The hardest goodbye before Jeff and I left on our mission was with my dad.  I suspected it would be the last time I saw him on earth, and so did he.  We put on our brave face and gave each other a big hug. He then gazed into my eyes and still holding on to my arms said, “Nancy, If I die, I don’t want you to come home for my funeral. I will see you on the other side.”  On the early morn of July 16th my dad passed away.  I was grateful I was able to say goodbye to him over zoom the night before.  He was mostly unresponsive but when he heard my voice he said “Nancy, I love you, I’ll see you in heaven.” Those were tender last words: not just his expression of love but his firm faith and understanding of the Plan of Salvation.  I kept my promise to not come home for his funeral.  It was difficult not being there, but I was grateful for my wonderful siblings and children who helped me feel a part of the celebration of his life.  I will miss him terribly and I know it will hit me even more when I return home and he is not there, but I know he is much happier in heaven with my mom and all those who have passed on before.

July was ‘eventful’ to say the least.  Twice a year we bring the missionaries together, combining 2-3 zones at a time for a zone conference and talent show/event.  We had great instruction on honesty and integrity, which is one of our Mission’s core values.  The assistants and zone leaders are great teachers and examples. After lunch we had a talent show, followed by Zone Feud (like Family Feud but with missionary questions), other games and the “How low can you go? Limbo.”   The talents ranged anywhere from playing guitar and piano to singing and cultural dancing.  It’s fun to see other sides of our missionaries — who they are and where they come from.

“One by One” was the theme of our Sister’s Conference this quarter.  Sister Montoya taught all the young sisters how to make African fans with the traditional Lapa fabric. We had wonderful five-minute devotionals: ‘Finding the One,’ ‘99 & 1’, ‘It Matters to This One,’ and ‘Sometimes, We Are the One.’  We also introduced the sisters to banana splits, a real treat because without constant power in their apartments, ice cream is a rarity. Getting together with the young sisters builds unity, it provides an opportunity for them to connect with and learn from the senior women, and we try to teach not only spiritual principles but practical life lessons as well.

The senior couples are the life blood of the mission and the Mission branches. We adore them and have utmost respect for everyone of them. We held a two-day conference at the Libassa Ecolodge and the theme was “Better Together.”  Yes, we are better together doing this work, but we are also better together with our spouses.  Elder & Sister Montoya (previously a retired Chaplin in the Army) taught three breakout sessions on strengthening our marriage.   It was a needed reminder to put our marriages first.  Although we are with our spouses 24/7, it is easy to get caught up in the endless amount of mission work and forget the most important union is with each other. Since that conference Jeff and I have had two dates! His 60th birthday and our 39th anniversary!  Wahoo!

July was the semi-annual training for the Primary and Young Women leaders in the mission branches.  We had about 130 women leaders and branch presidencies in attendance, and despite the typical pouring rain this time of year, it was very successful.  I love being part of helping these women in leadership roles.  As we go to the different branches it is rewarding to see them applying the things that they learn.  It is a gradual process, but the women are progressing, which is great to see, as Africa is such a male dominated society.

In July we welcomed 20 new missionaries – and amazing crop of 18 young men and 2 young women from Mexico, the Philippines, the US, the Congo, and Kenya.  The Mission size is growing, yet we still need more missionaries to cover all the units and continue the rapid growth…but it is also hard to find time to keep up with the interviews, trainings, health issues, extensive travel, etc. We’ll level off at 170 missionaries, and we won’t be surprised if the Mission is divided in the coming few years.  

Our missionaries continue to be the brightest joy of this work.  Seeing them grow and mature over a two-year period is remarkable. They study, work, teach and serve…voluntarily and faithfully week after week.  We’re convinced the Lord sends his best missionaries to this mission!