Linstead-15

picture- Elder Chappel and I with Fabian, Camelia, and Fabian's younger sister yesterday after church for lunch. They taught us how to make fried chicken, rice and peas, and carrot juice.

This past week has been great, but, unfortunately, our mission is now putting a hard restriction on email time. I will likely not be able to respond to many emails like I've been able to, but please continue to keep me updated with letters and pictures. I'm so grateful for all of you that take an interest in me, and I apologize ahead of time if I'm unable to respond to your email.

I don't have much time now, but this week really has been great. This week we had 4 investigators at church and with more on date for baptism. Elder Chappell and I have set high goals for this week, and we'll work hard to achieve them.

I'll make sure to have a better email this next week.

Love,

Elder Ritchie

Linstead - 14 - A WHS fan in Jamaica!

pic 1 - Found someone with a Wasatch High School Basketball tshirt! I asked him for a picture, and he wanted me to pay him, but he reluctantly agreed. Ha!

pic 2- Elder Chappell and I

This past week we've seen a lot of progress with several investigators, especially Joseph.

We had a great first lesson with Joseph. He seemed very interested and committed to learning for himself. We had planned to help him out with construction a few days later. As we made our way over to see him, he was on the side of the road waiting for us. He told us that work wouldn't happen that day, but then gave us some great new. He told he received his answer. He read through the Restoration pamphlet, he read the Introduction of the Book of Mormon, the Testimonies of the Witnesses, the Testimony of Joseph Smith, and the first two chapters of the Book of Mormon. He prayed that night to know if these things were true. That next morning he received his answer. He received a call from a good friend of his that he hasn't talked to in 6 years. He explained to us that there's no way that the timing of that could have fallen at the same time he prayed about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. His faith is amazing. So many people can just leave that to luck or coincidence.

Definitely a great example of recognizing The Lord's hand in his life.

We've since had a Restoration lesson with Joseph, and the Spirit was so strong there. We were able to address all of his questions, and we're excited to continue to teach him. We'll be seeing him every M/W/F night for now on.

Another cool "random coincidence" that has since  happened since we met Joseph. Some "random" lady moved into the other apartment in Joseph's house/building. Her name is Janiece. Janiece, was actually being taught by the other elders in Linstead. Janiece was already on date for baptism before moving. We're now teaching Joseph AND Janiece, two very interested investigators, every M/W/F.

Elder Chappell and I have been doing a lot of finding recently. We talk to everyone. We are teaching a lot of new people now because of that. Last week we taught 20 lessons, found 23 potentials, and added 11 new investigators (first appointments + return appointment). We've basically doubled our numbers. As we continue to find more and more, we're teaching more and more. We've found several really interested people as well.

Fabian and Camelia have been dating for several years. Fabian is 22 and Camelia is 21. They love having us over. We're all around the same age, so we're kind of "hanging out", but we teach doctrine, answer questions, and The Spirit is there. Later this week they'll be teaching us how to make fried chicken and carrot juice. After that meal, we'll teach a Book of Mormon lesson. They're both religious and interested. I'm excited to see progression in them.

Speaking of chicken.... we asked another potential, Michael to teach us how to jerk chicken. We walked by his house as he was preparing his jerk chicken. We talked to him for a few minutes and didn't seem to get anywhere, but we still managed to get a return appointment. I then asked him if he'd teach us how to jerk chicken if we brought chicken with us. He smiled and got real excited. One thing I've learned is that Jamaicans love talking about themselves and sharing there talents. Especially in first lessons, I love to just ask, ask, and ask questions about them and their life. They could go on forever. That really breaks the ice and allows them to open up.

A few other investigators..... 

Rasheed is our age and a barber. I'm definitely going to him for my next haircut. Really great, sincer young man. He reads and asks sincere questions. He is, however, a 20 year old Jamaican with 20 year old Jamaican friends. His friends aren't that great of influences, but all very kind and respectful to us.

Shavane runs a 49 second 400m. nuff said

Denise came to church again! She's still reading and on track to be baptized on Dec. 6. Her 21 year old daughter, Yanique, however, moved in with her boyfriend in Spanish Town. She (and her boyfriend) still want to be taught though. They plan to get married. We've contacted the Spanish Town elders and they have a return appointment with her.

This past week has easily been the most productive and fulfilling week I've had in Jamaica. Learning a lot. Becoming more confident.

I can't imagine not being here. This has easily been the most rewarding 3.5 months of my life, and I'm sure the next 20.5 won't disappoint.

Elder Ritchie

pic 1 - Found someone with a Wasatch High School Basketball tshirt! I asked him for a picture, and he wanted me to pay him, but he reluctantly agreed. Ha!

Linstead - 13

 pic 1 - Last day with Elder Hall. I received his nice cool tie, and he got my even nicer and cooler tie. chuh

Today is the start of my 3rd transfer in the mission. I'm officially out of training. My trainer, Elder Hall, is now the Montego Bay/North Coast Zone Leader, and I received Elder Chappell from Pleasant Grove, UT. Elder Chappell has been here for 14 months and is coming from Kingston. He's also the new Linstead District Leader. Because I know the area, and he's new to Linstead, I'm leading our area. The past few days have been great though. We get along great and are hard workers.

We've been teaching Sabbath Day/Church Attendance and our role as missionaries to most of our investigators. With their recent progression, these lessons, and their verbal commitment, we were 99% certain we'd have AT LEAST 3 investigators at church (Denise/Yanique/Mr. Pearson), but no one showed up. They all had some excuse that didn't seem too valid. We obviously have taught the importance of church attendance and keeping the Sabbath Day holy well enough.

Elder Chappell and I have been doing a lot of finding recently. We try to get 21 potentials a week, but not many companionships reach that. This past week, Elder Chappell and I contacted 24 potentials all with return appointments. We contacted 8 yesterday. We're really exited about several of them in particular. We have several families and groups of people that we're going to start teaching this week. I love the way the work is looking for us.

This past Thursday, Elder Chappell and I were doing service for a sister in the ward when we got a call from President and Sister Brown. We know we've been obedient and good-boys, but the unexpected call is enough to freak us out. I answer the call and they ask where we were at the moment. They wanted to see us ASAP. We resolved to finished service and met them halfway. They even told us not to change into our proselyting clothes. We have no idea what this was about, but of course every possible situation is passing through our heads. Elder Chappell and I biked to the meeting place in our dirty service clothes and meet President and Sister Brown. They walk out of the car and hand me a slice of birthday cake! They apologized for not calling me on my birthday because they were in the Dominican Republic for a training meeting. They told us they love us and then left. Really love President and Sister Brown. Very amazing and genuine Christlike servants of The Lord.

Elder Ritchie

pic 1 - Last day with Elder Hall. I received his nice cool tie, and he got my even nicer and cooler tie. chuh

pic 2 - me

Linstead - 12 / Wasatch Christmas letter

We've got some BYU fans in Jamaica!

This past week has been great! We've been seeing a lot of progression in a lot of our investigators.

Denise and Yanique have really invested themselves in the gospel. Yanique finally talked to her boyfriend about living the Law of Chastity, and he agrees that it's probably the best thing to do. He'll take lessons from the missionaries once he moves out of his auntie's home (soon). They're both committed to baptism on Dec. 6.

Mr. Pearson was a man we street contacted several weeks ago. We've been able to meet with him somewhat consistently lately. He has a poor memory, but is working hard to overcome it! His Restoration pamphlet is COVERED in ink with notes and cross-references. He committed to baptism on Dec. 13. He came to church for the first time yesterday and loved it. He even gave comments in Gospel Principles and Priesthood class.

A man named Joseph stopped us a couple weeks ago while we were bicycling by his house. He proceeded to tell us that we 'worship Joseph Smith,' as we corrected him he grew to appreciate us, but didn't want to be taught. We offered to help him on the construction site. We brought all 6 elders in the district to help him mix cement and serve him. He really appreciated it and we're seeing him this Wednesday.

Elder Ritchie

Editor's note: Every student from Wasatch High who is serving a mission writes a letter that is combined in a big booklet for each of the missionaries to get for Christmas.  The missionaries LOVE getting their book for Christmas and hearing what everyone from Wasatch is up to on their mission.  This is Bryson's letter:

Wagwun Wasatch?!

I've been serving on Jamrock, in the Jamaica Kingston Mission since this past July. I'm following in the footsteps of my neighbor, friend, and local legend (and mission legend) Elder Daniel Pullan who completed his mission in Jamaica earlier this year. I had the great opportunity of talking about the Jamaica Kingston Mission with him before I left. He told me a lot about the culture, people, language, food, and areas; but, I'd definitely have to learn about it for myself.

Right now (Nov. 2, 2015), I'm entering my 3rd transfer in the mission. I've been serving in the Linstead Ward the whole time so far, and may or may not be by this Christmas. Linstead is a very bush area in the middle/ish section of the island. No beaches but a whole lot of greenl. Living deep in the Jamaican forest. The Jamaica Kingston Mission is technically an 'English-speaking' mission, but I couldn't understand anyone AT ALL when I arrived in Jamaica. I never thought I'd be praying for the gift of tongues in an 'English-speaking' mission, but I spent a lot of time on my knees asking for some understanding. It's definitely taken some time, but I can now understand most of what (most) everybody says.

Being a white missionary in Jamaica, I stand out like white on black... literally. We get a constant stream of chatter wherever we go. A lot of "white-mon!" "white-boy!" "whitie!" and either "Jake!" or "Joe!" A lot of Jamaicans think that all white-Americans are named 'Jake' or 'Joe' (think Juan or Jose). Most children actually think we're Chinese. There are quite a few local Chinese-Jamaicans, so if we're not black, we must be Chinese, right?! As we bicycle by kids, we hear a lot of "Chini-Mon!" or "Mr. Chin!" Or sometimes they think we're Mexican, "Hola!" I think it's hilarious.

If all you know about Jamaica is that they say "yeah man" and smoke ganja, you're on the right track. A whole lot of "yeah man", ganja, and dreadlocks, but it's not the 1st world, 1st class, tourist venue you may think it to be. Jamaica is very much a 3rd world country stricken with poverty and crime. It's a nation in desperate need of the Restored Gospel.

Jamaicans all believe in God and claim to be religious. Jamaica actually has the most churches per square mile in the world. Ironically, Jamaica also has the most bars as well. Literally church and a bar everywhere you look. The people will gladly talk and reason with us, but it's difficult to actually see them progress. It's really hard to get someone to commit to start living the Word of Wisdom or Law of Chastity - especially in Jamaica. Ganja and rum is so deeply ingrained in the culture; and most Jamaicans don't marry, there's just baby-mothers and baby-fathers. Because it's so difficult to see someone change, that makes the times when they DO change so much better! When an investigator has developed that faith necessary to quit smoking or tell their significant other they will now live a virtuous and clean life, those are the pay-days!

Some of the most effective tools that I've seen help our investigators have been the Book of Mormon, prayer, members, and service. 

We were teaching a former Jehovah's Witness and she could not accept some doctrine concerning The Fall. We struggled to teach her the Plan of Salvation. We weren't able to see her for nearly 2 weeks, and when we finally met with her, she told us she had read most of the chapters through Alma. Reading from the Book of Mormon answered most of her questions. 

Another investigator, Goffery, only met with us because his baby-mother is a member and wanted him to be taught. He had no interest and wouldn't pray in the first lesson. We finally got him to pray in one of the lessons and committed him to start praying everyday. Ever since we've seen his whole demeanor change. 

Most of our potential investigators are from street contacts, but most of our investigators are referrals. If the members and missionaries are unified in purpose, the work will increase!

Another man, Joseph, stopped us on the street and proceeded to tell us that we worship Joseph Smith. We talked and reasoned with him. He didn't want to be taught, but he accepted our invitation to help him mix cement in a few days. We helped him a few days later, and now we're teaching him!

I'm so grateful to be a servant of The Lord here in Jamaica. I've really grown to love the culture and people. I'm so grateful to be serving in the same time as so many friends from home. The Church is true, the Book is blue. #baptizenations

Likkle more,

Elder Ritchie