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].”