Sappingtons Return from the West Indies Mission

Elder Ed and Sister Linda Sappington returned to their Bloomington Ward family on June 11 after having served four months in the West Indies Mission office in Trinidad and 14 months in Guyana, South America (formerly known as British Guiana).  Called to serve as Guyana PEF missionaries, their assignment expanded dramatically after hearing Caribbean Area President Francisco Viñas teach, “It’s not enough just to baptize.  We must teach them to read so they can get an education.  We must help them qualify for jobs so they can support their families.  We must minister to our members from birth to the cemetery!”  “At that moment, we were impressed to ‘teach them what we know!’,” states Sister Sappington.  “What we know is computers, employment and fun!  When we embraced those three concepts, our mission truly became remarkable!” 

For Elder Sappington, the most enjoyable experience of their mission together was “making a difference in the lives of young people through the Perpetual Education Fund program . . . and taking thousands of great pictures of this beautiful country!”

Sister Sappington found her most enjoyable experiences to be “hearing the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ of students attending basic computer classes or Secretary School, getting kids excited about going to school and of course, interacting with young single adults at the YSA Center and the other senior couples with whom we have served.  I have also enjoyed helping people find meaningful employment – especially missionaries returning home.  I have particularly loved, loved, loved the experience of helping them recognize the minimum of TEN wonderful, marketable skills they developed on their missions!”

The Sappingtons agree, “we will miss the tropical landscapes, our young single adults and the other couples with whom we have served” and encourage other couples in the Bloomington 7th Ward to consider the joy of missionary service!  "There are dozens of assignments to fit your skill set and hundreds of locations . . . and much of your missionary service is tax deductible!"