SYMBOLIC POTHOLES

 

The roads of Roatan are full of potholes everywhere. Only a couple of months ago they were all patched and driving seemed to be smooth and easy.  To a tourist who arrived in September it would have been easy to get the impression that there really wasn't anymore work to do.  The roads were in perfect condition and it was time for the road crews to move on to other places where they were more badly needed.  Then the rains came!  Day after day the heavens poured down upon these roads and the weaknesses of the roads were uncovered.  The pavement was only one inch thick at its thickest part.  The foundation wasn't solid enough to withstand the constant pounding of the weather. Two options were available: either the  road crews could constantly work to keep the pavement looking smooth or the boss could order a strenthening of the foundation.  We have seen an amazing parallel to our work here in Roatan when we have looked at the potholes filled with water.  Storms have arrived and the Lord has seen fit to change the foundation of our branch.



Roatan branch presidency: Enrique Galo, Alvaro Sanchez, Luis Molina

 This week began with the huge surprise that our branch president, Alavaro Sanchez, was going to be released.  This came as quite a blow to us.  Losing him meant losing a very faithful family and the loss of even a single faithful member greatly affects our ability to become a ward.  Their efforts here have been appreciated and they won't be soon forgotten.  Due to health and financial concerns they are moving back to their homeland of Guatamala.
   The week then changed even more when we heard from Dusty Mitchell, our elder's quorum president, that he is going to take his sweet wife, Lacey, back to Canada.  Living here has been very difficult for her and her little children.  Dusty is going to continue to work here and travel back and forth as he needs to do.   We were informed that he also would be released this Sunday.  With the loss of, perhaps, our two greatest leaders we felt a very real sence of concern for the branch.  We have worked so hard to solidify this branch and now because of events that no one had planned nor hoped for, we were afraid that much was lost.

   All week long we visited members and encouraged them to be in church early this week so that they might be there for an important announcement.  It is important for members to have the opportunity to sustain their new leadership and to hear the words that are spoken both by those that are leaving and those that are being called.  President Troches, Counselor in the San Pedro Sula mission presidency, came to Roatan to make the changes.  We arranged for him to interview as many men as we thought might be considered to fill those positions.  He stayed with us Saturday night.

   Sunday morning we sat and waited for the announcement.  Called as our new branch presidency were Rafael Castro, Luis Molina and Merlon Orellana.  Their stories are as different as any three stories could be.  Rafael Castro has been a former bishop, stake president and Area Seventy.  He moved here to Roatan from La Ceiba four weeks ago.  Many of the people here already knew him when he arrived; a couple of them had been in either his stake or in his ward before.  He and his wife, Norma, are powerful, dedicated people who will work miracles for this ward. 
   Luis Molina has now served as counselor in three consequtive branch presidencies here in Roatan.  He and his sweetheart, Maria, are long-time faithful members.  He is a returned missionary.  In fact, he was called to his mission by President Castro, and returned home from his mission and served in the high counsel under the direction of President Castro.
   Merlon Orellana is living proof that the Lord will use the willing of this world.  Four months ago he was living alone, separated from his wife-to-be and his two children.  He occasionally came to church, but largely stayed away.  Then one day, something struck his heart and he decided to change.  He married his long-time girlfriend, Taunia Sorto Orellana, our Primary president, and immediately came back to church.  Four weeks later he was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood.  Two months later he was ordained to the Melchezedek priesthood and has had several experiences with the priesthood.  Today he was set apart to serve as 2nd counselor in the branch presidency.

New Roatan Branch Presidency: Luis Molina, Rafael Castro and Merlon Orellana

The new elder's quorum presidency was also called and set apart.  Our new elder's quorum president is Enrique Galo.  His First Counselor is a young man who just recently moved to Roatan.  His name is Aldolfo Escobar, a recently returned missionary. 
   We worried in vain.  The Lord has His eye on this tiny branch.  He has been preparing it and shaping it to stand on its own without our puny little help.  Seemingly every single week some type of miracle has occurred to strengthen this branch.  People who haven't come to church in a long time are now coming.  Men who had no dream of obtaining the priesthood are being ordained.  Men and women who have lived together for years without marriage are being married and are beginning their preparations for a temple sealing.  Dozens who have never held a calling are now serving faithfully and constantly and have a renewed excitement about the gospel and the church.  And, perhaps, most miraculously, the Lord has sent a steady stream of faithful, active LDS members to us.  Where we once were few, we now have an average attendance of 140 each week.  There is a light and an energy and enthusiasm in the face of nearly every member. 
    After today's meetings we are certain of one thing: Roatan will be fine without us.  We were never the foundation.  We were only privileged to be here to watch the work take place.  Our only question now is whether or not we will be fine without Roatan.  We love these people.