Mid Way

December 31 marked the last day of the crazy year that was 2020.  It also marked another milestone, the halfway mark of our mission.  It hardly seems like we have been here for longer than a month.  I still feel new.  The days roll together and soon they mark weeks and months and years.  But the last of the Sister missionaries that served with President and Sister Hiatt went home 2 weeks ago.  Some of our clothes and shoes are showing wear.  My hair is getting long.  I have filled a journal with a record of all we have done.  Mango season will soon be here again!

Time flies on wings of lightning; We cannot call it back.

It comes then passes forward Along its onward track.

And if we are not mindful, The chance will fade away

For life is quick in passing. 'Tis as a single day.

It seems like only yesterday they came, but the Becks have returned home.  How we will miss them.  They were always at the ready to do all they could to serve us and the missionaries.  And always with a smile.  We have felt very blessed to have our senior couples.  They ease our burden greatly as they look after so much.  We had 3 couples when we arrived, which grew to 5, then down to 4, 5, 2, and now 1 couple is left.  The last couple, the Warrens, will leave in April.  Sister Warren is our mission nurse, and she has been a life saver.  Her knowledge and gentle service have been a great blessing.  Some days I am quite fearful of what could happen when President Craig and I have to "go this alone".  But then I remember how lucky we have been to have couples for so long.  Many missions have not had couples since the evacuation in March.  The Warrens and the Becks had the choice to stay or leave when the evacuation orders came, and we will be eternally grateful that they chose to stay.  We hope that some day soon we will get a notification that a couple has been called. (insert plug for senior couple missionaries here!)  But until that time, we will keep going, and rely on the hand of the Lord to help us.  Maybe that is what I need to learn.

This is a great work!  This is a time of hastening.  It is a time of so much growth and learning and testimony building.  It is a privilege to serve, and we are doing our best to live up to this privilege.  The young missionaries are the best part of this mission.  We are strengthened by their goodness and testimonies as they face trials and hardships here.  I think that sometimes we misunderstand how hard it is to be engaged in this work.  Elder Wakolo says, "A mission isn't hard, it is harder."  There will always be opposition to that which is good.  We have written many times of their resilience.  It never fails to amaze me.  One of our lovely Sisters from Kiribati, who has served for 23 months, said this week, "I can see the Savior's hand in my life, especially in the circumstances I have."  Another has dealt with so many health ailments, but will not quit.  But there is also so very much good.  We rejoice in their triumphs.  We rejoice as we see a young Elder's life be changed for good.  We rejoice as a young Sister overcomes her feelings of insecurity and finds her true strength.  We rejoice when they accomplish their goals.  We rejoice as their testimonies grow through study, service and faithfulness.  We are truly in a "Miracle Zone" right now, and it is exciting and fulfilling.