They Are Here!

Our newest group of missionaries have arrived!

So happy to have these Elders come to Durban!

 President Thompson and Elder Francis

 First meeting! Elder Whiting

 Elder Whiting

 Elder Simpson

 Elders Jones, Dodson, and Ntaka (AP)

 Elders Ntaka (AP), Wengreen, Nixon, and Unlandt

 Elder Jones is giving a thumbs up as he and the others are excited to finally be in Durban!

 Elders Chandler (left), and Gomez

 President Thompson, and Elder Sami

 It's become tradition that we gather around the piano at the airport and sing a couple

of hymns!

 So excited to have this new sign!

 Here we go!

 Elder Arnesen leads the music!

 They sounded great!

 Getting ready to sing a second song!

 They sang with power!

 Elder Chandler and Gomez

 Elder Macomo was with us on a temporary assignment until his Visa got approved.

We are sad to see him leave our mission - but happy he is finally going to where the

Lord called him to serve! This is his last day in Durban.

 Loading suitcases in the bakkie (that's what a truck is called in South Africa)

 Lots of luggage!

 The bakkie is full, so the other suitcases will be taken to the mission van, and

to President's car! 

 Elder Macomo will leave tomorrow! He was with us for an entire transfer!

He is already a valiant missionary!

 As we left the airport, we were supposed to caravan to the temple with three vehicles. The Assistants

were driving the van, President Thompson was driving a car, and Elder Howell was driving the 

bakkie. We pulled out of the parking lot to make sure the van and bakkie were behind us, but we couldn't see the van. We pulled over with the bakkie behind us and waited. It was taking longer than expected, so I called to make sure everything was all right. Elder Ntaka (AP) said they were waiting for two of the new missionaries who were talking to people about the church!
We were more than happy to wait! 

Love that new enthusiasm!

 Elder Bateman at the Durban temple site

 Elder Chandler

 Elder Jones

 Elder Sami

 Elder Dodson

 Elder Francis

 Elder Nixon

 Elder Arnesen

 Elder Wengreen

 Elder Unlandt

 Elder Whiting

 Elder Gomez

 Elder Simpson

 President Thompson and I have a really good feeling about this group!

After spending only a few hours together today - we could feel their enthusiastic energy,

their zeal, and an incredible strength that each and every one has. 

We are so excited to have all of these Elders join our mission!