Elder Albin Vasquez-Brenes, 21, from North Carolina (born in Costa Rica) and Elder Garrett Vance, 19, from Radford, Virginia of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been serving in Dalton, Georgia. They received calls to serve in the Tennessee Knoxville Spanish Speaking Mission, and were assigned, among other places, to the Rocky Face ward (congregation).
Elder Vasquez is the son of Alvin and Gaby, who are converts to The Church. Elder Vasque is the oldest of three children. His younger brother is Axel, 17, and his sister, Betsy, is 11 years old.
Elder Vasquez served in eight different locations throughout the Tennessee Knoxville area and was specifically assigned to serve Spanish speakers. He recently completed his 24-month mission and returned home October 10, 2019. He said his mission gave him physical and spiritual strength, and reminded him of this quote from Whit Hobbs, who said, “Success is waking up in the morning, whoever you are, wherever you are, however old or young, and bounding out of bed because there is something out there that you love to do, that you believe in, that you’re good at – something that’s bigger than you are, and you can hardly wait to get at it again today.” Elder Vasquez states, “As long as you are doing what the Lord wants you to do, you are successful!” Upon returning home, he said he wants to sleep as much as he can, start work and school. Missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints start their day at 6:30 am and end their day by 10:30 pm. Elder Vasquez wants to be a Physician’s Assistant. Members of the Rocky Face ward expressed appreciation for his service, and will miss him greatly.
Elder Vance has been serving a full time mission for about four months. Also assigned to the Tennessee Knoxville Spanish Speaking Mission, he served six weeks in the Mexico Missionary Training Center prior to arriving in Tennessee. Like all male missionaries of The Church, he will volunteer approximately two years away from home sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Vance has a love for God and his family, which motivates him and keeps him going. He said the gospel of Jesus Christ has blessed him and he wants to share it with others. Elder Vance’s parents are Derek and Christine. Elder Vance is the oldest of four children. He has two sisters and a brother. His sister Camille is 16. Elena is 14, and Carson is 12. After his mission, Elder Vance will resume his schooling at Brigham Young University where he is studying Computer Science. Elder Vance loves skateboarding, snowboarding, photography and music.