30 August 2020
It has been six weeks since our last post and felt it was time for an update. About 55 mission presidents and their spouses were delayed getting to their assigned areas. Since the first of July, roughly 35 of those are still waiting. The last we heard, nearly half of all missions in the world are still confined to their apartments and that the work is progressing through digital means.
We are still waiting for the French Government to start allowing the long term, category D visitor visa for those from the United States. We found out this week that they review this every two weeks. There was one new category that showed up this week, so there is a little movement. New Covid cases have been trending down in the US the past few weeks which is a good sign. Hopefully that trend will continue in order to begin the processing of the needed visas. A request has been made to the High Commissioners office in Tahiti to see if they can help us get our visas. If not, then we will just have to wait until the needed visa category is approved for everyone.
In Tahiti, Covid is on the rise. Tourists started coming back in mid July provided that they tested Covid free, three days before leaving for Tahiti. Four days after arrival, another test is taken. Since opening the borders, 16 tourists have been identified as having the virus after the second test and were isolated quickly. According to government reports, no one in the service industry who serviced them has contracted the virus as they must follow protection protocols for their jobs. The locals on the other hand, who have not practiced the recommended protocols have been the ones to spread the virus. Anyone in the outer islands who catches the virus are quickly transported to a safe location in Tahiti to protect the spread from occurring in the outer islands. It appears that Tahiti is not planning to close their borders again as they are strongly encouraging their citizens to practice protective measures. As of today, 465 have been infected and 169 no longer are showing symptoms of the virus. Ten have been hospitalized. Younger people who frequent bars have been the most affected.
Smart phones are currently being introduced into the mission. After the initial training on the use of them, the first step is to get all area books digitally entered. After that, the missionaries will begin to use them in the work, including social media proselyting. At the low, there were 19 missionaries in the mission, now there are about 70. The increase is from Tahitian missionaries being repatriated due to Covid. About a dozen of these missionaries have been using smartphones in their previous mission which will help with getting things started in Tahiti. We do not have a current count, but as of a couple of weeks ago, the mission has had over 60 baptisms since early April. So even with the disruption, the work continues to move forward.
We firmly believe the Lord’s purposes will be fulfilled and many miracles will come from our current experiences. In a future day, church history will look back on us being pioneers in our own right, ushering in the digital age of bringing the gospel out of obscurity. Missionaries have gone forth, been called home, reassigned and sent out again. Many missionaries currently in the field will have had the experience of serving under three or even four mission presidents. It will reshape their future, much like those in the Mormon Batallion. We look so forward to doing our part and look forward to working with these incredible spirits that have been sent into the work at this time.
With next week being fast Sunday, it would be very appropriate to include those currently or preparing to serve in Tahiti in your thoughts and prayers. Something else to include would be that this pandemic, at home and abroad, might abate so that missionaries can be sent unhindered to their assigned areas.
We pray for you and your families.
President and Sister Banner