We anticipated a light week with a 30% smaller mission, but it wasn't light for Stewart. He spent Sunday night in the ER with a missionary in extreme abdominal pain, finally bringing him to mission home about 3am. He convalesced here until afternoon, then returned to his apartment with the prescriptions Dad picked up for him. He continued to struggle all week until he had a CT scan Friday and then a BM on Saturday. The diagnosis of "constipation" was a bit embarrassing for him, and he looked pale but happy at church today.
Tuesday departing missionaries started arriving early at the mission home, but by now we just roll with it. They sit on the couch and we carry on with our plans. Altogether there were 17 by 11am. We're sending home some of our best missionaries and solid leaders. There was a mix-up on the transfer dates, so we have six of them staying until this Tuesday and working for one more week. And we didn't have new missionaries arrive the next morning -- not until next Wednesday -- which was a huge blessing since Stewart was very sick Wednesday morning.
Unfortunately one of the departing missionaries, whose twin brother is serving in Naga mission, came down with dengue symptoms while he was at the mission home and has been extremely sick all week. He's scheduled to return to USA Tuesday with his brother, and we are praying he can. He made me promise I wouldn't tell his mom he has dengue -- it's pretty rough to read about online. His housemate, another American, is even sicker. We visited yesterday with cases of Gatorade and Dad gave him a blessing. Their fevers are finally down but the second elder is in the ER on IV for fluids. I'm very thankful this week for the help of a nurse!
Stewart also spent time counseling a Filipina sister who is a little out-of-control. I can't write much about that, but it is challenging. Fortunately she has great companions. An American sister also reached out for emotional help -- He is so patient with these sisters and elders!
There were a couple of other missionary challenges I can't really write about. We had one quiet day for Dad to recover, then trained the six-week missionaries on Friday. Yesterday we went to the Quezon City Mission Home to meet with two new mission presidents, President and Sister Welch and President and Sister Alder. Actually, they are both deer-in-the-headlights with their first week, but it was fun to meet them and we know they will be wonderful for their missionaries.
We also attended a baptism in Valenzuela of two 14-year-olds from part-member families who've been taught the gospel as only Elder Lowery can teach -- with a Southern Florida accent!
Thanks for those in Utah for supporting and working at the Cutler Reunion--we look forward to seeing more photos.
We love you all and appreciate your faith and prayers on our behalf.
Love,
Mom
Visit to Elder who's suffered years with an ingrown toenail--surgically removed the nail--ouch! The elder kneeling beside him we call "Dr Moore", since he's also nursing the two dengue elders.
President and Sister Alder, Sister and President Welch and us.
Departing group.
Elder Lowery needs a larger jumpsuit, third from left, standing between the converts, Matthew and Anji.
No comments:
Post a Comment