SPIRIT AND POWER

This past week was transfer week which is always a sad but joyful time. Sad because we lost two of the Elders in our District. Elder Caldwell who has been with us in Augusta since we arrived six months ago was transferred. Elder Abankwa, our District Leader who had only been here six weeks, was called to be a Zone Leader so of course a transfer for him. We were sad because we enjoyed working with them so much and learning from them. Elder Abankwa is such a hard working and dedicated missionaries. Elder Caldwell is bold and bears a powerful testimony. We are joyful for them and the opportunities that await them in their new areas as they bless the lives of those who are prepared to hear their message. We are also joyful for the opportunity to serve with two choice Elders who have been called to serve in the Augusta Ward by inspiration. As we experience each transfer we can see the hand of the Lord as Elders are transferred in and out and we love each one of them. We are joyful to serve with Elders Cahoon and Phillips. Elder Cahoon is our new District Leader. Transfers are every six weeks and we have eight more transfers to experience these sad but joyful feelings. Attending transfer meetings is always a joy because we get to visit with or receive messages from Elders we have served with. The transfer meeting begins with testimonies from the new Elders, Sisters and Seniors who have just arrived from the MTC, then testimonies of Sisters, Elders, and Seniors who are returning home. The chapel is full of missionaries from all over the mission awaiting their new assignment and companion. As we sat in the chapel with all these missionaries we could feel their spirit and their power. Sister Lewis, a senior sister who will be returning home, bore a beautiful and touching testimony. She mentioned the power and spirit she felt as she watched and listened as the opening hymn was sang, Come, All Ye Sons of God. The third verse was sung much louder and with great power. "Repent and be baptized, and have your sins remitted. And get the spirit's zeal, oh then you'll be united. Go cast upon him all your care; He will regard your humble prayer. And bring you home to Zion to praise the Lamb." Many ward members transport missionaries from all over the mission to these meetings and are touched by the spirit they feel. We are thankful for them and their service because many of them start early in the morning and don't return to their homes until late in the evening depending upon their location in the mission. Two senior sisters Sister Lewis and Sister Bodine who serve in the office and Brother and Sister Hadley are returning home. We received one senior sister, Sister Rothman who will serve in the office. Five of the senior couples and two senior sisters who were here when we arrived are or have returned home and there have only been two couples and one sister to replace them. The good news: although Elder Abankwa is leaving our district he is remaining in our zone as a zone leader.

Each week is so different and each day brings wonderful experiences. This is a run down of our week. Monday Elder Berry repaired a widows lawn mower (ward member) and was grateful for the opportunity to be outside and have some tools in his hands. Monday was transfer dinner for the Zone. This dinner was sad because Elder and Sister Atkinson wasn't with us here but the Elders enjoyed begin together as they said good-by to those who would be transferred. We made two trips to Columbia this week. One trip was made Tuesday as we drove Elder Harris from North Augusta, South Carolina up for a training meeting because he has been called to be a new trainer. The second trip was made Wednesday for transfers. These trips bring us great joy because it gives us the opportunity to get to know the Elders in our Zone better as we visit with them in our car and we can feel their spirit and power. 
This week we had the opportunity to meet a family that is not active. They were baptized almost two years ago and received much help and support from the ward. A ward member provided them with a car and they received financial help but when the financial aid was not provided anymore they became less active. As we talked they said they weren't happy with the church anymore because when they needed the ward the most they turned their back on them and some one had pointed out some things in the Book of Mormon that upset them (anti Mormons are everywhere and eager to pounce on recent converts). As soon as the lady mentioned the Book of Mormon her son (about 11 years) blurted out "it says in the Book of Mormon the reason they were black was because they had been cursed") Hopefully we were able to correct that misunderstanding and are looking forward to visiting them again. It is very interesting that as we are out and about people notice our name tags and have many comments. Mormon is more common now that Mitt Romney is campaigning. As we talk we ask them would they like to learn more and 99% of the time their prompt reply is "We're Baptist!" As we visit and talk with people we hope they can feel the spirit and power of our calling as we feel the young missionaries when we are in their presence. A tender mercy this week we must share. We were looking for a sister and wasn't having any luck. We knocked on the apartment door (no one was home) and a neighbor from next door came out and told us she didn't live there anymore but the cousin did. The Elders went back later and a person answered the door and told them she didn't live there but they still got her mail. One evening at the last minute we decided to take dinner to a sick family so we stopped at at chicken restaurant. The girl taking our order noticed our name tags, got very excited and told us her mother was a member of our church. We asked her name and it was the woman we were looking for. She told us her mother was in Florida and would return in two months. We have found that as we are out and about and meeting people the door is opened for us to receive needed blessings.

 Missionary service is a powerful tool to bring others to Christ. We encourage you to have the missionaries in your homes so that you can feel their spirit and power and it will bless your lives. (D&C 58:27) "..men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness."

Love, Elder and Sister Berry

 Sister Serafine our Harlem Sister was transferred

 Elder Law, Sister Bodine and Sister Lewis

 Brother Markel and Elder Berry. Brother Markel a ward member assisted with transferred

 Elder Berry and Elder Phillips one of our new missionaries preparing for trip to Augusta, Georgia

 Sisters Lewis, Bowman, and Rothman (new sister is 77 years old

Sister Berry, Elder Caldwell and Elder Berry. We are all excited for him but will miss him. It was time to move on.

Elder Flake and Sister Berry. Elder Flake left Augusta two transfers ago.

Elder Flake is from Mesa, Arizona

Sisters saying good-by to one going home. Very emotional!

Elder and Sister Berry and President Holm

Our New District:

Elder and Sister Berry, Elder Ultra, Elder Phillips, Elder Bogden, and Elder Cahoon (District Leader)

Sunday Dinner

WARRIORS

We love this picture. It is hanging in our office above our computer. We don't know who drew it but hope to learn more about it. As we serve with the young Elders we think of them as the Latter-Day armies of Helaman and they are the Lord's missionaries taking the truth to the world.

   

Two warriors (Elder Caldwell and Elder Bogden) 

Elder Bogden, Brother Ficklin (assistant ward mission leader) Elder Caldwell, Elder Ultra and Elder Abankwa

Wednesday is transfer day. This is our last Sunday dinner with Elders Caldwell and Abankwa. Elder Caldwell has served in Augusta for over six months and proclaims the gospel with boldness. Elder Abankwa has only been in Augusta for six weeks so we were surprised with his transfer. He has been called to be a zone leader in another zone. He is the hardest working, most dedicated missionary. Elder Abankwa comes to us from Africa and he is truly teaching the gospel to the world. They will be missed but it is time for them to move on and fight the Lords battle in another part of our mission. We are happy we will have the opportunity to serve longer with Elders Bogden and Ultra. They are mighty warriors.

Elder and Sister Atkinson loaded up and ready to return to Idaho. They have served in Augusta for twelve months and have lived in this little trailer. They have been the Lord's missionaries and they have left their home and family to assist the soldiers at Fort Gordon.

Elder Atkinson hitching his truck to the trailer. Elder Berry just had to get this picture.


The Stevens Creek missionaries helped the Atkinsons pack their truck and prepare the trailer for travel.

Packing up

The Atkinson's trailer before take down and hooking to truck. This was the Atkinson's home for a year.

The following pictures were taken at the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, South Carolina.

Tuesday we drove Elder Harris to Columbia for Spanish missionary training. First we drove to North Augusta, South Carolina to pick up Elder Harris and his companion Elder Thompson then drove to Aiken, South Carolina and dropped Elder Thompson off with the Elders in Aiken for the day then to Columbia for the meeting. Elder Harris and Elder Thompson are in what they call a Zebra, that is where a companionship speaks different languages. After dropping Elder Harris off for his meeting we had five hours free. Since we don't speak Spanish (only Southern and there was no training for us) we decided to spend some time at the zoo. President Holm encourages the senior couples to take time and visit sights in our mission. The zoo which isn't large and gardens were beautiful. About five PM we headed back to August to put all the missionaries back together again. When we arrive back in Aiken, South Caroline it took over an hour to meet back up with Elder Thompson then return him and Elder Harris to North Augusta, South Carolina and finally back to Augusta, Georgia. We had a twelve hour day but it was great

As we were walking through the gardens we saw this vine which looked familiar from our childhood when we lived in the south. We took a closer look and sure enough, a May pop vine. May pop is a fast growing vine and it grows along fences or up trees. The may pop is one of the hardiest passion flowers and grows wild in regions that commonly freeze during winter. The vine dies back to the ground and pops back to life the following season, hence the name may pop. The fruit is edible and the flavor is variable but some of fruits are said to be quite good. As I remember as a child we went looking for may pops and enjoyed eating them.

From the pictures we posted this week it looks like all we did was play. Serving a senior mission at times seems like play and it brings us great joy. We did spent three days finding members that are on the ward list. Two of the people on our list never lived at the addresses we had and the phone numbers that were listed were the phone numbers of the people that actually lived in the houses. One person said he had lived in the house and had the same phone number for six years and knew nothing about the person we were looking for. One door we knocked on there was no answer so we left our cards and started walking back to our car. The driveway was long and we were parked on the street. Before we got to our car we saw the front door open and a lady reached down to pick up our cards because they fell to the porch. We turned around and headed back and the first thing the lady said to us was that she was Jewish. We asked if she knew the name of the lady we were looking for. She did but the lady we were looking for no longer lived there but her son did. We asked for the new address of the lady. She wouldn't give it to us but said she would let her know we came by and she would have her call us although she was on vacation in Florida. Another visit this week was much different than any we have had yet. We drove to an address and went up to knock on the door. The sign by the door read: "Do not knock. Call me on my cell phone." We didn't have a phone number so we couldn't call so we decided we better not knock on his door. A neighbor was outside watching us so we asked if that person still lived at that house. The neighbor told us he still lived there but was at the doctor. He told us when we came back not to worry about the sign just knock. Saturday we went back to make contact with the man and invite him to church. The house has a carport that has been converted into a shop with tools laying on tables for sale. Two rugged looking men were sitting outside by the tools. No sooner than we got out of the car one of the men told us in a very demanding voice to get back in our car and leave.  Elder Berry asked if the person we were looking for was home. The man told us he wasn't home and he wasn't going to talk to us anymore. Elder Berry just walked a little closer, stood there and asked him a question about the tools. The man turned his back and told him he wasn't going to talk to him and just get in your car and leave. So we did. Elder Berry took his time getting back into the car while I held my breath. It's hard being a warrior when you are demanded to leave someones property but Elder Berry stood his ground and did not let the man intimidate him. Needless to say we didn't have the opportunity to invite the man to church Sunday. We have had some wonderful experiences this week. Several weeks ago we visited an inactive convert and had the opportunity to answer some of her questions about the Book of Mormon. An anti Mormon had talked to her against the Book of Mormon telling her she didn't need to read the "Mormon Bible" because we only need one Bible and other things. When we left we asked if we could come back and she said she would be happy for us to come back. I called about two weeks later to make an appointment and she was very cool and said she had been reading her Bible and was not really interested in a visit. Last Friday while we were taking another sister to the grocery store and in an area we usually don't shop we saw this sister in front of the store. I went to her and she hugged me and seemed very happy to see me and that I had recognized her. We are thankful for all the opportunities we are given that open doors to share the gospel. As we visit around the ward we are welcomed into many homes and have the opportunity to share message and pray together. As we quietly go about serving we look at the Elders and Sisters working so hard and boldly and we know they are mighty warriors serving in the Lord's Army.

Love, Elder and Sister Berry

DECLARE THE GOSPEL

Elders Bogden and Abankwa with Aaron Martin Saturday
Sunday Elder Abankwa turned 21

Sunday dinner Elder Fickling (assistant ward mission leader returned missionary going to college) Elder Caldwell (he has been in Augusta for six months), Elder Ultra, Elder Abankwa, Sister Berry and Elder Bogden

Saturday-Elder Bogden turned 20

Augusta District Saturday night planning meeting. Planing Sunday van route

President and Sister Holm and Elder Riddle (assistant)

Sister and Brother Decker (drove all day to make it to this meeting and arrived just as we were finishing dinner. Sitting next to them is Sister Laudie

This past week we had the opportunity to go to Columbia for a Senior Couples training meeting. We first met a a local chapel for training with President and Sister Holm and later drove to the mission home for a delicious dinner that Sister Holm had prepared. There are twelve senior couples and two senior sisters serving throughout the mission and only one couple was unable to attend. While we were having dinner Elder and Sister Decker arrived straight from the MTC and will be replacing Elder and Sister Hunt in the office. Elder Decker will be over transportation and Sister Decker over housing. The Hunts had to vacate their apartment for the Deckers so the Hunts were packed and ready to leave except they were staying two days to train the Decker's so they were staying at the mission home for two nights. Along with the Hunts, two other couples are going home and the two single sisters will be leaving soon. We are very sad because Elder and Sister Atkinson who trained us will be leaving this Wednesday. Although we have only known them for six months we have grown to love them as we have served in the same area together and will miss them greatly. The Atkinsons were over military relations at Fort Gordon and worked with the Grovetown Ward which meets in the Augusta building. We enjoyed planning and preparing the transfer dinners for the Elders with the Atkinsons. They truly loved the missionaries and served the Lord with all their hearts. There is no replacement for the Atkinsons yet and we don't know how long it will take to get another couple so Elder Berry and I will be the only Senior Couple in Augusta, Georgia, at this time. One of Sister Holm's responsibilities is the health and welfare of the missionaries. Because she and President Holm can't be ever where she asked us to be eyes and ears for them as we server with the young Elders and Sisters. Recently we reported to sister Holm that one of our missionaries was sick and needed to see a doctor because he wouldn't make the call to her. Sister Holm immediately contacted the missionary and made arrangements for him to see a doctor. It turns out that the missionary was very sick and they greatly appreciated the information. We were asked not to advise, talk sports, grandparent or make missionary work too easy for them although we are to help them. As we have served with the young Elders in the Augusta District we feel they are far above us in their ability to Declare the Gospel and serve with all their hearts. We have served with some of the best Elders in the Columbia, South Carolina Mission. During our training we were reminded that we were to: help local units in reactivation no matter what other assignments we may have and help find but the Elders were to teach, be Bold-Loving but bold, fellowship recent converts, visit less active and part member families and serve. President Holm told us that no matter what other duties we have we are here to Declare the Gospel and teach the restoration. The more we work and serve the more successful we will be and our sins will be forgiven. We thoroughly enjoy the time spent with other senior couples and the instructions and guidance from President and Sister Holm. We love being senior missionaries.

As you can tell from the pictures we had a very busy week. Elder Bogden had a birthday Saturday and Elder Abankwa had a birthday Sunday. The highlight of the week was the baptism of Aaron Martin. Aaron is stationed at Fort Gordon and he and his wife live in our apartment complex and we had the opportunity to fellowship them as they were taught by the missionaries. Tiffany, Aaron's wife is less active yet she wanted her husband to get baptized so they can go to the temple. We still have some work to do with Tiffany. One Sunday we invited Tiffany and Aaron to our Sunday dinner with all the missionaries and Brother Ficklin. We all had a very good time. Tiffany prepares dinner for the missionaries every Thursday evening. They invited us to their home with the missionaries the following Thursday so now we have a standing dinner date with them one Thursday night a month. Every Saturday evening we meet with the missionaries from 8-9pm at our apartment planning the van route for Sunday and what every one's responsibility will be. Who will drive the van and which elders will ride in the van to direct the driver, who will drive the two other elders around to knock on doors and which doors to knock on. The route changes according to who is being taught and if there is room for members who don't have cars and aren't on a pick up schedule by a ward member. Every Saturday evening we always have a snack for the Elders and with that snack we have milk. They love milk and can do away with almost a gallon. What they don't drink we send it home with them. Saturday the snack was cupcakes for Elder Bogden's birthday. Sunday we celebrated Elder Abankwa's birthday with chocolate cake and ice cream after dinner.

This past week we knocked on lots of doors. Sometimes we could hear people inside, one door almost opened but then everything went quiet. We think a child tried to unlock the door but a parent stopped them. Some have talked to us at the door and some have invited us in. As we visit we include active members who are older and have special need. One door we knocked on was a less active recent convert but there was no answer so we left our card and some magazines. She called us back later and invited us for lunch the next day. She and her husband both have cancer and are struggling with that. Our lunch was delicious and we left them with a message and prayer. She said she would try to be at church Sunday but it's hard to know how she will feel from day to day. She didn't make it to church Sunday. The highlight of our visits was with a sister who is a widow. She converted to the church as a young mother at the age of 23 and has been active and served ever since. Her story is so inspiring yet sad and it's hard to imagine the trials that she has endured. As we visited with this sister we had the opportunity to discuss gospel principles and the love the Savior has for us. By her testimony she Declared the Gospel to us.

We are hoping before our mission is over we will be able to Declare the Gospel Bold as we have been instructed and bring others to Christ. We Boldly Declare to our family and all our friends that the Gospel is true, that Jesus is the Christ the Savior of the world.

Love Elder and Sister Berry