One strike and we are out....

The Colombia Coffee Grower's Strike

has adversely affected missionary transfers in the Cali mission.

Apparently NO buses can get from our southern cities to Cali,

and we wouldn't put the missionaries at risk trying to get through the rioting.

So we are on hold...it only took one strike to take out transfers!

BUT...the planes did take off and land.

After a farewell dinner and testimony meeting on Sunday night...

The gringos (ties courtesy of our talented Elder Dyas)

Elders Stutz, President, and Elder Dyas

The Peruanos

Elders Allauja, Solórzano, Vilchez, Loro, Rivera, and Yapura

Monday morning we sent home 8 wonderful missionaries

From President Prince's arms to his momma's arms in SLC, UT!

(it isn't often that we get the returning photos...how fun!)

AND after 3 trips to the airport on Tuesday...

We finally received 8 new missionaries!

WELCOME 

Hermana Flores and Hermana Gonzalez

Elders Mancilla, Campos, Gil, Jones, Vaca, and Medina

The kitchen was open ALL day with missionaries coming and going...

Breakfast

 Lunch

Exhaustion...!

If you don't keep laughing, you are bound to cry after a day like today!

There is Beauty all around...

The flowers in Colombia are beautiful!

Saturday and Sunday we attended the 

VILLA COLOMBIA STAKE CONFERENCE

 Elder Fabian Vallejo, an area 70 presided at the meeting

President and Sister Wakefield came over from the Bogota Temple

 With Francia Perez...looking pretty in pink!

 Elders Whitney and Bautista with their investigators who attended the conference!

 Future Missionaries!

One last picture with Leslie before she heads off to Chile on her mission!

We love meeting with the Saints in Colombia...

There is truly Beauty all Around when we are surrounded by good friends!

More February Zone Conferences

Third Stop - Villa Colombia and Calima Zones

Calima Zone

Villa Colombia Zone

 "Minute to Teach it" winners:  Hermanas Chacón y Galán

Conferencing...

Elder Darley with Elder Packard

 The Kitchen Crew....Thank you!! Thank you!!!

LUNCH TIME!!!!

Love this Zone Leader....Elder Hidalgo serving dessert!!

SISTERS!!!
 Hermanas Guzman, Mendoza, and Medina

Birthdays and Cookies!!!!
(missionaries with birthdays in Dec, Jan, and Feb!)

Thumbs up to a great zone conference...Elder Ruiz!!

Final Stop - Pasto and Ipiales
It is always complicated getting to Pasto...but we arrived
Love these faithful missionaries who are serving so far away from Cali!

Pasto Zone

 Ipiales Zone

New Captain Moroni's - Elders Alvarez and LaBar

 "Minute to Teach it"

 and the winners are....

Elders Rocha and Camacho!!!

BIRTHDAYS and Cookies!!

Setting Goals...zone goals on the left...entire mission on the right...impressive!

SISTERS!!!
Hermanas Rapalo and Villacis

Behind the scenes...
there is more to getting zone pictures than you realize
(and then sometimes you can't see everyone on the back row!)
But we all try!

LOVE...all these missionaries
LOVE...visiting with them at the conferences
LOVE...when we finish at the end of the week!! :)