Around the Mission

We have been busy since the last update.  I've collected some pictures I think you'll enjoy from around the mission.

Steel Drum instruments are made from one end of actual 55 gallon oil drums.  They are heated, stretched, and pounded until the right tones and notes are created.

Modern Steel Drum instrument

Antique Steel Drums and other instruments over a hundred years old

This 85' tall statue of a Monkey is part of Hindu culture

We attended a baptism in the ocean

This new member was able to baptize his wife a few weeks later

New Convert with his family

We visited many families at Christmas time - some who lived way off the beaten path

Bright colors are very common in the Caribbean

Interior of green house above with bright blue walls and purple drapes

We recently returned from Guyana where we had some interesting challenges reaching some of the homes.  Most homes are built on stilts due to the frequent flooding.  This plank bridge is the only access to the home in the rear from the street.

These planks aren't just narrow - they bob up and down as you walk!

It was nice to see the chapel we visited during construction has been finished

Sister Lindorf trying out the new piano

This rented LDS meetinghouse in Linden, Guyana was burned down during the recent civil unrest

About 80 people attended this branch before the fire 

Now it is inhabited only by a family of goats!

Happy Seminary Students in Linden

This is an early morning Seminary class in Canje, Guyana taught by a returned Sister Missionary

Evening activity & fireside by the river in Linden

This is the group getting ready for something they call a "Jelly Roll".

Sister Lindorf in the middle of the "Jelly Roll".

All the Senior Missionaries from every country in the mission met for a conference in Trinidad

Lots of good food and helping hands

We visited the world famous Caroni bird refuge

This flock of Scarlet Ibis are preparing to roost for the night

The wing span on these beautiful  birds is up to 54 inches and their beaks are 7 inches long.  

Don't get too close!

Thousands of Scarlet Ibis nest on this island

If you think missionaries don't have fun - think again!

My 78 year old Hero! Elder Olpin

These two Elders just can't walk past a row of Toyotas without doing a Toyota Jump in tandem!

Wishing you all the best,

Elder & Sister Lindorf

Christmas 2012

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Thanksgiving Blessings

Our heartfelt love and greetings to each of you on this Thanksgiving Day!

A little Thanksgiving humor...  :)

Because we have lived in Trinidad for more than a year now, we can't help but pause to offer our thanks to Heavenly Father for the blessings of the past 12 months...

May I begin by thanking the Lord for blessing our dear family, and caring for them far better than if we were home!  Miracles in their lives, most of them too sacred to re-tell, continue to pour forth, and we humbly confess the hand of the Lord in each of their lives.  Through the Grace of God, some of the blessings of the past year have been new jobs, new job positions, "ace"-ing critical exams, big moves across the country, homes (that so far have not sold) rented to stable tenants, good marriages, physical and emotional healing, lots of fun adventures, and our 18th grandchild due at the end of the year - Wahoo!

Each of our children usually have a special family photo taken to send out with their holiday greetings, and as we receive them, we'll include them here.  The first one to arrive is Ben and Heidi, with their 4 wonderful children, Noah, Emma, Natalie, and Bethany.  Yup!  We love 'em!

Photo taken by Erika Bales.

In addition, all six of our children were able to attend a "cousin reunion" in CA last August...  What a gathering!

Due to cancer, we said goodbye to two family members last Feb and Sep.  Here are sweet pictures of my mom and our "adopted" daughter Kelli.  We have been blessed with the Lord's sweet comfort and know that they are doing a good work on the other side of the veil.

With my mom, the night before we entered the MTC.

Kelli at Parker's baptism.

Meanwhile, we LOVE receiving updates and pictures from each of you at this time of year...  For these two missionaries, they are the best Christmas presents ever!  (Check out this cute one we received from Melanie and Dwight...  Count them - SIX boys!)  :o]

Another blessing of being here a year is that we've become good friends with many of our ward members.  We recently had a big East Indian holiday, where most of them got dressed up in their traditional costumes.  There are so pretty, I just have to send some pictures.

Here are the two children of our Bishop and his wife, Sister Sammie.  The children wore their costumes to church and we got a few pictures.

Notice how Ammon loves to help me on the keyboard!  :)

Then the family all got dressed up for the holiday...  Notice the Bishop helping his tuckered out princess at the end of a long day of royalty!

Last, but not least, we are so grateful for the privilege of being missionaries!  We love living and breathing and serving in the Lord's vineyard!  Nothing but this glorious work could take us away from our dear ones at home.  But here we are...  Cherishing every moment of working for the salvation of God's children.

An early morning seminary class we attended yesterday.

All our love to you!
Sister Lindorf and her beloved companion

PS  I just couldn't resist including this "out-take" from Ben and Heidi's picture - such fun!