The Army of God Continues to Go Forth!

April 10, 2013 will go down as an historic day for the Church in the country of Thailand! It is the day that the highest number of new missionaries arrived in the country on the same day - 38 total, which included 2 new Senior couples!! They truly looked like the Army of God walking down the sidewalks of Bangkok heading for the Service Center. Photos were taken outside the Service Center and then they broke off into 4 groups so they could accomplish all that needed to be done that day. They each had the opportunity to (1) go to the clinic for blood work (as part of obtaining a Work Permit to do their missionary work in Thailand), (2) participate in Dan Jones activities (ask your local missionary what that means!), (3) go to the photo shop to have photos made for their Work Permit, and (4) interview with Mission President. It was a great plan - but almost immediately, the schedule was off by at least an hour! The senior missionary couples served them a delicious Thai lunch (prepared by one of the local members) and then after their long day, they were served veggies and dip, fresh fruit, and PIZZA to their heart's content for dinner!! And even cookies and ice cream for dessert!! They were definitely a bunch of happy young Elders and Sisters! But as the evening progressed, you looked around and saw several with their heads down on the table. They were dropping like flies! After their 14+ hour flight and full day of activities upon their arrival, they were fading fast. After a quick lesson about taking care of problems like upset stomach, food poisoning, and preventing Dengue Fever, etc. from Sis. Senior (the Mission Mom, who is responsible for keeping all the missionaries healthy), they were taken to their hotel rooms where they all collapsed for the evening. But it wasn't over yet! The next morning, they had to be up and ready to travel to the District Center for transfers, where they would learn who their companion would be and where in Thailand they would be serving. The excitement in the air was almost tangible!! Almost every missionary in Thailand was present for the transfer meeting; some were not able to make it because of the long distance for them to travel. All, except the 34 new missionaries, were sitting waiting for the meeting to begin when all of a sudden, the new missionaries entered the room!! Everyone stood and yelled and clapped a huge welcome to the new ones!! It was SOOOO exciting!! They each had to introduce themselves, in Thai, and tell one thing that they liked. There were the usual things like basketball, football, family, etc. One young Elder said he liked the Joseph Smith First Vision story - which brought a huge response from the room! Sitting on the other side of the room were the "jobbers", which are those Elders and Sisters who were heading home from their mission, totaling 19. FINALLY, the time arrived for Pres. Senior to announce the assigned companionships and areas of service. As each companionship was announced, there were cheers and jubilation as the companionship greeted each other with bear hugs. It was truly an exciting event to be a part of. Transfers will occur in Thailand every 9 weeks now instead of every 6 weeks. Group photo the group heading home the group of "greenies" just arriving for service! reactions to receiving their new companions and areas of service Our office couple, the Jones (from Idaho), serving their second mission, giving words of advice. This is Akanit, who is retiring from Church service. He helped all the missionaries keep their VISA's current and served in many other ways in the Service Center. He sang a Thai song in closing. He will be sorely missed!