Belgium/Netherlands Mission

Wednesday, 13 January 2016

6 New Elders

When new missionaries come into the mission we take them for pannenkoeken in Leiden. These are like giant crepes. They can chose what they want on them which is about anything. This is Elder van den Dungen Bille and Elder Foltz.

Elders Andrew, Cook, Mancer, van den Dungen Bille, and Foltz.

Elder Oliphant, Sutherland and Miera.

Elder Evans

Elders Andrew, Cook, Mancer, van den Dungen Bille, Foltz and Bonner

Our APs, Elder Bonner and Elder Hirsch.

Elder Cook, Mancer, van den Dungen Bille, and Foltz.

President and Sister Bunnell

Street contacting on the way back to the office.

We always take a picture of the new missionaries at the windmill.
Elders, Miera, Foltz, van den Dungen Bille, Sutherland, Mancer and Oliphant

Elder Robison watching Elder Hirsch get a referral.

Chillin on the bridge after lunch

The new missionaries getting instructions. They are about to get on the train to do some legality work.

On their second day here they get to know who their companion is, and get some training.
Here Elder Foltz is opening up his letter.

Elder Sutherland opening his letter

Elder Miera

Elder Miera is going to Utrecht.

Elder van den Dungen Bille

Elder Mancer

Elder Watson meets his new companion Elder Prickett going to Vlissingen

Elder Richards with Elder Sutherland going to Capelle aan den IJssel

Elder Oliphant meets Elder Groesback

Elder Oliphant and Elder Groesback going to Haarlem

Elder Matos with Elder Mancer going to Amersfoort

Elder van den Dungen Bille with Elder Drenth going to Leuven

Elder Muller with Elder Foltz going to Delft

Thursday, 24 December 2015

Transfers, Christmas and service projects - 22 December 2015

TRANSFERS

Six new missionaries arrived last week from the MTC and we sent 8 home a two days later.

SERVICE PROJECTS

In the east of the Netherlands, in Zwolle, several missionaries participated in a large project to gather food and other goods for the needy. A total of almost 30 000 products were donated by local supermarkets and packed to be delivered to the foodbank.

Thumbs up: Here are some of the participating missionaries. Elder Williams, Sister Jaramillo, Elders Higham, Knaupp, Sisters Bush, Jensen, Elders McConkie, Zwygart, Williams, Meads and Harp (behind the lady)

CHRISTMAS

As Christmas approaches, the people of the Netherlands and Belgium prepare for Christmas and it becomes a lot easier for missionaries to talk to people about Jesus Christ and about his gospel. Additionally, the Church has provided great resources to share with people. This includes the central message "A Savior is Born", several other videos (including music videos from different artists) and information about the Saviour's birth. This and more can be found at christmas.mormon.org.

On the 25th of December, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ

Friday, 11 December 2015

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.

Monday, 23 November 2015

Transfers and Zone Trainings - 23 November 2015

Some Words from President

Once again, we hear from the mission president: "It was a joy to see you all last week. We were so blessed to join with you in the outstanding training sessions provided by our Zone Leaders, Sister Training Leaders and District Leaders. The messages were so valuable. We loved hearing about improving finding, reflecting on the prophet, Joseph Smith, the Savior, working in the evenings, prayer, and so many other vital topics. We commend everyone who took part in those uplifting meetings. And thanks to the Senior Couples for feeding us so expertly... The Lord is on our side! We must have faith, be strong, undaunted and obedient. The Lord’s work will move forward and you are the warriors of this day and time." - President Bunnell

Transfers

Two new missionaries arrived on the tuesday of transfers, Elders Geeraert and Dearden. They will be serving in Hilversum and Emmen, respectively.

The five departing missionaries from this transfer, Elders Strikwerda and Holt, Sister Bradley, Elders Leon and Ames

Elder Watson, who was supposed to arrive in December, already speaks Dutch, so they sent him only a week after transfers (meaning he only spent two weeks in the MTC).

Zone Trainings

This week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the six zones had separate trainings. They are morning and afternoon trainings to enable President and Sister Bunnell and the Assistants to attend all of them.

Den Haag Zone

Amsterdam Zone

Antwerpen Zone

President Bunnell having fun at the Rotterdam Zone Training

The two new Assistants, Elders Hirsch and Bonner. Their job is a hungry job.

Saturday, 14 November 2015

Special Notice - 14 November 2015

A note of information from President Bunnell:
In light of the recent bombing in Paris we would like to let the families of our missionaries know of the love and concern of each missionary we serve with. We are aware of the bombing in our neighboring mission, the Paris-France Mission. We are so grateful all missionaries are safe and in their apartment and no members have been hurt in the violence. We are in contact with the LDS Security professionals in Frankfurt Germany and receive daily update regarding any safety concerns in Europe. At this time there is no immediate cause for concern for our missionaries. We will inform you by our mission blog or email if any event arises that may involve our missionaries. We are praying for the safety of all the people of Europe and the many missionaries that serve here. Please join your prayers with ours. - President Bunnell

Monday, 9 November 2015

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.

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

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).

Wednesday, 4 November 2015

Facebook campaign, A Word from President Bunnell - 2 November 2015

A Week Left to Transfer Week...

...and the start of a new Facebook campaign. This time, we will be giving away Finding Happiness DVDs to people who order it via Facebook. Their addresses will be then passed on to the nearest missionaries who will drop by to see what they thought about the DVD and share a message with them. Past campaigns have been very successful and have led to great experiences for missionaries and the people they find through these campaigns. There have even been some baptisms!

The Easter and Christmas campaigns are always the most popular, but other campaigns also do well, and we have so far 81 referrals in the space of about 6 days. The referrals are coming in, and as more people share the facebook post to their page and the pages of friends, there will be more people interested in receiving a DVD and hearing about the message we share.

Results of an Increased Standard:

And finally, some words from President Bunnell's latest letter to the mission:
"We are so happy for your devotion to working more for our Savior. We are now seeing the results of your increased proselyting time in lessons taught and all other indicators that show that more people are hearing about Jesus Christ. It brings joy, to them and to you! ... We are seeing the heavens open with blessings on those who are able to teach even more than 23 hours. Last week a companionship reached 30 hours. I notice a correlation between the number of hours of proselyting and the happiness of the missionaries." - President Bunnell

Some Other Stuff:

Though everyone probably is aware of the new office address:

Schuttersveld 2 C

2316 ZA Leiden
The Netherlands

It may be handy to know that the actual office functions will be moved there on the 12th of November. As of that date, there will no longer be anyone at the old address and neither will we be able to check the mail (though most of it should be forwarded), so make sure you send your mail to the right address!

And zone trainings will be coming up right after transfers! So keep your eyes open for info and pictures!