Tobago School Kids 

We've enjoyed seeing hundreds of kids on the streets of Tobago coming from and to school

 Everyone must wear a uniform from top to bottom 

From the color of the ribbon in their hair to the color of their shoes and sox

Each school has their own color designation and they are all Christian based

Backpacks are a coordination exception

On a given day we see hundreds of them on the streets - most of them are trying to "catch ride" to reach school or home

This is Che Sampson.  He is in our branch, a recent convert and very faithful in his attendance and service as a Priest

In this school the color choices are even coordinated between the girls and boys

This is Jewel.  She is not a member of the LDS faith but comes to seminary.  I wanted to take her picture and she kept covering up her face.  She has the most amazing eyes

Typical school kids weighed down with their packs

Some of the schools allow the boys to wear shorts but all of the schools require the girls to wear modest skirts or dresses below their knees

Public transportation buses are free if you're wearing a school uniform.  There are no formal yellow school busses like we know in the states.

If they don't ride a large bus the kids "catch a ride" or what we used to call thumb - except they wave their hands up and down.

It's a form of taxi service and they pay a few TT's for each ride, or around 50 cents in US money.  

Nikita and Natalie Williams are members of our branch

I took their picture as they were going into afternoon seminary

Elder and Sister Linton - out of uniform.

We were caught in a downpour during our morning walk and a security guard took our picture.

About 6:00 in the morning and around 80 degrees wet or dry - very refreshing.

The Timothy family

We love them and believe much progress is being made in their living circumstance as well as their spiritual growth

Sherlon Timothy's baptism at Back Bay

This is 4 year old Mya 

This is 7 year old Ronaldo

This is 13 year old Whitney

Whitney outside washing the dishes 

Sister Timothy has no sink - hopefully that will soon change

We have been working with the Catholic Church in doing an addition to their home

We have taken away two truckloads of garbage and are preparing to pour a sidewalk behind their home where we will put the washing machine that we gave her

The Catholic Church has done a remarkable job of rebuilding their home 

Mya and Ronaldo are bundles of energy

They are quite content and are always looking for a hug and treat

Mya showing off her "do"

A patchwork hairdo of tight braids

Sherlon Sandwich - asleep on our couch

He walks to our home twice a week, showers or swims and Sister Linton washes his clothes

Always anxious for something to eat, his favorite sandwich is peanut butter with honey, grapes, chocolate sauce and whipping cream

 He knows where all of the ingredients are, eats two and likes to top off his afternoon snack with a bowl of ice cream

Elder Hill, Sherlon Timothy, Niccoli Timothy and Elder Petersen

Niccoli is taking martial arts at school and he said it teaches him "discipline" 

Both Niccoli and Sherlon have made a substantial change in the past few months

Niccoli is in the missionary preparation class at our home and Sherlon is learning that difficult circumstances at home shouldn't hold him back

  

Mya Timothy at Sherlon's baptism

The water is a little more active this afternoon

A beautiful place for baptisms

A few more instructions

Success

Ronaldo is all smiles

Sherlon is 12 and learning to become a man

Lasana Stewart in the red shirt was baptized in May 2013

We love Lasana's hair - tightly woven, well groomed and weighs a pound or two

Lasana is an "mechanical engineer" working on a building in Tobago

Unfortunately he is here temporarily - He's a blessing to our branch and when he leaves he will be greatly missed  

Deyonce Welch's Baptism

Deyonce is from one of the few families with a mom and dad 




Deyonce has wanted to be baptized for some time.  The missionaries not only taught her the gospel but helped reactivate the entire family

Our young women's president, Sister Camejo, and kids at the baptism

A few branch members attended the baptism

I think Elder Petersen was having a bad morning!

Elder Linton's looking old - reminds me of my dad

Christian and Ronaldo exploring  

Sister Reddy from Fiji, Deyonce and Sister Schindler from Washington State taught the Regis family the gospel

Deyonce's father and mother

Elder and Sister Linton looking very white.  
One of the branch kids wanted to know who the "shiney" people were




Deyonce found some sunglasses to put on



Tobago missionaries and Deyonce

Elders Petersen and Hill

Beautiful warm waters of the Caribbean - what a wonderful place for a baptism

Some instructions for Deyonce

Two tries and we were successful

Sisters Schindler and Reddy, with Brother George, showing noni fruit - the same fruit that is now sold as Noni Juice.  We see it all over and when ripe it really stinks - supposed to be really good for you.

Missionaries around the World

Tobago Baptism Beach

Family Missionary Letters

Hermana Pinnock 9/16 

(Our granddaughter serving in Tempe Arizona waiting for her visa to go to Argentina) 

Family,

This week nothing much happened.... Oh but I did get into a CAR CRASH (dun dun dun).  Haha it was pretty scary for like one second but it was over and we are all safe.  We both have some pretty crazy bruises but we had to have some proof right????  But really I'm fine!!!!!!  

It's actually pretty amazing because there were like a ton of little mercies that Heavenly Father gave us like how our accident happened right across the street from the fire department.  They literally looked across the street, stepped into their truck, the truck went weeooweeoo for a second, and then we had people taking care of us.  

Also some members from another ward saw us right after the crash and came and helped us the rest of the day.  Taking us where we need to go, getting us what we needed.... They rocked.  Also remember how small the LDS population is and how unlikely it is that would happen.  Also I felt so much calmer during this accident compared to my one three years ago. The last one I felt like a wreck but this time I was so at peace.  Also I got to talk to some cops about the gospel so that rocked!

So that pretty much put us on bikes for the rest of the week which is really hard because our area is huge.  We cover 2 english wards and a spanish branch so it's pretty big but the work moves on I guess.  We should be able to drive on Tuesday.  

The new thing my companion and I want to do this transfer is work more with less actives and part member families.  Our wards are easily 60% less-active so we decided that the best way we could get people from the ward to help us is by helping them and right now they need less-active help BAD!  It's hard because at the end of the day our stats look like we haven't done anything but it's also the best because I know that regardless, if it's getting baptisms, helping people come to church or feel loved, it's all God's work.

I LOVE riding my bike... like it's the best!  When I get home I think I'm going to bike to school because I love it!

This next Saturday we have planned a talent show to hopefully get some of our investigators at church and make people feel more comfortable at the church. It should be really fun!!!!

Laura, our investigator, came to church yesterday and she legit didn't stop smiling the whole time!!!  People in the ward were so welcoming to her it was the best!!!!  She should be getting baptized in a few weeks.  Javier also came!  We only got to teach him one time this week because of the car accident but he surprised us and said that he asked for the day off of work and came!  The spirit at church is soooo real!

I loved the package you sent!!!  I wear Jane's bracelet everyday!  The music is my lifesaver!  Is Libby on there because I'm pretty sure she is and when I heard her I was kind of like this :) :D :0.  Holy she knows how to sing.

So lesson of the week is just try your hardest!... Sooo many people just give up!  They give up in work, with their families, and saddest of all their relationship with their Heavenly Father.  In Joshua 1:5 it says, "I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee"... When I read this last week it gave me so much comfort!!!  Heavenly Father will never give up on you... ever!  You are the only one who can shut that door.  Praying is huge out here!!!!!!!!!!  I've learned how good it feels to pray.  It's like we get to talk to the best person ever!  I love it!  I love you guys!  Thanks for everything!

XO Hermana Pinnock

P.S. Baby Girl I've been thinking about you a lot lately!  I love you!

Mom:  I'm sorry if my letters kind of stink... I really am trying my hardest but I have ZERO time.  I read all your letters but again ZERO time.  I love everything you say and send!

Anziano Pinnock 9/18

(Our grandson serving in Milan Italy) 

Hi!

Well it sounds like life is going just great.  Jane is holding on

and David is starting to lose it.  A 4.0 is hard in high school let alone collage so he is amazing. That’s cool that the Webbs are going to be coming here.  Tell them I would love just some good old American food.

 

Also I'm not near the arena but I know where it is. I am more

near the Porta Vescavo (door bishop) ask John he would know. 



Well life here goes on. It’s starting to get cold and I love it. Tomorrow we have another new elder's training so I will see Stephen. The language is going a little bit better but not in

lessons. Because of the African refugees there are a lot of Africans here and they are a lot more open to the gospel so we have only taught one lesson in Italian. The Italians are kind of snobs. They are proud of where they live and because they grew up "catholic" they don’t think they need to hear anymore about Jesus Christ. It’s hard and the members don’t trust us yet so we don’t get any referrals from them but we are planning an activity which should break the ice.

 

Thanks for your email mom and for keeping me posted. I don’t know David’s email so get him to email me and get Jane to do her one sentence that she promised

me. Thanks for all the support from home.

Anziano Pinnock

Getting ready for a Tobago Baptism

West Indies Missionary Testimonies

Our baptism was a wonderful experience. The Ward Council came! It was awesome. Most of them bore their testimony at the end and I feel that they are getting excited about missionary work. The Relief Society President even drove her home. The coolest part to see is how the members of the Ward Council are helping out our new convert and supporting her. Last Sunday the Bishop gave her the standard LDS works and several other Church related books. She now has her own gospel library!

Elder Watson

We baptized Angelo and Shaneen Jubitana, the two children of our recent convert Revelino Jubitana. It was really good to teach them and we worked together with the Primary president which helped a lot.  

Elder Westra & Elder Alpeter 

Rhonda have been investigating the church for about 8 years. She's almost been baptized twice before, and she finally got baptized on August 10, 2013. 

When Sister Taylor and I got to the ward we asked if we could help get her baptized and she said that she hoped so, because every time she has tried, something always happened.  Our first Sunday in the ward, she told us she is ready to try again! We identified her concerns, and now she's a member of the church!!
  

Sister Grigg, Sister Taylor

Best seats in the house for a baptism