Missionaries

I am grateful for missionaries. I have always loved the missionaries, ever since I was a little girl. Some of my favorite memories are from having missionaries over for dinner. I loved cooking for them in the singles' ward (and once they figured out I could cook, I had constant requests...). It was the least I could do to show my support for them as they labored on God's errands. They all have such a beautiful spirit about them. It's refreshing to feel these young men and women's faith, and to see the joy shining from their faces. I LOVE missionary stories. I can never get enough of them.

I ran into my friend's mom at church today. He's serving currently in the Singapore mission, and is in Malaysia. It's a predominantly Muslim area, and they aren't allowed to go tracting. They go "man-hunting" instead. They walk from house to house and rattle the gates. If a woman comes to the door they have to politely greet her and leave. If a man comes to the door, they have to ask if he is Christian, and if he says no, again they have to move on. They aren't allowed to approach the Muslims, but they can teach them if the Muslim comes to them of their own accord. Sister Clark told a story that really touched me today. She said that one day, Travis and his companion were in a government "planned housing" district. It was little more than a slum and laid out in rows. They were "man-hunting" in row S, with little luck, when a little boy walked by and said, "You guys should really try row R". So, the young men decided to take inspiration from wherever they could get it, and headed towards row R. As they approached, they saw a man who walked right up to them and asked, "Do you represent Jesus Christ?" The missionaries said, yes they did, and the man said, "We have been waiting for you for a long time. Will you please come back and teach my family?" The missionaries followed him to his apartment, where there was not only his family, but also two other families waiting to learn about Jesus Christ.

That story and others like it are a beautiful testament to me of my Heavenly Father's love for His children, and helps my own faith grow. It's still bringing tears to my eyes as I remember Sister Clark's story. I so grateful she shared it with me. I am so proud of Travis, and grateful that he and countless others will stand up and answer the Lord's call.