An Example of the Believers

Transfer week! Again. We were again in the hotel across the street from the office for the new and departing missionaries. This was the biggest transfer yet: 20 new missionaries and 17 going home. This meant that on Wednesday at lunchtime, 57 missionaries were eating lunch in the hotel's restaurant (besides the office staff): 20 new missionaries, 20 trainers and 17 departing missionaries. Needless to say, it was very busy. It was fun to talk to everyone as we got them started on the legal processes. 

It is always sad to see the old missionaries go. Especially when some of them were some of the best missionaries in the mission. Same for the sisters that left: almost all the experienced sister missionaries are gone. But I am sure that their replacements are up to snuff. It does change the equilibrium and the shape of the mission somewhat, with so many young sister missionaries. Much like it will change again in May and July, when about 60 elders go home and (hopefully) get replaced.

There were not so many changes in my district (the Amsterdam district), but we do now have two new missionaries that are being trained, an elder and a sister. And next week is zone training. 

Today, we will play munchkin again with the assistants and go to Stake Conference in Haarlem this evening. Apparently a new stake president for the Den Haag will be called tomorrow! So that is rather exciting.

"He does not believe that does not live according to his belief" - Thomas Fuller

Around the World in 80 Days

It is so odd to me that it is almost time for another group of missionaries to arrive (and for another to go home). But next Tuesday, 20 missionaries will fly in from the MTC. The biggest group to arrive so far this year (and since I got here). Fortunately (for my sanity), the next few groups will be much smaller in comparison. But it is always fun to be at the hotel for the orientation and trainings and such.

We had a great appointment with an investigator from South Korea (the potential that we looked up a few weeks ago and came looking for us after). She fed us and asked a lot of questions. She has decided that she needs to make up her mind and join a church. (I just hope she chooses the best church for her). And this evening, our fantastic Burundian investigator will be baptised!!

The Belgium trip this week was cancelled, and the next one will be in two weeks. But it was not such a bad thing, since 30 packages, at least, came in this week (mainly Christmas packages for missionaries). And in 10 days, we get to go deliver all those packages to the missionaries during zone trainings all over the mission. Hehe. We will be sure to wear Christmas hats when we do that.

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." - Saint Augustine