COUVA BRANCH

The establishment of the Couva Branch was part of the major events that led to the forming of the Port of Spain Trinidad District. One of the assistants to Pres. Valantine, Elder Gibb, was very involved in the beginnings of the Branch. Although the Branch was not 'official' as an independent unit until much later in the year of 1996, Elder Gibb gives his account of how everything began;

"The Couva Branch story began primarily on the 25th January, 1996, when President Valantine, the West Indies Mission President, received the go ahead to send two Elders to the Chaguanas area. Our main ambition was to organize the members in that area and hold a service as soon as possible. Elder Robinson and myself drove down to Couva that day and looked up all the members in the area. Finding a greater concentration of members in Couva than Chaguanas, we resolved on concentrating our efforts in Couva. With the invaluable assistance of Elders Summer, Lauer, Shurtleff, Clowney, and Bruse, we traveled down to Couva every Thursday to proselyte and find a building where we could hold our first service. We prayed hard that a building would be found and despite not finding any, our faith stood firm. Three days prior to our first sacrament service in Couva, no buildings was found in which to hold services, but our prayers were answered when a nonmember, Esmond Ramkissoon, offered us the use of his home. Upon meeting Esmond, I felt of his Spirit and told Elder Robinson that soon Mr. Ramkissoon would be a member. This was the first miracle - we found a building to hold services. Even if we did not find one, we were resolved to hold service in the local park if we had too."

"That Sunday, the 4th February, 1996, we began service at 9:00 a.m. with a short video presentation (The Lamb of God) and ended at 11:00 a.m. As the sacrament was being administered the strength of the Lord's Spirit was felt despite only having eleven people in attendance, four of those being missionaries. I gave a talk on the atonement and its application to us as Children of God. Many I'm sure, felt the witness of the Spirit of knowing that Jesus Christ is indeed our Savior. At the close of the service all the members remained behind to socialize and speak further about the experience of that day. Some of those that attended were; Sr. Mavis Manool, the Mohammed family and Melissa Paul and Peggy Paul."

Elder Gibb also gave me an agenda of the Sacrament meeting he spoke above.

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Couva Sacrament Meeting Sunday, 4th February, 1996

OPENING HYMN: #301 I am a Child of God
INVOCATION: Elder Lauer
CONDUCTING: Elder Gibb
BUSINESS: Reaffirm F.H.E. appointments for members
SACRAMENT HYMN: #194 There is a Green Hill Far Away

FIRST SPEAKER: Sr. Melissa Pau l- Joseph Smith / Restoration
OPEN FOR TESTIMONIES
LAST SPEAKER: Elder Gibb - The Atonement
CLOSING HYMN: #19 We thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet

Also on the agenda, Elder Gibb listed;

"Br. Elvis Mohammed and Elder Lauer passed the sacrament, while Elder Clowney and Elder Gibb blessed."

Thus the Couva Branch was born. Within this chapter I will try to give you a feel for this area known as Couva, its changes, growth, and so on.

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ELDER and SISTER DAVIS, a hard working missionary couple in Couva, shouldered and secured the Couva Branch during its infancy. They were both born and raised in Utah and only lived within three miles of each other. They met in high school and their relationship continued right up to the Logan Temple where they were married. Elder Davis worked in the Boeing Company and this caused them to move to Seattle, Washington where their five boys and two girls were raised. Sr. Davis served actively there in every Sister related calling including early morning seminary and being Relief Society President five different times. Elder Davis served in mission related callings both on the stake and ward levels. He was then called as the Stake Patriarch at the age of forty-nine. After seeing five of their children serve missions, they decided it was their turn !

"We were excited and felt it to be a wonderful challenge and opportunity",

said Sr. Davis. Their task to establish an operating leadership and functional Branch in Couva.

"Although it is impossible to put into place the full programs of the Church, there is something special about a new small branch. The Lord pours out His Spirit and there is a special feeling of love and unity among the members",

said Sr. Davis elaborating on their experience of working with only a few members. By the time the David's feet touched ground in Couva ( Feb. 1996) there had already been three or four sacrament meetings held by the full-time missionaries.

"We hardly had the needed items for Church service - there was no key board, hymn books or podium, hand kerchiefs were used to cover the bread and water on the sacrament table. Only nine or ten souls attended including the Elders, but by our fourth week twenty-six came out to Sacrament meeting."

Soon after the Davis' arrival, Elder Davis was called to be the Branch President and District Patriarch to the Saints in Trinidad and Tobago. He blessed the lives of nearly one hundred members with the bestowal of patriarchal blessings.

I never had an opportunity to ask a patriarch these two questions;

What kind of preparation on your part (referring to Elder Davis) takes place every time you have to give a blessing ?

"A patriarch is expected to always live his life in such a way that he is ready and worthy to give blessings, but each blessing requires many hours of meditation and spiritual preparation."

What kind of counsel would you give to someone wanting to prepare to receive a patriarchal blessing ?

"A member should always come for his / her blessing with an attitude of humility, gratitude and prayer, with a sincere desire to know that Heavenly Father would have them do. It is essential that the member is living the Gospel principles and have a strong testimony."

One of the strong active families that was baptized after the formation of the Branch was the Chatoor family. Commenting on how the family could of been faithful leaders locally, Sr. Davis said,

"One of the strongest families that have been baptized in the Couva Branch, was the family that consisted of father, mother, and three daughters -- the Chatoors. We had high hopes that Br. Chatoor and his family would be leaders in the Branch one day, but a month after their baptism, Br. Chatoor was killed in an auto accident. The death took its toll on the family and the Branch."

Sr. Chatoor and her family moved to Canada where their faithfulness and dedication to the Church has become a great strength to the members there. By the time Elder and Sister Davis were ready to leave the attendance at the Couva Branch sacrament meetings had reached sixty. They were touched by their blessings here and said,

"We see the growth of the Couva Branch to be steady with baptisms coming on a regular basis. In Couva and environs the Lord is preparing this people to receive His Gospel. The Church is here to stay and marvelous growth will take place in the years ahead."

On my first visit to the Couva Branch I felt impressed to get some of the feelings of those present. I passed around a piece of paper to those who felt inclined to write within their testimonies of having a Branch right in their own area. Each quote is followed by the name of the person who said it;

"I feel happy for the Couva Branch." (Sony Rambarran)

"I feel closer to God and the Holy Spirit. I feel I can now learn a lot about what God really wants for me and the purpose of my being on Earth." (Harzana Pallai)

"Its wonderful to be part of a Branch that is fashioned to grow. I can feel it in my bones - this Branch is going to be one of the best in the world!" (Judy Rafiza Mohammed)

"As a thirteen year old youth I feel very happy to be part of a growing Church. I feel challenged; its a choice of following the commandments and principles of God or doing the things that seem easier, but makes Satan pleased." (Melissa Paul)

"I feel privileged to be a member of the Couva Branch and I know in years to come it will be stronger still." (Peggy Paul)

"I feel very proud to be a new member of the Couva Branch and I hope that in years to come there will be more members." (Rosanna Ramkissoon)

"I had been introduced to the Church by my sister. Prior to that I had been associated with all forms of religious organizations looking for peace. However, now I have accepted the Book of Mormon and now I'm seeing a true Godly life. For me and my house we will serve the Lord in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." ( Esmond Ramkissoon)

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The full-time missionaries present also expressed their delight in the new area ripe with souls to harvest;

"I have really enjoyed being able to be a part of opening this great area to full time proselyting. The Spirit has really directed us thus far and I am excited to see the Branch's growth." (Elder Russel)

"Its pretty burly being part of the development of the Branch in Couva. I'm way psyched to have the opportunity to serve here!" (Elder Murray)

"Couva is the first place that I have had the opportunity to serve in. This area is great for finding new members of the Church." (Elder Whipple)

ROOP HEAMRAJ, the first local serving Couva Branch President, is also a resident of what I refer to as 'Heamraj Hill'. The Hosiens, Patels and Heamrajs all live on the same hill with only a few feet between them, hence my naming the hill they live on 'Heamraj Hill'. Pres. Heamraj spoke about his own personal history as regards to the Church.

"This Gospel has changed my life a lot. Before I was baptized, a friend invited me to his home where I had the first discussion. I was given the Book of Mormon. I can't really express the feeling I had but, I knew it was true and was baptized on the 29th September, 1991. I thank God very much for the missionaries - Elders Anderton and Rivera. Also baptized that day was Nisha Heamraj, Nigel Griffith, Rajin Heeralal and Sher Hosein. Rodney Rupa was the one who told me about the Church and up to this day he is not a member, but I hope that someday he will come and be with us. I am happy to serve in whatever calling that I am called to. God has blessed me and my family greatly, very greatly. My daughter was born with a medical problem and she has it very bad. I had spent a lot of money on her in the past, but on the 1st January, 1997 God had given me a blessing that money cannot buy - that is the power of the priesthood to heal my daughter. She was suffering a lot. I laid my hands on her and pronounced a blessing that the problem would go away. From then till now the problem has gone and never returned. Thanks to God, the Father in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, Amen."

Pres. Heamraj now has the difficult task of bringing the Branch's leadership to recognize their duties so that efforts of Elder and Sister Davis are not lost.

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GEETA PATEL, has been a member for about three years now. Her son, Vijay, is now serving a full time mission.

"I feel very honored and grateful for being a member of the true Church. I know it is the Lord's Church."

STACY PATEL, one of the young women of the Couva Branch, is also Geeta Patel's daughter.

"Being a young woman in the Couva Branch is a great blessing. Even though our numbers are few there is always a genuine love felt by everyone and the Spirit is felt greatly."

Stacy has become more aware of the importance of serving a mission after seeing her brother leave for his mission.

"Seeing Vijay go on his mission was difficult for all of us. As time went by I've seen how strong he has grown and what a better person he become. I feel very proud of him and the example he has set."

Stacy drew the picture on the left. Stacy also handles the music for sacrament meeting as the chorister.

DAMYENTY HEERALAL, is one of the blessed mothers of the Couva Branch as her daughter, Sher is now serving a mission in Florida.

"As her mom it was really hard letting her go, but I know that the Lord needs her there... I feel she made the right choice."

ELDER LARSEN, was called to be the Second Counselor in the Branch Presidency.

"I have learned from observation and many visits to members during our brief stay in Couva that the truism uttered to Peter by Christ, "When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren" (Luke 22:32) is applicable in Couva as it is in all the Church throughout the world. There are so few converted that the burden in the Couva Branch is shared by a precious few... but time and hard work by those few shall reap great rewards to their souls and will help the Couva Branch to grow."

Elder and Sister Larsen replaced the Davis couple.

POORAN AND RAFIZA MOHAMMED WILLIAMS, are great leaders in the Couva Branch. I used the word great in the form of their dedication to the work of the Lord. Pooran is the 1st Counselor in the Branch Presidency and Rafiza is the Young Women's President. They both were married a little while after the formation of the Couva Branch. Rafiza likes her work in the Church,

"I feel blessed, privileged and honored to be a member of the Couva Branch. We are a young Branch and trying to survive as we struggle to be abreast of things you could feel the power of God working."

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ANITA MOHAMMED, "I feel a sense of belonging everytime I am with my brethren, be it the Couva Branch or any other."

MARIA GOODRIDGE, one of the first few converts after the formation of the Couva Branch, is now a consistent member of the Branch and its' leadership.

"Heavenly Father has provided me with a wonderful blessing -- I am a member of His true Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints! For this I am grateful and will remain true to the faith"

Being one of the only young single adults in a growing Branch can be difficult, but Maria feels confident that she can be an example to the youth of the Church. Her mother, BABY GOODRICH is the Relief Society President and leads one of the most active women's auxiliaries in the District. Baby hopes to have full participation from all the Sisters within the Branch's boundaries with the help of her Counselors and the visiting teachers. One of her favorite verses is, "IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS."- From John 14:15, K.J.V. Bible. Baby has recruited her daughter as a teacher in Relief Society and together they make-up a good mother-daughter team.

ELDER MC KENZIE, is one the missionaries serving in Couva from his native land of Guyana. I asked him to compare the progress of the Church here and his own country;

"My observation is the Church in Guyana has been there a shorter time than Trinidad, but it has grown faster in Guyana. The Church is only the capitol with three receptive Branches, but besides all of that, the Saints in Trinidad are more friendly as well as there are many here that have been temple endowed."

Elder Mc Kenzie has an interesting conversion --

"When I was small, about the age where I could understand life, I often heard my mother saying --"When you reach the age of about twenty or so, something great will happen.""

As Elder Mc Kenzie grew older his mother's statement made him wonder what would be his great expectation. As a result of his curiosity he began to quetsion her. Elder Mc Kenzie said his mother related to him the following story in this manner --

"When I was pregnant with you, about six months, I had a vision that when you reached the age of twenty or over something great will happen, but what it is I do not know."

As Elder Mc Kenzie went through his years pondering his mother's vision he heard people tell him that the answer to his mother's vision is that he will be rich, but he found that it was his destiny not to be rich in wealth, but in blessings --

"When I was in my teenage years I was very quiet and inwardly observant. I would often get what I call 'impressions' that I lived some where before this life, but where or when I could not tell and anyone hearing me tell the story dare not to make me a liar. As I got older I began to get less of these 'impressions' and it began to live with me only in memory. However, I began to look forward for this age when I would get rich as others have said...Well, at the age of 19 two missionaries came to my home based on a request form Malcom Nurse, a friend of the family, to teach him about the Book of Mormon. Prior to this, Malcom saw the Book of Mormon in a store and asked if it were for sale. The storekeeper being a friendly person towards the missionaries told Malcom if he left his name and address two missionaries would visit him - Malcom agreed. The missionaries sat and began to teach Malcom in my home while I was standing behind a chair listening to them talk about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I felt a keen interest in that book and asked for a copy. Seeing my interest, the missionaries made an appointment to come back and teach me the second discussion. This second visit led to my being committed for baptism, but on the 4th discussion they revealed to me the truth of pre-mortal life and I realized that this was my 'impressions' during my childhood. I began my mission to the West Indies at the age of 23. Shortly thereafter my mother wrote me, "I now understand the vision I had -- you were to go on a mission.""

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Thus Elder Mc Kenzie wonders no more of his mother's vision. It's sad to note that when people hear of good fortune to come they perceive this to be things of worldly wealth, rather than blessings from the One above. Man has a tendency to follow after that which can be seen instead of the unseen. A good example of this is the story in the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi 17:54-55) of Nephi and his rebellious brothers Laman and Lemuel. Nephi was very patient and long suffering towards his brothers abuse, but after praying unto God Nephi gained power from on high to humble his brothers. Laman and Lemuel were so full of the 'natural man' that their immediate choice was to worship Nephi instead of the God from whence the power came. However, Elder Mc Kenzie and his mother knew where their miracles came from.

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