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
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