Dear Family,
We have attached a picture of zone conference. No one told me to wear a white shirt! We also included a sign we see on the way to the mission home—it makes me smile every time we see it since it covers so many modes of transportation. We do see security guards and police with rifles like the top sign. It always makes me a little nervous. The last picture we took on our way to church last Sunday. It is not common to see people riding a donkey. You can see the missionary apartment in the upper right of the picture—it is the grey building with white trim.
Last Tuesday Elder Weir started serving his mission. He is called to serve in the Florida Tallahassee Mission but is waiting for his US visa so will serve here until the visa comes. We have gotten to know him since he is an appliance repairman and has come in several times to be paid for fixing appliances in missionary apartments all over the island. His father taught him the trade. We are delighted to have Elder Weir serving with us as long as he needs to be. I had to rush order his nametags. Missionaries usually receive them when they are at the Missionary Training Center.
Wednesday we had zone conference. I always enjoy attending them since President Hendricks is such a good teacher. He taught about grace and I wish I had gotten all his scripture references written down to review again and again. We bore our testimonies since it was the last zone conference we will attend before we go home. It is sobering to think we will be finishing in a couple of months. There is so much need here and I hope we have made a difference. We worked a couple of hours at the mission office before going to the mission home for a potluck dinner and Family Home Evening. Elder and Sister Flake were going home on Friday so we honored them and had a testimony meeting. President Hendricks shared that when President Viñas (our Area President) was here last week for district conference they discussed the needs of our mission. President Hendricks stressed his need of more senior couples. President Viñas told him that we are the only mission in the Caribbean and he thinks the only mission in the western hemisphere that has only branches, no wards and of course, then, no stakes. The people need the leadership of mature couples to help them implement the programs in the Church. President Hendricks asked us to encourage those wanting to serve to come to Jamaica. Elder and Sister Smith who serve in Junction spent the night with us.
I worked several days this week to get tickets for President and Sister Hendricks to go to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in February. President visits the branch there quarterly. The phone connection isn’t very good to the only airline that serves Jamaica and GTMO. They request we fax ticket requests but their fax wasn’t working properly. I finally got through and got an email address that allowed us to finalize the tickets.
Friday we paid our last rent payment since March was included as a deposit at the beginning of our mission. We bought some coconut candy that Sister Medley made. She cuts the fresh coconut into small pieces and then adds a ginger candy syrup. They are delicious. I’d love to get her recipe.
Saturday we did our housekeeping chores and went to the mission office for a couple of hours. Elder Daniels reconciled the petty cash while I worked on visual aids for Primary.
Sunday we went to Yallahs. We learned that Abby, the girl who needs a wheelchair, was moving that day with her family. We won’t be able to pick her up for church anymore since it is too far and in an area not safe for us to travel. Because of her family’s financial needs, I believe they won’t pay the taxi fare for her to attend. We are sorry she won’t be able to come. Hopefully members of our branch will be able to visit her occasionally.
We had ten children in Primary. Sister Lofters continues to improve as she gives the lesson and conducts Primary. The children loved making “Heavenly Father’s Plan for Me” mobiles. They learn the Primary songs so quickly and enjoy singing. I am grateful for the simple and pure truths that are building testimonies as the children learn the songs.
We love you all very much and hope things are going well for you.
Love,
Sister and Elder Daniels
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