2020 Semaine 39 (21-28 septembre)

 

The completed project of making curtains for the Malapoa house for the sister missionaries.  It might have looked like work but it was so much fun to do.

While doing the shopping I took pictures of tempting and not so tempting products and masks to buy for our traveling missionaries

Not so tempting:  

Quite tempting but I did not succumb:

 😇

About $20 USD for a box of 50 masks

Beautiful flower trees

The whole week was spent preparing the missionaries from the Philippines for their repatriation home.

No flights could be found from Port Vila, Vanuatu to Honiara, Solomon Islands where the chartered flight to Manila was leaving from.  The Church had to charter a flight from Vanuatu to Solomon Islands which meant all Pilipino missionaries would have to take advantage of this flight to return home, not only those who were passed their released date.  It was the only way the latter could go.  It was a hard blow and we held a special mission meeting for the district councils where we explained the situation. Usually, it has not been a problem to obtain permission to land in Solomon Islands to transit.  This time it required much discussions, lots of prayers and faith in the Lord.

The Solomon Islands' government was requesting a COVID test for the missionaries and 4 residents who would be using this flight.  There are no such tests available for travelers leaving Vanuatu who has just a few for their own citizens returning and symptomatic. 

The idea was suggested to find tests that the Church could buy and send for missionaries to use when countries require them.  The Vanuatu hospital have facilities to analyze these tests and they are willing to use for us.

By Friday late afternoon, no solutions in sight, and the director of Church travel in the Pacific, Tony Nizetich, needs to make a payment for the chartered flight from Port Vila and secure tickets for the other flight to Manila.  He decided to leave his desk and make another plea to our Heavenly father.  We had done everything in our power to make this work.  No certain future opportunity was in sight for these missionaries.  Five minutes after his sincere and heartfelt prayer, the phone rang.  The Solomon Islands government had granted permission for the flight to land in Honiara on Monday 28 September without requiring COVID-19 tests.  Another passenger would be joining the group; a lady who needed to be deported back to Honiara.  Such miracles have been happening every time.  A lot of work is always involved.  A lot of steps are made in the waters before they part.  And they always do in the Lord's timing.  Hearts are softened, doors are opened, fees are waived and many helping hands are extended.  Some would say these are coincidences.  We know it is the Lord's hand in His work.  He watches over his people like He has promised.  It is not always like we thought it would be.  

I have been thinking a lot about two of my favorite scriptures.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."  Proverbs 3:5-6  This is not the first time He has shown me the truthfulness of these words.

"And whoso receiveth you, there will I be also, for I will go before your face.  I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." D&C 84:88

I discovered this scripture on my first full time mission at age 21 when I was just a new convert facing challenges in this new experience.  The Spirit has whispered that scripture to me many times after during my life and once again now.

Here are pictures taken during our last few days with our 12 missionaries.

Drawings given to us with the artists

The day before the departure, on Sunday, for their last interview with the Mission President.

At the airport the next morning at 4:00 am

Checking-in                                                   and not enough room for all the shoes

One last hug and good-bye before going through customs...

And one last picture

We received this picture from Church travel in the Philippines.  They have arrived safely in the evening.

We know the Lord is at the helm of this grand work.  We have so much joy at being able to participate.

We do not want to stay sad because they are leaving.  We are so happy that we had the opportunity and blessing to know them.

Behold we are disciples of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  We have been called of him to declare his words among his people that they might have everlasting life.

Mifala lavem yufala tumas