Missionary Newsletter

August 2026

Homestead Ward!

I've been doing well here in the Honduras Comayagüela Mission. It's been about 9 months now since I left, coming up on a year. I'm feeling good about the work and the Spanish!

 I've learned and grown so much so far. My companion right now is from Mexico and the food down here is great, but of course it will never compare to my beautiful mother's homemade bread. 

I hope you all enjoy your hot and running water! 

Miss you all!

I love this scripture in Alma 26:27:

"27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."

At some point we are all in the fight. We all want to turn back. I've felt it, we all have. We do not need to be. The Lord will comfort us. Sometimes we just have to be patient.

Thank you all for the support and love. There’s no ward like the Homestead Ward. Keep making it happen over there! 

Love you all!

-Elder Anderson 🇭🇳 

August 2026

Hello Homestead Ward Members!

We hope all is well with you. Being away from home has made us appreciate good friends and a fine family.

We are in the thick of things with the busy tourist season. The Palmyra temple has limited shifts - only open mornings and evenings, and some days only one shift. As a result when tour buses come, after-hour sessions are arranged. That’s when the Temple Missionaries work extra hours with no day off. We have worked a couple of double shifts, but mostly we just come extra early and/or stay late. Most of the “special sessions” are in the baptistry.

The baptistry is very small-only three dressing rooms, no shower, tiny laundry. The laundry lady is the miracle worker. When big groups come, it requires a little choreography, and our team has mastered the dance.

Those are the challenges, but the actual baptisms are very precious. We stand in awe of the youth of the Church and admire their leaders. We’ve had numerous amazing experiences. Our journals are full of them.

Sister Nancy Bliss 

Brother Mike Bliss

Palmyra New York Temple Mission

July 2026

Hello Dear Family and Friends:

We are now one-month residents of Tacna, Peru which is the southernmost city in Peru boarding Chile, Bolivia and and Pacific Ocean. The Tacnenos call the city “tranquilo” which being interpreted means less traffic, less people, and more easy going than the other major cities in Peru. 

Upon our arrival, we were met by President Mark and Sondra Ellliot who are the mission leaders of the Arequipa mission. They were responsible to divide their mission and prepare the new Tacna Mission, a major endeavor. They worked tirelessly for 7 months. We are grateful for their kindness and heroic efforts to begin this historic new mission. 

Our first weeks can best be described as spiritual, physical and emotional fire hose. The very best days were those when we met all the missionaries. We currently have 90 missionaries and are expecting another 30+ by the end of the year.  About 50% of our missionaries are from Latin America and 50% from the US and Canada. The missionaries work hard, they love God and their Savior, and they inspire us as we watch them bring their friends to the gospel of Jesus Christ every day. We are honored and humbled to serve with them.