At the airport as they all arrived very tired from the MTC but were happy and upbeat. We can tell they will be a great addition to the mission.
The next morning we divided into two groups: English speaking and Japanese speaking. One group went to the office for training there (bikes, finances, safety, etc) and one group stayed at the Mission Home to E-mail their parents and have their interview with the President. Elder Ikeda in the center, our new AP, stayed with me to translate.
We are thrilled to get Sis Collins finally. She was to come in December but was diagnosed with Diabetes and was released from her mission in the MTC. She is a trooper and is determined to be able take care of herself in Japan and was finally assigned to the Sendai Mission again.
The new missionaries were finally introduced to their trainers and are ready for some training from President Rasmussen before leaving for their new area. This is such an exciting time!!
Elder Ikeda standing in the back. His first assignment as an Assistant to the President.
Elder Takeshita (left) with his trainer Elder Everett. They will serve in Joetsu.
Elder Takeshita from Tochigi, Japan
Sister Collins (R) with her trainer Sister Chikamori. They will serve in Kamisugi.
Sis Collins from Alpine, UT.
Elder Kim (R) with his trainer Elder Robbins. They will serve in Izumi.
Elder Kim from Santa Clarita, CA.
Elder Uchida (R) and his trainer Elder Cannon. They will serve inNagaoka.
Elder Uchida from Saitama, Japan
Elder Miyaki and his trainer Elder Dick. They will serve in Yokote.
Elder Miyaki is from Ishikawa, Japan.
Elder Takase and his trainer Elder Mizoguchi. They will serve in Ichinoseki.
Elder Takase is from Tokyo, Japan
Elder Okada (R) and his trainer Elder Lay. They will serve in Yamagata.
Elder Okada is from Shiga, Japan.
Elder Brown (l) and his trainer Elder Bigger. They will serve in Tsuruoka.
Elder Brown is from Western Australia.
The entire group before leaving for their new areas. Wow!! What a blessing they will be to the Sendai Mission!
The patio was filled with new bikes ready for Sagawa to ship them to the new missionaries in their new area. Gary talking with Elder Ohira one last time before he leaves for his new area after serving as an AP for 3 transfers. He will surely be missed.
A typical view of our genkan full of shoes.
Missionaries love each other from the very beginning. What a wonderful gift they have!!
Elder Ellis will return home to Heber City, Utah
Elder Guevara will return home to Las Vegas, NV.
Elder Aiura will return home to Fukuoka, Japan
Elder Lundell will return home to--hum--his grandma's house near Provo. His family moved recently to Florida.
Elder Yamatani will return home to Tokyo, Japan.
Elder Yuasa will return home to Saitama, Japan.
Elder Ovard will return home to Santa Clara, UT.
Elder Kaneshiro will return home to Fullerton, CA.
Time for Sukiyaki Dinner.
Members came to say goodby after dinner.
Sister Kumigai who returned home from her mission several months ago came back to say goodby and announce that she is engaged.
Post dinner pictures.
Elder Juchau and Elder Ovard.
Sis. Kumigai and Elder Ellis and Lundell.
Newly engaged couple!! So happy for them.
Loading up to go to the airport.
One more group picture at the airport. We love you all and will miss you tremendously.
Our handsome Mission President!!
Going upstairs at the airport to check in.
President and Elder Yamatani
President and Elder Aiura.
President and Elder Yuasa.
Our fearless and very helpful APs, Elder Juchau and Ikeda waiting at the airport with President Rasmussen and Elder Yamatani.
Elder Lundell had one last goodby from his investigator at the airport.
Goodby Elder Guevara and Kaneshiro.
We came back to our home where Elder Yuasa's parents came to pick him up. His mom was a missionary in Sendai 33 years ago. His Father served in Sapporo.
