Preparing for Transfers

The week before transfers is usually a quiet week for me and Sister Erickson but nonetheless a lot of work is being done behind the scenes. The mission president works with his assistants and sister training leaders and, through prayer and inspiration from the Lord, they plan who will be transferred and where the various missionaries will be going. This is an exciting week since the missionaries know that changes will be coming and anxiously anticipate how their lives will be changed. 

In addition to the in-field missionaries, there are new missionaries arriving and others leaving to return home. Each missionary typically travels with two large suitcases plus a carryon bag.

Once the transfer plans are complete, the office missionaries begin the complex logistical task of coordinating travel itineraries. One of the restrictions is that a missionary cannot be left alone. Elders must always be with another Elder, and Sisters must always be with another Sister. After the logistics of the transfer are confirmed, the office missionaries begin the task of purchasing plane tickets, train tickets and bus tickets along with coordinating the use of the mission vehicles. 

Transfers happen on Tuesday and the missionaries find out at 9:30 pm the Sunday night before. They then have Monday to pack and prepare to travel. Most travel is done on Tuesday but some missionaries, such as those on the Azores, have to begin their travel on Monday and often do not return to their area until Thursday.

Elder Palladino, Elder Azevedo and Elder Jeppson (second, third and fourth from the left) have the task of doing the logistics and then purchasing the tickets. By Sunday evening most, if not all, of the tickets are purchased and then on Monday the transfer begins. The mission is literally in motion for the next several days. Usually between 75 to 85 percent of the missionaries are affected by each  transfer.

The Members

Hélio Moreira da Silva and Julianne Agatha Costa de Oliveira along with their cute daughter, Helena Oliveira Moreira.

They are originally from Brazil and have immigrated permanently to Portugal.

Those Missionaries

Sister Harmon is from Orem, UT, and Sister Semerad is from Austria.

Sister Semerad will complete her mission and return home this week.

As we serve with these tremendous missionaries, we are amazed and inspired at their desire and dedication to serve the Lord, Jesus Christ. We know that they are indeed doing the will of the Lord and we are so blessed to be a part of this great work.

And so it goes...