Monday was a beautiful day for a walk. We enjoy walking along the water at Stone Haven Bay and watching the birds catch fish, the sand crabs scurry to their holes as we pass and the activity of the people on the beach. Almost every day a crew cleans the beach of debris and trash.

As we neared the end of the beach where we hold baptisms, it was unusual to see the workers clear down on the beach (they hang out under the cover of the trees) huddled over something in the soft sand. They seemed excited. We hurried over to see what they were doing and we saw them taking something down to the water and tossing it in the ocean.

They were baby leatherback turtles! It is hatching time. The sun warms the sand and keeps the eggs at the proper temperature until they hatch out. The turtles need to come out at night so that they don't die from the sun because it is a long way down to the water. The workers were gathering the newly hatched leatherbacks and putting them in the ocean. It was so cute to see the small (about 3 inches long) leatherbacks swimming out to sea. Not all of them made it. Some got washed back onto the beach. Others died from the exposure to the sun. It is said that 1 in 1,000 make it to adulthood.

These birds were farther down the beach and didn't notice the activity with the turtles.

Small children and their grandfather were catching the cute stripped fish and crabs that run all over the rocks.

A sea snake was hiding under the rock and wouldn't let me get a good picture of him.

Sunday morning Baptism

A baptismal interview is taking place as the group is gathering. Deyonce, 6, is unaware of the specialness of this day for her parents. A huge storm was predicted for the area. The dark clouds are gathering in the sky. It is typical to see gorgeous white clouds one minute and suddenly the dark clouds move in and dump a load of rain.



Elder Ackerman and Elder Jarvis are ready for the days proceedings. Elder Ackerman will be speaking in sacrament meeting later this morning. Elder Jarvis is enjoying the opportunity to delegate the conducting of the baptisimal service to Elder Ackerman.


Kerron and Natasha are ready for the special moment when he gets to baptize her on this beautiful Sunday morning at Stone Haven Bay on August 9, 2009.


Shortly after the opening song, the rain began to fall. The group moved under the trees, which didn't provide much protection. You can see one person was prepared for the rain even though there were blue skies moments before. However, a tender mercy was provided and the rain ceased when it was time to do the baptism.

The sea was rougher than it looks in this photo. Natasha was a little nervous because she isn't a swimmer.

Sweet testimonies were borne by the participants.

Transfer Time

Moving out and heading to the airport. We just did this 12 weeks ago in reverse. Elder Jones is off to Chaguanas on Trinidad. We expected we might lose Elder Jarvis, not so. The "J" team has served well together.


They have been a distinctive duo traveling around the roads and paths of Tobago. It is tough to say goodbye.

Elder Jarvis was a little lost without a companion for an hour while we did some errands waiting for Elder Ackerman to arrive from Trinidad. He wasn't idle, however, he shared the gospel with several people and invited them to church.




Elder Ackerman is fresh from the MTC, as was Elder Jarvis 4 transfers ago. Now Elder Jarvis is the trainer. Elder Jarvis was with Elder Bartron for 2 transfers, then Elder Jones 2 transfers. Elder Ackerman is from Idaho and Elder Jarvis is from northern Utah.




They look like a hardworking companionship after two days together. They have attended a branch scripture study and PEC at the Rosses plus lots of visiting and contacting. There will be a baptism Sunday morning.

Stone Haven Bay Baptisms

Natasha and Kerron Regis are a cute couple who have been married just one year. She was in Guyana visiting family while he was taking the missionary lessons. He had her attend church in Guyana while she was there. She is planning to be baptized soon.

Men in white
Perez Estrado, Elder Ross, Kerron, Elder Jarvis, Stevon, Elder Jarvis

Stevon and Kerron were baptized on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at Stone Haven Bay.

The traditional talks on baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost were presented by Elder Jarvis and Elder Jones.

Elder Ross baptized Kerron Calvin Regis and Elder Jarvis and Elder Jones were the witnesses.

Elder Jarvis baptized Stevon Claudius Price. Elder Ross and Elder Jones were the witnesses. The elders were tempted to swim back to shore with Stevon.

Stevon, his mom and his girl friend.
His mother, Deborah, attended his confirmation on Sunday. His girlfriend lives in Charlottesville at the other end of the island.

A Face Lift

Over 2 months ago we found a new building for the branch to meet in on Sunday, but we still do not have a contract between the Church and the owner of the building. It will take over 2 months for the renovations the owner promised to do before we can move in. In the meantime, our current meeting place is looking shabbier and shabbier. When the electrical plugs quit working 3 weeks ago, that almost pushed us over the edge when the caretaker didn’t quickly get it fixed. We held church one week without the fans, and the nex without the PA system and organ as well. President Ramkissoon jury rigged the breaker box so we could have electricity to run the fans and the microphone, etc. the following week.

We have talked off and on about painting the building ourselves, but quickly talked ourselves out of it because we hoped to be moving soon. Last Sunday night we decided that we could pay one of the branch members who is between jobs to paint it for us. We bought all the supplies and he scrapped the floors of the yucky green paint and he replaced it with grey. He painted the walls an off color, what a difference. The missionaries scrubbed the doors and tables, what an improvement. The steps to the building also received a new coat of paint to make the building more inviting. It must have worked because we had 54 at church today. (Actually, we had a group of 18 BYU students join us and 2 families from Trinidad).