http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty Another Nifty Geeklog Site jll@larsenfamily.com jll@larsenfamily.com Copyright 2009 jamaicanrm.org GeekLog Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:57:44 +0500 en-gb http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20090109213316780 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20090109213316780 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:33:16 +0500 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20090109213316780#comments Mission Reunions When: Friday April 3, 2009Where: 900 South 400 EastCenterville, Utah 84014Time: 6:00pmFor more details go to http://jkmreunion.blogspot.com/Please RSVP at jkmreunion@gmail.com http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/trackback.php?id=20090109213316780 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=2008102623345853 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=2008102623345853 Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:34:58 +0500 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=2008102623345853#comments Mission History It's been many years since I served in Jamaica. In fact I never served in the Jamaica mission... It was called the West Indies mission at the time. When I arrived in 1983 there were 6 missionaries on the island, 4 elders and 2 sisters. The sister were located in Mandeville the elders in Kingston and Maypen. They were the final sisters to serve on the island unless the policy has changed since then. I was called to the Florida Ft. Lauderdale mission and arrived in November of 1982. At that time Most of the West Indies were part of our mission including Haiti, Jamaica, Guantanamo Bay, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, the Leeward and Winward island groups. Dominican Republic and Puerto rico were there own missions. Some of the French speaking island were part of the French missions and missionaries from France were transferred there near the end of their service. About 6 months into my mission I was called to serve in Jamaica around April 1983. Also at that time Haiti became it's own mission. At our mission conference held in Miami that month the mission President Kenneth L. Zabriskie announced that the Ft. Lauderdale mission was to be dissolved and that Ft. Lauderdale would be part of the Tampa mission. He would be the new West Indies mission president. I was scheduled to leave for Jamaica in July/August 1983 and was working on getting my passport and working Visa to go to Jamaica. Pres. Zabriskie took about 20 missionaries from the Ft. Lauderdale mission with him. He set up the mission Home in Christchurch Barbados. I'll continue part 2 as time permit and memory returns LOL! http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/trackback.php?id=2008102623345853 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20071222213642291 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20071222213642291 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 21:36:42 +0500 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20071222213642291#comments General News McNair emailed me this article this morning. I thought I'd share.http://byunews.byu.edu/archive07-Nov-spencer.aspx http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/trackback.php?id=20071222213642291 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20070628034116586 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20070628034116586 Thu, 28 Jun 2007 03:41:16 +0500 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20070628034116586#comments Mission Reunions We figure it's about time we all got together again. Jonathan Rupp and I spoke with Sister Moore yesterday and we are going to start getting somethings together for a reunion in 2009. We are planning to have it in April just before General Conference somewhere in the Salt Lake area. More details will come as we get closer. We want to get as many people there as possible. The first step is to get the word out. We need your information and the contact information for anyone you are still in contact with. We have set up an email address that we'll be using to collect this information and send out updates. jkmreunion@gmail.com Send your contact information (email addres, phone #, etc) to this address and pass it along to anyone you come in contact with. Also include the contact info of those you keep in touch with so we can add them to the list. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. aaron.blaylock@gmail.com Hope to hear from you all soon. http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/trackback.php?id=20070628034116586 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20070407004402940 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20070407004402940 Sat, 07 Apr 2007 00:44:02 +0500 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20070407004402940#comments General News I just got my mission call to the Jamaica Kingston Mission yesterday and I am super excited. I thought what a better way to learn about the mission that I am going to be serving in than to talk to return missionaries who have served there. I am to report to the MTC on August 8th, 2007. I was just wondering if Jamaica was the only island in the caribbean that this mission covers. Also, any other information about Jamaica would be much appreciated. Who is the most recent RM who has served in Jamaica? http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/trackback.php?id=20070407004402940 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20060911140011631 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20060911140011631 Mon, 11 Sep 2006 23:00:11 +0500 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20060911140011631#comments General News Welcome to the New Site! We are currently testing this new option for the site. We are trying to transfer all user accounts from the old site to this new site but you are free to go ahead and recreate your account on your own if you would like to do so. All forum posts on the old bulletin board are now read only and new posts should be posted at this new site. Every attempt was made to transfer as much info from the old site to the new site as possible. This process is still ongoing. Photos have been transfered to the new media gallery and individuals who submitted photos have a seperate gallery in the media gallery. The new site will allow each user to have their own image library and should be much easier to use. The new site format should allow for more user input and better functionality. If you have any questions please post them in the bulletin Board. Once we are certain the site will function as planned and meet our needs, a redirect will be setup so that the new site shows automatically instead of accessing it through the old site. Please give us your comments in the new forum or attached as comments to this story. Also, If you would be interested in moderating different portions of the site please let me know. Thanks, Jared http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/trackback.php?id=20060911140011631 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=2006091113212042 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=2006091113212042 Mon, 11 Sep 2006 22:21:20 +0500 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=2006091113212042#comments General News Hello All, Let's see the show of hands of all those that want to see Jamaica become a Stake pretty soon here...... Hello All, Let's see the show of hands of all those that want to see Jamaica become a Stake pretty soon here......1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, ten, fifteen, twenty-four, thirty-six, forty-two, fifty-seven, okay, okay that is good, please keep praying for us. We are not quite there yet, but we are very close, the last time we were about twenty Elders short and we were blessed with two over that amount, but now our membership has grown over the last couple of months since we made that submission, so we need another 7 or so in order to make yet another submission. We hope that one will be the icing on the cake to put us in good. so we need all of your prayers and faith, as we continue to work hard on this. It is just a test of faith for all of us as the Lord tries us to prove that we are indeed desirous of this blessing that will set Jamaica on the road to greater church development and growth. We will forbear! Many of you will readily remember Elder Rohan Barnett from Spanish who has gained the distinction as the First Jamaican Assistant to the President (AP). He was released from his Mission near the end of January and he has also gotten another notch in his armoury as the most recently released and now engaged Elder! He popped the big question about a month ago to the wonderfully talented Sister Nannette Hayles, who has being home from serving in the New York New York Mission since June of last year. They are planning to tie the nuptial knot in November. We wish them all the best, and lots of little Missionaries! (:- Sister Nardia R. Irons who is currently in the Georgia Atlanta Mission will be home come next week Wednesday (30th of April). She is currently serving as the 'Sisters Coordinator', which is the equivalent of the Elders being called as Zone Leaders. Sister Marcha Francis from May Pen is also in the same Mission. We are currently planning a Temple trip to the Santo Domingo Temple in the Dominican Republic and hope to have about 5 couples sealed together with their children. These include but are not limited to, the Henrys, McLeans and Blackwoods all from Spanish Town, the Grants from Constant Spring, and the Deans from Portmore. The trip is as of right now scheduled for the 19th - 23rd of next month. (Any one wants to meet us in Santo Domingo on any of those days? Contact me!! medley@cwjamaica.com (:- Also scheduled to be the Inaugural Returned Missionary Reunion in Jamaica is the one for he 6th of August. I will provide more details on this as it all comes together. This day will be the Independence weekend and I know that a lot of you boys would just love to come down and have a good time at Sunsplash and enjoy a Reunion with your Alumni. (Not to mention drinking a few beers.....Ginger that is!) (:- I have to make mention of the Yallahs Branch that is growing in leaps and bounds as of right now. We have two marvellous Missionaries there, Elders Summer and Tukuafu and they are doing a Magnificent job. I know there is at least one very proud Mama out there! (:- Wasn't General Conference great? I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did or even more. I especially like Bishop H. David Burton's And That's the Way It Is Also I pass on and leave you with the admonition of the Greatest Prophet, even the Lord's Anointed Pres. Gordon Bitner Hinckley:Pres. Gordon Bitner Hinckley: "I think of loyalty in terms of being true to ourselves. I think of it in terms of being absolutely faithful to our chosen companions. I think of it in terms of being absolutely loyal to the Church and its many facets of activity. I think of it in terms of being unequivocally true to the God of heaven, our Eternal Father, and His Beloved Son, our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. "We must be true to the very best that is in us. "Pray to your Heavenly Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and always, under all circumstances, by the very nature of your lives show your loyalty and your love. Who's on the Lord's side? Who? Now is the time to show. We ask it fearlessly: Who's on the Lord's side? Who? May each of us always be found to be true and faithful, men and (women) of integrity and absolute loyalty." Loyalty May each of us live in such a way that those who know us will be able to repeat like unto what the Saviour said when he saw Nathaniel, "Truly a (Latter-Day Saint) indeed, in whom is no guile!" Love to you all. Patrick Medley http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/trackback.php?id=2006091113212042 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20060911132004839 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20060911132004839 Mon, 11 Sep 2006 22:20:04 +0500 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20060911132004839#comments Jamaica Hello! Good Day ! I served in the Jamaica Kingston Mission from August 2000 to August 2002. In those two years the missionaries and members of Jamaica witnessed many miracles. The work is taking off..... Ratnaker John Mallya August 2000-August 2002 Hello! Good Day ! I served in the Jamaica Kingston Mission from August 2000 to August 2002. In those two years the missionaries and members of Jamaica witnessed many miracles. I would like to share some of those experiences and miracles with the future missionaries of Jamaica so they can know what to expect while serving in Jamaica. When I arrived in Jamaica in August 2000, the Assistants picked our group up at the airport and drove us to the mission home. On that forever memorable ride to the mission home (and you future missionaries will soon find out why), I remember the Assistants telling us that Negril ( a tourist town) was off limits to missionaries. They said that if any missionaries went to Negril they would probably be sent home. The reason for this is Negril is well known for its “worldly” entertainment spots and nude beach sites. Negril was off limits. I never heard of Negril before, so I thought it was weird for them to say that out of the blue. But I did not think about it to long, because outside the bus windows was a whole new world. As the months passed in Jamaica, and I had many spiritual experiences and learning experiences mixed in with those always painful but necessary trials and obstacles. I served in great areas and had great companions. Missionary work in Jamaica was tough but rewarding. During those early months, the missionaries could tell things were getting better in Jamaica as far as the work was concerned. The Mission was baptizing 15-20 a month and missionaries were becoming more focused and obedient. The Lord was leading the Elders and Sisters to the elect. And the hope of the first stake in Jamaica sometime soon became a desired and achievable goal. In January 2002 Elder Gene R. Cook came to Jamaica. He only had a few hours on the island before he had to depart for another obligation, but he decided to speak to the missionaries. For the first time in mission history the entire mission meet together at the Constant Spring Chapel in Kingston. It was a spiritual meeting. The first question Elder Cook asked the missionaries was how many missionaries were having their investigators kneel and pray at the end of the first discussion? Out of the 50 companionships there, I don’t remember anybody raising their hands. Elder Cook called us all to repentance and declared that the only way the Jamaicans will enter into the gate of baptism is on their knees. He then taught us how to get our investigators praying on their knees. He promised that if we did this, not only would the investigators pray every time, but baptisms would increase. At first I was skeptical, in my 16 months as a missionary to that point, I never had anyone pray on their knees, and struggled even to get them to pray while sitting or standing. The end of a discussion would often go like this..The missionary would say, “Mr._____, would you offer the prayer”. The investigator would say,”no, you can say it since you are a missionary”. We would respond in some way and ask the investigator to pray again. The investigator would say no again. A little bit of contention would be stirred and at the end the missionary would say the prayer reluctantly. This happened to me all the time, and while on companionship exchanges as a district leader and zone leader I realized my companions and I were not alone in facing this problem. So I was skeptical. But my companion and I tried Elder Cooks suggestion and it worked. In fact it worked every time. Everyone was praying. (for you future missionaries your trainers will teach you the proceedures). From that point on we always ended discussions with investigators praying on their knees. And not only us, all the missionaries were having great success with investigators praying on their knees. It was a miracle. Think about that for a second. It went from no investigators praying on their knees to every investigator praying on their knees. All in the time of one day. And the blessings poured from it. When you get an investigator to pray on their knees and ask Heavenly Father to confirm the things you just shared with them about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, that is a huge spiritual step that the investigator has taken. The missionary work steadily improved in the months following the Elder Cook’s visit, and the number of baptisms continued to grow. Then in May 2002, Jamaica had one of the most important months in its history. At the end of April a rumor zipped among the members and missionaries by route of word of mouth and telephone. I remember receiving the rumor during the day and going home that night to call and tell somebody about the great news only to find that everyone I called knew already. The rumor was that the Prophet was coming to Jamaica in May to speak to the saints before heading to Brazil for two temple dedications. And it was true. The prophet was coming to Jamaica. This was something that we thought would only happen if Jamaica had a temple. But the Lord provided a way for the Prophet to come. The reaction of the saints of Jamaica to this news can be categorized in three ways. They either jumped for joy, cried in joy, or did both. The Prophet was coming. The saints meet at the Ranny Williams Center in Kingston on May 15th as the President Hinckley and President Faust addressed them. It was a wonderful night. Over 2000 thousand saints were present, nearly the entire membership of the church in Jamaica. The entire mission was there (even Cayman was flown in). As the Prophet and his counselor made their way into the Center, all the priesthood holders present lined along the pathway of the prophet. It was an awesome experience to stand shoulder to shoulder with the priesthood holders in Jamaica as the prophet came by. It was a wonderful night that no one will ever forget. I imagined old grandparents telling their grandchildren about the night they saw the prophet of God in person. The spirit was strong, the choir sang like angels and the message was powerful. President Faust declared that great blessings would come to Jamaica because of this visit of the Prophet of God. I believe one of those blessing occurred the very next week. Negril was opened. A week after the Prophet’s visit Elder Gene R. Cook came back to Jamaica for a mission tour. This was a perfect one-two combo for the saints and missionaries in Jamaica. An event occurred on the second day of the tour as we drove to Mandeville. My companion and I had a chance to accompany the mission president, his wife and Elder Cook to Mandeville. I could write forever about the experiences of that day. During the trip up to Mandeville Elder Cook inquired about the church in Mandeville. He asked about the membership and members in Mandeville. We answered. He asked about the missionary work. We told him. He asked about the location of Mandeville in relationship to the island. The mission president pulled out a map of Jamaica and showed it to Elder Cook. Elder Cook looked at the map and proceeded to ask those same type of questions about each of towns depicted on the map. He did this for every large town on the map, asking about the missionary and church progression in each. Working for east to west, he came to Negril (the banned tourist town). We informed him that Negril was off limits to missionaries and told him why. He suggested to the mission president to visit Negril and see what it was like, and if it is appropriate to consider sending missionaries out there. I remember thinking, “Whoa! Can he do that.” Of course he can! Well anyways the mission tour was a success. Elder Cook asked us about the Praying on knees commitment he gave us five months earlier. We reported 100% success. The missionaries and members of Jamaica learned a lot in those two weeks. A week after the mission tour the mission president went out to Negril and found that Negril was really two towns. On the one end was the tourist sites and on the other end was the residential side (like Montego Bay). There would be no major distractions to the missionary work there. The next transfer a house/church was rented and four missionaries were sent out to Negril. I remember thinking how quick the whole opening up of Negril process is going. Then realized why. The Lord wants Negril opened. In a meeting with the mission president before the opening of Negril, I remember asking the mission president if the missionaries would meet in nearby Savannah la mar for church until the branch had at least some members or good investigators. He said no, they would meet in Negril. I sarcastically said, “So they’re going to have church by themselves for a few weeks”. He jokingly said, “where’s your faith?”. The first week Negril was open 30 investigators came to church, after two weeks over 20 were scheduled for baptism, and the week I left 5 baptisms were performed with more scheduled in the near future. A missionary in Negril reported that at least five families had told them that they were recently praying for the truth, being disappointed with the current churches in Negril, and then met the missionaries. It is amazing how infinite our Heavenly Father’s plan is. I thought about the words of James E. Faust when he said that special blessings would come to Jamaica because of this visit. I thought about how the Lord sent another of his servants, Elder Cook to bring to view one of those blessings. I thought about the inspired mission president and those who proceeded him. I thought about the faithful members and people of Jamaica. I thought about the missionaries and their service. For those who will be serving in Jamaica remember that there have been many who have faithfully served before you that have set many seeds, and there will be many serving in Jamaica after you reaping those seeds. But for some reason the Lord has chosen you to serve in Jamaica at this time. How jealous you make us RMs? Good luck and continue to bring miracles to Jamaica. This Article by Ratnaker John Mallya mallyajohn@hotmail.com Ratnaker served his mission in Jamaica in 2000-2002 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/trackback.php?id=20060911132004839 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20060911131900752 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20060911131900752 Mon, 11 Sep 2006 22:19:00 +0500 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20060911131900752#comments RM's After seeing some of the more recent reports of Jamaica, I realized anything I had to say about the country could be highly outdated. I decided to offer some words of advice to future JKM missionaries. After seeing some of the more recent reports of Jamaica, I realized anything I had to say about the country could be highly outdated. I decided to offer some words of advice to future JKM missionaries. This list is a little different; I would call it several things NOT to do on your mission. Too many individuals get caught up in the wrong things and easily lose focus on their calling's eternal significance. I would hope that following this advice would help you keep your focus and allow you to make your mission a success for you and the souls you come in contact with. #1- DON'T BE A TOURIST: A very wise trainer who noticed my tendency to linger too long at local shops told me "You've got two years here Elder." Don't waste your green enthusiasm by shopping for trinkets and gifts for your family or yourself. During the course of your mission you will amass bits and pieces of treasure that you will long remember. I moved to one area where the work was slow because one elder had spent his time writing down and memorizing the local Reggae music lyrics. When you get to your area, pay attention to your companion and learn the things he or she has learned by experience. You only have a very short time period to see people converted . . . don't waste the Lord's time by shopping for meaningless fluff. #2- DON'T BE AN AMERICAN: Every missionary who has served in a foreign country has asked, "What is wrong with this place?" You must remember that you are no longer in America and you cannot change the way your new country operates. Don't complain to others around and say "If this were America I would . . ." It is not America and you cannot change the way an entire culture operates. Take the time to learn the culture in which you are serving and the unique things which will make that country special to you. One day my companion and I were walking down the road and he said hello to a man sitting on a wall. The man replied "Big Up Yourself." My comp did not understand that the man was being friendly and shouted "Why should I?" Take the time to listen to people and understand why they have made their country the way it is. #3- DON'T BE A LOCAL : By this I mean don't be so intent on fitting in with and adapting to the local culture that you forget your purpose. You are a commissioned ambassador for Jesus Christ; you bear his name and represent his message. Don't waste his time by forcing yourself to fit in with the people, country or language. Learn the language but never use slang as it demeans the speaker and the message he or she represents. Some missionaries in Jamaica were so intent on using Patois that it would often offend those who were more educated and spoke proper English. Patois definitely has its place and can be a great icebreaker. In contrast, there were those missionaries who used the local slang and profanity in hostile retaliation to persecution. A display such as this will go a long way to thwart the effort of dozens of missionaries who have long prepared such an area for the gospel. Likewise, always maintain a professional and proper relationship with members of the opposite sex in your area; Satan is too eager to lure missionaries into sin. Do not allow yourself to become pre-occupied with fitting in and losing sight of your purpose on your mission. DON'T OVERLOOK YOUR OPPORTUNITY: By this I mean you should not be so busy being a good missionary that you don't take the time to enjoy the uniqueness and beauty of your land of service. Secondly, take the time to learn to love your people and your companion. More importantly take the time to learn and understand the gospel you represent. The greatest conversion you will experience on your mission will be your own. Take the time to enjoy and soak in the intimacy you will have with Jesus Christ; know him and learn to pattern your efforts after him. By doing this, you may remember the faces of those you love and taught but you will never forget what you KNOW. Additionally, you will not want to miss the opportunity to become familiar with church history particularly The Book of Mormon. Learn it, and allow it to convert you before you attempt to convert others to it. I think that if you follow the instructions I have given and study and pray hard, you can be the type of missionary the Lord expects you to be. I, myself, may not have always been a shining example on my mission but I had plenty of examples from which to draw good advice. God bless you, work hard and return with Honor. Article by Sam Newey samueln@powerquest.com Sam Served his mission in Jamaica in 1993-1995 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/trackback.php?id=20060911131900752 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20060911131745588 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20060911131745588 Mon, 11 Sep 2006 22:17:45 +0500 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/article.php?story=20060911131745588#comments RM's Dear Future JKM Missionaries, My name is Ryan Mumford and I have been home from my mission for about 2 years now. Dear Future JKM Missionaries, My name is Ryan Mumford and I have been home from my mission for about 2 years now. While serving in Jamaica, I grew both spiritually and physically. I probably grew physically because of all the good food and good people there. Anyway, when I first got on the island, the humidity was really thick. If I had a bar of soap, I think I could have washed my hands. My world had gone from a predominantly Mormon community, to a country who desperately needed the gospel. My first area was a place called Spanish Town, not far from the capital of Jamaica, which is Kingston. I got off to a good start because I had a really good trainer. He showed me the ropes, like when not to say "All Right Mon", or "Yes, Yes"! I learned that right after some local rude boys called us "Batty Boys". In Jamaican that means your gay, and they don't take kindly to gay guys around there. Of course as luck would have it there were a couple of white guys living in our area who were gay, and had moved there from the states so they always thought that we were they. Well, in my second area, I went to a place called Vineyard Town, which was known for all the trouble that happens down there. Vineyard Town is located in Kingston, and was very awesome to serve there. As time rolled on I had many great experiences, and even got to show the new mission president around the island for a week, because I was blessed enough to be called as an assistant to the president. The people there are the best, even the ones who don't care for missionaries much. I loved every minute there. I'm sure you've heard it time and time again, but working hard is the only way to be happy out there. You're blessed so much while you're a missionary. Don't forget it. Just a few more things- When I got there, and when I left, it was alright to bring Dockers Pants, as long as they were darker more conservative colors even though you can have pants made in Jamaica by really good Taylor's for really cheap. I think I came home with about 7 pairs of Jamaican made pants that I still wear to this day. Don't bother bringing the trench coat that it tells you to bring, it's not worth the weight. You will need the rain gear though. You can be dry one minute, and soaked to the bone the next during hurricane season. Anyway, that's about all I can fit into this little letter. I don't want to take up to much room, but if you want to know more, you can e-mail me at ryjan@netzero.net Until then, good luck and God speed. This article by Ryan Mumford Ryan served his mission in Jamaica in 1995-1996 http://www.jamaicanrm.org/chatty/trackback.php?id=20060911131745588