Missionary bits and bobs

"Bits and bobs" That's what the Brits call trivia. So here are some missionary bits and bobs!

Sister Maaelopa is from Western Samoa. For those who have been there you know that it is an island where the Samoan way of life is just as you would imagine. A far cry from the big city life.
She is suffering from cultural shock on many fronts.

• She is a convert of 13 months -- brand new in the church which is in and of itself a big cultural shock.


• She is the first missionary in her family and among her friends and when she submitted her papers she expected to go to one of the islands


• Her call was to London -- HUGE shock!


• Her flight here was brutal. She made her way to Apia, then flew to Auckland, then Sydney, then Bangkok, then London and finally Manchester. Two days later she arrived, after being in the air 31 hours plus all the ground transfers. She was alone and has a difficult time understanding English. That poor girl has been tested to the max!!!


• She arrived in freezing cold weather with only a light jacket, no socks and a little summer blouse. She was so exhausted she could hardly talk. We fed her and sent her to bed about 2 p.m. and she did not come to until the next morning.


• When she finally came to we had her call her family to let them know she was here -- they have no email.


• Since her arrival we have bought her a coat, gloves, scarf, and socks, but she still prefers sitting in meetings in her bare feet. We're still working on that one.


• The Lord blesses and sustains!

Yesterday we again went to Manchester for street contacting. As always some had a great experience and some were devastated. They are instructed to meet outside the train station at a given time and when we gathered to return we were missing 4 elders. We waited, missing the first train and then the 2nd train. Richard took some missionaries and went looking but it is nigh to impossible.....Manchester is a BIG city of 4 million people and it is easy to get lost, but honestly they speak English (or some form there of) so we thought surely they would ask if they were lost. Well, finally I took the rest of the elders and we got the next train home. Richard stayed behind waiting for the lost tribe. When we arrived at the Chorley station the missing missionaries were there. Instead of meeting at the appointed place, they had gone right to the train and when no one else was there they got on........on well, we were just happy to find them......(and we don't worry about the 1 1/2 hours that Richard stayed at the train station waiting for them!)

When we return we have a "return and report" meeting where they share experiences. And yesterday we heard some funny ones and some tender ones:

• I asked a boy if he would like to live with his family forever. "Heck no! I hate my brother!" I didn't know what to say after that!


• I saw a man reading a newspaper about Mitt Romney and I didn't say anything! I am so mad at myself!


• I was way out of my comfort zone and I froze!


• Some woman told me she was a "white witch". I didn't know what to say because I don't know much about "white witches".


• Once you freeze up it's hard to unfreeze.

Contrast those with these:

• I simply forgot myself and let the spirit take over. It was amazing.


• We met a pastor of another church who had been fasting that day and praying to find enlightenment.


• Met a girl with blue hair, tattoos and many body piercings. But she was so receptive! You can't judge people by their appearance.


• And a Brit who said that he met someone who spells favorite the same way he does...(favourite) whatever that is all about!


• I wanted to hug the lady who finally listened to us!

This week we spent two days in Leeds attending their Zone Conferences. It was so fun. We saw all the missionaries we have sent to the Leeds Mission and they are all doing so well. It was an absolute thrill to see how they have progressed, how they have fallen in love with the work and how happy they are. And to hear their amazing stories......ie. One of "our" elders realized there was a large population of Slovakians in his area so rather than ignore them he decided to learn their language so he could teach them. Before long he had a following.....and one Sunday he walked into church with 30 Slovakians following him. The bishop said it was a bit like Moses leading the children of Israel out of the promised land. Since then, other missionaries are learning the language and we just sent a young man who is from the Check Republic and will be a great help to this group. They will soon be forming a branch. These young people never cease to amaze us. And being with them was a bit like old home week. Lots of hugs (sisters for me, elders for Richard) lots of bubbling expressions, lots of fond memories, and so much to share. A taste of Heaven.....We loved being with President and Sister Lindley and staying in the beautiful mission home. They are such good people and love these missionaries. Always makes us feel good to know they are in good hands!

In case you have forgotten. We love this work!