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Faith Can Get You There
Young people desiring to serve missions often face many challenges. This was the case for six missionaries who were not able to attain visas and travel to one of the numerous missionary training centers found in the Americas.
Four of them, Thierry Birocher, Rosylove Charles, Jennyfer Augustin, and Landy Dorce had been living in Santo Domingo and were called to serve in the Dominican Republic. The other two, Rosebelle Fanfan and Marie Jacques were living in Port-au-prince, Haiti and had received their calls to Boston, Massachusetts but were reassigned to the Dominican Republic due to visa complications.
With six missionaries not able to travel to an MTC and prepare properly for their missions, the Caribbean Area Presidency was led to resolve this problem by creating a temporary, mini-missionary training center located in the Caribbean Area offices. The three sister missionaries living in the Dominican Republic moved out of their homes and into the temple patron housing, located next to the Santo Domingo Temple.
Elder Birocher moved in with the office elders of the Santo Domingo East Mission, and Sisters Fanfan and Jacques left their homes in Haiti and participated in the mini-MTC from the Haiti, Port-au-Prince mission offices.
Although housed in various Church offices in Santo Domingo and Port-au-Prince, the six missionaries received their training virtually from the Mexico City Missionary Training Center through two amazing instructors, Gregory Jeaboin and Josue Derival.
On weekends, each missionary was assigned to a companionship of full-time missionaries to live and work with. This experience gave them real-life missionary opportunities and grew their enthusiasm for the work that they would soon be doing.
This small army of missionaries had a unique beginning to their missions, and the world might say to them, “Why put yourself through this challenge?” These missionaries know that “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, … nothing shall be impossible unto you,” (Matthew 17:20). And they had much more than a mustard seed of faith. The Lord had been guiding them through challenges for many years, and their desire to overcome was evident in their strong testimonies.
Sister Rosylove Charles’s Testimony
Elders Upshaw and Jean Louis introduced the gospel to my family in 2007 when I was only 6. Challenges in our life continued but the special feelings of truth and eternal happiness for our family kept us faithful. My mom’s desire for me to serve a mission held a lot of power even when the worldly interests called me in a different direction, I felt the strength to finally hear the Spirit and follow the Savior. This mission has been a growing experience, and I am thankful for all those that got me here.
Elder Theirry Birocher’s Testimony
My MTC experience testified to me the power of prayer. The night before I left for MTC I prayed, asking God to guide good people who would prepare me to serve as a good missionary. I received that blessing at the MTC in the Caribbean area office. Wise words were given to me from leaders, people in the offices, and in the temple where I learned more about our Savior, Jesus Christ. Answers to my prayer came through others that gave me confidence and knowledge to be a good missionary. This is my testimony that I enjoy sharing with people.
Sister Landy Dorce’s Testimony
Going on a mission has been very hard for me but I know that after the mission, I will be strong in every way. The MTC experience taught me how to see people as Jesus Christ would see them and to be more like Him. I love what I’m doing despite every challenge.
Sister Augustin’s Testimony
I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to participate in the virtual missionary training center in the area offices, a place where I could feel the Spirit very strongly, and where I learned that being a missionary is not for a year and a half but for a lifetime. I learned that our Heavenly Father loves us dearly and has a perfect plan for all His children. I learned to see and love people in the Savior’s way, no matter our differences, and to develop the attributes of Christ. I am also very grateful to have met many people who are now a part of my heart, who helped me walk in this wonderful work.
I know that prayer is one of the best gifts that our Heavenly Father gave us, through our faith in Jesus Christ we can accomplish much and help His children to come to Him.
Sister Fanfan’s Testimony
I am very grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given to serve a mission. My time at the Dominican Republic MTC was very beneficial with excellent teachers in Mexico, and the support of my new friends called companions. It was the best time to integrate into missionary life. I thank Elder and Sister Wilkinson for their love. They are my new family. I testify that this great work is our Savior’s work, and He directs it. He loves us and knows us personally.
Sister Jacques’s Testimony
I know with all my heart that missionary work is a work that truly brings joy to the homes of all who commit to it. It helps me learn more about our Heavenly Father. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and the words in it will increase everyone’s knowledge of truth if they read it. There is no doubt about these words.
As human beings, we all face challenges. These young missionaries faced a unique set of challenges that required them to exercise great faith. Through this faith, were born strong testimonies, shared now by these six faithful missionaries to the people in the Dominican Republic.