First Missionaries Return to Moldova!

Here they are! The first group of missionaries called to serve in Moldova! They are Elder Sperry, Elder Shawver, Elder McKeeth, Elder Woodhouse, Sora Durfee and Sora Trujillo. Wednesday, January 24th, was our Transfer meeting. I wish you could have seen the energy and excitement. Elder McKeeth was called first as the District leader. The fun thing about this is that when missionaries were kicked out of Moldova two and a half years ago, Elder Kidd was one of the two missionaries arrested. Elder McKeeth came in the country months later and guess who his dad/trainer was? Yep, Elder Kidd! (I found that piece of trivia out after transfer meeting!) Right after Elder McKeeth was called, Elder Sperry was called to be his companion and not only were all the missionaries cheering but everyone started clapping and the clapping didn't stop until well after Elders Shawver, Woodhouse, Soras Durfee and Trujillo were called. Everyone was so happy! The dream has become reality! We sang Strange Rodul with as much power and enthusiasm as I have ever heard it! Last night the missionaries all boarded a train and arrived in Chisinau this morning. The best part was that each of them proudly wore their name tags! Even when we were in the country before we were not allowed to wear name tags. The sisters had their apartment ready for them and moved right in. We also have one apartment ready for the elders and it will be shared by all four of them. We are in the process of looking for another apartment. This week we received a letter from the Area Presidency telling us our missionary complement has been raised to twelve more missionaries. All the prayers and fasting of many missionaries, past and present, are answered! The prayers of our members in Moldova are also answered. They are so happy to have the missionaries back!

This group is the six mini/temporary missionaries that are serving with our full-time missionaries in Romania this transfer. It's the biggest group of temporary missionaries we have ever called at one time. They are all excited and have helped make it possible for our full-time missionaries to return to Moldova! Many people are working for the work to progress in Moldova. We love you all and thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Thank you to everyone who has fasted and prayed for this to happen!