3-23-20 Second Update From Pres. Higgins in regard to Covid-19's impact on the FIji Suva Mission

John Higgins
Dear Family,
It is with great sadness that we inform you that all foreign missionaries, couples and senior single sisters,
serving in the Fiji Suva Mission are to return home as soon as travel can be arranged. This will be done
in a systematic way based on travel restrictions, level of COVID-19 concern, and other considerations.
Area Church travel will assist us with the necessary travel arrangements for exiting missionaries.
Area travel is taking the lead in organizing the travel but want us to be aware that the load is significant.
We acknowledge that some borders are closed and therefore some travel will take considerable time to
put in place. We will move forward with the intent to return all foreign missionaries home, and
acknowledge that in some cases it will be very difficult.
Mission presidents will inform stake presidents when a missionary is returning home. When travel
plans are certain and missionaries are ready to leave the mission, stake presidents will be notified
by the mission president. Stake presidents should notify the missionary’s family as soon as he
receives information.
Sister Higgins and I have visited with almost all of the missionaries today, either in person or by phone,
and made this difficult and heartbreaking announcement to them, it has been a stirring and emotional moment for all of us. Currently we do not have a timeline to give you on when you can expect to see your missionary returning, but we will inform you as soon as we have more information. Let me assure you that your missionary is safe and will continue to work while travel is organized. President Nelson recently said as he spoke of the COVID-19, “These unique challenges will pass in time, I remain optimistic for the future” and so must we.
Warmest regards
President and Sister Higgins
We have prepared a matrix for you to follow which gives direction on the release or reassignment of
returning missionaries.

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