Brian is serving in Esbjerg an old fishing harbor in the southwestern coast of Jutland. The area population is about 80,000 and Esbjerg is the fifth largest city in Denmark. They have no bikes or car, so rely on public transportation. Richard's family is from Hjorring which is at the northern tip of the Jutland peninsula.
Brian reports, "Wow, it is cold here. I thought I was going to die as we walked around Copenhagen that first day. Everything is going great here, I am so excited to be here, but I am still scared out of my mind. I don't understand much of what people are saying, so I am pretty quiet in our appointments... The hardest thing about learning Danish here is that everyone speaks English. In our ward here there is only about five people who don't speak English."
According to Brian President Andersen and his family are "the best in the world." And no wonder...Sister Andersen serves slices of chocolate on rolls for breakfast! While in Copenhagen, Brian was able to see Swedan. He said the ocean was freezing on the edges and that sometimes it freezes all the way between the two countries.
Elder Nielsen, Brian's companion, is from Iowa. He spent two years prior to his mission in Germany. He happens to have a girlfriend from before his mission who lives in the Copenhagen area, so he is banished to the Jutland peninsula.
Elder Nielsen writes about Brian, "His ambition and courage has been a very useful asset to your missionary work. He has drive and works hard and sharing testimonies that are personal and touching. His skills as a missionary have progressed leaps and bounds within a short period of time. That also goes for his language skills. His good attitude and sense of humor have already begun to win the hearts of many members."
The last item on the list before Janelle left was to get her missionary hair cut. Not only did she get a cute short cut for a warm climate, but she was also able to donate a nice pony tail. So what do you think?
Brian is serving in Esbjerg an old fishing harbor in the southwestern coast of Jutland. The area population is about 80,000 and Esbjerg is the fifth largest city in Denmark. They have no bikes or car, so rely on public transportation. Richard's family is from Hjorring which is at the northern tip of the Jutland peninsula.
Still don't know where Brian has been assigned for his first area. But thanks to a very nice couple who sent the following message and this picture, we know he is being fed.
I recieved a generic e-mail along with this photo from the mission office letting me know that Brian arrived in Denmark. The photo is assurance since the e-mail just said "your missionary." We got to talk to Brian on Monday during his layover in NYC. It was good to hear his voice and his excitement, though he was pretty stressed about the travel. He has not had much flying experience and he was the travel leader. 
