Pres. Olson frequently comments that our mission has "fragile" missionaries. You may ask, what is a fragile missionary? Since we have been serving in the Utah Ogden Mission, we have had several "trial" missionaries. What is a "trial" missionary? These are missionaries who either they, their bishop, or stake presidents don't know if they will be "all right" serving a full time mission. We have had a missionary come to our mission who, for one reason or another, either had a difficult time at the MTC, or has gone to the field, and for one reason or another, had a difficult time. Frequently our trial missionaries have extreme anxiety attacks or issues, sometimes they are clinically depressed, other times they have other mental health issues. At other times, the trial missionary believes they can be successful when the Bishop and Stake President have concerns. Sometimes these "fragile missionaries" only last a day or two. Other times, they serve up to 3 transfers and then are sent back to their assigned mission, or await a mission call. These missionaries may or may not have been to the MTC, or may or may not have a mission call. Recently, we had one missionary who went home during the evenings to sleep and then returned the next day to serve. On the fourth day, he drove his car to the mission, brought his cell phone with him, and then advised to his companions that he just didn't want to serve and be a missionary.
Tomorrow, we will have another temporary missionary start in our mission. This missionary wants to serve with all his heart. His Bishop and Stake President don't feel he is physically capable of serving. So, to prove them wrong, he will be coming to serve. A little bit about him- he was born in Armenia, and contracted Polio when born. The Russian government decided to use him as a human guinea pig to try to cure polio. The Stake President reported to me that his body is in sad shape. He is also a slow learner. But all his life (he was adopted by a Utah couple when he was 6 years old) the only thing he wanted was to serve a proselyting mission. He is considered a "fragile missionary".
I am so amazed at President Olson. Other mission presidents might say "no" to having this missionary come to his mission, but not Pres. Olson. He will never turn a missionary away. Instead, he will provide every bit of support possible to have this missionary succeed. We currently have a mission doctor as well as the services of LDS Family Services, counseling services, a Psychologist, and a Psychiatrist accessible to missionaries to help them succeed. The church, and President Olson, will do whatever they can to help the missionary. Sometimes, they come to the mission on a "trial" basis.
Elder Lund and I have talked about this several times. We think that it is quite something that President Olson and the church will do whatever is necessary to help missionaries succeed and keep them in the field. I kind of think about each of us. There are times that we all have things/issues that stop us from succeeding, or perhaps we know of someone in need. Do we treat them as "fragile" and give them all the support necessary so that they can succeed? Or do we just roll our eyes, and judge them as being less than worthy and walk away, oblivious to their needs? Sometimes, we all are "fragile" and need additional love and support.
Seeing President Olson lovingly welcome these "fragile missionaries" into our mission is teaching me to be more tolerant, supportive, loving, and yes, more kind. I hope that I can be one who will do whatever is necessary to help someone succeed.
"Fragile Missionaries" come and go, sometimes they are with us for several months. Other times they are gone within 24 hours of arriving. But I am finding out, there is always much to learn from each one and they all need my love and support.
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