Varieties of Missionaries:

The diversity from just one group of missionaries who have arrived
1. One missionary has wanted to go home. Feels there is something calling them back. Pdte is working closely. Called the parents. Both agree not to have come home. Changed companion. Helping.


2. One missionary came on Prozac, and was running out when he told us he only had 6 pills left@ 2 day=3 days. We can’t have them run out, we don’t know if Chile generic meds are equal, we have a new Dr in the mission, who can’t write prescriptions, and we need to have the parents OK the drug and also pay for the meds. Found correct equal meds here, parents will also send meds from home for longer time span. We will keep an eye on this one for emotional ups and downs.

3. One missionary had his older brother die in the bus accident of an Idaho university team tragedy. He was so sad and depressed as the approaching 3 yr anniversary approached. On the day, totally went into a deep depression, and Pdte had to work him through the grieving process. Seems to be better now, and still talks to express himself. A bit more happy and optimistic about being here.

4. One missionary is from So. Calif area, and had to be told to get a haircut. He was growing it with the top going into a high wave, and I bluntly said, “Elder M, you sure look like you are ready to get a haircut, right? I hope you have one before the next time I see you, OK?” and when I saw him at the last zone conference, he looked great, with a nice, short, handsome haircut. I told him so, and he just beamed, he was so happy that I noticed.

5. One missionary has really improved in his Spanish. When he first arrived, his language abilities were not one of the best. He was self-conscience, but was trying to use it when others didn’t at first. He has a Latin companion and now this same missionary has really adapted quickly and is even picking up a great, native-Chilean sounding accent. Good work!

Other varieties of issues among the missionaries:

6. One had asthma attack with the change of weather, pollen, allergies, etc. Ended up in the hospital on Albuterol inhaler overnight. We went to visit, and were so impressed by the modern facilities that are available here. Missionary companion stayed the night there with him on the fold out chair/bed that was available. Not complaining, but anxious to get back to work.
7. Missionary had eye surgery/same day, for growth appearing on his cornea. He attended our zone conference the next day. Great trooper and so humble, obedient.
8. Another missionary had his oldest brother die in a motorcycle accident. Rec’d a call from his parents at 6am, so we had to contact him early Sunday morning, have him come to the mission home so we could call his parents on our Vonage line and let them tell him. He handled it well, was emotional and yet still knew the real plan of salvation is true in midst of this trial.
9. One missionary hasn’t had her period in 9 mos. This is not uncommon among sister missionaries and she also reports to me that her hair is also falling out, so she will see our Dr in the Obispado to have blood work and hormone levels checked. She is still in good spirits and not too worried.
10. One elder was getting eaten by fleas, so now he is wearing a dog/flea collar on his leg to bed, got a new mattress, and is doing much better. Yucky!
11. One complained to me after his first night here that his legs were hurting lots, down the fronts of his shins. Turns out he was wearing new dress shoes he hadn’t worn yet in the MTC and with all the hills and walking, he has shin splints. Told him to change back to his comfortable shoes and now he seems fine. Wear your new/nice shoes only for church, not for tracting.
12. One’s mother called me from Columbia, worried that she hadn’t heard from her son in his first 2 weeks. I told her on the phone that I had just seem him that morning at the zone meeting, he had rec’d her 2 letters, is super happy, has a great companion and so excited to be here. Turns out she didn’t know HOW to open email, doesn’t have a password to get onto her son’s email acct. Didn’t get our emailed letter we send with his foto, welcome letter and his scanned letter home, so SHE was the homesick one! I reassured her that when she does get on line, that he had written 2 other email home to her too, on both of his Pdays so she will be happy to read. She cried, and went on about him being her only son, she is so appreciative and misses him so much. Touching.


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