Today? WOW.

 

Elder and Sister Dube, doctors who received a donation from the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,

Elder and Sister Renlund,

Elder and Sister Eduardo Gavarret

Today was a Wow Day.  If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, you probably do not know that members of Quoram of 12 Apostles are assigned various areas across the globe to work with directly. This is a five year assignment. For the past week, Elder Dale G. Renlund has been in the area meeting with leaders, mission leaders, missionaries, local ward and stake leaders. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/dale-g-renlund?lang=spa

Not only did his wife, Ruth, come with him, Elder Edward Dube of the Seventy was his campanion. Elder Dube's wife, Naomi, was with him. Elder Dube and his wife attended our Sacrament Meeting. Their talks were lovely. It's amazing to see how these good men make themselves as available as possible to speak to everyone after the meeting who wants to speak with him. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/edward-dube?lang=eng

Elder Dube talked extensively about having joy. He reminded us that the Savior, Jesus Christ, has paid for our sins, our disappointments, our remorse, regrets, despair, emotional distresses ... We can be joyful no matter what is happening around us or to us because the price is paid. This is one of those concepts that we understand and know it's true, it's tough to do sometimes. 

He mentioned that they are leaving tonight to return to Salt Lake and that he looks forward to having lunch with President Oaks on Tuesday. Did you know because of their rigorous travel schedules, most General Authorities take Monday off to catch up on their rest?

Earlier in the week we had a Devotional with both Elder Renlund and Elder Dube. They both stood at the door as we were leaving and shook every attendee's hand. Being thanked for our service by an Apostle of Jesus Christ was special but considering both of these men walked away from rewarding and lucrative careers to serve the Savior and His church full time, seems our time here is a very small thing. 

Tonight, Sister Renlund, Sister Dube and Sister Costas, wife of the Area President, met with all of the Senior missionaries. It was called a focus group and they had questions about how our missionaries are going. They asked what we needed, what the area could do better and what is our experience over all. It was wonderful to feel we could be honest, to share that we are a unique group and that we look out for each other. 

We wake up every day grateful to be here. We love you and miss you all. 

The couples in back are the amazing people with whom we serve here.

Wives are in front and husbands in back. 

In very front is Sister Dube, Sister Renlund and Sister Costas