What do you tell someone who just tried to commit suicide?
How do you helps someone addicted to chewing tobacco?
How do you calm someone down who is having an emotional and mental breakdown?
What do you do when an alcoholic, ex gang banger, former meth addict, and mother of five kids comes to you for advice, when they are twice your age?
It cracks me up when people think that missionaries are sheltered weirdo's when they get home. Yeah, when I come home, I will probably talk more about the gospel than normal, I may not want to watch a movie with you that you think is perfectly fine, I may even accidentally lecture you on your spiritual health.
But this mission, THIS is real life. not the other way around. The questions above are actual questions I have had to answer this week, and it has been quite the trip. Luckily, for me, the Name tag and status of a missionary mean these are not actually questions I have to answer alone. The Lord provides. I am so glad that I wear a badge because Sister Galli was able to speak the spirit's words okay, but Laurel would have been toast in these situations. burnt. toast.
About an hour after we stopped talking to an incredible recent convert, that is trying her best to become worthy again, about her suicidal thoughts, she texted us and said she was in the ER with her mom because her mom had tried to kill herself by overdose. We rushed over and lemme tell you.... Being a missionary is so amazing. You look around at the situation and say: "I should be freakin out right now. I'm a dang kid and they expect us to solve their problems?" but instead, you look at the tag, know you represent Christ, and walk in totally calm. It was so cool. we were able to apparently say the right things. I don't know how anyone can do anything without the spirit.
That was one of many eye opening experiences. only a half hour before that, we had spent time with an ex gangster, who had at one point been thrown into prison facing 60 years, who had his case remarkably dropped. He told us how easy it was to get into gangs. in fact for him, it had seemed like the only possible thing to do. Soon he was flashing gold rings, and packing thousands of dollars of cocaine. the whole 9 yards. And the Lord is so good! I think he really wants his children to get to know eachother. He allowed us to find this man, who is probably the most positive family man and sweetest guy I've met on my mission, and teach him. Two girls from Utah, trying to help an ex convict.
But really its not our job. It think that's been one of the most amazing elements of this mission, learning what it means to be an instrument in the lord's hands while HE does HIS work. I felt like I spent the whole week just watching while he did amazing things.
Anyway. Don't really know exactly what I am trying to accomplish by telling you this, just that being a servant of god is such an adventure. such a blessing. Sacrifice? Nah. privilege.
Love you all
Sister G
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