 Pictures provided by: Ken Stewart |
(November
1983). Left to right: Brother Forde, myself, Sister Antrobus, Elder Hudson, Elder
Margolies, Glen Antrobus, Elder Jackson, Fay Antrobus, Brother Charles, President
Naime, Sister Naime, Sasha Naime. |
(The
following was written by: Ken Stewart)
The
Story of the Black Rock Branch, Barbados
"Until June 1983 the Lesser Antilles were part of the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission,
and the nations of Jamaica and Haiti were part of the Florida Ft. Lauderdale Mission.
These areas were split from their respective missions to become the West Indies
Mission, headquartered at that time in Ft. Lauderdale. The original small group
of missionaries in the West Indies Mission came from the Puerto Rico and Ft. Lauderdale
missions. I was one of the missionaries sent to Barbados that June, from the Puerto
Rico mission. We were one couple and four elders at that time. Elders Winther
and Davidson were assigned to the original branch in Christ Church, as were Elder
and Sister Jacobson. Elder Gordon Hale and I were assigned to begin a new branch
in Speightstown. We had an apartment rented and began to tract the area. It took
about 4 days for us to begin to feel that we were in the wrong area at that time.
Deciding to rely on the Spirit to help us know where to go, we took a bus south
from Speightstown and decided to get off when we felt inspired to do so. When
this happened, we rang the bell, got off the bus, and found ourselves at a bus
stop very near to a large Anglican church in Black Rock, St. Michael.
We walked around
for a while, familiarizing ourselves with the new area. We returned the next day
and found a house on Apple Grove. It had a large front room, perfect for holding
meetings. After securing the house, we spent many hours cleaning, repairing, and
painting it. Soon it was ready for church meetings, and was our residence as well.
Norman Naime was called to be the Branch President.
In July we tracted an area called Free Hill and found Shirley Antrobus and her
two children at #43. In her home we felt the Spirit more strongly than I can remember
at any point in my mission. She was baptized on August 14, and became the first
new convert in the Black Rock branch. Later, we found Harcus Charles, a wonderful,
humble Grenadian who lived at #3 Hinkson Road, University Crescent, in Free Hill,
Black Rock. He was baptized on October 29, as were Sister Antrobus' children,
Fay and Glen.
I was transferred to the Jamaica Zone on November 7, where I finished my mission.
Many of my fondest and most treasured memories come from my experiences in the
Black Rock branch, and I hope someday to return to Barbados to visit. Gordon and
I are friends to this day, and we often reminisce about the wonderful times we
had in 1983, participating in the great work of the Church as it unfolded in Black
Rock, St. Michael, Barbados." |
(The
following was written by: Matthew Fisk) "
Barbados is still going through the same trouble that it always has as far as
the governments lack or cooperation with the church. In 1988 they passed a law
allowing no more than 10 LDS missionaries to be on that island at one time. According
to President Valentine we currently have 8 missionaries serving on this island.
Barbados is considered one of the five "Hot Spots" of the mission and
has been given the attention of the West Indies Mission. There are currently three
branches on the island (it hit a high point of four). The current branches are
in Oistins, Black Rock, and Christ Church. The
three branches on the island each have their own chapel and each branch has 4
missionaries serving them at this time. The branch president of Christ Church
is Colin Harewood, Oistins is Tennyson McCarthy, and Black Rock has Harry Smith. Transport
on this island now mostly consists of biking around (a change from when I was
there - when it was bus and walking). Stuart had this to say about Barbados
(for those of you checking up on your sons)... Barbadosis
approx 166 sq.mi., with a population approx 260,000. Utilities in the island are
excellent from phone to water. The island is very tourist oriented but nearly
every modern convenience is available, faxing to internet as a matter of fact
there are probably nearly as many cars as people. People are peaceable and the
political climate is quiet to non-existent. The island has the best beaches and
other things that may be of interest to visitors. The people in B'dos have preconceptions
about the church and are sometime not recptive. Sometimes they they want nothing
to do with the church. Trinidadians and Guyanese are more friendly and in that
way are more willing to listen. Most Bajans or Barbadians are already Anligans,
and they sometimes dont see the need for the Book Of Mormon or the Mormon Bible
as it is sometimes referred." |
| The
original Black Rock "chapel," an old house we renovated for church use. It was
pretty bad when we found it. |
| |
BARBADOS
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