December 10, 2008Dear Florida Mission Parents,
We are grateful to be spending this Christmas Season in the mission field with your sons and daughters. Thank you for sending us such faithful and courageous missionaries. The Spirit is strong here in Florida as they go about "doing good to all men."
2008 has been a good year and the work is moving forward. We have 150 young elders and sisters who love the Lord and are diligent in finding those who are prepared to receive the message of the restored gospel.
We have six Creole speaking missionaries who work with the Haitians. There are six missionaries from Brazil, some who teach in Portuguese and others who are assigned to teach in English. There are about 36 Spanish speaking missionaries, a few of which are native speakers. We have two Korean sisters, and three missionaries from Canada, the rest hail from the USA.
We have had three appendectomies this past year and one hernia surgery. We can't even count the knee, shoulder and ankle injuries sustained during preparation day activities, and the Lord sustains them and the work goes on.
Eight of our missionaries are converts and joined the Church between the ages of 16 and 21. We have two concert pianists, numerous outstanding vocalists, artists and instrumentalists. We have three music majors and abundant scholars and athletes.
We have missionaries who are discovering their great potential and realize the world is full of unlimited opportunities for those who know how to work and sacrifice for a goal. They are also learning that where much is given, much is expected. This mission is preparing them for a life of service to the Lord and their fellowmen.
These faithful missionaries have a great responsibility and we are humbled as we see them measure up as dedicated servants of the Lord. We are truly blest to serve with them. We see them grow into adulthood right before our eyes. Within a few short weeks, the new missionaries lose their "deer in the headlights" look and take their places shoulder to shoulder with their seasoned fellow missionaries.
How wonderful it is to wear ourselves out in His service. We are truly in debt to our Father in Heaven for this amazing opportunity. We pray he will continue to bear each of us up and make us equal to the tasks before us.
God lives. Jesus is the Christ. This is His work an we are His grateful servants.
Best wishes to you and your families. We know the Lord is blessing you as your missionary blesses the lives of others.
Merry Christmas,
The Florida Orlando Mission
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