Good Will Towards All Men

Our Las Vegas family but still missing a few.
Mother's Days May 14, 2017.
I will miss this bunch of smiles and hugs.

This week we came to understand our purpose as an humanitarian missionary. Our purpose is to relieve suffering and care for the poor and the needy for all nationalities and religions. There is no discrimination to anyone in need. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is doing humanitarian work in about 180 countries around the world. This is pretty impressive if you ask me! I feel honored to be involved in such a great cause of “good will towards men” (Luke 2:14).

Our eyes were open to discover the fine line between helping and enabling. As welfare missionaries we are encouraged to not go into their countries and just give “things” away. With good intentions, we can bring harm to the people and weaken their ability to want to become self-reliant upon receiving hand outs. There are unintended consequences for giving everything away without listening to the community and their concerns. The future of every community lies in capturing the passion, energy, and imagination of its own people. Humanitarian aid should help increase capacity and confidence of the receivers.

One example of the LDS church coming to the aid is in Uganda, Africa. The church has worked with UNICEF over twenty years. They entered one of the world’s largest refugee settlements to provide immediate needs of food, shelter, and clothing. They also offered immunization and education as needed. The refugees themselves have reached out to help and lift the newcomers. The impact these partners have on the refugees is really helping the families.

Coming soon to Slovakia.
Brother Evan Sharp the Slovak instructor
(sorry, he'll stay behind).
He was our Slovak tutor.

But most of all, we’re looking forward to getting to Slovakia to interact and love the people. We’ve heard it over and over … “you’re going to just love it [here].”

MTC Experience

MTC Breezeway

Well we made it through our first week of the Missionary Training Center (MTC). We learned being a missionary is all about bringing people to Christ. Regardless what other responsibilities we have to serve others the greatest service we can do is help others come closer to Christ.

Elder Van  Leeuwen
(Instructor)

Sister Luke & Sister Ritchie

Who taught these classes? Young men and women who returned from LDS missions, serving part-time at the MTC, and students at BYU. Their courage and boldness were exemplary and their teaching styles are excellent. I so much appreciated their talents teaching us older seniors missionaries how to be directed by the spirit.


We are one of thirty-six senior missionary couples who arrived on Monday, May 15, 2017. We were divided into districts of eight people or four couples and Greg was asked to be our District Leader. We are also one of six couples serving humanitarian missions. Locations our group are called to serve in: Argentina, Mongolia, Samoa, Dominican Republic, Australia, Chile, West Indies, Germany, Portugal, New Zealand, Czech-Slovakia, Nepal, Italy, and various United States locations. More senior missionaries will arrive tomorrow on Monday.

Slovakia  missionaries

Czech missionaries

The first time we showed up at the cafeteria we were surprised by the large amount of missionaries. There were hundreds of missionaries and a large percentage were female “sisters” who had volunteered to serve a mission. This was so exciting to see so many young men and women here at the MTC choosing to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The hallways were filled with excitement as young missionaries headed off to lunch or dinner, or maybe a study group. Some missionaries would stop a senior couple and ask them to listen to a discussion they were practicing.


 For Sunday worship we attended a small branch of about twenty international missionaries. They were all from outside the United States. One from Ukraine and another from the Marshall Islands was asked to address the congregation. Others from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, and other far-away places. I am so impressed with these young missionaries and their choice to serve the Lord.

At the entrance of the MTC hangs this large picture... "Become as He is" the invite to all the world.

As One Door Closes Another One Opens

Today we received a video call with our new Branch President in Košice, Slovakia. It seems the more we talk to those in the mission field the more excited we are to go. Today, I felt the spirit confirm to me the “influence of one” is needed in Slovakia. One person can do so much to improve the life of another and to find ways to serve others. I have learned, “As I have loved you love one another” (John 13:34). Greg and I definitely need to be going to serve this Mission at this time.

I never consider myself sentimental, but as the day approaches to leave, I am beginning to feel very emotional about the changes taking place. I am realizing that I will miss many “things” that I have come to accept and take for granted; my children and grandchildren, temple sessions, my friends, my church, and family reunions. I will miss hot summer evenings, road signs in English, dinner groups, and mild winters. I might even miss a clothes dryer and online shopping.

Although, I will miss so much here at home in Las Vegas, I will not be deterred. I have decided to take a new and exciting road, a new journey to travel. After all, there are creative ways to cope with missing loved ones. For example, I have learned about Skype which is almost as good as being in person, except you can’t hug a screen.

I know the rewards will far outweigh what I will leave behind. Serving a mission will open new doors to new opportunities, new adventures, and new challenges. It will increase my faith in Jesus Christ, my testimony of the Atonement, and my love for others.

Throughout my life I have been taught, watched over, and protected for this very purpose. When I was an infant my sister dropped me head first onto the concrete foundation (accident of course). At eight years old, I lived eight months in a Army tent through cold winter in Oregon. At fifteen, I survived a rollover vehicle accident in Arkansas.  In my early adulthood, I lived in rural Nevada without water or electricity for an extended period of time. As a single mother, I worked long hours to provide and care for my minor children. And I survived two divorces. Yes, I have endured many hard things.

Why do we endure hard things in our life? Could it be we are preparing ourselves to endure things to come in the future? of course. I will be able to leave my comforts and serve a mission as the Lord has already helped me overcome many hard things.

The Lord has answered prayers and opened doors for us to make this mission possible.  “As one door closes another one opens.” Greg and I will walk through another door Monday morning. Until we meet again. Hugs to all my loved ones. In my absence may God watch over and care for you. Farewell!