From the Mission Field
Two Nametags, One Work: My Experience Serving Both a Teaching and a Service Mission
Through serving a mission, I am reminded of the unique witness I bear as His missionary, no matter where, whom, or in what capacity I serve.
“You have been called to serve.” Those six words precede the most-anticipated news that many young men and women wait anxiously to hear, which will define the next 18 to 24 months of their life.
A lot has changed about the scope of missions over the past decade. Many young adults are being called to serve in various capacities, whether close to home or abroad.
Doctrine and Covenants 4:3 teaches, “If ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work.” The scriptures don’t specify that you have to serve a certain type of mission, and we are blessed today to have so many options and opportunities to serve in different ways.
A Worthy Desire
I recently transferred to a service mission due to health problems. While that’s been a roller coaster for many reasons, I’m so grateful for the unique opportunities that I’ve had.
Soon after graduating high school, I turned 19 and thought about serving a mission. Young men I graduated with were preparing to serve, and I was old enough to go, but I was studying American Sign Language and wanted to use that in serving if possible.
In my final semester of college, I decided to revisit whether I should serve a mission. I took the decision to God—knowing that I still wanted to use ASL—and prayed, receiving an affirmative answer during a few Sunday Church meetings focused on missionary work.
I received my call to an English-speaking mission in California, USA. I had to put my trust in the Lord, as that had not been what I’d been hoping for, but I knew He had a plan for me. I knew that my call to that mission was “divinely designed” for me.
And then the first day in the field with my trainer, she asked me to interpret in church for the deaf group!
I realized that God had granted me my desire to serve in ASL. I was so excited to serve in this area, but that thought humbled me. I knew I hadn’t been given this opportunity for myself but to use it to “invite others to come unto Christ.”
Unique Experiences
After five months, I was transferred. Seven months later, days before transfers, I received the unexpected mid-week call that my next transfer would be 800 miles away—to my home—to resolve some health problems I’d been experiencing.
During personal study after that call, I found myself scrolling through YA Weekly. I read one article after another about different experiences of missionaries in similar situations. That helped me feel peace about whatever would happen next.
After almost three weeks, I made the decision to remain serving at home. It was difficult, but I evaluated the reasons: service opportunities I absolutely love, the unique experience of both a teaching and a service mission, more opportunities to use sign language, helping with a temple open house, supporting my family, and many reasons yet to come.
Relying on Christ
My mission hasn’t progressed the way I thought it would. But I still smile each time I attach the black nametag bearing the name of Jesus Christ over my heart. I’m reminded of the unique witness I bear as His missionary, no matter where, whom, or in what capacity I serve.
Through this entire experience, I’ve learned how to rely on my Savior. I’ve found myself on my knees—sometimes even in tears—as I prayed for help, peace, healing, assurance, and even just comfort.
Missions are not easy. They are not supposed to be.
But I’m forever grateful for everything that I’ve learned from my entire mission experience. I’ve learned how to handle unexpected or unfamiliar experiences, interact with people, and be on my own, but most importantly, I have grown far closer to God and Jesus Christ. I enjoy the increased opportunity to feel the Spirit. I can spend more time learning about, teaching, testifying of, and growing in the gospel.
I invite you to pray about how you can include Jesus Christ more in your daily life. If you’re thinking about a mission, pray about it and speak to your leaders.
I testify that Jesus Christ loves you, cares about you, and wants what will be best for you in your life. I know that because I have experienced it for myself.