Zone Leaders Council--Again

I guess we are seasoned veterans.  We are now starting over with meetings, conferences and councils that we have done once before.  Wow, we have been here awhile!

We held the Zone Leaders Council again.  We were privileged to have all the Zone Leaders at the Mission Home August 15, 2012. 

Elder van de Graaff, and Elder van Overbeek, Assistants

Elder Bickham and Elder Guanuna, Den Haag Zone

Elder van Rij and Elder Li, Apeldoorn Zone

Elder Ellis and Elder Schulte, Rotterdam Zone

Elder Andrews and Elder Klippel, Antwerpen Zone

 Enjoying ontbijt!

 and visiting before we begin.

We had a great two hour training and then it was LUNCH!!

 L to R: Elder van de Graaff, Elder Li, Elder Andrews, 

Elder Klippel, Elder Bickham

 Elder Ellis, Elder Guanuna, Elder van Rij, Elder Schulte

 Look who I found in the kitchen!

Elder van Overbeek and President.  

Thank you for doing the dishes--I appreciate that.  

Note to the mothers of all these wonderful Elders--they all pitched in and helped me serve breakfast and lunch.  Every single one of them came and asked if they could help in some way--some carried dishes, cleared tables, run errands or hauled food from the refrigerator or to the refrigerator. You have raised your sons to be of service.  Thank you.

First of Many--Senior Couples Conference

On August 14, 2012, we held our first Senior Couples Conference 

at the Mission Home.

We met at 10:00 am and had training for the first hour or so and then we opened in up for a council meeting until lunch.  It was wonderful to just talk, visit, and share concern, challenges and miracles.

Left to Right:  Elder and Sister Anjewierden, Elder and Sister Everton,

 Elder and Sister Van Komen, Sister and Elder De Leeuw, 

Elder and Sister Pankratz, President Robinson

 After lunch, the Elders and President enjoyed the chance to visit.

 Sister Pankratz and Sister De Leeuw planning the meal for Zone Conference for Den Haag and Antwerpen Zones.

Sister Everton, Sister Anjewierden, and Sister Van Komen planning for the Rotterdam and Apeldoorn Zone Conference.

President and I love these stalwart couples.  They are the backbone that keeps our mission functioning and running.  They are the unsung heroes of the Belgium Netherlands Mission.  Thank you for what you do, who you are and the load you carry.  We can never express adequately our gratitude for what you do and how you serve!

Training in Frankfurt, Germany

We have a new European Area Presidency.  They began

serving together on August 1, 2012.

 President Jose A. Teixeira

Elder Patrick Kearon, 1st Counselor

                

  Elder Kent F. Richards, 2nd Counselor

    We traveled to Frankfurt on August 10-11, 2012 for our New Mission Presidents' Seminar with the European Area Presidency. We stayed at the Hessischer Hof  for the conference.  It was beautiful, right in Frankfurt, and true German.

Attending were the Area Presidency, the Madrid, Spain MTC Mission President, the Preston, England MTC Mission President, the In Field Representatives, the Medical Missionaries, the Temporal and Legal Affairs for the Area and 

all fifteen new Mission Presidents and companions that 

arrived at their 

field of labor in July.

The outdoor porch for breaks and meals.

Time to get acquainted with the Area team 

that is based in Frankfurt. 

 During breaks it was time to visit with 'old' friends from the 

Provo MTC Mission President Seminar held in June.

Just a personal note.  We love and appreciate Elder Kearon.  We first met him in Elder Quentin L. Cook's office in Salt Lake City on June 21, 2012.  Elder Cook set President Robinson apart as Mission President and Elder Kearon set me apart as a full time missionary and companion to the Mission President.

Elder Kearon has been assigned to tour the Belgium Netherlands Mission on September 5-7, 2012.  We are so very excited to have our dear friend come and meet our dedicated Missionaries and teach and train us so the work can go forward as has been promised to the saints in these two wonderful countries.

President Robinson's Letter to Missionaries

 …VAN VERNUFTIGE MAKELIJ…

(1 Nephi 18:1)

Belgium/Netherlands Mission

AVOID DISTRACTIONS

7 August 2012

Sister Robinson and I have been here for over a month and are greatly impressed with the diligence and obedience demonstrated by each of you which is motivated by love.  

We are all in the purifier’s fire improving from where we now stand. 

In the spirit of focusing on and improving the details, I propose we consider 

avoiding distractions of various kinds when it applies.  I pray that we can keep our edge 

by fine tuning our behavior as we strive to fulfill our commitment for 

excellence in our missionary work.

In Alma 39, Alma chastises his son Corianton who boasted of his own strength and wisdom;

he left the ministry and chased after the harlot Isabel in the land of Siron.  Heaven forbid that any of us does such a thing in the Belgium/Netherlands Mission, 

however, metaphorically speaking, the lesson here is very relevant for us all. 

  Corianton sought after the “lusts” of his eyes.

It would pay for each of us to seriously ask ourselves, “What are the lusts of my eyes?  What is that last vestige of worldliness that occupies too many of my thoughts.  What is it that 

diverts my attention away from “…all my might, mind and strength…?  

It is human nature to want things but too much wanting will divert us from our work.  This is when selfless service must eliminate selfish striving.

Alma said:

“…go no more after the lusts of your eyes…”

“…suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish things… the devil leads away your heart…”

Then interestingly he said, “…counsel with your elder brothers in your undertakings…ye stand in need to be nourished by your brothers.  And give heed to their counsel.”  

Each member of a companionship stands in need to be nourished by the other.  

This not only applies to following the lead of those who have set a good example and gone before, but also to the diligent example you set for those who follow you.

Avoiding distractions is part of the Christ like attribute being diligent.  PMG  p. 121 states,  “Avoid anything that distracts your thoughts or actions.”   Following Christ is an invitation to become more like him.  It will bring the spirit to reside with you.

 The importance of this is no more evident that in President Ezra Taft Benson’s statement:

“The Spirit is the most important single element in this work.  With the Spirit magnifying your call, you can do miracles for the Lord in the mission field.  Without the Spirit, you will never succeed regardless of your talent and ability.”  (PMG p. 174)

We are all set apart missionaries and in the case of Elders, ordained Priesthood holders.  These callings bring with them a duty to act.  As bearers of these callings we are agents to act, not to be acted upon

 (2 Nephi 2:26).  We must not be distracted or sit back and watch as the world unfolds

 before the second coming of the Savior.  We must actively help to prepare the world for his coming through dedicated service we have covenanted to render.

Alma’s statement to Corianton applies to us all,  “…this was no excuse for thee, my son.  Thou shoudest have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted.” (Alma 39:4)

At the end of the day, the ministry to which we have been called is to teach of him who, “…surely shall come to take away the sins of the world...” and to declare unto this people that
“…salvation might come unto them.” (Alma 39:15-16)

I thank each you for the great work you are doing and the efforts you make.  It shows from the results we are experiencing.  It is truly a privilege for Sister Robinson and me to serve with you.

 

Another New Elder

On Wednesday, August 8, 2012, the Belgium Netherlands Mission got another great Elder--Elder Sumter.  Elder Sumter is from Netherlands and three weeks in the MTC in Preston, England.  We are delighted he is here.

Fresh from the MTC in England

Sister Robinson, Elder Sumter, President Robinson

And, of course, off to the Pannekooken Huis.

After the training and 'official' work at the Mission Office, Elder Sumter arrived at the Mission Home.  After a 'home cooked' American meal, Elder Sumter opened his letter telling him of his new assignment and companion.

Elder Sumter will be serving in Brugge, Belgium

 His new companion is Elder Davies

And the best blessing--these two GREAT missionaries will open up the City of
Brugge, Belgium.  We have been told it has been three or four years since full time missionaries have served in Brugge.  The Branch President is overjoyed.  So are the Missionaries!!

Baptism in Antwerpen Zone

Abu Koroma 1 July 2012

Breda

The sisters met Abu Koroma.  Abu comes from Sierra Leonne, and has a ton of faith.  We could tell after the first appointment that he would make great progress.  He told us, "I do not joke around when it comes to God".  He loves to tell people about how he quit smoking.  After we taught Abu about the word of wisdom, Elder Schwartz took his tobacco out of the house.  Abu stopped smoking that day.  He is making great progress in the Gospel, and will be a great member missionary!

                                                                                                

More Baptisms from Apeldoorn Zone

Randy Ling 22 July, 2012

Apeldoorn

Elder Van Rij and Randy

From the very first appointment we had with them. They knew it was true. The spirit was SO STRONG, we really didn't have to commit them to be baptized they were asking us about baptism. They are some of the most humble people I know. They are awesome and God was preparing them their whole life. They were really excited to make a promise with God, and willing to keep this promise for the rest of their lives!

Jack Tao and Leo Tang 1 July, 2012

Apeldoorn

Jack and Leo with the Apeldoorn Yovo’s and Elder Van Rij

Within the first five minutes of our first appointment with Jack and Leo they were Golden. After the opening prayer the spirit was so strong that they were shocked and amazed at how they felt. From there on their faith just grew by leaps and bounds and taking the step of baptism was something that they couldn't wait for.

Ashley Bulder 23 June, 2012

Emmen

Elder Larsen, Ashley Bulder and Elder Armstrong

Ashley Bulder was baptized on the 23rd of June.  She is an awesome 12

year old girl with an impressive knowledge of the gospel.  She is now
preparing for the day that she can go to the temple with the branch!

Rebecca and Alice Ngua 16 June 2012

Arnhem

Elder Stoddard, Rebecca, Alice, Armand holding Jasmine and Elder Davis

Rebecca Ngua is the wife of our most recent convert in Arnhem, Armand. And they are both the proud parents of two daughters, Alice (12 years old) and Jasmine (1 and a half). After Armand was baptized, we asked him if we were able to teach the rest of his family so that they all might eventually be sealed in the temple together. As we started to teach both Rebecca and Alice, they were both reluctant to be baptized and weren't very enthusiastic during the lessons. It made things even harder when Rebecca speaks hardly any Dutch and only French. So, there has been a huge language barrier. Eventually, both President and Sister Brubaker came on joint teach to help with translate in French. Then suddenly, miracles started to happen. Little by little, both Rebecca and Alice opened up more and eventually accepted baptism.  It was a struggle at first, but the Lord has blessed the entire family by opening their hearts to the gospel.

Moesa Lark, 7 july 2012

Amersfoort

Elder Benson, Moesa, Brother Ard winden and Elder Christensen

We found Mousa one day doing a 2-2-5 contact. We went  to go behind and to the 5 part of that process and the first bell we hit was Moesa. He let us in, and having only a few minutes, we gave him a Book of Mormon and scheduled an appointment to give him a church tour the next day. After a few days of contact, we  had  the impression that we needed to go visit him but because of circumstances we couldn't. So as we were biking home we got a call from Moesa and he told us that he had spent the previous 3 days reading in the Book of Mormon and he feels like a new person. He went on to say that there was a new light that came into his life and he loved it! Over the next couple of weeks we taught him what he needed to know and as the process went farther, we were able to help him overcome some issues and he was baptized on the 7th of July by another recent convert that we had taken on joint teach. 

It was great to see the converting power of The Book of Mormon and the testimony that it gave to a man in just a few days of reading it. That truly is an inspired book!