District Meeting

Today we attended a district conference in Bradenton.  Elder Franklin conducted the meeting and was responsible for the training.  The training was on the responsibilities of the Ward Council for member missionary work.  This was a review of the zone training meeting from last week.  Since I conducted the training in the Sarasota Zone last week, I participated a bit more than usual in the district meeting today.  I don't think that Elder Franklin minded.  In fact he often called on me to offer my thoughts and suggestions.

Elder Franklin and Elder Barnett are both in that district and will be returning home in two weeks.  Elder Barnett has been referred to as "the healer" by other missionaries.  Again, we will be sad to see them leave.  They are strong, hard working missionaries.  Both of them have served as trainers several times.  We have included pictures of all nine missionaries in this district below.

From my perspective, being asked to serve as a trainer for newly arriving missionaries is the most important missionary calling.  I suspect that some missionaries aspire to be district leaders, zone leaders, or assistants to the president.  But in terms of having the greatest impact on missionary work, trainers do that.  If they train well, then those new missionaries will be good missionaries for the remainder of their mission.

Elder Barnett and Elder Franklin, departing soon

Elders Mazivila (from Mozambique), Barnett, Nordin and Franklin - Great group of missionaries!

Sisters Jahnel (from Paraguay), Bryan, and Gibson - some of our Spanish speaking sisters

Sisters Phillips and Baugh, also Spanish speaking missionaries

Sister Wilson, President Wilson and Elder Barnett, who lives in our apartment complex

Sister Wilson, President Wilson and Elder Franklin

Renee's comments:  Today marks 6 months since we arrived at the Mission Office in Tampa.  Hardly seems possible that we have been here for a third of our mission.  I hope we have accomplished some good!  In any event, we sure love and respect these missionaries who give their all to bringing others unto Christ.