Still Kids

The young men and women we work with every day are incredible. We love them and admire so much their dedication to serving the Lord so far from their homes. On this my second mission I have a much greater understanding of the need for the mission rules and strict adherence to them. These young people are very vulnerable to the outside forces of the world and to their own emotions. Each of them is barely out of their homes and the protection of their family. For almost all of them this is their first extended foray into the world. Some are more ready than others, but for all it is a great challenge. Each is capable of incredible acts of faith and also of the childish actions of youth.

A couple of nights ago, I got a text from President Crickmore asking for explanations of some of the expenses I had recently processed in the mission finances. One in particular he was interested in was eight hundred and two pesos paid for Krispy Kreme Donuts. Just so you understand, here in Mexico that is a lot of money, though it is only fifty-three dollars. Another thing to understand is that the President appoints two exceptional missionaries to help him called his assistants. Our assistants are such exceptional missionaries. They are incredibly courageous and wonderful examples to the other missionaries and to us. But they are also the ones who bought the Krispy Kreme Donuts to “feed” missionaries who were waiting for their flights home. Now the assistants have permission to feed missionaries waiting a long time for their flights, but Krispy Kreme Donuts? The next morning after the president’s text, I mentioned to them that he was going to bring up the Krispy Kreme donuts. Both of them looked liked two kids with their hands caught in the cookie jar, and when the President arrived at the office, the first thing he mentioned was the donuts. Both of their countenances fell to full repentance. They wanted to reimburse the Church out of their own meager pockets, which would probably mean that they wouldn’t be eating a lot for a month, but the president just chastised them a bit and moved on. By the way, I absolutely love our president. I have never seen a more caring or dedicated man in my life. 

Some of the missionaries are overcome by the pressures of the mission and either ask to be sent home or are sent home. This is really tough for everyone, especially the president though he tries not to show it. Being in the office we see each of them. It breaks our hearts. Chrise is often moved to tears. Recently, a young missionary told the president that he/she wanted to go home. He/She had just lost two companions, who went home for medical reasons and that had upset him/her more than he/she or we had understood. The president did everything in his power to dissuade him/her. Chrise and I prayed for him/her. As one final effort, the president connected him/her to his/her bishop and stake president. After more than an hour on the phone, he/she agreed to stay. Literally, everyone jumped for joy.