Greetings!
We are grateful to be here serving among so many good people. We understand that life ever marches on and some of you, our family and friends, are struggling. We pray for you and hope you have the peace of the Lord to comfort, help, and guide you.
Serving in the Dental Clinic has given me opportunities to associate with the new missionaries. This past group of missionaries that entered the MTC was amazing. They came from Tonga, Mongolia, Indonesia, Cambodia,Thailand, and China as well as all over the Philippines. Some wonderful translators came with small groups from different countries. I didn't know how the different languages worked here but I'm learning. The missionaries from China, Thailand and Cambodia, etc, are usually called to return to their home country to serve their missions. They arrive here from their countries in small groups (2-5 missionaries) with a translator. The translator lives in their country and when they have a group coming to the MTC, the translator will travel to the Philippines with them. The translator stays with them for the 2 1/2 weeks they are here then travels back to their home country with them. I am amazed at how well it all works and at how wonderful the translators are. I had an opportunity to have a conversation with the translator from Cambodia, Sister Chin. She speaks great English. She is so kind and capable. Each of the translators has such a loving spirit about them and what a blessing they are to these missionaries. They even come to the Dental Clinic to explain what will be happening to the missionaries when they have appointments. This really helps to calm the missionary if they are nervous or don't understand what will be happening. I can only imagine what it would be like to come from one of these countries, not understand the language, and be ushered to a dental chair. We are so very grateful to associate with these humble, brave missionaries who just come and do what they are asked. It's good they get an explanation of what the Dental Clinic is about and that together with their group, they figure out that the dentists are really trying to help them, so they come. It is an honor to be here with them and feel of their strength to face so many unknowns so that they can serve the Lord on their missions.
These wonderful missionaries from so many countries give new meaning to the words," I will go I will do...I know the Lord provides a way". I know the Lord will provide ways for us to accomplish not only His work but all the work we need to do. There is comfort and peace about all the unknowns found in so many scriptures.
One of our favorites is D&C 84:88:"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." We rely on this promise so much as we venture into unknown places and situations.
I don't always remember to ask Elder Tucker to add in his thoughts to our email but I remembered this time. His letter follows:
The scope of our mission assignment has not changed but it seems we are expanding our duties to assist in other ways. Karen and I were asked to go train a group of teachers in a stake nearby (that’s a relative term here) 😉 as part of the stake’s effort to get teaching onto a higher plateau. There were 70 individuals who came to learn and improve their skills. We had been given about two months notice to prepare so we were really ready and had a wonderful experience. The benefit of doing this is that there has been a lot of talk and we’ve now been asked by another stake to come do a similar training for them. Most who are reading this know that teaching is in my veins so this is exciting for me. Any way that we can bless the lives of the Philippine people is something that we cherish.
Our traveling is picking up again as we head into a new travel time… we’ve been away for two consecutive weekends and will do so again this coming Saturday as well. We hear often that we should take a Monday off to make up for the weekends we work but I remind everyone that we’re volunteers, non-paid and having a day off in a luxury. If needed we’ll take a day but we’re here to work and that’s what we do.
I am reminded again and again of the tender mercies of God to us and those we love. I absolutely know that our loved ones are being blessed because of our service. I also know that God is aware of each of us and will bless us as we serve others. It’s His plan. We love you. We miss you, but we would not be anywhere else right now. It’s an honor to be serving full-time. Until next time…
Love,
The Tuckers
I've included pictures of the Cambodian missionaries. and a couple of the temple. The temple has been closed for renovations for 4 months and opened again May 1. We were so excited to see people on the temple grounds again. The black and white picture was taken by a friend.
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