Dear Parents,
As of noon today, all missionaries remain accounted for and doing well in their member safe homes. Some isolated power outages have occurred but none appear to have been too long lasting.
In the northernmost part of the mission (Roxboro, South Boston, Henderson) we are allowing the missionaries to return to their apartments today.
Missionaries who are assigned to areas and stakes north of Sanford (just below Raleigh) will likely return to their apartments tomorrow. Missionaries who are assigned to areas and stakes south and west of Sanford, virtually all of whom are currently relocated, will likely move in with companionships spread around the greater Raleigh area (Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Cary, Wake Forest, etc.) of the mission. It is impossible to tell how long this arrangement will need to last. The fact is, it will vary area by area. It will undoubtedly last longest for our missionaries who were serving along the coast in the Wilmington zone. We do not know enough at this time to know when we can even get into Wilmington to collect the rest of the missionaries’ belongings. I hope by early next week the picture will be clearer. Meanwhile, we are making sure that these relocated missionaries will have beds and bedding, as well as work clothes, or other things they need, during this time of transition.
As I mentioned earlier, one of the great opportunities our missionaries now have is to engage in service helping to clean up damaged areas. Some of this will start as early as tomorrow where many wards are only meeting for one hour in order to go out and take care of any member homes or neighborhoods in need. We are giving training to the missionaries and the members about how to keep the missionaries completely safe as they do so. There are many things members can do that we will not allow missionaries to do (e.g.:use power tools, be up on roofs, climb trees, etc.). These will be wonderful moments of “pure religion” (James 1:27) in action that I know will bless many people, including the missionaries themselves.
As you worship this Sunday in your various destinations around the world, I hope you will join me with added thoughts and expressions of gratitude to heaven for a multitude of miracles and charitable efforts that have kept our missionaries safe. Watching the merciful hand of the Lord, the power of priesthood organization, and the virtue of gospel principles, operate here has been an absolute inspiration.
Faithfully,
President Holland
North Carolina Raleigh Mission
