PORT OF SPAIN TRINIDAD DISTRICT

Part 3

AUSTIN PETER MENDOZA, was born in Trinidad on the 1st October, 1936. In Book One I mentioned that his conversion was the result of the efforts of Gary Ishmael and Lyndon Raphael. Austin has always been in many leadership positions and it was no surprise to see him called as a District Councilman upon the formation of the Port of Spain Trinidad District. He was later given the assignment of the District Assistant Executive Secretary and on the 28th September, 1997 he was called to be the Second Counselor in the District Presidency. President Mendoza, a retired builder, is now a builder in the Kingdom and far from retired. Pres. Alleyne and myself have a common joke;

"I wonder if Pres. Mendoza will be at the meeting on time ?"

--we would then laugh because he is always waiting on us to arrive and we end up being the ones late. Being a timely person, Pres. Mendoza is a great example to others in being organized and diligent in fulfilling obligations and assignments. He expressed his feelings of the formation of the District as thus;

"I feel good about the District for it shows we are growing. My testimony has been strengthened as I have the opportunity to see the growth of the members in the Branches."

EDWARD CALLENDAR, the District Executive Secretary, loves to see the Gospel working practically in the lives of people who wants to be part of it. I would always refer to Edward as the 'Professor of Studies' as he is usually building his academic knowledge in the area of accounts. Edward is also known as 'Teddy' and he loves to meet with and fellowship the Saints.

CARLOS CHAN-QUI, a proficient accountant, was called to be the District Clerk during the early formation of the District. His wife, LISA MARIA PATRICIA DOPWELL-CHAN-QUI, was called to the District Primary Presidency as the First Counselor. Commenting on the organization of the Port of Spain Trinidad District Lisa said,

"I understand now the need for a District. It brings about order and knowledge to the various Branches. It also makes me understand more fully how the Lord had organized His Church here on the earth and it's purpose. The [Lord] has left no stone unturned, no one is forgotten, He seeks to guide and direct all His children."

Carlos and Lisa were married on the 27th June, 1993, but at the time Carlos was a nonmember. Lisa, through example helped Carlos in his decision to become a member on the 17th December, 1995. They have a bright-eyed little girl called, Britnii. Carlos and Lisa were sealed for time and all eternity at the Brampton Ontario Temple along with their daughter on the 13th May, 1997. The Chan-Qui family are always prepared to bear strong testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ whenever you meet them in a sacred or special training meeting.

FELICIA JUANITA BORDE was called to be the Assistant District Public Relations Director.

"The organization of the District has allowed me to become increasingly more attuned to my Heavenly Father as I learn His law and obedience from the leaders within the District Presidency. My calling has helped me to feel worthy to help in building the Kingdom and has enhanced my knowledge of the Doctrine. I have better control of my life and I better understand the meanings of Brotherhood and Sisterhood. I feel very secure now that my faith has grown."

Sister Borde now travels back and forth to the U.S.A. to visit her daughter, Anna Lipka, as well as serving in the local Branch of the Church there.

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VELMA BELLAMY, is the District Public Relations Director. This call is extended by the Area Presidency based on the recommendation of both District and Mission Presidencies. Besides this calling, Sr. Bellamy is also the Chair Person of the Rotary Club of Princes Town where she is active in community service.

"Being in the public affairs of the Church affords me the opportunity to try and build bridges with other organizations which I feel is most important to the building of the Church."

ADOLPH BELLAMY, is the senior District Councilman having been the first to be set apart to such. His input in District Councilmen meetings have come to be quiet an asset because of his former work in the San Fernando Branch as Branch President. In commenting about the formation of the District Adolph said,

"It's good leadership for the Branches and development of the Church in our country. The members will be strengthened in the Gospel and it will bring about great principles to those who are parents to administer to their children because the leaders will be more mindful of their progress."

REUBEN RENWICK RAPHAEL, the longest serving local Branch President, was called to be one of the District Councilmen after his release as Branch President over the Port of Spain Branch.

"Brethren, its good to be here"

was his first words as we met with him in a short District Presidency meeting after he was set apart. Reuben continues to utilize his talents to help the work of the Lord move forward and ever onward. During 1997 he was the marriage officer for the weddings of Ashton Garcia and Jasmine Raphael and Anthony O' Cinnie to a woman from Croatia. Concerning the marriage of Ashton and Jasmine it made the front page of the Sunday Newsday (22nd June, 1997) with the headlines, 'An Unusual Wedding Ceremony--BROTHER MARRIES SISTER' with these headlines assuring that papers would be sold. The article within the paper described what was meant by 'BROTHER MARRIES SISTER'. O' Cinnie's wedding was also headlines in the same Newspaper (Sept. 1997).

JEAN MAHARAJ, the 2nd Counselor in the District Young Women Presidency, is also the daughter of Austin Mendoza. She too was also introduced to the Church through the work of Gary Ishmael and Lyndon Raphael. She has had a wide range of callings from Relief Society to Primary to the Young Women Presidency.

"The formation of the District shows the Church is growing in Trinidad -- my testimony has also grown and I will do my best to magnify my calling", said Jean. Sr. Maharaj is engaged to be married soon.

ANTHONY CLARKE, a member of the Arima Branch, is now serving a full-time mission in the West Indies with his first assignment in Guyana. Anthony for a long time, has been the male District Young Single Adult Representative. A very willing person always looking for ways to serve his fellowman despite his sometimes quiet character which is the best way I can describe him. He will be one of the great leaders of the Church here upon his return in 1999.

DENISE LOOKIT, a member of the San Fernando Branch, was called to be the female District Young Single Adult Representative after Sr. Shelly Ramdeen left for her mission. Denise like Anthony tries to find ways in which to help those who are less active or may need a little encouragement. At the 2nd Biannual District Conference she was released having moved abroad for a while.

LISA MAHARAJ, also a member of the San Fernando Branch, was called on the 26th October, 1997 to be the new female Young Single Adult Representative as well as Secretary in the District Young Women Presidency. Lisa is quiet a talented young woman -- using her talents to uplift those that she can. She plays the organ for her Branch after receiving tutoring from Sr. Stuart one of the couples who served in the Branch.

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LUCY JOSEPHINE PAYNE, the first person baptized in Trinidad, was also called to be the first District Relief Society President. She comments on her calling as well as how it feels to see the Church progress from her baptism up to now.

"After struggling for many years, we the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have come a very long way. We are proud to have reached the District level. It is also rewarding to impart of our years of accumulated knowledge to the five Branches of our Sisters in the Relief Society for whom we feel a great love and responsibility. On behalf of my Counselors, Sr. Elizabeth Rogers and Sr. Leslie Ann Seecharan, we say "thanks" to the District Presidency for calling us to these honorable positions. We pray and hope to be worthy of the same. I personally love getting to know all of the Sisters and feel their respect for me as I feel for them. May they know once more, through this article how very fortunate we are to be part of the Lord's great plan here in the earth, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The greatest part of something you have seen started before your very eyes or something good that you have contributed to, is one to be proud of ...and I am. One of the numerous Saints I admire a great deal is Sr. Emmerline B. Wells and dream I could be like her -- but its only a dream and I am only Lucy J. Payne."

LESLIE ANN SEECHARAN, is the Second Counselor in the District Relief Society Presidency. Sr. Seecharan used to be part of the Port of Spain Branch, but after the formation of the District and it's boundaries came into 'play', Sr. Seecharan and her family started attending the Arima Branch. She expresses her feelings about the changes that took place;

"When I heard I had to leave the Port of Spain Branch I was sad because I would be leaving those wonderful Sisters that I truly love. Arima Branch became the testing ground for my faith and reflection of the two greatest commandments- 'love of God' and 'love of neighbor'. I saw our attending Arima Branch as a blessing because of its proximity to our home. My children were sad, even Diana couldn't understand why we could not go back to our 'first' Church (Diana was only a little girl at the time). My obedience was the key to my spiritual success. I've learnt to be obedient and focus on the people (members of the Arima Branch) I have learnt to love them and from this action blessings truly came my way."

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[I remember during my stay in England my companion and I were part of a Ward that was being placed in a new Stake. We saw this as part of a plan for strategic growth developed by the Stake Presidency. However, the members in the ward did not see it that way and many actually sold their house or moved within the boundaries of their old Stake so as to resist the change. Sadly, this defeated the purpose of the boundaries. It was great to see that basically all the members cooperated with the change in boundaries for the Port of Spain Trinidad District here and for that the District Presidency was pleased.] Sr. Seecharan comments on her feelings about the formation of the District;

"I knew this would be something marvelous. My calling was an opportunity to serve once more and meet the Sisters of the District. My testimony has increased a lot. More and more souls are coming unto Christ. Eventually we will become a Stake and a temple will be built right here in Trinidad".

Sr. Seecharan loves the temple and the blessings therein --

"There are no words to describe my feelings about going to the temple, but through my obedience to serve and make righteous choices I have been blessed with gratitude in my heart. I thank my Heavenly Father for the many opportunities he has given me, one of them being the 'family history class'. It's a fun class and I hope that each District will have the opportunity to institute this program."