From putting yesterday's blog posting together on Mormon missionaries in Uganda, I discovered the Barlow's blog. They are a service missionary couple. Their most recent assignment has been a water project to create a clean water source for the Masaka community in Uganda.
From the blog:
Missionary service often baffles people. I once once asked by someone referring to the missions, "Who pays for that?" Well, those serving missions pay for the opportunity to serve.
Believe it or not, those boys pay for the opportunity to be insulted, ignored, rejected and have doors slammed in their faces. Although, I'm not sure if doors can be slammed in African huts. There must be an African rejection alternative to this western phenomenon. Obviously, not everyone in Africa lives in huts so I suspect there are plenty of slammed doors.
Young boys often save for years to help pay for their missions. Usually, they need some financial help from parents or others. Senior missionary couples, senior sisters, and service missionaries cover the cost of their own missions. They often do so after retirement from their occupations. See the links above for more information.
Since those boys in Masaka had to extend for six weeks, that will be an extra six weeks of costs they will have to pay. They will undoubtedly consider it worth it. They always do. Otherwise, who on earth would be crazy enough to serve?
From the blog:
The Masaka water project finished in 4 months and we held the Turnover Ceremony" for the water project. Because we had so many inquiries about the church during the project we had the missionaries come to the ceremony to to be available to explain to the people what the church was about. The four elders had a great time as they talked to many people, handing out 100 Book of Mormon and 100s of pamphlets. They stayed two days in Masaka teaching and sharing the gospel. .
The other day Pres. Jackson informed us he was extending Elder Davis' and Elder Deal's mission for 6 weeks so he could send them down to Masaka to clean up the mess we made. Seems that since the Elders attended the ceremony and gave out the Book of Mormon that they were now getting several calls a day to return and teach more about the church. Pres. Jackson had not intended to send missionaries to Masaka at this time but now it seemed he had no choice.Many people are used to the seemingly ubiquitous Mormon missionary elders, boys of 19-21, running around in suits, backpacks and often with bikes, but are unaware that senior sisters and elderly missionary couples also serve.
Missionary service often baffles people. I once once asked by someone referring to the missions, "Who pays for that?" Well, those serving missions pay for the opportunity to serve.
Believe it or not, those boys pay for the opportunity to be insulted, ignored, rejected and have doors slammed in their faces. Although, I'm not sure if doors can be slammed in African huts. There must be an African rejection alternative to this western phenomenon. Obviously, not everyone in Africa lives in huts so I suspect there are plenty of slammed doors.
Young boys often save for years to help pay for their missions. Usually, they need some financial help from parents or others. Senior missionary couples, senior sisters, and service missionaries cover the cost of their own missions. They often do so after retirement from their occupations. See the links above for more information.
Since those boys in Masaka had to extend for six weeks, that will be an extra six weeks of costs they will have to pay. They will undoubtedly consider it worth it. They always do. Otherwise, who on earth would be crazy enough to serve?
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