To all of you,
The Christmas season is very different from the season of years past
for these missionaries. There are few Christmas songs, the stories of
Christmas that they heard before their missions are only in their
memories, there are no pageants, I have yet to hear anything about the
birth of the Savior from the pulpits, nor Sunday School classes, and
none in Relief Society nor Priesthood. Likewise, I have not heard a
seasons greeting. Last Sunday I visited with a Branch President and
told him what Christmas was like at home. He said that they don't know
the hymns nor songs of Christmas. He hadn't thought about the Christmas
story as a possible subject for talks. I think that somehow these
marvelous people will get something from Christmas the next two Sundays.
The current make up of the
mission is; 20 sisters,half of the Elders are from the states &
Europe half of the elders are from Africa. Your sons are very diligent
in their work and they are glad the Christmas season is here. They are
teaching by word, deed, and example the reason for the great Christmas
message to the world. ...For unto us a child is born....
They remember the sweet times of home. They remember their families and friends. They are happy.
Their work has changed their lives and you will be so surprised when
they return. They are surprised at themselves! One of our soon to be
released missionaries made the following comments: Said he; As I
reflect upon my mission I contemplate some scriptures and quoted from
Mosiah 2: 20-24, I am so blessed because of the change that has been
wrought in my life. I want to just bawl. He expressed in such a humble
manner that he hopes that he can continue to do what is asked of him and
expressed a willingness to do so. He expressed gratefulness to the
message he was privileged to deliver and thankfulness to his family,
friends, leaders and others who helped him along the way." I know his
sentiments mirror what your sons say and think.
Not that this work is
easy. I look at their shoes, dirty and worn out from walking long
distances on dusty roads. I look at their yellow colored collars. The
creases in their trousers are almost non-existent, they are stained.
Their meals are scanty but sufficient. The heat takes a lot out of
them. On P-day their wash tubs turn to mud as they put their shirts,
socks, underclothing into the water to clean with their hands and rub
the dirt out until the the skin on their knuckles are nearly worn off.
They sleep with a fan on hoping to be comfortable. Can you imagine
this? And they then say, most of the time, "today is the best day of
my life". I reverence their love and devotion.
They love to teach, they
love the people. They wish that everyone would come a partake of the
fruit of the tree of life. But, they have the disappointments of people
not being able to come to the table and feast at the Lord's table.
But, they know that the message delivered will resonate into the lives
of those who are just not quite ready. They rejoice with those who come
into the waters of baptism and begin a new life.
The language and customs
can be very challenging as well, both of the people here and their
companions who they grow to love as they mature in the nature of their
missionary call.
We are grateful to all of you for your love and concern for your valient
sons, the Lord knows them, and he takes care of them. Just as he took
care of our forefathers. Through the trials of living we are prepared
to receive great blessings. Blessings that we can't even begin to
imagine.
Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season,
Elder & Sister Semken
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