August Zone Conference

The picture taken here is of our entire mission when Elder and Sister Anderson were visiting our mission in July. (down from 180 some missionaries to 154.)

We had zone conferences this week and Mom and I did a power point presentation for the missionaries and it turned out pretty good. We have been taking pictures of the missionaries at their houses each time we visit and we gave them a show during conference. I think they really enjoyed it and it helped take up part of the 20-25 minutes we were given. Mom had her part all written up in Portuguese and did a marvelous job I think. It takes some real courage to get up and talk in a foreign language to about 80 people in each session - all of whom can speak the language you are struggling to speak. I was going to include the presentation here but I am not sure if I can send about forty slides in this posting.

Also this week we had a real tragedy in the mission family. One of the Elders from Utah who has been here about eight months found out (the parents called the President who had the missionary come into the office) that his little eight year old brother had died in a home accident. We talked to the Elder after he found out and he was truly in shock after hearing such terrible news. He has another brother on a mission and the parents wanted both the boys to come home for the funeral on Friday. We are going to pick him up Tuesday at the airport when he returns. The church does not pay for the trip but his parents really wanted him home. He was reluctant to go but honored the wishes of his parents. We hope that focusing on the mission when he returns will comfort his grief and that he can continue strong, serving the Lord here in Recife.

On a happier note we went to dinner with two couples who are temple missionaries last night and had a fun time. They are both from California and one couple goes home in six weeks. They live in very nice temple church housing
The two Elders in the other picture above are the Executive and Financial Secretaries and they are the ones that keep the mission running smoothly. (Elder Paiva and Elder McBride). We pick them up each day, as they live here in Boa Viagem and we pass by their apartment on our way to the office. Elder Paiva is from Sao Paulo and speaks excellent English, Elder McBride is from Tennesee and speaks excellent Portuguese. We love them, they are our good friends.

I think that sums up our week and we both send our love and prayers for the blessings of the Lord to be with each of you.

Dad and Mom, Grandma and Grandpa
Elder and Sister Ivey