Week 6 Windy Day

      Whew!! That's what we thought as gusty winds  thrown Elder McGregor and Elder Davidsen  into the water as they were the witnesses for the baptisms of the East Yallahs missionaries last Saturday. They finally found a calmer spot and were able to perform the baptism without any problem. Then we had the privilege of conferring the Holy Ghost to them. The Spirit was so strong during the bearing of the testimonies and the confirmation.

A beautiful baptism day at the beach in Yallahs

 

 

 

 

 

Week 5 Service Project

Well, making food here is quite difficult with the absence of the ingredients , So, PBJ and tuna sandwiches are a staple . And yeah, we are having Cultural Nights for Friday Night Activities pretty much like Mutual but for everyone in the Branch. Working hard

 

on the number of attendees.
     We had our Zone Conference on the 19th of August which Elder and Sister Martinez talked about the spirit of Elijah. I miss the temple. I really wanted to do more work for those who had passed on when I get back.
      It's been a pretty good week helping members here in Yallahs. There is an old man in our ward named Brother Tolloch. And we helped him clean his room, laundry, make his bed and take Sacrament to him on Sundays since he is pretty much home bound.  It's such a great opportunity to serve others specially those who couldn't otherwise for themselves.
      One of our investigators seemed to be progressing. She enjoys going to church and very eager to learn new principles of the gospel. Hopefully, she'll be more excited to be baptized if she attends her sister's baptism. We had a great moment with one of our investigators, Sister Lee as we were discussing the impact of FHE and how it strengthens families. She was touched by the message because she's been praying for an answer on how to get closer to her daughter. It was so awesome to see how the Spirit guides us in our planning with regards to the needs of our investigators.

WEEK 4 Letter from the Mission President about Nathan's Arrival

 

Dear Brother and Sister Asay,

                    We are happy to let you know your son arrived safely in Kingston, Jamaica. He is in good spirits and arrived anxious to become involved in the great work being done here.  When he
arrived we met him at the airport and brought him to the mission home where he
spent his first night.  We helped him with banking and immigration matters and then provided training and orientation.

                 He was interviewed and met his trainer, Elder Ricardo McGregor. They then went to their area where they began the work he came here to do.  Your son will be serving in the Yallahs Branch, Jamaica.  As parents, we can appreciate your concern for him and his welfare and felt you would like to know he is safe and doing fine. 

              We want to thank you for raising such a fine son and for your support for him while he is here.  Your support for the next few weeks while he may experience some homesickness will be very
important.  The work is really beginning to blossom here in Jamaica and the people  are warm and friendly.  We are confident he will have a special experience.  We can assure you we will do
everything we can to help him grow and develop and are confident his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ will increase. Through his mission experiences he will draw closer to our Savior.  We are so grateful to have him here.

              

We will appreciate your continued support.  Please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance.  The mission office number is 876-754-1848 and our email address is

2011999@ldschurch.org . 

 

 

 Gratefully,

 

Kevin G. Brown   &    Sister
Nadine Brown  

President

Jamaica Kingston Mission

YALLAHS - Week 3

   August 17, 2015
        " We're finally here in JAMAICA". Thirteen missionaries  all!!  First night was at the mission home and I've finally met our Mission president, Pres. Brown. He is a very humble and  spiritual man. We had our first personal interview. And he shared with me a very simple but profound principle for our future success as missionaries..." Give your will to the Lord and He will give His". I need to remember that when I feel a little homesick.
      So, it is very humid and hot here. When you guys see a pig, that's me. Because I am sweating like one. It's really like I ran to the school to weld, did that for an hour, then ran to Maverick in my welding coveralls. It's dripping off my face!

                           We had transfer meeting on Wednesday the 12th in Spanish Town. My first companion is Elder McGregor who's been out a little over a year. He is from Jamaica, from Old Harbor and has been a very good trainer. The area I'm in is called Yallahs, on the east side of Jamaica. It is very, very poor over here. I am so grateful for clean food. By the way, thank you so much for the cookies mom, they are super delicious when we get home for the night. These past couple of days have been quiet busy. We've mostly visited less actives. There seem to be a lot here. They are quite friendly, which is quite nice. A lot of them ask me if I'm Chinese or Japanese. :P Only one has correctly guessed that I'm Filipino, well, half Filipino.

  

  Oh yeah, so Elder McGregor is a true trooper. The branch out here is super tiny and there are very few priesthood holders, so he is the Branch President. And I am the branch clerk! So any tips are appreciated!

  The food is pretty good, goat is quite fatty. But rice and beans are not bad at all.

 

 

 

Elder Numbers and Elder McGregor ( on the right )

 

The Church in Yallahs

 

 

 

 

 

 

He SURVIVED !!!! First Letter/email from the MTC - Week 2

July 29, 2015
        "Oh, my goodness!! This day was quite fast-paced since we said our goodbyes.  MTC life was sooooo hectic. I felt like a bag being tossed everywhere. From the time that I said my goodbyes , to being hauled for registration and getting our name tags, meeting our companion, getting our room assignments, whew! I felt dizzy.  My companion is Elder Riding, a quiet and friendly guy from Rexburg, Idaho. We had the chance of having some members as investigators and assessed their discussions with us. It was quite intimidating with some of the seasoned missionaries and their testimonies. But one of the missionaries bore a very inspiring one that implied to us not to be afraid to bear our own testimonies.  It was quite a day!!!

Aug. 6, 2015
   "The first few days were pretty stressful. Once asked by our instructor how we were feeling the first couple of days, we replied unanimously.." We were freaking out!!! LOL .  We've taught 6 discussions so far and have done well. At the TRC ( Teaching Resource Center) volunteer members come as our investigators. The food here is waaay better than cafeteria food from school. I've gained like 4 pounds..lol. , not a lot I know, but still more than I usually do in a week. Finally got my shot. And I was able to give a priesthood blessing to my companion because he hates needles ! We'll be leaving on Tuesday for Jamaica. There are 8 missionaries from my district that would be going to Jamaica as well.  It's happening so fast. There's a lot to learn all at once but I am grateful for everything that I've been learning from here.

And So It Begins - Week 1

    We went to our favorite spot where is it was a quiet place for our family to just visit and relax. It has been a very chaotic week with the last minute shopping and goodbyes from friends and families We felt at peace while we watched our kids do their thing. .Nathan did his favorite sport and helped his sissy as well. It was a well deserved break before the big day.

         Tuesday night was filled with wishes and hugs from families. But it was really great to see all them and feel of  their love and support as we go through  with this time in our lives. And as we retire that night, though we feel like we're sardines in a can..lol..we never felt so close as a family. I think that's how you would feel with every single loved ones if you know that you won't be seeing them for a long time. It's wonderful and at the same time, you just wanted to hold on to that person and never let go...
          July 29 - Wednesday morning was the hardest day of our life. He was all packed and ready Monday night, so I couldn't slow down the process....darn it!  I taught him too well on how to prepare earlier....aagghh!!
 As we slowly  drove off, it was a struggle to start the conversation and get it going. There was a certain gloom in the air as we were closing in the MTC. Nathan was very anxious as we could tell of his demeanor. So many things going on in his mind, he said. We know that he wanted this to not be a sad day. But as we said our goodbyes, it was a different outcome after all.  Oh well. Sometimes that's the only time that you could let go of your emotions because you can.

          The ride home was a chorus of sniffles and " I will  miss Nathan , Mama." And that made my eyes welled up even more. The trip to the restaurant proved to be just wasted time. And yeah, gong to the store to shop for food didn't help at all. Because everywhere I turn, it reminded me of how much Nathan loved that certain food.
               Despite of all of these, we know for a surety that he will be perfectly fine. He would love his time in the MTC with all the opportunities to learn of his teachings  and  meet wonderful people that would change his life. We are sooo proud of our missionary!!
               Remembering of when he was just a little baby in my arms, couldn't help but to think of how He had given me this precious little soul, to keep and to cherish. and to help him through this life, to become strong in the Gospel and to let him be an instrument in His hands. Though it was painful to see him go, we could never have been more honor to let our son serve Him with great courage. As to the lyrics of one of my favorite songs, " From His arms, to My arms, to Yours".



 

It's OFFICIAL...

It was a little different today during the Sunday service, This would be his last Sunday in our ward. I couldn't help but look at him with such great awe because he had turned out to be a pretty good son. He seemed to stand  taller than before  and the  twinkle in his eyes make you smile . The light of the gospel shines in him.  He looked so different in so many ways. My boy had changed into a man.

As he lovingly placed his head on my shoulders, I couldn't help but to reminisce those times when he was just a little boy in my arms. Oh how I long to look into his bright,wide eyes. Trying to understand what he was thinking as he touched my face with his tiny little chubby hands, I loved those tender moments. He was full of amusement and wonder. Still fresh from our Heavenly Father's presence.

But now, he is a man with a strong  desire to serve God and sacrifice his time and effort for two years. And as we gathered tonight with our Stake president, Nathan's face shone with excitement and at the same time, of humility. of what is about to transpire.
As the brethren placed their hands over his head, wonderful words of  blessings were pronounced for him. Great things are in store as he would enter the world of missionary work. Reassurance of faith and testimony as he would obey all of the mission rules. Oh  how we love that boy. We know that he will be a great influence on the lives of many people in Jamaica. Press on, Elder Numbers.