PORT OF SPAIN TRINIDAD DISTRICT

Part 4

KAREN WILLIAMSON, a returned missionary from England, is also the 1st Counselor in the District Young Women Presidency and a member of the Sangre Grande Branch. Below are some of her feelings about being part of the District, serving a full-time mission and the new Sangre Grande Branch building.

"I feel honored to be called to work with the young women in the District for it is a calling from God. Words cannot express how I feel as a returned missionary. My testimony has grown tremendously. There isn't a day that passes by without my mind reflecting on all the people and friends I've met on my mission and of course not forgetting -- my awesome spiritual experiences. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me the opportunity to serve a mission."

Sr. Williamson has a beautiful friendly smile that shows how much of an impact her experiences in England has on her. Mormon sisters can have tremendous impact upon the curious 'onlookers' who may find something rather appealing as the following story relates--

"Randy Bachman was a drummer in the 'Guess Who', a popular rock and roll band in Canada, before he met a Mormon girl and joined the Church. His life was changed one night in a Canadian cafe' and Randy knew right away there was something different about them. How different, he didn't know. "We thought they looked very California he said. It turned out they were very Salt Lake."
(Lengthen Your Smile, pg.343 Richard Nash).

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Sometimes the Branch President feels 'crushed' by the greatness of his responsibility -- especially when the District President comes knocking with questions of their stewardship. This 'crushing' effect perceived is not the main intention, but an awakening to the great call of being a 'Judge' in Israel, this is what the District President hopes to have each leader realize --

'Great is My Call!".

JEROLD E. BURNS, was born on the 27th July, 1947. He is married to Karen Williams Burns and together they have three children. They currently reside in Lilburn, Georgia, U.S.A. where Jerold is employed full-time as Area Director for the U.S Southeast Area of the Church Educational System. This area includes 10 U.S states and 21 countries in the Caribbean including Trinidad and Tobago. Jerold has been a member all his life having been part of generations of pioneers in the Church.

"I had to build my own testimony which I have done by study, by faith, by obedience, and observations of many others who have testimonies", said Br. Burns.

After serving a full-time mission in Brazil in 1966-1969, he then served in many District, Ward and Stake callings. Currently he serves as Young Men President in his own ward. Br. Burns gives a briefing on his work and why he visited Trinidad with Br. Fritzner Joseph;

"The assignment which brought me to Trinidad is representing the Church Educational System. As area Director I have the responsibility for 38 full-time seminary and institute coordinators. That includes approximately 2000 volunteer teachers and 25,000 students. We have the opportunity of serving approximately 107 Stakes and Districts of this Area. Among my most treasured experiences are the associations with the members of the Church. People of many nationalities who are dedicated to serving the Lord through serving others. Many of these people are teachers who sacrificed their time and talent for seminary and institute students. A sister in Jamaica who meets her class on Wednesday afternoon after school or a Brother in the Dominican Republic who opens the Church at 6:00 am for his class to enter. Knowing these kind of people are the greatest experiences of my life."

Br. Burns who has a Ph.D. in Educational Administration has a positive impression of Trinidad,

"The people are very friendly and supportive. Pres. Valantine in the Mission and the leaders in the District are very committed to their callings. With this level of commitment the future of seminary and institute look very positive. These classes will continue to grow in both size and strength -- it will be a training ground for people serving missions and being married in the temples. I am sure there will challenges, but with the Spirit and commitment of priesthood leaders and teachers many young people's lives will be blessed."

Br. Burns feels that every time he comes to Trinidad he has been strengthened and his understanding of Heavenly Father's love for His children expanded.

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FRITZNER ANDRE JOSEPH, a Haitian by birth, is also a C.E.S Coordinator for Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the West Indies. He is the holder of a BBA in Business, Economics and Accounting. In 1978 a friend of his came from Canada to Haiti to represent the Canadian government. He taught him about the Church and on the 21st May, 1979 he was baptized. He gained a great desire to share with others what we knew to be true and went on a full-time. He became the first man from Haiti to do so.

"I think it was a privilege for me and also a big challenge to be the first missionary",

said Fritzner. After his mission and the mission of marriage Br. Joseph received a call from President Monson of the First Presidency to serve as a Mission President in Haiti.

"I felt like a cockroach in a chicken party as I did not expect this big challenge...to be frank I was afraid."

Br. Joseph then found choice experiences while serving as a Mission President with his wife, Gina.

"I had in my mission over 80% of those that are now leaders in Haiti. I really appreciate these young people in Haiti."

Br. Joseph, a fun loving kind of person, is always thrilled to come to Trinidad,

"I just love Trinidad -- it looks like my own country, I really love the people. I have a dream for Trinidad, I see the island covered with stakes and with strong leaders, but first I think C.E.S. will be the key in all of that."

His wife always longs to visit Trinidad with him and he plans to make it possible one day but he says he needs to be rich first, however he does insist,

"I'm a rich man because I have a beautiful family, maybe the best wife in the world, five kids -- four girls and one boy."

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LABORERS IN THE MISSION OFFICE

When watching any exciting action packed movie the thrill of seeing star actors overcome the 'bad guy' or dodge speeding bullets is always seemingly rewarding experience. However, there is a lot of 'background actors' that make he stars look good on the screen such as the stunt artists or make-up designers. The same goes for some leaders in the Church such as those working in the West Indies Mission office who labor long hours doing administrative work for the benefit of the Mission as a whole. This 'background' work is essential for the District as well, for by it (paper work) was it known that its time for the District to be formed. The following full-time missionaries/couples are those who labor in the Mission Office.

PRES. DALE E. ASAY, the 1st Counselor in the West Indies Mission Presidency, has an experienced Church background. He relates it in his own words.

"I was ordained a Bishop in 1959 and serve for 5 years; called as a Stake President in 1971 and released in 1979 having served for 8 1/2 years. I also had the blessing of serving in most organizations of the Church including a mission in the Manila Philippines Mission with my wife, Sister Asay. During that period I served as 2nd Counselor in the Mission Presidency. Together my wife and I have 7 children and 22 grandchildren since our marriage in the Logan Utah Temple in 1952. The growth of the Church in the West Indies Mission is 4.91% a year; the growth of the Church in the Port of Spain Trinidad District is 5%. It is interesting that the growth is basically the same. The largest growth is in Guyana where there is a 15% growth."

Sister Asay describes how it feels to work in a mission office--

"Working in the Mission Office is an exciting part of the Lord's work. Here we work closely with the Mission President and his Assistants and can see what is going on in all parts of the Mission. We realize that our work is vital to the spreading of the Gospel in the West Indies as we take care of the financial needs of the missionaries, see that all immigration rules of the various countries are followed see to it that they have the necessary supplies for their work and many other things that help assure that the work of the Lord will go forward in the West Indies. We also have the blessing to meet with many members and leaders who come to the office for assistance. We know that every assignment in the Lord's Kingdom is important and can bring us closer to Him if we are diligent in carrying out our responsibilities."

ELDER ERIC J. NIELD, an Assistant to Pres. Mason, is from Lewisville, Idaho, U.S.A.

"I started my mission in March 96. The missionary work is great, the work is moving forward at a rapid pace and the hearts of the people are being softened. Within the past two months the number of discussions taught to nonmembers have more than doubled and more people are entering the waters of baptism."

ELDER SEAN L. STEWART, an Assistant to Pres. Mason is always from Alamo, Nevada, U.S.A.

"My family consists of six people all of whom are active in the Church. We live on a ranch and raise beef cattle. I have been on a mission since February of 1996, serving mainly on the French Islands of the Caribbean. Since my arrival in Trinidad, I've been able to witness a mighty change in the missionaries. Pres. Mason has asked everyone to pray that the hearts of the people will be softened and will accept the Gospel. The work has increased rapidly and results are becoming evident. The time is not far away that we will have a Stake in this beautiful island. This change is coming forth largely because of the help being received from the members in Trinidad."

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