Headed Out and Reporting In

We met with the departing missionaries on Tuesday as they arrived at the mission office to weigh their bags, pick up the last delivery of mail and share lunch and their testimonies. When I told them that only half of them could leave this week they all volunteered to stay a little longer. They are definitely stalwart servants of the Lord. We will miss them, but look forward to hearing of future joys and successes in their lives.

Most of the departing group said that they had a hard time sleeping for several nights. It is a big change in their lives, but it will be a good change.

We said good-bye to Sister Cruz on the last day of her mission. She will be a great strength to her home branch and is well prepared for a wonderful life of spiritual growth and service.

Elders: Smith, Bingham, and Bentley

Several of us with cars drove the departing missionaries to the bus station in Dagupan where they will ride the bus to the Manila Temple and stay in the patron housing. Tomorrow they will spend the day in the Manila temple and the following day the local missionaries will take a bus home and the foreign missionaries will fly home to be received by excited family and friends.

I had the opportunity to meet and set apart Elder Galdonez this morning. He will serve in the Cebu Mission. He is a great young man and eager to serve the Lord.