It was also the location where 26 missionaries gathered last
Wednesday. Thirteen were missionaries
that just arrived the day before who represented families and wards in seven
states and Canada. The other thirteen
were assigned to be their trainers. They
had come by train from all over our mission area. Sister Jeppson took a picture of each equipe
(missionary team) standing by some trees in the park with the marquee of a
French café in the background (Le Grande Café Neuf). One of the trainers was born in
Cambodia. His family now lives in
northern France. Another impressive
trainer is a Navajo from the “Four Corners” area.
The evening before we gathered with the missionaries and
President and Sister Roney and their three boys for dinner at the Mission Home
in Ecully about one half hour away from the office. It was interesting talking with these twelve
elders and one sister about their background.
They have a lot of enthusiasm and will become a great strength to the
mission. We really need them since we
said goodbye to 26 missionaries the day before.
Two of them were an elder and a sister missionary from northern France.
After this latest transfer, we will be working with a
missionary from Kaysville, Utah, Elder Frazier, who will train with his new
companion to become the legal secretary.
Another missionary from Vancouver, Canada, Elder Ioannidis (his family
is Greek), replaced one of the assistants to the President. We will see a lot of him because they spend
quite a bit of time in the office. As we
became better acquainted, I learned that he sang the Canadian national anthem
before one of the major Winter Olympics events in 2010 and also performed with
a group during the opening ceremonies. His
sister is currently serving a mission in Hungary. One of the new zone leaders who will attend
our ward is from Australia.
Nos Petits-EnfantsTwo young men from our ward, David from Kenya and Johnny (English name) from China joined the church in February and April. They then received the Aaronic Priesthood and were ordained to the office of priest. Now they have the opportunity to bless, prepare and pass the sacrament. Like these two young men, Zachary will receive the Aaronic Priesthood this year also on Sunday and will be ordained to the office of a deacon. We will miss not being there for his ordination. He will have the wonderful and sacred opportunity of passing the sacrament every Sunday and helping with the ordinance that allows his ward members to renew their promises with the Savior and Heavenly Father. He will be a great example for his cousins who will one day receive the priesthood: Brad, Caleb, Hunter, Noah and Cade. His dad and Uncle Andy were good examples of servants and priesthood holders when they gave their brother Matt a priesthood blessing this week because of a serious health problem and then stayed to play a game with him and bolster his spirits.
