2017 ...Two Weddings and a Funeral (and a Baptism)

This is little Julia Weekes.  Her parents have been taking the missionary lessons for years, and it was our great blessing to be here when they finally decided to be married and become baptized members of  Christ's church.   The concept of marriage and family here is not well understood or respected, so this was a big step for them.  It is rare to find an intact family on these islands, so the missionaries help them create one.  Before a couple can get baptized they have to get married in order to keep the commandments regarding the holy order of matrimony.  So Keisha and Julian got married at our little 

church branch house. We could feel their joy as they were married.

 

The next weekend they wanted to be baptized together. This was done at the beach just down the hill from the church. President Sutherland of the Kingstown Branch baptized them,  as the last set of missionaries who taught them, Elders Alldredge and Monroe ,were witnesses.  Several members attended  to enjoy the occasion, including us!

The next week we had a funeral to attend with President Booth conducting it as it was the Kingstown Branch President's father who had passed away.  Bro. LaBorde was a faithful member for many many years - one of the original members.  He was elderly and died of cancer.  The funeral drew a large crowd ( first meeting we have been to that actually started on time!). His casket was bright red with gold colored trimmings.  After the service at church we went to the grave side dedication.  The main difference between a funeral here and  one in the states, is that they covered the casket in the ground with the dirt as we all watched.  It took about 45 minutes and was rather depressing for his wife.  

   This is a view of part  of  the cemetery as we are standing near the grave site. It was quite steep up   where he was buried and we nearly fell several times onto ( into) other grave sites.  

We were blessed to finish off the month with another wedding.  This one was between two active church members.  After their beautiful ceremony,  they flew off to be sealed for time and all eternity at the Panama City Temple in Panama.  ( As in the UK, one has to be married in a civil ceremony and the marriage registered at the ceremony before being  married in the temple.)

.....There were a lot of other things that happened during the month, but these events were certainly the most memorable.  We had reconfirmed to us many times,  that God loves His children everywhere    and the greatest expression of that love are the joyous and comforting principles of the restored    gospel of Jesus Christ.