PORT OF SPAIN BRANCH

FELICIA JUANITA BORDE was graced under the direction of her parents Pedro Ramos and Virginia Montano. There is a rich flavor of Spanish talent in the family because of their Venezuelan background. Her father even claimed to be 'the father of parang in Trinidad & Tobago'. My mother still recalls her childhood where she spoke both fluent Spanish and English. Due to lack of use in her maturing years having left home early for a career, caused her to forget her ability in communicating in Spanish. Felicia began work as a sales representative, but later opened her own business in beauty and hair care. Her family being highly religious, gave her an awareness of spirituality and she became dedicated in the Roman Catholic Church having served as head of the Legion of Mary, lead vocalist in the choir and president of the youth organization. Sometimes herself and Basil, her husband, would also give short lectures at gatherings.

When Basil brought the full-time missionaries to her home she simply turned to them and said,

"You are most welcome in my home, but don't try to change me or speak to me about your religion!"

Three months later after her mild confrontation with the missionaries she was baptized on the 31st August, 1977. She describes her conversion as being a time of opening her heart and letting the truth of the Gospel in and putting away her pride, thinking to already know all about God.

"The still small voice of the Spirit always bore witness to the truthfulness of the missionaries' messages", said Felicia. 'The day of my baptism brought feelings of joy and peace I have never before experienced I knew the Lord was delighted with my decision and I felt blessed".

Felicia recounts having small sacrament meetings conducted in her home by the missionaries.

"Most of the attendance consisted of investigators in these meetings. We had up to four missionaries living in our home for a few weeks at a time. It was a time of learning, a time of change within our lives",

said Felicia. Her husband, Basil Borde, was offered the opportunity to go to Salt Lake City, Utah for medical treatment. He accepted, and this led to the whole family going as well. Felicia expressed the experience as being,

"In heaven, blessed with so much knowledge to gain, as though we were chosen by the Lord".

On 14th July,1982 at the Salt Lake Temple, Basil, Felicia and Jean Borde were sealed as a family for time and all eternity.

"At first, I felt I was not prepared. 'The Bishop of my ward, Bishop Evans, gave me good counsel and instruction which helped us. After my temple experience, I often pondered on the great wonders, miracles, and blessings I received from the Lord. I praised the Lord in silent prayer every moment I could",

said Felicia peacefully. We all have some particular 'hero'. Someone or something we place as an example of what to become. Many of these heroes may exist in our mind's eye as a comic character, a champion knight or famous star. However, we may have heroes that reside in our place of resort. Heroes that live 'around you' can give visual examples of proper wisdom and character. Such people had great impact on Felicia's life.

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"The memory of the first missionaries I met, the Johnson family of Michigan,U.S.A., and Emil Dopson (former husband of Liz Rogers) have left an empty space in our lives. Each time they taught us the beauty of the Gospel and brought the spirit of enlightenment with then. Without doubt they were instrumental in the Lord's hands in my conversion."

When asked about who her greatest hero ever was, Felicia simply said, "Jesus Christ !"

Felicia shared other experiences that have meant a lot to her.

"I once wrote Barbara Smith (Relief Society General President) before I went to Utah, who I also regard as a heroine, for information, when I was called as Relief Society President of the Trinidad Branch. I later met Sr.Smith personally. I always remember how well she conducted and carried herself when I attended board meetings for the 'Daughters of Pioneers' in Salt Lake City. Sr.Smith sent books, letters, etc. I was privileged to go to the copper mines, Manti, Logan, St.George, Salt Lake, and Provo temples, to meet many general authorities and their wives, Indian reservations, service projects and helped to make Egyptian bread for Christmas Church activities."

I later found out that Egyptian bread is similar to Trinidad's currents roll (a pastry with raisins), but instead of currants, almonds are used. Felicia has served in many positions in the church; Relief Society counselor and president, youth Sunday School teacher, Activities Chairperson, Music chairperson and many others. She now serves as Primary President in the Port of Spain Branch. At present, she works as a Real Estate agent and owns a plant shop.

Felicia Borde's daughter, ANNA MARIA LIPKA, was one of the early pioneering daughters locally. Unfortunately, due to circumstances she was unable to go to Utah at the time the Bordes went. However, she remained active for a while as Primary President in the early part of 1981. Around 1986 she later moved to Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. where she now resides with her husband Thomas Lipka. She serves as a Relief Society visiting teacher actively in Church. Anna works as a hospitality assistant and part-time travel agent. The author, her brother, has received many letters from her stating the joy she feels from living the Gospel principles and attending Church.

"I feel so peaceful and serene when the scriptures are read and heard by me. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and really make me feel like part of the 'family' at Church, I know the Church is the place where I can learn the way back to Heavenly Father",said Anna in some of her many letters she writes to me weekly. Anna plans yearly visits to Trinidad.

REUBEN RENWICK RAPHAEL was born on the 2nd May, 1957 to Ferdinand and Pearl Raphael. His mother being very religious and a Sabbath School teacher in the Adventist church, decided to bring Reuben up in the ways of the Lord.

"I learned the scriptures on my mother's knees at an early age along with the rest of my brothers and sisters",said Reuben.

This preparation has done well for his future callings in the Church. Pres.Raphael was reluctant to hear from 'another' religion again when the missionaries visited their home, so he deliberately missed the first discussion. After pleadings from his mother, Pearl, Reuben sat in on the second visit.

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"I said to myself -- what do those young boys know about the scriptures, but I soon found myself engrossed in wanting to learn of their great knowledge and wisdom of the Lord's Gospel. They answered questions that I had been searching for awhile. I was greatly impressed with the high morals the Church stood for -- something I found lacking in other churches and organizations. This indeed, was an answer to my prayers ", said Pres. Raphael.

Elder Murray Richardson baptized Reuben and he knew he was following the correct way. Less than six weeks after Reuben's baptism he was called as 2nd Counselor in the Branch Presidency. Since that time he has served in many leadership positions, but claim his favorite was being a Sunday School Teacher. I remember this period of his Church life, in fact, Pres. Raphael taught with such enthusiasm that it caused all in his to earnestly seek for more scriptural knowledge week after week One special experience he has had as a Branch President is to witness a young man receive the priesthood, go on a mission, return honorably and then get married. Pres. Raphael is grateful to the Lord for allowing so much growth among the members over the years especially in seeing the Port of Spain chapel built on Cipriani Blvd.

Pres. Raphael gracious opportunity to visit the Salt Lake Temple to both receive his endowment and to witness his brother's wedding.

"It was awe inspiring to me and I was fascinated to hear stories of the building of the temple",

said Pres.Raphael as he given a tour of this sacred House of the Lord. Reuben also visited the Church Office Building where he net some General Authorities. Pres. Raphael remembers the struggles of the Church in the past witnessing only three people attending sacrament meeting (E.Balfour, F.Raphael and himself) at Long Circular Rd., Maraval

"I felt great when I saw four Branch presidents, all local brethren, in training meetings -- I know that the Church cannot be removed from Trinidad again",

said Pres. Raphael with great delight. Reuben is now graced with his wife, Leslie-Ann Leonce Raphael, who serves as the 1st Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. Pres. Raphael helpful in making more clear certain events in this book.

Building used for Church - 97 Tragarete Rd.
Photo taken by Jean A. B. Borde

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