In January we received an inspired call from President Horstmier asking us if we would consider transferring to the island of Dominica the end of April. It came as a big surprise to say the least, but we readily accepted.
Dominica is a very different island than all the other islands in the Caribbean. It is called the Nature Island because of its mountains, lush vegetation, and many rivers (365). So many people have gardens or farms and grow a lot of what they eat. We have been able to help our friend Jill on her farm up in the mountains. She puts us to work clearing out vines and pulling weeds and rewards us with fresh juices she makes or a freshly cut coconut she opens with her cutlass (machete) so we can drink the coconut water. She grows, pineapple, limes, mango, guava, coconuts, papaya, bananas and many other things, She makes her own coconut oil which she does by hand and sells it in the super market here.
We love the beauty of this island and have been able to explore many mountain hikes. We love the people!!! The people here work so hard to make ends meet and get by with very little. We have been in some very humble homes – all very humbling for us and invoking a new perspective on how we view our own lives.
We have enjoyed preparing a weekly Family Home Evening here like we did on St Thomas. John prepares a short spiritual message, we spotlight someone, and then we play a game and have a treat. On Friday nights, the missionaries teach ”seminary” to youth 9-15. After that we take them to the second floor of the building to play games. It can be a bit chaotic, but they love it! The Church is a big part of their lives and a positive influence to the alternatives here.
We are planning a big youth conference activity for the last day of August. All the youth in our branch ages 10-18 and their friends are invited to participate. It will include a breakfast, getting to know you game, a hike to a waterfall where they can swim and play and then they will participate in a “Faith Walk” following the youth theme for this year “Walk With Me”. We are so excited about it. The blessings are extending thousands of miles back home where some of our dear friends in Layton so generously answered the call to help. We pray this experience will help to grow faith and testimony in these amazing youth.
We have loved making connections out in the community like we did on St Thomas. We try to go to the farmers market every Saturday morning. There we find fresh eggs from a very cute lady, lettuce and spinach from our friend Simone, and coconut water and coconut jelly from the coconut guy. They see us coming and know what we want. It is quite an experience!
We have absolutely loved visiting people and families in their homes where we can share a brief gospel message and feel the spirit. We love serving alongside the young missionaries which will be one of the favorite things to remember in the future. You can’t help but become attached as you are engaged in the Lord’s work.
We continue to be ever so grateful for the blessings of serving a mission together especially in this unique mission on the “Isles of the Sea.” Our lives are forever changed because of it. Sometimes we say, “What if we hadn’t come?” Sad to think about all we would have missed out on especially the beautiful people we have met and will have an eternal connection to but most important, who we are hopefully becoming along the way!
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The Churches will be a second Senior couple…
We loved serving with Elder Cordero and had a…
We have GROWN in so many ways on our mission! …
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This trail is incredible...so peaceful and wild!
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Jill and Shilton at the base of one of the giant…
The jungles here are full of wonderful…
If there were audio with this image you would…
Jeremiah is a smart young man with many talents.…
We love getting up early and hiking up high in…
We were invited to Jill's home to further plan…
We have loved getting to know Ambert. He lives…
Our Mission Leaders shared this depiction of…
Kids playing games
We always take a group photo at FHE after a brief…
After moving out of the cramped classroom at the…
This is Real - building relationships as we all…
Nevada and Elder Cordero at her baptism
Shilton baptizing Davisky
Nevada was baptized by Elder Cordero, and Davisky…
Kristi with these cute girls who live in the…
Sister Christiani was born in this home and…
Leotha at her home with her sewing machine.
It's fun to think that the lush sheer faces on…
The large fruits in this picture are called…
Striking colors along the trail!
All the freshest mangoes you can eat along the…
An ocean view along the trail
High Oxygen hiking!
This looks like we are in some manicured…
We are here a lot!
We are very blessed to have the Lemon family from…
We hike near or in the clouds in the lush jungle…
We love finding remote very steep mountain roads…
We watched these fishermen haul in their catch -…
Portsmouth from above in the mountains…
Here is the falls after a hike with several…
The trail to Syndicate Falls has several stream…
Beautiful flowers surround us here - from the…
We met Albert while hiking past his remote…
This is really funny. There is a kid's Futbol…
With my Brothers on the beach at James' Baptism …
Elder Heywood, Elder Cordero, James, Elder…
I was honored the James asked me to perform his…
This picture doesn't need a caption. These kids…
We regularly enjoy breathtaking scenes and…
Brian is one of the kids/families we visit in the…
We were able to participate in all of the events…
Spongili is a very bright, fun young woman and a…
Behind Kristi is one of the cruise ships that…
Princess lives with a bunch of other kids in the…
Jeremiah's brother Elijah joined us for the…
Jeremiah asked for help with a school assignment…
Technology enabled all of us missionaries on the…
We continue to hold Family Home Evening every…
This little boy loves coming to church on Mondays…
Shermia is 15 and leads our music with a smile on…
Sister Jinillia leads the Primary in our branch…
Kristi is a hug magnet for All. These are…
Another Jurassic Park evoking plant dwarfing…
We are surrounded by jungle everywhere here!
A monster hurricane "David" toppled this tree on…
This is James, a very thoughtful and caring man…
We delivered this large print edition of the…
An inspiring story from our trip to MN: We…
One of the pictures of my sister Barbara on…
Before we arrived in Dominica, we learned of my…
This is just one example of the very humble…
With just a few of the youth in Portsmouth just…
We overlapped the Barringtons for a couple of…
