An Email from Nathan's Mission President

Sunday Bill and I wrote our emails like usual to Nathan.  I didn't let myself stay up late waiting for his email so when I woke up early Monday morning, I checked my email right away.  Instead of a letter from Nathan, there was one from his mission president...

Stephen Simmons <stephen.simmons@ldschurch.org>	Nov 20, 2017, 1:39 AM
to bill.r.allen@gmail.com, me, Singapore, Singapore

Dear Brother & Sister Allen,

I am contacting you regarding some very concerning news regarding your son, Elder Allen’s, health which I must unfortunately inform you about.  He may have already relayed this information to you in his weekly email as he was headed to do his emailing after he finished his visit to the doctor a few hours ago.

Elder Allen contacted Sister Cross, our mission nurse, this morning and told her that he was feeling some sharp pains in his lower abdomen.  She instructed him to go to a doctor to be checked out.  He did that this morning (Monday 20 November.)  Images were taken and the doctor has indicated that there is a tumor growing under his bladder.  There are indications that some spreading has occurred as well.

The Asia Area Medical Advisor, Elder Sellers, has directed us to have Elder Allen return home immediately for treatment. Accordingly, Elder Allen will be flying into Singapore tomorrow early afternoon from Sibu.  We will get him on a flight back to the US departing on Wednesday morning.  He will arrive at SLC at 2:20 PM on Wednesday on American Airlines.  We will send a copy of his international itinerary to you once we receive it from church travel.

Elder Allen has been a very diligent missionary and I am sure the Lord is very mindful of this faithful servant at this time of great concern.  When I spoke with him this afternoon, he told me that he is “a little bit scarred.”  He received a priesthood blessing this morning before he went to the doctor.  I will ask his fellow missionaries to keep him in his prayers once we have a better understanding of what is going on for sure.

I am sorry to have to share this information with you, but I know that he will be cared and loved by you and other family members and friends.

I would be grateful if you would confirm that you have received this email.  I would be glad to call you and discuss any concerns you might have as well.

I am copying Elder & Sister Cross in our mission office who are coordinating his travel and will be assisting him when he arrives here in Singapore.

Thank you,

President Simmons

+65 9834 5400