"Going out and Coming In"

Departures and Arrivals.  These are two very important words in mission life and they occur every 6 weeks, on a Tuesday and a Wednesday here in Cauayan.  

On Tuesday, September 10th, we had 12 departing  Elders and Sisters who had completed their full-time missionary service.  They came in at different times throughout the day, had their luggage weighed and items re-arranged or given away as needs be, had their departure interview with President Rahlf, and prepared for the Departure meeting.  There they had a chance to share their testimonies one last time in the mission field, 

and we loved hearing those tender and powerful words.

And then it was dinner at the mission home, followed by the cutting of ties and handkerchiefs.  (We will make squares out of the material for a quilted wall-hanging).

Sister Rafiqiue had to leave the mission two days earlier than the rest of the group, so
we had dinner with her and her various companions on Sunday evening.
Sister Khushi, Sister Perlas, Sister Rentayo, Sister Len Wai, Sister Rafique, Sister Saez, and Sister Obnias.

Elder and Sister Laker with Sister Rafique and Sister Rantayo

Departing Missionaries
Back row:  Elder Rapsing, Elder Lacambra, Elder Dagal, Elder Gueverra, Elder Sulla,
 Elder Laurente, Elder Meru, Elder Cruz
Front Row:  Elder Legarde, Sister Saez, and Elder Ilagan

 Wednesday morning, it's French Toast cooked by President Rahlf at the mission home, and off to the airport.

Then the plane arrives-- bringing our new missionaries to the field and taking our departing ones back to Manila, where they will spend the day, go to the Temple and return to their homes on Thursday.

"well done, thou good and faithful servants"

It's the going out of one group, and the coming in of another.

So happy to see these faces!

Elder Iuli, Sister Guttenbeil and Sister Molisi
as we wait to gather luggage at the airport. . .

. . .and bring it back here!

These are their new pillows that will accompany them to every place they serve

One of my favorite sights--it means that missionaries are in the home!

New Missionaries September 11, 2013
Back Row:  Elder Evitt, Elder Lavelua, President & Sister Rahlf, Sister Warr, Elder Thorpe, Elder Wengreen
Middle Row:  Elder Pawin, Elder Franzuela, Elder Mabini, Elder Iuili, Elder Espino, Sister Hirst,
Sister Kirchhoefer, Sister Barney, Sister Molisi
Front Row: Elder Padon, Elder Delos Reyes, Elder Zabala, Sister Lasay, Sister Dela Torre, Sister Lamac,
Sister Guttenbeil, Sister Crystal, Sister Nicol, Sister Hurst, Sister Mautatia, Sister Karavenua

After a delicious Philippine lunch, we settle in for orientation with the Assistants

and interviews with President Rahlf

 After Orientation and before the Transfer Meeting, there is 

a little time for a quick power nap...

At the Transfer Meeting, our new missionaries walk up to the front of the chapel while the other missionaries sing "Called to Serve."  During the meeting, they are introduced 

to their new companion and afterwards set off to their first area.

It is a joyful, amazing, exhausting, wonderful day!

"The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth,

 and even for evermore."

Psalms 121:8