February 19, 2010

February Departures

A big group of missionaries left us in February.  Sister Beckett was our lone Irma.  All 9 of our elders who left were all great leaders in the mission serving as either district leaders, zone leaders, or assistants.  We will miss them so much in our Porto family.

February Arrival

During the transfer cycle of February, we had one lone elder arrive from the MTC, Elder Crowther. 

Excitement of Transfers

Every six weeks there is always the excitement of transfers and what changes it will bring into the lives of our missionaries.  Usually we have a huge transfer board to move missionaries around, but now we can do it on the computer. 

Ermesinde District

Once or twice a month President and Sister Walton  visit a district meeting and get to see just how well our missionaries are doing.  This week we saw the Elder's in Ermesinde in action!

Madeira District



President Walton called a new District Presidency on the island of Madeira, so we were able to have a fun trip to the island without the responsibility of zone conference.  He was also able to arrange their first ever live broadcast from Salt Lake City.  Now the members on the island will be able to see General Conference live!

February 1, 2010

Coimbra Zone Conference in January





The Zone Conference in Coimbra was a really good one.  With training from the Assistants to the Presdient, President Walton and President Xavier, the missionaries got some great helps for being productive and effective missionaries!

Porto Zone Conference in January

This is the last zone conference in the Porto area that will include 4 of our 7 zones.  Next month we will be having the North Zone with Braga and Maia, the Porto Zone with Porto and Gaia, and the Coimbra Zone with Coimbra and Viseu.  Should be interesting, but more manageable and with more time for one on one instruction.

Madeira January Zone Conference




Zone Conference on Madeira is always a fun and instructional event.  Since Irma Walton was in the United States for the funeral of President Walton's mother, Elder Charon (one of the Assistants to the President) was able to accompany President Walton.  It was his first and last time on the island.

Departing Missionaries in January





In January we had mid-transfer departures when Elders Bowen and Johnston left us to pursue their educational pursuits.  Sadly they will be missed in the Porto Mission!

Recent Baptisms

Our marked baptisms are way up.  These are two of the baptisms that President and Irma Walton attended, one in Povoa and one in Porto 2.  If any of the missionaries take photo's at the many baptisms we will be having, send them to Irma Walton and she'll post them on our blog!