A letter from the Mission President in Valencia, Venezuela:

June 22, 2000

Dear Brother and Sister Onken,

We are pleased to inform you that your son, Elder Nicholas Onken, has safely arrived in the Venezuela Valencia Mission. We appreciate his enthusiasm and desire to serve. How wonderful to receive a missionary so prepared and with such a good attitude as Elder Onken. He is highly intelligent, very prepared, and I could feel that he will be a great leader in the mission. He speaks Spanish like a missionary who has one year in the mission. Elder Onken understands perfectly the role of the Holy Ghost in this great work. He has a profound desire to work hard. You should feel very blessed to have such a good son. With hard work and the blessings of our Heavenly Father we know that he will develop into a very successful missionary.

We have assigned him to serve with Elder Penrod, in the Ciudad Alianza area. The enclosed map will help to orient you geographically. You may write to him at the following address:

During the time your son labors in Venezuela among the wonderful people, both member and nonmember, he will have challenging and rewarding experiences. He will need your support and strength as he adjusts to this new culture and demanding work.

Please write to him on a weekly basis. Encourage him with positive, uplifting family experiences. Allow him the freedom to grow and mature. In his letters home you will notice a gradual, positive development in his character, personality, his love for the Lord Jesus Christ, and his love for the Venezuela people. Please don't worry if letters take a long time to get to you, this is normal. Please have patience with the POUCH system, even up to six weeks. We know it can be hard so we will do our best to get him his mail quickly.

We will assist him in all aspects of his mission and stand ready to give him support and opportunities for growth. We will love him as our own, and join with you in this effort to him him become a fine missionary.

. . .

We appreciate the support you have given your son as he has prepared to serve in this great missionary effort. He will become a noble emissary in helping to build the kingdom of God. Your constant encouragement will be very important.

May the Lord's blessings be with you always.

Sincerely,

Omar A. Alvarez M., President

Venezuela Valencia Mission