Miracles

Today I recieved an email from Annette Brennan (our stake president's wife), who belongs to a missionary mom group. The following letter was sent to her webmaster. She told me that members all over the world are praying for the missionaries in Bolivia.

Subject: More Miracles for Bolivia missionaries

Here is her intro: Below is a letter sent today from my sister in law Marvia Drake who is currently serving with her husband Terry as a mission doctor in South America. My brother in law is also a former mission president to the Bolivia-La Paz mission just a few years ago. Sadly, the political unrest is something that they are familiar with.

Miracles are continuing to happen with this evacuation. I've just included the "bullet points."Dear children and family,Yesterday we attended a meeting at the MTC with Elder Nash, Area President, and the 87 American missionaries they evacuated from Bolivia with 1 North American couple.I want to share some of the things Elder Nash said yesterday because it was really wonderful... He told them how much the brethren had been worried about them the missionaries and loved them and that this decision was not taken lightly. Much prayer went into this decision. He said a member of the Twelve would reassign them so they could be assured they were going where the Lord wanted them to go. Every single missionary called their parents on Tuesday! He also shared that many miracles occurred for this to happen... including the airline official telling him it was impossible to get them all on a plane and he telling them they would figure it out - Remember they were non-members he was talking to... They were all on the SAME plane coming out! All 87 of them.36 missionaries did not have their passports. They could not get to Santa Cruz mission headquarters. At the end of the meeting US Embassy officials (not just one!) were there to expedite duplicate passports good for 1 year and told them not to worry, they'd have passports before the end of the day! They came to us! That was also a miracle!! One doesn't get a passport in hours! We talked to one missionary. Just rounding up these missionaries to get them to the airport on time was amazing. You have to know there are blockades and fighting all over Bolivia now. Someone told us Santa Cruz looks like a war zone. The Mission President in Santa Cruz is American; the one in Cochabamba is Mexican. Pres. Maynes in Santa Cruz told us he won't leave until all his missionaries are safe. Latins from other countries like Chile and Peru are not liked either. They told us they might have to evacuate others. They are just staying inside for now. He asked the missionaries to dedicate themselves at this point to be a better missionary than they were. He recounted a story of Sis. Hinckley in Alaska. She said ... "You want me to tell you are handsome - you are. "You want me to tell you how glad we are that you are here serving - we are. "You want me to tell you that we appreciate the sacrifice you are making to be a missionary. "I will not say that..."Because of the sacrifice of others before you (the pioneers, the prophet Joseph), to serve a mission is the least you can do..." He then told how Joseph Smith couldn't believe that learned men persecuted him for telling the truth and then Elder Nash read JS His. 1:24-25. She also added this today: "We just had another 11 arrive from Brazil and I got a message that 2 more are at the MTC in Buenos Aires (They've had quite an adventure!!!)"

Justin hasn't had an opportunity to write more details about the meeting and such, so we appreciate the information sent to us. The time he has to email is very limited. We appreciate the prayers on their behalf. We are especially appreciative of the Lord's loving protection of these wonderful young men. I have cried many tears of thanks.