Yelled At, Barked At, and Rained On
Article by Kathatina Betz Birch
Ensign, July 2006
Birch describes the sometimes bleak reality of mission life starting with the description of a day that included all that the title of her article entails. She was faced with a feeling that she “was doomed to failure as a missionary, and hadn’t even been in Germany two months yet.”
She was inspired by an article by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Inconvenient Messiah,” and quotes, “…All but a prophetic few must go about God’s work in very quiet, very unspectacular ways. And as you labor to know him, and to know that he knows you; as you invest your time—and inconvenience—in quiet, unassuming service, you will indeed find that ‘his angels [have] charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up’ (Matthew 4:6). It may not come quickly. It probably won’t come quickly, but there is purpose in the time it takes. Cherish your spiritual burdens because God will converse with you through them and will use you to do his work if you will carry them well.”
As time went on, the events of each day never changed dramatically but her perspective on how those events affected her did in fact change so that she was able to complete her mission with honor. She goes on to tell several conversion stories admitting, “In this life I’ll never see the fruit that most of those seeds will bear..,” but the expansion of her heart would stay with her forever. “I learned to love, to give, and to suffer for people I had once thought of as strangers.”
This article was significant to me at this time as I am seeing the sisters in our branch [in Albania] work hard as they endure the work of a full time missionary. I can relate to Birch when she says that she was surprised to feel miserable despite the many glowing stories she had heard about other peoples’ missions. I served a mission and experienced many hard times but felt my Father in Heaven “converse with me through my spiritual burdens.”
I believe we can relate this article to our daily struggles we may have in our lives. As Christians we believe in being longsuffering and quick to sacrifice, and in return we reap the peace that Christ offers our souls. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;…and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).
July 13th, 2006 12:22
I absolutely love that quote by Elder Holland about cherishing spiritual burdens! I think that deserves a spot somewhere on my wall….
Thank you for this article. I appreciated this article in the Ensign as well. We once heard someone say, “Teach your children that missions are hard.” We want our children to understand that concept (about marriage and parenting, too) BUT to understand the joys and blessings that come as well — and the divine purpose in the struggle. I think this article had the perfect balance of realism and perspective and faith. And hindsight.
July 13th, 2006 15:10
Oh, my heck, you’re in Albania. I shall immediately research Albania. It sort of sounds like a made up name.
July 14th, 2006 04:48
Michelle, Definately hindsight. My mission continues to inspire me as my hindsight is 20/20. We can all learn from it.
Anne, Yeah Albania- I thought you knew. It’s a mixed bag for sure. This link should have some good info. http://www.albanian.com/community/index.php