Linstead - 7

pic - 'Fambily' - Jamaican Patwa slang for 'family'

This past week has been a good one, although it's been frustrating at times. The past few days, the vast majority of our appointments canceled. A lot of our investigators have just been busy. That's frustrating, but we have return appointments with all of them. We have, however, seen improvements in our investigators that we've been able to see consistently. It had been really frustrating to not have them keeping commitments, but many of them read from their Book of Mormon and came to church. They're having positive experiences. Elder Hall and I made a goal earlier last week to have a positive outlook and faith that they'd follow through... and they have! That has been really satisfying.

Today is the first day of my 2nd transfer in Jamaica. Elder Hall and I are still in Linstead, and Elder Hall is the our new District Leader. We swapped 2 elders for 2 others. I'm excited for this transfer. Elder Hall is finding ways to improve the work in Linstead.

I'm glad that Elder Hall is the one training me. He's been a great example of looking for ways to serve others. Members, investigators, formers, Mormon-haters, anyone. There have been several times this past week where he's insisted on us helping others. Chopping bush, painting, fixing pipes, just about everything. Being in the service of others really helps me to strengthen and develop my love for the Jamaican people. 

And Utahns must love to give! Jamaica is very 3rd world, and a lot of their clothes are from thrift stores in the states. I've seen 3 jazz jerseys, a byu hat, a byu shirt, a jimmer jersey/shirt, and a wasatch high school basketball shirt. Haha keep on giving Utah!

Elder JB Ritchie

Linstead - 6

This past week has been a good one! We now have 4 investigators on date for baptism..... but none of them showed up for church. That's definitely disappointing - especially when they promise to be there. We need to find ways to encourage them to come. In the end, though, they need to have that faith in Jesus Christ and that this is the ONLY way back to God. We're doing our best to develop that faith in them, and I've definitely been seeing improvement.

We've had several successful lessons with new investigators. We were walking about a mile from our house, and we walked by a man in his 60s chopping away bush with his machete. We wave and say hi, and he get's excited! "Oh Mormons! Sure I'll let you guys teach me, I like you guys...." He goes on for like 10 minutes on how he knew some sister missionaries that were super nice to him. He was busy then, but we told him we'd help him chop bush a couple days later. So a couple days later came, and Elder Hall and I showed up with our machetes and chopped bush for 2 hours. It was my first time actually using a machete for reals (and it was apparent), but by the end I was the machete master. Fun stuff. Lincoln is a cool guy. Likes us a lot. He's called us a few times at night and told us how much he appreciates us and loves us. Super cool guy. He came to a Friday-night activity at the church and loved it. He's also introduced us to several of his neighbors who we're now teaching!

Sis. Salmon delivered her (and Goffery's) baby this past Tuesday. Elder Hall and I came up to their house on Saturday for a lesson with Goffery. It was really cool to see how they're coming together as a family. We're hoping that they find some money soon to get married.

This morning, for P-Day, we got up at 4:30, started studies at 5, and traveled to a cave with the other elders in the district. A sister in the ward used to take people on tours in there, and she was able to hook us up with helmets and lights. The cave was amazing! We had to climb down a massive hole by holding on tree roots. The cave was filled with roaches/bats/crabs and cool rocks and crystals. WAY FUN. Great P-Day.

The mission is great. It's The Lord's work. I'm so happy to be a part of it.

Elder Ritchie

Linstead - 5

This past week has been a good one. I feel like I've been improving every day. I know that through The Lord I can do anything that He wants of me.

Last Tuesday trade-offs happened and my companion went with the district leader in his area. I led my area with the DL's companion. Having had to lead the area really helped me grow. Of the two of us, only I knew the area, and only I knew the people. We had a very busy day. 6 lessons, and they all seemed to go well. We also recorded 8 potential investigators! The goal is 3 a day, and we've been struggling to get that. Preach My Gospel says to "talk with everyone" and I literally did that in between appointments. I talked with everyone, asked for directions, got to know them, and asked if they'd like to hear more. I know my approach will get more smooth with time, but I was very happy to have gotten 8 potentials. I feel like I've been improving, and I know there are so many areas in which I must improve.

Church this week started at it's usual time 10:12. Hahaha, no one was there by 10 not even the bishopric. The doors shut during the sacrament, and when the doors opened up again, the size of the congregation doubled. Jamaicans come and leave as they please.... but at least they come. Goffery (investigator) came in with 5 of his neighbors that have been referrals from him. It's been great to see how his influence is helping others come unto Christ.

Interviews with President Brown are tomorrow. We've all been excited for this. He's an amazing man. As soon as he saw us in the airport he ran over, gave us a hug, and told us he loved us. He's 39, native Jamaican, and has little kids. Such an amazing man. He knows Jamaica is in need of the truth. All the missionaries here have the highest respect for him. I'm excited for the time I get with him tomorrow.

Funny thing happened this past week. We had a sit-down get-to-know-you with a family that a man named Lincoln wanted us to get to know. Nice family - Mom, 13 yr old girl, 11 yr old girl, and 8 yr old boy. As we were about to leave, it was somehow brought up that Elder Hall's 20th birthday was the next day. They all congratulated him and then the 13 yr old girl got up to give him a celebratory hug. Elder Hall was standing next to me, and I saw the fear in his eyes. Elder Hall is a tough guy. I've never seen him nervous. He's seen some sketchy stuff out here. We've both seen some sketchy stuff out here. He's never been even kind of nervous, let alone completely terrified. As the girl quickly approached him Elder Hall slow started backing away, then faster, and faster, until he was pinned at the grill and put his hands forward to block the hug. He explained that that's not allowed for us as missionaries. They all gave a bunch of awkward laughs, and I thought I was going to pass out because he was so scared. Hahaha. Seriously so funny.

Also...... BYU won again! Glad to hear about that! Tanner Mangum is the guy! Hahah hope they keep it up!

Elder Ritchie

Linstead - 4

This past week has been a good one. I feel like I've grown a lot spiritually and that I'm progressing as a missionary. It's been fun to take a step back and see the progression some of our investigators have made.

I want to take a minute to talk about one of our investigators, Goffery. Goffery is the baby-father of Sister Salmon's pregnant belly. Sister Salmon has been a member of the church since 2007, held callings, and has been active since. She has a genuine testimony that this is the ONLY true church. Goffery is one of the first people I met with when I arrived in Linstead. He had visited several times with Elder Hall and his last companion before me, but there hadn't been much progress. When I first met Goffery, I wasn't impressed with him. I could tell that the only reason he agreed to meet with us is because his baby-mother was making him. He had no interest in us. He wasn't ever engaged in the lesson. Always really quiet and withdrawn. He has changed SO MUCH. I love Goffery now. He's a GREAT man and will be a GREAT father. A few weeks ago we challenged him to pray. He wouldn't pray in front of us, but he said he'd pray on his own. We meet with him 3 times a week and he progressed EVERY TIME until he started praying with us there! His prayers are genuine and sincere. He prays for our safety and well being. He loves to pray. He wakes Sister Salmon up in the morning and initiates family prayer. He is now a kind and outgoing guy, where before he was so withdrawn. He can't be baptized until they get legally married, and he can't get married until he gets another copy of his lost birth certificate, and he can't get that until he gets money, and he doesn't get much money. They're very poor. They live in a 10'X10' shack with zinc shingles roofing, but they are a happy people.

The 6 of us missionaries serving in the Linstead Ward taught 3rd hour last week. Bishop Richardson and the 6 of us talked about the importance of member missionary work. After Bishop pumping everybody up, and after the missionaries pumping everybody up, we go ZERO referrals. Frustrating. Almost discouraging. But definitely frustrating. The church in Jamaica is not growing very fast. Missionary work in Jamaica opened the same year that missionary work opened in Haiti. Jamaica got their first stake last year. Haiti has multiple stakes and a temple is under construction. Member missionary work is a big deal in Haiti. We're trying to emphasize that here too. Elder Martinez of the seventy and Elder Cornish of the seventy (presiding over the Caribbean missions) have told the missionaries here that this is the most obedient mission they've seen. We've got hard working elders and sisters, but (for the most part) Jamaicans would rather hear about Jesus from a Jamaican rather than some white guy. Member missionary work is important. I encourage EVERYONE back home to spread the gospel to those who need it.... and EVERYONE needs it!! At zone conference a few weeks ago, Elder Martinez of the seventy presided. He told us about the church in Cuba. Obviously there are no missionaries in Cuba, and he told us that he hopes that the church NEVER send  missionaries to Cuba because of the member missionary work there. The church is growing in Cuba, and it is 100% done by the members. You do not have to wear a nametag to be a missionary!! I encourage everyone to share the gospel with someone not of our faith.

Like I said earlier, the 6 of us elders thought that our member missionary lesson was a waste time, but then Goffery has stepped up to be the best member missionary in the ward..... and he's not even a member! We're are now teaching 4 other people because of him! 4!!! 2 of them are on date for baptism next month, and the other 2 seem really interested.

I've loved seeing the progression in Goffery. He loves praying. He loves church. He loves being a missionary.

We've also had quite the setback though. Sabastian was on date for Aug. 30th. He pushed back his date because he didn't think he was ready. He was worthy and had a testimony, but he wanted to get over his anger problem first though. Just as things seemed to be clearing up, and we were hoping he'd get baptized soon, we got bad news yesterday. This morning Sabstian moved. He moved a long ways away where we won't be able to meet with him, and there is no church near him. He's dirt poor and can't afford to taxi, and he can't wheelchair to church anymore because he lives miles and miles away. That's rough. It's been really hard on Elder Hall because he's been teaching Sabastian since last transfer. Hope he can continue to read and pray, and maybe one day he will enter the waters of baptism.

Also..... BYU won!!! I think the hardest part of the mission so far has been the ZERO-CONTACT with ESPN. Hahahaha, but seriously this weekend was driving me nuts not knowing how the game went. I'm glad to have hear that BYU won in exciting fashion, but I'm heartbroken to hear that Taysom will have his 3rd straight season ending injury.

Life in Jamaica is good though. This is The Lord's work, and I'm glad to be a part of it.

Elder Ritchie

Lindstead - 3

This week has been crazy. A lot of ups and downs, but I've gotta stay positive. I don't have a lot of time to write right now, but I wanna write down a few things that happened.

We visited Ramar (20 yrs. old) at his house to go over 1 Nephi 1 with him like he asked. When we got there, his cousin, Sean, was there to prove us wrong like he always tries to. Sean is educated and intelligent. He knows his Bible well. He showed us 4 or 5 YouTube videos and scriptures explaining why Jesus is black..... we listened......"alright Sean, but we wanna talk with Ramar now" He insisted we kept listening. Some Jamaicans have funny looks on some Bible stories/prophets/Jesus.

It's been a good week, but definitely a hard week. I'm having trouble with patience. Jamaicans are an idle people, and I don't like laziness. It's frustrating to extend commitments, only to not have them follow through with them. It's sometimes discouraging, but I'm doing my best to love them and do my part in inviting them to come unto Christ. It's their job to do the 'DO'ing.

peace

Elder Ritchie

Lindstead - 2

Linstead week 2 has been a good one. A hard one. But a good one.

I can't count the number of times I heard this before I got to Jamaica...... "Where will you be seriving?" "Jamaica" "Jamaica?! That's not a mission, that's a vacation! Hahahaha (Laughing in vain)" Missionary work is WORK. This is no vacation. My surfing time is limited to ONLY 2 hours a day. (That's a joke). Seriously thought, this is hard stuff. But I'm happy to do it. "The truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, til it has visited every climb, swept every country, and sounded in every ear" I'm SO GRATEFUL to a part of this great work and to serve the Lord and the people of Linstead, Jamaica.

Last Tuesday (I think), Elder Hall, Elder Gordon, Elder Ostrowski, and I went to a dinner appointment at Mama Davis' house. Mama Davis is in her 60s and crazy. Super nice lady though and a long-time member of the church (since 1999). She is married to a Rasta. Papa Rasta. Papa Rasta is ALWAYS high. Seriously. ALWAYS. The elders love eating at Mama Davis' because of Papa Rasta (and the food). The guy is crazy. CRAZY. He speaks HARD Patwa and just goes on rants forever. He's hilarious. He explains to us why Eve is evil. She partook of the fruit, and E-V-E. You take of the last 'E' and add an 'I-L'. E-V-I-L. Look at that. Hahaha the guy's logic is different. He explained why ganja is good for you (it's apparent by just looking at him). Mama Davis gave us all a slice of pear (avocado - they call avocado 'pear' here). Someone said 'pear', and then Papa Rasta, stands up and SCREAMS, "Dat's no pair!! Dat a single!!!" He then grabbed two slices of avocado, and said "Dis is a pair!!!" He then went on a 20 minute rant on how Americans can't pronounce anything right. He was smoking his ganja the whole time, and preparing his next joint. Funny guy. We all filmed him the whole time, and he was oblivious to it. Mama Davis fed us stew peas with chicken foot and pig tail. yum.

On Saturday, the Linstead Ward and us 6 elders performed a service project at a primary school up in Ewarton. We were there mixing cement and paving a new driveway fromt the school to the dirt road. Hard work. While we were there two white people show up acting like they own the place (pssshhh white people). Actually they were from KSL. They had coordinated this with Bishop Richardson, and they would be filiming us for a documentary about the LDS Church and service. THIS WILL BE AIRING IN BETWEEN CONFERENCE SESSIONS IN OCTOBER. Look out for me everybody. Imma be famous. It was hard work and I'm sore, but some of the sisters cooked up some fried chicken, and that makes it all better.

It's been a good week. I love it.

Elder Ritchie

pic 1 - Found this in one of our progressing investigator's garden

Lindstead - 1

I never thought that I'd be praying for the gift of tongues in an "English speaking" mission. But I HONESTLY can't understand A WORD people say here. I'm dead serious. Patwa is a whole new language and they won't speak English unless I ask them to. Then I have to ask them to slow down. And then I still can't get understand the accent. It's alright thought, because I love Jamaica. The people are great. So nice and willing to talk. Granted, it may be because they are all either high, drunk, or both, but nonetheless, they are a great people and I love them.

I'm serving in Linstead. Linstead is middle-most mission on the island. In the thick of the forest. I haven't seen the ocean since the plane ride, and I was aisle seat, so I haven't really seen the ocean since before that. Linstead is also a lot cooler than the other parts of the island. It still is crazy hot and hellishly humid, but it's a lot worse on the rest of the island. Jamaica has been in a drought for a while, not a lot of rain. Everywhere on the island.... except for Linstead. A whole lotta rain everyday so far. But biking in the rain is fun. And I'd rather be soaked from rain+sweat than just sweat so it's fine. Sweat though. The humidity will get you. My comp says he hasn't been clean since before his mission. You get out of the shower, dry off, but you never actually get dry.

My comp. I've really been wanting to have a trainer that works hard, and luckily Elder Hall is that guy. He's hard-working and knows his stuff. He's got Patwa down as well. Enough for the two of us. He's developed a really good relationship with the members here. I hope to be able to do that as well. Unfortunately, I don't talk much at all. And that is all because I get embarrassed to communicate with people because I don't understand what they're saying. Elder Hall has to be the Translator - but only one-way. Me to Jamaican and then Jamaican to Me (Me doesn't understand Jamaican) so actually Jamaican to E. Hall to Me. The other missionaries say I'll pick up Patwa decently well in the next few months.

There are 6 missionaries serving in Linstead. All Elders. The other 2 companionships have pretty small areas. They actually walk most places. Elder Hall and I are actually in a driving area.... with no car. We bike everywhere. We'll go teach a lesson 7 miles one way, then drive another 5 or so to another, than maybe 2 to the next, then 3 more to another, ALL DAY LONG. I'm gonna have huge legs when I get back. It's actually the largest area on the island, and we're biking it instead of driving.

Another cool thing. Everyone here goes by their 'yard name'. Pinky, Baussy Pig, Sugar, Juneby, Shawtta, Fatta, etc.. I've been given two so far. "Curry-Flava" and "Brown-Mon" Hahaha. These were given to me as E. Hall and I were helping with construction on an investigators house.

Right now we have Sebastian committed for baptism on the 30th of this month. Sebastian is in a wheelchair, and WHEELCHAIRS himself to church (prolly 3 miles) every Sunday for the past 5 or 6 weeks. He's 20 and was born with disfigured legs. He has short legs to his knees, disfigured knees, a nubbin on his right leg, and twisted legs and feet past his knees. He is such a happy and bright person though. We believe we can get his brother to commit to baptism as well.

I love Jamaica. I love Jamaicans. I love Missionary Work. The Work is the same whether you're in Jamaica, San Antonio, Mexico, Salem, or Peru. I'm so grateful to be a part of this wonderful work.

peace

Elder Ritchie

MTC week 2

Alrighty.....

It's been a crazy week, and I've loved the MTC...... but I'm so glad to be leaving to Jamaica tomorrow! I meet at the MTC travel office at 3:30am then get to Jamaica tomorrow night. I'm really praying that I can find a Chik-Fil-A in the Atlanta airport. I'm going through chikfila withdrawals and it's painful. #eatmorechikin

Last Tuesday Elder Russel M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke at the Tuesday night devotional. It was broadcasted to every MTC. The love that man has for the missionaries is amazing. I, by some miracle, was able to sit in the 4th row, DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HIM. It was so great. I felt so at peace. When he was born, church membership sat at less than 600,000 members. Nowadays, church membership is over 15million members. Missionary work is amazing. His wife also reminded us that we have 15 million people praying for us - of course not all 15M pray for us, but it is still amazing to think about how many people pray for the missionaries every day. Thank you all!

Elder Daniel Manning (Cincinnati) and Elder Paul Fitzgerald (Budapest) came in this week, it's been fun to see all WHS here!

So much has happened is so little time with so little time to write about it! Anyways it's been real good at the MTC.

MTC Week 1

Hello everybody!

It's been so great to hear from everyone that's emailed me! Thanks everyone so much! And let me tell you all..... The MTC is great! The Spirit is so strong here! I'd heard so many people (before I got here) talk about how much they didn't like the MTC, but it's great here, I love it so much! Having said all that..... I do want to leave it right now and go to Jamaica. I'm getting so antsy to leave and go serve the wonderful people of the Caribbean. 

There are so many missionaries from Wasatch here! It's great! First of all, elder beau lindsey and i are in the same district! and elder zach strong, sergei bowen, jaxson roney, and griffen harmon all came the same day i did. (it takes too long to capitalize letters and i don't have much time) and ive also seen elders dow, wilcox, orton, lowe, and so many others! It's a great work, and I'm so glad to be participating in it with so many friends. 

My companion, Elder Ludlow, looks exactly like Daniel Radcliffe, so that's cool.

This past sunday had to have been the most spiritual day I've had in my life. the Spirit was so strong throughout the whole day. I wanna share a story that one elder shared. His brother told him this story before he left on his mission.

A long long time ago in the pre-earth life two friends were waiting for their 'mission calls'. One friend opened his call and was happy to find out that he would be sent to the United States. He would be born in a family with the Priesthood; and he would grow up in the church. His friend then received his call. He was going to Costa Rica. He wouldn't have the Priesthood in his family, and he would not know of the gospel in his family. He was sad. Then he made his friend promise that he would find him and rescue him. Bring him back to his Father in Heaven. This left such an impact on me. I KNOW that my call to serve the people of Jamaica is God-sent. I have a reason and a purpose there. I don't know what it is yet, but i know as i live by the Spirit I will find it.

That same meeting an Elder Crutchfield from Georgia shared his powerful testimony. Elder Crutchfield is an african american convert of only 15/ish months. He got up to the pulpit, got emotional, and told us that we (y'all) were his heroes. "Last March 2 of y'all knocked on my door and rescued me. Changed my life." Elder Crutchfield is now a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is an amazing guy whose had an amazing turn around. He's got tattoos on his biceps and chest (see them at gym), he's a quiet guy, but he's really put a new perspective on missionary work.

Sister Sheri Dew came for a devotional sunday night and gave an amazing talk.

And we watched the "Character of Christ" devotional that elder Bednar gave a few years ago. This is easily the single most inspiring talk/devo i've ever heard. it is only shown in the MTC, and I wish I could watch it everyday. I wanna talk about it now, but I'm running out of time.

peace

Elder Ritchie