A Long Way to Find Rest in Jesus Christ

By Astrid Gefferie

from Wanica, Suriname

My name is Astrid Gefferie and I am 49 years old. I teacher English, Spanish, and Dutch. I grew up in a family where the gospel of Jesus Christ was not really practiced. We learned about Jesus Christ at school but did not attend any church. In my youth, I experienced many things that made me feel alone, as if no one cared about me. There were even moments when I felt like taking my own life.

After graduating from high school, I started doing various kinds of jobs and met my first husband. We got married in August 1996, and in December of that year, my son Jason was born.

One day in November 1998, I heard that my younger brother, Ryan, had been baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This news surprised me because he never wanted to come with me to the churches I attended at that time. A few weeks after his baptism, he died of lung cancer, which was a heavy blow for the family. I didn’t have the chance to ask him what was so interesting about his church, but because I had questions about why he joined, I agreed to receive the missionaries in my home. This was the turning point in my life.

I faithfully attended the missionary lessons and asked many questions. I was baptized on Feb. 14, 1999, and felt like I had come home. I accepted all the callings that my Heavenly Father wanted to give me and grew in faith, strengthening my testimony.

Many trials came my way, I divorced my then-husband and received help from the members to support me and my 4-year-old son. During this period, Heavenly Father never left my side and sent me an amazing man named Steven. We got married on Nov. 17, 2001, and were sealed to each other in the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple in September 2005.

Now, I am the mother of one more son, Jeremy, and two daughters, Jenice and Janet. I currently serve my Heavenly Father as the district Young Women’s president and I strengthen my testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ every day.

I know that without the restored gospel of Jesus Christ I would not be who I am today. I know that Jesus Christ brings salvation to those who feel burdened by difficulties in their lives.

Jesus Christ said: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”¹

I have received this rest in the restored Church of my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I know that He offers this to all who come unto Him.

Wanica, Suriname