Zone Conferences and Other Updates - 11 December 2015

Zone Conference Week

This week, the six zones met on three days for their Christmas Zone Conference led by President and Sister Bunnell, assisted by the Assistants. We were also able to hear from some other missionaries and some wonderful musical numbers. During these conferences, most missionaries received their Christmas packages from home in addition to any mail or missionary supplies. The remainder of the missionaries will still get their package (somehow) as they trickle in this next week.

DEN HAAG AND AMSTERDAM ZONES

in Zoetermeer

Zone picture

Sisters Romney, Maughan, Mashburn and Jones

Sisters Hanny, Begazo, Elder Morrow, Sister Romney, Elders Needham and Smith

Elders Bernier, Geeraert (back to the camera), Müller, Sister Hopkin, Elders Heinricks and Hunter

Elders Bishesar, Smith, Sisters Jones, Maughan, Elder Cook, Sister Mashburn, Elders Andrew and Meister

ROTTERDAM AND APELDOORN ZONES

in Rotterdam

Zone picture

Elders Stevenson, Higham and Zwygart

Sister Harris

Elders Richards, Jardine, Sosa, Torrie, Sisters Harris, Stewart-Chester and Elder Johnson

Elders Williams & Williams, Higham, Stevenson and McConkie

Elders, Gross, Wilson, O'Loughlin and Childs

Presidents Bunnell and Van der Put (his counsellor)

Sister Voss, Elders Morrell, Abankie, Sister Bush, Elder Reese and Sister Goodman

ANTWERPEN AND EINDHOVEN ZONES

in Antwerpen

Zone picture

Sisters Twiggs and Duncan

Elders Drinkwater, Ocampo, Leishman, Crowder and Fairbanks

Elders Brunner, Serra, Stanworth and Harry

Elder Matos, Sisters Robbins, Manning, Döbler, Elders Gleave, Thom, Sisters Fleming, Faasavalu, Elders Evans and Watson

Elders Garcia, Hosea, Parr, Bringhurst, Vanfleet, Fairbanks, Harrop and Drinkwater

Elders Stanger, Howard, Da Silva, Henrichsen and Kauer

Elders Bringhurst, Parr, Sisters Twiggs, Duncan, Elders Isaksen and Crowson

And as always, we are very grateful for the senior couples and other people that prepare all the meals for zone conferences and trainings. Much better than the bread and water we would have to eat otherwise.

Almost transfers! - 9 November 2015

Tuesday is New Missionary Day, Wednesday is Transfer Day, Thursday is Moving Day... Somewhat of a busy week, you could say. But that will all be for the transfer special, later this week. As for now, here is a brief post on some small updates and such.

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The usual excerpt from President's letter

He said: "To those of you who will be new to areas, please remember to meet your bishop/branch president and mission leaders this first week.  Go with a heart ready to serve.  As we travel the mission I hear how much the local leaders love you and are so grateful for your efforts to serve them.  Thank you for your diligence and selfless service.   As you wear yourself out in the service of our Savior, keep in mind that your sacrifice will bless you and those you touch for eternity!" President Bunnell

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Some pictures

Last Saturday there was a senior couple gathering at the Mission Home, with all the senior couples in the mission: Van der Put, Robison, Caldwell, Kleyn, Romig, Gout, Hill and of course President and Sister Bunnell.

This week, Elder and Sister Kleyn will be leaving us to go home. We thank them for their service and wish them all the best as they get back to normal life.

Elders Bonner, Neptune, Cook and Andrew. After almost seven and a half months as Assistant to the President, including during the change of presidents, we bid goodbye to Elder Neptune who has served well in his capacity and will now serve in Brussels, Belgium (the first time in about 5 years that there have been Dutch-speaking elders in Brussels).

A New Mission Blog, Recent Temple Visit and Reports of Success in the Field - 26 October 2015

WELCOME...

...to the brand new blog of the Belgium/Netherlands Mission, straight from the mission office up in Leiden, the Netherlands!!!

President and Sister Bunnell would like to keep parents, friends and other interested people up to date by means of this blog of all the goings on of the mission, including photos of conferences, news of transfers and other noteworthy events and happenings.

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MISSION LEADER COUNCIL

Mission Leader Council last Friday

Last week on Friday, Mission Leader Council was held at the Mission Home. Every month, all the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders meet to receive instruction from and council with President and Sister Bunnell and the Assistants in addition to various guest speakers, in this case President Scheltinga of the Den Haag stake. 

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TEMPLE CONFERENCE

And here a picture of several missionaries at the Temple

"It was pure joy to see you all in the temple!  We are grateful you had revelatory experiences and that you came away strengthened and refreshed.  Thanks to the Assistants, Zone Leaders and Senior Couples for doing all the preparation for the visit and seeing that everything went smoothly.  And thanks to them and the Office Elders for making the Zone Conferences successful.  We are grateful to those who provided the inspiring music and taught us about planning, stretching ourselves, travel contacting and a special thanks to Hans Noot for the cultural training." - President Bunnell

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MISSIONARY WORK

Several months ago, a new standard of excellence was set to help the mission grow and come closer to achieving its full potential. This standard was to reach a minimum of 20 proselyting hours per companionship per week (thus 20 hours spent teaching and finding). This new goal resulted in a large increase in all the other key indicators (the numbers by which missionary work is measured, see also Preach my Gospel).

But the mission could do even better. And thus, the standard was raised to 23 hours per week. And for the first time since hours were measured, the average throughout the mission was significantly above 22 and almost at 23 hours. The number of companionships attaining 23 hours reached 44 this last week (plus an additional 15 companionships that attained over 20 hours). It is remarkable to see the enthusiasm and determination with which the missionaries have accepted this heightened challenge.

Here is an excerpt of President Bunnell's encouragement to the missionaries: "The results of these hours have been outstanding.  We anticipate increased baptisms and rescues of less-actives as a result of your dedication.  Over and over again, your letters show you have had an increase in happiness in the work because you are planning and working with more zeal."

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NEW SENIOR COUPLE

Elder and Sister Hill and Elder Robison

We welcomed a new Senior Couple to the mission a few weeks ago. Elder and Sister Hill will serve temporarily in Eindhoven until November when they will replace Elder and Sister Kleyn in Deventer. Elder Hill served in Leiden 50 years ago and had the opportunity to visit the ward there on the 11th, a Sunday and their second day in the land.

See below a brief overview of past events...