Many people have asked about how Emily is doing since her accident.
Thank you for praying for her and for the man on the motorcycle, Jason.
Unfortunately, we don't have information on Jason's recovery. Emily was transferred to Suriname less than a week after the accident. Her communication with the branch president and zusters in Bonaire is limited, but if they had news for Emily, they would share it.
Even without closure, healing is happening, but it's going to take time. Emily has nightmares and is nervous about driving again. Right now, driving is not a problem because she is a biking missionary. She's also very busy. She and two other zusters in her companionship are covering two areas. They move from one apartment in one area to another apartment in the other area every week, so they can alternate their focus on investigators every other week. Since it's about an hour and a half on bike from one area to the other, the senior missionaries drive them from one apartment to the other on moving day, which I think is Saturday. Keeping busy is good, but I hope they aren't so busy that Emily doesn't seek help if she needs it. I'm not sure how long these stellar sisters can keep up their frantic pace. I am praying that the five dutch-speaking sisters awaiting their transfer to Suriname can get their visas soon. Corruption in the Surinamese government makes getting visas difficult--even more difficult in the last few months.
I am so impressed with the young ladies who serve in this mission--especially the dutch-speaking sisters. I tried to upload a video that Emily sent Gavin on his birthday so that you can see how thoughtful and fun these women are. They are so strong spiritually and physically. They use their strength to build each other up and to serve everybody they can.
I am glad I can pull pictures from the Vermeeren's blog to supplement what we get from Emily each week. It's good to see her happy face. She is glad to have a senior couple nearby and to be in the company of Elders again. Bonaire was a great place to serve, but the four sister missionaries were on their own except for the sweet branch members and investigators who tried to look out for them. Senior missionary couples play such a vital role in this mission (and I assume any mission). The Elders bring an element of fun and comraderie to p-days that Emily missed when it was just the four sisters on an isolated island. At their next transfer meeting, they are having a talent show. Emily and her companions are preparing a rap with good-natured “burns” for each of the Elders. She shared some of it with us yesterday. It's hilarious.
All in all, I think Emily is doing better. She continues to pray, work hard, serve, and enjoy a good joke now and then. We continue to pray for her and look forward to our short video chats each Monday morning.
Thank you for praying for her and for the man on the motorcycle, Jason.
Unfortunately, we don't have information on Jason's recovery. Emily was transferred to Suriname less than a week after the accident. Her communication with the branch president and zusters in Bonaire is limited, but if they had news for Emily, they would share it.
Even without closure, healing is happening, but it's going to take time. Emily has nightmares and is nervous about driving again. Right now, driving is not a problem because she is a biking missionary. She's also very busy. She and two other zusters in her companionship are covering two areas. They move from one apartment in one area to another apartment in the other area every week, so they can alternate their focus on investigators every other week. Since it's about an hour and a half on bike from one area to the other, the senior missionaries drive them from one apartment to the other on moving day, which I think is Saturday. Keeping busy is good, but I hope they aren't so busy that Emily doesn't seek help if she needs it. I'm not sure how long these stellar sisters can keep up their frantic pace. I am praying that the five dutch-speaking sisters awaiting their transfer to Suriname can get their visas soon. Corruption in the Surinamese government makes getting visas difficult--even more difficult in the last few months.
I am so impressed with the young ladies who serve in this mission--especially the dutch-speaking sisters. I tried to upload a video that Emily sent Gavin on his birthday so that you can see how thoughtful and fun these women are. They are so strong spiritually and physically. They use their strength to build each other up and to serve everybody they can.
I am glad I can pull pictures from the Vermeeren's blog to supplement what we get from Emily each week. It's good to see her happy face. She is glad to have a senior couple nearby and to be in the company of Elders again. Bonaire was a great place to serve, but the four sister missionaries were on their own except for the sweet branch members and investigators who tried to look out for them. Senior missionary couples play such a vital role in this mission (and I assume any mission). The Elders bring an element of fun and comraderie to p-days that Emily missed when it was just the four sisters on an isolated island. At their next transfer meeting, they are having a talent show. Emily and her companions are preparing a rap with good-natured “burns” for each of the Elders. She shared some of it with us yesterday. It's hilarious.
All in all, I think Emily is doing better. She continues to pray, work hard, serve, and enjoy a good joke now and then. We continue to pray for her and look forward to our short video chats each Monday morning.
 |
| Zuster Orchard, Zuster McGuire, Zuster Mergenthaler. Back together as a threesome! |
 |
| Setting up smartphones--a new tool in this mission. |
 |
| Moving Day . . . . Once a week. |
 |
| Emily's brown leg on the left. |
 |
| Fun P-Day Lunch |
Comments