There may be someone reading my blog wondering why we chose to go on a church mission, how the location is decided, what a humanitarian missionary does, and what is the purpose of a mission? I will give my valiant effort to address and answer those questions.
Greg and I have talked about going on a mission over ten years now. We are now empty-nesters, three working days from retirement, and full of vitality. We feel very blessed and have a strong desire to give back to humanity and pay it forward. We feel we are doing what Jesus Christ would have us do - serve our fellow man. We realize we have a lifetime of experience, skills, and talents we can share with others. Serving a mission will afford us great opportunities to serve and love as we follow Christ’s example to love unconditionally.
There are standards a prospective missionary couple should be living as they will represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The process of serving a full-time mission starts with an application. Requirements include medical and dental evaluations, a current photo, and the desire to leave home and family to serve the Lord. After a few interviews with local church leaders the application is forwarded to church headquarters in Salt Lake City. It is put before a missionary committee who include a member of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Decisions where to send couples are assigned through the power of fasting and prayer. Couples personal preferences for specific missions, continents, countries, locations, language, and other requests are seriously considered for an mission assignment. Our leaders want each couple to love where they are assigned. By inspiration from the Spirit of God we are then matched with an available opening somewhere around the world. A letter is sent to the couple asking if they are willing to accept this call. We are then given a date to begin our mission.
Greg and I are learning the many facets of humanitarian work. It is difficult to know all we are asked to do until we are immersed in the country. I’m sure we will help relieve suffering, distribute temporal needs, and encourage provident living. We have been told we will be busy. We will spend most our time and efforts in Slovakia. We will also travel and work in Czech Republic.
One purpose of serving a mission is to provide in the Lord’s way to help our brother and sisters throughout the world. The Savior, Jesus Christ, spent his days helping the hungry, the blind, the sick, and the homeless. We simply try to follow His example and serve others no matter where they live or the language they speak. We feel so blessed that we are choosing to reach out and help where we can.
Our church does have full-time young men and women (missionaries) who travel the world sharing the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ with all who are receptive to hear. Currently over 70,000 young missionaries are serving in more than a hundred countries. Greg and I are “senior” missionaries who are blessed to travel with our spouse and travel and serve together. Any member of the church with a desire to serve a mission can apply. The responsibilities can vary widely but we know the purpose will always be serving other people.
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