April Cambios . . .

Thirteen new missionaries arrived in the mission on Tuesday. These are always exciting days because the new missionaries arrive with such enthusiasm. And in spite of their long day of travel, they are energized and anxious to go to work. We were especially happy that it was a sunny day to welcome them. We always feed the new missionaries a nice lunch and then go through individual interviews and group training. Pictured above are the new missionaries. Seated with us is Hna Chamorro from Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile. Also seated are our two assistants Elder Coles and Elder Hansen. Standing (l-r): Elder Arce from York, South Carolina, Elder Viramontes from Spanish Fork, Utah, Elder Davis from Conifer, Colorado, Elder Archiprette from Argentina, Elder Trammell from Syracuse, Utah, Elder Canepa from Chile, Elder Bowers from Las Vegas, Nevada, Elder Juarez from Chile, Elder Hopkins from Spanish Fork, Utah, Elder Cayoja from Bolivia, Elder Fairbourne from Shelley, Idaho and Elder Cruz from Curacao. The happy day is always followed by a sad day when we have to say goodbye to those missionaries finishing their term in the mission. Included in this great group of missionaries are some exceptional leaders including a former assistant, zone leaders and district leaders. Standing (l-r) are: Elder Coles one of our assistants, Elder Riches from Grantsville, Utah, Elder Pereira from Chile, Elder Muñoz from Chile, Elder Navarro from Peru, Elder Cisternas from Chile, Elder Moyano from Ecuador and Elder Hansen our other assistant. I can´t say enough about the great impact these missionaries have had on the mission and in our lives. Also finishing their mission this past cambio was Elder Razón who would have left with this group but was allowed to leave a few weeks early to begin his studies. Elder Razón from Chile was a former mission secretary and a wonderful young man. In spite of his unique talents at imitating me and other missionaries, I will personally miss this missionary very much. What a talented and faithful young man.

With this cambio come some changes in the office staff. Pictured above (l-r): Elder Rodriguez from Uruguay the mission financial secretary, Elder Bastian from El Dorado Hills, California who will train to become the new mission secretary, Elder Davis from Soda Springs, Idaho who has been the mission secretary for the past five cambios and Elder Dunford from Sugar Land, Texas our mission historian.