We love this story. It testifies of the faith of missionaries and their familes and of the love of the Lord for His missionaries, even those who struggle for a multitude of reasons. The picture is very precious to us.

Several months ago we had to send a missionary, Elder Merrill, home to Kansas because he had a serious health concern which could not be treated in-field. It was a problem which he had known of since he was 12 but was afraid to tell anyone, especially when he was 18, because he thought it might disqualify him from serving as a full time missionary. After almost 18 months in Veracruz, the hidden problem resurfaced. We can't mess with his particular problem here. It is an automatic plane ride home for careful medical evaluation. After a few months of work and the power of the priesthood, the doctors found nothing wrong with Elder Merrill. We call that a miracle. He was reassigned to Philadelphia Spanish. His companions have all been native Mexicans. When he left here his Spanish was like a native. The Pennsylvania locals think he has a Veracruz accent. After 8 weeks in Reading (as in Reading Railroad, Monopoly), Pennsylvania, they made him a district leader. Here he is, the one on the right. The other missionary is Elder Gesmin Fayani, home ward Antioch
5th (YSA), CA--home nation Central African Republic, convert of about 3 years. We sent him on his mission to Philadelphia from that California ward in May-ish of 2008. Churchworld--very small and tightly knit. Many faith-reminding experiences.