The Shootings in Rose Park -The Savior watches over his missionaries

 

Yesterday evening was not a good day in Rose Park and for the missionaries in that area. But like this picture depicts, it has been reiterated to me that Jesus Christ watches over his missionaries

Around 7:00 pm last night at the Tongan LDS church on Redwood Rd and 600 N a shooting occurred. There was a funeral viewing for a Tongan brother taking place and an argument occurred outside the building. Then gunshots and 2 people were killed and 6 injured. Terrible!

I found out about this because my children were calling me concerned for my safety since I live in this neighborhood. 

This morning as I was coming to the mission office, my mind started to think about the missionaries in the area. When I got to the office I asked President Lee what we should do.  He's was ahead of me in thinking about things and told me that last night two elders were across the street from the shooting and heard the shots and witnessed the event and called 911.  The missionaries then called all the missionaries in the Rose Park zone and warned them to stay inside. They then called President Lee. President Lee was on high alert through out the evening and called every missionary in the Rose Park zone and found them all to be safe. President Lee had  penned a note for me to send to parents of all the teaching missionaries telling them of the event and to reassure them that their missionaries were safe and fine. 

Later today we heard more as the 4 Tongan sisters assigned to that ward came into the mission office and spoke of the evening.  They were blessed and the Lord was watching over them and protecting them. Here's their story:

Sister A and Sister B were tracting and Sister A told herself that she was not going to leave until someone invited them in and they scheduled a return appointment, even though they were late to pick up Sister C and Sister D for an appointment at 7:00 pm with the Bishop of the Ward where the shootings occurred. Finally Sisters A and B found someone to teach and then were on the road to pick up Sisters C and D. Sisters C and D were growing impatient for Sisters A and B and decided to just walk to the church, but Sister C was slow moving that evening, which she said was strange for her.  She said she was just taking her time braiding her hair and getting ready and finally decided to not go to the church after all since they were so late. Then all 4 of them got the message from the elders to stay in because there had been a shooting at the church building they had intended to go to.  Two of these sisters are brand new to the mission as of Dec 30th. Both from Tonga. 

Today as they spoke to the President Lee and the mission office, we were all amazed and so grateful for the guiding hand of the Lord. 

President Lee also gave each one of them a blessing and told them Heavenly Father knew long ago this would happen and that they were prepared and sent to these people at this time.  They needed to work hard to share with these people the light and peace of the Lord.  Here are some of the things in the blessings.

Sister A: He said that he has watched her become a new creature in Christ in preparing for this event. As she would have memories of the event, she would remember how Christ had changed her and she would be able to share this with those who are suffering.  He said that if these 4 sister missionaries had not listened to the Spirit, last night would have gone very differently. He blessed her with comfort.  He blessed her that she would be a comfort to those suffering and that as she visits with those in pain her light will shine.  She will be strong.  She will be angel sent from God to them. 

Sister B: He blessed her with comfort, that she would not worry and that she could have an eternal perspective. He blessed her that her family would be at peace and that she would feel support from both sides of the veil. 

Sister C: He blessed her that she would adjust to the mission life easily and quickly.  That she would be bold in her testimony.  That her mind would be peaceful  and that she will know she is safe and in the hands of the Lord.  He blessed her that she will not be taken before her time. She was blessed to be a great leader in the mission and beyond and a light to the world.  She was told she has a great work to do in this world.  

Sister D: She was told that the Savior knows her. She was told to stay close to the Covenant Path and it would bless her life.   She was told that she would be guided in this time of pain and that she would be a source of peace and healing to those suffering.