Sorry about the lighting in this picture. Later that night, Aug 25, 2008, this group of norteamericanos came into the mission. They entered the MTC on our last day there, June 25, 2008. After our final meeting and dinner with Elder Bednar, we searched them out. They were in classes in 3 or 4 different groups. We were allowed to talk with them for a few minutes. I told them of the visa delays getting into Mexico. I invited them to fast on Fast Sundays and pray always that their visas would arrive. I knew that the mission was down in its numbers because of visa delays. The day we arrived their were 163 missionaries. There should have been 182. We needed these missionaries. I promised them that if they prayed faithfully and fervently, believing and never doubting, that their visas would come and that they would arrive on time. They accepted the invitation. Frankly, people scoffed at them, MTC instructors included. This was impossible. But, I remebered our son Clay's visa/prayer experience when he went to Brazil on time, against the odds, and shared that with them. Unphased by those of a lesser faith, they kept on praying. When we arrived, I invited the entire mission to pray that their visas would come. I told the personnel at Missonary Travel in Salt Lake what we were doing. They did not doubt. The visas arrived on time, at the last minute. It was a miracle. (A group of 4 missionaries who had been delayed for 6 weeks arrived three days later.) These missionaries, to a young man, have continued to serve with faith. That experience set them all up for mission success. You have read the names of several in other posts and will see them again later. All are senior companions and have beem for some time. All speak excellent Spanish. All are successful and happy. In the transfer of Sept 8, 10 days from this writing, 6 will be zone leaders, 2 will be district leaders, and 1 will be a trainer for the second time. Seven have been trainers. I need to call Pres. Monson and ask him the extend each of them for 2 more years. They would all jump at the chance. That is how they are. They are Elders Watts, Taylor, Harris, Larsen, Minetto, Hollander, Moyar, Carter, Fox, Brandt, Moeller, Tobler, and Ricks. The assistants kneeling in the front are Elders Anaya y Castillo.
We remember well this amazing experience. On Wednesday we received the letter from Elder Moyar that it looked like they would be in the MTC for a few more weeks. Imagine our joy (and shock!) when totally out of the blue we received a call from him in Texas, while waiting for the plane that would take him to Mexico! He revealed to us your promise, and his certainty that his Mission President was inspired, and the man the Lord would have him serve under. No doubt he would go through solid walls if you directed him to.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about this experience setting them up for missionary success. Receiving such an experience in the power of faith has made a great difference in Elder Moyar's mission experience, and by extension to everyone he meets, not to mention to his family at home.
We may not have met yet, but we love you and Sister Hansen, and are so grateful that our son is serving with you.
(By the way, I think he would extend if you asked him to. He wrote a few weeks ago, "I'm excited to see you all. Don't take it the wrong way, but at the same time I never want to see you again. Phone calls every six months have been all right up to now!")