Missionari di Ottobre

What a wonderful time of year in Italy!  The days are getting shorter and cooler, but the enthusiasm for missionary work is going strong!  We were excited to receive sixteen new missionaries including two couples.  We are grateful for them and the dedication of their time to the Lord's work.

The first Anziano came in at Malpensa on Tuesday  morning

The second Anziano came in at Malpensa Airport in the afternoon on Tuesday

President Dibb and his assistants waiting at the Malpensa Airport

The third Anziano came by early Wednesday morning by train

The first three Sorelle came into the Linate Airport early Wednesday afternoon

Reunion at the airport

The fourth Sorella came in early evening at Linate Airport

And the fifth Sorella at Linate in the evening

One of the late arrival group

The final group of Anziani and Sorelle at the Linate Airport

Straight to the dinner table after the last group finally arrived

A better view of the Anziani

The day after arrival, the Trainers are being trained before their Trainees enter the room at Cimiano Chapel

Trainer telling about his assigned area and waiting for his Trainee to be announced

Trainee is announced and is quite a bit taller than Trainer

Sorelle on their way to a hug

After all the Trainees have been announced

Two companionships at a time

Trainers and Trainees singing together anticipating who will leave with whom

Three companionships being announced at a time

The missionaries who arrived in October at the new missionary training pictured with President and Sister Dibb

All of the young new missionaries and their trainers

The new missionaries being trained by the Assistants

The new missionaries being trained by President Dibb

President Dibb making a point

Discussion at the new missionary training

The new couple, arriving from France, heading to Savone

We welcome this new couple who are serving now in Siena

We were sad to say "Arrivederci" to one of our wonderful couples

Four fabulous Anziani and three super Sorelle returned to their homes in October.

Tapestry of Training

Much of the work accomplished in the mission requires training.  Each transfer a "Consiglio" is held with Sister Training Leaders, Zone Leaders, The Assistants to the President and  President and Sister Dibb.  Every quarter a zone conference is held.  Usually every quarter a Specialized Training is conducted.  When new missionaries enter the field, they and their trainers receive training at their arrival and then again one to two weeks later.  District meetings are held weekly.  Zone training is held monthly.

The missionaries meet individually with the President for interviews and in large groups for Zone Conference.  They are trained by President and Sister Dibb, mission leaders, senior missionary couples, companions, trainers, assistants to the president, visiting general authorities of the Church and others.

The missionaries also attend ward or branch council meetings when invited and are trained by Bishops, Branch Presidents, District and Stake Presidents, and/or Ward and Branch mission leaders. 

Trainings vary from being very specific to quite general.  At each training the scriptures and Preach My Gospel are used.  Role playing is a very effective tool in training.  Sharing ideas of what works well is a valuable part of training.  Practicing and evaluating are skills which we use to improve teaching fundamentals.  We discuss and set goals to aid us in our work.

Training meetings are also a good time for missionaries to renew friendships and to share the joys of missionary work.  

Training received and implemented helps us to be more effective servants in the Lord's hands.  

Much preparation is put into each training meeting

New missionary training at Modena Chapel

New missionary training at Lampugnano Ward building

New missionary training in Verona Ward building

Sister Training Leaders after Consiglio

Lunch after Consiglio

Break and sharing during Consiglio

Zone Leader recording statistics with an Assistant to the President 

District Leader Training at the Lampugnano Ward building

District Leaders being trained by the Assistants and the President at the Modena Ward building

President Dibb celebrating his birthday between interviews at the Genova Ward  building

Sorelle in the Padova Zone role playing for a lesson on "The Plan of Salvation"

Anziani in Ravenna Zone doing some role playing

Sorelle in the Forli Branch building role playing a lesson

More practice  at role playing for the Anziani

Using the scriptures in teaching

Reversing roles after evaluation

More practice

Using the training regarding budgeting money wisely on the mission

Calendaring with the Branch President and his wife

Senior couple missionaries who lead the Branch in Forli with President and Sister Dibb

The Mission President and his wife receive training