We had to say goodbye to Elder Blaser :(

We had to say goodbye to one of our Elders that got an infection in his thumb from a blister. Elder Blaser was put in the hospital here in Chuuk for 2 days for treatment and surgery on his thumb. Our island missionary, Dr. Archibald from SLC, Utah, had to do a couple of surgeries. The conditions here on our island are bad, the bacteria is different from what we are all used to in the states. After two days Dr. Archibald said we needed to send him to Guam to avoid Streptococcus or Staphylococcus.

Elder Blaser giving the Chuukese sign trying to keep his spirits up.

This Zone is very strong and supportive of each other. This has been a tough week on everyone.
Here are the Zone Leaders Elder Butler, Elder Johnson, Elder Blaser his companion Elder Lapeyrouse, and Elder Tiffany

Sister Tiffany telling Elder Blaser goodbye.

Inspite of this difficult situation the Lord does watch over his servants. The Lord stands ready to help us through our struggles. We have His assurance and His promise that He will be there to assist us in the days of our difficulty: When Elder Blaser arrived in Guam a hand specialist had just arrived the day before. They were able to get him in for another surgery. He was very blessed to have this specialist there. They found gangreen and they had to get it all cleaned out to save his thumb. The Savior knows all things past, present, and future. Jacob taught, “For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it” (2 Ne. 9:20). He knows the things that we stand in need of even before we ask (see 3 Ne. 13:8).
Elder Blaser is now recouperating in Guam and will be arriving back in the states on April 11th. We wish him the best of luck and hope to see him again when we get home.