16 New Missionaries Arrive in Brussels

We received 16 new missionaries today. President Brubaker and I, the assistants, Elder DeMass and Elder Simonson, and the office couple; the Pancratz, awaited with anticipation, the arrival of our missionaries at the Brussels airport. We were prepared with all the vehicles of the mission to transport this large group to the mission office. As they came through customs, we could feel of their anxious, nervous, excited emotions as we greeted them to the best mission in the world! It is always a miracle to me that these young men and women give two years of service, putting their selfish desires aside and come anxious to serve the Lord. We loaded all their luggage and nervous missionaries into all of the cars and took them to the mission office to have photos taken to email to their families who were wanting news that their sons or daughters arrived safely. Elder Schmutz and Elder Berlin went to work on informing the missionaries of legality papers and financial information for their mission. We had some very jet lagged missionaries that were trying to do their best to stay awake. Scott interviewed each one of them to determine with the help of inspiration where their first area of assignment would be, and who their trainer would be. After all the paper work was finished they came to the mission home for a warm meal, and a nap.

We woke them up to prepare to go to the Grand Place for their first contacting experience in Brussels. With the help of our seasoned Brussels missionaries, they took two missionaries and spent 45 minutes visiting with people, and sharing the message of the Gospel. Many miracles happened as people from Morocco, China, Brazil, Mexico, France, Holland, Belgium, Africa, and other countries were given a message of the restored Gospel. Our new missionaries were anxious to share their stories with one another. A tradition in our mission is to go to Mykonos for a simple dinner. Elder Clark was anxious to know if missionaries had approached the owner of the restaurant over the past some 20 years of new missionaries coming to this restaurant.As we were leaving the restaurant, Elder Clark did his best to share the message of the Gospel in French. It is so exciting to see their excitement and enthusiasm to share the Gospel with everyone!

There was so much anticipation as we returned to the mission home, as the missionaries received a special envelope prepared by President Brubaker and Elder Schmutz. In each envelope was the name of their first city, and the name of their trainer. One by one, they opened their envelopes! We are blessed to have great trainers in our mission, and each missionary will be in good hands as they start their mission. President Brubaker hand picks each trainer, which the help of inspiration to determine who will be training our new missionaries.Having opened 16 envelopes, we had family prayer and got them all tucked in bed before 10:30 pm. Morning came fast, and they had a hot breakfast to carry them through the day as they traveled to their first assignments by train.

Elder Hanks-Breda, Holland

Soeur Nielsen-Lille, France

Elder Sanford-Hengelo, Holland

Elder Clarke-Valenciennes, France

Elder Montigné-St. Quentin, France

Elder Waldi-Leuven, Belgium

Soeur Thompson-St. Quentin, France

Elder Ellsworth-Kortrijk, Belgium

Elder Rakotondrainibe-Charleroi, Belgium

Elder Kuttler-Rotterdam, Holland

Soeur Burgoyne-Brussels, Belgium

Elder Park-Liége, Belgium

Soeur England-Brussels, Belgium

Elder Staker-Ghent, Belgium

Elder Marshall-Heerenveen, Holland

Elder Receveur-Arras, France