September Cambios (Part B) . . .

We received our new group of missionaries on Tuesday, which happened to be my birthday. We couldn´t ask for a better birthday gift than 19 enthusiastic young missionaries. First row (l-r) Elder Garlaza and Elder Coria from Argentina, Elder Beletanga from Ecuador and Elder Key from Burleson, Texas. Second row (l-r) Elder Poujol from Honduras, one of our assistants, Elder Vilorio and Elder Martinez from Honduras, Elder Gomez from Argentina, Elder Broadhead from Burley, Idaho, Elder Barben from Junction, Utah, Elder McCormick from Fredonia, Arizona. Third row (l-r) Elder Seager from Utah our outgoing assistant, Elder Rainey from Avondale, Arizona, Elder Tyus from Arvada, Colorado, Elder Frost from Orem, Utah, Elder Bastian from El Dorado Hills, California, Susie, Elder Thorup from Cottonwood Heights, Utah, and Elder Oakden from Logan, Utah. Top row (l-r) Elder Ruz from Shedden, Canada, Elder Riches from Grantsville, Utah our incoming new assistant, Elder Seegrist from South Jordan, Utah and Elder Aston from Orem, Utah.


Here is the classic formal picture of the new missionaries in the mission home. It is an exhausting day for those coming from the United States. They arrive in Osorno after about 24 hours of travel and then we put them through training and interviews before feeding them and sending them off to work.


The second group of those leaving this cambio also left the mission yesterday. In total, 20 missionaries completed their service, with 11 leaving 2 weeks ago and the remaining 9 leaving yesterday. I can´t say enough about the influence that this group has had over the past two years in the mission. They were an exceptional group of missionaries and Susie and I love them all very much. We are grateful for their faithful service and will miss them. Among them were two former assistants, Elder Seager and Elder Opazo and Hna Bustos from Bolivia. She is quite simply one of the most faithful and diligent sister missionaries we have ever seen.

With the departure of Elder Opazo and Elder Seager, we have a new assistant to serve with Elder Poujol. That will be Elder Riches from Grantsville, Utah. We are grateful to associate with such great young missionaries. Pictured above from l-r are: Elder Seager, Elder Poujol, Elder Riches and Elder Opazo.