I should probably get my better half to write this post. The trouble is that he won't have time and focus to even think about it for another month or two so you are getting me.
This is the week we have been waiting, preparing, bracing for since we started working in the office. Tuesday we will get 36 or 37 missionaries. That's right! We still don't know if one has her visa yet. As of last week it was just 31. We were told this was all when 3 more visas came and made plans on Monday and then Thursday night found out that 3 more visas made it. Poor President. You do understand that he has to plan companions and transfers for all these contingencies. Then we plan housing and transporting, feeding, training for them, and getting residency done with them. Thennnnnnn our mission secretary buys tickets for all the trainers to come here, and all the missionaries to get back out and all the missionaries who are just changing areas to get from point A to point B. That gets even more complex when you realize that some of our areas don't have direct bus or train service to Malaga. They have to go through Sevilla or Granada or something else. Throw in the need for companions for those who stay in an area, and arrival times that more or less match aaaand a meeting schedule, you see what a challenging jigsaw puzzle it is.
A couple of transfers ago we maxed out the credit card so many times that it quit working. That was fun. We did get a new one finally, so now many of the tickets can be purchased on line. Another fly in the ointment is that for some tickets, you have to have the name and ID number of the passenger. Not going to work if the assignment hasn't been made yet, which is the case of those new missionaries. Sometimes we have to buy a 'bogus' ticket or that train or bus will be sold out. Then we just cancel the bogus one and buy the right one when we know. That is yet another step added though. Our poor office elders are doing a marvelous job. Rod has been a great help making spread sheets with the assignments and reassuring everyone that it isn't because of some flaw in them that they can't get all this done within the office time they normally have. He even went this (Sunday) afternoon and bought tickets at the bus station. We needed 15 and they had 17 places left. Just in time! We decided it was an 'ox in the mire' situation. We have also made sure that they eat and take rest breaks. It helps just to have another brain to say 'yes that is right' or 'no, we missed something here'.
This past week we had a huge Zone and District leader training, so they just finished doing this for that. We could use some of the same lists if only the meetings were at the same times. Of course they aren't.
In a few minutes I will go with Rod to plan food with Sister Deere. Monday we will notify the missionaries of the changes and send them their tickets, and Tuesday.... start the fun.
Today at church, we met a cute couple who will likely attend the Mijas branch. Yea! New blood! He is a basketball player from Gilbert. She is from Provo and they are expecting twins, plus they have a 2 year old. Double Yea! We now have a primary. They should be here for at least a year. He wants to attend the Spanish ward, but I told her we needed them more. We will see. It has surprised me how many people spend half their time here and half in England, often in 2-3 month blocks. I think I just have the 'North American' mind set that travel to another country is long and expensive. It isn't here. The countries are so much closer and smaller. I keep forgetting. They are intermittent Snow Birds.
I am playing the support role right now, which is fine with me. Once this transfer is over, we will receive groups of 10 - 12 at a time. A piece of cake. I am getting more independent since Rod is so busy and there really isn't a lot I can do to help directly. I drove some visitors to the airport all by myself and then yesterday I washed and fueled the car all by myself. See how grown up I am getting. You really do feel like a little kid again when you are back to needing help to get around and communicate. I feel like my Spanish is doing pretty well most of the time, but if I was using it more, I think I would be fluent by now.
Just in case you hadn't thought about it, one third of our mission is now past! Yes, it went fast for us too. Well, I will let you know how it went next week... With His help, we can do anything! Without His help, nothing we do is really worth while.
This is the week we have been waiting, preparing, bracing for since we started working in the office. Tuesday we will get 36 or 37 missionaries. That's right! We still don't know if one has her visa yet. As of last week it was just 31. We were told this was all when 3 more visas came and made plans on Monday and then Thursday night found out that 3 more visas made it. Poor President. You do understand that he has to plan companions and transfers for all these contingencies. Then we plan housing and transporting, feeding, training for them, and getting residency done with them. Thennnnnnn our mission secretary buys tickets for all the trainers to come here, and all the missionaries to get back out and all the missionaries who are just changing areas to get from point A to point B. That gets even more complex when you realize that some of our areas don't have direct bus or train service to Malaga. They have to go through Sevilla or Granada or something else. Throw in the need for companions for those who stay in an area, and arrival times that more or less match aaaand a meeting schedule, you see what a challenging jigsaw puzzle it is.
A couple of transfers ago we maxed out the credit card so many times that it quit working. That was fun. We did get a new one finally, so now many of the tickets can be purchased on line. Another fly in the ointment is that for some tickets, you have to have the name and ID number of the passenger. Not going to work if the assignment hasn't been made yet, which is the case of those new missionaries. Sometimes we have to buy a 'bogus' ticket or that train or bus will be sold out. Then we just cancel the bogus one and buy the right one when we know. That is yet another step added though. Our poor office elders are doing a marvelous job. Rod has been a great help making spread sheets with the assignments and reassuring everyone that it isn't because of some flaw in them that they can't get all this done within the office time they normally have. He even went this (Sunday) afternoon and bought tickets at the bus station. We needed 15 and they had 17 places left. Just in time! We decided it was an 'ox in the mire' situation. We have also made sure that they eat and take rest breaks. It helps just to have another brain to say 'yes that is right' or 'no, we missed something here'.
This past week we had a huge Zone and District leader training, so they just finished doing this for that. We could use some of the same lists if only the meetings were at the same times. Of course they aren't.
In a few minutes I will go with Rod to plan food with Sister Deere. Monday we will notify the missionaries of the changes and send them their tickets, and Tuesday.... start the fun.
Today at church, we met a cute couple who will likely attend the Mijas branch. Yea! New blood! He is a basketball player from Gilbert. She is from Provo and they are expecting twins, plus they have a 2 year old. Double Yea! We now have a primary. They should be here for at least a year. He wants to attend the Spanish ward, but I told her we needed them more. We will see. It has surprised me how many people spend half their time here and half in England, often in 2-3 month blocks. I think I just have the 'North American' mind set that travel to another country is long and expensive. It isn't here. The countries are so much closer and smaller. I keep forgetting. They are intermittent Snow Birds.
I am playing the support role right now, which is fine with me. Once this transfer is over, we will receive groups of 10 - 12 at a time. A piece of cake. I am getting more independent since Rod is so busy and there really isn't a lot I can do to help directly. I drove some visitors to the airport all by myself and then yesterday I washed and fueled the car all by myself. See how grown up I am getting. You really do feel like a little kid again when you are back to needing help to get around and communicate. I feel like my Spanish is doing pretty well most of the time, but if I was using it more, I think I would be fluent by now.
Just in case you hadn't thought about it, one third of our mission is now past! Yes, it went fast for us too. Well, I will let you know how it went next week... With His help, we can do anything! Without His help, nothing we do is really worth while.
3 comments:
You can do hard things! I will make sure to send extra prayers your way this week. Thanks for the update. Keep up the good work :)
I wonder if the Brethren realized quite how much extra work and money changing the mission ages would bring. I'm not at all doubting them, their inspiration, or their wisdom, but it has surely blown me away. It is an exciting (an for you exhausting) time to be a missionary!
This is really Bonita, and I just have to say that you, my big sister, amaze me!!! I know of the blessing you and your logistic genuis husband are to this mission president and I guess I am happy to share you with him. Your post today touched my heart to the very core...thanks for sharing. I love you!!!!
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