Picking up the Baton

The  assignments that were left vacant by the first group of couples in our mission, were filled by great new couples and even a few new assignments were added.   We're so grateful that they felt the influence of the spirit prompting them to serve.  We're also grateful that they were willing to change plans they'd made and be the answer to our prayers as they agreed to serve in the DR Congo.  We know that it was not an easy move to come here and each couple had to "step out into the darkness" with great faith to accept their calls.
Republic of Congo was the first place where that change happened. Pointe Noire is a long way from Clinton, Utah, but answering the call from a prophet the Wheatleys came.
They spoke no French and had no idea of what lay ahead but with faith and courage they tackled the call as member/missionary leadership missionaries for the eight missionaries and three branches in Pointe Noire.  It doesn't matter what needs to be done, the Wheatleys are right there to take care of things and people. One visit there were baptisms scheduled and there was no water in the church.  Without a hesitation Elder Wheatley jumped into the hole that contained the well and began handing buckets up to waiting elders and members. They've survived water and power problems, finding and moving to a new apartment and two break-ins and like energizer bunnies they just keep going.

   

The next to come were the Smiths. They are our new office couple and are well prepared with talents and skills that are blessing the mission.  Newlyweds of about 4 years, they planned a mission in the US and without the need of a language. Surprise! They came to Kinshasa.  But they have dived right in, learned to navigate the crazy world we live in, and are doing just great.  Elder Smith has a background as an IRS auditor and is just want we need in the finances of the mission. Sister Smith worked as an office manager and has also never met a person that didn't become her friend. And there was never a project that they didn't tackle with love and service.

A new project was started as a pilot program in the Kinshasa mission. It's a little like PEF, but for construction.  Young returned missionaries are taught construction skills by our wonderful Elder Billings and his sweet companion, Sister Billings. He spent his career teaching construction at Salt Lake Community College and received a special call to teach this program. Sister Billings aids with documentation of the program and compilation of teaching materials.  The young men in this program love the Billings and so do we. I think that the Lord also sent them here because Sister Billings has expertise in Family History. She wasn't called here as a Family History trainer, but has offered her skills to help the people do Family History and prepare for a temple in Kinshasa. 

Many of our beloved missionaries from the Lubumbashi and Kinshasa missions have already been in this program.  Their big smiles show the satisfaction they feel to be making progress toward happier, more productive lives.  What a blessing the Billings are to these young men.

       

Joining us as our humanitarian couple are the Moons.  This is a second marriage for both of them and they have spent almost half their married life serving as missionaries. They served in Kiev, Ukraine; Pennsylvania and now in Kinshasa.  They came off the plane with bright smiles and willing hearts.  They seem to be fearless as they tackled their new assignment.  They jumped in their truck after a few days in Kinshasa and headed right out to all the crazy parts of this city. They are already looking at going to some of our other cities to start projects there.  They are a wonderful, faithful pair who will continue the great humanitarian work in our mission areas.




 A week after the Moons arrived the Robinsons, our new PEF couple, came.  They too have served another mission.  However, I don't think that their first mission on Temple Square in Salt Lake City exactly prepared them for Kinshasa.  But what good sports they are!  Coming from Star Valley, Wyoming didn't give them much of a  heads up for the Congo either. But working in banking all his life and speaking French certainly do qualify him to run the labyrinth of the financial system required for PEF.  Sister Robinson is using her considerable skills to  contribute to the success of PEF and is also a Family History expert and enthusiast.  She's ready and willing to help Sister Billings teach  our people in the Congo to prepare for the work in the temple, which is coming someday soon. The Lord certainly does know whom to send to move His work forward.
On the same plane in September two couples left the MTC and flew off to the Cameroon to serve in our two cities there.  The Gaileys are serving in Douala and the Whitesides in Yaoundé.They have already forged a great relationship communicating during their preparation and their MTC stay and trip to Cameroon. Since they're only four hours apart, they will have chances to see each other more than they will have to see the rest of the couples.

Gaileys had planned on a mission in the US and were quite surprised when their call came to the Kinshasa mission to serve in Douala, Cameroon. They had planned to come in January, but felt the need to move their report time up after they received their call.  What they didn't know was how hard we were praying for that and trying to figure out how to ask them to do it.   Heavenly Father certainly did bless us through their change of heart.  They're making the hard adjustments to a new language, crazy traffic, venturing out in a city on their own, and learning the customs and life style of Africa.  But they are determined to do what the Lord has called them to do.  They're already relating to and loving their elders. This will be a great experience for all of them.         

 Whitesides served a previous mission in Cambodia, so life in a developing nation isn't new to them.                                   

However, French and Africa are. They seem to readily handle the challenges and opportunities of this          

new mission call. It will not take long for them to integrate themselves into the world in Yaoundé and they will be a great asset to our missionaries and branches there, as well as great fun to visit.     

We spent last week with these couples and had a wonderful get-acquainted visit.  It was so fun to learn about them, share some training time and have a few laughs together. They were so kind and helpful to us.  We are grateful that they are with us and look forward to a wonderful next nine months with them in our mission. 

In January yet another couple will come to Kinshasa to be directors of Public Affairs.  There is always great need for senior couples to keep the work moving forward all over the world in all kinds of assignments. We're thankfully that these couples have responded to the request of the Prophet and serve in our mission. 

Our new crew has taken the baton and starts their service together.  They will all still be serving when we leave and others take our place.  Isn't it wonderful how the seniors of the church can be a part of all of this great work if they're only willing to put aside things at home and say "yes" to the Prophet's urging to serve.  

We are very blessed to know so many wonderful mission couples. The memories and friendships forged here in Africa are a great treasure that we'll keep forever.