Have I Done Any Good? Departing Missionaries November 4-5, 2014

 Have I Done Any Good?  This hymn is one of the favorites among our missionaries, and is a question they ask themselves frequently.
  
"Have I done any good in the world today?  Have I helped anyone in need?  
Have I cheered up the sad and made some one feel glad?  
If not, I have failed indeed.  
Has anyone's burden been lighter today because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?"

To which we can answer for them, Yes!  A huge, resounding Yes.  These wonderful missionaries have exemplified the Savior as they have gone about, as He did, "doing good."  They found joy in the journey of missionary work; they loved those they served and brought happiness to many in the Philippines Cauayan Mission.

We honor them and are so grateful for our time together in the hastening work of salvation.

Wednesday Morning November 5, 2014
Back:  Elder Teitibwebwe, Elder Sogari, Elder Roy, Sister Tebwaruaki, Elder Cousin, President Rahlf
 Middle: Elder Noja, Elder Taer, Elder Dela Vega, Sister Berghout, Sister Funaki, Sister Nawere
Front:  Sister Bienvinuto, Elder Saba, Elder Castillo, Sister Bureeti,
Sister Itamaera, Sister Frame, Sister Davis, Sister Rahlf

After a day of weighing luggage, personal interviews, getting travel money and a "trunky" meeting, we gather in the Cauayan Chapel for the Departure Fireside. Members and investigators join with us to hear the testimonies of these great missionaries as they speak for the last time in the mission field.

Departure Fireside

The Departure Ceremony…

Cutting of the ties and handkerchiefs (or blouses or skirts, whatever!)

Before...

During...

After!
(The quilt we're making from all of these ties and materials is going to be huge)

We also give each missionary a Departure Book, with the history of their companions and areas, mission map and song, and some important letters.

Wednesday November 5, about 9:30 AM

The Final Picture
A Celebration of Service!

But this Departure group was a little bit different…Six of our missionaries could not begin their homeward journey until later in the week. They stayed and worked two more days until they flew to Manila on Friday and then onward to Fiji, Kiribati and Christmas Island.

Homeward Bound

Elder Odom was also to be a part of this departure group, but he ended up returning home three weeks prior with a medical release as a result of three very unkind slipped discs.  

And Sister Lyles was also given a medical release after a stay at the MRC determined her chronic back pain would need some long term recovery.  Because she left right from Manila, we missed having Departure traditions with her--but she's promised to send some material for the quilt! 

The last thing our departing missionaries do, is leave behind counsel and advice for our new missionaries that will arrive later in the morning.  

True words of wisdom that come with experience!

"'Tis noble of man to work and to give; Love's labor has merit alone.  

Only he who does something helps others to live.

To God each good work will be known."

                                                                                                   (Hymn # 223)