  Even though it's really Warm down here I Love it!