We spent last Monday, Tuesday and Friday training Elder and Sister Sutterfield which included strategy meetings for 2026 with their infield couples in Bulgaria and Cyprus, closing projects, entering MEAL evaluations, reviewing open projects, calls with NGO’s about future projects, how to create the legal document that accompanies each project, how to enter a vendor into the church system, how to request payments, etc., etc. etc. The list goes on and on.
On Tuesday evening, area humanitarian couples gathered at the temple to begin our MEAL conference. Quarterly, area couples come to Frankfurt for training. Four of us live in Frankfurt. The other five live out in the field in Uzbekistan, Moldova, Montenegro, Paris, and Türkiye.
The theme of our conference was “Awakening & Activating the Spirit of Service” Elder Lopez spoke to us from the perspective of local priesthood leaders because we try to incorporate a service component into every humanitarian project. We brainstormed about the challenges involved in that process and defined solutions and next steps. The lawyer that prepares our legal documents was one of our speakers as well as a representative from purchasing who we work closely with. We had training on the developmental stages of mission life from our mental health team and tips from our communications missionaries. It was very worthwhile and gave us a chance to say goodbye to these couples we love so dearly. The Thayns are going home next week. We served together in South America, so we laughed as they asked where we were going to serve together next.
Our manager Eric hosted us for dinner in his home one evening. It was so lovely to be together in a family setting. We enjoyed a traditional Swiss dinner of raclette, which provided time for fellowship and conversation as we waited for our cheese to melt.
Christmas Cheer
On Saturday, the young adults in Frankfurt and Friedrichsdorf combined forces to feed lunch to vulnerable people in our community. The recipients were referred by the local food bank. When not as many showed up as expected, meals were packaged and taken to the city center where homeless people were found and fed.
Muehlmanns joined us for dinner and games Saturday evening.
On Sunday we sang in the choir and enjoyed a beautiful spirit-filled Christmas program in a combined service with the Wiesbaden Military ward. Elder and Sister Peterson invited us for Sunday dinner.
After a long Monday at the empty office, the dream team enjoyed dinner together. We simply would not have made it through the workload and frustrations of this mission without these fellow humanitarian missionaries. Only they understand what we have experienced. We laugh a lot to keep from crying. We love the Mullecks and Johnsons with all our hearts!
After another ten hour day at the office preparing training for our replacements, the Muehlmanns fed us dinner. We saw our DHL/Deutsche Post making last minute Christmas deliveries.
We celebrated the birth of our Savior in German tradition by attending a worship service on Christmas Eve at the nearby Erloserkirche in Bad Homburg. This stunning church was financed by Kaiser Wilhelm II between 1903-1908. Because of its magnificiant Byzantine-style mosaics some call it “Bad Homburgs Hagia Sophia”
We miss our children and grandchildren all the time but especially during the holidays. One of the blessings of mission service is to see our children make the sacrifice to gather together for Christmas even when we are not there to facilitate it. Last year we were together in Germany, this year they are all in sunny Arizona at Josh and Mandy’s home.
We thank Heavenly Father for our dear family, for our health, for this opportunity to serve, and for the matchless gift of His divine Son. We know He lives! May the love of Christ fill your hearts this Christmas!
With love, Elder & Sister Lamb (aka Ed & Debbie, Mom & Dad, Pop Pop & Tu Tu)
Lambs in Central Europe 