ARRECIFE, Lanzarote — Through the efforts of gospel-sharing members on this volcanic island, a typical sacrament meeting at the Arrecife Branch is standing room only.
A larger meetinghouse is on the way, and it is needed.
"Normally we have 70 to 75 members attending sacrament meeting, but the chapel seats fewer than 70," said branch President Roberto Barreiro. "Many times members cannot get a seat."
"The members are very friendly and they want to work with the missionaries," he continued. "They have invited their friends to Church; they give referrals to the missionaries; the missionaries also visit the homes of the members to help them share the gospel."
He noted that this has brought positive results. "The branch has grown over the past three or four years. There have been new members, both converts and move-ins."
District President Andres J. Padilla said, "The Lord is making this place special. We have made a great effort here to teach the doctrine and the members live those doctrines."
He agreed that the Lord's hand is at work on Lanzarote. "Members have learned to really work so that missionary work continues forward. But there is still room for more growth."
This is despite the fact that many people leave the confines of the distant tourist island of Lanzarote for better employment. Arrecife is the main town on the small island of Lanzarote, one of Spain's seven Canary Islands, some 60 miles west of the northwest coast of Morocco.
This branch joins the Fuerta Ventura Branch to form the Fuerta Ventura District of the Spain Las Palmas Mission. Dating from the 15th century, the busy town with its narrow streets and white houses owes its existence to its natural harbor, protected by a barrier of islets and reefs. Historically, it traded in soap and the crimson natural coloring of cochineal but until recent times was a fishing port. A fort and bridge were built in the 16th century to protect the town from attacks by pirates.
As the fishing industry here has declined, many now work in construction and tourism. The palm-treed island of year-round tropical warmth is also known as the island of 100 volcanoes. The last eruption, in 1824, devastated several villages near Yaiza and left a vast black expanse of lava resembling a lunar landscape, now protected as the national park of Timanfaya. Here visitors can sample the heat emanating from a dormant volcano, hot enough to shoot plumes of steam or incinerate bushes. Visitors may dine in a mountaintop restaurant where the food is cooked over a volcano vent.
President Barreiro is a department head in an express delivery enterprise. He first met his wife-to-be, Belen Exposito, when they were both serving in the Spain Madrid Mission, between 1997 and 1999.
He joined the Church 20 years ago in Galicia, northwest Spain, when he was just 12 years of age. A neighbor introduced them to the Church. He and his family had been curious about other religions but they couldn't find anything special in other faiths.
"A neighbor came to the house and invited us to attend Church with them," said President Barreiro, "They were friendly, and talked to us about the Church. We became good friends; that was important." He, his mother and a brother, were baptized together.
An example of those introduced to the Church through the examples of members is Jorge Valbuena Garcia, now serving as first counselor in the branch presidency. Asked how he came to join the Church, Brother Garcia explained that family members had been Latter-day Saints for some 20 years. For many years he resisted, but his heart softened and he was eventually baptized in 2002.
"My wife and children were good examples of the gospel," said Brother Garcia. The family was first introduced to the Church through a friend and Sister Garcia's sister was the first of the family to join the Church.
Javier Padilla, second counselor in the Arrecife Branch, is a returned missionary from the England London Mission from 2002-2004. He is a native of the Canaries, born on Gran Canaria, and raised in the Church.
Garriela Gallardo de Padilla joined the Church in Ecuador, where she and her family were converted through missionary labors in 1997. Her family then immigrated to Lanzarote, where she met her husband, a wholesaler of tourist souvenirs.
"We really like the Church in Lanzarote, even with the branch being this small," said Brother Padilla. "Everyone here is very united. It's a friendly branch."
Full-time missionaries in the Arrecife Branch confirm their good relationship with local members. "The members want to see the branch grow and are excited at the thought of filling their new chapel," said Elder Peter Scherbel of Big Piney, Wyo. "They like to help the missionaries a lot."
His companion, Elder Daniel Larkin from Newberg, Ore., added, "I've been surprised by the number of member referrals. I've never had so many before."
Speaking of the attitude of the branch members, Elder Scherbel explained, "The members here are not afraid to talk with people. This branch is really strong, they get along together so well. That makes them happy and they are willing to share that happiness with others."
Despite the transitory nature of the branch, the mature members form a solid foundation for growth. The longest-serving members of the Arrecife Branch are Euselio de Lion Tejera and his wife, Efigenia Perez Robaina de Tejera, who joined 16 years ago when they were baptized in Lanzarote in January 1990.
At that time the six members of the tiny branch met for Church services in the missionaries' accommodation. The Tejeras were introduced to the Church by a good local member, Sister Maria, now deceased.
"Since that day the Spirit has never abandoned us," the Tejeras observed, adding, "We have never been inactive."
The Tejeras believe they have an obligation to share the gospel with others and over the years have introduced many friends to the Church and are responsible for the conversion of some of the branch members.
