March Came in like a Lion and Stayed that Way

Big news came in March when we found out who has been called to replace us as Mission President and wife in the DRC Kinshasa Mission.  We have talked by skype and email several times since they were called and we're so happy to have this wonderful couple take over when we leave.  It's also very strange to know months ahead when your calling will end and who will replace you.
 We've begun to have a lot of "parental feelings" toward missionaries and members and it feels good and comfortable leaving them in the hands of the Cooks. They're great!


Knowing that our time is short has made us even more anxious to make the most of every hour as missionaries. The end of March and all of April we've been in a whirlwind.

We did two more  conferences. We combined some of the zones in Kinshasa since they were small and there are now 11 zones in our mission.  It's always good to be with, teach  and train the missionaries.

 We continue to focus on four goals; being  perfectly obedient, reading the Book of Mormon every day for the rest of your life, teaching families, and rescuing the less active. I wonder if they get a bit tired of these four goals being repeated, but we have learned that they really will lead to success and happiness as a missionary and have application in their lives forever.

They have a great time together and it's fun to see them interacting with each other.  When we combine zones there's a lot of check kissing, back slapping  and head bonking that goes on, as they see others with whom they've previously served or who come from the same cities, stakes, and wards back home.  It's a rather unique thing that we have so many who knew each other or are related. It's because 85% of our missionaries come from the DRC. It's the same way for our Americans since there are only three cities where they can serve.  They mix with each other in every transfer and become very close. For them it's like they only have about 30 missionaries in their mission, so they know each other well and there's unusual comradeship among them.. 

 
The week after the zone conference round was Easter, transfers (eight departing missionaries and no new ones, because visas still remain a problem) and General Conference.  We had a great Easter celebration at the home of one of our couples, the Bybees. We had our first taste ever of leg of lamb, and of breadfruit pudding and the familiar old standby of deviled eggs.  It's really an added dimension to have couples with whom we can gather and celebrate.

March was a lion of month and I think that the next three will be the same as we race for the finish line.