Other than being away from family and friends for a long period of time, missionary service, in just about every respect, is a deeply rewarding experience. You meet new friends, visit new places, and have wonderful faith-building experiences. You share your talents and experiences with others, and receive the same in return. And you learn and grow in ways that you might not think possible.

     One of the greatest rewards of missionary service is meeting and becoming friends with the people you serve with. They come from all walks of life–farmers, doctors, plumbers, educators, lawyers, business owners, and entrepreneurs, to name a few. They are some of the most talented, hard working, and giving people you can imagine, and they all are here for the same reasons: to serve and help others learn about the history of our church and to deepen their faith. Because of this common purpose and our shared religious beliefs, we become good friends, more like family, in a short period of time. We enjoy being together–teaching, learning, cleaning, eating, worshipping, playing, and much more.

     But there’s one aspect of missionary service, at least in this particular mission, that has been difficult for us, and one we did not anticipate. Here, we serve with 12 or more sets of missionary couples, all arriving and leaving at various times during the mission. One week, a new couple arrives while the next week, two couples may leave. There’s a consistent ebb and flow, and when a couple stands up at a meeting and shares their final thoughts and good-byes, there’s a sad feeling that comes over us as we realize that the good friends we’ve grown to love and shared so much with will soon be hundreds of miles away.

     The Stakers, the Blacks, the Richardsons: the Nelsons, the Youngs, the Donaldsons: the Gourleys, the Keys, the Nielsens: the Isoms and the Boones: these are all couples we’ve served with over the last 11 months but have completed their missions and returned home. They’ve all touched us for good in many ways, and we’re thankful for that. We may not see them again - though we hope that’s not the case; but if so, we’re grateful for the time we shared and the positive influence these wonderful people had on the mission and on us. They are now part of the historical and spiritual legacy of this most amazing place, and, gratefully, a part of ours as well.

Departure Updates

The Fifes, May 5; The Finks, May 31; The Bradys, September 7; The Moyes, September 25; The Smiths, September 26; The Johnsons, September 28; The Collins’, October 3.