We are in our first week on Cyprus.  We are pretty much overwhelmed.  It has mostly been a preparation week.  Getting over jet lag, stocking up on food, figuring out how to navigate the island while driving on the left side of the road and beginning to meet the members and other missionaries serving on Cyprus.  Here is the view from our apartment in Oroklini a suburb of Larnaca.


Elder and Sister Holt (the other senior missionaries on the island) met us at the airport, took us to the supermarket for a brief shopping stop, and brought us to our apartment.  The sister missionaries who are located near the Holts in Nicosia then brought our car by and then we were set adrift.

President and Sister Nelson (our mission leaders) had a zoom meeting with us to welcome us and give us a little bit of their take on our callings.  They were at their home in Bulgaria but came to Cyprus yesterday to visit the members and connect with the missionaries this weekend and preparation day.   We will be having dinner with them at the Holts tonight (Sunday) and will go on an outing to the Turkish occupied part of the island with all the island missionaries tomorrow as a special excursion.  

There are 8 young missionaries and one other senior couple on Cyprus.  That is both the District and the Zone.  Interestingly, of those young missionaries both of the Assistants to the President are included.  

It is a very amazing group of missionaries.  All except for the Holts and us are from Europe.  If I have it right we have one French, two Norwegian, two Swedes, one Swiss, two German, one Danish and another that we did not meet who I am not sure what part of Europe he comes from.  We had district Council on Friday.  That was a truly sweet experience.  Suffice it to say that the Spirit washed over me very powerfully as the opening prayer was given.   A very dedicated spiritual group.  Such a joy to be able to serve with them.   Elder Paez is the district leader from Sweden where he grew up but he was born in Peru.  You can probably pick him out.  We gathered at a wonderful Greek restaurant to conclude our meeting in Limassol about an hour west of Larnaca.



We attended our first branch meeting today.  A very diverse group of mostly recent members.  A lot are from French speaking Africa.  It was fun to converse with a few.  We will have plenty of opportunities to support and teach.


We flew to London on the 10th of December and overnighted at the Airport and then took the 4 hour flight to Larnaca the next day.


Our two weeks at the MTC were great.  Here a few pictures.  Wonderful teachers and wonderful missionaries - young and older.  A special place.







We were set apart November 26 by the Bountiful South Stake President, President Hills.





Comments

  1. LoonDecember 19, 2023 at 1:35 PM

    Looks like you are off to a great start and such beautiful surroundings. Always so impressed with the faith of missionaries around the world. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  2. elizabethDecember 24, 2023 at 2:57 PM

    Wayne and I enjoy your blog, though not sure how to respond to it. Hope all goes well for you. Missionaries are awesome!

    ReplyDelete

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