May 16, 2022

            Becky, delivering clothes to Ohlia and her daughter Kate, in Lecco.  They are refugees from Ukraine.

The past two weeks have kept us busy working on projects for refugees and the poor.  We especially focused on helping organizations that are assisting refugees and the poor near the Slovenia border in NE Italy, in central Italy, and in NW Italy.  Some of the specific items for the refugees this last week were about 230 pairs of shoes, 200 backpacks, about 70 sleeping bags, several thousand hygiene kits, and about 5,000 Euros of food.  We are so grateful for kind people who donate to Latter Day Saint Charities (the "Humanitarian" fund).  

We were also able to take some time to do the apartment inspections for young missionaries in 5 different cities--4 in Italy, and 1 in Switzerland: Bergamo, Merate, Lecco, and Como Italy, and Lugano, Switzerland.  We did these on three different days.  It was a great experience getting to know these young missionaries.  The most difficult part of the trip to Merate, Como and Lugano was the drive and the parking.  Roads are extremely narrow and winding, and it is never easy to find parking spaces. Then getting into them is another story in and of itself. But  even though we were on very narrow roads with hairpin turns, the drive was amazing.  The countryside, mountains, and lakes were beautiful. We are grateful to be part of an amazing mission here in the Italy, Milan Mission.

Italy now has many refugees from Ukraine.  We now have 2 women in our ward in Lecco who are refugees from Ukraine, along with their daughters, who are members of the Church. Ohlia joined the church about 2 years ago, and Becky's cousin, Richard Wirthlin, who was the Mission President in Ukraine, attended her baptism.  Pictured below are each of these wonderful young women from Ukraine--Ohlia and Natalia, and their daughters.

                       Left: Becky, Bryan, Ohlia, & Kate.  Right: Becky, Bryan, Natalia, & Skilar, at the Lecco Ward.

Mother's Day was a great day.  Mothers were honored with talks about their mothers and women in the scriptures.  Some spoke about women in the scriptures who have influenced their lives.  One individual, a nonmember named Frank, told how Esther was his hero.  She wasn't afraid to stand up for the Israelites and possible sacrifice her own life to help save the Jews.  The spirit in that meeting was so strong.  The spirit bore testimony to us how Jesus loves each one of his children.  Each one of us can come to know Christ through obedience to his laws and commandments.    

Later in the day we drove to a suburb in Milan, called Muggio (because they have a baptismal font), where we had a baptism.  It was a special time.  The ward had rented a small bus so that the members could attend the baptism.  Collins Oghogho was the young man that was baptized, and he was thrilled to be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Bryan conducts the baptisms.  Shown below are two new converts, Collins and Morrison, on their baptism days.

                   Left: Becky, Bryan, Collins, & Alex.  Right, Becky, Bryan, Morrison, & Monday, for their baptisms. 

On Saturday, after our work was completed, we met Spencer and Cheri, and Emma Wirthlin in Milan at the Duomo.  They have been on vacation in England, Switzerland, and Italy.  We only had a couple of hours with them, but it was wonderful to see them and visit with them.   

                    Becky & Bryan, with Spencer, Cheri, & Emma Wirthlin, in Milan at the Duomo, 5.14.22

We are grateful to be Missionaries serving those in need.  We have met so many wonderful people who are dear friends now.  We send each of you our best.

Bryan and Becky