We officially finished our training on Thursday. Most of our group has gone--to all parts of the globe from the Congo to Taiwan. There are several of us heading to South America and anyone going to Argentina or Brazil is experiencing delays in getting their visa. One couple has been waiting 12 weeks! The elders and sisters called to Brazil were supposed to go to the Brazil MTC, but are taking their training here while they wait. No one knows why the holdup.
It's not exactly a bad thing for us. Mom's leg is better; the swelling is way down and the pain is mostly under control, but we have reached the place where we are treating the symptoms, not the cause. Next Wed. Mom sees a highly recommended doctor and maybe we will get some answers. For right now, Mom plods along wearing a full leg athletic wrap and one of Dad's flip flops. The other foot wears a regular shoe.
The trainer room at the MTC is a hoppin' place--literally. There is a steady stream of walking injured coming through the door--either a new injury or a follow up treatment. Many are hopping along or are on crutches.We have gotten to know some very remarkable young people as they deal with adversity.
There is a new mission called "Internet Prostelyting" The missionaries assigned there usually were unable to complete their misssions in the normal way. Here at the MTC, they take inquiries from links on the internet and actually teach the lessons in chat forms. They work with the local missionaries and members for the fellowshipping and actual baptisms, but they are the teaching elders. They work with people all over the world. One such elder said they had had 100 verified(via new member records) baptisms since January. He severely injured his foot on his mission and it looked like he was not going to be able to finish, but this opportunity opened up and he is delighted to be able to continue as a missionary.
The other day, all the sister missionaries were atwitter at the news from SLC that sister missionaries do not have to wear nylons anymore. Some missions may require them, but the MTC and most will not. How practical!
How are you all coming with getting Skype? We miss you all--especially our grandbabies and want to see them. You can always reply to the blogpost by emailing us. We would love to hear from you. Our cell phones still work as long as we are here--although we usually have them off during the day.
Love,
Elder Dad and Sister Mom