One Baptism, One Homecoming

Sometimes, when a missionary finishes his mission and goes home,  his home branch will plan a homecoming party for him.  The tiny satellite branch of Riga 1st,  located in Jelgava, (about 45 min. south of Riga) had one of their members coming home from  his mission in Samara, Russia.  At the same time, Artures, the young man who attended our YSA mini-conference wanted to get baptized. The most logical thing is to have both events at the same time....and that is what we did the first Saturday in March (2013).

 We met Verners, the RM (returned missionary),  the first Sunday he was home in Jelgava. He is a quiet and humble young man. We found out he was having a hard time adjusting to his post-missionary life.  He lives with his mother in very humble circumstances....in a small home with no electricity or running water.  Many of the Europe East Saints improve their lifestyle considerably by going on missions. They get used to a higher standard of living and they struggle coming home and not knowing what they should do with the rest of their lives.  They face the pressures of school, work, and family issues that they didn't have on their missions and they have to learn to deal with those problems all over again.

Artures (Arthur) is also from Jelgava, and, after being taught about the Church by the missionaries, wanted to get baptized.  What a tender mercy from the Lord that Verners came home from his mission at that same time.  They can strengthen each other.
Jelgava is such a small branch (15 people?) that to have another young man in it,  is truly a blessing for Artures.  And so Verners was asked to perform Artures baptism.

Elders Bird, Christenson, Verners, Artures, Elders Cook and Davidson.

Below,  is a really bad picture of Artures AND Sister Davis but the only one we have of him after his baptism. Artures not only got flowers at his baptism but also chocolate candy, cards and a journal and new pen.

Elder Gingerich and Elder Bland

                     Elder Massey





We have seen this young missionary really blossom since he first came out. Elder Keller is still a little shy, but he seems to have fully adjusted to the rigors of missionary work and goes about with a smile on his face now.

Some missionaries have a harder time adjusting to the total change in their environment, that missionary work requires.  Sister Davis didn't get over her feelings of "being a fish out of water" for 6 months or more.  Most every missionary adjusts to the new life they are living and they come to the realization, the work they do is of far greater importance than what they ever imagined....

Elder Baxter, Kristaps (his baptism is next week) and Elder Bergeson

Elder Morgan will soon be leaving us...how sad. He brings such a happy spirit into the room wherever he is. We have one more zone conference with him.

Sister Lubberink (Holland), Elder Mickelson, Sister Kerksiek

Elder Gingerich with Elder Takasaki.  They were teaching a free English class after the baptism. Teaching English is a way for the missionaries to serve the Latvian people. The classes are free to anyone who is willing to come and participate.

After the baptism was over, it was time for the Missionary Homecoming....  

Welcome Home Verners!

We gathered all those who wanted to celebrate into a separate room, had lots of snacks and cupcakes and played a game called
What can you do to help Verners?

Linda Cekule (below, orange shirt) helped organize this little party. The game was her idea and it was a good one. On little slips of paper, she wrote reasons we came to the homecoming party for Verners.

Each person chose one slip of paper and then had to read it to the rest of the group.  We read things like: "I came to see Verners to day to show off my shoes"....and then you had to do that.  "I came to see Verners to teach him how to drive".   "I came to see Verners so I wouldn't have to wash my dishes at home"....

There were  serious and funny things and we all had a good laugh at why people came to Verners homecoming.  Even little Emily Cekule enjoyed herself!



One of reasons we had this homecoming was to collect some money for Verners since he had no money and no job.  The senior missionaries chipped in a bit  of cash and put it in a card which we all signed.

Then we gathered for a group picture before "pigging out" on the refreshments. Wait! Who is not looking at the camera? Rick (from Holland) is reading the Latvian welcome home sign...turn around Rick!

Left to Right:

Christina & her little sister, Artures, Elina, Alex, Dainis,Rick, Verners, Kristaps, Agneta, Linda, Ritvars, Ritvars mom with Emily, ?, ?, Aivars,  Sister Davis, Aleksejs, Elder Davis, Sister Millet, Elder Millet

 

Verners and his many friends!