Texas Dallas Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the following statement about the transfer of all of its missionaries out of Nicaragua:

In light of continued violence and deteriorating conditions in Nicaragua, the Church has decided to transfer the remaining 158 missionaries out of that country. Those missionaries are being moved to temporary assignments in North America, South America, the Caribbean and New Zealand. Most of these missionaries have already left the country. All others awaiting travel are in a safe location and will arrive in their new assignments in the next several days.

As part of this move, the Nicaragua Managua South Mission president and his young family have left the country and returned home. The Nicaragua Managua North Mission president and his companion will remain in Nicaragua for the time being to take care of some ecclesiastical responsibilities over local Church members.

The Church will continue to monitor developments in Nicaragua and make a decision in the future regarding the eventual return of missionaries. In the meantime, we pray for peace and stability for all who live there during this uncertain time.

Elder Watts has been reassigned to the Texas Dallas Mission.  He was able to call us on Sunday after arriving in Texas.  He sounded good.  He is kind of in limbo right now while the mission awaits the arrival of 11 missionaries from the Nicaragua Managua North mission.  They will temporarily be placed in threesomes until the mission has their scheduled transfers next week.  Here are a few of his comments from today:

One of the victims of the Mother's day Massacre was a member of our ward. We would've gone to his funeral if we didn't have to pack and get to the airport. (A little background if you haven't already read about this: Wednesday, May 30th, was Mother's Day in Nicaragua. There was a peaceful march to honor the mothers of the victims who have died in the recent violence. The police (or other government supporters) open-fired on the marchers, killing 16 and injuring 88 others). 

I'm super excited to be in Dallas. It should be great! The mission culture here seems to be just as different from my last mission culture, as the general cultures are different. It's like starting all over at zero, but it should be alright. This mission will soon loose 2 stakes on the Fort Worth side, and pick up a massive stake that was once part of the Jacksonville Mississippi mission, and will receive over 20 new missionaries and send off only 12. With the 12 Nicaraguans, the mission will be receiving close to 40 new missionaries. It's great.

For now, I'm hanging out with the AP's in a town called Frisco. They just had to put me in the wealthiest area in the mission, which has just shocked me with the difference from Nicaragua. Today and tomorrow should be when the North missionaries should be arriving. I have to speak English which is killing me, but I might be moved again before changes next week, but no one really knows.

A kind member in Texas texted this picture to me :)