Family Visits Guyana

We had a wonderful time when Anne and Danny and friend Clint came to Guyana. We couldn’t believe our dream came true of family visiting us on our mission. We had a great reunion at the airport! We were so excited to show them the Guyana that we have grown to love.

We were so excited to show them the Guyana that we have grown to love. We took them to our home in Berbice which is a three hour drive from the airport. It was fun to take them on the long drive to our home because they had plenty to look at – animals in the road, the poor conditions of the cities and homes and the vista of beautiful lush green scenery. As many times as we have traveled that road we never tire of it because of the interesting things to watch out the window. They were very impressed with how large and nice our house is. Our neighbor Asha called to tell us she had made us an Indian dinner of Dhal puri and curry potatoes. Her husband B.J. and sons Emmanuel and Josh came and spent the evening with us. We enjoyed the meal as well as their company. Anne and Danny loved the roti and curry and made me promise I would learn how to make it for our family. (From then on, wherever we went to eat, they wanted to order roti and curry). The next morning we left our home at 4:30 AM for our adventure to Kaieteur Falls. We couldn’t believe what a small plane we were going to fly in (nine passenger). It turned out to be wonderful. The scenery from the plane was extraordinary. Guyana is nothing but green. We were reminded of what a friend said about flying over the Guyana jungle –“It looks like millions of miles of broccoli from the air”. We now agree. The rivers are big and there are many of them. We flew through the most beautiful deep green canyon. At the far end was Kaieteur Falls. It is the highest single drop waterfall in the world – over 741 feet – five times higher than Niagara Falls. The pilot flew the plane around the falls so we could see it from the air at every angle and then landed on a small strip. We hiked through the jungle to find the falls. It was magnificent. We stopped at three different vantage points. We even saw the golden frog – an endangered species (about the size of a quarter). As the water from the falls goes over the edge it has a beautiful golden color. It was a great experience. We only wish we could have stayed longer. Only a handful of Guyanese have seen the falls because of the cost to fly ($37000 GYD). It is considered to be the “crown jewel” of Guyana’s interior (aka “the bush”) so we know the Guyanese people would love to see it and many dream to have such an adventure. Thursday was another full day. I hoped that they would get a feeling for the Guyana we know and love and this day accomplished that. Sister Shantie and girls Rubena and Dolly came to meet the family. Sister Shantie and I became very good friends when I helped her with names for her temple trip last March. We all really enjoyed their company. The little girls are delightful. We surprised them with the bracelets that Ashlyn made for them and had sent with Anne. They loved the bracelets. She had woven their names into the bands. Anne, Danny and Clint grew to love this little family in a very short time.
We had three more adventures that day. We took then to meet our other ‘favorite’ family, the Paul Brijemal family. I have adopted them as my Guyanese grandchildren since we have lived here. They are the children that always give me my much needed ‘grandma hugs’. We dearly love this family. Paul surprised us by taking us into the back yard so he could get us each a coconut. It was so fun to watch him shimmy up the trunk of the coconut tree in his bare feet. At the top he knocked the coconuts down with his feet. He cut off the tops of each coconut and bored a small hole and gave us each one. We tipped the coconut from our mouths and drank the sweet coconut water.

We then went to the orphanage in New Amsterdam. We have visited often and have become very good friends with the owner, care takers and of course the children. There are 54 children. They have very little. They had no books for children until we started bringing some. During the past year we would take over a birthday book in honor of a grandchild’s birthday and read it to them and then leave as a gift. It has been a heartwarming experience. Danny brought some books from our grandchildren to give to the orphanage. The five of us each took a few book and gathered children around us and read the books to them. They loved it. The woman in charge of the children was so grateful. She wanted the names of our grandchildren because she wanted to name them in their special book of history. Anne also gathered the children for a rowdy game of Duck, Duck Goose. They had so much fun. We got lots of hugs and thanks as we left. The next day, Saturday, was our last day with Danny and Clint. Early in the morning we visited Port Mourant Market. Port Mourant Market is a seven day a week market which becomes one of the largest market places in the country on Saturdays, attracting both buyers and sellers from many parts of the country. This is primarily a farmers market but a wide variety of groceries and clothing goods can also be purchased. It is quit an experience. It is very big with everything you can imagine – every kind of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as every kind of meat and fish and chicken. Everything was fresh and cut for you on the spot. Even the chickens were alive and you could watch as they went through the whole process of preparing the chicken to take home. Besides food there is everything you would need – household goods, clothing, jewelry, toys etc. On our way back to our house we stopped to see one of our dearest friends here, Sister Jesse Davis. She is near 80 years old and had her leg amputated a couple of months ago. We have been close to her through the process and have grown to love her and admire her good attitude and her faith in God. She has been a member of the church for many years. Her complication was because of diabetes. We go there to cheer her up but always come away being cheered and inspired by her. We were very happy to have our children meet her.

We drove two hours back to Georgetown for souvenir shopping, visiting the largest wooden building in the world – St George’s Catholic Cathedral and the Georgetown Seawall that is part of a stretch of 280 miles of dyke built originally by the Dutch, in the 1700’s, to protect Guyana (which is below sea level). It is interesting to watch the brown waves crash against the rocks. The water in Guyana including the ocean and every river is brown. The exception is the beautiful black water in the jungle creeks and the blue lakes in Linden. We had a sad farewell with Danny and Clint but were very happy to have Anne with us for three more days.

We spent time learning how to cook Guyanese dishes with Asha who was so willing to teach us. We made roti and potato curry and dhal and phalourie with green mango sauce. Then we invited her family over and we had a feast. Anne and Danny are both very excited to learn the skill of Guyanese cooking. They love the food.

On our last evening with Anne we went to a Hindu celebration of Diwali (the Festival of Lights). On the evening before Diwali they have a light parade with floats lit up with thousands of tiny lights. This represents their goddess of light - Laxmi. During this festival the Hindu people light small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness. They light up the entries to their homes with these lamps. It is a huge holiday in East Indian culture that is similar to the importance of Christmas. We were sad to say goodbye to Anne the next day at the airport. We are so pleased that she grew to love ‘our country’ in the few days she was here. We are so grateful Danny and Anne had the opportunity to experience Guyana with us. Now they know why we keep referring to it as a daily adventure.

Sister Singh

Sister Jean Singh
Georgetown, Guyana
Sister Singh is an incredible seminary teacher from Georgetown, Guyana. We were impressed when we heard she started teaching Seminary in a small storage room of a home with only four students. She started her class at 6:30 am. When we saw her months later the class had grown to 10. She said it was very crowded but a wonderful class with interested students. Then a few months later she reported the class had grown to 14 students. We asked how they managed in the small room. By the end of the school year at our last in-service meeting, she said there were 17 students coming to early morning seminary. We were very surprised because usually the classes dwindle in size over the year. We asked what her secret was. She said she wasn’t sure but there were three things she did consistently. She called the parents every Saturday to thank them for sending their children to seminary; and reminded them about seminary for the next week. She also called the students when they missed class to tell them that she missed them. I know other things are true that she did not mention. She loves her students and they feel it. She has a strong testimony and shares it in word and deed. She prepares meaningful lessons.

At the end of the year I was talking to her on the phone about the three students who are under age for seminary but attended seminary faithfully. Then she shared something with me that I will never forget. In October her branch president had extended the calling to her to be an early morning seminary teacher. She accepted the calling. At the time Sister Singh had a job that was from 7:30 am – 4:30 pm during the week days. Her class would not be out until 7:30 am. She went to her boss to discuss coming in a little late and staying later in the afternoon to make up the difference. She explained to him about her teaching religion to young people. He was very abrupt with her and let her know she would need to choose between her job and her teaching. Period!

Well, she choose seminary. She is a widow and needs to provide for herself (her only child is also deceased). She promised Heavenly Father that she would teach to the end of the school year if He would take care of her. She did not discuss this with anyone, not even her branch president. She told me that I was the first person she told about this. She said that the Lord did bless her through the year. She taught from October to July mostly living on her meager savings. Sometimes her brother sent her money out of the kindness of his heart with no knowledge of her situation. Other blessings came her way that helped get through without a job. What a dedicated, faithful servant of the Lord. She said, “When my problems got heavy I would go to seminary and leave with a song in my heart and the whole day went better”.

WIM Celebrates Graduation

Seminary and Institute (S&I) has been a great blessing for the young people of the West Indies. It has been a thrill for us as CES missionaries to watch the year long process from enrollment Sept. 2010 to graduation July/Aug 2012. In working closely with seminary and institute teachers and students we have a firm conviction that S&I is having a huge impact in the lives of young people here. Of course this influence will be felt not only now but in the future as these young people serve on missions, are sealed in the temple and become leaders in their families, church and communities.

Accomplishing the goal of graduation takes a lot of effort from the supervisors, teachers, leaders and students. Everyone felt joy in their efforts as graduation day came. We were privileged to attend 8 graduation ceremonies. We were especially proud of the 16 young people who accomplished their dream of receiving a 4 year diploma. This year 269 students received Certificates of Course Completion for the Doctrine and Covenants.

It was a heartwarming experience at each graduation to see the special young people receive their certificates and diplomas. They were very excited and their parents and teachers were very proud of them. Each graduation was a very spiritual experience. Many of the speakers spoke of how seminary and institute has been a blessing in their lives. Jared Nelson of Barbados who earned a 4 year diploma gave a talk about how seminary has been a light in his life and that has helped him be a light to others. He has shared the knowledge he has gained by teaching with the missionaries. He is now preparing to go on his own mission very soon. Shane Boyce, an institute student from Guyana, shared a personal experience in his graduation talk. He heard about Institute soon after his baptism only two years ago. “I wanted to go but was embarrassed because I couldn’t read or write. I heard a voice telling me ‘don’t go’ but, I listened to the promptings of the Holy Ghost instead. I went to institute and through studying the scriptures – and with the support of my institute teacher - I taught myself to read. I know the Book of Mormon is true because I have read it.”

We were very impressed with a seminary class we attended a few times in Sangre Grande, Trinidad. The teacher, Brother Blackburn, had a class of four young men. They were dedicated students and came to class every morning at 5:00 AM. Two of the boys, Brandon Blackburn and Kevin Christopher, graduated this year with 4 year diplomas. Adrian Suepaul has one more year to receive his diploma. The fourth boy, a new member of the church, Reon Charles was encouraged by the others to join seminary. He received a Certificate of Course Completion for Doctrine and Covenants along with Adrian. The four friends celebrated their graduation together with enthusiasm. These are amazing young men and we look forward to hear of their mission calls.

The other senior missionaries joined us for graduation in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Elder Andrus said it was one of the most spiritual experiences of his mission. He said he had never seen such excitement and radiance coming from young people at a seminary graduation. As he met some students afterward, they said, “We’ve never done anything like this before. We did it! We really did it!” One of these young women told him of her desire to go on a mission to share the gospel that has brought her so much happiness.

It has definitely been a highlight of our mission to rub shoulders with these extraordinary young people. The Seminary and Institute of Religion of our church is an inspired program from a loving Heavenly Father that is blessing the lives of the young people of the West Indies Mission.

Our Adventure in the Jungle

On Wednesday, August 10 we packed our overnight bags for a trip into Guyana’s interior (aka “the bush” or the rain forest which covers more than 80% of this South American country’s land mass). It was two spectacular days with three other missionary couples – Ed and Linda Sappington (St. George, UT), Gary and Christie Ricks (Santa Barbara, CA) and Lynn and Sharon Angus (Vernal, UT). We went on nature hikes, swam in black water, ate and relaxed at Arrow Point, a rustic resort located 17-miles off the Demerara River, up the tributary known as Kamuni Creek on the Arawak Amerindian reservation at Santa Mission. The boat ride to the resort was reminiscent of Disneyland’s “Jungle Cruise” and hiking through the rain forest reminded us of the beauty of the Sacred Grove.

The young Amerindian staff catered exclusively to our needs since the 8 of us were the only guests with the whole resort to ourselves. We had delicious Guyanese meals and even an Amerindian traditional bonfire with dinner by torch light on the beach of the river. After dinner we went on a hike by moonlight. The hike is aptly named, 'Creatures of the Night'. On the three different hikes our guides took us on we saw many fascinating plants and animals. We especially loved the brilliant blue butterflies.We enjoyed kayaking down a spectacular smooth-as-glass black water stream and a 3-mile hike through the jungle to a 17-year-old plane crash site. On the way back, Sister Sappington almost stepped on a Labaria . . . one of the most poisonous snakes in the world. Luckily our guide warned her in a steady, but warning voice, to take one big step backwards because the Labaria strikes quickly and can be deadly.

It was so peaceful there. The only noises came from the beautiful exotic birds. The forest which was all around us was thick with every kind of foliage imaginable. The peace we felt there was like when we go the cabin – no worries – just peace.
We went swimming in the black water river after a long hike. It is amazing how black it is. Hands under the water look gold and feet look red. The black water is caused by the many leaves that fall into the water.

On our way back down the river toward home our guide had us stop at his Amerindian village. We watched an Amerindian lady as she prepared a plant to make straw for weaving baskets. This is made from a wild growing cane that resembles bamboo. She boils the plant and then lays it out in the sun to dry. It looked and felt like raffia. We also watched the mother of our guide weave a basket. We were happy we could purchase colorful baskets made by the women of this village. We all had a great time and will have fond memories of our visit to the jungle of Guyana.

Hike to Maracas Waterfall

July 13th turned out to be the perfect day for a hike. It has been raining a lot in Trinidad so it was very nice to wake up to a sunny day. Sister Ellison and I had chosen this morning to have a beautiful hike in the mountains instead of the usual walk through the neighborhood. Trinidad has lots of steep mountains filled with dense green foliage of every kind. It was a beautiful hike, sometimes steep and rocky. There was dense jungle on each side of the trail. We enjoyed the sounds of the jungle – the songs of the birds and other creatures and the sound of the rushing water of the creek. We took our time and didn’t feel rushed because we wanted to not only get to our destination but stop and ‘smell the roses’ along the way. It was also a special time for us to share life experiences, mission experiences, and even our favorite books. We have so much in common and had a lot to talk about. The falls ran off a high cliff and sprayed off a cool mist that was very refreshing. Maracas Falls is the highest water fall in Trinidad-Tobago at 298 ft. We relaxed on a rock and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings. We read some verses in the Book of Mormon and had a stimulating discussion about our insights.

I loved being in the mountains again. The mountains of Utah are the place I love to go to find peace and joy and to refresh me. I have missed them. I needed the boost and these beautiful mountains gave it to me this day. Instead of being gone for two hours as planned we were gone for four glorious hours. I wouldn’t have been so long but we couldn’t resist going visit our dear sister Pearl Ramdial who lives near the hike. I loved our visit. She is turning 80 years next month. She is a vibrant, happy lady. She raised 14 children on this mountain. Through the years she was an avid hiker in these steep hills. It was part of her daily routine. She is the only member of the church in her family but her children love her and take such good care of her. She has been a seeker of truth her whole life – trying out different churches and never feeling satisfied until the restored church was introduced to her. We not only visited with her but she asked us to read from the Book of Mormon, sing a hymn and have prayer together. It was a delightful experience. I love to feel the Spirit of the saints here. She has many challenges but she says the gospel gives her the strength and peace she needs to make it through the day.

What is Dhal Puri?

Dhal Puri is an East Indian flatbread stuffed with seasoned yellow spit peas. Trinidad and Guyana have a big population of the East Indian culture because their ancestors came over as indentured servants in the 1800’s; so we eat a lot of East Indian dishes. We had our first taste of roti which is the base of dhal puri in Trinidad not too long after we arrived on our mission. We soon realized that roti is a main staple of the diet in these two countries. My favorite form of roti is dhal puri. So when our Relief Society announced our enrichment meeting would be to learn how to make dhal puri I was very interested. Our cooking lesson was on Saturday May 28 at 4:00 PM. Sister Devi was the teacher. She has a degree from a cooking school, so she is an expert. We had a lot of fun. The sisters thought it was pretty funny that I didn’t know anything about their foods and how to cook them. I think they really liked that I was genuinely interested in their culture. Sister Devi taught how to take yellow split peas, cook them and add garlic and hot pepper and spices and roll into balls the size of a big walnut. Then she let us do hands-on cooking as she taught us to make roti dough. We flattened a small section of dough, added the ball of dhal blend and then wrapped the dough around the dhal. The next step was to roll the whole thing together into a flat bread that reminds me of a tortilla. Then she had us put the bread on a very hot flat cast iron skillet – cook on one side then turn only once. I was able to try every step and learned a lot. Maybe I will get brave when I go home and make it for my family.

The sisters also made another popular East Indian dish – everyone’s favorite – chicken and potato curry. Then of course we were able to taste the food we had made. Delicious!

I love my Guyanese Sisters – Urmella, Marlene, Alicia, Cassandra, Melissa, Sister Moses, Sister Valarie, Sister Devi, Sister Sauers, Sister Reddi, Sister Hussian and Sister LaRose.


While we were enjoying our R.S. cooking lesson, Larry was there but he was cleaning the building in preparation for Sunday Meetings. The sisters shared their food with Elder Harris. He was glad to oblige them.

Afterward, Larry and I went to visit one of our favorite families, the Sunthgolams. Mother is Valarie, father Robert and children, Dominiqe, Cassandra and R.J. Robert was home for one day from his job in the bush. We wanted to meet him.
He gets to come home about every three weeks.

Sister Atkins

In November we went to visit an early morning seminary class in San Juan, Trinidad. It was in the home of Sister Atkins. She has two students, Melissa and Daniel. When Larry had talked to Sister Atkins the night before he commented on her cheerful voice and said that he couldn’t wait to meet her to see if her countenance matched her voice. Well, he was not disappointed. She has the most joyful countenance of anyone I have ever seen. She glows.

Sister Atkins told us about recently meeting a friend she had not seen for a long time. The friend said there was something so different about her. She said she looked so happy and there was a peace about her that she couldn’t describe. She just couldn’t get over it. She asked, “What could make such a difference in your life? Are you married?”

She said, “No, I’m not married. I have the Holy Spirit with me. I am reading the scriptures. I get up at 3:00 AM and read. I don’t want to put them down. They feel me. You want to be happy? Read the Book of Mormon.” She said she would read it so Sister Atkins gave her one.

Sister Atkins said that friends ask her, “You are always so happy; don’t you have problems?” She answers, “No, I don’t have problems. He (the Savior) takes care of them. If I do need more help I know where to go to get it.”

In May, we had the privilege of visiting her again along with her daughter, Davianna. She is in the tourist industry and was excited to give us a CD of some music of her country – steel pan music. She not only gave us two Cd's of steel pan music but invited her neighbor over to bring his steel pan and demonstrate it. He let Larry try it out.

Did you know steel pans originated in Trinidad? After World War II, Trinidad was strewn with oil drums and once they had been emptied there was no good use for them . . . until pannists realized they could make music using straight sticks tipped with a rubber. Sixty years later, Trinidad now boasts hundred of steel bands. Every year the bands have competitions esp. at Carnival time. They want to win the Band of the Year title so they practice for months in preparation for the big event. We have been to a pan yard rehearsal in Trinidad. There were dozens of different sizes of pans and many pannists playing them. They looked like they were having lots of fun. Although it is not the type of music we would search for on the radio, it is exciting to hear and wonderfully rhythmic and fun!

Sister Atkins also showed us the wonderful headdresses she had from Carnival. I couldn't wait to try them on. Her Davianna joined me in the fun. Trinidad Carnival is an annual 2 day event celebrated once a year. People come from all over the world to watch it. There are parades with people dressed in elaborate costumes dancing through the streets to the sounds of steel bands. There are many other cultural events and contests. Carnival was created by the African slaves to celebrate when slavery was abolished.