As the COVID-19 pandemic became more and more concerning, we got word that the senior missionaries and those young missionaries with health concerns would be going back to the U.S. We had a very strong feeling that we would be staying. Dave emailed Elder Gary Sabin, the Europe Area President to let him know that we were willing to stay and help in whatever way we could. As long as missionaries were still in the field here in the Europe Area, we felt having an area mental health adviser here in Frankfurt would be important.
On Friday afternoon, March 13th, we got a call from Elder Erich Kopischke, a counselor in the Area Presidency asking if we would be willing to stay. Our answer was a big YES. He expressed that Dave played a vital role in the support of the missionary work and it would help a lot if we stayed in Germany.
This was an answer to prayer in many ways. We felt that we were safer here in Germany and our home was being rented out to the Molters, and we had sold our cars. MaryLynne had recently broken her hip and our home was the perfect place to recover. We couldn't imagine having to ask them to find other accommodations.
It was a mix of emotions as everyone was waiting for their itineraries and packing their belongings. We had been told that most of the couples would be "transferred" and continue in their missionary service from home. All were to self-isolate for 14 days to make sure they had not contracted the virus. In all, 21 couples left Germany and only 3 couples stayed.
We went to dinner with Ward and Karen as they would be leaving on Tuesday (after we all got our German driver's license) and found this little pile by our door. We already had a fridge and freezer full and many bags inside the apartment.
We became the drop off point as the other couples found out that we were able to stay. We all thought that we might be self-isolating in Frankfurt, so we had bought extra food and supplies. These were left at our door the morning everybody left after a big supply had already been dropped off.
When we opened our door on Sunday morning, there more gifts had arrived...
pillows, the ever-so-scarce toilet paper, plants and thank you notes!
In the early morning hours of Sunday, March 15, most of the couples made their way to the
Frankfurt airport to await their departures.
With all the cars turned in by the couples leaving, it looked like a used car lot.
E/S Meservy and E/S Davis Debbie & Lou Moench
Sally Scott sent pictures as they waited in the airport of the couples going to Utah.
The lines were ridiculous.
Brent and Carol Snow Sally and Welby Scott
Ward and Karen left on Tuesday and sent us these pictures from the Frankfurt airport and then the Chicago airport. What a difference two days made.
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