What?!? South Africa?!?

On August 21st, after weeks of patiently waiting, my "baby," David Clark Nelson, received his mission call. Honestly, most of the family thought he would be going on a domestic mission. After all, the only members of our extended family that served in the United States are David's uncles, Brad and Neal. Because our immediate family members had served in Asia, Europe, and South America, we thought there wasn't any other place left except the U.S.
Then, on Thursday, August 21, 2008, David received his mission call in the mail. He decided to wait until 6pm that evening for Jeff to call from somewhere in the South Pacific (serving on the USNS Mercy -- probably in Papua New Guinea), so we tried to find lots of silly things to do during the day to keep our minds off the huge envelope he stashed in his closet. Right on schedule, Jeff called, so we also called Rachel and Ross in Utah on another phone and had a sort of "conference call" going. David slowly and solemnly opened his call, paused for what seemed forever (I think it was probably only 15-20 seconds), then began to read with a choked voice and a slight tear. "You are called to serve in the Johannesburg South Africa Mission."
We probably all cried at the same time, "What?!?!" I thought he would probably end up serving in the Southern States here in the U.S., but noooo...he's serving in the South -- probably as far south as you can go in this world without hitting Antarctica. I figure he's going to be serving in a mission farther away than even Mikel was in the Philippines -- about 8,000 miles away or more.
A couple of weeks after he received his call, David received his travel plans. He's going to the MTC in Johannesburg, and flying out of San Diego two days before Thanksgiving. He got his passport and medical shots finished, so he'll be ready to make his first international flight. I'm just a little sad that we can't go to the MTC with him, but somehow I'm sure this will be the best experience for him. Instead of relying on General Authorities to inspire him, he will have to rely on the Spirit.
It's now two weeks before David actually leaves; last weekend we went shopping and bought his suits, shoes and shirts. Now all he really needs is socks and ties -- and I'm hoping his brilliant siblings will do some thrift shopping and get him some "cool" and dispensable ties he can not only wear, but share on his mission.
I can't believe it! My BABY is going to South Africa! This means that we have had someone serving a mission on every continent in the world. When Jeff's patriarchal blessing said that his future family would take the Gospel to "every nation, kindred, tongue and people," we thought it was just a euphemism for going on a mission -- but it was the truth! And I know my son will be taking the truth to those who have not heard it yet. I know Heavenly Father will bless him, and I will pray and support him always, especially during the next two years.