Matthew Has Arrived In Santiago, Dominican Republic

LA IGLESIA DE

JESUCRISTO

DE LOS SANTOS

DE LOS ÚLTIMOS DÍAS

September 23, 2010
Dale and Marti Smith

Dear Brother and Sister Smith,

Just a note to let you know that your son arrived safely in the Dominican Republic Santiago Mission. We are pleased to have him with us. His trainer is Elder Stalyn De La Cruz from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He is an excellent missionary and will take good care of your son.

We appreciate so much the enthusiasm and desire your son has to serve his fellow man. Likely never again will he have the opportunity to serve with the vitality and energy of youth, donating 100% of his time to the Lord. We ask you to help him cherish his mission – to work hard, to fight discouragement, and to love his companion and the people he is serving.

Please do not worry about him. He is in the Lord's hands, but he will need your encouragement and support for he will experience many trials that will strengthen and profit him eternally. Weekly letters are very important in maintaining a missionary’s enthusiasm. We would request that your letters to him be uplifting, spiritually edifying, and mission-centered. Please keep him free of unnecessary worry about home and family. Details of every little problem or challenge at home are an unneeded burden for a missionary trying to devote himself fully to his Lord and Savior.

We know that you can help him give himself fully to the work through your inspiring letters and words of encouragement. We will do everything we can to help ensure that your son serves a successful mission. We thank you for having the faith to entrust him to us and, more especially, to the Lord. May the Lord bless you.

Sincerely,

Miguel A. Lee

Mission President

Here is part of a note sent by the Mission Secretary asking for some contact information, this is just the last part of the letter:


It’s always nice having Texans come into the mission. My husband and I are from Dallas, Texas, but my family grew up in the Houston area. My dad was a stake president and regional rep there years ago in the Houston Stake. I also had a brother and his wife live in the Katy stake several years ago too. So we love Houston…

By the way, your son’s name is Matthew Robert Smith. We have only one other Smith in the mission, and his name is Robert Matthew Smith. Quite a coincidence, huh? Anyway, the other Elder Smith goes by Elder Robert Smith, and your son has informed us that he goes by Matt. So if you could have family and friends address his letters to Elder Matt Smith, there won’t be any confusion by putting a “Robert” in the name. We would like your son to get ALL his mail.

If you have any questions I can answer for you, you can email me. I’m in the office very day M-F, and should be able to get right back with you.

Hermana Jann Powell
Secretaria de la Misión
Misión Republica Dominicana Santiago
Plaza Alejo 2-B
Av. Estrella Sadhalá
Santiago, Rep. Dom.
2012170@ldschurch.org
Tel: (809) 241-1145
Fax: (809) 241-1115

I share this with you for two reasons.
1. How funny that there is a Robert Matthew Smith
2. To use Elder Matt Smith when sending mail to make sure he gets it and not Elder Robert!