Tri-zone conference with President and Sister Schmutz. We have 3 zones on our island with 42 missionaries.
This is our Dumaguete zone after our first transfer. It is amazing and wonderful to have as many sisters as elders. I worried some before we came about the sister drama but there is really very little - they are all hard workers, obedient to the rules of the mission and focused on inviting others to Come Unto Christ. Truly a Miracle of Mormonism to see this level of commitment and sacrifice in so many young people.
A district activity at our home for one of our dictricts. We made sloppy joes, chips, pop, and a Filipino dessert, mango float. The elder at bottom right ate 4 sloppy joes - the others all ate 2, including the girls. Three of them, the 2 Filipinos and the sister from India had never eaten a sloppy joe.
I love watching the different cultures come together and love each other immediately as they are so focused on serving. Here we are at Pulang Bato (red rock) Falls near where we live in Valencia on a zone activity which the zone leaders schedule one time per transfer. We had a wonderful time enjoying the marvelous creation in this part of the world. The threesome of sisters below are incredible. The sister on the left is one of our senior sisters which means she is a traveling trainer much like the zone leaders but only has responsibility for the sisters. This has become much more important with the increase in the number of sisters serving.
This is great! I used to love love love it when couple missionaries would make us American meals. Looks like so much fun (and work of course :) )
ReplyDeleteWe have settled in enough where this seems normal now. We do love it and love spending time with the young missionaries. Thanks for reading and being supportive. Nothing in this life is like serving a full time mission!!
DeleteLooks like you guys are doing many good works!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you encouraged us to come here - not only do we love the people, the country, and the work but we love, love your brother, President Schmutz. Already worrying about who his replacement will be!!haha!
DeleteYou have some great pictures and it sonds like you are getting around real well inspite of not speaking the local language. Looks by the pictures that it is warm. We in Moldova are already wearing our winter coats! But the work is still the same--great! Elder and Sister Kneib
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