It was a busy Monday as usual. We received a surprise visit from Elder Joshua Flake and his parents, Jim & Hope Flake. He went home in the September “Traslado” but came back down to the DR to visit old friends and converts. They’ve been in the country for a week already. They’ve spent some time in Azua as well as seeing parts of the country Elder Flake didn’t get to visit while a missionary like Puerta Plata. They fly home to Gilbert, AZ day after tomorrow.
The “Las Palmas Zone” had their interviews at Pres. Almonte’s home followed by their Christmas dinner today. A little before noon Hna. Johnson and I were at the Mission Home to deliver their mail & supplies as well as take their pictures.
Once again we had the opportunity be with the Elders and Hermanas, to feel their spirits and their zeal for the missionary work of the Lord here in the Dominican Republic. As a Senior Couple, Hna. Johnson and I have been truly blessed to be here, doing what we are doing and having the experiences we are having. It is days like this that make it all worthwhile. Sometimes we experience frustration and disappointment. Sometimes things go wrong in the office or we get discouraging news from time to time but today was all good!
This evening’s FHE was all good too. The opening song was another CCM (MTC) Choir performance by the Haitian missionaries. All of the Haitian missionaries will leave the CCM tomorrow and report to their assigned missions. Tonight was a final “Hurrah” for them and we really enjoyed their hymn.
They sang “If You Could Hie to Kolob” in Creole, the national language of Haiti. Wow, it was a powerful and moving song. At least two of the Elders had tears streaming down their cheeks as they sang. The Seniors were also moved to tears by the beauty and message of this most remarkable hymn. Their rendition was simply GREAT!
Tonight’s FHE lesson was presented by Hno. Mark Tanner & his wife Hna. Annette Tanner. Hno. Tanner’s lesson was on the history of missionary work in the DR. He was one of the very first 10 missionaries assigned to work in the Dominican Republic in 1978. He was serving here a month before Apostle M. Russell Ballard came to dedicate this island nation for the work in December of that year.
Hna. Tanner (mother of 10) told the amazing story of their family’s discussion to move to the DR twice. Each time they uprooted their family to spend 18 months living, working and going to school here in the DR. The first time was in 2003 and now again in 2010. This time they have their 6 youngest children with them. They are a remarkable family. Hno. Tanner is an attorney and runs his law firm completely over the internet! He said occasionally he has to hop on a plane for the US. Last week he had to be at his law practice stateside for a 4 day trial. They made the discussion to come here so their children could experience the mission field first hand and gain a love of the people and the country.
Dear Elder and Sister Johnson,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting the photographs of my daughter Hma. Rebekah Lund. How fun to see her!!! You are a dear couple who will be greatly missed!