You may think that Australia is full of the wallabies and kangaroos, but there is quite a diverse group of people that live in the Brisbane area, which makes it such a unique to serve and live in. Over the weekend President and Sister McSwain were invited to attend a baptism down in the Logan Tongan branch. In typical Tongan fashion they were made guests of honour and enjoyed a spiritually charged baptism and a wonderful cultural evening. Malo!
Two pigs, is it enough?
The McSwains as guests of honour with the priesthood leaders of the Logan Tongan branch, with Elders Tenney and Hausia
Golden Rays of Sunshine arrive in the Sunshine State!
Welcome Goldens September 2016
As the primary song sings "On aGOLDENspring time..." new missionaries entered the field! As a Queensland winter rolls over into spring the ABM welcomes in new batch of missionaries alive and aglow with their testimony of our Saviour. They come from all walks of life and after this most recent intake of missionaries, the ABM has a missionary serving from every continent making the ABM truly a global family.
Sister 'Aloua trained by Sister Tuatonga
Sister Butler trained by Sister Galang
Sister Day trained by Sister Enero
Sister Salu trained by Sister Custan
Sister Sau trained by Sister Kanwid
Sister Sawatdeenaruemol trained by Sister Malau
Sister Tamanivalu trained by Sister Esekielu
Sister Tavivongpaiboon Trained by Sister Gale
Sister Costa trained by Sister Alldredge
Elder Cahoon trained by Elder Cadiang (not pictured)
The north is a tough place to serve. You are far away from the mission, it is hot, and the lifestyle of those up there make it a difficult place to share the gospel, but that doesn't stop miracles from happening. These precious souls entered the waters of baptism and have been blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost! Miracles still abound!
Record for farthest trade off goes to Elder Mthabela, Elder King and Elder Soakai. From Townsville to Mt. Isa!
18 months to 2 years is a long time to be away from home. Yet as Jacob states so poetically, "The time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream..." (Jacob 7:26). These elders and sisters will be missed but they have far grander adventures to attend to. The ABM wishes them good luck and pray they will take with them the mighty change of a life time.
They do not happen very often but when they do, they really happen. Because of the large amounts of new sister missionaries in the mission, a special sisters conference was called to teach and train the sisters on how to become, as President Nelson taught, "Covenant Keeping Women." Though there were many laughs and smiles, there was also true doctrine taught. Overall it was a spectacular opportunity for all to be uplifted and encouraged as they go back into the field.
The sisters of the ABM
President McSwain presided over the conference and taught powerfully the doctrine of Christ
The Goodna Region
The North Pine Region
The Pacific Pines Region
Once a sister, always a sister
Sister McSwain (center) with the Sister Training Leaders of the Mission. (Sisters Grawrock and Campbell-purple, Sisters Kunz and Evans-white/pink Sisters Bowen and Whatcott-bright pink, Sisters Fakatava and Sweet-yellow)
This august was truly a harvest, not only of souls but also of missionaries! We welcomed in 17 new missionaries. The mission is pumping with young blood and ready to learn and serve.
