Andy's Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

"Living and Dying in 3/4 Time"

2010-08-08T14:35:00.004-06:00

We have had a super great week this last week. Finishing with an incredible fast and testimony on Sunday, where despite some crazy events, the spirit filled our hearts.

Cayenne is now starting to flourish. I was grateful for the president's decision not to send me to zone leader council, because I was able to have a solid week of wonderful work in our area! There is nothing better than that, too. Our goal for the week was to give out many baptismal dates! And we were turned down many times by many of our investigators that filled our teaching pool...but that did not discourage us. We were still able to weed out those that are not ready for the restored gospel and fine the amis (friends) like Nelson who are prepared and ready to receive the fullness of Gods gospel! Nelson is a young man of 17 years old. He is much more mature than his years however, he understands the divine significance of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith...after receiving an answer to his prayer to know if the Book of Mormon was true(which took some time to teach him how to recognize his answer) he tried to teach his mother about this wonderful book! After church Sunday he called us wondering about which verses it is that Jesus teaches his disciples that there are other sheep not of this fold! We have another investigator John Robert who was intrigued and touched by our message....at first we were not sure how much he understood, but the next day we went by he had already talked to his cousin about how great it was and gave us a referral. We fixed 2 baptismal dates with them. Me and Elder Lunt are trying to adapt our teachings based on the needs on our investigators. We are trying to listen to their needs, and then make it more personal. Elder Butler is doing a great job at implementing what he learned at zone leader council and turning us into the teachers the first presidency wants us to be.

Unfortunately, our only investigator in church this week was Nelson, but he is a stud!!!! I'm almost sure he is going to be baptized to and go on a mission soon. The crazy thing is we just met him 10 days ago, but already he is in love with the Book of Mormon. He has read a lot of First Nephi and has already received an answer to his prayer. It was actually interesting because we came by for the second lesson and we asked him if he had received an answer when he prayed about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith...he sort of disappointingly said not yet. He then said he wasn't sure if he had even had an answer to a prayer. We had planned to teach him the plan of salvation and to fix a baptismal date with him. But as we listened to the Holy Ghost, Elder Lunt and I felt to teach about the Holy Ghost and the way he answers prayers. We taught Nelson how to recognize the spirit in his life. As we taught him and he began to understand that the answers from God do not always come in visions, or big dreams, but more normally through a still small voice and through feelings that we might have in our heart, the light of understanding came across his face and he told us that not only had he felt those feelings in answer to prayers in his life, but that was how he felt as he read from and prayed about the Book of Mormon! He is just great, and the only prevention might be his parents...they are actually very supportive but his mom wants his dad to be there when he chooses a church to be baptised in and for now he is in Haiti...we don't know when he will be back...so I hope soon.

Wouldn't that be so wonderful to see a baptism! How wonderful it is to be part of that sacred covenant or promise in which we have so graciously been given. I pray with all my heart that one of our investigators may be baptized before I leave. At this moment Nelson looks to be the closest. We actually dropped Jose Ca this last week because he was no longer progressing....I think if it was a language barrier we would have overcame it, but I think it just wasn't the right time for him. I don't know if I told you but a family me and Elder Cottam taught in Lamentin was finally baptized. It was George that actually gave them as a referral and for the longest time the mom would not get baptised because she had a boyfriend. She knew the church was true but she couldn't bring herself to let go of the father of her 3 kids. Well I guess the missionaries there finally got a hold of the boyfriend who loved the gospel. They have now been living separately for a few months and just got baptised!

Elder Lunt is motivated, and he is one that has an uncanny ability to achieve when he is motivated. Its funny he doesn't do it in the normal ways that I have been used to, so its been hard getting used to that. I love my companion and he teaches me so much. It's sad to see that while he is just starting this wonderful adventure that will surely be filled with trials, obstacles, success, and achievements, mine is coming to a close. I hope to be the best example for him so that he can continue to convert others and himself more fully to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"Where's the Party"

2010-08-01T17:35:00.009-06:00

HOLY SHMOKES! What a week what a week. I have to thank everyone for the birthday cake and wishes! Better not have had my favorite popyseed cake or I might just lose it. haha...naw...even if you did it's ok because I ended up having a SAWEET birthday!
Andy and Elder Drolet (Senior missionary/new Branch President)

When I got my flights to go to Trinidad I was pretty disappointed because it had me gone about 7 days from Cayenne! I was pretty mad because I did not want to be away from my area that long! And so I talked with Elder Colling who talked to president for me. I told him I'd go if he'd like, but I proposed that Elder Butler, my district leader, go instead of me, since he is younger. Turns out that president had not realized I was going home after this transfer and so it worked out for the best! But shoot! They had me going to Guadeloupe for a one day layover, after to Trinidad for a day and a half, and then on the way back I would have had a one day layover in St. Lucia and another day in Guadeloupe! That was not gonna fly! Shoot with only so many days left I cannot afford to lose that many days of work!

We ended up having a really good birthday dinner Saturday night though...we hit up a steak restaurant. First steak in 2 years! I got medium rare and the dang thing looked like they just killed the cow in the back and then slapped it on the plate! Haha about as rare as they come...I got about 2/3 done and then was finished. Nephi probably would have been able to finish but not me. Last night we had 2 awesome cakes at the Colombians. I actually paid for one of them before I knew the Colombians had all pooled their money together to buy one. Any time you can share your birthday with people you love it's great. It was nothing big...just cake...but it was unforgettable.

The area is going pretty well. We had a huge disappointment at church yesterday. We had over 6 investigators who I was sure would come. Isabelle, Willy, Chile, Fernanda, Alberto, Colin, Nelson, and Josef Ca had been coming too. These are all people that have been keeping commitments as well. Elder Lunt and I were really disappointed before church. I have concluded that it's because these people needed firmer/harder dates. We need them to be coming to church not to fulfill commitments, but because they want to be baptized. We will adjust our teaching, and work on never leaving a lesson without extending/reinforcing a baptismal commitment. Elder Lunt has not yet got to a point where he is teaching 5O percent. That is one thing we need to do better. Consecrating more time to role play in our studies will help him feel more confortable at taking the parole (word). We are currently working with Yvens Timol and were disappointed because he missed church last week after what happened, but he had a legitimate excuse and we were able to teach him 3 times this week which is 3 more than I have ever had in the 6 months I have been here. We have him committed to restart the Book of Mormon, and to search a greater knowledge in it....because he already knows it really well. He has taught so much with the missionaries itHs natural. he knows Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. We are also working with Sr Cledi, and we are teaching her friend Fernanda. We teach her in Portuguese so it goes a little slower, but she loves the Book of Mormon, and this last week we taught her the gospel and the reason for which we must be baptized. She half excepted the baptismal date...but she wants to come to church first. She said she would come, but we haven't been able to find out why she didn't. Colin is from Guyane Francais. Elder Lunt is doing a great job when we teach him. He has the spiritual tools to teach so great, he just needs the French. But Colin recounted to us the entire experience of Joseph smith translating the plates. He love reading, and he finds the story about Joseph Smith incredibly interesting. We have him reading, and if he hadn't come down with sore tonsils he would have come to church. Chile is another friend of ours who speaks only Spanish and Haitian Creole...he has been studying the book of Mormon in Spanish. We really wanted to fix a solid baptismal date with him this last week, and so we took Mario, one of the native Spanish speakers. We taught him the restoration, and we offered the baptismal date. I feel we didn't firm the date up as solid as we should have though, and for this he didn't come to church. We have a great many investigators at the moment who should very realistically be baptized. We needed to keep finding, and also be more effective in sifting the good investigators from those who are not yet ready....I know that baptismal dates will help do that. If we extend a baptismal date when the spirit is there and they say NO....they are not yet ready...I will study, practice, and commit more people to baptism this week.
I have studied the gospel very indepthly this week in the Book of Mormon, and I have been touched at the simplicity and depth in which the Book of Mormon shows us what we must do to gain salvation. It is not hidden, and we are not obligated to search in the most difficult places to find it, but the doctrines of salvation are as clear in the Book of Mormon as the sun in a cloudless sky. I am infinitely grateful to Jesus Christ who constantly supports and uplifts me. Never does a moment go by when I am not constantly supported by his infinite sacrifice. There is truly only one name under heaven by which man may be saved, and it is Jesus Christ. I treasure these last few days I have to proclaim his name and his Gospel.

"Anything, Anytime, Anywhere"

2010-07-25T22:02:00.004-06:00

This week has been an incredibly fulfilling week. Elder Lunt and I have worked harder than we ever have before, and even though Elder Lunt has been a tiny bit upset because we have had to skip two lunches, he has been ecstatic about the work. He has become the person who constantly reminds of us to reach goals and has been a great example. I am impressed with the awesome changes that I have seen in his attitude and faith! We see that we are now only missing 0, 1, or 2 goals a day instead of 3 or 4. We are seeing miracles almost every day! And I'm disappointed with myself because this transfer I have not been a good journal writer. But, this week we had a great experience with a young man named Timolus. He is a 20 year old young man that was baptized over 2 years ago. The church changed his life, and he was truly born again through his baptism. He started working often with the missionaries. Even to go as far as to be the main reason missionaries here in Cayenne broke the world record for member lessons with 60 member lessons(or so rumor has it haha, but over the last year he started to fall slowly back into some of his old ways. We tried and tried to reactivate him, but he has truly fallen. Until yesterday we had only been able to catch him a few moments at a time, never having a moment to sit and teach. He is either with his friends or working. The guy works probably 50 hours a week at a boulangerie. Well, last night we felt to go by and see him. When we went by, his home was aflurry with worried parents as he has fallen terribly ill. He was trembling and shaking with heat, and had lost sight in his eyes. They had already called a Taxi to rush him to urgence (emergency), and it was outside waiting. We assumed that he may have been sleeping and woke up with these symptoms. Even though everyone was in a hurry to get him to the hospital, we insisted on giving him a blessing. The spirit was strong, there was no great miracle or so we thought. He left, and was rushed to the hospital. Well, this morning he called and with great gratitude he related how he felt. He said, "you know Elder Neff, when I was in so much pain, all I was wishing was that I could somehow receive a blessing, and no sooner did I ask God than you to showed up". He testified to me that he knew that God lived and that he was blessed by his power last night. He is bed ridden for 1 week or so...but he made sure to let us know he wanted us to come by.

Sometimes it's amazing how God works. He waits until his children are in super need of him, and then if they turn to him he embraces them in his arms of security. I know he is conscious of each of his children. Timol is someone that will be a great missionary for this church! And there is no doubt in my mind he is now back to stay.

Along with the inactive work, we have been praying, working, and sweating our tails off to find the two families for whom the district presidency fixed their goals. We feel we may have found one of them, but at the last minute they were not able to get to church! It was very discouraging as I thought for sure it was THE family. We did have Willy and Chile come to church. It was our first time to get them to church and we hope to fix a hard baptismal date with them this next week. Chile is from Haiti but he speaks creole and Spanish. He does not speak french. We made plans to have members teach with us. We are working with many members and their friends in Portuguese. Fernanda is the friend of Sister Cledi. We taught her again Thursday night, and she told us her husband who is in prison is now reading constantly from the Book of Mormon. He never lets it down(maybe he just has no where to put it) We gave her a Book of Mormon as well and she was so grateful! She said she was going to ask her father in law to take her to church, however when Sunday came around her newborn baby fell sick! Jose Ca has been difficult to see this past week, too. We had a member lesson set up with him but he didn't end up coming. It is so hard to see it happen, and I just cant help feeling it's just because of the language barrier. He has been to church 4 times...and needs to be baptized. Elder Lunt and I are working for our goal of 2 baptisms this month, and we have faith that our works and the hand of God WILL realise these righteous goals.

I guess I'm heading to Trinidad on Sunday, and I'll be back to Cayenne on Wednesday. At first I didn't know why I was going...I mean what could that profit our zone if I'm leaving in 3 weeks? But I'm committed to seek the inspiration of the spirit of the Lord as to be able to help French Guyana as best I can. I always have loved Zone leader council, because they are always so spiritually enriching.

Thanks so much for the birthday wishes and money...I'll probably just buy something for you all...I honestly don't know what I want haha! Elder Lunt already got me an early birthday present....well sorta...he is making me a BUCKET LIST haaha. So, I guess I'm speaking the 22nd? Do we know what the subject will be? Kelly Astle is the best! What an honor to speak with her...let me know if you hear about my subject though.

Well. This week I guess I'm turning 21. It feels weird. I still feel like I should be 18 or something. But the biggest plans we have this week is to KICK BUTT....after all kicking butt is the key to happiness!

I love you all,

Andy

"Brother I Can't Explain"

2010-07-21T17:54:00.005-06:00

WHATTTTT!!!!!?????? TUCKER!!! That dog! NO WAY!!!!....that is where I wanted to go so bad! This is incredible. Actually when I was reading your email the first thing I saw was Carson City, Nevada and it actually got me pretty good too! Looks like me and Tuck are backpacking through Europe in 3 years! SPAIN, FRANCE, and ITALY!!!! I'm so proud of him...he is such a stud! I was not expecting it to come so soon...well I'm definitely gonna have to learn Italian now...I wanted to anyway actually.

The cabin just sounded like a blast...ok not too much with all the rain, but pretty fun still. HAHA, great Seagle stories! What puts!

Well, transfers were last week and I guess I'll be dying as zone leader, with Elder Lunt as my comp. I'm stoked for that. There are a lot of things I can learn from Elder Lunt. He is a great chum. Elder Rodriguez is actually staying and Elder West is coming to be his comp in the same apartment. Elder West is a beast! He is a rugby player from England, and he and I have been buds for a while but have never seen too much of each other during the mission. Oh, I found out too there will be a Zone Leader Council in Trinidad, so I'm lucking out. I think that Elder Coleman of the 70 will be there! Anyways, Elder Lunt and I have fixed our goals for the transfer. We feel that we can have 2 baptisms this month as well as 5 reactivated. We feel it is a stretching goal that will push us to work our hardest. Elder Lunt and I are excited for this new transfer that is starting. I asked the the district presidency to fix a goal for the district for baptisms. They prayed and feel the Lord wants us to bring two families to the church this month. We feel we may need to up our goal to 3 to make a father, mother, and child. Then maybe the other two companionships here will get the other...but yeah.. Cayenne is doing so much better! This past Sunday was just great when the call was extended to Elder Drolet as Branch President. After only one Sunday with him as branch president the feelings in the branch are that of relief and peace. Church is starting to run so smoothly now. We only had 50 at church this last Sunday but there are a bunch of members that are on vacation. There are many less actives that are not very consistent at coming to church and we will use 40 days to bring them back to church and help them become strong members. Our work is progressing. This week we made a lot of finding efforts, and we will be consistent in those finding efforts all the way through the transfer. Although we had 63 contacts we could have done better...many of these contacts were not available until this next week either. We were able to meet some great families though that may be potential investigators. We will see this week. Most of the people we are teaching at the moment are Portuguese speakers. Our progressing investigator Jose Ca wants to be baptized ... but he needs to be better at keeping commitments. And it is frustrating because he doesn't have money for a phone, and he never knows when he will get a chance to work. So a couple times he has been at work when we should of had an appointment. We need to just have consistent member help with him. I can manage in Portuguese because i know a tiny bit of the base and with Spanish we can communicate. Even though he has been coming to church, he has missed a few appointments. At church we sat him down and had a good lesson with him afterwards, with Jose William(a new member who speaks Portuguese well) we were finally able to communicate well with him and help him understand some questions we didn't even know he had. We are seeing it is much easier to teach Brazilians here. They are so much more open to the gospel. In our area in which we work there is either rich Guyanese, Haitians, and Spanish/Portuguese speakers. Unfortunately the Haitians aren't too receptive. We are contacting all though and know that the family that god is preparing is there! We do not let a family walk by without contacting them.

We have also starting advertising our English class a lot better. We are putting up flyers in Chinese shops, and passing out pass along cards to inform people about the class. There are a lot of people interested in English and it will be a good way to get them into the church to feel the spirit and to make quite a few investigators. The other elders just started teaching one of the men that's coming to class.

I know that the Lord is preparing ways for Elder Lunt and I to accomplish all that he wants. He wants so many great and wonderful things for the people here in Cayenne. I just pray that I may be an instrument in His hands.

Thanks for sharing that experience dad. I have often asked myself the same questions. Actually very often...Almost every night i ask the lord to except my work...and I search for that reassuring feeling like you had. I know I am not even close to the most talented missionary...almost every night I can look back and see how many mistakes i make, whether its with the language or whatever it may be. And it's true that no matter what we do we will still be unprofitable servants...but if we work our hardest and try to be better then that's all the Lord really expects of us..

Andy with Elder and Sister Colling, the Senior Couple on Guadeloupe

"(Not) Lip Service"

2010-07-13T06:39:00.006-06:00

This last week was really a great week for Elder Lunt and I. Even with zone conference taking up a good amount of work this week we feel we had a very productive week. We were able to find quite a few new investigators and some great contacts. We are applying what we learned in conference, and already we are seeing much better lessons thanks to good planning. I'm currently working on trying to master "search, analyze and apply" questions to be a better teacher. I feel that is so key to unlocking our investigators natural tendency to tune out the scriptures and to really read and apply them. This last week we were teaching a Sister Bienvenue and as we taught her and used those questions the spirit testified to her and she was touched. We then asked her for a referral and she was more than willing to give us one!

The branch is actually going pretty well despite the absence of President Parades. Although there are no real capable men worthy to lead the branch at the time, there are some who are working on worthiness. Brother Narine who has recently been reactivated is a stud. He had had law of chastity problems when I was here last time with another member. Yesterday he shared with us his burning desire to be sealed in the temple. He has been on a mission, and would have the experience necessary to be branch president in the future. We are going to start him on 40 days.

We are teaching a ton of new investigators, in all sorts of fun languages: Creole and Spanish, but most of our good progressing investigators are Portuguese surprisingly ... who are progressing little by little. They are working towards baptism but it's slow because we teach them in Portuguese. These are important investigators however because they are referrals from members. Sister Cledi and Sister Darci are both working with us so much, we have received many referrals from them, and they are really becoming great member missionaries! Its great to see Sister Cledi especially who was just recently reactivated. It's hard for these two women who see the progression of their friends in the gospel and they love it, but their biggest desire is to see their husbands baptized! This week a miracle took place while teaching at Sister Cledi's. We were teaching one of her friends about the restoration and when we got to the Book of Mormon she started having some question that were a little defensive of the Bible. Well, Max who usually never listens too intently because he would much rather be watching his weird Portuguese TV heard that, and started explaining to her the Book of Mormon. I don't know if it was because I'm still about level zero in Portuguese or what but he sounded like a member of 10 years. As Max actually testified to this friend of the importance of the BOM as another testimony of Jesus Christ you could almost see a testimony cultivating in him at the same time. The spirit was so strong! I know this is Max's first step towards baptism.

Jose Ca did not come to church yesterday and that was sad. It's harder for him because he has not support at church other than the missionaries. He is not a referral but it was us that found him...so we have to teach him more regularly with members. Its great though I'm enjoying it because the Portuguese is such a cool language! It's really difficult to pronunciate!

My companion is doing really well. He's staying encouraged, and he told me about the President's proposition to send him to the English side, and I'm so glad he said no. He is going to come a long. We work hard together. He is working with all his force, and I just want to help him get his whole mind and heart there as well. He is working hard but he doesn't prioritize his studies very well.

I actually heard about Sophie Barton passing away a day after it happened. I was in zone conference and President Gamiette took me aside to tell me. He knew that we were good friends. I can't lie and say it wasn't a huge shock. My heart has been very heavy the last few days for Chas and his family. It's almost overwhelming to think of the pain that he and his family must be going through. I imagine Chas is handling it the best coming fresh off the mission, the veil of unbelief is thin for him, and I imagine his burning testimony of the Plan of Salvation he left here in the West Indies provides a warm comfort for him in his sorrow and pain. I wish so badly to be there and to comfort him. This week I read President Monson's words from this last conference when he pronounced that man once dead will live again. The message of last conference was that of a Living Christ. I have read and pondered the testimonies of prophets, dead and living, and I am convinced that it's true. We will live again. I pray that they may continue in faith know that they will see Sophie again.

"Smart Women"

2010-07-04T17:24:00.004-06:00

This week we had some pretty heavy events happen. Our search for a new branch president become a lot more urgent. President Parades left to France this past Monday because he had to show up for an appointment concerning him and his family's legality. He had had to raise 600 euros to go, and he even asked the missionaries for money. The whole idea seemed fishy because he knows sure well missionaries don't have the right to give money. He left giving us the assurance that he would be back Saturday before church. He has not yet returned. And we are not sure if he is coming back. His family didn't come to church on Sunday and although they are still in Cayenne I'm pretty sure they are leaving soon. But the Sunday meeting was not too bad. Nothing was mentioned about why President Parades was not there, but we carried on the reunion like usual. That's why I love the church. It doesn't matter if we only have 5 worthy Melchizedek priesthood holders...it doesn't matter if we are abandoned by our current sustained branch president...the doctrines and the principles of the gospel are what reigns! We as latter day saints do not have faith in any president, teacher, or missionary...but we have faith in Jesus Christ. We desire to repent and to renew regularly our covenants through the sacred ordinance of the sacrament. Sacrament meeting this week was just great! We had 65 people at church, many of those numbers consist of woman doing inspiring jobs of raising their children in the gospel by themselves. Woman are just so much greater than men! They are so full of love and of patience that it amazes me! The women such as Sister Cledi, Sister Bouchou, Sister Darci, Sister Anthony, Sister Litampha, Sister Pascal, and Sister Bienvenu are all sisters with noble and righteous hearts!

Brother Litampha is doing good. He came to church Sunday, but he slept through a lot, and didn't seem too happy to be there. We did have an inactive family come who has been inactive for years. It was only the mom and her daughter... but this sister is married to a high priest of the church who has been inactive for years. He served a mission and even been in a stake presidency, I believe, but ever since coming to Cayenne and seeing the state of the church here he doesn't feel it a need to go. We pray that this man may be the key! He obviously would have the experience...but we will see.

Well the work for Elder Lunt and I specifically has been difficult. I will say that Elder Lunt is having trouble with the language and that because of that he is having trouble getting really involved with the work...so if you could just pray for him and for me. I love the guy to death! He is definitely a guy I'll catch up with after the mission. He went to Orem High. It's weird to think he is Tuck's age!

Speaking of which that is just awesome to hear his papers are in! I'm holding my breath! I don't have much more to say this week.

Keep on keepin' on...it's the work that you do that creates the spirit of Zion in the hearts of those around you, especially at home! LOVE IS TRULY THE KEY, ISN'T IT! Thanks for your great example!

LOVE,

ANDY

"Coming Around"

2010-06-24T08:15:00.002-06:00

We worked extremely hard this week. It seemed almost every night we were pedaling our bikes as fast as we could to talk with as many people as possible in order to get our 10 contacts. On more than four occasions this week we didn't get the tenth contact until the last ten minutes of the day. Elder Lunt and I are grateful for the miracles we have seen this week. Our goal has been to be working with a sense of urgency but without impatience. As a result we have been able to better wait on the Lord and rest hopeful until the miracles happen. For example, this last Thursday we had a goal for 2 new referrals, a member lesson, and two new investigators. The whole day was not going as planned, and the only thing we had firmly set up was a member lesson with a recently reactivated sister from Brazil, Sister Cledi, but she does not speak too much French. When we called about a half hour before the appointment she said her friend had canceled on her for tonight. Our first thought were "DANG, WHAT WILL WE DO NOW?". Instead of fretting or worrying we went to the lesson anyway hoping that God would figure something out. AND HE DID! In only 30 minutes Sister Cledi had called and invited another family to come receive the missionaries, and they agreed. It was a miracle! And I know if we will wait on the Lord with patience and continual faith, we will see miracles. Now the first lesson with this family was not as we wanted. He is firmly based in another church and because of the language barrier(he speaks only Portuguese) we did not teach the restoration as I would have liked. In my little Portuguese I know we taught the Book of Mormon. He loved it! We will see them next week. Although in that lesson we did not give a baptismal date, that is our goal and plan each new lesson. We are teaching the doctrines of salvation, and every first lesson we are giving baptismal dates. However, we do find that sometimes we must break the restoration into two lessons in order to obey time constraints. Teaching in Creole and Spanish slows us down a bit. But we are finding most of our investigators among Haitians and Refugees. The branch is doing alright, however the priesthood is really lacking in leadership. And meanwhile we are still pursuing the branch president...no luck as yet...but patience and hard work will pay off! We do need to get all our contacts though or we are not doing our very best!

We are teaching many, many people, however, none are too close to baptism. This last week we took 60 numbers or addresses that we need to follow up on and we still have the 55 or more from the previous weeks, so it's hard to stay on top of that with a companion that doesn't speak much.Luckily Elder Lunt is a stud, and I love him to death...he keeps me happy even when I get in my real upset/stressed moods.

Elder Lunt is progressing. Honestly he will be a great missionary, but I'm trying to work with him with the french. HE hates it!!! And because he hates it, he won't study it like he needs to. He is very limited as far as what he can do in French.....I love that kid to death...but I don't know how to help him love the language though! We talked about it this last week, and since then he has been praying to love it. He is a great missionary with a great heart...as soon as he gets french he will be unstoppable.

Well, it sounds like everyone had a great week...good to hear. I can't wait to see the two Seagle munchkins haha...they are the best.

Your creole food sounded pretty legit...I'm disappointed to admit my cooking has been taking a break here in Cayenne...I don't know why...I think it's just a lack of time. As zone leader again it's harder. I'm also trying to learn some languages in any spare moment I have. I'm now able to teach in Spanish and Haitian creole, but right now the biggest need is Portuguese. So hopefully I can learn that one, however, the pronunciations in Portuguese are so different from the other languages I have learned.

PIONEER TREK IS RAD! I hope Hill remembers it well, but not for the same reasons that I do :)

Well, I've got to go...good LUCK ASHLEY! Hope you have a great recital.

"African Friend"

2010-06-16T10:09:00.006-06:00

Jose William was finally baptized on Sunday. I felt bad because I really wanted a member to do it, but I couldn't tell him no when he asked. The baptism was great. Elder Rodriguez spoke as well as Mario.

The Branch President search is coming along well. Like I said to President Gamiette, Elder Lunt and I must be more prayerful, but this last week we met with a couple less active members and we are gonna see if we can start teaching them. At first I just assumed we would need to baptize him, but there are quite a few Melchizedek holders who are inactive and already have the experience necessary to be a great president. One is the district president's sons...Brother Litampha...he is married in the temple and his wife is just wonderful! Three fourths of the time he doesn't come she gets all 5 kids ready and teaches Sunday school. She is a returned missionary too, so he already has the built in support he would need. He worthy as well. His case is just one of laziness....there is also another man who is actually from America. He served a mission in France when he was my age. He ended up moving to French Guyana after his misison. His name is Mr Wilmur and hasn't been to church in 20 years....apparently he doesn't like the church here in Guyana and how it's run, but when he visits the states he goes to church. I know he sounds like a huge nerd, but that's what we are working with and who knows if the Lord has been preparing him.

The wealthy couple is not panning out to well...apparently the husband isn't too interested, and although the wife is interested, she is getting a lot of trouble from her husband. They actually got into a fight the another night about it...so we are going to give them some distance right now. We don't wanna cause problems.

I'm doing great...I'm getting up early and working out still, although I'm not able to run because no one wants to. It's not to bad because we have bikes. But boy I can't wait until I can get home and run whenever I want!

JOSE CA is doing great! He came to church another time, and he is just one of those Africans that should do Dentyne commercials...always smiling! I have learned a tiny bit of Portuguese from some of the Brazilian members, and with that and Spanish we can carry on a lesson but it's still really rough. I did a splits with Elder Rodriguez this last week and he is able to communicate in Spanish pretty well....my mind is starting to explode with all these languages though...currently we have investigators that speak only Spanish, Haitian creole(which I didn't know before), and Portuguese. I think the Lord is really blessing us to be able to teach and find these amazing humble people that let us and our terrible language share with them the message about the restoration! It is already blessing the life of Jose Ca...it's the best! How many people really heard that a young boy conversed with God and angels only 200 years ago? To most that is blasphemy! We are part of a very very few that have heard and believed in the message of the Restoration...and we are blessed for it, aren't we? The church is just so SAWEET!

Well I gotta go, but take care. I love ya!

Andy and Elder Lunt just after a huge hurricane....ok, maybe just a really big rain storm.

"Ridin' In Style"

2010-06-07T15:30:00.006-06:00

Well, our zone is the ultimate soccer zone. Basically you could put us up against Brazil and we would kick their trash! We have Elder West and Williams who come from England and they have played soccer their whole lives, as well as Elder Miranda from France, but By far Elder Rodriguez is the best player; he is incredible! So we have fun on Mondays making Elder Lunt and I look like fools.

Jose Wiliam was not baptized this week. We finally got permission again, but he didn't come to church. We will be fixing a baptismal date soon.

Tell Tucker that I sucked (about getting home at a decent hour) and that he needs to start practicing getting up at 6:30 so he is not like one of the puds that complains about it in the MTC! I got my whole apartment who has trouble getting up on time...I gotta plan something good to get them! If any one has any ideas I'll welcome hearing them. Cold Water? Elder Heiner was telling me the other day that he used a hot iron on his companion's foot once because he refused to get out of bed haha. I'm not that mean.......or am I?

We all got brand new bikes here in French Guyane...the coolest mission in the world is now complete!

Andy on a teaching appointment with John Paul, a member from Haiti

Andy wrote the following to President Gamiette:

Dear President,

My family is doing just wonderful this week. Although school has just got out for the summer, everyone is staying motivated and busy. My dad gave me some great advice this week in order to help me and Elder Lunt find the new branch president that Cayenne needs. My parents are staying motivated with me just till the end. They are the best.
Cayenne is going just wonderful. This was our first full week of good solid work! I feel close and "in" with the members once again. However for the first part of the week we searched searched and searched for a new branch president. We contacted everyone, and even did some tracting in areas where we felt we might find him(and I'm totally anti-tracting. But members were just hard to see in the beginning of the week. However we know that we will most likely find our branch president through referrals, as most of missionaries personal finding efforts lead us to the more humble people. We actually found many Haitians that were really humbled and interested, however, the state of Haitians refugees isn't the best for a new branch president. We are also teaching a young man from Africa. His name is Jose Ca. He is great. However, he only speaks Portuguese. He came to church this Sunday, and we plan to give him a baptismal date as soon as we learn how to say that in Portuguese. Luckily there are quite a few Brazilian members with whom we can work. But at the end of this week we are still looking for our branch president. Currently we are teaching a family who are a referral from a member. The husband is a business man who is wealthy. He is very smart and could be a great leader for the church. But he is wanting to go slow. His wife on the other hand wants to move faster. We may need to just pray these two into the church! Things are going really really well though.

Elder Lunt is tearing it up. He is always in a great mood, which is my kind of missionary. This week he had some break throughs as he has begun contacting without me for the first time! It was actually last night that he finally got the courage to break off and and get ur' done. That has been one of the reasons contacts have not been 10 each day, is because we had been doing them together. But, yesterday I believe Elder Lunt had 4 by himself! His effort and courage is inspiring and he is a great example. The french is coming as well... really slowly, but it's coming.

I feel the love of the Lord when I search each day to follow his will, and to reach my goals. The fatigue I feel at the end of each day fills my heart with thanks towards him and for the tiny understanding he is giving me about what he goes through for us! I search to draw myself even closer, and to tire myself a little more so that I might understand more and more. I love this great work in which we are engaged and I know that here in Cayenne we are about to see great things!

"Boats to Build"

2010-06-03T08:05:00.002-06:00

I actually slept through the whole flight over the Caribbean! I was so tired! We flew to Martinique and stopped to pick up some other passengers and then it's direct to Guyane. I did get woken up to have a breakfast. There is nothing better than a free airline meal isn't there? That goes right up there with staying in a hotel.

What a great week! I felt so blessed to be able to see all those great people back in Cayenne! I gotta see Cesar who has now taken over for Elder Rodriguez as translator during sacrament meeting. He is also teaching the gospel doctrine class to investigators and new converts, and is blessing the sacrament. Talk about a tender mercy from the Lord! It was so great to see him going strong. It was also equally great to see Jose William, who recently got permission to be baptized. Not just that but he has met another Latino member from the branch and they want to go to the temple! Jeah! But first things first for Jose...he must be baptized. The Fogas has been going well apparently...they are consistently inconsistent about coming to church...usually about once every two weeks. I was probably most happy to see Elder Rodriguez though. He definitely struggled with his last companion who didn't want to work too much...but he was a stud throughout the transfer. He is my boy and easily my best Pal in the mission. He has grown up tons since I was with him, and is now a powerhouse missionary. It's thanks to him the branch hasn't just fallen apart. But now we are back and we have some work to do. There will be no cutting corners though, it will be a lot of hard work, which I'm excited to have already started. The biggest work will be in finding a new branch president and bringing back all the french members that have gone inactive.

Andy wrote to President Gamiette:

Dear President,
Congratulations to your family on the recently completed triathlons and 5K race. I don't know if I told you in my last interview that I'm signed up for a marathon a month our two after I get home. Of course, right now I'm not focusing on training for it, however, I am keeping goals to help me stay in good enough physical shape to jump out of the starting blocks in a few months when I go home. And so for me your example really helps me see the importance again of fixing goals to meet the bigger and greater ones. That is my goal in Cayenne. I know we will not have much success if we do not fix marker goals. But I would like to share with you my personal goal for this transfer. I actually received it from the Lord. It was during sacrament meeting yesterday while we were taking the sacrament and I was doing a count of the members. I felt a strong impression that this branch needs a leader. Right now President Peredes is doing a so so job at branch president. But I had a very strong impression that Elder Lunt and I need to find a branch president this transfer. The funny thing is that later that night, when we past our branch president's home, we found out some interesting news. He and his family have just received French visas...they are planning to move to Paris within the next 3 months. For me that was a strong confirmation that what I had felt earlier was right. So that is our goal. We have not currently set any marker goals, but that will be very urgent to get done. I pray that I may have faith as Nephi and know that when the Lord commands, the way is prepared.

I would like to ask you though what might be some good Key Indicators for finding a branch president?

This week in Cayenne was not the best for numbers. Elder Lunt and I were getting familiar with some of the investigators that were left and try to build strong relationships with members. We are currently teaching a sweet family that is a referral from a good sister! They are not yet married, but are planning to get married by the end of the year. We are having a family night with them tonight and they are planning on attending church this next week.

We did have one investigator who came to church this last week. Evett has actually been to church 3 times already but for some reason had lost contact with the missionaries. She is great though! She was actually the one that invited herself to church.

Elder Lunt is doing well. This last transfer really hurt him though. He was not able to work because of being sick, and there was absolutely no progression in the language. I try to speak as much as I can without making him too frustrated. He is a great elder though! He is a totally different missionary when we contact someone who speaks English. I want to help him have the faith and courage to just give up the English, and I think he is close because as we live in an apartment of 4, the other two elders both speak only french. So, even though I have never been a fan of 4 missionaries in an apartment, it's actually really great for Elder Lunt.

Thanks president for putting me here in this great area! Things are going to get going! We are getting the whole zone going on 40 days again. When I got here there was absolutely nothing. Because of that less active work was slow last week, but things are starting up! I feel incredibly optimistic about the work!

"Souvenirs (of Abymes)"

2010-05-26T08:00:00.009-06:00

The One and Only President Eclar (originator of kicking butt)

Sisters Kasango, Prince, Monlouis, and Cesarin

Investigator Alain. He is a stud!

"Turning Around"

2010-05-26T07:18:00.011-06:00

AYE AYE AYE ARRIBA ARRIBA(which actually means upstairs) I guess I'm going back to the JUNGLE! It is kind of a bittersweet for me. It is sweet because I will be able to see all my wonderful Colombian friends, and I'll be able to speak spanish again! JEAH! Elder Rodriguez will be with another elder from France that speaks Spanish really well, so I think my work with Spanish investigators will be fairly minimal. The only lame news is that I will be back in a car, STINK! I was just getting back into shape! Anyways, I'll be zone leader over there. Usually I would be depressed about that but I'm excited for the challenge. Apparently, French Guiana has not been doing that well. One of the branches is on the verge of collapsing, and the Spanish/French Cayenne branch is in cahoots. So this mountain ahead will keep the pedal to the metal for me. There is no letting up! My companion is a reincarnation of Jack Black..haha, he walks, talks, and cracks jokes like him. He came in with Elder Schwab and this whole last transfer he has been out with the Dengue(a nasty sickness, that they call the bone braking flu). So he has not had much experience. But I like him already, and know we will have a mighty great transfer.

We had a great lesson with Claude Laurent this week. He is really progressing, and although he said he doesn't want to get baptized at the moment(about a week ago), he is still coming to church probably. When he is at church he is great, however, when he is at home he doesn't do anything with his life. His inability to ACT is really preventing his FAITH from increasing to the point where he feel he needs to be baptized. I feel he recognizes that he feels good at church, and so he continues to come. Two days ago we had a great lesson with him and we taught him about the plan of salvation. The spirit was so strong as we taught him from the Book of Mormon about why we are here on the earth, and what we are here on earth to do. We read from Alma 32:32-34. As we used good questions to help him understand that we are here on the earth to prepare for eternity and to meet God he also understood that we can't just waste the precious little time we have. We then explained that the only way to use our time the best is by following the holy ghost. After which we read 2 Nephi 32:3 and 5....the spirit was so strong. We were planning on challenging him again to be baptized so he could always have that divine influence... however when we went to commit him, the spirit wasn't pushing us in that direction so we challenged him to read the scriptures every day. Nephi set those scriptures up in a way that either commitment works... but Claude was excited to do so and I really believe that as he keeps that commitment his faith is going to soar to the point that Elder schwab and his companion will baptize him in the next few weeks.

ZOUK (a type of local music) IS THE BOMB DIGGITY. IT IS EVERYWHERE HERE!....Look up a song called 'elle ou moi' and 'kembe red pas moli' They are two of my favorite I hear on the bus haha. I try not to listen to it too often because it really chases the spirit, but its still cool.

This transfer has just flown by, and without a baptism in the area I do feel I could have done a lot better. We were not as consistent at finding, teaching with members, and working with inactives as we should have been. The were times when we saw great success in each one of those aspects, but the consistency was less good. I have learned a lot by my mistakes though, so there are no regrets. I am comforted by the fact that the state that I leave my area is better than when I arrived! One Melchizedik priesthood holder was fully reactivated. Jose Lucea is now coming to church regularly, paying his tithing, reading his scriptures, and preparing to go to the temple. We are just finishing up that last step and he will be done with 40 Days. Another brother, Simon Laurent, is now working towards getting the 2 priesthoods. When I got to the area there were no investigators whatsoever. Right now there are 2 investigators, Claude Laurent(Simon's brother) and Alain. Alain just needs to stop drinking coffee and stop gambling. He is drinking and gambling less and less though as he reads the Book of Mormon. And last night he accepted a baptismal date for 3 weeks. There are many other investigators who have soft baptismal dates and have been to church at least one time.

I share you these things to not boast of me and my own work, but to show that despite my weaknesses as a missionary, despite all my flaws, I have still been able to be a tool in the hand of the Lord. I plan to apply what I have learned by my weaknesses to be a better missionary in Cayenne. I plan to hit the ground running! The mercy of our Heavenly Father inspires me to be better and to work harder.

So another week gone by....I thank you mom for the love and support you give me. I love you and pray all continue to goes well for everyone.

"Vampires, Mummies and the Holy Ghost" (or scaring Elder Scwab)

2010-05-24T09:47:00.011-06:00

What is up everyone! It has been a great happy week in the wonderful city of Abymes. Mango trees are flourishing, banannas are dirt cheep, and it's been raining cats and dogs which is fun. One of the fun events this week is that I think Elder Schwab screamed about 9 times like a girl, hahah! He definately is a jumpy, so I have had fun scaring the poop out of him! I even got the cockroaches on my side...one of them got into our rice and as Elder Schwab went to pour some rice, it scattered out, he screamed and the rice went flying. We are having fun though.

As for the work...this has been a very trying week for me and my companion. We experienced many many dissappointments. It seemed every goal we set fell through. And even as we worked our hardest, and did our best to clean ourselves of any ounce of lack of effort, it just didn't happen. Going into the week we had 4 baptismal dates. One had a baptismal date for this coming weekend, but he cancelled our last appointment with him last saturday and said he would not be able to come to church either. I'm convinced it is because he is not reading from the Book of Mormon. We made the faulty error of simply asking if he had read, and of course he said yes. I'm excited to apply the advice of President Gamiette so we can be more sure when our investigators are really reading or not. We will ask more penetrating follow up questions. "What have you felt?" or "What have you learned?". So we will do better with that. Currently we have some promising investigators, however, none of them were able to come to church this last week for legitimate reasons. This week we did have, however, 2 new potential priesthood holders at church. And in fact 3 in all. Claude Lorent has now been 3 times to church. Yes! The Lord needs his priesthood bearers here! There are so many amazing righteouss sisters, but sometimes us brotheren just need a slap in the head to get the motor runnin'. But, Claude likes us and he has a firm faith in God, but his lack of social skills mixed with a weak desire to read is making his conversion processes very slow... both spiritually and socially.

Elder Schwab is doing great! He is talking on the phone, and managing most of his contacts that he has in french! I have never seen a new elder learn so quickly! He is a stud, and right now we are just working to grow our testimonies in goal setting! I have had countless wonderful experiences of setting a goal and seeing miracles to reach it, however, I think maybe I have forgotten the work and the anching knees that went to reach those goals. So right now I must repent and do better so that Elder Schwab and I can both be better instraments in this great work, as well as to increase our personal testimonies in goal setting.

Abymes is going great! The members are starting to becoming a little too relaxed in the work. We are sort of getting into a routine of working with the same members, however, this week we are going to try to work on spreading the love, and get other members chances to work! I hope they see it in that way at least....

Well things are awesome here....I dont feel trunky at all...just feel like I need to kick more butt! I need to reach my goals! My faith is not yet where it needs to be, especially with goals. I believe that anything is possible with the help of God...well, I have maybe a tiny grain of a seed that that is true. If I truly believed it and had sufficient faith I would reach all my goals. That is my goal...I want to master that before my mission ends. Honestly...if I cant reach my goals/covenants that I fix with the Lord every night during nightly planning or during weekly planning, and those goals are of pure, and good desires. Probably the most pure goals I'll ever fix. How can I expect to reach personal goals such as scholastic, work or family ones? So these next few months I gotta push, grind, and above all pray so that I may reach my mountains all throughout my life and for eternity.

Anyways a big thumbs up from ABYMES

"Hot, hot, hot"

2010-05-10T14:27:00.005-06:00

Sorry I didn't write much today. I want you all to do know that I don't plan to let up. I got to push push all the way so that my momentum will carry me through and past my return date home. I plan to serve, and kick just as much butt at home as I do here. That is my prayer. And so the same spirit that possesses my spirit on my mission will have the power over me after. That has kind of been my motto and my motivation. I just know if I can't learn to always have effective scripture studyings, to serve even when it's hard, to meet my goals, well then, I sure have no hope to do it after my mission. This work of saving souls, does not stop when I get home. If all I'm doing my working is saving mine own, so be it. But glory to God, and let us build up his kingdom in all parts of the world, and pray that we might be instruments in his hands.

I think it is kinda selfish of me, but I'm kinda hoping that Tucker leaves on his mission at least a little after I get home.

WOW...talk about multiplying and replenishing the earth...that's wonderful news that Emily is pregnant.

Alright well I love yall...have a great week!

Also during our phone call with Andy for Mother's Day, Andy shared with us that he was fortunate enough to participate in a radio program that was broadcast throughout the French Caribbean. Andy, President Gamiette, Elder Lish, and a local member answered questions about the church and its missionary program.

It's been really hot on Guadeloupe. It reached 105 degrees on Sunday. The good side of the heat is that all the fruit is growing and ripe for the picking. He said that they are eating lots of mangos, plantains, and bread fruit. He shared with us how they prepared the bread fruit. He learned how to properly prepare it from Elder Anahia. First, put the fruit on the stove top and burn the skin. They then tear the skin from the fruit, and place the flesh in a towel or t-shirt. They beat the flesh until it is the consistency of dough. Then scoop the flesh into small ball shapes, and soak for two hours in coconut milk. Andy tells us that this is the way the Tahitians use the bread fruit, and it's a great treat.

Andy's Letter to President Gamiette:

Dear President,
Thank you so much for the wonderful Zone Conference that we had. I feel my faith was increased, especially to achieve our goals. These last couple months i have not been meeting all my goals and I realize the damage that it has done to my faith, and my ability to succeed. This week, and more precisely today, is the day that changes! Me and Elder Schwab are excited to go and be challenging and testifying misionaries. Last week we taught many first lessons, and found 8 New investigators that all accepted baptismal dates! What a miracle. We had over 10 people who should have come to church, but as the lord sometimes does, our faith was tried and only 3 ended up coming. However, we were not disappointed. These three people, Sister Onestas, Claude Laurent, and Charles Garnett, are all on track to be baptized soon. I am perfectly fine with the fact that 70 percent of those we challenged did not come to church, but the fact remains there are 3 people that we have on track to be baptized. What a miracle from the Lord! Me and elder Schwab are excited to go out and challenge some more this week. Our goal is to challenge 16 people this week to baptism. Like you during your mission, many are saying yes. So mine and Elder Schwab's goal now is to effectively help our amis (friends) progress by helping them read and understand the doctrines of the gospel according to the book of mormon and use members to integrate them and befriend them.

This week was not so great with our less actives. Our friend Lucea, however, is now active, and is now using his car to pick up members and investigators every Sunday! It has really been a real blessing for the branch. He is making huge sacrifices to come to church. This last Saturday he started work at 9 at night, finished at 7 Sunday morning. He went to church at 9 and then had to be back at work at 2. Great, great sacrifices for the Lord!

"That's What Living Is To Me"

2010-05-06T08:23:00.006-06:00

The area is growing great! This week finished with bang! The hand of the Lord and his divine blessings were truly seen at the end of this week! For the most part, however, the first half of the week was extremely difficult. Elder Schwab and I made a goal to get our 10 contacts everyday no matter what! Every day we contacted everyone and consecrated much more time than usual to do contacts. Not only did we not have our 10 contacts each day, but we had less contacts than last week! We had 3 days where we didn't even go in for lunch! We eat good though...usually we have been buying tuna cans from the grocery store, and been putting that on a baguette...BON APPETIT! But, along with our contacts, our lessons were all down too. Every new investigator we have been teaching we have been giving baptismal dates to, and if they aren't ready we haven't been fixing return appointments. But its great, because although we have had trouble finding new investigators, but those we do have are progressing towards baptism. Throughout my mission I have thought, oh well, if not ready for baptism maybe they will be ready after understanding the plan of salvation, or the gospel. But, the truth is that God knows who he wants in his church, and HE prepares them! Elder Schwab and I have been striving to be the missionaries outlined in "A Challenging and Testifying Missionary", a great talk by Alvin A Dyer which Tuck should really read if he can find it....haha... It was pretty discouraging as we got rejected over and over again. But at church we ended up having 2 investigators that we hadn't expected as well as 5 returning members!

One of our strongest returning members, JOSE, just received a call to be branch clerk, he was beaming all Sunday! Sunday afternoon we were again blessed by the Lord when we were able to teach one of our contacts from earlier in the week. We taught them the restoration and the whole family felt and understood the truthfulness of the message. Despite the fact that they were all Catholics, who tend to be stubborn when given a baptismal commitment, Elder Schwab gave a great testimony helped the Holy Ghost sink deeper into their hearts. They want to be baptized! They are now praying about a date for the 25th. The area is going great, Elder Schwab is a great companion. He is a stud and is going to do great things on his mission!

For more baptisms, we have to get some people to church. I don't know if I told you about Alain? He came to church and was welcomed very well by the priesthood. I really like this guy. He has been giving me some pointers on how to cook fish! This week Elder Schwab and I made some dope creole rice with fish! It was pretty good...

HAHAHA....that is so cool that Tucker bought Airborne! I love that movie! I will vouch for Tuck that he always loved it! " I thought you played hockey" "ON NINTENDO!" hahaha

Because Mother's Day is on Sunday and I'm a little further from the Collings, I'll probably just use our cell phone and call you when we get home from working for the day...we will go in about 2 hours earlier to give us each some time to call...but how about 7 o'clock my time? I'll buy a calling card here, and I'll call either the home phone or a cell phone...let me know which one I should call and I'll check my email real quick Thursday when we update our online area book.

YES! I got the package on Tuesday! Thanks so much! Loved the jerky! I had forgotten how dang good that stuff was!

Keep kicking butt! I know that this is the Lord's work that we are doing! This is the most purifying and edifying work we can do...and it's not just being a full-time missionary that I'm talking about. Parenting, teaching in church, serving others, being an example, and just being charitable are all things that help to advance the kingdom of GOD! So let us work hard, play hard, and love hard and see the blessings of God poured out on our heads!

"Truck Stop Salvation"

2010-05-03T07:52:00.007-06:00

I don't know...lately I have doubted my love for the people a little bit. I have found that I keep thinking that they are the biggest hypocrites. They talk more about God than any other culture, but they probably do the least about their beliefs. Everyone we teach seems to be another preacher, another pastor that knows everything about the Bible without having read it...and almost everyone has their "own way" to worship God that will save them. Of course, it is more than easy to love the members but sometimes I find I really need to persevere on my knees to find the love for the people here. I am praying everyday to love the people for who they are, and to love them a little bit more how God loves them. I do know that the people here are how they are not for any fault of their own, but because of the traditions of their fathers....they have been pounded with "the good word" since infancy to the point where we talk to them and it enters into their ears and goes out the other. It's just frustrating. But they are a people that have been so oppressed...it really is not their fault. We must just be that much more powerful with the spirit. And like you (mom) said make yourself available to the Holy Ghost's influence. The Book of Mormon is the key! Isn't it? I love it. That is our biggest goal when we teach. No man can pray to know if that book is true and not receive an answer if they read that book with a true desire to know if it's true and to change their life according to their answer.

Elder Schwab is a stud. He gets up at 6:15 to run at a park that is not to far from our home...but he is one of those persons that doesn't like to push himself too hard. Run one lap, walk another type haha. So I give him garbage about him working out like a girl, and he gives me garbage about eating like a girl . We are starting back up with Pres Menardin tomorrow...he was in Santo Domingo for an area conference.

HAHAHA....oh shoot....little Ty (Seagle) is not so innocent anymore (Ty pulled a trick with a zipper and a finger). It sounds like something T FUD would do. I can't wait to see my little bud Ty again. Ange and Bry have got a great family!

Andy's letter to President Gamiette follows:

The Abymes area is going just great! I'm so blessed at this time to be serving with a new elder, because he is helping me stay hopeful and faithful. We had a really rough week. We taught many first lessons this week, preaching the doctrine of the restoration. Although I did a lot of the teaching, Elder Schwab is helping out a lot as well, and he is doing great at testifying. The reason for why the week was hard was because we extended probably 15 baptismal dates and very few accepted. I felt the power of the Holy Ghost very strongly as we taught these people, and I knew that many of those we taught understood and felt the spirit as well. It is hard to see so many people turning this GREAT message down...THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE MISSING OUT ON!!! Oh how lucky I am to have Elder Schwab who always has an encouraging..."the next rendez vous will be the ONE" ...and I believe it...I believe as we go about preaching the word, tiring ourselves and being obedient we will continue to win God's trust and power. So we are keeping a good attitude and focusing on the great miracles and blessings we are seeing.

Speaking of which, our recent reactivated convert blessed the Sacrament yesterday. It was just wonderful to see this man, Jose, use the priesthood he has to bless the lives of members...our other recently activated brother, Simon, brought his brother to church yesterday. So things our going well!! This week we see a need to up our contacts. Elder Schwab has been pretty nervous and scared to do them, but his confidence is building up and he is really starting to come along.

Thanks president for allowing me to serve here in Abymes. These members are amazing; I love them so much, and I would really love to continue serving with them. Thanks for all you do.

"Bank of Bad Habits"

2010-04-27T11:49:00.002-06:00

Madame Onestas is hanging in there...thank you for your prayers. She came to church last week and loved it...she is such a sweet MAMMIE...every day for the last 10 years she has taken dinner to her son who is in the hospital. She lives with and takes care of her brother who is handicapped and she is just great. She is older though and real worried about damaging relations with the only people that matter to her. It's really unfortunate, but we have faith that all will go as the Lord wants.

Sometimes it seems that Guadeloupeans are just so hypocritical and numb to the word of God because they are preached it since they can walk. But because they have not received the true gospel, but an empty one, given by those that do not live what they teach, they are a little insensible to what we have to say sometimes.

Clean the cabin sounds like such a great activity... I would love to get my hands dirty and work on that cabin...I have been dreaming about the cabin for a year...as much as I miss Utah...I miss the cabin even more...so that works out great..everyone works on it and makes it look good for me when I get home!

HAHA...My siblings are such brats...sorry....I always tell my companions about how sorry I am for being such a turd before my mission...I always tell them of how I was a huge jerk to my family before my mission. But I have to say...I never had too many PPIs....maybe you should just bring back the spankings.

Well, I love you all...you are the best...Elder Shwab and I are getting along just great! He is a stud from Seattle...we definitely don't have a lot in common...but that doesn't matter. In fact I have always gotten along better with companions least like me...I think because I try and pray harder to have a good relationship, knowing that if I don't there might be a problem.

Hahah the other night I got him so good! We were in an area where I had been last week when I was with Elder Evans. It was nighttime and it was real dark when we passed by a huge tree of bread fruit. And as I went over to pick one, a huge dog jumped out of no where and scared the crap out of me haha...so when I realized Elder Schwab and I were in the same area and it was dark I decided to be a huge jerk and scare him...Elder Schwab being all excited about Guadeloupe was starving to try every native fruit and food he could. So, naturally he was pretty quick to run up to the tree and grab a bread fruit.. almost on cue the dog jumped out and went after him as if it was gonna kill him...hahaha I have never seen an Elder run so fast and scream so much like a girl haha.....

It was fun...I love the mission...its just great!

Well I got to go...but I'll catch ya next week

LOVE YA

Andy's Letter to President Gamiette:

Bonjour President,
Thank you for your email that boosts my spirits and lifts my hopes every week. This week although physically demanding, and spiritually draining, ended in a great way! Although the first two days of the week were extremely difficult to get things done(Elder Evans was sick) it seems Elder Schwab and I are off to a great start. Thanks for putting me with such an incredible elder. He is an incredible worker, doesn't complain, and has already an exemplary love for the people. This week has been a week of working through difficulties with investigators. We have one, Sister Shermain that should have been baptized this coming week. As soon as we heard the message from our zone leaders that you wanted all the missionaries to fix hard baptismal dates for this week, we went out and did it with her. We taught her the doctrine of the restoration. We helped her understand the restoration and its necessity to our salvation today. After we bore testimony, the spirit was there to push her to say yes to a baptismal date. Those teaching skills we worked on in conference are really working; we fixed two other soft dates this last week(yes we need more, and we will have 10 this week), but unfortunately with Shermain as we have come back to teach her again and again, she seems less and less ready. The change of heart has not yet occurred. We have been finding many new investigators through her however...this last Sunday we passed by her apartment and in the hour we were there we had 4 new investigators!

Our other investigator who had a BD for this Sunday is still facing family controversy over her baptism...they are all against it. We have taken President Kasaongo by to try and help...and we did succeed in befriending the children that were there. But they are still against it, and the solution lies in the faith of our investigator..she has a decision to make...

The returning members we have been working with are going well too...we are using 40 days to make them stronger and help them practice the traditions of Zion. We are slowly seeing the priesthood grow in Abymes and it's exciting...with more patience and continual hard work we will see some baptisms soon. I firmly believe that our success depends on our personal righteousness and our imploring the Lord for his help. We in Abymes and everywhere need HIS power to advance HIS work.

"The Oldest (Handiest) Frenchman in the Caribbean"

2010-04-15T08:18:00.004-06:00

HEY EVERYONE....sorry I'm late in writing....this week has been crazy hard and difficult, at least for my own area. Three days this week i had to be out of the area for baptismal interviews...so the work kinda of floundered... But i Still choose to glory in God and the his mighty hand in the work. What a great reason to rejoice! Three baptisms, three more Zion builders and workers. But, there will be a change in Abymes...Elder Evans will be going to the other Abymes Branch in Point a Pitre and I'll be training Elder Schuab!!! HAHA...STUMP THE SCHUAB (old game show on ESPN)...just by his name I'm sure he will be a pimp! He arrives tomorrow. So I already have some pretty funny ideas in my head about what he will look like.

But, let me tell you why the work has been a little rough...Madame Onestas is having her faith really tried at the moment. Like i told you, her baptismal date was for this next week. Well, when her children found out about that they did all they could to put a stop to it. Unfortunately, like many misinformed losers, they believe the rumors that fly around about our church. One of her sons is also Jehovah's Witness, and the crap he is giving her is about being baptized is enough to give her a heart attack. I talked with her last night and she really wants to be baptized...she has felt the spirit many times, and she sees its influence in the lives of other members. She is really confused though and does not want to create contention in the family. My new companion, Elder SCHUAB, and I will do our best to discuss the manner with her kids. I know she would benefit greatly from your prayers.

We have also been teaching another mamie...or grandma...Sister Vincia...from Dominica. She is a really smiley, happy lady! She is so humble as most Dominicans are. Ten years ago she met the missionaries and she was recontacted about 7 months ago. Things had slowly been progressing with her until finally she came to church my first week in the area! However, after that week she has had trouble keeping commitments and reading from the Book of Mormon. It was one of the hardest persons I have ever had to drop. She loves the missionaries so much and she has a testimony that all we teach is true...but right now was just not her time. I felt terrible as we said goodbye for the last time, but I have hope that the missionaries will once again contact her when she is more ready.

Although investigators are not panning out at the moment, we are finding a great deal of success with inactives. Simon and Jose both came to church this last Sunday, along with the Lunguidy family. It is really such a tender mercy from the Lord to be able to have even those little successes to keep motivated and excited about the work. It has been hard with Elder Roberts and Snow leaving and all. But I look forward to serving a good while longer among this absolutely incredible people.

I am not too nervous to train, i just hope the Lord will help me be someone of a good teacher for Elder Schuab...but as is usually the case I'm sure the Lord will permit that I end up learning much more.

Dang....the playoffs are heating up...the March Madness seemed pretty loco....and well there is golf...as much as I'm missing those sports I'm getting more and more nervous to get home. Seeing my buddies leave the field is hard each time, and makes me count my blessings and the good amount of time I have left. KICK BUTT!

Other tidbits: Now that some of the older missionaries have finished their missions, Andy is also close with "his current zone leader, Elder Lish and Elder West also. He is going to Guyan though so that sucks. Elder Roderiguez feels like my little bro, but I still talk to him every week or so. Ee is tearing it up in Guyane."

Sorry short emails this week! I didn't get too long

LOVE Y'ALL

"The Hangout Gang" Has Gone Home

2010-04-12T07:52:00.005-06:00

It sounds like conference was a very spiritual and uplifting weekend for you as it was for us, and I'm sure the rest of the kingdom around the world! We watched conference in the Abymes chapel with all the district of Guadeloupe. We were luckily able to watch it in English...we actually had to watch the first two talks in french on Saturday thanks to technical problems..and I realized that it really is so unfortunate for those of other languages...no matter how hard translators try they just cannot do the prophet or apostles justice. I'm grateful to the Lord who truly poured out his spirit upon the saints Easter weekend. The message for me was that yes times are hard, yes we may get discouraged, however, we must continue to strengthen ourselves and above all strengthen and protects others! And the overwhelming message that Christ lives, was exactly the spiritual means and inspiration we needed to go on forth. I want all to know, but especially the family to know, that I believe in the testimonies of our inspired leaders! Christ truly does live, and the Holy Ghost bears witness of it! The best way we can show forth our faith is by abiding in the same good works that the master abided in: Loving one another, serving one another, and extending arms of mercy and love to all those that need it. I felt so deeply a desire for the arms of mercy and love of my Savior this last weekend, so as Pres. Uchdorft said, it is not only proper, but obligatory that I extend the same to others.

I especially loved President Eyring's talk on diligence. His words ring true and especially at this moment on my mission when Elders Snow, Roberts, and some of the others will be going home(by next week I'll be the oldest french elder! Yikes!), but President Eyring's words and his example are like a great RA RA for me.

This last week has gone well. We ended up being able to teach quite a few lessons despite very a very ineffective weekend. Simon again came to church...he is progressing, but he still needs that confirming testimony that will be his rock and foundation in this church. We have a baptismal date for Madame Onestas on the 17th of next transfer...and we have another date with a sister who did not come to church. Besides Abymes, we also work in Morne-A-l'Eau, so I'm working in the ole stomping grounds (we worked there when I was in Moule).

Mom and dad, I want to thank you too for your great examples and teachings that helped me in finding my testimony early in life. Sometimes I wonder why I was not more grateful for that gift you had given me but I realize now I couldn't have been grateful for something I didn't know I never had, let alone understood. Oh I wish I could have recognized that which I'd had! To Ashley, Tuck, and Hill......YOU KNOW! Get on your knees and ask God to know if all the things mom and dad have taught are not true...better yet get out in mutual or at church and share with someone your testimony...take the leap of faith, and in doing these things you will gain that spiritual recognition of that which you already know and feel is true.

"Coastal Confessions"

2010-04-04T23:14:00.005-06:00

I must say that although our numbers do not show it this week, it was a successful week! We were be able to be with the members very often, however it seemed that many of the lessons we had would fall through. However we did not get discouraged but took advantage of the time we were with a member and we saw less actives or new converts. I predict that our lessons will continue to fall through too unless we can help the members have sufficient faith to take the gospel and the Book of Mormon to their friends. Those appointments don't fall through, and so Elder Evans and I are focusing on that and on making ourselves member trainers. The good thing about being with the members often is that we have many RCLA lessons which were taught with a member. We have been seeing some great success with two inactives in particular. Simon Laurent came to church again this week, and he attended a family night and institute all by his own. He should be receiving the priesthood pretty soon. The success with him has all been coming because of the Book of Mormon. He is getting into that powerful book and feeling the spirit as he does. He commented this week that he would like to go out with the missionaries to see some of his family and friends he wants to talk to about the church. We are also working with Jose, who is an inactive member of the Elders Quorum. I feel very deeply that things are progressing very well in Abymes, and with patience we will see members who are more converted and who are teaching inactives and investigators.

Hey paps thanks so much for the sports updates; it does the spirit some good. I have been thinking alot about sports...and how many regrets I have in them...How did you let me not play baseball? I hope we will be doing a softball league when I reach home.

About the march madness....my money is on Michigan State....cause I had their bball shorts....but as long as Duke doesn't win...I'm happy.

So this week has been blazing hot! We are actually in a pretty bad drought here...but fortunately no one has told the fruit trees yet...they are still pushing out bananas, passion fruits, mangoes, like we won the lottery...we joke (me and my companion) that he has a built in GPS of our area and he knows where every fruit tree is. It comes in handy while we are out walking in that Caribbean sun. This week I managed to make an alright Columbo...I wanna master it before i get home.

I'm glad to hear there is some campaigning to come to the West Indies Mission. Honestly there is not a better time to be coming to the West Indies Mission than in the next two years. President Gamiette is a man called of God and is one who magnifies the keys in which he has been given to save the souls of the people in this mission. As he has opened our eyes, our hearts, and our souls to the task at hand. In the west indies it has been scary at times... I don't know if I'm supposed to share this but only 5 of the 26 stakes in the Caribbean qualify as full functioning stakes....5...The priesthood keys and calls are not magnified as they should be, but the changes and training are being made to fix that. I am comforted that here in Guadeloupe the priesthood base is strong....we just lack numbers. Currently what lacks in Abymes is a ward mission leader...so we and our branch president have made a goal to find the ward mission leader and to baptize him...I love what happens in the church in Zarahemla as Alma establishes it more fully....and I see that happening here in Guadeloupe(Alma 6;6). I know that the call I've been giving is from God, and I'm learning more and more each day that the prophecy that those on the isles of the sea will be blessed does not only apply to the natives..but applies also to me. I'm SO LUCKY to be here...and I thank Heavenly Father so much for this great opportunity. I love the fam, and I thank all of yall for your support!

Kembe red Poma li!

Elder Andy Neff

The Book of Mormon is a "Diamond as Big as the Ritz"

2010-03-25T08:26:00.003-06:00

THINGS ARE IN SWING here in Abymes. The work is about ready to explode. This last week Simon, a less active, came back to church. He has been a member since he was 8 years old...actually his mom was one of the first members on Guadeloupe, taught by the first two missionaries. She, too, is inactive, but we saw her the other day and set up a rendez vous for this week. So we are praying that will go well. We are really trying to find success with the members, and more importantly we are trying to make it THEIR success not ours. The missionaries have kind of done their thing in this area without the members for the last 2 years and nothing has really happened. It's true that there are a bunch of members who are kind of spiritually dragging their feet, so it has been hard in the past. But, I believe with the Book of Mormon, with spirit, and some Creole we are going to help them.

Haha, I love hearing about Trent doing a great job in his talk. He is such a stud! He is gonna get himself hitched pretty quick.....you just watch!

Here is my letter to President Gamiette:

Dear President,

This week was quite an amazing improvement on the last week. We were able to see members and teach them more than 50% of the time. Some of them are starting to give us referrals because we have won their confidence. This week we worked with frere Jose Lucia in our area. He is less active and has recently been coming back to church. We are trying to focus on helping him understand the blessings and responsibility of the priesthood he has. Missionaries have taught and taught this man and all though he does make some baby steps to return he never has fully come back. The converting power of the Book of Mormon is incredible though. Our goal was to get him reading every day. Last Thursday as we read Nephi 2 with him, we had a breakthrough. We were talking about the great plan of happiness and the role our free agency plays in this plan. It was incredible as the spirit bore testimony to us by the Book of Mormon of this eternal truth. Jose began to understand by the spirit instead of his head how each choice in his life affected his eternal future. We were able to rejoice with him because of how excited he was about what he had learned. He said, I want to know why I have had this book for 4 years and have never learned that! He committed to read every day for the rest of his life! We are seeing great miracles President because people are reading the Book of Mormon! We are seeing great success with less actives...maybe you remember Simon Laurent who lives in Abymes? He is about 24 and has been a member for about...well since he was 8. He came back to church as well this last week...but my testimony has been so strengthened this week that these people who are coming to church for the first time, or returning after a long absence...that they will not stay if we can not help them read the Book of Mormon every day.

I love the Book of Mormon. Its my comfort, and my guide wherever Elder Evans and I go. It's that book that we turn to. It's amazing the blessings that spring up out of its pages...blessings that I didn't know existed before my mission! I'm so grateful to be out here serving, so that now I may recognize those blessings.

"Fat Person Man (or so Andy thinks)"

2010-03-22T11:10:00.003-06:00

Thanks for the update on everyone....that was definitely weird to hear that they are all home...It kind of freaks me out!

Things are slowly starting to progress in Abymes. This week definitely could have been much much better, however I do not feel discouraged. On the other hand I feel very confident about what we need to do in Abymes. The area the we live in is not flooded with many members...most of them live in Pointre a Pitre, but Elder Evans and I are focusing on the few members and inactives that live here and in Morne a L'eau and we are going to strengthen them and get them preparing for the temple and we are going to teach all their friends that the lord is now placing in their paths, We have tried the contacting and tracting routes, and all we have met is missed rendezvous, with nothing else but more tracting and contacting to do in replace. Of course we are still striving to get our 70 contacts each week(this last week my companion fell sick again Sunday after church so we did not get a chance to finish our 70) so that we may teach and baptize those that the Lord puts in our path, however we will focus on those the Lord puts around the members. Already tonight we have two lessons set up to teach at members' homes to referrals.

Elder Evans and I are getting along just great. He is a very talented and strong missionary, and I feel it a privilege to serve with him. He has already become a very good friend.

Well, this week I was really touched by the lesson the assistants taught on planning. They taught of the importance of planning and how it is something our Heavenly Father has mastered. It really changed my perspective and view of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I caught a little spiritual glimpse of what they might be like, and how I can reflect their traits by mastering planning and many other godly attributes on my mission. The spirit testified to me that we are all God's spiritual children, and with work we may all become like him.

The work is advancing, and like you said in your e-mail, I'm not going to expect a great change in the work, but by working hard I'm fairly certain we will see some changes by the end of the transfer. Again not huge ones, but we are going to be focusing getting some inactives strong and back at church. Christ always focused on the one...not groups. I feel very sure and confident in the work right now, and I know that's the spirit testifying to me that Elder Evans are on the right track.

On another good note, Elder Evans and I are walking tons! It feels great to get those legs alive again and work on that huge butt of mine. Every Tuesday and Friday we have a kick butt workout with President Menardin! He is legit...the legend is that it was him that Warner Brothers used to create the bat suit mold from batman haha. This last Friday we went with him early in the morning to these huge flight of stairs where he kicked our trash...There are six flights in all and the last workout I carried Elder Evans on my back all the way up. Gotta love the workouts! I've decided that I want to run the St. George marathon this year so if you can would you sign me up? Thanks a honey bunches of oats

Well I gotta bounce

I love you all so much, and I pray that you are well.

"Only Time Will Tell"

2010-03-08T13:05:00.004-07:00

This week was pretty difficult as you read (see the e-mail to Pres. Gamiette below), however, I'm not discouraged... it just means we have tons of room to improve. I love my companion, Elder Evans. He is a stud. He is from West Jordan. He played all kinds of sport there...track, water polo, volleyball. It's cool because he likes to work out. He is huge, a giant we could say. His personality and size remind me a lot of Pat! He is a motivated missionary, I believe, but the last couple transfers he has been with some elders who are not the most obedient. It's not difficult, but he wants to change I'm pretty sure. Actually, before we did any work together I asked, I asked him if he would like to pray with me for a moment so that we could really be unified and of one heart in accomplishing what we need to in Abymes. While he prayed he asked that the Lord help him be more obedient than he has been. I was really touched by his humility, and am grateful for his desire. Unfortunately, the change will take some time. But with the Lord's help, sooner rather than later.

He is a sweet guy though. He is kinda like me because in one sense he is a joker, loves sports, loves activity and goofin' around, but he also has his nerdy side. Superman, enders game, star wars....haha the best kind of man!

To answer your questions:
Well, you pronounce Abymes come (a-beemes,and no I have never been in the branch before. They are in the same building however as Lamentin(so I got to see all my buddies over there, SCHWEET!). But, I already knew quite a few of the Abymes members. The only problem is that hardly any of them live in our area. There are two sets of missionaries in the Abymes branch. Point a Pitre and Abymes...and most of the members live in Point a Pitre...but there are inactives and new converts in ours. OH YEAH, and also Moule now comes to the Abymes branch so a couple of days of the week we visit those members. I saw Luisant(my first baptism in Moule) I was so happy to talk with him and actually understand him. I also saw George who is doing sweet in Lamentin! He is a butt kicker, he is teaching with the missionaries a couple of times a week and doing great. We were both excited to see each other.

It's sad though Elder Snow is not in Guadeloupe so I won't see him before he dies. He is going home next transfer! He is in St Martin. I talked to him the other day though. Everyone in his ward and in his family except his dad think he is coming home a month later. He told them he extended his mission, haha. He wanted to surprise his mom. He says she was pretty bummed when he told her that he was staying an extra month haha.

Well i gotta bounce> LATER

Andy's letter to President Gamiette:

Dear President,

This is one of those weeks where I'm a little ashamed of having to report to you such low numbers. I know that we and the members can do better. Our first real day of work was Thursday and my companion fell sick on Sunday. So these are our three day numbers. When I arrived there were no progressing investigators. I know that this area has been hard for the last few transfers, but I have faith we can see great success here if we work with all the members here. Our goal is to really strengthen them and help them practice all the traditions of Zion, including that of missionary work. We are getting referrals and people are preparing for the temple. I'm grateful to be in a place that needs a lot of improvement. I know there are many things that I'll be able learn and many ways in which I'll be able to help.

When I arrived my first goal was to make sure my companion and I would be one…so we prayed and talked about goals, and the plan of the mission. I know that this plan is the unifying factor and stepping stone to bringing Abymes to the next level. But first we must be one, and make sure everyone has and is aware of our work and goals. Elder Evans and I discussed the mission plan with our wonderful branch president Kasango.

My testimony is strong. I'm learning more and more each week about sanctifying myself so that I might be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to bringing others, whomever it may be, unto Him. I feel that I have an incredible long distance to go before I reach where I want to be, but little by little, it comes.

"Cayenne, Fare You Well"

2010-03-01T13:49:00.006-07:00

Andy included a copy of his weekly e-mail to President Gamiette:

Dear President,
We had another awesome week in Cayenne! And the best part is that there is room for a lot of improvement! Normally those two sentences don't work together, however, this week they do. This week we found many inactives who decided to come back to church and some of them are potential Melchizedek priesthood holders! We have been working with inactives very hard this week. We have been teaching nearly every hour of each day. The improvement, however, comes in finding the balance between the large reactivation work that is going on and the investigators. The goal this week is to work with these inactives and find those that the Lord has thoughtfully put around them. I know that there are many prepared elect around the inactives and new converts. Already this last week we received two references who I'm sure will be baptized in the next couple of weeks. They did not come to church unfortunately because it wasn't until last night that we taught them for the first time.

All In Cayenne is up to date. After our zone conference I made sure to be diligent every night with the area book...so that is up to date, and Elder Olsen and the other two new missionaries coming to Cayenne won't miss a beat!

The unity in the branch is doing much better as well. Our numbers don't show it, but we spent a lot of time teaching active members the doctrines behind baptism, the sacrament, and all church functions. As I said last week, the language barriers have upset some members that have not understood. Elder Rodriguez and I prayed really hard to be able to love the members who had been much less than patient. And it was so easy, after praying for that, to teach them with love and understanding, and then to help them understand. This last Sunday was much much more edifying and the spirit of unity was strongly present. The Branch is in good hands and the last touches before I leave will be updating 40 Days.

I want to thank you President for the chance I have had to serve in Cayenne and especially with Elder Rodriguez. I have loved my companion as well as Cayenne. I m excited to try to work in Abymes...from what you said it seems that the members need some inspiration to work and serve the Lord. I pray that the Lord will strengthen me and Elder Evans so that we may really strengthen that branch.

Elder Neff

The Fogas Family in Cayenne

Andy wrote to us:

Hey Mom and Dad, thanks for the emails

Its always good to hear from you two...

This week was much much better. The Lord really prepared me for the transfer call this week that I would be leaving. I have not yet had to say goodbye to these families but I have almost shed a few tears already......ALMOST haha. I was pretty depressed when I heard from the Collings that I would be going back to Guadeloupe. I was loving my time here. The Spanish, the people, the car! Oh wait the car sucks....but really...I was depressed until President called me the day after and explained why he wanted to change. He said he really needs me to work with the members in Abymes...the branch is not doing any missionary work, and they have been stagnant the last few months....President's love, faith, and encouragement was really motivating. Right now I'm stoked to go to Abymes and tear it up! I'm going to work my tail off....KICK BUTT MAN!....This whole next transfer, I will never wake up after 5, and I'll never miss a day of studying from the Book of Mormon.

I have really appreciated the tender mercies of the Lord especially at the end of this week.... At the beginning of the week like my email showed, I was really worrying about the well-being of the branch....members were complaining, and there was just not a sense of unity. All of the members loved the missionaries, and it was almost like it was that love that was holding it together...we were just the intermediaries for the French and Spanish speaking people. Ok, I guess I make it sound like a war, and it was nothing like that, but they just were not meshing. And I don't blame them! Language barriers are hard! But I remembered back to when I just started speaking French all the time, and it was really hard to have a good relationship with my companions without being able to really communicate. I remember that I read Moroni 7:48, which tells us we must pray to have a pure love of Christ. As I did that, and I prayed to love my companion as Christ would I began to understand and to have great patience with my companion. Obviously those were two things this branch needs, so Elder Rodriguez and I began sharing that message with a couple members. Those that we taught this great principal of love, and that we challenged to pray for it and pray to have patience with the leaders of the church...we found that it works. One member that was having a problem with our Branch President didn't come to church last week. We passed by his house twice this week. The first time we shared that message the man was prideful, not understanding, and ornery... and the next we came and the spirit was in His Home, He was smiling, and he told us, "Elders! I talked with the Branch President. I think we understand each other now!" He was at church yesterday and back to normal.

There were many more cases like that, and I'm so grateful the Lord prepared me to leave with such a great week.

Well, it sounds like I'm gonna start getting to hear about a lot of homecomings... TOMMY, BOX, and then GARR? Or who? Chas only has two more transfers...time is flying!

Let everyone know my mail address will be once again at the Colling's address.

Andy and Cesar at Baptismal Service

"Love and Luck"

2010-02-23T08:08:00.004-07:00

We had a beautiful baptism for Cesar this week, and although Jose was not there with him in white, he felt the spirit of it all, and the sacred alliance Cesar made. Jose is going to have to wait...something that we didn't expect, we are just waiting on permission from Salt Lake. But he is strong! He is going to be baptised without a shadow of a doubt! He is my buddy Jose. This last week as we taught the law of chastity he shyly asked if it's alright to date woman from the church. Of course we answered that it was more than alright but encouraged. He was all smiles after that. Haha. After playing detective for a minute we found out he has a crush on the organist. She is about the same age as him, 30ish, but she does not speak a lick of Spanish, and he doesn't speak a lick of French. Hahah...even after telling him that though he was just fine knowing that he could give it a shot. He is a great brother though.
Elder Rodriguez and I are getting along great. He gets mad because I laugh at his accent when he speaks in English, but whatever...I think it's hilarious... I told him he can make fun of my Spanish and French accents which are terrible if it makes him feel better. But, I learn a lot from him about being patient and kicking butt. We start today working in Cayenne all by ourselves now that Elder Anahia and Taerea have left. That was hard to see them go. One because Elder Anahia was a G...He was one of my good good friends in the mission. Two, it reminded me that I have less than 6 months left. PEDAL TO THE MEDAL THOUGH. With only two of us we know that the work will be hard, and will require much planning and effort to stay on top of the work load. But, we are excited to be able to work again with most of the French members. We feel that this branch has a lot of room to grow in unity. And it's a real thin line that the branch walks right now. The last couple of weeks we have seen members walk out of sacrament meeting because they were sick of hearing Spanish, or sick of the slowness of talks because of translations from Spanish to French(or French to Spanish). President Parades is still new, and is learning a lot still. And we try to support him in everything he does. He is the glue of the branch right now even if some of the members don't realize it. As we have seen these problems though, I have been deeply touched by the love of God. My love for all the members here in Cayenne has grown so much. By loving them I have been able to understand their differences and why the complain sometimes. Elder Rodriguez and I are working our hardest to invite members to do missionary work, magnify their callings, and love each other. We are excited about the work here because there is much faith in these members. Because of their faith they will answer the call to do missionary work, and as they do that I know the work of God will unify them.

My testimony is built upon a sure foundation, it always pushes me through. I see the testimonies pushing them through as well and I know that God is ready to pour out his blessings here in Cayenne if the missionaries and the members can be the obedient saints worthy of such blessings.

"The Perfect Partner"

2010-02-17T15:47:00.007-07:00

This week has been such a great success. Our zone is finally starting to baptize weekly! The elders are all doing their best to reach the goals we have set together as a zone so that we may accomplish all that we have accomplished as a mission! As President Eclar in Guadeloupe says, IF YA BELIEVE, YOU WILL SEE! Well we believe in our goals, and that they are covenants we make with Heavenly Father. We try our best to reach every single goal. Of course, we are far from perfect, and we repent when we make mistakes. But instead of being discouraged by my weaknesses and faults, I am encouraged because I know that we can see even greater miracles. I know that by Jesus Christ and his infinite atonement we can become better, and I'll never forget. Elder Rodriguez and I have had some great spiritual experiences this week with our two investigators Jose and Cesar who are both prepared to be baptised this next Saturday. They are both so excited! This week Cesar went up to a member and with his broken french asked her to come to his baptism and also to say one of the prayers at the baptismal service. Oh how good I felt to see that. To see the smile on the member's face, and how much that flattered her. I know that because they have taken the steps of true repentance Cesar and Jose will both be members that will stay in the church. We are having also success in teaching by the Book of Mormon, and finding referrals. This week the focus of Elder Rodriguez and me is to help the members and more importantly the branch leaders catch the vision of the mission by studying the mission plan with them. I'm so grateful to be here in Cayenne and to be able to play a part in the great work that is happening here. ELDER RODRIGUEZ

Um....really quick, you asked about investigators. Well who knows really? We are teaching about 90 percent in Spanish, so I'm lost. haha. It's definitely a different work I'm doing here especially since Elder Rodriguez does a good portion of the teaching. But he is a stud! I have not seen a missionary with his desire to kick butt before since Elder Garotta! It's a euro thing maybe(who would have thought Europeans?).

Anyways...actually the Spanish is going fairly well. I understand fine when we teach and talk about the lessons and religion, but outside of that I'm lost. It's coming though. I'm hoping to stay another transfer at least; I imagine I will too since we have been seeing so much success. Oh, I forgot to tell you that last week Delaina Fogus was baptised. She was a daughter of that family Elder Copa and I reactivated. That was such a great baptism. The family has been steadfast at coming back to church, and are talking with president about a plan to go to the temple.

Sorry but the baptisms for Jose and Cesar are next week. Gosh They are Saweet though!Every lesson is just smooth as butter!

Note to mom:
Its been a tiring week! Actually the whole transfer has been tiring! Ever since I started getting close to the 18th month mark, I have been freaking out a little at how fast time has gone by and how little I have left. I gotta kick it in to overdrive. So I have been really, really, really lame at letters. But...I do want to wish you big happy birthday this Thursday? I know its the 18th...you are the best mom!

YOU are the ideal kick butter.

"Slow Boat to Suriname"

2010-02-08T09:43:00.009-07:00

For the zone conference this past week, Andy travelled first to Kourou by van where they picked up a couple of missionaries.

Then on to the border of Suriname where they took a motor-powered canoe to cross the Maroni River:

Finally taking a taxi and arriving at the Church for Zone Conference.

SURINAME IS LEGIT....

especially when you have euros....you are kings!
BOAT....good
TAXI.....good
SEEING CHAZ....good
conference......good
Food.......GOOODDD

We did our shopping for 3 weeks there...just because it is so much cheaper....we also bought some things for the Colombians here because it is so much cheaper. It was nice to do something nice for them. I loved what mom and dad had to say about service. Conference was extremely uplifting..I really liked the lesson Elder Barton and his companion shared. I learned so many things..and now I'm trying to apply them. Already I'm seeing many results. I'm still trying to master the art of reaching my goals. I truly know that all our goals are possible. Right now I've been learning to be patient with myself and that although I expect to reach them all, if I don't reach them it should not be a reason to get down on myself but to learn and to thank the Lord for his grace, and example of perfection.
Stake conference sounded great. I have been learning so much about service the last couple of weeks...because, for me, these refugees are the living examples of what service is. Usually true service is not something convenient or something easy. It is something that may take you out of your comfort zone. I know its not easy whenever President Peredez invites 8 people to eat over at his home during the week that he doesn't know at all. All he knows is that they are refugees and they need food. So he invites anybody knowing that its takes away from the very little food that he has for his family. He also recognizes service as the very best way to do missionary service because it is not simply teaching or talking about the gospel, but living it. MAN I LOVE IT HERE!

Andy's letter to President Gammiete follows:

Dear President,
Elder Rodriguez and I left zone conference on a spiritual high. We were focused and had faith that we would reach our goals. And I testify that faith and attitude change the work. We had one of the best weeks of my mission this week. This week in Cayenne we saw so many miracles. We saw members working together, overcoming language barriers to serve one another and investigators, and felt the holy ghost powerfully during sacrament meeting. Right now we have two investigators that are truly two of the elect of God, Cesar and Jose. The very first lesson with Cesar we fixed a baptismal date with him, and since we fixed it his testimony has been strengthened because of the book of Mormon and the great spirits of the members. With our other investigator, Jose, we had an incredible first lesson but did not feel prompted to exend a baptismal date right then. One day later we had an activity at the church and the spirit had so worked on him that he asked us what he needed to do to join the church. We fixed 5 other baptismal dates during the week....our only problem was we need Spanish Book of Mormons for these persons or they cannot meet the criteria for baptism. The miracle came Sunday when the big shipment of Book of Mormons arrived during our fast to receive them. Things are moving!...the members are excited and it shows by the references we get from them!

Elder Rodriguez is a great missionary. It sometimes feels....well, actually quite often, as if I'm the one being trained. He is a stud, and is already far and ahead where most missionaries are after 2 transfers. We are getting along great, and learning tons from each other.

My testimony is continuing to grow. I'm grateful for the trials and obstacles that God gives just when our testimony seems to plateau...Heavenly Father always is mindful of what we need.

"Kick It In Second Wind"

2010-02-01T08:14:00.007-07:00

Its so true that we can never be grateful enough for our trials and the humbling and learning power in them.
Haha TY….he is still a small little squirt huh? I can just imagine the dog all over him.
SHOOT! I can't believe T FUD is 19…CRAZY…I got an email from my boy Scott today and he said he saw Tuck at his homecoming…said he is looking real good…ok, well I guess his words were he looks a lot like me…haha same thing.

Hey everybody. This week has been such a SWEET week ! Miracles have happened and Elder Rodriguez and I have been kicking butt! This week has been a real testimony builder on how unfaithful it is to doubt, or to be negative. It was this last Tuesday when I realized how weaksauce I had been. Because last Sunday at church was the lowest we had seen at church in all the time I had been there, I think I had started to question a little bit about how effective the change of the Branch President had been. Elder Rodriguez is having to translate so much for President and all the other members(remember that half the branch is still French) and I had to do it to when Elder Rodriguez was busy…that things were not moving very fast. We have a huge activity planned for next Saturday and by Tuesday not much had been planned just because of communication problems. We had virtually no investigators, all had kinda of just fallen away little by little. And as Elder Rodriguez and I walked Tuesday in the pouring rain, I think I was feeling pretty sorry for myself, I felt a little useless about learning Spanish. I went to from being pretty confident in French to Greeny status in Spanish. And I think I was feeling kind of discouraged. As Elder Rodriguez and I walked in the rain, I started thinking about all the sweet blessings I had..at how much the gospel has blessed my life and the lives of millions of others. I asked myself, who am I to be discouraged? Of course it's sad when your investigators don’t accept what we are trying to offer them…of course it breaks your heart when you see members fall away and not come to church, but how do you think GOD feels? Millions of his children choose the world and iniquity over HIM and happiness every day. That’s just how it is! But we who have received so many blessings! We, who claim to have faith in Jesus Christ, KNOW that the scriptures are true, and if we endure we will be received into the mansions of heaven. We have no reason to despair. SO as we walked and I was thinking these thoughts, and thinking of what a loser I had been the last couple days. I started to have some fun with Elder Rodriguez, I wanted to get him loving his mission, even when it's hard. I bore my testimony to him a little bit of what I did just now and then we decided to be real full time buttkickers the rest of the week, no discouragement, or despair...but just good old fashioned buttkickin! HAHA its was the best week ever! We had some great lessons with some sweet refugees. We aren’t really teaching many French people, because the Spanish are much more humble. This Friday we taught two new investigators we found who just barely arrived from Columbia. One is named Jose, and was a police officer in the Colombian police(which is apparently pretty risky business). He was forced to leave the country by the rebels. He has seen a lot of suffering lately, and had to leave his family behind in Columbia. We taught him and the man he lives with, Celsar. They were both sweet lessons, and although its hard in Spanish, we are teaching 50 percent each one. Elder Rodriguez has a lot of patience for me, he is my boy … but little by little its coming. Aside from the Latinos, we are working with many French inactives. The Sebeloe family came back to church this last week. And the mother has started reading her scriptures everyday! It's sweet because when they were baptized(about a year ago) she was by far the weak link in the family, however now she has turned into the gears behind the family. Always pushing to get them to pray together.
We have a couple baptismal dates but they are in about 2 weeks…its good to see the difference it has made in changing the baptism criteria. President Gamiette and the zone leaders really raised the bar when we had our meeting in Trinidad…and since then baptisms have been really down, but the quality of baptisms has really increased. Because of the new criteria it requires that we be a lot better teachers, and to teach with the converting power of the Book of Mormon.

In another e-mail:

I have been thinking a lot this week concerning our reason to be here on earth. And and of all the experiences and trials we have here are really just given to us as preparation. We know that if we endure(which I think can mean learn as well) from all our experiences here on earth we will one day be like GOD, and like Jesus Christ. We must use our agency to learn to make the same choices Jesus and our Heavenly Father would make.

HEY
'how bout them jazz'

It's nice to see they are playing well...I cant wait to get a letter from Aunt Carol!

SO right now we are in KOUROU...we woke up at 4 in the morning to start the drive across French Guyana to go to SURINAME! Its going to be sweet! Because Chas is assistant to President I'll be seeing my BOYEE there a little later. So it will be fun...no worries I'll take plenty pictures of the boat ride!

"Man Going Crazy on Caroline Street" (Il Va Faire Caca)

2010-01-25T12:05:00.005-07:00

Well, this was by far the worst week since I arrived in Cayenne, as far as numbers go. Aside from numbers, however, I feel very strongly the branch is on the right track. We are starting to teach much more effectively because of Elder Rodriguez and his Spanish. We are able to better strengthen the new Latino members, and better teach our Latino investigators. It was a little frustrating because we had a couple of investigators that didn't come to church because of the rain (it rained cats and dogs yesterday) . We have one kid, Christian, who is 15 who was preparing for baptism, but he didn't come yesterday. It really tears your heart out when they don't come. I imagine its a little bit what parents feel like when their kids don't choose the right...(sorry for being such an idiot sometimes). Luckily, he is still cool...with the criteria though we have to start them over and better teach them the importance of being at church on Sunday (the mission criteria is that they must come 3 weeks in a row before beings baptized, he had 2.). It's hard but honestly ... nothing should empeche (English translation: prevent) us from going to church! Or minimum to take the sacrament. If we are sick...we should go! and be healed! Sad or depressed, go and be comforted! Church is the best!

Well, dad asked about Elder Rodriguez...HE is a stud. We are getting along great. I'm grateful for his kick butt testimony that has already touched many people. I'm grateful for his courage, haha he has no fear! He jumps right into contacts as if he is jumping into an ice cold lake...he just goes for it! Even the people from mainland France! We are going to see great things together. He is learning quickly the basic doctrines and how to teach them by using the Book of Mormon.

We have a good time though. I bet it's the funniest thing in the world to watch us communicate. He speaks a little bit of English, a little bit of french, and of course Spanish. While I speak a little Spanish (I don't know many words though).

This last week we were eating lunch on some steps of the catholic church, out of no where Elder Rodriguez says "ARE YOU KIDDING ME! IL VA FAIRE CACA (he is going to go poo). You have to hear his accent though...there was some guy pooping across the street on the side walk. Elder Rodriguez couldn't stop talking about it for the rest of the day haha.

My testimony was shaking this last week as we worked to accomplish our goals. At first all i wanted to do was show Elder Rodriguez what a great transfer we would have and how we would accomplish every goal we set. I thought that I would be able to teach him how to do this. I thought I could do it...but I'd really forgotten how hard it really is, and how much work it takes to qualify for the grace of God. The truth is I tried to do it all myself. During the sacrament this week I realized why we had had such a terrible week. I didn't humble myself as I should have. BUT I now realize a little bit better what we need to do to accomplish all our goals, and so I'm grateful for that lesson.
HEY HAPPY BDAY TUCK....YOU ARE STILL A LITTLE SQUIRT...but you definitely don't suck! I love ya man..you are a good example for me...expect a letter this week or next week.
In response to a few questions:

Yeah, we are at four in the apartment. It is sweet though, every morning we wake up at 5 together to go runny on the beach...I have never been with a companion other than Copa that didn't mind waking up early...now we have 4!
How are the other areas in French Guiana doing?

The other branches in French Guiana are little branches...Matoury was in our building but ever since they got their new branch president they have started have reunions in his home which is a lot closer for members. Attendance has gone from 18 to 28 the last two weeks.

What are your initial observations about Elder Rodriguez?

EUROPEAN!!!!!

He is sweet...I give him a lot of crap because he read the Twighlight series, and he eats weird..but we just joke. He is from Seville, its the south of Spain.

"Knees of My Heart"

2010-01-18T08:18:00.002-07:00

Well I can't appreciate enough the blessing I have been given to be able to serve in Cayenne another transfer, especially with Elder Rodriguez. Elder Copa is going to stay in Cayenne, too, and Elder Anihia will be his companion. President is sending Elder Rodriguez here though because he is from Spain. With the newly called branch president and everything this is really turning into a Spanish area. This week because I didn't memorize as many scriptures there was more time to study Spanish and Elder Copa and I both made some huge strides. Right now we are good enough to teach a really crappy lesson on the restoration or plan of salvation. Haha, but it's the same spirit that teaches so it's been great to see the grace of God making up for our weaksauceness in Spanish. I'm so excited to serve with Elder Rodriguez though. It is his second transfer in the field, so I guess I'll be training him a little, but I certainly plan on being the one to be trained. In Spanish I'm still a gringo! He will be such a great help in establishing all the new Latino converts in the roots of gospel. At the same time we are working with many investigators that we have in Spanish. I swear everyday we are getting more investigators and still keeping the old ones. The hard part has been being organized with it all...there are so many it's hard even to remember their names without looking at my planner. It is so sweet to be working in Cayenne though! Everyday we are seeing miracles! Members that have hearts as big as.....watermelons....? Referrals...we are seeing all sorts of miracles... even with inactive natives of French Guyana. There are many! This last week was the second week that Family Fogas returned to church. They are a family of 5(the mother, 3 girls, and a twenty year old boy), who joined the church about 5 years ago. Tons of missionaries have visited them to get them to come back, but they never have..in fact they always said they would, but something always came up...but our first lesson with them went great and they came to church two Sundays ago and again this Sunday. Their goal is to go to the temple and be sealed. And like President has told us many times before, working with inactives will produce baptisms. The youngest daughter has not been baptised and now she has a date for the 30th of January, but Miss Fogas also gave us a referral for her sister. Her sister had studied with the missionaries even before this family, however her husband had not let her join the church. Well, as of last year they have been divorced, and Sister Fogas believes that this their divorce was a blessing for her sister. I know that God knows who he wants in his church. And if we will be obedient to God's counsel or our mission president's counsel, such as working with inactives, God will make us instruments in bringing these people into his kingdom. HAHA my testimony grows everyday and I realize more and more at how real the scripture in Matthew 10:39 is the truth. As many lessons as we have taught this week with members, to recent converts, and to inactives...I have been taught and I have learned much much more it seems.

This week I have prayed all week, and fasted this Sunday to know more completely that the Book of Mormon is true..I have not yet received the answer for which I'm looking, but I will continue and "tire" Him until I get it. Although I didn't receive the answer yet, He did give me some great spiritual experiences during the week.

Things are going so great. I love my mission, and that makes me feel so great to hear about Blake (Burton) and Aaron (Cranford). Tell them to go kick some butt.

KICKING BUTT IS THE KEY TO HAPPINESS
haha Long live president Eclar

LOVE Y'ALL

ANDY

"Great Hearts"

2010-01-14T07:02:00.005-07:00

Cayenne is about ready to explode! The work and the members here have been prepared for this time to make things happen. We just got a new branch presdent who speaks only spanish. So my goal is to be able to speak Spanish in 3 weeks. Right now im understanding well but speaking is a different story. With hard diligent work, and much prayer and fasting I know I can do it because I believe that is what the Lord is commanding. We are teaching countless member lessons each week with some colombian members. We do still teach grips of lessons in french but the work still progresses at the same old slow pace. We are teaching many new investigators and with the reactivation work we feel a little overloaded. We are teaching our members from Preach My Gospel so they can be armed with the gospel of Jesus Christ and know how to teach it. We are seeing succuess with the Elders Quarum president and will be working mainly with him in bringing back inactive members because most of them are french speakers. This week was great as we had 11 inactives come to church, and one family of 5 that hasn't been to church in nearly 4 years. I am grateful to be here in Cayenne; I would love to stay here and continue what the Lord has been preparing for a long while.

My companion is a hard worker, we are getting along just beautifully.

This week I memoriwzed 23 of the 25 Book of Mormon scripture mastery. My testimony of the Book of Mormon greatly increased as I came to a more profound understanding of the basic doctrines I'd taken for granted. They were things I'd always known...but I did not really KNOW them, you know? It was such a great experience in memorizing those scriptures. I found that as I would teach much more in tune with the spirt..as Doctrine & Alliance (Doctrine & Covenants) 11. 21 says, "ne cherche pas a proclamer ma parole, mais vous devez tout dabord cherecher dobtener ma parole". ("Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word...)

"Survive"

2010-01-06T08:08:00.004-07:00

I'm pretty excited about all the things that are happening in Cayenne. The members are really starting to believe that this work can and will advance. Their faith is increasing...the members who speak Spanish are already there..the others are coming...baby step by baby step. As we have been committing more and more members to read the Book of Mormon and to do missionary work they are having faith promoting experiences. And the example of the Spanish members helps as well. We were able to have 22 lessons with members this week...just about every lesson we had was with a member. I was thrilled to hit that goal as I had never hit that before, or come close. However, we fell short in reaching our other goals. Repentance has been made and we will do better this week. I was especially discouraged we didn't get 70 contacts...As great as the lessons with members were this week we are deciding to shift our focus on reactivation and contacts. I love this area in Cayenne. I'm learning many great lessons here, and I know that we will be seeing success here. It's great because our branch president is great...he is young and learning, but he is willing! So onward we go

Elder Copa is doing great. He is a good missionary and a great companion. We are getting along great.

This week I had a great experience during my fast concerning the importance of our goals and the importance of reaching them. Goals are the stepping stones to perfection. We use commandments and goals to better ourselves. And as we strive to meet those expectations set by ourselves and God we sometimes don't accomplish those goals and we come up a little short. Some people become discouraged.. but at this moment it is so important to repent, and turn ourselves towards Christ and rely on his grace so that he can make our weaknesses strong. He will increase our faith so that we continue on the climb to Eternal life, instead of despairing and giving up. I wish I could just slap myself spiritually every time I get discouraged... but I know I can reach all the goals that I set and that Heavenly Father expects of me...IN life...at home, but especially on my mission.

HAHAHA. Mom, I especially liked this email from you...some good stories and some nice colorful language... well this week was incredible...it is pretty surreal to be in Cayenne...it all really feels like deja vu in learning Spanish. We are doing about 50% of the work in Spanish, and I taught about 10 lessons this week in only Spanish with a new convert, Geoffrey, as my companion. IT is hard! I don't know how Maclaine did it, but it's not that similar to French. Luckily I have some of the techniques of learning a language down already, unfortunately it's still a slow process. The headaches are starting to come back like I had with Elder Garotta, but its definitely fun. Lets see though... The Spanish folks (mainly Colombians, Venezuelans, and Peruvians) are awesome! I love them to death..i kinda feel guilty but I definitely love them more than French folk...haha not gonna lie...Harry was right in dumb and dumber...but the french are sweet too! The only problem with the Spanish is that they are all refugees and have no jobs or food...It is great because they are at such a point of humility where they thirst for the gospel(most for the restored gospel), but there are many obstacles in their way to come to church. This Sunday some of those were distance, one had a job interview, another got a job for the day that would get him a meal...so the conditions are really poor. But the truly faithful will be sorted out by their perseverance and faith during these trials.

It doesn't help though that food is extremely expensive...we have no choice but to eat two meals a day...and its usually just a bagget with stuff, or rice, or pasta. It's lame cause there are NO fruits here..the only fruit I know is one we actually found...it is good but kinda weird and I don't even know the name of it..nothing great or cool

Sorry I don't have any super cool stories this week that Tuck, Hill and Ash would like...it was a kick butt week though.

"Far Side of the World"

2009-12-28T11:36:00.006-07:00

So I'm sending some photos of our activity this morning...it was sweet! First, Elder Copa and I woke up early to run on the beach which just killed me...I was beat after that. Then we headed to the Tahitians apartment (Elders Anihia and Taerea) to do a hike that is close to their apartment. On the hike we saw all sorts of animals. We captured a sloth! The Tahitians are crazy. They climbed up a skinny, skinny 30 foot tree, all barefoot, until the tree started bending to the ground and we were able to finally grab hold of the sloth.

The rest of our email appears to be a cut and paste from Andy's report to President Gamiette:

Name: Elder Neff Companion:Elder Copa

Area: Cayenne Zone: French South

1a. (0,0) Investigators Baptized & Confirmed

2a. (0,0) Investigators who will be baptized next week

2b. (2,0) Investigators with a baptism date

3a. (6,2) Investigators who attended Sac. Mtg (not contacts)

3b. (3,3) Less actives who attended Sac. Mtg

4. (9,8) Lessons taught with members

5. (8,5) New Investigators

6. (70,66) Getting your 10 Contacts (1 point per day if you
& companion contact 10 people and get their phone number or address)
(# of contacts,# of them called)

7. (3,2) Referrals received

8. (3,2) Referrals contacted

9. (4,5) Lessons to the less active

10. (7,7) Days studying the Book of Mormon

11. Total attendance at church: 48 or 65

My family is doing just great! It was a great blessing to be able to speak to them and see how they have been. It is comforting to have that support always there in emails, but even greater on the phone. I can't explain why, but talking to them definitely has motivated me to work harder.

Cayenne is doing great! We are seeing SO much success with the Colombians, Peruvians, and Venezuelans. They are so humble and most of them have met the church in their own countries. The members, especially the Spanish speakers are ready. They want to work, and they want to build Zion here. They go to church and are the most on the ball and the most reverent of all the members....doing that without really understanding whats being said. They have their own Sunday school class that is in Spanish...but I believe the sooner we establish a Spanish branch the better. There are some of the Colombians who have become little by little more and more discouraged whether it be their in ability to serve or to understand at church. But the area, Elder Copa and I feel, is ready to explode! We meet new investigators everyday who already know the church and want to learn more. We are trying to learn Spanish as soon as possible, and it is coming. I feel like I have just recommenced my mission haha.

My companion is sweet...great worker...and we work well together.

I realize how important the Book of Mormon is in this work...It is in reading this book with our Spanish-speaking investigators that we are able to teach...It is so much simpler when we say as little as possible and we let the scriptures teach!

Christmas morning in French Guiana

Andy with his buddy, Chas Barton, in Trinidad

"No Plane on Sunday"

2009-12-15T07:54:00.004-07:00

The great thing about being a man...it doesn't matter what we wear, and even less as a missionary....its all the same no matter what! Well it sounds like the Christmas season is on in full swing! This is truly the best time of year. This has easily been one of the weirdest weeks of my mission. Wednesday I headed to Trinidad and we had the sweetest zone leader council. President Gamiette had us up each morning doing a physical challenge before we started our spiritual training. The first day was a hike up the mountain carrying one of our fellow missionaries. That was tough, and then the next was a 5 o'clock run. President Gamiette is a machine. He killed everybody! The spirituality of the conference was bar none. I have never felt so uplifted and clear of mind as I did this week. We counseled in unity and really came together to catch the vision that President Gamiette has for the mission, his vision that is unified with that of the Area Presidency who had received it from the apostles and after the prophet. President Gamiette taught using the parable of the olive trees, and how at this time in the West Indies the church has heavy, heavy branches(many new converts) but not the roots(solid members) to withstand the weight. I believe there are 10000 members of record and 2500 at church each week...our mission goal for 2010 is to raise that to 5000 active members. There were many other goals set and other things learned. I feel as a boat with a great wind behind its sail....the only problem hindering me is getting to French Guiana. I have been in Trinidad since Wednesday. I was supposed to fly to Suriname last night and onto cayenne this morning, however, I guess I need a Suriname visa even to be in transit. So this morning we went to get me that. Oh and by the way this whole week I have been chilling with Chas (Barton)..who is President Gamiette's new assistant. IT HAS BEEN SWEET! Its pretty surreal...the weirdest part is that it is not weird...its just as if we are back at home. He is a great elder though...and my boy...I'll get you some pics next week of us two. SOOO well I guess the only success story I have for ya has to do with the two elders I worked with Saturday and Sunday. They are in one of the Trinidad zones and have not been doing so well. They have been getting discouraged and what not. I was assigned to work with them for Saturday and Sunday. They had no investigators and no one one to see. Before Saturday they had had 5 contacts. So Saturday morning we fixed a goal for 70 contacts in two days: 40 Saturday and 30 Sunday. We went out and got them...neither of the elders had ever had 70 contacts in a week. I saw their faith shoot through the roof. It was sweet. Their spirits have been boosted, Elder Park and Sookram both are excited to get 70 contacts this week. It's ridiculous how easy it was here in Trinidad...300% easier. Other than that I haven't been able to even talk to my comp...hopefully I'll fly out tomorrow...pray for me...I really wanna go get started down in French Guiana.

I'm glad to hear the jazz are back on form. They are the best. I wish everyone a jolly week, and reminder to kick butt! It's Christmastime! Invite someone to church, or over for Christmas!

Know that I love you all and miss you all especially at this awesome time of year!

Andy

ps I guess I wont be flying out until tomorrow night too and then I'll spend one night in Martinique then onto French Guiana. This is lame...but what can you do, hopefully I can make the best of it. I'm aching to see my comp and my area and just get to work. I feel so useless here. Right now I'm in the office.

"Off to See the Lizard"

2009-12-08T11:55:00.003-07:00

Hey everyone ! What the Trent ! That is wild! I cant believe it. Only Trent would be able to be fine after being hit by a car.…he doesn’t feel pain. This week has been a busy week for us. Just wrapping up with some investigators. President Eclar challenged us to set some hard baptismal dates with Clifford and Losh before we left. We prayed and prayed and prayed some more that Losh would receive confirmation for the 15th of December and it never came. We always told him that he should feel fine saying no to our invitation to baptism, but when finally the holy ghost would invited him, he then would need to be baptized or the holy ghost would leave him. Well, Saturday night we were getting down to the wire, and with transfers we needed his date to be hard or else the holy spirit of his conversion might be lost. After our lesson Saturday night we prayed to Heavenly Father on our knees all together. All four of us (member)took a turn praying. The spirit was powerfully present as we each prayed for a confirming witness of the 15th. When Losh began to pray tears filled his eyes and he received his answer. Yesterday in sacrament meeting his baptism was announced and he bore his testimony. This guy is the best! He is going to be able to be a solid brother in the church. Heavenly Father is Great! Really all we have to do is ask and we receive. It is not complex…ask! believing that we will receive…and we do!

MAN! I loved the pictures! Lights On IS the best family party in the world...I'm jealous...

How George is doing? AH! GEORGE is my boy! He is now secretary of the Elders Quorum...I was able to bless the sacrement with him the other week. It's sad to leave him, but he is kicking butt. He is teaching with us and I'm sure will continue in teaching the gospel with the other missionaries.

* How is the David family? They are still coming to church and doing great. We ate bannana PESE with them the other night! Double deep fried bananas....haha talk about fat. My bum jiggled for a week...but the family is not progressing. The dad takes them to church and picks them up, but because they are not married they can not be baptized. THEY HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR 25 YEARS!!! But we still teach them occasionally.

* How is Kitty? She never really worked out...it's hard when you teach amazing people and you know they feel the spirit, but if they do nothing between your visits and they don't keep commitments, the spirit doesnt stay with them and they eventually lose interest

Did I not tell you last week? I'm being transfered to Cayenne, FRENCH GUYANA! THE JUNGLE! JEAH BOYEE!!! I'm going to be eating some snake and monkey!!! Hopefully, not catching any of the nasty diseases over there. I will still be zone leader but of the French South Zone with Elder Roberts who is in Martinique. Our zone is St. Martin, Martinique and French Guyana. Apparently we will be having zone leader council in Trinidad this weekend...MAN OUR MISSION IS EXPENSIVE! But that will be fun...the only news I'm waiting on is if I will have the car...I'm praying that I dont. WALKING!!!! yes

I got your christmas package, and I'll take that with me.

Christmas is going to be weird this year. My companion Elder Copa is not from the area...we are getting white washed...so not knowing the members, and no senior couple means an Elder only Christmas...it will be fun. There are two elders over there from TAHITI whom I know pretty well..they are sweet.

Well wish me luck in the new area!

"Changing Channels"

2009-12-07T10:43:00.010-07:00

Andy is being transferred to French Guiana. Here is a little information about French Guiana compliments of Sister Robison:

Facts:

Population of about 222,000. As with Guyana and Suriname, the majority of the population lives along the coast.
French Guiana is a region owned by France and part of the European union (the largest member outside of Europe). Its currency is the euro. The official language is French
Fishing, mining and timber drive the economy.
French Guiana has a large Haitian population (French is also spoken on Haiti)
Church: There are just over 300 members and three branches of the LDS Church in French Guiana

Cayenne (Church-owned chapel)

Future Missionaries:

Missionary Work:
As of June 2009 there were six elders serving in French Guiana. They travel all day by van, canoe and then taxi to join the Dutch speaking elders in Suriname for zone conferences.

History:
Charles Fortin, a native of French Guiana, was baptized in France and returned to his homeland in 1980. Rosiette Fauvette, also baptized in France, returned to French Guiana in July 1981. She attended Sunday meetings at Fortin’s home in Cayenne. Charles Fortin introduced the Church to many people before his death in April 1986. By then, several other members were attending services, including Gerald Charpentier, who later became president of the first branch (a small congregation). Meetings were then held in the home of the Masinski family until January 1987 when they were moved to Rosiette Fauvette’s home in Kourou. In August 1987, the Francois Pratique family moved from France to Cayenne and began attending meetings.

Elder Charles Didier of the Seventy (one of the governing bodies of the Church) visited in March 1988 and organized a group. In November 1988, Serge and Christie Bonnoit of France became the first converts in French Guiana. In May 1989, the Kourou Branch was formed and in August, the Cayenne Branch was created with Francois Pratique as president.
In July 1989, the first missionary couple Wilbur and Jacqueline Wortham arrived in the country. They were followed in November 1989 by A. Edward and Louise P. Schmidt. The newly organized branch in Cayenne had about 23 members. On February 27, 1990, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve (the second highest governing body of the Church) blessed the land and with Elder Charles Didier visited branch members in both Cayenne and Kourou.

The Church has grown slowly in French Guiana due to members immigrating to France. A chapel was constructed in Cayenne and was dedicated in March 1999 by West Indies Mission president Kenneth J. Mason.

Sea Turtle Laying Eggs

Sloth (it is the jungle after all)

"It's My Job"

2009-12-02T08:15:00.004-07:00

Hey, I'm sorry this week there were a ton of things I had to do as zone leader...I hate this job...but sorry...didn't really have time. We had an incredible week of work though. The miracle always comes after the trial of our faith. This week we saw that! Tell everyone that I love them and I'm sorry I don't have much time to do anything. I want to write more letters, but there is just not time on p days. We will find out this week about transfers and where we will be. I want to stay in the same area, but I do not want to be zone leader anymore. I'll be glad to do it if President asks, but I just want to be able to go out and teach!!!! But, whatever the lord wants will be just great for me!

k love you all

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHLEY!!! I love you the most.

PS I got both packages this week; YOU ARE THE BEST!

Andy with Elder Cottam at November's Zone Conference

"The Good Fight"

2009-11-24T10:37:00.004-07:00

Well, this week has been an incredible humbling experience for me, and my zone. This whole week we had fixed a goal of having a bunch of people at church ...all the elders prayed fasted and worked together to reach this goal. We had countless zone prayers. We challenged every elder to call every old investigator, anyone that had ever come to church. We set such a great goal at church because next week is our goal to have 12 baptisms as a zone. So we needed this stepping stone of people at church to make the big leap ...and not only did we not reach it, but we were not even close. It seemed just about every investigator that told us they could come bailed at the last minute, It seemed every golden investigator was unreachable, had car troubles, injuries, fears, and everything Satan could do prevented people from coming. It seems as though a darkness of disappointment and discouragement has settled in on our zone, and all the elders. All of them are disappointed, and questioning what they we could have done different. However, we continue forward with charity and love, knowing that when the trial of your faith is at hand the adversary will do anything to turn you away from the success that is at hand. The are actually many possible baptismal dates we are looking at, and although many had not been able to come to church we look to the horizon. It's really hard for me to KNOW, without a doubt that goals are possible and then to be so short is hard...It is a testimony of 1 of 2 things....either we are doing things absolutely wrong, or that Satan is working hard. I feel the spirit still so I don't believe we are doing things wrong...I just feel that this humbling experience is forcing me and all the other elders to rely more on God through Prayer...it's forcing us to get on our knees. At the moment I honestly don't feel I have any idea how to do missionary work...all I know is that there are MANY who are prepared for Baptism...and the only way to bring them to the waters of baptism is by the Holy GHOST...without the spirit you will not teach! Never has that verse rang more true. Despite all this, I'm excited for the week to come...I believe success is close, and we have only need to endure and we will see it. We have a couple of sweet investigators, men even, who are close to baptism..all is well!

Elder Cottam is coming along with his french....a little...its still kind of frustrating but I respect the crap out of him for sticking with it...he doesn't complain and works hard, so what more can you ask for!

Man...I feel like my emails are crappy...nothing really that cool. Its just been busy.

Today is our Thanksgiving...we are doing it today so that it doesn't take time out of the week. We are all getting together at the Collings and are all cooking stuff....I made some pretty dope Peach pies...well they look sweet...we will see how they taste. We are going to be watching the Joseph Smith Movie, Prophet of the Restoration after so it should be a pretty sweet day. Sadly, there will be no turkey bowl...lame! But I guess you won't have one either. Next year, baby!

Hey so are y'all sending me some pictures with that Christmas package? I need some.

Haha I cant believe RSL won...each week I get sports articles from Aunt Carol and I'm always disappointed when more than half are about RSL...they seemed like they were pretty crappy!

So how are them Jazz doing? IS D Will tearing it up or what?

K well I love everyone...keep on keeping on!

Andy

"Trouble on the Horizon" (No President for Zone Conference)

2009-11-18T10:20:00.003-07:00

SO the familamy…whats crackin?

Sorry for the tardiness…

Zone Conference
We had probably one of the weirdest zone conferences ever Monday and Tuesday. Sunday night Elder Cottum and I picked up all the elders from Martinique, St Martin, and also the assistants from Trinidad. Oh yeah I forgot to tell ya…my old companion Elder Wright is now assistant to President Gamiette. It was great to see him again. He is quite a stud. Well late Sunday night while we were together with the other zone leaders and the assistants we got a call that President's flight was cancelled and he wasn’t going to make it to conference. We did our best to make do… the assistants and us each taught a lesson with some "how to apply: activities. It was good but it just wasn’t the same with out President.

Gosier
This last week I was able to go on splits with one of the district leaders in my zone... right now there are two districts in Guadeloupe..the Basseterre and Grandterre Last week we went on splits with Basseterre and this week Grandterre. It was wild being back in my old area for the day. It felt like only a few days since I had been teaching there with Elder Snow. Well after making sure we had our contacts for the day and working with some of their investigators we felt impressed to see some of my old investigators that Elder Snow and I had taught before the strike. Because it was a little late we only had had time to see one. But it was worth it. Mr Albero was at his home, and was excited to see me(honestly, I was surprised he remembered me). I love seeing people I knew at the first of my mission, because now we can actually understand one another. Well, it turns our he has been reading quite often the Book of Mormon and is about half way done. He keeps it by his bed, and reads it when he needs a boost. We taught what it means for him and his family (a wife and two kids, who were not there) if the book was true. We read the last two paragraphs of the introduction. The spirit was strong. We asked him if he had ever had the opportunity to ask God if the book was true? He said that although he had prayed for God's help to understand the book almost every time he reads, he had yet to ask God if it was living scripture He remarked that he just assumed it was. With the spirit strong we invited him to prepare for baptism in 2 weeks and he agreed! What a testimony that God prepares his children! I remember that when Elder Snow and I had taught him he had been an alright investigator, but with the strike and his job he never had much time. We wrote in the area book but no elders had yet seen him. I'm grateful for that great experience!

Our Branch
President Eclar is pumped! The new motto for the branch is "Chak moun a moun” which is creole for every person should have a friend at church! The presidency of the branch is young and learning, but full of faith. They fixed a goal for 45 investigators or friends at church! Haha they are crazy! But anything is possible. This last week we had five people at church! But nothing a little kickin' butt can't fix!

THE UTES!!!!

Dang….whats up with that? IS TCU that good? Tuck says they are the best in the nation? True?

Also what is up with Dirk Natrensky? Is he getting trunky at all? HE IS HOME IN 4 months!Thanks for the pic of mom…I could use some more pics though…and also of you paps! There are never any of you!

"Green Flash at Sunset"

2009-11-10T13:44:00.004-07:00

Sunset on Guadeloupe

The WEEK

Well, this was quite a miraculous week again. Every companionship had over 70 contacts this week…which is pretty amazing when you know all last transfer that there were 2 times when one companionship had 70. Everybody is working hard. Contacting, I've found, is the tiring part of missionary work. You can have lessons every hour and feel like you had a great day, but the day is so much sweeter when you come home exhausted because you were running between rendez vous and talking with everyone along the way. The elders are great in this zone. And although baptisms are not up right now, they will be come…already there have been quite a few miracles. My companion who still can't speak a lick of French(but its coming along) was part of one this past week…we had just got done with a rendez vous that we had fixed with one of our previous contacts and she was alright. It was a good lesson and the spirit was present. I taught most of it, but right when we were about to leave Elder Cottam was prompted to ask if she knew anyone else that might be interested in our message. And as a matter of fact she did! Kitty, one of her friends is also in the middle of searching for God in her life. We called her and let her know we were the missionaries who had talked with her friend Franciane and we would like to meet with her to talk about God's restored church. She agreed; we brought a member with us and had one of the best lessons that I have ever been a part of. It turned out that Kitty had just barely lost her father last week and was going through a rough time. We told her that that God understood, that a plan he created long before she came to this earth would allow her to see her father again and that this plan was a plan of happiness. She couldn’t come to church this Sunday because of funeral services but next Sunday is for sure. I believe that Elder Cottam and I are gaining the Lord's trust at this time by working hard and diligently. It's taught me that the Lord's trust really isn’t won during times of need, but like Nephi when he was given the promise that all things would be done unto him, according to his word. (Helaman 8 or something) We still have a long way to go, but we are on the right track…seeing miracles, and loving this work.

David Family

The David family is doing great. We finally got the father to sit down with us and we taught a lesson on faith. He participated and it was great. He even took the family to church this Sunday and picked them up. Dimgee(the 8 year old) participated in the primary program….he recited the 8th article of faith…and then last night when we passed by to read with the family we asked him to say the prayer and the prayer consisted of "dear heavenly father, we believe that the Bible is the word of God as far as it is translated correctly….’ Haha it was hilarious. But this week we are going to pass by the family with President Eclar and see if we can get the father to come to church…there is one problem with the family though…we found out that Brother and Sister David are not married…they have been together for 30 years! That was kind of a bummer but no big deal…the father just needs to feel the spirit and then feel the spirit during a lesson on eternal families.

Guadeloupe

Its been pouring cats and dogs…I have never seen so much rain…there have been two days where we have walked without the car this week and both days we got caught in the rain and had to go home to change…it was the best! I love the rain.
Elder Cottam and I hit up a waterfall last p day…the Haut de Lizard! It was sweet…right now we need to get prepared to do zone meeting this Tuesday and then we will have to teach during zone conference…so that will be….fun?

Haute de Lizard Waterfall

Oh and i just want to mention how much I love bread...french bread...I'm gonna be a baker when I get home 'ANDY THE BAKER'

Excersise

Yeah, it's frustrating but I'm getting up at 5:30 and getting exercise in….its not too bad. Elder Cottam doesn’t like getting up early so running is kind of hard haha. Elder Snow was good about that…he would just eat his cereal and watch me run haha. I miss that kid… Elder Cottam is cool and we get along, but we just aren’t all that much alike. HE HAS NEVER WATCHED AN ENTIRE SPORTING GAME!!! Haha he is an incredible missionary though….I'm trying to motivate him to learn French quicker so he can be even more kick butt

"Bring Back the Magic"

2009-11-02T13:05:00.004-07:00

It was such a great feeling to come back to Lamentin and see some of the great sisters and brothers I had worked with just a month ago. I was so impressed by the changes that I have seen in the branch of Lamentin since I left 6 weeks ago. When I left, there was much disorder, and during the meetings on Sunday the spirit was prohibited. We didn’t start on time, and there were kids running around, but since President Eclar has been made present the house of the Lord has been put into order and there was a reverence and peace during the meeting that had not been present before. I mentioned the feelings I felt during a powerful testimony meeting. One of the sisters got up after me and explained that the changes that I saw were individuals becoming more converted. Our conversion is truly a lifetime process isn’t it? We had 2 investigators at church Madame David and her son, and there is no question that they both felt the spirit, and so they should be baptized pretty soon. They will be going to a family tonight with another family of the branch. This week was another miracle for me. By the time I arrived on Wednesday we had 0 contacts. And on top of that Elder Cottum and I had very little time for proselyting because of transfers, we had to close an apartment in Moule, and had to go to Basseterre to bring the elders some furniture for their apartment, and then car problems. In all we had 3 hours Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoon and night, and then Sunday after church. We prayed and strived to have 70 contacts still and got them done. We made a point of challenging all the companionships in the zone to have 70 contacts so we sure had better them, too. Already we are seeing God's blessings pour out. This morning, a girl who didn’t even give us her number or address called us asking questions about the brochure we gave her, and was really interested in getting a copy of the Book of Mormon. I know obedience is the key to missionary work, and 70 contacts is the first thing asked of us. I was convinced that this is a key to success after last week. Elder Nelson and I did all we could to have 70 contacts and we were blessed to have 5 incredible people at church (that's why last week was so great). I won't lie though....getting 70 contacts takes its toll. Today we were standing in need of 23 contacts. Normally, Sundays are the roughest too as no one is on the streets to contact. But it was a holiday...All Saints Day...so everyone was at the cemetery...haha we talked with everyone!!! probably 200 people, but we got them!!! It is definitely missionary work at a new level. But it is exhilarating to see us reach our goals! This week we will be able to settle down to the normal 10 contacts each day.

Our zone is solid!!! We are even younger than we were before...right now there are 2 elders older than me. Right now there are 8 companionships including the Collings. There are companionships in Gosier, Abymes, Point a Pitre, Capestterre, and 2 in Bassterre. I was sad to come back and have to close Moule, but President Gamiette is pushing to have a stake...and the smaller branches are joining the bigger ones.

Elder Cottom is doing great. He is a great elder, and works extremely hard. He is from Colorado...haha I think he will be a challenging companion. He just got over from the English side of the mission, and doesn't speak any french...I know president knew what he is doing though...but contacts are much harder because we can't split up and do them...I'm speaking french all the time with him though so hopefully that will pick up. Other than that he is an experienced and hard working companion. He is one that never played sports, never watched movies, as far as I've gathered he was on the computer his whole life before the mission.

George my latest baptism (in Guadeloupe) is awesome..I was so excited to see he has received the priesthood, passing the sacrament, and working with the missionaries. You talked about Ashley and Hillary they are still going to church with their mom, Patricia. The only bad news is that Rene has moved from Moule and is in St Martin, but Elder Snow was moved there and is tracking him down for me.

I did a deep study on the relation between faith and miracles. I read Mormon chapter 9 that shot my faith through the ceiling this week. I testify God will give us all that we demand of him, as long as we doubt not. Sometimes our faith is insufficient and we do doubt, but we can pray and fast that our faith will be sufficient!

Hey I wanted to thank Hilly for her postcard. I was so stoked to see Flaming Gorge... I can't believe she is now 15! Holy shmokes! Time is flying by.

"My Lovely Ladies"

2009-10-28T16:12:00.004-06:00

Andy baptized the older girl in this video, Ashley, earlier this year in Lamentin. The other girl is her sister, Hillary. What are the odds that thousands of miles from home he finds another Ashley and Hillary? What darling girls they are!

It sounds to our untrained ears that they are speaking some French and some Creole.

"Stories We Could Tell" ... .Faces of the West Indies

2009-10-27T08:15:00.013-06:00

"Oysters and Pearls"

2009-10-19T19:46:00.005-06:00

This last week was a spiritual high...I have loved so dearly focusing on the Christlike attribute of love and see how it makes flourish every other aspect of the work. The Solbiac family is still having difficulties...every time we went by last week we were not able to teach a lesson as there was problems. Sandra lost her father this last week that has been on life support for a few months. She is sad but she will be alright i think because they were not too close..but that is still hard. ALl her mom is talking about is of getting her inheritance. It makes me sick! The mom is so lost. She just worries about herself, and the kids are an afterthought. She lounges around all day doing nothing...and most of the time is half naked when we walk in the door. YUCK. We found out that the father of the 3 youngest kids is still living in the house. The mother and father are not together at all and from what we see they thoroughly dislike each other. The father is just as bad as the mom but in different ways. He expects the children to be perfect. He wants the house in order, and the children all quiet, no fighting....which is a good thing..but when it gets out of hand he hits them. This last Sunday when we passed by to pick up Sandra and Shanna for church. Sandra was in tears because her step father freaked out at her for not cleaning the bathroom. On a good note.. Shanna is still the sweetest little girl..she always gives us a little present every time we are there.

Well we spent two days in Guadeloupe this last week. We had interviews with president. And i felt really edified by president. He is such a great teacher of the gospel and makes it so interesting. Through the holy ghost he was able to instruct us all! It was great to be back in Guadeloupe, too. We did some work there, and it was refreshing to remember what a difference humility can make.

Oh yeah, I have some bad/good news...president shared with me where I'm going next transfer. I for sure will be going back to Guadeloupe, but the bad news is that I will be zone leader again...I don't know how I feel about that. I know there are plenty of great learning experiences that I will have but.....yeah.. I guess there is no reason not to be excited right?

Some random stories from this week....

I have started more determinedly to get back into shape and eating better.... And that's thanks to the birthday package I got from Clara...oh by the way I finally got your package you sent with that extremely ugly tie(more ugly than usual) thanks so much!

This was what he was eating in Guadeloupe. It's good to hear he's eating better.

This week I have started sleeping differently. Because we do not have the best beds here I'm trying to sleep Tahitian style. My buddy Elder Anahia inspired me. Every night he just sleeps on the tile with only a sheet under him. He said it was the best...the first three night were terrible but after that I have been sleeping so well!

So Tuck is getting his "papes" ready! I'm so excited for him. AH! The mission is the best experience that anyone could have in their life...it is the school of life!

K GO UTES LOVE EVERYONE...there will be a surprise next week!

"Something So Feminine about Wheat Bran (a Mandolin)"

2009-10-12T19:55:00.012-06:00

Haha. I ain't cute, but I'm thinking the medicine is going to help...I did get it Friday even though I hate DHL....every time they talked to me they would try to speak in english when it was just gosh darn obvious that my french was better...it's just because I have the worst accent ever! haha...everyone tells me that...it's alright though, the members tell me I speak creole the best of all the missionaries...but still its the french that counts ...at least with the girls.

So this week was definitely one of the better ones. I was able to prayerfully apply some of the things that I learned from conference. I heard the family night was on President Uchtdorf's talk about love ...and that was one that really hit me. And now why...

As much as I have loved Martinique and the people and members are great...little by little I'm starting to see the real reason there are 6 branches in Guadeloupe and only 2 here...the island is smaller in Martinique, but the populations are the same. The people are just a lot more hardened and the usually open and friendly mentality of the West Indians is not there....the missionaries joke and say that Martinique is just more "french"(haha I have nightmares of serving in France, where no one receives the missionaries). So with our contacting and teaching overall...it's a lot easier to be discouraged. Sometimes we do contact someone a little half heartedly...maybe assuming they will just turn you down. I don't know when it was, but one day it just hit me that it was a lack of love...Christlike love. It is in 2 john 4 I think that speaks of how love makes us perfect. And that we love them because HE first loved us...I think I'm paraphrasing badly, but if I am I think its still true. I have a testimony that love can shoot us to greater heights. This last week I prayed a lot to have a greater love for the people we would meet throughout the day...and I found that instead of getting discouraged after getting turned down I was excited! Excited to go share the message of the restoration with someone else. Love is the sweetest...Elder Nelson and I had our best week together last week...we taught many lessons, met many new investigators and fixed two baptismal dates, one for an older man named Robert, and one for a member of a part family. Her name is Shanna Solbiac and she is 8. I'll tell you about her family. This family is poor...and because the mother is selfish and greedy, the children do not have much. Among 6 children there are 3 fathers.. There is Sandra who is in high school, and is the true mother of the home. She is the one that first met the missionaries a few years ago. There are 3 brothers between 6 and 12 who just fight and beat on each other...there are times during lessons when I have to put a death grip on two of them and Elder Nelson the other so we can teach without a fight breaking out. Then there are two little ones..and then there is Shanna. She is such a sweet heart...I dont remember if I have told you about her, but every time we go over to their house she makes some little present for us. One time she gave me a pencil, another time she made one of those chinese paper fortune tellers..she doesnt have much but she shares with us what she has. Because Sandra is the one that normally gets everyone ready for church, it is truly a task, and when Elder Nelson and I got here they had been struggling...as of the last couple of weeks we have been getting over there to help them get ready for church. So, depending on the sturdiness of the family in a few weeks Shanna will be baptized. Although lessons are hard over there, we continue to go because the family just struggles. We love them a bunch.

Well what else to say? The weather is still hot, hot, hot. I have a feeling I'm going to be freezing next year as I have not been cold for nearly one year now...wierd! I have been getting back into shape just doing pushups, sit ups, running every once in a while, and the regular missionary tracting. Being in a car really fattened me up. Elder nelson and I are normally eating cereal, crepes, or fruit in the morning...pasta or rice for lunch...and not too much after that...usually a floup. Actually, I dont know if I have told you about floups before...they are no doubt the best popsicles in the world. There is either the syrup flavors(mango, grape, pineapple, blue rasberry, etc) or the milk flavors( coco, chocolate, peanut butter, almond). The milk flavors are my favorites. My favorite is coconut. Elder Nelson loves the floups...there are some days when he will sometimes have 4.

Here's what floups look like:

Well, I was stoked to hear that Wes passed by the other day! I love that kid...even if he goes to BYU....he is a stud though. Tell him I say "hello" I sent him an email last week I think, but I wasn't sure if it was a good address.

Well, I want to tell everybody that I love them, and tell all the cousins, aunts, and uncles hello. Oh, and thank Grandpa Bob for his great letter haha..I laughed pretty hard. I love my grandparents..I'm pretty sure I have the best in the world.

Alors
a dotwa solé(see you later in creole), it means...see you another sunrise

PS Mom, I forgot something that reminded me of you. Normally, on this mission in the West Indies because of all the food..the biggest problem missionaries have is diarhea. Well this week, strangely enough, my biggest problem was not that...my problem was I could not poop...3 days I went without pooping...it sucked. Then Elder Nelson shared the secret of fiber with me...he said women eat it because they can not poop...so we bought some fiber bran and it up and did the trick. It reminded me of your old cereal that you would always buy when we were kids....IT ALL MAKES SENSE! Haha, you really learn so much on missions...women have trouble pooping?! Get outta town!

"Love and Luck"

2009-10-08T06:43:00.008-06:00

It's hard to believe I have been out already for more than a year! It's nuts. The mission has really flown by. So far I have no regrets. For a while I felt a little guilty for some of the mistakes I'd made such as lessons that went wrong, investigators that I maybe could have prayed for more, etc. I guess not really mistakes, but ways in which I came up short. But, I'm reminded of a talk I heard in the MTC by Pres. Uchtdorf in which he said "every night you should report to the Lord what you did that day and plead with him to accept your work with all of its imperfections, and to help you do better the next day." I know I'll never be the best missionary, but we are not asked to be. The grace of God makes up for our shortcomings only after all we can do (2 Ne 25:23). But, it has definitely been a time in my life I'll never forget, especially this time I've had in Martinique.

I had always believed Martinique and Guadeloupe to be one and the same. But, not only are the islands and sights different, but the work as well. Martinique is much more industrialized with many larger buildings that are taken care of. There is also less jungle. Although Martinique is half the size of Guadeloupe, its population is the same. The church is quite a bit smaller, too. There are only two branches. One is in Trinite'. and it has about twenty active members. The other, in Forte de France, has roughly forty. It's actually quite a good size with quite a good priesthood (9). However, they are all young in the church.

Because Elder Nelson and I were "whitewashed" we have spent the first two weeks searching the area book for old investigators, finding members and setting a firm base of new investigators by means of contacting and finding. Already I've found that the people are much more in the world here and stuck in the traditions of their fathers. I guess "much more" is strong, but a little more than the Guadeloupians.
I'm grateful for the firm, strong soil in which the roots of my faith were planted in our home. I recognize a difference in missionaries that have a chance to come from a family such as mine, and the difference is great. I'm lucky!

Love,

Andy

"Andy Don't Own A Car (No Wheels)"

2009-10-01T08:20:00.006-06:00

What to say about Fort de France (Martinique)? These last two weeks we have been laying the foundation of sorts for the work we will do here. I feel now we know the area and we know well enough the members to start seeing some success. This week we actually had one of our investigators come to church for the first time! Her name is Sister Matthew...the worst part about her visit to church, was that we weren't there to greet her. Unfortunately I fell sick Saturday night with a fever and was not able to go to church. I felt horrible that we weren't able to be there..I'm such a wuss..and, it was only our second week here! I was really looking forward to seeing the rest of the members who are not in our area, but I'm grateful this weekend we will have some extra time with them thanks to conference. We had CEP with our branch president, and i hadn't known he was just barely called as branch president but he seems to be excited. He set the goal for 5 baptisms for the month of October, so with two companionships I'd say our goal will be to have 3 baptisms in October.

Elder Nelson is doing great. I love him a lot. He is so easy to get along with, and is a good calming influence on me...whenever I may get a little steamed about a rude comment, or cold contact he is able to say the right thing. Haha I wish I could be more Christlike like him, and not get upset...I'm working on it though. I feel he is progressing too as far as confidence. The other day I went to contact someone and what normally happens is he follows me and kinda sits back and listens...this time however, he walked right past me and this other man and contacted the next guy on the street. Oh and no, he was not here when I arrived, we got white washed in the area...which is pretty new for me. I had always been with someone that had known the area. But it has been so dang fun exploring Martinique, I'm not complaining. I swear every picture I take is like a postcard...mom is right...I'm so dang lucky to be here..the Lord has really helped us, too, in finding where to go.

You asked where Elder Nelson was before Martinique. He was actually in Lamentin with Elder Snow, me, and his companion, Elder Julian...and then we were transfered here together. He has been out almost 6 months in the field. We get around by walking everwhere...it's the best! I've missed walking so much! The car is so lame...but there is a bus we take sometimes when we go to Lamentin(its a different Lamenten than in Guadeloupe...obviously) The church is just in between Fort de France and Lamentin. Fort de France is big so we take the east side and another Equipe takes the the west side (Elder Anihia from Tahiti and Elder Butler from Australia...they are both studs) Elder Anihia has got me on a good work out plan every morning..I'm kissing the sorry fat butt Elder Neff goodbye...the car just really didn't suit me.

I also have been taking for granted the food we have been eating in the Caribbean. Yesterday while we were sick, a member was so kind to bring some food by for me and Elder Nelson...it was some chicken with this Tahitian fish salad...wholly smokes!!!

My testimony is continually being fed by this great work in which we are engaged...I wish I could take full advantage of these two years, and repay my Heavenly Father for all he has done for me. But as I continue to work and grow I realize that even these two years of "service" for Heavenly Father are nothing more than 2 years of being blessed in abundance. We can never, ever come close to repaying him....

Random stuff

That is sweet about Maclaine...Elder Anderson is so great.. he was so Christlike... it is really a small world. (Note: While Elder Anderson of the Caribbean area presidency was visiting Puerto Rico, he met Andy's cousin Maclaine. Noticing her missionary tag, he said that he was in the West Indies the previous week and had met an Elder Neff. "Are you related?", he asked her. The world is, indeed, small.)

I don't know if that is good what I heard about the Utes or not...but i cant believe BYU is ranked...that grinds my gears! Who do they think they are? They beat Oklahoma without their quarterback...

Trent is the luckiest man on earth (Kiln, birthplace of Brett Favre is in his area). I'm gonna tell him to sign my name (on the fan wall). THE MAN!!! By the way how is he doing for the Vikes? and the Pack? How goes them?

"Cowboy in the Jungle"

2009-09-29T08:39:00.005-06:00

Ashley and Hillary each received a letter from Andy this week. The letters contained some information that was new to us about his time on Guadeloupe, so we've included excerpts here.

Usually, Elder Snow and I don't have much time to do something fun on P-Day, but we try to every once in a while. The last P-Day we went out in the jungle with our machetes to hunt for animals. We came back with just a lot of mosquito bites, but we did find two coconuts to drink and eat! Coconuts are every where here, and they are the best.

The missionary work is going really well. Elder Snow and I should have two baptisms coming up for a man named George who is from Haiti (there are actually many people here who have immigrated from Haiti because it is too poor there... their kids eat what we would call "dirt cake"). Elder Snow and I have become quite the cake makers for our members. Its the way to win their hearts (hard work helps also!).

It's weird here in Guadeloupe. It is unheard of for someone under the age of 20 to have a job. I'm sure you heard about the strike a couple of months ago. Well, ever since that strike jobs have been scarce. It's a much different life here in the Carib than in the US. And Guadeloupe is a lot better off than other places. It's lucky we live in such a tropical place where they are able to grow enough food to feed themselves. They can grow anything here. The other day Elder Snow and I did some service for Papa Fred aka "Adam" who lives in his own Garden of Eden. We worked a couple of hours and saw trees of coconuts, bananas, star fruit, carumbul and plants of tomatoes, pumpkins, yams, potatoes, sugar can and more. It was so great when we walked away with a barrel of fruit that Papa Fred gave us. The best part is learning how to cook them all. With the coconuts we use our machetes to cut them open, although the first couple of times I tried it wasn't the best cut. In Guada they have thousands of different ways to eat bananas. I'm gonna cook you up something good when I get back. It's gonna be sweet!

"First Look"

2009-09-21T13:42:00.009-06:00

So I didn't get moms email this week; I'm pretty sure she sent one, but it's not too big of deal.

Elder Nelson is my companion..he is SAWEET! only problem is he went to Granger High School... so obviously not that bright of guy... a great missionary with tons of love and talents. I swear if they do another sequel to Bill and Ted's he would be perfect. He was a musician before the mission haha...more of the Jimmy Hendrix type though...he had the nappiest dreads I have ever seen I think. He had a band and that was basically his life.. but he actually is a great piano player, too. He is an easy person to love. What I loved was that in a Guadeloupe as his zone leader I knew him and his companion Elder Julian rarely spoke french together, and at first I was worried he wouldn't be too excited about speaking it all the time. But since we have been together he has spoken only french, and he has not complained. He has a strong, powerful testimony of the gospel, and I wish I could open him up a little more. He is terribly shy to teach, to contact, or even to talk on the phone. I don't know how that works out with the whole rocker role before the mission but... I want him to be able to work more, to see at what length the Holy Ghost can really take him. I know with Elder Julian, they were not the most obedient, and a little lazy, so there are some problems with waking up on time for him, and energy in general. But, I feel things will be alright ... my only worry is being too hard on him...I don't want him to force him to open his mouth and to be excited about the work, I want him to want to...

Elder Nelson

The area in Fort de France is awesome! I am sure I'm the luckiest missionary in the world. As beautiful as Guadeloupe was...Martinique I believe takes the cake. The mountains and the tall,large buildings enhance all the already beautiful Caribbean. The best part is...no mosquitoes...YEAH! My companion, Elder Nelson, and I are in awe every day ..HOLY SCHMOKES! Slap me...the only worry I had coming into Martinique was that we had heard from all the missionaries that had been here before that the people were a lot colder, and a lot more difficult to talk to. BALONEY! The first day we had 7 phone numbers and found that they were just as approachable as the Guadeloupeans. The people are sweet!. The one problem Elder Nelson and I encountered for the first few days was not knowing our members. So, immediately we set to work on finding them. The second day we had 2 lessons with members and by Sunday we had visited and taught just about everyone in our area(as we are split into two areas for FDF, we didn't see all the members). But, how great it was Sunday when we saw the little chapel right about the cement factory full of Latter Day Saints. I had no idea that FDF (Fort de France) was such a big branch. There are plenty of priesthood holders too, well nine, but that ain't too shabby; So we are excited to get to work with the members and really change things around. I know that missionaries have had a problem of staying around members homes too long here, and I really want to change that. I believe if the members see missionaries saying "no" to dinners because we go to work, we will see the sense of urgency increase.

My testimony is growing stronger. I realized this week the importance of continually searching to strengthen our testimonies. Every day we challenge investigators to pray to know if certain gospel principals are true. Why? Because by the power of the Holy Ghost we can know the truth of all things. I realized while studying this week that in all things we study and learn of the gospel, we should follow that up with a prayer for that confirming answer that it is true, no matter what level we are at.

To answer your questions.. yeah the x ray is just for my titre... or visa. I'll have a rendezvous the next transfer to go pick it up... After I have that I'm legal for one year in any french area to go and leave when i want. Right now I have what is called a blue card..which is basically a temporary visa which allows me to leave and go, but its only for about 2 months.

Oh, I forgot to tell you about one of the members who is just incredible here. Her name is YVA...she is well-known among all the french members in the Caribbean because any member the passes through Martinique is taken into her hotel that she owns, and then she feeds them..SHE loves the missionaries...they are like her children, and, in fact. that's created some of the problems among the Tahitian missionaries in that they stay way too long at her house. The first Sunday we arrived she had the biggest meal prepared for us..there was home baked bread, meat, pasta, yams, baked bananas pese, salad, artichokes, ...haha I made the mistake of assuming that was the meal. NOPE that was the entré...I was dead...then came the rice, and lamb....and then 2 gallons of ice cream...MAMA! Holy schmokes. One of the Tahitians told us she will do that for the missionaries 2 or 3 times a week...of course we won't go that much, but I cant imagine what effort she goes through for all that haha...

So how much did the Utes drop in the rankings?

Happy birthday to Hillary!

Looking Back at Guadeloupe: Guadeloupe Sunset and Planning with Elder Snow

Martinique

2009-09-17T08:01:00.008-06:00

Information and photos are from Sister Diane Robison.

Facts:
Population of about 402,000
This island is owned by France and is part of the European Union. Its currency is the euro.
French is the official language but many of the inhabitants speak Martini can Creole.
Martinique has an active volcano—Mount Pelee that last erupted in 1901.
Enjoys a higher standard of living than most other Caribbean islands.
Is mentioned in the Beach Boys hit "Kokomo" with the line "To Martinique, that Montserrat mystique"

Church:
There are 2 congregations on Martinique and nearly 200 members. They are the Trinite (very small branch) and the Fort de France branch. Andy is serving in the Fort de France branch.

Missionary Work:
As of June 2009 there were four elders serving in Martinique. They fly to either St Lucia or Guadeloupe for zone conferences.

History:
Andre Condoris, a young man baptized in France while serving in the military, returned to his homeland in August 1980 and was the first known convert from the country. In July 1983, West Indies Mission President Kenneth Zabriskie visited Andre Condoris and Joell Joseph-Agathe, who had also been baptized in France. The two members welcomed missionaries Mark Richards, Stan Jones, and David Simons in May 1984, and held the first meeting on May 6. One month later Elder Ronald E. Poelman of the Seventy (one of the governing bodies of the Church) visited and a few months later Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone of the Seventy visited. The Martinique Branch (a small congregation) was organized in October 1985. The work has been slow in the country partly due to opportunities for members to immigrate to France.

Martinique is located south of Guadeloupe and Domenica and north of St. Lucia.

Mt Pelee in the distance, where two elders were found after being lost for three days and three night

Church in Fort de Franceis a rented building (upper floor). This may have changed recently.

"Volcano"

2009-09-17T07:16:00.005-06:00

Standing Tall in Guadeloupe

I am so grateful for the last 4 transfers I have had to serve in Lamentin. These members are truly great examples that I believe will inspire me and motivate me for the rest of my life. It is such a blessing to meet Latter Day Saints like them. I pray that my testimony of Jesus Christ and my service in his name has helped each one of them in some way, even if only to strengthen their testimony. I'm sad because the last week in Lamentin was not the best. I could blame it on having to drive people everywhere during conference, but it is not true. We did not arrive at the success in contacting how I would like. But I have promised myself to do better. We have been working with members and trying to serve them in order to get referrals and although we have seen the members take a better liking to the missionaries thanks to this. Elder Snow and I see now that there needs to be more teaching involved to get referrals. There is one investigator who is feasting on the Book of Mormon! He feels an extreme need to repent. He has been to church the last two weeks and he was able to come to the fireside last Friday with President Anderson. We actually were able to have 5 potential priesthood holders there, a nice note of success before leaving.

Elder Snow is the best, I feel a little sad to be leaving him. He has taught me so much, but I know that we both have more to learn from other companions. He is a champ!

We had zone conference this week and I feel the reason it may have seemed I have been down on myself has cleared up. Last Zone conference President Gamiette bore testimony to the missionaries that ALL of our goals are possible through Heavenly Father's help. They Holy Ghost bore testimony to me that that was true... and you know there was just something missing all of this last transfer...we were having decent success, in fact more success than I had been having before in Lamentin. But, I was getting down on myself because Elder Snow and I were not reaching all of our goals...so what was the problem? Were we not working hard enough? Were we being disobedient? What was it? And now as I'm writing this email the Holy Ghost witnesses to me that true success and/or happiness comes when our goals and the Lord's are one. This work in Lamentin is not mine, or Elder Snow's, but it's the Lord's! Haha, how much more clear is Alma 37:37 now when it says to counsel the father in all our doings, and he we lead us to good(something like that. And that if we ask with faith it will be given to us? ...well with that said...I plan to take that idea, continue with hard work, but strive to be more united with the will of God in Martinique...I'm getting transferred...I'll be serving in Fort De France, in Martinique, which is not to far from Guadeloupe. I'm excited because I will not be zone leader! Haha, it was fun, and I'm grateful for the learning that was had, but this will be a nice break. I'll still be a district leader, but it's not as difficult as zone leader. Well. I gotta go right now, so thanks for listening today

Love y'all,

Elder NEff

PS Let everyone know that my address will stay the same...continue sending things to Guadeloupe(President has told me I'll be back in Guadeloupe next transfer due to legal issues. So, unless you want to send something to me with fast shipping it makes more sense just to keep the same address.

Transferring to Martinique reminds of the leaving St. Martin for Guadeloupe

"Cheeseburger in Paradise"

2009-09-08T09:28:00.008-06:00

Celebrating Independence Day at McDonalds

Not celebrating a 37 Euro bill for four

Well Ka zot fé?

Creole plus deficil langue pou ecri...

Lamentin is starting to get back into the swing of things. We are seeing members who are more determined to give references and work with us. This last week we prayerfully focused on accomplishing our goal for contacts (ten numbers everyday). We saw great improvements in ourselves as we studied and role-played contacts. We focused on becoming more effective contacters. As a result we improved so much our contacts. We jumped from 25 last week to 45 this week...this week, there is no doubt a 70. We also have seen that as we have been contacting throughout the whole day and everyone we see we have qualified ourselves for more help during our lessons. The spirit has been so much stronger, and so the lessons so much more powerful. At the center of all our plans has been the Book of Mormon. There were two people who had come to church Sunday...one was one of these contacts. We have been "advertising" the general authority who is coming, so we are excited about that.

Elder Snow is a blessing in this work...this work would be so hard without a companion. The more I work with him the more I learn from and love him.

My testimony is strong. I have especially been thankful for all the occasions I now have to bear it. We are so lucky as missionaries of the Lord, and I pray that I can recognize more of the blessings I am sometimes too prideful to see. I regret the times when I sometimes don't feel like contacting, and I reflect on the selfishness and disrespect that shows to our Heavenly Father. This week has really taught me to not only have fear of no one, but cherish every encounter I have with one of my brother and sisters, who's Savior is mine also.

This week was fun. Thanks to our contacts our teaching pool has been quite full...there is still some room to grow...the hard thing with Guadeloupians is they hate commitments. And whenever they do give you a time to come back and teach, there are only a select few which will be sure there. So with all that it's impossible to set up member lessons when we aren't sure if our investigator will be there. Haha, that was one of the lessons I learned with Elder Heiner. We would set up member lessons as one of the lessons with our investigators. I would rather get kicked in the belly than have our members take time out of their day for a ratey vous(what we call a rendez-vous when our investigator doesn't show up).

This week should be sweet...It's zone conference and there is an authority general who is coming. Friday is going to be rough because Elder Snow and I will be commuting ten other missionaries who are coming in from neighboring islands. As for all the big news in Guyana, i feel terrible for President Gamiette, and all he is having to do. Please pray for him and his family. But all that will change in Guadeloupe is we will be getting 2 English elders for a transfer which should be fun for them.

So, I'm glad grandpa was able to go down the river...he best be ready to go down with all of us next year when we go to the cabin first week that I'm home. YEE HAW!!!

I got dad's Utah football articles the other week Elder Snow and I were so pumped to hear about our boy JJ...he is such a stud! And Utes won...Dope...the guadeloupians are gonna know for sure that I'm a Utah man, sir.

HAHA, tucker is a nerd, haha, but if he is getting into facebook I don't know...its good but its also lame at the same time.

Hey i wanted to ask how all the boys were doing...I haven't heard too much...but TOM, TRENT, PAT, GARR, and Dan? Wes should be gettin' home pretty soon too....How are my boys?

And of course TJ....whats the news?

K well I love you mom...tell Brother Robison and Sister Robison hi for me (we're going to hear Andy's former mission president and wife speak on Sunday) hahaha...wow I think I'm so funny. Love ya

"Public Relations"

2009-09-02T14:11:00.011-06:00

President Gamiette is one of the greatest men I have ever met...he doesn't tire and you see the standard in which he lives is different. Ever since President Gamiette has come things have been changing...not so much with rules or things such as that, but as far as focus. Normally, we as missionaries are challenged to contact 20 people a day(aside from tracting). We were doing that, and there was a time when our zone was doing that everyday(which is pretty good). President Gamiette challenged the mission now to not only contact but acquire over 10 phone numbers or addresses everyday(referrals). He isn't one to tell us to do something, or one to ask us to do something that he himself isn't right there doing with you. He motivates people by being around him. He went out with the assistants and got over 40 numbers in under 2 hours! We are seeing that this idea is going to flood our teaching pools, and, hopefully, the fonts a little later. We will be contacting over 160 people every day in Guadeloupe! This is crazy and unheard of! It's hard too, because in Gaudeloupe you can talk with just about anyone about religion(as everyone here are religious experts, or at least that's what they tell each other) for over 30 minutes without receiving a number. The point being that we are able to waste a lot of time if we are not smart or following the spirit. Already Elder Snow and I are seeing many weaknesses in our contacts and many ways to improve. It has been hard...this week we only had 27! We could make excuses, but it's what the Lord wants and so he will provide a way. I can't lie that I have not been stressed and a little down about not being to reach our goals lately, in baptisms, contacts, and in overall helping the members here. But I "hold tight" as they say in french or creole. I know that patience is the key.... its something I don't have much of and am forced to pray for everyday. I hope you will pray that i will have that.

Well, it sounds like everyone is doing well, other than TY boy. haha. Poor kid...you should send me a photo him. So, how is Tuck liking school? He is at SLCC right? I can not believe that. That kid is still the pip squeak to me...is he still working? Oh yeah where is Andy Naylor going? Its weird to hear about Sarah whipperman, and that she lives next door....although it seems like I was just home...so much has changed. It seems like a totally different place. Olympus beat Skyline! Tucker is nice! Miracles left and right....joke! Well, Guadeloupe is starting school this week, and we are excited about that as missionaries...it means people are a whole bunch more free. The weather is hot hot hot...the heat brings out acne a little bit...every once in a while someone asks me if I got bit by mosquitoes. But it really is not that bad!

Well, I'm grateful for you prayers for all the support and love,

LOVE YA

Andy

PS I got the package from Grandma. Thanks, it was the best!

"I Love the Now"

2009-08-24T10:22:00.004-06:00

Elder Snow and I saw the blessings of the Lord with our member work this week. George, was baptized yesterday by President Constant(branch president). We have been working with our members a lot lately, just on teaching them how to teach the gospel. And I'm talking about all our members not just our branch missionaries. So we have even scheduled a few rendez vous with George where two members have taught him without us being there(once or twice when we have had too many other appointments). On one of these occasions, my favorite sister in the world, Soeur Eclar challenged him to be baptized(another testimony of the effectiveness of members). This was not a missionary baptism...it was a branch baptism. We have seen top many problems with that here, where missionaries do too much of the work and the investigators are left after baptism with no one. When we were explaining to George who could baptize him, the missionaries were not even made an option. We are seeing the work which we have put in over the weeks with the members pay off! Our members are learning better how to teach...and even though there are many who are still scared and not ready to take that leap into the cold waters of missionary work. There are some who are creeping to the waters edge and getting their toes wet, watching other members like Soeur Eclar dive right in, and are taking a little more confidence.

I never really realized the importance of father's blessings until the mission. Right now there are so many part-member families in the branch that the elders quorum is having a rough time getting together to make sure that every family with children will receive a blessing before the school year. We as kids are so lucky for the home that you and dad built for us. Every time I teach about scripture study or prayer I use the example of our family.

hahaha, Ashley is such a nerd....are all girls seriously like that? That's weird...I'm trying to learn to be a good companion so I can be a better husband...sometimes it's hard, and sometimes I need a whole lot more patience, but I'm thankful for the lessons it teaches me. I sent some photos with the email today from the baptism and also from my one year anniversary(you burn a shirt, but i also sent a package a few weeks ago and in it was a CD for the family with a bunch of photos and stuff.

Anyways Paix Dehours!

Elder Andy Neff

We had a few questions for Andy. Thankfully, he responded.

• What is going on with Judicael (haven't heard much about him lately)? He is coming to church and all the activities, but he does not yet have a contrite spirit or a broken heart. He is not reading the Book of Mormon much or keeping the commandments. He is not progressing....we are going to let him go for a little bit and check back in a while.
• How many missionaries in the Lamentin branch? We are fluctuating with legality things and elders getting hurt. Elder Snow and I are hauling elders all over...we have had 6 to 2 missionaries in the last 3 weeks.
• How is handling the manual transmission? I am not driving any more luckily haha...I actually had a little accident with a speed bump, and lost the privilege.... I don't want talk about it.

"Pacing the Cage"

2009-08-17T14:21:00.003-06:00

Well, things are going.... Some of the older missionaries tell me that it's because it's the summer and vacation, and it was exactly the same last year, but I don't buy it. I'm disappointed in myself. There should be changes since last year. We should be having more and more at church, not the same. Our finding efforts were greatly hindered by Elder Miles this week(no fault to him) who has had terrible problems with his feet. We did splits with him and his companion, Elder Olsen, when he needed to go to the doctors, and because the doctor gave us the results that led to his transfer to Trinidad. I was with Elder Olsen for about two days, and Elder Snow couldn't do much with our investigators with Elder Miles who couldn't walk. So I have faith that contacting and finding will be the key this week, as we have had less time with that. Its frustrating with not having as much time to work...but it just means we have to work harder and smarter...THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY TO DO WHAT GOD ASKS OF US. That's why I love this gospel! 3 Nephi 3:7 is a verse that everyone knows, but we must live with that faith...that there is always hope, always a way to accomplish our righteous goals. We were extremely excited to get our Branch President back this week...as soon as we could we set some goals to activate some of our priesthood and he fixed a goal FOR THE BRANCH of 5 baptisms this month. We move forward with faith... I have faith in him and his priesthood keys that he holds. So the work goes forth, and we will work harder and smarter. I know that all this is giving me experience that I will need...we should treasure up our trials in our life...all our afflictions, because they are trials and afflictions in Christ.

I love Elder Snow, he is so cheerful, and uplifting. Like with all companions there are things that I would like that he would do different. He gets distracted easy, and sometimes looks too hard for the fun in things, but I sometimes feel I push him too hard, and I'm too critical. Of course, the first person I need to look to if there is a problem is myself. All in all we get along great, and I pray that I can love him even more....

I want to address what dad wrote about a little earlier in the week. He had read my patriarchal blessing this last week...about the gift of healing...as this summer has been a slower, and I have prayed and pondered ways to help the work...I have also sought counsell in my patriarchal blessing...and I read that..and I'm grateful for your advice dad. So let me recount an experience from this week from my journal(I have it with me)...

August 14, 2009
Me and Elder Olsen had a great day today. I'm grateful for the spirit that Elder Olsen carries with him, and I guess so it is with those that love the Lord like him. I was lucky enough to be on splits with him today. We were lucky enough to meet a great family today, Family Anitalo. They come from Haiti, and have two daughters of 8and 10 years. We had planned to find a family night before, and that had been in our prayers since planning and during our studies. We prayed for a family of four...when we knocked their door we didn't think the mother was much interested. But she invited us in letting us know we only had a few minutes, and honestly I just think she invited us in to be polite. We met the father who was busy watching the television...we noticed he had a wounded leg for some reason. He had bandages, and I think that he had been cut by a machete. We talked with them a little about what had happened. After a minute or two I asked him if he would like a blessing. He replied a little half-heartedly "yes", haha. I was not so sure at this point, questioning his faith. Elder Olsen had never given a blessing before so he rathered that I do it. Before I felt to ask if we could give them a quick lesson about the priesthood and the restored power of God on earth. I think that really boosted his faith. The blessing went well and I don't remember what I said. But I felt the family was really touched. After the blessing the father got up from the chair without saying anything and left the room. Before we knew it the mother asked if we could bless her daughter. Elder Olsen, by the comforting of the spirit, felt a little more comfortable giving a blessing, so he did it. Next, we hadn't seen the father and so we were getting ready to leave when the father, Mr. Anitalo, came in with just a towel on, having just got out of the shower, and he said with the biggest grin on his face...IT'S BETTER! His leg had been healed! I don't think fully, but tons better. He was walking a whole lot more confidently on his leg..hahaha before I really thought about it I blurted out the reply "Seriously?!". After registering what I said I felt terrible...what kind of faith is that? Seriously? As a servant and representative of Jesus, I must have a greater faith in his power... But now I know the healing power of the priesthood is real...both spiritual and temporal and in all things.

It was a spiritual experience...I'm sad I will not be able to teach the family...but I find that it is less than a coincidence dad decided to write me about that this week....

ON a funner note...it was the TOUR DE GUADELOUPE this week...hahaha boy was that fun...I don't get what is so fun about watching people ride bikes...its true they wear some sexy spandex...I love it...We saw people who wore their favorite riders uniform..like in football I wore my Brett Favre jersey to the Packers game..there are the fans that wear the spandex haha...ridiculous... k well love everyone

"My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink, But I Do Love Jesus"

2009-08-10T12:29:00.005-06:00

I'm not going to lie. This was one of the worst weeks of my mission. Actually the last two weeks. Elder Snow and I were not able to get much done on Wednesday and Thursday because of transfers. This week we spent over 30 euros paying for parking at the airport.That was frustrating, but there were a bunch of elders flying in and going out of Guadeloupe. But, even aside for that the work was just HARD. We have received direction from our branch president to work with inactives and part-member families, and that has been slow. We have seen a few families, the family Bilba, Jason, and Demmin. All are part-member families. But, all have there individual problems. We had great lessons in fact with the family Bilba and Demmin about having family prayer and the unifying power that it has in homes. The family Bilba has been pretty good about it, and it has been a sweet sweet blessing to see the difference in her children. The family Demmin was not as diligent, but we have a family night with them tonight. President Gamiette tells us that if they don't come to church then bring the spirit of Zion to them to cultivate that desire. None of those families came to church this last week though, and we only had one investigator. In evaluating the week with numbers it was one of my worst ever on the mission. And to add to that, every week there seems to be fewer and fewer people at church. This last week there were 30! Man, it really hurt my soul to see that on Sunday. It has been a sad week, and I don't know what to do! I know that i can make a difference, but I don't know how. However....I KNOW the direction we have received is from God, and even if I do not see the big picture right now, the spirit tells me to continue in this way,in doing what our branch president wants, in knitting our hearts with that of the branch president's. In doing that we will have success. I love Jesus Christ! As my Redeemer and Savior, he comforts me. Every day that I draw closer to him and become more like him, I realize the weakness and nothingness of myself. I have spent a good amount of time praying about what needs to happen, what the Lord wants Elder Snow and I to do...I'm grateful for that sweet quote that dad sent from President Snow. I'm grateful for the scriptures for the comfort and wisdom that is in them. Thanks mom and dad for making me read them every morning...haha I can honestly say that in drowsing in and out of sleep every morning while reading I didn't learn much from the scriptures, but what you did teach me, and which is doubly important was the great importance to read them.

West Indies Sunsets

2009-08-03T20:56:00.009-06:00

Kudos to Sister Robison and the Elders of the West Indies Mission for some fabulous sunset photos.

"Making Music for Money"

2009-08-03T09:18:00.005-06:00

Well, this week I felt was a success. After being directed on how to work with our branch president, that's the first thing we did. We went to him and asked for his advice, letting him know that we will do all that his asks of us. I think that's important in showing him that we will do EVERYTHING that he asks...already the trust and unity between the branch and missionaries has increased. Our president left on vacation Thursday taking with him the questions about how many baptisms the Lord would want for Lamentin, and how many inactives he wanted to come to church. The one answer we had to know was with whom he wanted us to work. He commanded us to work with all the part-member and inactive families. We have started that and are excited to see the results of his priesthood power at work.

We have continued to work hard with the branch missionaries. We have been training them individually, creating lesson plans with them in a training process. They are learning and growing spiritually, and this week they had their first lesson without the missionaries! Elder Snow and I were so excited for that. We have a baptism coming up for this week, Judicael. He should have been baptized last week, but he is still having trouble with cigarettes; it is his only problem. He is at all church activities and is calling members on his own to pick him up for church. I know that the Lord is watching over this island and that he will bless us in reaching our goals if we as missionaries are responsible and accountable for the goals we set. In fact, that could be said for any righteous goal we set. Judicael should finally be baptized this next week. He really needs our prayers to stop smoking. We finally fixed a plan for him with our district president. Judicael has the desire, he wants to serve a mission and he wants to follow the path of Christ. We had a great lesson with him about that path, and how if he has not seriously repented and given up his sins he cannot be baptized. And the dangers of if we take up that path, the consequences of leaving it after the baptism. Nephi(2 Nephi 31), tells us that it would be better that we had not known Jesus than to quit this straight and narrow path. This gospel is the best, it is the perfect gospel, and there is no other way under heaven in which we can gain eternal life with our sweet families. Judicael is serious. We are seeing changes in him, and I am thankful for your sustaining prayers that help him. I'm gonna to let him know that you pray for him as well.

So, I'm not getting transferred; Elder Snow and I are still zone leaders. So that will be fun to be with him again. He is my boy. There was a talent show the other night for the district. He can sing pretty dang well, and I played "Everything" by MB....we stole the show! Actually, we didn't see many of the other performances because it started an hour and a half late, and so we had to take all the elders home after only a half hour. Our zone has not changed too much, they are sending over two other missionaries, making 16 here! I feel bad for the collings because they love to teach, but they never have time because they are ALWAYS doing office work...they feel bad, they so badly want to teach and change lives, but without them we would be up the creek. It's too bad too because they have such a great spirit about them; they are great teachers and every time they teach, you sense their sincere love of the gospel. Oh and to answer dad's question, they can speak pretty well. They did serve in France for two years, but they have the most horrible accents ever haha. We missionaries get a kick out of 'em.

Well I gotta go, but I love y'all and you have to give Spence a big "what's up" from me. Oh and congratulate Ben...he is a stud (cousin Ben Seagle made the "A" football team).

"Growing Older But Not Up"

2009-07-27T12:43:00.003-06:00

What a sweet birthday I had! Your package actually arrived on Saturday afternoon! So I was pretty excited about that. HAHA I loved every little thing. On judging how much I liked it though I have come to the conclusion that I'm a huge nerd, but that's OK. Thanks so much though! It was really a great birthday! Its weird to think that I'm 20! I still feel about 14, and act probably younger. The Collings made me a sweet cake that we ended up eating at a family night, so it was a good day. The members were good to me, they are such sweet people. I love them, all of them, There are many that the only way to describe them is pioneers, with a roll-up-their sleeves, get it done spirit that I wish I was more full of. My favorite family, The Eclars (its thanks to Pres. Eclar, that I now know kicking butt is the key to happiness). All they do is work. Everyday they are both working, hungering to do missionary work, even though he is the district president and she the relief society president with two young kids. There are days at a time that they do not see each other. And each time Sister Eclar tells us she wants to work we ask her, "Sister Eclar...have you seen your husband today?". She replies it doesn't matter Elders, we have eternity to be together...she is the best. And he is MR Kick Butt.

Well this week has been a little tiring. Elder Snow and I had to prepare for Zone Conference for President Gamiette. That means driving elders and president to and from airport, making sure everything is ready for interviews and zone conference. All really wanted to do was prepare spiritually, but I thank the Lord that I made some time to fast and read a bit before. There were definitely some questions I had that were answered this week.

I believe every missionary at the conference was humbled and edified more than ever before. At the beginning President Gamiette started off a little bit shaky with the English, but I think as we were praying in our hearts to feel the spirit, the Lord began to speak by President Gamiette. The spirit prompted questions by elders, and we had a powerful experience. President Gamiette has a way of taking the simplest scriptures and opening your minds to what they mean. I guess it would be more appropriate to say the spirit has a way of teaching the scriptures simply. He taught us from the Beatitudes, 2 Nephi 31, Mosiah 4, and Moroni 8:24-26. If you would like to do a study I would encourage it. Oh and also 2 Nephi 32 the first part. Even Elder Colling came away saying, "I have taught the doctrine of Christ and the Beatitudes thousands of times but I have never understood much until today." It was a great humbling experience. We ought to be so grateful for those that have the keys to receive revelation and lead and guide us in our wards, in our stakes, even our primary class rooms. I do know that those keys had been passed and the President Gamiette holds them.

After Friday I was so excited to get out and work, even though it was a busy week we got a lot done. There was some running around Saturday for some baptisms. Judicael is stuck between two chairs(as they say in french) because his parents don't want him to be baptized, or at least not right now. They say it is too early. He wants to and he is ready, but we are glad he doesn't want to be disobedient to his parents. If it continues to be a problem though he knows that his first loyalty is to his Heavenly Father. So if you could pray that his parents' hearts will soften that will be great. We have also been working with Stephanie and Katia, a part member family whose mom is DIFFICULT! Elder Snow and I have tried teaching the doctrine, she even had a spiritual experience, and she still believes they are not ready. I have tried working the Neff charm, we made a cake and all but nothing. But things are going very well. I'm excited for this week to come and this transfer coming up. President has been worrying about the youthfullness of our zone so he has talked about making Elder Snow and I zone leaders and trainers at the same time. I about pooped my pants when he said that. I'll do it if I have to, but zone leader is tiring enough. So I sure hope not. I miss the days of just worrying and focusing on my area. Anyways, I love you all!

"A Pirate Looks at Twenty"

2009-07-20T21:52:00.005-06:00

Dad, I would've put money you were going to fall asleep at the Harry Potter movie! haha, but that's OK, I'm sure the family will use that as another excuse to see the movie. It sounds like everyone at home is doing well. One of my biggest regrets is that i never got too involved and close to any of my aunts and uncles and did nothing to really help them. It was all about having fun for me haha. Its exciting to hear about Brian! It is so bizarre to hear that he has talked with the Robisons! This whole mission goes by way too fast...its a downer it has to stop and I'm almost half way done. I cant believe Spence (Young) he is almost done.

Well, this week was another one where Elder Snow and I really were blessed by the Lord. It's amazing how much his hand is extended towards us his children to bless us if we will just pray to know how he wants to bless us. This week Elder Snow and I have continually prayed for success for all our elders, and, of course, for ourselves. We have been trying to find ways to be more effective and even bought a cooler to make lunch more effective. We don't return home for lunch now and are able to eat in only half hour. It saves us a good amount of time. So this week we had a good number of lessons and were able to see the progression of many of our investigators, but when Sunday came around and we were doing our morning rounds of calling our investigators we found that many of them had problems that kept them from going to church. It was the biggest kick in the pants after one week of hard work, but what would you know when Judicael came and in fact we had 5 people at church, 3 of which we didn't plan for. These three are a mom and 2 daughters. The mom has two older daughters, Starling and Wendy that have already been baptised(they are older) and the two younger daughters(Stephanie and Katia) want to be baptized, but their mom has told the missionaries no for years because they are too young. We passed by last week and had an alright lesson with them, but didn't think much of it. This last Sunday though the whole family showed up. And during the sacrament meeting the mother had a beautiful experience. She recounted that during the blessing of the sacrament she felt the spirit poured out upon her and filled her with a warmth she has never before felt. During the whole meeting I was praying that something might touch this lady, that Heavenly Father might push her just a little bit and that she might accept the persuasion of the spirit. We are going by tonight again, so pray for us! Things other than that are great! I have not got your package yet, but that's alright...I'll still have a great birthday...I love you all and pray for you all... I'm grateful for your prayers and for all the prayers of cousins and friends, too...best family in the world.

Also, in a letter to Tucker, Andy recounted:

I cannot honestly express how important and awesome the mission is...it is truly the most important thing one can ever do in his or her life. You get to kick butt all day! This last Friday Elder Snow and I had lessons all day from 9 AM to 9 PM , 10 lessons in all...all we ate other than breakfast was a little pasta we had made the night before in the car while driving...we came home dead physically and spiritually, but its the nights like last Friday that make the mission memorable..ITS THE COOLEST BUDDY....just kick butt, nourish your testimony by sharing it with your friends, your testimony is really something you have to fight for.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON SATURDAY!

"Waiting for the Next Explosion"

2009-07-13T10:05:00.004-06:00

The area in Lamentin is going. We have 3 strong investigators who are doing all the things they should in preparing for baptism. It's such a blessing to be apart of their conversion process! Elder Snow and I are really working on being able to be the mouthpiece of the spirit for them. Just things like always having a prayer in our heart to have the Holy Ghost, and praying our way through the day that we can be an adequate messenger of the restored gospel and representative of our Savior. I'm really excited about a young man we are teaching, Judicael, 22. He is getting up at 6 o'clock to read his scriptures with us (well, we read in our apartment he in his). He has a date of baptism for this Saturday so we are praying that will go well. He is a young man of humble nature, and has even shared desires to serve a mission. We challenged him to quit smoking this last Thursday; he smokes almost a pack a day, thats just crazy! So we know it was going to be hard for him, to show him that we were dedicated to help him, Elder Snow and I each agreed to give up something hard for us...for Elder Snow it was soda, and for me bread....these frenchies know how to cook some bread... Gosh and this internet cafe is just next to a dang boulangerie so the smell of fresh bread is killin me!

Elder Snow is the best and is always making it fun to be a missionary. He works hard and is a good example of humble leadership. He is a great example of service too, always shining my shoes and ironing my shirts. It's kind of annoying to tell you the truth because after he does something I'm obligated to do something for him haha, of course I'm kidding. But, this campanionship is doing great

Finally, my testimony is there. This last week I have focused on trying to be more spiritual, to have a better sense of the sacred, and to be less light-minded. These things invite the Spirit to the work, the spirit of God that so fuels the fire of this work. I want to be that servant of God that depends solely on what the spirit tells him to say. I know that if I try to use my own inadaquate knowledge of the gospel and my own words I can accomplish very little. I know this is the work of God and I love it oh so much

We have a family night tonight with a family that has two kids who come to church every week, but have not been baptized because the mom will not let them. We did a little service for her Saturday and are gonna make a sweet cake to butter up the mom.

In the zone there are 2 who don't have baptismal dates, but they are going to baptize if they do everything they can to qualify for the Lord's help. And i think Elder Snow and I are going to do splits in their area in the next week or so to help them out.

I feel like the mission is just flying by, and I'm not doing too many "fun things" as in waterfalls, beaches and all that, but we are getting a lot done.

The McDonald's we ate at to celebrate Independance Day was super lame.... it's so dang expensive and they dont have a dollar menu!

Alright, well I love you all so much; I love all the extended family and love hearing about them. Family is SWEET isnt it?

GOD BLESS AMERICA

"Turnabout"

2009-07-07T09:08:00.014-06:00

TE MAL (My bad about no email last week)....... I sent a huge email last week, but it must have not gone through! It was a good one, too. Elder Snow and I have been so pumped up lately. Ever since Trinidad (Zone Leader Council) we have been overflowing with a desire to kick butt! President Robison shared with us in Trinidad the key to having 200 baptisms every month. That is that every zone has to have a magic number every month(the magic number every month is when every companionship baptizes). To this day the French Zone is the only zone never to have had the magic number. So when we taught at a zone meeting two fridays ago, we shared that it was up to us...every month. Setting goals is the only way we can progress. I think Elder Nelson said that without goals we would run up and down the field without ever crossing the goal line. We had our all the elders carefully plan and pray to fix a goal for their specific areas. I found that my faith was a lot less than that of the French Zone elders. For the year we have a goal for 155. I know that there are at least 155 souls that are prepared to receive the restored gospel this year, and I pray that the other elders and I can prepare ourselves enough that the Lord trusts us enough to put them in our path.

So I ask that everyone pray for that goal. Our preparation included a scripture study at a waterfall. Elder Snow and I found some great scriptures about how much God loves his children on the isles of the sea. How our goal is a mighty one, but God has helped his missionaries or warriors in the past. We raised our Eben-ezer (see below for definition of Ebenezer) and our Title of Liberty. It was a very spiritual experience in the tranquility of the Guadeloupe cascade.

And the Lord has really poured out His Spirit upon the island. We have seven elders who are under 5 months out, and yet they are kickin butt! There were four people baptized this last week and a few will be baptized this coming week. Elder Snow have a couple of baptisms set up for 2 people in the coming weeks. I love our new investigator Juedi Carel. Elder Heiner and I found him. He was a 22 year old "gangsta", but after teaching him he has changed so much! He shaved his dreads a few days ago(without us even telling him anything. He had some humbling experiences right before we met him in which he decided to turn to God. The light of Christ has guided him to the path of God! And there is no better feeling than when your investigator comes to church for the first time and offers the prayer! He is sweet! He is scheduled to be baptized on the 19th, and hopefully Malia for the same day. We are making changes in Guadeloupe, repenting, and becoming better. That's what it's all about, becoming better. These are the days never to be forgotten!

Elder Snow and I are having a blast....Its definitely harder to have fun in French than in English... but Elder Snow is a goon.haha I'm not gonna lie...right now I'm working on finding the balance between lightmindedness and light heartedness (we're not sure what that means)...it/s easier with Elder Snow though.

PSSSS I made Gulumbo (not sure what Gulumbo is) for the first time this last week!!! It was so good!.....ok not that great!!! but I didn't throw up! Well everyone know that I AM proud to be an American...we are eating at McDonalds today to salute America (at least that's our excuse).

I love everyone! Give the love to the Knaphus family for me...I think about them a lot (nose touch for mark).

*Eben-ezer (Stone of Help) A stone set up by Samuel as a token of gratitude for deliverance from the Philistines (1 Sam. 7: 10-12). The place had previously been the scene of two defeats (1 Sam. 4: 1; 1 Sam. 5: 1).

These were days never to be forgotten...

2009-06-30T11:34:00.004-06:00

Andy's Mission President and wife returned home yesterday. Although we have communicated with them only by e-mail, through the fabulous blog maintained by Sister Robison we feel that we have come to know them... at least a little bit. Sister Robison put this slide show together as a tribute to the West Indies Mission. If you have a minute, watch it. Although there are not any photos of Andy, we feel that it is representative of his experience. For the now the sound is not working. I'll try to fix that soon.

These were days... from diane robison on Vimeo.

"Stories We Could Tell"

2009-06-23T13:54:00.006-06:00

HELLOOOO FAMILY
---As I regard our numbers for the week I definitely see that the need with our investigators is that they need to be challenged to baptism. Elder Heiner and I recently read a quote by a recent general authority that says any friend of the church that has attended a sacrament meeting should be invited to be baptized. That's something we definitely could work on. This week went really well, though, for not having been in Guadeloupe for over half the week. I came back and all our investigators had received exactly what they needed for their progression. I love Elder Heiner and am so grateful for his hard work! I'm not going to lie though....there have been countless times where i would have loved to put the smack down on that kid. He is by far the hardest companion that I have had yet...but how can you not love and be grateful for someone that serves the Lord. That is the unifying element of all things. Any relationship or friendship can be saved in serving the Lord, and I know that's true. I had thought Elder Heiner was one of the most prideful know-it[alls ever, but I was wrong. He loved the Lord and worked hard, and I was humbled and things worked great!

The transition this next week will be different because some other elders will be taking over our area, but I'm confident they won't skip a beat. My testimony is strong, especially after the inspiring experiences in Trinidad. I loved reading about Oliver Cowdry and his quote of his time with Joseph Smith, "these are the days never to be forgotten". I realized that is exactly the words I want to say every moment of my life...in the service of my Savior.

Elder Wright will be going to S. Martin. Elder Snow and I are back together. The boys are back....the boys are back.....he is a stud....I think he was kind of surprised that president assigned him as zone leader, but he is ready to kick butt.

Man, Chas (Barton) is such a G....He is doing work down in Trinidad and now Guyana....it was surprisingly not at all weird to see him...it did make me feel at home and like no time has gone by at all. I wonder if it will be like that with all of you....but he is my buddy, life long friend for sure....these days in the West Indies are the days never to be forgotten!!!!

All the Zone leaders in Trinidad just got pumped up...we set goals to break some records, to baptize and retain more, to work harder, to get up earlier...I love this band of brothers, and now I feel a lot closer to all the missionaries in the west indies, not just the French elders. And it's again thanks to the Lord...because we are all in this fight, working and serving him, we are unified. This week we felt the Lord's blessings pour out on the mission. We had the most baptisms in a week than the West Indies have ever had, 68...beating the record by 2...We in Guadeloupe had only three of those, but that's pretty good for us. Elder Snow and I should have a baptism coming up this next week.

Oh yeah! The first thing I noticed about Trinidad was that everything was so much cheaper...their restaurants cost the same as our toilet paper...lousy EURO! But doubles is the thing Trinidad is known for...they are very hard to explain though...its on a type of pita bread with this very diarrhea looking sauce that is full of some good spices.

"Doubles" look like this. It is a curried chick pea filling inside fried bread - usually with mango chunks and served with pepper sauce (very very hot in Trinidad)

Really I don't need much...your love, support, and prayers are enough. there was one thing i do want though that would be great. I want a stone that has Eben-nezar engraved on it....if you look in the Bible dictionary it explains what it means...it could be spelled wrong by the way. i love what it represented to the Israelites! Basically its means...alright...GO KICK BUTT

Speaking of butt....I probably ate the grossest thing on my mission this last week...straight up pig butt...it was about 2 inches thick and 1 and one half of it was the skin of the pig and the other half meat. You could taste and feel the texture of hairs and all that...I about ralphed! it took about 5 minutes to chew each bite. yuk! Most things I don't have problems with but...ya

With transfers on Wednesday, things will be wild driving all the elders around and picking up people at the airport, but hopefully not too wild.

"If the Phone Doesn't Ring It's Me"

2009-06-19T08:38:00.017-06:00

We didn't receive an email from Andy this week. He was travelling to Trinidad for a Zone Leader Council. Thankfully, Sister Robison documented it on the mission blog. Here are a few pictures.

The Elders Hiked to a Local Waterfall ...

for Instruction and Testimonies...

and a few group photos.

Apparently, there has been a ZL change. Elders Biver, Snow & Neff, the French Zone Leaders.

Elder Biver is in French Guiana. Andy is reunited with Elder Snow.

"King of Somewhere Hot"

2009-06-09T06:54:00.005-06:00

HOWDY DOODY, y'all

What's going on? Summer is here (like dad said) and I'm in the Caribbean! Wow, that's sweet....I'm sorry you are all stuck in dry Utah climate without coconuts and creole food....OK not really, I'm just remembering how awesome the end of senior year was and trying to make myself feel better..I cant believe that Tuck won all that junk(cash, Ipod, movie tickets). That's awesome...its been a crazy week for y'all? Those are the craziest but you're grateful for them the week after. I'm so glad to read your emails every week; they are the best. I'm happy to report that I got the little package last week. That was pretty nice, and like mom's note said, I about died when I saw the masks (surgical masks for the swine flu) ... hahaha.
SO, this week has been amazing...Elder Heiner and I have been doing some good stuff, I think. We had a great experience with Christopher's grandma this week as we sat her and her whole family down to commit them to read the Book of Mormon every week...we used Moroni as an example of how he went around fortifying his cities just after war instead of laying back and waiting like Amalikiah. We said that we never know when the next battle will be, and and that's why it's important to fortify ourselves every day by reading the Book of Mormon. It went so well and ever since then she has been reading really well as well as the rest of the family. We are hoping she got an answer to a date we gave her and asked her to pray about. We will see tonight at family night with President Eclar(our district president, aka " the kick butt guy"). He is the best, he is our closer. He is a great example for me...same with President Gamiette (the soon to be "new" mission president).
This week we have been helping him a little bit to get ready for the move. His family are such champs, his daughters especially who are already great missionaries. I'm excited for him to be our mission president. He gave an incredible testimony yesterday in Fast Sunday where he talked about how he had ran a triathlon last week. He expressed how hard it had been and how the only thing that kept him going was the fresh bottle of water at the end of each 2 kilometers. He said that during the race his thoughts turned to the atonement and to church and how no matter how hard life gets there is always Sunday, the sacrament, where we renew our baptismal covenants, and as a fresh bottle of water renews our strides. HE expressed his love and thanks to the members and wanted them to know how much he loved them even through times where it might seem he is reprimanding them...Well other than that it was a pretty normal week.
Elder Wright and I got to shuttle around a seventy on Sunday that was fun. Oh yeah! I forgot to tell you... apparently I'm flying to Trinidad next week for zone leader council...now its normally not that big of deal, but I was stoked 'cuz I heard Chas was a zone leader there, so I'll get to hang out with him for a few days! Well, it's that time again...I love you all.

Avec amour,

Elder Neff

Madame Gustav's Baptism ... Andy helped find and teach her

Christopher's Baptism... hopefully the rest of the family is baptized soon

"Guadeloupe Farewell"

2009-06-04T08:12:00.003-06:00

PRESIDENT & SISTER ROBISON'S LAST FRENCH ZONE CONFERENCE

What a great week we had last week! President and Sister Robison are the best, and I have appreciated them for all they have done for me, for the members, and for also for my testimony. Each zone conference was always such an uplifting experience, and was always centered on the atonement of Christ. Its so true that that subject, that atoning sacrifice, is the center of all we work for as a church. We had our last zone conference and it was great. It was the final hammer or the final nail in the coffin of their mission. Later after the conference, we had interviews with President Robison...and he wanted to do them differently where he would give us words of wisdom, or his advice for after the mission (kinda trunked me out a bit, but only for a minute). That was really nice, and helped me decide a little more about some things.

Overall the week was kind of a roller coaster. Elder Wright and I really were able to get the missionaries pumped up that we would have 10 baptisms...we fasted and prayed all week, not knowing how it would happen but knew it could have been done. I honestly thought for sure it would be a miracle that would happen, and two days before Elders wright and Julian had a breakthrough with a mom who hadn't let her two daughters get baptised for over a year even though they had been going to church. They got her to say yes...we thought our prayers were answered and were so excited to tell all you all we would have 10. Little by little our baptisms started falling through. First, I had an interview with a lady and her son, but they were just not ready. Second, some elders had two of their baptisms get cold feet, and lastly that mom we talked about had a change of mind the day before! Talk about a hole in your sail! (we think he didn't learn that phrase in Salt Lake) But, we tried not to let it get us down...we were still able to have two baptisms: Christopher, who Elder Heiner and I had been teaching, and Madame Gustave in Moule(whom Andy found with Elder Garotta and had been teaching prior to missionaries moving back to Moule. It was a great reunion, and Christopher's family was all there so it really was a blessing. Thanks for all your prayers ... it really means a lot to me, and to the Lord. But I still feel most of those baptisms will be baptised in the next few weeks. It's great though, Guadeloupe is still baptizing faster than it ever has and its all thanks to the obedience and hard work of elders, members, and also your prayers.

It's true that our zone is really young, but some of these new elders are studs! They are strong and ready to kick butt. There are even two elders who have only been out 2 months and they are together tearing it up.

We are still finding many people to teach. It's getting tough for me because as much as is going on with having to do things for the other missionaries, legality things, and having many people to teach I don't feel like I'm handling it the best. I'm not the most organized person and I'm just shooting myself in the foot...luckily no lost wallets or keys....yet ....but hopefully this will help me overcome my weakness of unorganization (is that a word?). One of my favorite scriptures is Ether 12:27, and it really applies to all things, even something as lame as organization.

The French is getting better...Elder Heiner is such a hard worker, but still kinda struggling with the French so we have been going all French and it's really helped me a lot...I can probably say the French of the West Indies is probably no where near as good as the French of the French missions in Europe, but it's just different.... BUT THEY CANT SPEAK CREOLE!

Well it sounds like everyone is doing well. I cant believe Tuck is graduating! That blows me away! He is old! Pretty soon he will be 19; I still can't believe homes is 18! I miss ya buddy. You need to let me know what's up with the sports, and the uncles...I heard from deeds that Alex, Spence and John started a kick ball team? That is awesome haha! Anyway, sorry emails are late this week...hopefully they will be regular for Monday.

Love ya all.

Andy

Andy and his companion, Elder Heiner

"Gentleman of Leisure (Not)"

2009-05-25T17:02:00.002-06:00

Lately Elder Heiner and I have not been taking lunches. It takes too much time to go home and eat, so lately we have just been splitting baguettes (a type of french bread) which is probably the greatest invention since sliced bread. It holds us over though. It's funny too though...it seems whenever we make a sacrifice like that we always will find people who want to give us food or something like that. The other day we were out and really thirsty and hungry, and this lady invites us in for a lesson and we eat some keesh stuff (quiche?) and drink some juice...you would think it was luck, but of course its not. Its the blessings of God.

Elder Wright and I are really excited for the zone this next week. Its zone conference and the last one of President Robison's mission. For the Saturday we have 10 baptisms set up from all of Guadeloupe....ok, well it's about 7, but the Lord wants it to be 10 so the zone will be fasting this Tuesday to make sure it happens. There are a couple of investigators who just aren't sure yet. So if you would like to fast with us or pray that would be great. Other than that things are good. This week will be hectic with zone conference and other things, but it's good.

I have been so tired lately...it seems like days are just flying by in a blur. I have been getting up at 5:30 every morning now for some more work out and study time and its really been paying off. I think if I didn't work out I wouldn't have energy to be tracting all day. Especially because of late the sun has been blazing, and with the humidity its rough.

Our apartment isn't meant for 4 elders, but it is big enough. We have four there so that we can all get legal on the Bassterre side of Guadeloupe. Right now it's elder Wright who is using the car for the most part. I'm alright with that though; I prefer to walk

For the most part Guadeloupe will never be back to normal. Because of the help of the branch missionaries the work is gonna explode, but there are missionaries in Moule again.

The branch in Lamentin is the strongest branch, and there are probably about 40 people that show up every week. The members there are just so strong....you are never worried about an investigator not feeling the spirit at the meetings because they are always so strong and uplifting...with other branches sometimes you worry.

So this week was the Guadeloupe talent show....and the elders got put on the spot to do something right before it started. Using our brains we pulled together that we might be able to pull off a dance....there was a some sort of DJ there that just happened to have a seventies music CD...of course I have some past memories goin' through my head of throwin' down the moves at Grandma's and even more when I saw they had Staying Alive by the Beegees... haha. It was probably the most fun I'd had in a while. I got a good video that I'll be sending.

Well i love you all. I want to bear you my testimony of prayer and how sincerely our Heavenly Father listens and comfort us through prayer. It is the only way to find out what our Father in Heaven wants for us and wants us to do. Prayer is the pillar of faith for me, and I know that if we remember to always have a prayer in our heart, that we will be guided in all things.

"It's All About the Water"

2009-05-19T18:54:00.004-06:00

The work has been pretty good. The Lord has been blessing Elder Heiner and I with a bunch of success. We were able to have an entire family at church for the second week in a row and this time they brought their aunt. We have baptismal dates with them and hopefully they will go through the week President Robison comes for his last zone conference in Guadeloupe. Alexandra's baptism went through; it was just great! I'm not going to lie though, I'm getting to be quite the pro at giving talks on the gift of the Holy Ghost.

OK that is all for this week. Yesterday was kind of a crazy day so I didn't have time to do e-mails. So, this week's letter is just a short one, but I loved the e-mails, and can't wait to hear from you next week.

Avec amour,

Andy

PS, Tucker really has to learn to tie a knot hahaha, but well done on the date!

If only they ate like this every day!

"Coastal Confessions"

2009-05-11T16:50:00.007-06:00

We were able to talk to Andy (and see him) via Skype on Mother's Day. While Skype has its limitations (voice lags, talking over each other), it was great to see that Andy is doing well and is happy. We had just a few questions for him in our e-mails.

* How is it being a trainer? Are you finding that it's a lot of work? Well yeah...I'm probably more nervous to be a trainer than a zone leader. Elder Heiner is a stud; he is a hard worker and is really obedient...... and doesn't speak a lick of french. Luckily he has great study habits and should catch on pretty quickly .... hopefully. French 24 seven! yee haa...that will probably be harder on me though...just 'cause of self control. But a trainer is tough cause at night I'm usually on the phone with district leaders and I feel I don't have any time to be with and train my blue. Our nightly planning is often done in segments because it's always interrupted by the phone

* Are you still working the Moule area? In which branch will your baptisms be? Well, our baptism in Moule, Soeur Gustav, will not be ours because there are new elders coming in who should take over for us, but we should have another one this Sunday in Lamentin for a girl named Alexandra.

* How is the zone leader gig going? What are the challenges of that? The challenge is definitely having to keep elders from getting out of hand to still being buddies with them. It has gotten easier though. I have definitely worked harder these last two weeks in training and being a zone leader than I have in my whole mission. Luckily I have really felt the comforting and energizing feeling of the spirit as I have been able to give more. In fact, for the last two weeks I have slowly been trying to move my wake up time to 5:30 with Wlder Heiner and was falling short(about 6) almost every morning. But, the other night I went to bed with a prayer that I qouls be able to wake up at 5:30, and I woke up before the alarm went off! It's so crazy how when you are doing the little things that don't seem important that God blesses you with little things that may not seem that important. And i really don't get too tired during they day. MAN the spirit is so SWEET! Really who needs coffee? or tea? ......actually I just remembered I have been getting into herbal tea because I found a plant behind our house that makes some good herbal tea.....but that doesn't count (we hope that herbal tea doesn't have any other medicinal qualities!).

* We want to be as supportive as possible. Would it be helpful if we sent your more letters (not just emails)? hahaha, sorry I was just joking....a letter every once in a while wouldn't hurt, but its up to you...you guys the best.

* Do you have any concerns or worries? Yes....I'm getting fat!!!!!

Andy's Current Companion Elder Heiner (arrow pointing to him)

More Guadeloupe

"Fifteen Gears"

2009-05-05T08:18:00.011-06:00

Pictures from Zone Conference:
Andy & Elder Wright

Andy participating in an object lesson at zone conference

Some of the elders of Guadeloupe

Just a short note this week:

Well we should be having a baptism this Sunday after church (we pray). And also this Saturday....so lets plan on a Mother's Day call about 1600 our time...except I think we will try skype...if not I'll call by a calling card that I will buy...and call you...how does that sound? Actually, just plan on me calling you sometime that night at that time...we will save Skype for next Christmas. Clear as mud?

We had a question about why missionaries can only be on the West island? Andy's response: It's all about getting legal..we have a connection down in the Bass Terre prefixture(legality building) that gets us through faster. If we aren't legal, we can't be transfered off Guadeloupe...so thats a big goal right now.

How's driving a stick? You catching on to it? hahahaha, it is a blast....Elder Colling taught me and he isn't the most patient guy....picture the most anal guy you have ever met....on steriods.... I love him to death though...but I've got the hang of it....haha well except for all the stalling. Nah, it's fun though.

What town is Elder Wright from (Chris K wants to know)? It is Pine Top, Arizona.

Isn't Guadeloupe beautiful?

"The Missionary"

2009-04-29T21:55:00.002-06:00

OK, well this is just a little one this week....its been quite the crazy week.....recently we have been working with the missionaries of the branch and trainning them with the Preach My Gospel. It's kind of hard because it takes some time out of the week that we could be using for finding or teaching lessons, but we have the faith that this is what the Lord wants. These missionaries or members are ready to get to work. This last week we have been teaching finding and their purpose as missionaries. We focused on the gifts and promises that God gives us and how we have the power to promise on behalf of the Lord, and then the blessing to see these promises fulfilled. We know that "when ye do what I say I the Lord am bound, but when ye do not what I say ye have no promise" (I think it's like that in English). This is so true! As we testify and teach by the spirit we are prompted about what our brother our sister needs. AW man, this work is sweet... we were able to have 13 members lessons this week, which is pretty good for us. The Madame Gustav was a lady that we were teaching in Moule before with Elder Garota. During the greve (strike) she had been coming to church by hitch hiking...which is amazing. There are some things we need to work on with her as far as repentence. But we feel the Lord's love for her as she becomes closer to him. I love the relation between our love for the Savior and the love for others...they are one and the same! You serve one and you are just serving the other! Due to the greve and a buch of the things that are going on, it looks like I'll be having to learn to drive stick. mwhaha! Look out gwada...but it shouldn't be too hard. We have zone conference this week so it should be a splendid week.. haha "splendid"...for some reason that reminds me of Tom.

"Brown-eyed Girl(s)"

2009-04-21T08:03:00.006-06:00

THE BAPTISMS WENT THROUGH!!! I'll send some pics, but I was really worried about them, just because of last transfer and David bailing on his...I didn't wanna get my hopes up too much. but it was an amazing baptism. Well we did have a few problems with the baptismal suits. Elder Wright and I brought all our baptismal suits to the baptism to let them try them on and choose which they wanted, when we found we had no kid jumpers for Ashley. She ended up having to use a large adult one which was HUGE on her. It was hilarious, but after we solved that little problem it went off without a hitch and there was a great spirit during the testimonies. Patricia is from Haiti and has daughter is 8 (Ashley) and she has another boy 7, girl at 6 (Hillary), and a boy at 3.

Patricia and daughter Ashely were baptized! Also pictured is President Jeanremy, the branch president in Moule (looks young? he returned from his mission in 2008!)

Guadeloupe is getting ready to explode. The District had a big kickoff for the branch missionaries last Thursday. Me and Elder Wright taught what there roles would be as branch missionaries, and how the full time missionaries and them would work together. This should help in our finding efforts, and finding better referrals as well as retention. In the future we hope to train the branch missionaries well enough to teach on their own. There are about 20 branch missionaries on Gwada (Guadeloupe). Things are going great though. Elder Wright is a stud, and hilarious. He is from the mountains up in Arizona. He is on fire. This week was funny; he got a letter from one of his " friends" who expressed her undying love for him....they really need to make a television show like Laguna beach but for missionaries...we have one baptism coming up for this week and another the next week. Their names are Melia and madame Gustav, so if ya'll could pray for them that would be great. In the meantime I hope you are all taking care and kicking butt. Kicking butt is the key to happiness! ........and Jazz wins help too

Haha, Ashley is probably the only one that sounds the same to me. she has probably grown the most though.

Hillary is such an athlete, don't let her get any ideas about being too athletic though, next thing you know she will be trying out for middle linebacker on the football team. OH, by the way I got the package just this week from the ward.

Attta boy Tuck ...he looks like quite the pimp in that picture. Its crazy how cold it still looks! I'm gonna freeze when I get back. but yeah, "he don't suck" sounds like he is back he is a pimp, I'm gonna have to get that tie in the mail, cuz this tie is no chance....it's a cant miss!

Hahaha, I hope sawyer shows fancy up, that is awesome. So what are the chances of me getting my own dog when I get home....I think that's only fair as you kinda kishkumened me with the whole buying the dog when I'm gone.

POOP....that's a bummer, I cant believe they blew it like that...that probably means Boozer will bail...

Kembé Réd....Pomoli (a little bit of creole)

Andy

"Creola"

2009-04-14T11:16:00.005-06:00

I'm living in Lamentin, right in the center of Guadeloupe. All the missionaries live on Basse Terre right now because its the only side of the island where we can get legal. Lamentin is split in two between my companionship and another, and then also Moule. But in Moule we are mostly just working with old investigators and referrals. We attend different branches, depending on which one we need to go to... which requires a lot of driving and planning.

Things are starting to settle down here in the Carib. Elder Wright and I for the last two weeks have a had a member from Martinique work with us. His name is Elder Lagin and he was doing a mini mission. That was pretty fun to have him though. It has really helped our creole a bit. But not much has happened. We should be having three baptisms this week. This lady named Patricia and her daughter this Saturday and then hopefully another lady named, actually I forget her name. Patricia was taught a little bit by Elder Garotta and I (if you remember in Moule?) But she was not ready then. Elder Wright and I went by with a member the first week back though, and we had a great lesson about the restoration and related it to baptism and we challenged her our first lesson (for this Saturday). She accepted and is looking pretty strong though. So that's cool. She has four kids: 2 girls named Hillary and Ashley! Crazy cakes huh? And then to top it off one of her kids is named Bradley. This other lady has come to church for a while but her problem is that she always falls in love with the missionaries haha. She knows the church is true though. and she needs to be baptized. To tell you the truth there are already enough members who like the missionaries. Its kind weird, but we are going to try to get the members to do a lot of the teaching but pray for them. Well not much this week. Tuck, keep doing better at sports and tear it up, and also you have to let me know if you want this pimp tie for prom or not! You can always take Mary Young; Clara sent me some pictures and she is lookin like a babe mwhaha. Hillary keep tearing up at soccer. Don't work too hard though; remember that basketball is THE coolest sport. And Ashley I really am sad I missed your play. But don't worry I'll be back when you play Jack in Newsies in 7th grade.

Avec amour,

Andy

Transfer by Air

"Back to the Island"

2009-04-07T08:45:00.006-06:00

Heck ya! Conference was so kick butt this week! I loved it all, we were able to watch them in English, and normally I would feel that is weak sauce of me but it's just not the same with a translator; there is no fire, no power behind a translator's voice. I loved tons of the talks, Hollands was so great. My favorite speaker is always President Eyring though, as well as President Uchtdorf....oh and the prophet is good. But, yeah I loved it...This conference is so much more real for me this time, because I have been lucky enough to be engaged in the Lord's work for a while. I have been able to step outside of the world and glimpse for the first time the magnitude and importance of the Lord's work...and occasionally I feel I am blessed enough to get an idea or a picture of the state of the church. Especially here in Guadeloupe. For me the overall message of the conference was work...The prophet and apostles have have given each of us a call to give and share not only of our temporal blessings with those in need, but also of our spiritual blessings with those in need. To stand as testaments of Christ and his Cause. My testimony is stronger than ever. I want and feel I should fear at how wicked and difficult the world is and is becoming, but there is really no reason to fear when there is a prophet qnd the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth. And we have the promise that we will never lose those again!

OK well back to more specific news...The Apartment was torn apart thanks to our quick exit from Guadeloupe 2 months ago. But, the first thing the missionaries did when we got here was to go to town on the apartments. We cleaned them up back to their normal selves in the time we waited for the new elders. No worries for boils here(boils have been spreading so bad! its disgusting! I got a good video of an elder that had one on his face, it was like he had a golf ball in the side of his mouth). Elder Snow did have one so hopefully that one doesn't spread.

This week has been a little unorganized for Elder Wright and I. There has been a lot of getting things in order, driving, and making sure elders have everything, but I still feel that we worked effectively as we are setting up the missionary program for the district. Elder Wright is the zone leader, and so we have worked with the district president of the Guadeloupe district, President Eclair to set up the branch missionary program. President Eclair is probably my favorite member. He is the best district president, and he has taught me a key to happiness. KICK BUTT! He says as long as your kickin' butt you will be happy. We have seen and taught all those who were investigating the church when we left and are still interested. We had 2 people from our branch in Moule and 2 from Lameltin who came, and we got member lessons with all those we could in between conference here. Other than that we have not had much time for teaching. Oh yeah, Elder Wright and I will be handling Moule also....its a long story and i don't want to explain..this email is already a textbook.

I loved hearing from you all. I'm definitely jealous of the dog walks...its so lame you bought a dog, i think I'm gonna need some pictures of sawyer pretty soon though

Love y'all

... and in the words of President Eclair I challenge all of you to KICK some butt this week!

.... and from some Q & A

What's happened with investigators as you've returned to the island?
We are all working that out...but I've got to tell you Rene and Luisante are doing great...Luisante was at both sessions of conference and although Rene could not make it this week, he has been called to teach Sunday School and has already given two great lessons! I was blown away by that.

Do you have a car?
Ya, im doomed, so much for not being fat.

How is the French?
French is actually doing a lot better. President Gamiette has challenged us to go French 24-7, so we have just started that. Its gone pretty well, although it's hard for the new elders though. Their "fathers" are having a hard time bonding with them with that barrier.

You said you missed some planes on your way to Guadeloupe. What happened? Oh nothin' much; we took care of it but I did want to tell you about the plane we took.. haha. Let's just say mom may have needed a new pair of pants if she took it. We took an 8 passenger plane from St. Martin to St. Barts. It was a legit plane...it sparked some old desires to become a pilot again.

Hopefully, Andy's plane did not look like this!

"Sea of Heartbreak"

2009-03-31T10:18:00.003-06:00

Well there were some problems that is why I am emailing you today (rather than Monday). I ended up having to use MY card to buy our tickets but I will be reimbursed. I am basically a travel master by now with how many dog gone planes I have missed. (We're guessing that Andy flew to Guadeloupe yesterday... we thought it was to be on Wednesday, but he's now on Guadeloupe).

I am so ready to be back here. Its me and Elder Wright(our zone leader. This will be our first transfer where I am not the youngest french elder....5 new kids should be in. But we are all hungry for sharing the gospel...I think all the other missionaries who left to Guyana are now hungry for just working their butts off....I want to thank everyone who prayed for David and his baptism too. We were working with him twice a day...teaching the lights out for his baptism....he had quit smoking and drinking for 2 weeks and everything was good. When it came time the day before his baptism though we went by and he told us he didn't want to see us anymore....it broke my heart....I had never felt like I had before...to someone to be so close to accepting that great gift of the Holy Ghost and then to deny it is the worst. But as believers in God we must accept that we all have our agency. I didn't do the best job of that at first but I had to ...the day after was crap too....I didn't want to work, I felt as if all I do on the mission is for nothing...until about Sunday I felt like this and then I don't know what it was but something just snapped me back into it and i just felt inspired to kick butt again...now as big black would say, "its time to just DO WORK SON" ....HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I'm sorry about that bad joke with the retainer....well actually...it was not THAT good of joke...you guys are just gullible hahaha! K well not much time this week, but I love ya'll!

ps I want to thank everyone for the letters and packages that I received when I got back to Guadeloupe....my family and friends are renown here for their abundance of good news...thank Aunt Leslie for the great valentine package and Grandma and Grandpa as well...letters from all the aunts and uncles are the best, too...thank them for me...oh and I have received your tie and CD so we are Good in the hood...thanks so much

"Turning Around"

2009-03-26T11:48:00.005-06:00

We finally got an e-mail. I guess the Elders were working with the Assistants on their mormal P-day so they took their P-Day on Wednesday-- hence the delayed e-mail.
I about died from Ruby's story (2 year old Ruby had a precocious experience with poop-- ask Emily about it). That is hilarious hahaha. I love the slang you are using too. So Hill and Ashley are doing good then? I hope I can get some pictures from their performances. Did either of them have to wear funny costumes? I sure hope so...how come T Fud didnt write me back last week? Don't tell me he is too busy ...I have a really cool tie I want to send him for prom (it's a burberry tie with mathcing cufflinks and handkerchiefs that would look sweet), but I wanna know when I can send it? Or if I should? We found them these fake ones for 8 dollars. Its always good to hear the family is doing well. Tell everyone that I miss them. This last week was a blast for us, work was great but during the last week I had been talking with the Olivers(senior couple from here) about musicals, and how I like them a good lot. Apparently they asked president and had permission for us to come over to their home and watch Singing in the Rain with them. Grace Kelley was a pimp! (hmmm... and we thought Debbie Reyholds was in it). I had never seen it, but that show is awesome! So I was thinking that the next package you send it would be cool if I could get some musical songs on a CD. That day reminded me of Grandmas though just cause we had a pot luck...I made some scrumscious bokits(Guadeloupe sandwich). SO yup, we are heading back to Guadeloupe...President had planned on me training one of the new missionaries coming, but last second decided to put me with our zone leader Elder Wright, who will be a solo zone leader while Elder Catherine will replace me as trainer(this is his last transfer). I'm kinda glad I didn't have to train though, I'm way too young and I would probably have been a lousy one. But Elder Wright is awesome, he speaks french the best of all the missionaries and the most creole. So hopefully we can tear it up.

This week was our zone conference. The assistants came and we had them with us the last 3 days. I was able to work two of the days with Elder McDaniel. He is an incredible missionary. He is also a professional at getting boils though and one of them popped when I was with him...have not eaten since. The Lord has really blessed us since last time I wrote though. We have found many progressing investigators and friends, and although I didn't think we would be able to do it, we are going to have planned a baptism for this Saturday. His name is David and he is from Ciracou. He doesn't speak much English, much French, or really much of anything. But Elder Larson and I are able to communicate with him using the little English and French he knows and then our Spanish dictionary. We have been teaching him a lot, and the last two weeks has been to church. Even though the last week he had to walk the whole way cuz he had no money for the bus. He is really living humbly and I'm grateful the Lord has been able to humble him by this way. So I ask you to pray that things will continue to go well for him. But all is well. I'm grateful for your testimonies and want to let you know how much mine is growing. Everyday we get to see the love of God for his children and for us. He blesses us so much and pours his spirit out upon his servants. I promise you that if you look for ways to serve God by serving others his spirit will be poured out upon you.

Hey, so did you ever get my package that I sent from Guadeloupe for your birthday mom? I hope so, anyways I sent Clara's for her birthday when I first got here. I just sent her a bracelet and a scrapbook with some pictures of me in it, but she just barely got it. Have you heard how she is doing? or seen her at all? Is Sarah and Thayne's brother moved in yet? That's sooooo weird...oh well haha. It's good to hear about Thayne though. I wish I could hear more about everyone else. I miss the fellas...k everyone I love you all tons, make sure tucker writes me this week.

"Coconut Telegraph"

2009-03-25T10:58:00.010-06:00

No emails from Andy this week. DeAnna did receive a birthday package that was post-marked February 11 (that dang strike!). We do have some pictures from his zone conference yesterday. Thank heaven for Sister Robison.

Missionaries Passing On Photos to Sister Robison

The St. Maarten Missionaries

Andy in a Trio Singing at Zone Conference. He must be singing the melody.

Andy and his companion, Elder Larson

"Coastal Confessions"

2009-03-17T09:59:00.005-06:00

Since I have been moved from Guadeloupe about 4 weeks ago, and been serving in St Maarten I have really tried to work as hard as I could, and take advantage of the time here to teach in English. Although Elder Larson and I have worked pretty hard, we have not seen results until this week. Last week I despaired at seeing all our commitments to come to church fall through. I felt like giving up, or at least not working as hard, however I knew I needed to keep with it. And because of patience with the work, I know it wasn't much, just one week, but I had at least a little patience to continue giving it my all. We had a great week and have 9 great progressing investigators!I love this area! The people are so great here and are so willing to listen to the message of the Restoration. The trick is helping them gain a testimony and conviction that what we share really matters to them. As Elder Larson and I try to teach with the spirit more and speak of the Book of Mormon with more sacredness, I think they will realize its importance. We have 9 great investigators though that we have been working with for a few weeks and its great to see the last few weeks of hard work finally paying off. Elder Larson and I are still getting along really well. We have great companion chemistry, I think, and teach really well together. As far as my testimony I had a really great opportunity this week to give a talk on the atonement in sacrament meeting, and I really enjoyed it. I constantly feel the support of my Savior while I work, and although I probably don't do the best at recognizing his help by showing my gratitude for what he does for me, I am trying to do better. This week was great, too, cuz I had my talk on Sunday and was kinda nervous cuz I had to talk for a good amount of time and so I planned to use some study time Saturday morning for preparing. However, as the weekend approached I realized we had overbooked the day to the point we didn't have time to study, have lunch or dinner...I was nervous for the talk, but the day ended up being an awesome one and because of that work we had 5 people at church! The talk went alright, too. St Maarten is great, I'm seeing 3 to 4 cruise ships come in and out ever day. This is a ridiculously ridiculous mission. We four elders are havin a great time together. Last night Elder Larson and I got home before them, and we turned off all the lights and relocked the door and scared the crap out of them, that was fun. I got it on film, so I'll send it. There is not much to do on St. Maarten unless you wanna shop, but even then it's only diamonds that they sell....I'm thinking about buying one...what do ya think mom? haha just kidding. The mission is great, I'm having a great time...have you heard how TJ is doin' in the Navy?

Oh, I forgot to tell you. I actually bought a pair of shoes the first week I was here. I found some good ones at what we call the Chinese everything store....they were $20....I felt really dumb when they broke the next day...wow I felt like a dork, but I got them sewn by some guy so they will be good for about another month...

Love y'all

"Simply Complicated"

2009-03-09T11:02:00.003-06:00

So this week I wanted to share this example of love and of humility. We have been trying for about a week to meet with this man Andrew whom we met at the hospital while we were visiting a member of the branch. He was working security and I got talking to him and asked if we could come by and share our message another time because He seemed like a really great guy that we could teach. However, because of his work schedule he never has time. We took his number so that we could give him a call and see when he would be free. We called and called because we know he could be a really great investigator and eventually member of the church and finally we were able to set up an appointment for Saturday. He lives by himself here on St Maarten and is working as a teacher Monday to Tuesday from 8 AM-3 PM and then working as a security guard from 7PM-7AM! Holy crap! I don't know hos is does it. But the reason is what blew me away: he is working all this so that his father may buy a home and sister may go to school, and he is not making much. So he doesn't have much time for anything else, and after we had a great lesson about the Plan of Salvation and answered some of the questions he had for us he let us know his wife had left him a year ago. With all that has occurred to him he is really a happy man, and I was really thankful for his humble example and encouraging hope. It's people like this man that make the work worth it, and make me want to do better at what I do. So I know its no amazing miracle story, but it is a miracle life.
But other than that I have been really enjoying myself here in St Maarten, and right from the start I wanted to make the most of the time that I would have here. I have tried to really work my hardest and to do as much good with members, inactives, and investigators as possible. But as I have continued to work work work, and pray and pray and pray, I find just how hard it is. It is so much harder than I thought to change hearts. We have people promise and swear they will be coming to church and they don't come, and I just ask why? I recently read the talk by Elder Holland at the mission president seminar where he believed the reason they don't come is because salvation is not easy and because it wasn't easy for our savior. That has really been a comfort this week as I have accepted and been humbled by the reminder that it was not easy for Christ. These people here have such potential but we have about 5 awesome people who have problems such as chastity or work holding them back from either coming to church or being baptized. So in regards to my testimony, I'm actually really thankful for times that are hard and trying as that's when we cultivate and show our testimonies. I know if we continue to work and show our faith in the Lord for this work, it will progress.
SO Sawyer looks like a pimp haha, but I'll flat out tell you right now, eventually I'll be his favorite...SO the jazz are awesome! D will is a pimp, is he scoring more than Chris Paul? Well, I'll try and attach some pics for this week, alright? I gotta go though, love you all.

Guadeloupe Strike Finally Ends

2009-03-05T08:06:00.002-07:00

POINT A PITRE, Guadeloupe - An accord was signed late Wednesday bringing to an end a 44-day general strike on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, while negotiations continued in Martinique over a similar stoppage.

French authorities signed the agreement with the LKP movement of unions and leftist groups that launched the strike on January 20 to press for higher wages on the island, one of France's overseas departments.

The detailed agreement, covering a multitude of everyday subjects, provided for a 200-euro (253-dollar) monthly increase for low wage earners.

Most shops, schools and government offices have remained closed during the strike that has laid bare tensions between the island's black majority and white business owners.

A union activist was shot dead during rioting at the height of the conflict last month in Guadeloupe

"You Call It Joggin' "

2009-03-02T12:24:00.006-07:00

It sounds like everything is pretty settled down, and not too much going on, except for Sawyer(did I mention I loved the name?). So it sounds like the ward is doing awesome. I'm glad to hear that no one else has died.... it really is an old ward... and everyone is just getting home from missions which is weird. I have bad news, and I say it because you said you were excited about all the stories missionaries have, but I have a terrible memory. It seems that I can't remember further than a week back ever haha ...that's why they tell us to keep journals though.
So, Philipsburg is good. There are such great people here; people who are so kind and humble. So we are in the middle of teaching a lot of men right now who are sincerely searching for the truth and who have a great spirit of understanding, however, many of whom we are teaching have a chastity problem. The traditions here in St Maarten are defiling to God. These men have children and are not too far from marriage, luckily. We are working on helping them repent and get married so they can enter the waters of baptism. Even though I have no marriage experience at all, I do get to share from what I have learned from your and dad's great marriage. Kevin knows this church is true and is really trying and wanting to marry his girlfriend, but is scared. We are continuing to counsel with him. Samuel has been coming to church for a while and I took some time to get to know him on Sunday. He, too, needs to be married. His girlfriend is a member and they should be getting married this month.
Philipsburg is doing really well. With 4 elders here I believe its potential is becoming more clear. We meet so many potential investigators everyday who are sincerely searching for the gospel. As the weeks continue I pray that the results of these contacts will be manifest in church attendance and baptisms. The people here are ready, and I'm trying my best to be ready for them. Elder Larson is an animal; I have never met anyone who knows his scriptures like he does, a very smart individual. He is fun too. I feel we work well together, and am excited to continue to serve. My testimony is solid. This week has had its up and downs but as soon as I have hit an obstacle I have prayed for patience and did my best to keep on. I know with all my heart that if we are patient with our lack of success or misfortunes, if we continue on with faith and diligence that we will have success. I thought it was interesting what you shared with Enos. I love that story, and I actually put a picture of Enos on my Preach My Gospel cover. Enos is the best example of prayer, and how it should be. All should be done in faith, because of his faith and prayer not only were the Nephites blessed, but also the Lamanites. Its by his prayer that we have the Book of Mormon today(he prayed that one day the record might be read by the Lamanites and it was given him because of his faith). What an example for us.
Elder Catherine and I get up at 6 to go running across the street at the baseball field and we do stairs too. (Elders Catherine, Larson, Julian and I share an apartment... the other two don't like working, but because it's kind of a melting pot of nationalities, many of the people cook foods from where they are from. SO I still get creole food and some Guyanese(which is different. This week I am going to be buying some new shoes, and a new pair of pants and perhaps a belt(both my shoes are about done and two of my pants are done; that's just what walking everyday will do).

Go jazz!!!!! I love to hear that they are tearing it up!!!It does the soul good.

PHILIPSBURG

"Blue Heaven Rendezvous"

2009-02-23T14:38:00.007-07:00

So another Caribbean paradise. I'm the luckiest missionary
ever...its ridiculous. So this is a more desert island, but
the ocean is SOOO blue. It's a lot different than Guadeloupe;
there is not near as much green, but it's still beautiful.
The island is only a 6 mile circumference, and right now there
are 8 elders (there were 14 until yesterday!) Elder Catherine
and Elder Julian and Elder Larson and I will be handling the
Dutch side of the island. There are about 4 different languages
that are the primary languages here: French, English, Spanish,
and creole. So now my plan is to learn some Spanish. Learning
languages is SO dope though! It's fun.

Right now in st Martaen there are 3 progressive investigators.
Celine needs to be baptized pretty soon, both her parents are
baptized and basically we are just praying and fasting for her
dad to do the baptism. Celine really wants her dad to baptize
her, however, Her parents are going through a divorce right now,
and he is being really stubborn. This Sunday we prayed and
fasted for them and I'm pretty sure if he is not going to
baptize her we will have someone else do it, but I know hearts
can be touched, and we would love it to be her father that does
it. Troy is also pretty close to baptism. Right now he knows the
church is true I'm pretty sure but he is working on cleaning up
some things in his life. He has quit smoking and this week we
challenged him to quit drinking. He usually falls susceptible
over the weekends, but I know by prayer and the help of the
Savior he can do it.

The area has just been big time blitzed so we have a lot of
new potential investigators and a lot of new numbers to be working
with. We are excited and grateful for all the hard work of the
elders who were here, and even though for some I think it was a
little difficult to work with a lot of enthusiasm, I felt we did
an overall good job. Elder Larson is great. He is a hard worker
and I'm excited to be with him. He knows his scriptures very well,
and it's great to be able to teach with him. My testimony is
strong and i feel great to be giving it my all everyday for this
great work.

Church was really fun yesterday though. This branch is about the
same size of the other branches I have been in but a lot less
developed, so the missionaries have to do a lot more. It's weird
though because there were about 8 tourist couples that showed up,
and I knew it was a touristy island but I guess its like that every
week! Crazy! The members are funny though, they really are new to
the church. From talking with the branch president the biggest
problem is that members become inactive when they receive a
calling....so ... lotta work to do.

It's cool to hear Grandpa Taylor is still a pimp(at the stake
dance)! I'm gonna have to have him teach me how to dance when
I get back! Is Tucker just taking notes?

Questions we had for Andy include:
• What area are you working on St. Maarten? Dutch side/ Dutch quarter
• Tell us about the branch there. I'm still getting to know the branch a little bit but as far as members there are not very many strong ones....the Relief Society President, Sister Lake. is awesome as well as another sister. But other than that everyone is really new. Elder Catherine baptized the branch president last year so....young. One thing that is cool though is there is a medical school here and there are about 3 young couples, both from Utah, who stay in the branch about 2 years. They help but President Robison doesn't like us to give them callings which is smart.
• How long has Elder Larson been out? Where is he from? he came out with Chas....he is from Logan I think...he is cool and we will get along great..he likes sports(accept he likes the aggies????)

I definitely agree about president being inspired to get us out of there...we have been continued to be blown away by stuff that has happened there Guadeloupe)..and what the Larry H Miller? That blew me away!!!!!! I was so sad. I heard actually the other day about this. So D Will still tearing it up?

Love you. You guys have no idea how grateful I am for all you do.

"Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On"

2009-02-22T09:13:00.005-07:00

I don't know if you have heard what has been going on Guadeloupe, but the work in Gosier had been going pretty well actually, and we had a couple families and men that were really coming along. So, I was pretty disappointed when we got a call last Wednesday that we should pack our things and that we would be moving in with the Abymes elders. It was already a small apartment and I didn't know the area at all. Thursday was a little crazy though. The Collings (senior couple) gave us the assignment to find gas(we actaully had a car in Abymes) and the Collings thought it best for us to fill up. We spent six hours trying to work connections (luckily there is the elders quorum president, Pres Mogrin, who has so many connections I swear he works for the mafia). Well, President Mogrin finally found someone he knew at the Gosier harbor who had smuggled in gas, so we were able to fill up after a bunch of maneuvering through road blocks, etc. So you can imagine I'm having a heck of a fun time with all this 'espionage' work. After we prepared for a baptism in Abymes. It's just like Joseph Smith's quote that says persecutions may rage, mobs may assemble, armies may combine and calumny may defame, but the work of God will go forth boldly, nobly and independent etc. We worked, mostly doing a lot of tracting in the country side, because they didn't want us to go into the city. It was hard to get a lot of work done though with the greve. Days were long, Elder Snow and I were not in our area, and didn't have any investigators really(we met some people in the Abymes area that were really great, but they technically were not our investigators). So the work was difficult. That's why I wasn't too surprised when on Monday morning we received a call from president that we were all being transferred off the island for a month or more.

I'm now in St Maarten(we call it little America). It's a real tourist island if anyone is interested.... My companion is Elder Larson who seems pretty cool. He likes sports. Unfortunately, he likes the rockets...lame!. I'm really excited to be here though. Honestly, I don't want to be here too long because it's not really French speaking and I don't want to forget my french, but I'm excited to make the most out of the time I'll be here. It's funny, I really have no idea how to contact people in English; it's SO weird. I feel like a new kid all over again haha...anyways nothing to worry about; everything is great. I'm really nervous about Grandpa Neff and Grandma Kathie, but I know they are in the Lord's hand and that he will take care of them for his missionary. Tucker is sounding like quite a pimp: game winner?! That's awesome. I want what him an D Will are drinking. k well you're in my prayers. I'll talk to you on Monday.

Grateful

2009-02-18T09:02:00.002-07:00

Today, we read that the strike in Guadeloupe, indeed, turned violent. Here is a portion of the article.
GUADELOUPE STIKE TURNS VIOLENT
A union activist was killed overnight in Guadeloupe as the month-long strike on the French Caribbean island escalated into riots and shootings, local authorities said Wednesday.

Jacques Bino, aged in his 50s, was shot dead while driving his car near a roadblock manned by armed youths who opened fire at police with buckshot in the capital Pointe-a-Pitre, an official from the local administration said.

He was the first victim of the escalating violence on the island crippled since January 20 by a general strike over the high cost of living.

The government in Paris appealed for calm and Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie called crisis talks on the deteriorating security situation.

Six members of the security forces were slightly injured during shoot-outs with armed youths, including three police officers who were hurt while helping emergency teams who rushed to Bino's aid, police said.

The activist, employed in a government tax office, was returning from a labour meeting, said Elie Domota, leader of the Collective Against Exploitation (LKP), the coalition of unions and leftist groups that launched the strike.

Gangs of youths looted shops, smashed storefront windows and threw up burning roadblocks overnight along the main streets of the capital and in at least two other towns. At least 13 people were detained.

We are so grateful for an inspired mission president who was in tune with the spirit, and knew when to pull the missionaries from Guadeloupe.

"Migration"

2009-02-17T19:54:00.004-07:00

We did not receive an e-mail from Andy yesterday. Today we received an e-mail from President Robison in which he stated, "Due to the disruptions of day to day living in Martinique and Guadeloupe, we have temporarily transferred all elders serving on these islands to neighboring islands... Your sons are safe. The strikes did turn violent, but the elders were relocated prior to anything that could have caused them problems. Guadeloupe has virtually been shut down for 5 weeks and Martinique is following suit. The elders will be transferred back to these islands once a sense of normalcy returns."

Andy has been moved to St. Maarten. We are not sure who is companion is.

"Bigger Than the Both of Us"

2009-02-09T19:02:00.010-07:00

The area of Gosier is struggling right now it feels. Members live too far to be doing any work with them because of the "greve" or strike. No one has gas, and so although Elder Snow and I are doing a lot (I feel we are working harder than we have before, it feels like we aren't getting results. We had 3 investigators planning to come to church this week but couldn't make it. We even went out of the way to pick one up, Madame Rose, but she was sick. I love her to death; she has the biggest smile ever, but she has a lot of problems. She told us the other day she has thought about killing herself and how her son had done the same. I think we took care of it though...but when we have lessons like that its discouraging. Everything seems to be stacked against us. We have to see our investigators, and because of the strike there is no bus, so we "waste" a lot of time walking 2-3 hours a day which I feel guilty about. However, even with all this I know the Lord is on our side and as we keep working harder and harder, and pray harder and harder, He will answer our prayers. I dont know God's plan for our investigators or Gosier for that manner. All I can hope to do is work as hard as I can and remain worthy for the spirit and all will go well. Elder Snow also helps me from getting too down on myself, and is always a bright spot. I know the standard of truth is erected and that this work goes forth, not just in other parts of the world but in Gosier.

The strike continues here. This week a minister of France who was here left negotiations basically because he s
aid the people are dumb...I have no idea when its going to end. haha We loaded up on whatever food the supermarche s had: rice, pasta, etc, but I think we are out of gas for the stove, which wouldn't be good. So hopefully it ends soon. If not, I'm sure it will be fine. It would be fun if we start having to boil water by fire!

GUADELOUPE STRIKE

In response to some our questions, Andy wrote:

How is it going back to Moule? Did you like the Gosier apartment better? We have not moved back yet, and aren't moving until after the greve, so who knows when I'll be back.
How do you handle going to church in two areas? Are the meetings at the same time? I don't think we will be handling Gosier. I think they will close it until new missionaries come in in April. So soon Gosier will be needing lots of prayers as the missionary work will be left to the members for a time.
Is Luissant back from France? Oh yeah, I forgot to tell ya. I saw him at the bapistm of Renai! He was doing great; I was so excited to see him. I didn't get to talk to him much, but he is doing good. He is my boy.
Is Elder Snow a runner? No, but the great thing is there are some huge hills right outside our apartment and he will at least get up to watch me...so that's nice of him. We kinda got into a fight at the first of the week because I wanted to go all french, which he was not a fan of...after a couple of days he was fine with it though. Its just more difficult to communicate in another language. I never would marry a french girl that didnt speak english...you definately need to be able to communicate well
How is it finding food? Still plenty of food available? Yeah sorta, there is a bunch of bread, no meat really, not much pasta, but lots of rice...not tons of fruit too which is lame.
Are banks open? Thats the weird thing, they are about normal. Nobody is freaking out too bad...well no, the supermarkets can be kinda crazy

So I didnt have much time again cuz we couldnt go to our regular email place but I hope all is well. I love your emails and all y'all. No worrying 'bout me here, it really is fine.

Avec amour
Elder Neff

"There's Nothing Soft About Hard Times"

2009-02-02T16:36:00.010-07:00

Wow! What a week. It has definitely had its hectic moments. But, in all of them we have been able to receive and see the blessings of the Lord. The work has really progressed here in Gosier. We now have 8 progressing investigators here and one with a baptismal date.
PLAYING WITH THE KIDS AT FHE

One(or I guess 4) is a very religious family, the Williams. They are devout evangelists and the two teenage boys are very involved in their church. We have become good friends with them and knowing their religious background have gone the Ammon route of service rather than just teaching the lessons straight. They run a large fruit stand and we have been helping them a lot with it. After we help them we usually are able to teach them a lesson. They are coming along I think, and the dad has promised he would be coming to church. One night after we had helped close up their food stand we were talking outside the family's little fruit shack. We were talking about many of the issues and bad experiences the father had had in his life, ass a teenager and especially in religion. He recounted a dream he had had (when i don't know) and he recounted that he was searching for the gospel, searching for the true church of Christ in his dream when he saw someone standing in the light who was actually Jesus Christ! He walked closer and saw a man sitting next to Christ(he later told us he believed it was a prophet) and this prophet told Brother Williams to go away, that he was not ready for the gospel. Elder Snow and I both felt to tell him that although we didn't understand what the dream meant entirely, we could testify that we were here talking to him extending the true gospel of Christ because he was ready. I felt impressed to share with him the story of Lehi, and his dream and relate that to Brother Williams because he was the one that needed to beckon his family to partake of the fruit, and taste the love of God. It turns out he has been feeling a lot of responsibility and pressure because of his family. We have not seen them yet after this experience, but I hope he has come to see that he is ready, and that God wants him be apart of his church.

Alan and Claudy are both really searching for the true gospel and we have had good lessons with the both where the spirit was really teaching. They both have accepted the Book of Mormon and began reading. Claudy accepts it to be the word of God.

Finally, Madame Rose we met the other day when we were looking for the house of another investigator. We thought to ask this lady and share our message with her. She ended up being from Dominca and spoke english. We shared the message of the restoration with her and committed her to baptism in two weeks and she accepted.

Today has been crazy though.... We found out this week with everything that is going on with the strike(in fact one day during the week we weren't allowed out of the apartment because the mayor called for all of Guadeloupe to "manifest the greve", aka mobs. After the first day of it though we found out that nobody here really has the guts to go too crazy so we went out the next day...But president called us last night and is making major changes in Guadeloupe...he is taking six elders off the island and leaving eight...Elder Snow and I will be moving to Moule and be covering both Gosier and Moule. But we will be staying in Moule. All the Elders remaining on the island are fairly new...only 2 over 7 months. It will be like this until five new elders arrive in April. There is a lot of weight on our shoulders now, and it will be hard to do all this for the next couple transfers but it will be fine with prayer and good ole fashioned hard work. The worst part is that all these elders we won't be seeing again (Garotta, Williams and others. The two zone leaders are leaving, It's wild.

Elder Snow is hilarious. I'm glad to be with him as he is always makin' things funny and he never lets me get down when we have a bad contact or have a bad lesson. We continue to learn a lot from each other, and I'm very excited for the challenges and spiritual growth that lies ahead.

My testimony is strong. Today has been a tough day as our zone family has been changed a little bit....or a lot. I realize because of how difficult it is and how difficult change is in general, how much more I need to be relying on the Lord. I need to be able to feel his love more, feel his support, and I'm excited to kneel by my bed tonight, and withdraw to prayer.

Its always good to hear from the fam...I'm glad Tucker is taking three ladies to basketball games hahaha. I was never that cool. Tell everyone I love them. I'm sorry this can't be more of a "reply to your email" email. I like those better, but it's has taken too long to explain what's been going on.
I love you all like Tucker loves mambas/

Andy

PS Pray for this strike to stop, we have to walk three hours to get from this cyber cafe back to our apartment...UGH.

GAS LINES DURING THE STRIKE

"Twelve Volt Man"

2009-01-27T08:40:00.006-07:00

I'm giving Todd full credit for the title of the post this week.

Andy writes:

Ok well, I'm not able to do regular emails today, we could not
get to our regular email place because of the strike. They have
closed off the city of Abymes and Point a Pitre because of the
strike, and electricity has been on and off throughout the week.
Luckily we knew about turning off the water beforehand and were
able to take reserves. The Collings aren't letting the
missionaries out into the cities after dark becuase of mobs,
but sometimes we have to just to go home after dark.
Unfortunately,this is all I can send right now because we dont
have credit atthis place we found. Pray for this strike to
end...its kindaof fun for the missionaries, but a bunch of the
members homes and stores have been broken into, so pray for it
to stop. I'm good though, all is fine. Next week's letter will
be better.

avec amour,
Andy

A little bit about the strike:

Sixth day of strikes in Guadeloupe against high cost of living
Article published on the 2009-01-26 Latest update 2009-01-26 12:10 TU

A meeting is set for Monday afternoon between protesters and
the government of the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe
after six days of a general strike that has shut down the
island’s tourism sector, closed schools and petrol stations.
Strikers are demanding a reduction in the cost of living,
including cuts in prices and taxes.
The strike was organised Tuesday by the Komité kont
pwofitasyon (Anti-profiteering Committee) an umbrella
group that brings together trade unions, political groups
and several Creole cultural groups.
The Committee is demanding that the cost of primary goods
be lowered and that a litre of petrol be reduced by 50 euro
cents. They also want salaries to be raised by 200 euros
and rents to be frozen.
Protesters have been blocking roads since Tuesday. Five
hundred people blocked the Pointe-à-Pitre airport Thursday.
The strike is taking its toll on the tourism industry just
as the high season is starting. Cruise ship operators have
started turning ships away from the island.
Thousands gathered in the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre
Saturday – 8,000 according to the LKP, 25,000 according to
the police.

"Pencil-thin Mustache"

2009-01-19T14:45:00.010-07:00

Right now we are teaching tons of lessons. We taught 49 last
week. Im so grateful to be in an area where people are so kind
and willing to talk to the missionaries. The people of
Guadeloupe and Gosier are people of great faith. The problem is
they are stubburn and stuck in the traditions of their fathers.
Whether it be Catholic, Adventist, or Jehovah's Witnesses... We
have had trouble finding investigators, especially progressing
investigators. We will teach a lesson and they will basically
tell us they dont care if it's true or not..some of the most
popular responses are "I am Catholic and I'm going to stay
Catholic","I don't believe in religion, it's your faith that
saves you" (usually Catholics too) but We have really been
workin' hard since I got here though to pump up the members
for missionary work. I really believe and know that as we
receive the aid of the members in our lessons, all the hard
work we have been doingwill start to pay off and we will start
seeing baptisms. We had a fireside yesterday to introduce a
new way to pump them up formissionary work...We have one
progressing investigator named Alan. We have taught him
twice and on the return visit he had read the pamphlet and
was very interested to learn more about propthets. I'm really
excited for him, he is very sincere....I think.
This week with the coming strike we hope, pray, and have made
plans to teach him with a member. Because tomorrow there is a
huge strike. They are crazy! They are getting the water, gas,
and electricity....honestly i think its gonna be mayhem,
but on the other hand I wanna think it's all talk. But we saw
in the paper today they are saying it is gonna last at least one
week! So the good news is is that we probably won't be able to
leave Gosier as the buses aren't running. Fortunately, Gosier
is the most beautiful city on Guadaloupe, right on the beach!
The bad news is, no water or electricity...we have some water
storage so I'm sure we will be fine. Haha. I don't know what
these people are thinking...should be fun though.
The work in Gosier is awesome. I loved being with Elder Garotta
in Moule, and I learned so much. But, I felt a little protected
because he looked out for me so much. But now being with Elder
Snow I feel like I'm finally coming into my own and although
its no where near the results we had in Moule, I know things are
starting to happen. I continuelly see the Lord's hand in the
work hear, and although nothing huge has happened yet, little
things have. Little help and love shown from the members here,
and a little more hard work on our part there. And by these
little things great things will come to pass. This week Elder
Snow and I are doing an english fast..no english!
Elder Snow is awesome, he is a goofball, and is so easy to
get along with. Haha. He has a girfriend and is a little
bit whooped so its funny to mess with him...I
guess I can't talk. but i love the kid, he is my boy..haha.
Today we shaved our heads and made mustaches with our hair..
just thought I would throw that in there.
My testimony is so strong right now. I know the gospel
brings joy from my own experiences and I'm forever grateful
that I have had it taught to me by my parents. I feel it it
a privilage to be able to take this message to others.

Thanks for everything. Love ya.

From the weekly Q & A:
What temple do your members attend?
Santo Domingo, Domenican Republic. Every couple of months the
district goes on a trip together and whoever can
afford it goes. I think if it is their first time the church covers
about half the cost.
How many of your members in Gosier are endowed?
I have no idea, if I was judging i would say about 6 or 7.
How do the missionaries there (french speaking) feel about French Guyana? Have you talked to some who have been there?
I have not heard too much. Basically I'm thinkin it is the same
as Guadeloupe is as far as life style goes, but not at all as
gorgeous. There are a lot more asians too...know idea why...
Was Renay baptized? Did you get to go? It was so
great on saturday...I was not sure if we were gonna be able to go,
but then I guess I had to say the opening prayer so we changed plans. It was so great...right after we had a testimony meeting, and without hesitation he was the first one up there. He is gonna help the branch in Moule so much!
Hurrah for Israel baby!
So the thing that is crazy about Gosier is dogs...they are
everywhere! Everyday we get at least 3 who try to attack us
(I'm proud to say I have not had to get a new change of pants yet)
...Elder Snow taught me the trick the first day though, you fake
pick up a rock and they run away. Its the funniestthing these huge
dogs will be going bezerck and that little thing will makethem back down.

"He Went to Gosier"

2009-01-13T06:46:00.009-07:00

ANDY AT A RECENT ZONE CONFERENCE WITH ELDERS KELLY AND GAROTTA
Creole has been put on hold as I have had to work on french a
whole bunch more. Without Elder Garotta, and Elder Snow being
fairly new I'm having to do at least 50 percent of the teaching,
so not much creole lately other than to entertain some
Guadeloupians. I was so worried to come have to speak in
french though. As I have opened my mouth though, I can
honestly say there has not been any hinderance of teaching( I
don't know if that works in english, is that a word,
hinderance...) and not as much cooking either.
This sunday was one of the most tired I have been on the
mission. As we added up our numbers for the week I couldn't
help but feel I let myself down a little, and more importantly
the Lord. We didn't have anyone at church and we didn't have
any member lessons. I'm doing my best at finding a line between
not being too disappointed in numbers and still caring. I don't
want to not care at all, but I don't want to have the numbers
get my spirits down. Our goal is to steadly increase our
numbers over the transfer. Gosier has a lot of work to be done
here. They have not had an investigator at church in over 12
weeks and only 5 member lessons in two transfers. As I have met
a lot of people in Gosier this week I know there is a lot of
potential here. With the help of the members I know we can make
miracles happen here. The greatest surprise about coming to
Gosierhas been the members themselves. They are so strong!
Each member has a strong testimony and is firmly founded in
the rock of Christ. There are great families in the ward too.
The Jaumies and the Gaydus... the moms of each have served
missions(and they have thecoolest little kids, which is the
best. Swann is two and is already the biggest pimp haha).
All the members just need a little nudge from the missionaries,
and they will be missionary machines! So thisweek we did our
pancake party and it went good, they pounded them...but we
also made missionary packets for them. Some missionary tracts
and some "missionary badges" we made for we put together.
We hope to get them finding referals for us and really wanting
to teach with us. I'm greatful to be here in Gosier and to be
doingthe work of God.
Elder Snow is great, he is so easy to get along with, and is a
selfless missionary. He is an example to me of love for the people
and together i know we are going to make things happen.
My testimony is still good. This week has been hard as I have come
from a relatively thriving environment in Moule to here in Gosier.
It took me a while to humble myself and get over that difference.
All the fields are white and ready to harvest, even here in Gosier,
and I'm here on the mission to do that. i love you so much, and glad
to hear the family is still great.

From the weekly question and answer e-mail:

When you said that no members attended church in Gosier last
transfer, did you mean NO members (including branch president) at all attended? Actually I'm just dumb and meant investigators and I found out its at least been two transfers! So, there's a lot of workto do.
How was church this week? It was actually really
good; the members are really unified and very strong. They need to
find a stronger desire to do the missionary work, but they will.
I've already found a bunch of friends in the branch. Right now
its a branch of about 8 adults and 12 kids (2 young men with the
priesthood).
Are you playing the piano for church? Yeah! And
they just got a new piano! jeah boy!
Will you be able to go to Moule to see baptisms?
I hope, renay commited for this coming saturday
How is your investigator pool? None when i got there.
How is the apartment? It's real nice, and the landlady
loves the missionaries and takes care of us.