When Rick was called on his first mission his call was for the Mexico Southeast Mission, but because of visa issues, while he was still in the LTM, the assignment was changed to the Mexico North Central Mission. He didn't have to begin service somewhere else while awaiting his visa, in fact it came early and they sent him to Mexico one week before he expected. Young missionaries continue to run into visa problems, which often delay their service in their assigned mission. In our mission, the Guatemala City East Mission, we have met some young missionaries who have waited...and waited...and waited for their visas...and while they are patiently waiting they serve faithfully in our mission. Most of the ones we have known are from Guatemala, and some are serving in the
same mission where their families live. We are always impressed that these young people will give
100% when it might be easy to look at it as only a temporary situation. When the wait gets too long, some ask if they can be reassigned, as their association with the mission president and the other missionaries really makes it "their" mission. Although we are a little sad to see them leave when they finally get their travel papers, we are also excited for them, and we know that their new mission will be glad that they are so well trained and have developed such good missionary skills.
Elder C., seen on the right, is from Malacatan, Guatemala. He served here for 11 months while awaiting his visa to Peru. He finally asked Pres. Watts if his assignment could be changed, as he had waited so long.
The next day he was notified that his visa was ready! When asked what he thought he should do, he said that he felt that maybe he was
supposed to go to Peru. President agreed and he left shortly thereafter.
Elder G. is from Guatemala City, and is seen here on the right with the other missionaries we work with in Guastatoya. He was called to Argentina Buenos Aires South, but has also been waiting for 11 months. He just received word that his visa is ready, and he leaves for Argentina this week. ¡Felicidades!
Elder G. is from Guatemala City, and is seen here on the right with the other missionaries we work with in Guastatoya. He was called to Argentina Buenos Aires South, but has also been waiting for 11 months. He just received word that his visa is ready, and he leaves for Argentina this week. ¡Felicidades!