This is a continued compilation of excerpts from President’s letters written by missionaries each week during their mission, and by returned missionaries, explaining the joy of “transition.” It is my simple contribution to honor the hope, vision, excitement, tragedy, and resulting “miracles” that accompany “powerful faith,” of such a loyal band of faithful followers of the Lord and His Spirit. Each missionary was asked to write about the F.A.C.T.S. each week. Family, Area, Companionship, Testimony, and Spiritual Experiences. I realized the value of these wonderful experiences to build vision in other missionaries, taught by one of their “own”, that happened in “their” mission field, that previous week or month. Vision has been taught in this way to each other, these past two years.
I have removed many experiences from this booklet because of the sacred nature and “personalness” of the content. For those included, that may cause some slight embarrassment, I hope there will be “no offense”, as many contain “teaching moments” that could not be expressed in any other way, other than in their own words. I have maintained the language as close to how it was written, corrected only for tense, spelling for brevity. For all those who do not have experience included, I also apologize. If the same concept was taught by another, theirs was probably deleted, in the interests of brevity. The first booklet covered our first two years from July 1994 to June 1996. This is the second booklet, which covers our last year from June 1996 to June 1997.
My only hope is that the reader will enjoy these faith promoting experiences as much as when I first read and then typed them on the computer. This is merely a tribute to all those young men and women, whose lives are now firmly established “in Christ”, having been “actively engaged” in selfless service in the kingdom, bringing many other souls “unto Christ.” I love and admire them all, and look forward to viewing their contributions to life, whether they be in business, government, industry, family, or church, all are the same “to the Lord.”
(Signed)
President W. John Bailey
August 23, 1997
A Note from Me…
I thought I would take a moment to explain why I’m adding the contents of this book to my blog.
For one, there are many marvelous spiritual and faith-promoting experiences included in the text. I understand that some parts may be personal or even a little embarrassing to some of the missionaries mentioned. I hope those individuals—and others—can look beyond that and remember that none of us are perfect.
This was an experience shaped by its own time and season, and the events that took place can be difficult to fully understand for those who weren’t there. So, I ask that you be kind and understanding as you read.
I also know that some of my fellow missionaries have since wavered in their faith, and a few have even drifted from the Church. I pray that you are led by the hand of Almighty God to a remembrance of your faith.
Additionally, I realize there weren’t many copies of these books printed. I thought that by sharing it here, those who were never able to get a copy—or may have lost theirs—might be grateful to have access to it.
These were marvelous times, never to be forgotten.
Michael