ARIMA BRANCH

The Arima Branch was born out of the Port of Spain and Sangre Grande Branches. It has a mixture of the same qualities that those Branches have as well. It does have some interesting characteristics of its own:

*It was the first Branch to have local members in the leadership as Branch President after its formation which was brief. Other Branches began with Couple Missionaries under assignment from the Mission President and then after a few years that same assignment to preside in the Branch was turned over to local priesthood holders. This happened with the Arima Branch as well, but only after a few months. The last Branch was led by a local Branch President immediately after its formation was the Trinidad Branch.
*The Branch has drawn many leaders from the Port of Spain and Sangre Grande because of its boundaries.
*The Branch was a testing ground to see how members would react to change because of the establishment of the District and the new boundaries. After a few struggles all seemed to be quite content.
*Its' one of the only Branches that has members that are very familiar with what goes on in other Branches. In the other Branches the general membership concern themselves with only their Branch's people, but Arima extends her awareness like a mother wanting to know about her children.

At present plans are under way to construct a chapel on a large piece of land off the Priority Bus Route. This land in which the Arima Branch resides is truly blessed and the members there seem to receive many items much faster than the other Branches did. Interestingly enough, Pres. Alleyne and his wife both attend there.

Richard Ramdhanie, a former Branch President over the Arima branch is still an active leader in the development of the membership there. Speaking of his relation with the District from the perspective of a leader, Richard said,

"I think it is wonderful that things are taking place in Trinidad and Tobago by having a District. My personal observation is that many of the local people are yet to understand and support the District. I have learnt to become more humble and careful in dealing with authority. I know that the District leaders are called by God. Sometimes we get the better of ourselves" (In reference to working with the District).

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Pres. Smith, the present Branch President, has recruited Br. Ramdhanie to work with him in realizing the vision of having great miracles in Arima. Richard works hard as a security guard and baker. His wife, who was instrumental in bringing him into the Church, is faithful in the Branch and its activities.

Laurel Bradshaw, a full time missionary abroad, wrote to the District Presidency in October 1997 to inform us of her progress thus far. I will share the end part of her joyful letter;

"I know that this is the Lord's Church and it was restored through Joseph Smith. I know that our duty as members of the Church is to share the 'good news' to our friends and family... by doing this great work -- great shall be our joy. Keep up the great work !"

Michael Garcia, a former Arima Branch President, has an adoring respect for the Gospel. His testimony has caused him to be propelled into the work of untiring service towards his fellowmen as Elders Quorum President. Despite Pres. Garcia's infirmities he makes continuous sacrifices for the work of the Lord to go on, thus inheriting peace to his soul.

YVONNE SUSANNA ALLEYNE, the wife of Pres. Albert Alleyne, is also a pleasant member of the Arima Branch serving in the position of Primary President.

"I was very excited when the District was formed. I feel happy and privileged to be the wife of the District President."

Sr. Alleyne, a retired school teacher, puts plenty of effort into magnifying her call. She is always interested in the well-being of the members and their faithfulness to be Gospel. She gets a lot of support from her husband;

"My testimony has grown immensely since the District was organized. I draw an abundance of support and strength from my husband",

said Sr. Alleyne. Speaking of her recent trip to Salt Lake City, Utah in September to October, 1996, Sr. Alleyne said,

"During my visit to Utah, I had the privilege of meeting the prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, because of my husband. Albert was introduced as the first District President of Trinidad. Pres. Hinckley was delighted to meet us and gave us a hug. He told my husband to keep up the good works in Trinidad. In October we were given tickets to attend General Conference. It was the Sunday session and as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I had always yearned to be present at a General Conference -- to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform. I thank Heavenly Father first for giving me the opportunity to be the spouse of the District President, to support him in his work for the Lord, and I am always thanking the Savior for the many blessings that I have received and am receiving".

ELDER KEITH B. and DONNA D. SMITH, are the newest couple to serve in Arima Branch. Elder Smith was called to serve as the Branch President after Pres. Ramdhanie's release. They were both born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah and graduated from the same High School - 'Granite', were they met. They were married on the 17th October, 1945 and solemnized their marriage in the Salt Lake City Temple on the 19th June, 1947. Elder Smith started out as a grocery stock boy and went on to be an environmental analyst by the time he retired in October, 1995. Sister Smith worked on a military base during world war II and then assumed the role of mother for five sons. Elder Smith has served in a variety of Church positions including as a Counselor in a Stake Presidency. Sister Smith has served no less having been called to many areas of service in both the Ward and Stake level. Pres. Smith compiled some of their thoughts about coming to Trinidad on a mission;

"We decided to go on a mission many years before we actually went. We finally realized that the Lord would help us to solve the many problems we faced -- and He did! Many other couples are reluctant to commit to serve a mission because they are set in their ways and think they cannot contribute effectively. Some are reluctant to leave their families thinking that something will happen to them and they will not be there to help them. If older couples decided to go on missions, something will happen to their families -- they will receive many blessings! For by so doing they are bearing a great testimony to their children and grandchildren as they give service to the Lord. They will find that they are able to contribute a great deal to the missionary program throughout the world. For the most part, Trinidad is a very beautiful place with kind, loving, beautiful people. We like here and feel very welcomed. Many times the people have gone out of their way to help us in our responsibilities."

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As the Branch President I wanted to know what Pres. Smith thought about the Arima Branch and his vision of what could happen here. His response was thus;

"The Arima Branch will grow and develop into one of the strong arms of the Church. There are many of the members and potential members who will become a great strength to the Lord's Church. We hope that when we leave Trinidad that in some small way we have been able to contribute to the building of the Kingdom of God. We hope the principle of love would have been established in many of the people here to enable them to truly be more like our Father in Heaven. We think that within two years... the foundation would have been laid for a Trinidad Stake and shortly thereafter a temple will be erected here. The thing that will make this almost certain is if the members here have enough faith and continue to testify that Jesus is the Christ and Savior of the world and that God His Father is our Father also."

President and Sister Smith are both beings of humility who desire the welfare of those whom they serve. They continue to be a great example to both the members of the Arima Branch and other full-time missionary couples.

Sr.Glasgow is also one of the early members to join the Branch after its formation. Meetings were held at her home sometimes in the beginning.

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