I asked Nick if it was just a coincidence that Ryan Kraus is his trainer. Nick said that the Mission President likes to put people together who are from the same general area, so he thought Elder Kraus would be excited to meet Nick. I guess he didn't know they had known each other, but will soon since Ryan's dad was visiting and brought pictures of Nick and Ryan together when they were little, and they'll be showing the pictures to everyone. They really enjoy being companions and are hoping they will get stay together for a long time if they are "dominating." Nick was tracting and teaching a lesson within five minutes of leaving the mission home. He did teach one lesson to the girl in the picture who was baptized, but the missionaries had been working with her for a year already. They are in an area just west of Boise and cover three wards. The mission leader in one of the wards is fantastic and a huge support. The members feed them every night (even twice one night).
Nick says it's all work all the time, but still fun and really rewarding. He even thinks tracting is fun! Most of the work they do is reactivation, and he says it's hard not to slap them and tell them they're being stupid because they have no good reason for not going to church. Last Sunday, they went to three different inactive people and just said "get up and get ready, we're taking you to church." He said it was hilarious, but cool, and it worked, so they're going to keep up on it.
I am amazed to see how much love Nick has for the people there after just one week. He writes, "I think I figured out why they want us to switch areas. I see how it will be emotionally draining. I've already felt it a little bit. You teach these people and some of them have hard lives and serious struggles and if you really like them, then you feel for them and take on their emotions. This guy that we love named has it bad. He was making lots of money in the fine dining business, but because of it became an alcoholic. He quit his job so he could give up drinking and be baptized, but now the only place he has work is Walmart cuz you don't hire someone who quit for that reason. He quit smoking. He goes to church every Sunday. EVERY SUNDAY. Then works after it. He pays a full tithe and even pays fast offerings. but now he can't find work, his house is being taken by the bank soon, he has no money, and he says he is losing faith in himself but not God. It's just sad. Me and Elder Kraus are going to just anonymously leave him some money just to give him something to feel good about and change his spirits. Also you change cuz the people need a new face and new ideas."
Nick says it's all work all the time, but still fun and really rewarding. He even thinks tracting is fun! Most of the work they do is reactivation, and he says it's hard not to slap them and tell them they're being stupid because they have no good reason for not going to church. Last Sunday, they went to three different inactive people and just said "get up and get ready, we're taking you to church." He said it was hilarious, but cool, and it worked, so they're going to keep up on it.
I am amazed to see how much love Nick has for the people there after just one week. He writes, "I think I figured out why they want us to switch areas. I see how it will be emotionally draining. I've already felt it a little bit. You teach these people and some of them have hard lives and serious struggles and if you really like them, then you feel for them and take on their emotions. This guy that we love named has it bad. He was making lots of money in the fine dining business, but because of it became an alcoholic. He quit his job so he could give up drinking and be baptized, but now the only place he has work is Walmart cuz you don't hire someone who quit for that reason. He quit smoking. He goes to church every Sunday. EVERY SUNDAY. Then works after it. He pays a full tithe and even pays fast offerings. but now he can't find work, his house is being taken by the bank soon, he has no money, and he says he is losing faith in himself but not God. It's just sad. Me and Elder Kraus are going to just anonymously leave him some money just to give him something to feel good about and change his spirits. Also you change cuz the people need a new face and new ideas."
1 comment:
its weird to read a powerful excerpt like that from one of my best friends. Its weird that hes a real missionary already
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