Second Week in Trinidad

We are CES (Church Education System) Missionaries. We are in charge of the Seminary and Institute programs in four of the 13 countries in the West Indies Mission. The four countries are Trinidad-Tobago, Suriname, Guyana, and Barbados. We are to train supervisors and teachers and help in any way needed. We are also suppose to get acquainted with each Bishop or Branch President and build relationships with them. To do this we have the opportunity to travel to each of these countries to visit each ward/branch and each Seminary and Institute as is possible. So we had our first opportunity to visit another country on Saturday/Sunday Aug. 7-8. It was Seminary graduation in the country of Suriname. Suriname is a country in South America which was settled by the Dutch so Dutch is their official language. This was a great opportunity to visit the teachers, students and Priesthood leaders all at one meeting. It was a marvelous experience.

The only flight out of Trinidad to Suriname is at 10:15 pm. We flew to Suriname and didn't leave the airport until two in the morning. Then we had a one hour drive in a small bus to our hotel in the capitol city of Paramaribo. It was an interesting ride to look out the window and realize we were in a very poor country. As we got into the big city we came to a huge beautiful building I thought must be a palace. But to my surprise the bus turned into the parking lot - it was our hotel, the Royal Torarica. It was a 5 star hotel with everything we could want. Our favorite part was the wonderful breakfast that was included with the price of the room. It included wonderful fresh fruits and breads and a chef that would cook any breakfast food our hearts desired. It was a wonderful place. We look forward to returning. Next time we won't forget our swimming suits to take advantage of a most beautiful outdoor pool with fountains and gardens all around it.

As wonderful as our hotel was it didn't compare to meeting the people of the church in Suriname.

Oh, how we loved them. They made us feel so welcome. They are so warm and friendly. We attended graduation that night. I will quote from Larry's journal about the evening. "Sister Ibrahim is the supervisor over the Seminary and Institute in Suriname. She has been very instrumental in the growth of the programs there. The graduation program was so well done. I was very impressed. It is difficult to put into words how we felt watching and listening to the graduation unfold. It will be remembered as a very historical event of the beginnings of a stake of Zion. (At this time there is only one stake in the whole West Indies Mission and that is in Trinidad). We were privileged to be there to witness an event that will be in our memories forever." The final speaker at graduation was suppose to be the district president but he was late so guess who they asked on the spot to talk? You are right - Elder and Sister Harris.

Sister Ibrahim and Elder Harris preparing for graduation in the Chapel

Happy Graduates

That evening the Ibrahim's took us to a dance recital that their daughter was in. The dances and music were from all different countries. It was so fun. Their daughter Beverly did the Brazilian Salsa Dance with her group. Then they took us to dinner at 10:30. The people there stay up very late even all night so 10:30 wasn't late for them. Larry just had to order his favorite food - a hamburger. He discovered that the hamburgers there don't compare to the hamburgers in America. I don't think he will be doing that again!

Sunday was another very special day. The Ibrahim's took us to their Tamenga Branch for church. It was wonderful. I can't describe how it is to be with these happy, humble, warm and friendly people. All of the meetings are in Dutch so the only talk we understood was when the branch president asked us to bare our testimonies! No, we really did understand the meeting because we were fortunate to have Elder Lake from Bountiful who sat behind us and translated for us. We love the young Elders! The chapel does not have air conditioning only many fans on the ceiling and lots of open windows to let the breeze in. I am very glad I brought a hand held fan for me. I just had to go into Primary to visit the darling children. Oh, they are so cute! Larry ask if they would sing 'I Am a Child of God' in Dutch for us. It was beautiful. There were only about ten children in their Primary. After church Larry and I decided we didn't want to leave. We had grown to love these people in such a short time and wanted to stay in Suriname. But we will return.

After church to Ibrahims invited us to their home for dinner. They have a lovely new home. They are merchants and have clothing stores. Brother Ibrahim is from Lebanon. Sister Ibrahim is from Suriname. We had a wonderful afternoon at their home. They have been members for seven years. They are very faithful and dedicated to the gospel and to their family. We love this family. We know we have made some forever friends - Millad and Lorette Ibrahim and children, Christopher 15 and Beverly 14.