Desters in Honduras: March 2014

Every 6 weeks, some missionaries are transferred to new areas with new companions. It is always a lot of work. Even though not all missionaries are changed, it causes quite a domino effect. President Dester spends many hours with his assistants making plans for those who need a change and seeking inspiration as to which missionaries need to serve together. He also has to identify what missionaries can be "trainers". Trainers have one of the most important jobs in the mission--to help brand new missionaries learn how to be missionaries, to study, adapt to the new culture, get to know the area and learn how to be more disciplined. When we were growing up, our mothers always used to tell us "a change is as good as a rest". I am afraid that isn't really true of mission transfers. Transfer week usually involves picking up missionaries at the airport on Tuesday. Usually, one set of missionaries come from the MTC in Mexico. All the English speakers now come from that training center. A larger group of missionaries come from the Guatemalan MTC. Those missionaries already speak Spanish. Sometimes, we still get missionaries from the Provo MTC. They are the ones who are typically bilingual and do not need language training.

We love receiving new missionaries!!! They are excited but nervous. Our assistants and secretaries do an amazing job of putting them at ease and helping them to feel more relaxed about their new adventure. The incoming missionaries have training at our closest Stake Center, eat lunch (usually something easy--like pizza), have an interview with President Dester and then are taken by bus to our apartment for a dinner. They are SOOO tired and I have finally learned that because of all the stress, excitement and changes, they usually don't feel like eating a lot.

The Elders stay that night in the house with our assistants and secretaries (we have a lot of bunk beds set up) and the few sisters who arrive, stay at our apartment or with the Sister Training Leaders. The next morning, they are all picked up by bus and taken to eat their first Honduran breakfast--baleadas. You will have to look that up or ask your missionary how they are made and if it becomes one of their favorite foods while here on the mission. I often see women making them to sell in the front of their homes. I always worry about where our missionaries get their food. I know they often eat off the street--even though I tell them NOT to.

After breakfast, all the new missionaries, the trainers and any other missionaries who the President feels a need to change, meet at the Stake Center and we have a special transfer meeting. Every missionary I have ever talked to about their first experience in the mission, remembers the first two days as though it was just yesterday. It is as clear as a bell in their memories. Everyone is curious about who the new missionaries are. The new ones uncomfortably sit on the stand, waiting for the time when the President announces the changes. When their names are read along with their new trainer´s name, their first companion usually jumps out of their seat and comes up enthusiastically to greet the elder or sister who they have a responsibility to teach. It is SUCH an important job and the impression made that first 12 weeks will affect them for the rest of the mission.