President and Sister Brewer arrive

Early in the year, we were told that The Solomon Islands would be moved from the Papua New Guinea Mission to the Vanuatu, Port Vila Mission.  We learned in April that our new mission president would be Larry Brewer from Utah.  We were so surprised and excited because we knew of a Larry Brewer.  He was a year older in school than Ken and was the older brother of Cheryle's friend Julie.  After an e-mail to Julie, we did find out that it was the Larry Brewer that we knew.  We waited anxiously for a visit.  He and Sister Brewer came to The Solomons just 16 days after they arrived in Vanuatu.  We were thrilled.

We met them at the airport.  They brought along the AP's.  What a wonderful time we had getting to know them and showing them our town.

The AP's are Elder Tupou from Sydney Australia and Elder Harmon from Logan Utah. What great young men they are!

The next morning we enjoyed Zone Conference where we were introduced to and instructed by President and Sister Brewer.

The Elders gathered around Pres. and Sister Brewer for a group photo following the conference.  Elders Ifuna'au Junior, Ifuna'au Senior,Tupou, President Brewer, Sister Brewer, Harmon,Wanebana, Measi, and Haura.

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After the great training, President Brewer treated us all to lunch at a local cafe.

Elder Harmon had a little problem with the language and got 3 plates of 3 tacos instead of 3 tacos! LOL

No problem, he shared with everyone.

After a fun lunch, we went back to the church and each Elder had the opportunity to be interviewed by President Brewer.

Thursday,  President  and Sister Brewer toured the island and visited the local members.

President Brewer, the mountain climber, on a bush trail, visiting members.

Sister Brewer, Sister Fiona and President Sauseru, 1st counselor in the District Presidency, and President Brewer.

Sister Margaret and President Rimou.  He is 2nd counselor in the District Presidency.

 

Left: Prospective missionary Maclean Sauseru

Right:  Burns Creek Branch President.

Dickson Koke

 

Returned sister missionary Eunice Hoiesi

All too soon it was Friday morning and time to take the Brewers and the APs to the airport.

Elder Wanebana, prospective missionary Hubert Theonodi, Elder Ifuna'au, Elder Topou, and Elder Haura.

President and Sister Brewer, Sister and Elder Mitchell

Our new mission is in good hands, and we are confident in the future of missionary work in the Solomon Islands.

We have quickly come to love, respect, and sustain President and Sister Brewer as our new Mission President.  What a delight they are!  We know that they have been fully prepared for this new assignment, and called by our Heavenly Father to serve the people in these three Island Nations.

Newspaper article printed in Solomon Star

NEW LDS MISSION PRESIDENT VISITS SOLOMONS

 

 

Matthew and Fiona Sauseru welcome President Larry E. Brewer and his wife Maryanne to the Solomon Islands.

 

 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has named Larry E. Brewer as President of the new Vanuatu Port Vila mission effective 01 July.   This new mission includes the three Island nations of New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.  The Vanuatu Port Vila mission has been created to accommodate the growing membership of the Church in these three nations.  For the past 17 years, the Solomon Islands have been a part of the Papua New Guinea mission.

 

Matthew Sauseru, 1^st Counselor in the District Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his wife Fiona, and other members of the Church welcomed President and Sister Brewer to the Solomon Islands. 

 

President Brewer expressed his love for the people of the Solomon Islands and their efforts to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.  He told the members that he admired their strong families and faithfulness.  His vision of the Church in the Solomon’s is one of continued growth for the future and the strengthening of families and individuals as they live the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.    

 

President and Sister Brewer are from the State of Utah in America.  He is a retired teacher and secondary school principal.  Sister Brewer taught English in the public school system.  They have four adult children and 5 grandchildren.  They served in leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout their lives.  President Brewer served a two year mission to the American Indians as a young man.  He and Sister Brewer served a mission as a couple recently in the Cape Verde Praia Mission off the west coast of Africa.  Their calling to lead the Vanuatu Port Vila mission as President is for three years, after which they will return home to their family.

 

Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints typically serve for 18 months to two years and provide their own support.  Many members of the Church serve when they are nineteen or twenty one and then again as senior couples after their retirement.  Currently there are over 55,000 full time missionaries serving throughout the world.  They testify and teach of Jesus Christ and his gospel.   

 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a world-wide Christian religion of 14 million members with congregations in 185 countries around the globe.   There are over 340 missions covering the world. 

 

Here in the Solomon Islands there is one organized District with congregations in Honiara, Burns Creek, White River, Malaita and Gizo.