Wednesday, September 17, 2008

"UPDATE ON BRAD"!!!

After days of waiting and endless worry the wait finally ended yesterday afternoon around 5pm. He called to let everyone know that he was in Peru and that he didn't know how bad the situation was until they were out. He knew something was wrong when they were told to go around in regular clothes. Then he said that when the evacuation happened it was at night and they didn't even have a chance to say good bye to the people that he had grown to love. They were transported to a place where they were waiting to get their passports but to wait was for nothing. They had been holding the missionaries passports in Santa Cruz and that night is got bombed and 20 missionaries lost their passports including Brad. 102 Missionaries were stuck without a way to get out and from what we gathered they had to bribe the people in the airports to let these boys leave the country. Brad said that they paid $300 for him to leave. Next they all landed in Peru to be greeted by President Nash of the 70 where he explained to them what was going on and that they were all getting new callings. They told them that they were all staying in Peru for the North, South, East, or West Mission. Brad really believes that he is going to return to Bolivia before his mission is over and really want to see the people that he loves. The one thing that broke my heart was hearing that he was getting ready to attend they baptism of a little boy whom at the beginning of his mission Brad baptised his dad, and now that man was getting ready to baptise his own son. That would bum me out too because that was going to happen this week. We are going to hear from him again soon to find out where he is going to reassigned so I will let you know. Thanks to all the prayers from everyone.

4 Comments:

  1. Anonymous said...
    Lyndsey, I'm so happy to hear about Brad and that all the missionaries are safely out of Bolivia. As I mentioned earlier "our missionary" was sent there in 1987. This boy was our oldest daughter, Kaci's, boyfriend and we loved him like he was our own child. Now that Brad is safely relocated in Peru, I will tell you that Ron died while in Bolivia on his mission. Ron was the Assistant to the President at the time of his death, the missionaries had been instructed to wear their regular clothes, no white shirts and ties, etc. In May of 1989, two missionaries were shot to death on the porch of their apartment, Ron was their Zone Leader and he called us that night to tell us he was OK. Shortly after that, Ron was made AP and he and his companion and the 16 year old son of the mission president were travelling to a neighboring town and they were run off the road on purpose and Ron was killed, this was July 23, 1989. They closed the mission to American missionaries for a time after that and we thought things were better now, I'm so sad to hear there is more trouble. I'm sure the missionaries will be safe in Peru, the Church does a wonderful job of protecting them and I am so grateful for that. Was Brad in the La Paz or Cochabomba mission? Ron was in La Paz and we have a very good friend who was the mission president in Cochabomba at the time of Ron's death (Pres. Hammond), he has told us a lot about how things were back then, a scary time. Once again, I'm so happy about Brad, we will continue to pray for his safety and the safety of all missionaries.
    URFAVE 5+A Few said...
    I'm so glad to hear that Brad is safe and sound. That is very scary.
    Gena said...
    We pray for the missionaries every day and not just because Chris is out there. I was so happy to read the news that Brad is okay. I don't know what could happen to Chris in New Hampshire except freezing to death. What a scary time for you guys!

    I love you, toots!
    Nikki said...
    I am so glad Brad is A ok. E-mail me your contact info. nicholebillingsley@cox.net

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