Life blood of the mission, new missionaries!

We received new missionaries on July 6th from the MTC here in Guatemala. We welcomed Elders Thacker, Zelaya, Beltrán, Barrientos, Ixcoy, Majano and Sister Nava with a training at the mission office, an introduction to their new companions and a luncheon at the mission home.

An interesting note: Sister Nava is from Mexico City and comes from a family of 9. She has 4 missionaries from her immediate family who are serving full time missions in different countries of Latin America.

Worn-out shirts and shoes, but happy hearts

It is always difficult to send our missionaries home after having learned to love them for their faith and noble hearts. This change we sent home Elder Gelinas and Elder Guzman, both of whom were Assistants to the President. They as well as Elders Brady, Geronimo, Grant, Richardson,Aranda, Balux, Tambriz, Medrano and Sister Marilyn Castro will be greatly missed.

Their missionary cloths have seen great use, now they look forward to a new chapter in their lives. God be with you.

Our purpose

"Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. "

We recite this each time we meet as missionaries. When we witness each week faithful people here in Guatemala take upon themselves the covenants with God, we know our purpose is fulfilled.

The photos are of the Juarez Family, baptized this last weekend in Sayaxche. This family was found by our supportive and vital Missionary couple, Elder and Sister McBride who are an anchor of stability to our Mission up North in Peten. The Elders in Sayaxche are also doing a great job building up the little branch there by the Passion River.

"We do not preach and teach in order to bring people into the Church' or to increase the membership of the Church. We do not preach and teach just to persuade people to live better lives...We invite all to come unto Christ by repentance and baptism and confirmation in order to open the doors of the celestial kingdom to the sons and daughters of God. No one else can do this" --Elder Dallin H. Oaks