Dear Followers of This Blog,

We left Angola last July at the end of our 3-year mission, and no longer post to this blog.  For the latest news about the missionary work in Angola, you can go to the blog created by President and Sister Thompson (our replacements in Angola) at:
www.missiontoangola.blogspot.com.
You can also see news about Angola in the blog created by President and Sister Kretly in Mozambique at:      www.presidentandsisterkretly.blogspot.com.

Thank you for all of your love and support during our mission.

President and Sister Walton

Casal Abdo Arrive!

One last arrival included the office couple, the Abdo's.  They come to Angola from Brazil and previously served in the Mozambique Mission.  This is huge for the mission in Angola.  They will organize everything and allow all the missionaries to do their work.  How grateful we are for their presence in Angola.  We are grateful that Sister Violin is carrying on President Walton's tradition of picture taking!  Also, our love to you all.  Hopefully the Thompson's will arrive sometime soon (maybe even this week) and things will work as they are supposed to.  Our love to everyone, temos muitos saudades e muito amor!!  The Waltons

Arrivals in Angola

This is Sister Walton.  It has been quite some time since I last posted on the blog, and there have been quite a few missionary arrivals.  These pictures were taken by Elder and Sister Violin who are holding down the fort until the Thompson's arrive.  We all need to pray that the visa issues will be resolved this week so the Angola Mission Region can see the Thompson's arrive safely and ready to hit the ground running.  Our hearts are with you all in the wonderful country of Angola!!  Boa sorte!!

One Final Word from the Waltons about the Post Office Box

Parents, family and friends,

I know we posted about our new post office box, but there is a bit of new information when sending "Express Mail"  packages so I made the corrections and am re-posting it for you to see this important requirement.  We are thankful for your faith, prayers, and support for the Angola Luanda missionaries and the work.  It is the time for Angola right now.  Com certeza!

Great news!  A post office has finally opened in Luanda, and the “Angola Luanda Mission” has opened a post office box.  Now our missionaries can send and receive regular letters.  To send a letter use the following address:

(Missionary name)

Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos S.U.D.

Caixa Postal 18404

Luanda, Angola

It currently costs $1.05 to send a letter from the United States to Angola.  However, it will cost about $3 (US) to send a normal letter from Angola to the U.S. It should arrive in less than 2 weeks in either direction.  The missionaries are starting to receive mail and they are extremely happy!

If you want to send a package via the US Post Office please follow these instructions exactly:

If the package weighs less than 1 kilo (2.2 lbs.) it will arrive at the Post Office where we have a post office box with no problems.  If the package is over 2.2 lbs it must be sent “Express” so that it will be delivered to our Post Office. 

If you send a package please DO NOT put the missionaries name in the address.  This will make it very difficult for us to claim the package unless the recipient missionary actually goes to the Post Office.  PLEASE NOTE: If you are sending a package put the missionaries name at the beginning of the return address.  Then we will know who it is for.  For example, the package should be addressed as follows:

Elder Smith

Smith Family

123 Elm Street

SLC, UT  12345

                                                Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos S.U.D.

                                                Caixa Postal 18404

                                                Luanda, Angola

We have received “Express Mail” packages.  In order for us to pick up “Express Mail” packages, the post office is requiring the tracking number as well as a list of the contents with their values.   Without these two things we cannot get the package!  Please email these two things as soon as you send the package to:   angolamissionoffice@gmail.com

           

We would be interested in knowing how much it costs to send packages to Angola via the U.S. Post Office.  If there are any customs fees, they will be the responsibility of the missionary.

**With the growing number of missionaries it is best that we not burden the Reedy family or other expatriates by asking them to transport packages for us.

A Short Visit From Elder and Sister Soares

Elder and Sister Soares came for just two days, but we are so grateful for any time we could get with them.  He came to train the member leaders but gave the missionaries a couple of hours one afternoon to meet them and talk to them.  It was kind of cool when we arrived with him, the missionaries had lined up in their suits outside the Luanda 1 chapel and shook hands with them.  Then after the great, inspiring meeting we stopped to take a picture of all of our Luanda missionaries with Elder and Sister Soares.  Thanks for the visit and taking time with us!!

Our Last Zone Conference in Angola

I didn't think the last zone conference would be so difficult.  Boy was I wrong!!  We're a family here and we love these missionaries and to have to say goodbye for even a few weeks was difficult.  But that's how a mission works.  Coming and goings, hellos and goodbyes are a normal part of the routine.  It just happens to be our turn to leave.  Elders Hansen and Tolman listen and learn.  Then the happy lunch crowd Elders Kearney, Hobbs, Bene, Hansen, branch missionary Adao, and Elders Arrington Rainbolt, McAllister, Walker and Richter.  Happy July birthdays to Elders Kearney, Borden, Arrington, and President and Sister Walton.

Since it was our last Zone Conference, we asked for two musical numbers.  The first had the Elders from Luanda 1 (Hobbs, Richter, Chandler, Bene) singing "Mais Perto Quero Estar" (Nearer My God to Thee).  The other one involved all of the missionaries.  We wanted to hear them sing together one last time "Called to Serve".  It was a tear jerker!!  These missionaries just love to trade ties, so at the end of the conference President gave each one of the missionaries one of his ties to remember him by.  With Elder Violin keeping things light, Elder  Chandler took his choice very seriously!