On the 10th a conference for the Vaal, Benoni and Bedfordview zones was held in the Bedfordview chapel. Since Mary was recovering from a bought of stomach problems I hitched a ride with elders Perez and Lohmann. The Zone conference centered on more effective finding and how to work more closely with the ward or branch where they served. I missed the first hour because the senior elders do car inspections at ZC to find out if the elders are keeping up their vehicles. Most of them do a pretty good job but some just do not get the fact that they are responsible for the Lord’s vehicle. Not even when they know that their car is going to be inspected gets them to make sure they are clean and neat.
Since President Dunn is an expert on media, the visuals are always well done. There were three training sessions. This is elder Stephens teaching the Vaal zone.
Pres Dunn’s presentation was on how to work more closely with the branch or ward to help more missionary work along. After the presentations it was time for lunch. Everything was good but the rolls and cookies were outstanding.
While the missionaries were eating president and sister Dunn walked around talking to them and taking pictures. Then they took the opportunity to enjoy the lasagna, salad, rolls and some of the best cookies I have ever had. Sisters Hansen and Thompson – she was surprise as I took the picture – did yeowoman service in seeing that everyone was fed and then the mess was cleaned up.
After the meeting the missionaries played a game that was somewhat like Battleship. There was a curtain between the two teams and if you were hit by the ball thrown by the other team you were out. Then it was time to leave but everyone had to have a last conversation to catch up with what was going on with old companions and friends. Sister Dummer is about to walk by elder Perez.
The final part of the conference was the zone pictures. Bedfordview zone on the left and Benoni on the right. Since some elders like to get their picture taken they manage to show up in more than one.
Two pictures of the Vaal zone one with elder Perez doing his thing and me helping him, and one for the family album.
I finally got to meet the Allreds. We have been sending emails back and forth for months as they prepared to come to the mission. I tried to help answer their questions about what to bring and what they could expect to find here. They are going to be a powerful influence on the new cluster they will be working with. The final picture is elders Perez and Johnson. I kidded elder Johnson that it seems like he is always at the same meetings as  I am. I think that every transfer and zone meeting that we have attended he has been there and I have taken his picture.
So ends Zone Conference for another 12 weeks or so. The next one may be an All Zone Conference for Christmas!
Brother Pier and Sister Pier, I thank you so much for your blog. I am Elder Compton’s mother. He is not much for taking pictures and it has been a joy to find the pictures of him and his companions as well as the other missionaries. It gives me a little glimpse into the missionary life there. Thankyou for being so good to my missionary. Sister Compton
We are glad you enjoy our blog and the pictures of the missionaries. We have found over our missions that there are many missionaries who are not very good about sending pictures. However I would not be surprised that he will bring home a camera full of them with many of them being funny ones with his companions and other missionaries. Your son was district leader when we first arrived in the mission and we had the pleasure of serving with him for a couple of months. Obviously the mission presidents have felt that he is a outstanding missionary as he has trained other missionaries. They are very careful about who they let train because it sets the tone for the rest of the new missionary’s service.
I am Elder Johnson’s mother and I too, am so thankful that you have included pictures of him. I loved reading your blog and learning more about what goes on. Thank you so much! It really did make my day!
We are always happy to find that parents of the missionaries have found our blog and some pictures of their sons. As i mentioned we have not yet had the pleasure of serving in the same district or even zone as your son, what opportunities we have had to meet and talk with him has always been uplifting. According to those who we have served with and know him he is an excellent and spiritual missionary that you can be proud of.