Last Goodbyes to 24 Missionaries

Here is a message from my dad about the missionaries leaving this past month:

"Finally, in the month of June we were able to assist our extended missionaries to return home.  Our missionaries had to be classified as "locally stranded individuals" (LSI).  This is an official government designation to allow Filipinos who are stranded around the country to return home.  The first group to leave were those who could return home by van or bus.  Some of these were picked up by their families.  Most of our missionaries had to wait until domestic air travel opened back throughout the Philippines.  We sent a total of 24 missionaries home in 7 different groups as their destinations opened up.  Of the 24 who left us, 17 had to quarantined upon arrival in their hometown or province.  Many of the quarantine facilities are converted schools or other government facilities and are not pleasant.  We have worried about our missionaries in these circumstances.  We had been so grateful for the sacrifices of these faithful missionaries.  Many of them ended up staying an extra 2-3 months." 

Pictures from my mom:

"This missionary was the first to leave with the help of his family.  We were not able to say goodbye to him because he left directly from Baguio City."

"Our second group's parents drove to the mission to pick them up."

"Our third group was picked up and driven home by a Stake President."

"This missionary's family was able to come and pick him up."

"Our fifth group was picked up by church vans and returned home."

"Our sixth group had to wait for domestic flights."

"Our seventh and last group also returned home on domestic flights."

"This is Elder Sifuentes.  He is our longest serving missionary.  He served 27 months!  He worked hard every day until the very end."

"We appreciate all that Elder Raccines has done for the Baguio mission.  He was one of our Assistants and we will miss his love and dedication to us and our mission!"