As MLS missionaries, our mission is not quite what I expected. We do not do weekly reports to the mission president on our activities or interact with him much at all because he is so busy helping the young missionaries. Instead, we are left to our own devices. Our specific assignment is over the YA in the Crawley Stake while supporting the missionaries in that stake by doing flat inspections, being a friend, and helping them have their needs filled. For us this means a lot of driving since the stake is hundreds of miles wide on very narrow and busy roads. And while we are out in the corners of the country, we have to drop by and see historic sites.
We are loving the faithful YA in Crawley. We had a Saturday activity at the Brighton Pier last Saturday and had over twenty come, including some pre-baptized friends. The numbers were different than you would expect. Many incredible young adult men attended and only two women. We are hoping to reach out to all who don't feel comfortable joining these activities so they have greater support as they pursue their adult lives and are given opportunities to fellowship and support each other.
Here we are at the Brighton Pier and Bowling later at the Marina:
This week we focused on Worthing, another beach town. We drove by the English channel but never stopped. Instead, we went and spent a sweet afternoon with the sisters there. One was from Thailand and the other from Brazil. They had each learned English on their missions and were doing incredibly well. They are working hard sharing the gospel in Worthing and having miracles.
We took them to lunch at an Asian cafe in the square. Then agreed to meet them on Sunday when we were able to pick up one of their new friends and bring her to church. In the car, she told us that she was ready to commit to being baptized and was so excited about it. We enjoyed sharing our testimonies of the restored gospel with her and confirming her feelings of the Spirit.
While in Worthing we swung by Steyning, an ancient township with the ruins of a Norman Castle built over a millennia ago. All that was left was the church, still in use, and a single wall of the castle. It just goes to show that the things of this world don't last but the things of God stand true. Also, that the grass always grow where you water it. The British look on the Normans as invaders and don't like them much, but they love the Lord and worshipping him.
Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
And what a warm, kind, loving support you are! You are LOVED!
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