Week 24 in St. Thomas

The picture above is a fair representation of what the weather has been like lately.  Lots of cloudy days, but still not much rain.  The islanders are worried about the lack of water because most of them collect water in a cistern.  So when it rains, the cisterns get full and there is plenty of water, but if it doesn't rain, they have to purchase water and it isn't cheap!  So still praying for rain here......

One of the prettiest things on the island right now are these trees called: " Flamboyant."  They almost have a little oriental look to them, but the bright orange against the green is really just so beautiful and they are all over the island.  

School is finally out here.  All the students here wear uniforms.  You can tell which school kids go to by the color of their uniforms.  Frankly, I love this and think it is a good idea!  The kids in Japan all wear uniforms too.

We dropped by "My Brother's Workshop" this week to pick up the awards that they had for Elder Robinson and Elder Shah.  We got to visit with Suzanne Darrow-Magras  for a few minutes.  She is the Educational Director at MBW and she does such a fabulous job teaching, counseling, mentoring and so many other things for the students that attend school there.  She has her PhD, so could (and has) made so much more money than she does at this job, but she has the heart of a teacher and she really cares about the students and they know it!  St. Thomas is so lucky to have her here, and it is a pleasure to work with her.  

One of the things that Senior Missionaries do is teach the lessons after baptism.  We have been teaching Prince and his mom Vicky for a few weeks now and it really has been a pleasure.  Each week that we come, they are so excited to study and learn.  This is really what is it all about.....They are the ones that were living in that broken down trailer, but are now in temporary housing, awaiting public housing.  We are hoping that soon they will have a permanent place to live.  

At Eldra Schulterbrandt this week, we thought we would try to do a craft!  It reminded me of my old "Make It, Take It" classes.  We weren't"t  too  sure how it would go with the paint, brushes, water and all but it actually went pretty well.  Some did better than others, but all in all I think it was a success.  

As you can see, we didn't have a great selection of paint.  What we did have we borrowed from MBW! (So thankful!)  It isn't easy finding craft supplies here at all.  If I had only known........I could have probably supplied the island with all the paint I have at home.  

One of the things we did Friday was visiting Doris at Queen Louise.  She told us last week that her birthday was the 28th, so I asked her if there was anything she wanted for her birthday and she said:  "a pink duster size 3X,"  gotta love a woman that knows what she wants!  So we looked on the island for that, but of course we had no luck.  So we ordered her one from JC Penneys and it actually came on time.  She smiled pretty big when she opened it.  It really is a joy to help others in the little ways that we can.  Speaking of birthdays, it was Grant's 35th birthday and would have been Annie's 12th birthday on the same day.  So thankful for the understanding that this life isn't the end and that we will see Annie someday.  What gift it is to know that.......so thankful for the Plan of Happiness that the gospel of Jesus Christ gives to us and for all He has done for each one of us to make that possible.  

Jackie, Talor, Max and Mikayla at Annie's grave on her 12th birthday.

Happy 35th Birthday to our youngest Grant (with his wife Olivia)

This was a group that gathered at the St. Lot home for a Book of Mormon class.  After the class they fed us a GREAT dinner.  They are a huge part of the Tortola Branch.

This is a picture of some of the great your adults in the Tortola Branch with our Elders.  They are so much fun and so dedicated and faithful.

The Tortola Branch on June 30th, 2019.  Love these people!

We ferried over to Tortola for the weekend.  It is always wonderful to visit that amazing branch of the church and to feel the strength that they have there.   Elder Graff is about to wind up his mission next week, so we took some pictures with him and Elder Cox with the Branch members.  

Well that's a wrap.  The work continues to go forth and it is a joy to be part of it in our little way.  Thanks for all the prayers on our behalf, we need them, and feel them. 

Stay Strong and Steadfast,
Love,
Dick and Donna