Arrival

Welcome to the first post in our France Lyon Mission blog.  We arrived Saturday and were exhausted, but after a good night’s sleep felt quite rejuvenated.  The Miner’s (office couple) picked us up at the airport, brought us to our temporary apartment in the same building where they live, took us to dinner with the Dinkelmans (another office couple) and helped us get settled.  We also went to church with them Sunday (Confluence Ward) and were invited to dinner and to use their internet - our router needs a different sim card to function.  We would truly be in much worse condition without all their help.  

We wanted to share some of the things we learned in our four days of training in Salt Lake.  The training was much improved and more practical than what we received 3 years ago.  In our group of 11 couples, all but one were assigned to an international mission.  People were going to Taiwan, Scotland & Ireland, France (Paris and Lyon), Chile, Australia, Guam, Armenia, Belgium, South Africa, and California.  

A study was done by the Church looking at the number of members worldwide over age 60 who could afford to serve a mission (based on tithing donations).  They found that less than 1% were serving.  We are happy to be in the 1% but it’s not an exclusive group and we’d love to have more company!  Missions change you.  You come home a better person than when you left, whatever your age.  

We learned a lot about early releases, since most are for medical or emotional reasons.  In one speaker’s experience, about 10% of the missionaries in his area returned home early.  Today there are many resources to help missionaries succeed.  Area Mental Health Advisors (or Family Services counselors in N. America), Mission and Area Medical Advisors, the booklet Adjusting to Mission Life, and Mission Leaders are all there to help missionaries overcome their challenges and stay in the field.  When that isn’t possible, it is now standard to transfer missionaries home to a service mission so they can continue their mission while working through problems that they have.  

There are four mental health conditions that require mandatory transfer home: psychosis, suicidal tendencies, self-harm (like cutting or burning), and eating disorders.  Of those, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate.  

In 2016, Elder Holland made the following remarks in answer to this question, received in preparation for a Face-to Face event: “I served a mission only 4 months.  How can I look at my mission in the best way?”  He said:  Be proud of your service.  Serve to your best capacity for however long you can.  The Lord knew you wanted to go.  You served well.  If people ask if you served a mission, say “Yes!”  You do not need to add for how long.  You do not need to relive, or rehash, or feel inadequate.  You tried.  

The Lord works with flawed people.  That includes missionaries.  Look into the scriptures for young people who had major problems and later became great leaders and accomplished great things.  The Savior loves these missionaries.  Don’t put them in a box.  Open up your hearts and let Him take you where He will.  

A study done a few years ago found that ten years after serving a mission, 82% were still active in the Church.  In the same age group of those members who did not serve, 16% were still active ten years later.  There is a powerful beneficial effect for those who teach and testify of gospel truths.  

We are looking forward to our assignment to help the branch in Chalon-sur-Saône and to serve the missionaries in France Lyon.  

If any are in need of encouragement, we would share this from Mark 10:27 “…for with God all things are possible.”