O Fim

Thank you to everyone for the best two years!!  This mission has been awesome.  We have the best missionaries, the best investigators, the best converts, the best members and the best leaders.  We will miss you all, but we have work to do in Angola.  Stay strong, work hard and the Lord can't help but bless your efforts as you help prepare the people of Portugal for a new temple!!  Obrigadissimo!!

Winding Up

We had the final staff meeting.  How we are going to miss the weekly meeting with our wonderful office missionaries!

The Baptism of Daniel

We've been waiting a while for Daniel to get baptized and it finally happened. 

Coimbra Zone Conference

It's hard to believe that the last Zone Conference of the Portugal Porto Mission happened in Coimbra!

Madeira Hike

One last hike to Calderao do Inferno on Madeira. 

The Last Round of Zone Conferences

We've just completed the last three of four zone conferences with the North Zone, Porto Zone, and Madeira Zone.  This week we'll finish up with the Coimbra Zone and the training is over for the Portugal Porto Mission.  Our missionaries are looking forward to many more zone conferences as the Portugal Lisbon Mission!

The Very Last Missionary

Irma Joao arrived from the MTC in Madrid and will forever be remembered as the last official missionary of the Portugal Porto Mission!

Mission Consolidation

Things are moving along for the Porto Mission and the Lisbon Mission to consolidate into one.  There's a lot to be done, but it's going as well as can be expected!

Returned Missionary Visits, Etc.

Many of our missionaries that have gone home are returning to see how the Portugal Porto Mission is doing and to visit members and friends!

Five Departing Elders

These five were the first missionaries we welcomed into the Portugal Porto Mission when we first arrived, and now they are headed home!  Where did the time go?  They return with honor and changed for the better from their experiences here in the mission field.

The Last Missionary To Arrive From The Provo MTC

Little did Elder Ruesch realize, but he would be the last missionary to arrive in the Portugal Porto Mission from the Provo MTC!  We are so glad that he is here, even though he had to do the whole flight all by himself!

The Last Official Transfer of the Portugal Porto Mission

We just finished the last official transfer of the Portugal Porto Mission.  After an extra long transfer - 9 weeks - the next change will take place as the Portugal Lisboa Mission with President Torgan leading our wonderful band of missionaries here in the north, as well as the south of Portugal.

More and more and more and more training!

We do a lot of training, but that is what is making the work move forward - along with our faithful and obedient missionaries!

The Baptisms Keep Coming!

After an all-mission fast and renewed focus, the marked baptisms are way up and the missionaries are seeing more miracles in their work!

Final Round of the Porto Mission Zone Conferences

May has been a very busy month with zone conferences, leadership training and specialized training.  These included inspired trainings from President, the Assistants, the Zone Leaders, and President Xavier and his daughter, Felicia.  It also included learning how to keep our feet in peak condition for the work.  We are grateful for the trainings that make our missionaries more focused teachers of the gospel! 

Lots to do on a mission!

Missionaries are ALWAYS busy as are our mission couples.  Without everyone doing their part, this mission would not run as well as it does.  Thanks to all for doing their part!!  Knocking doors, moving companions, or meeting with our Area Presidency keeps us going strong.

Madeira Training

On Madeira the trainings are always intense since we only have two days to fit it all in.  With the help of the assistants, the missionaries are able to hear and practice just what the missionaries on the continent will be involved in over the coming weeks, from zone conferences and trainings to interviews.

The miracle baptism of Carlos

All baptisms are special, but Carlos finding the church was a true miracle and it has changed his life forever!

Two years of giving their all to the Lord

Time always picks up speed toward the end of the mission and suddenly before you know it it's time to go home and start the next chapter of your life!

Nine more arrive in Porto!

Who would have guessed that the two last groups to arrive would both have 9 new missionaries for the Porto Mission?  These verdinhos are so prepared!!

A first for zone leader council

This is the first time that the zone leaders on Madeira were able to "attend" zone leader council through skype!

Another round of transfers

Every six weeks brings another round of transfers - saying so long to one companion and welcoming another.

April Conference

Conference is a highlight for the missionaries.  Words from our prophets and apostles always give us new energy for the work!

Missionary Fireside in Viseu

With all the practicing we've been doing in trainings, the missionaries put together a fireside in Viseu and let the members practice how to invite their friends to hear about the gospel.

FHE with the McConkies

Every Monday night we are so privileged to study the Book of Mormon with Elder McConkie and then Sister McConkie makes a wonderful dinner!

March Arrivals

Fresh from Madrid and ready to hit the pavement and their knees for miracles in the Portugal Porto Mission!

March Departures

Farewell to Elder Middleton - one of the best!

Training, training, and always training!

Always in training to be a better missionary!

Missionary Moments

Every week brings new and exciting moments in the life of a missionary.  Besides teaching, contacting, eating, sleeping, house checks, and other miscellaneous activities, they constantly "Think Baptism"!

Braga Jovens

The Jovens in Braga are going strong!

February Departures

This was a difficult group to see go.  All of them were good missionaries and served faithfully and diligently!

February Arrivals

We had nine missionaries arrive in February and they couldn't be more prepared and more ready to serve!  We don't know what the MTC is doing now days, but they are sending us some wonderful missionaries!

Mission Consolidation

For those who haven't heard, the two Portugal Missions will be consolidated as of July 1 and be called the Portugal Lisbon Mission.  President Torgan will take over the whole mission and we will find ourselves serving in Angola!

March Mission Council

Zone council day found the weather sunny and clear, so we took advantage of the weather and had lunch outside!

Missionary Moments

Elder Wilson can fix anything!  Even old heaters!!

Training and Zone Conference

 


Every month we have training and every three months we have zone conference.  There are good lessons and activities to help us with the missionary work in Portugal.  We've played tag and practiced extending the baptismal commitment.  Everything we do helps us to be better missionaries and more effective teachers.

Baptisms Realized and in the Future.

 

Every weekend finds the missionaries busy with baptisms, the highlight of their hard work during the week!

The Young Adult Center Has An Open House!

With the McConkies there to provide support, and food, the Young Adult Center in Porto had an official open house for the ward and stake leaders to see their newly renovated facilities.

Fun Times and People in the Porto Mission

 Our office casal, the Wilsons, make the mission run so smoothly.  What did we ever do without them?

The Baptisms Keep Coming!

These are only a few of the new members here in the Portugal Porto Mission.  Things are happening here, and our missionaries are seeing the hand of the Lord in the work and their miracle stories.