Once a senior missionary couple is out in the mission field, they can make their own schedule. The mission president will assign you to a certain area, where you will stay for the duration of your mission. There are no transfers like the younger missionaries. He may also offer suggestions of what you might do in the area you are assigned. For example, we were assigned to a particular ward, but also to check on nearby wards to see if we can help those bishops as well. It’s up to you, as a missionary couple, to approach the bishop (who may or may not even know you’re coming) and ask how you can help.

This is the case for MLS missionaries. There are some specific assignments given to other missionaries like working in the mission office, working with Family History, humanitarian missionaries, etc. But a senior missionary couple can decide how they want to spend their time in the mission field outside of their specific duties.

We’ve already learned that the greatest help we can offer is to visit people. And senior missionaries can always make time to visit. Ministering is proving to be the greatest secret weapon our church has.

No other church on the planet truly ministers their people. When you are baptized into our church, you are given a membership number. This number follows you around everywhere, whether you are aware of it or not. Your local ward has you on a list as a member of that ward and you are known. Perhaps you aren’t visited, but you are still on the rolls of the church.

As soon as we got into the field, we got “the list” of people who had not been contacted for a while. And we have been going from address to address, finding out if the person or family still lives there and how they feel about the church.

We have run into many interesting situations. When they open the door, they immediately see our badges. We introduce ourselves and the name of the church. And suddenly, they don’t have time to talk to us. Some people will sound defensive but soften as we visit with them on the front steps. Most state they aren’t interested in coming to church. One or two ask to have their names removed from the membership rolls. We’re still hoping that at least one household will have their hearts pricked and decide to come out to church again.

This “lost membership” list has taken us all over the area. It’s amazing to think that people of all backgrounds have run across the church at some point in their lives. We’ve found ourselves standing in front of wealthy doors, poor doors, scary neighborhood doors, trailer park doors, all kinds of doors.

And we have spent a lot of time visiting the elderly and the widows. They are so grateful for our visits. Even though some are active, they can’t always get to church, and they are so grateful to not be forgotten.

Ministering is something anyone can do in any ward they live in, and at any time. It’s scary at first, but the more you do it the easier it becomes. Most people will likely not be very receptive, but these are the final days, and by ministering, we can give these people one more chance to accept the gospel before Christ comes. It’s worth the effort on our part.

Ministering is one of the greatest blessings of being a member of our church. And this is the lesson we will take home with us. People simply want to be loved. It’s that simple. And we are discovering just how easy it is to love people of all walks of life.

I am discovering that I am too busy to keep writing on this blog. Visiting is taking up all of my time. My final words to anyone reading this is to go on a mission and serve as a missionary. Set your fears and your personal life aside and go and love people. Simply talking to them for a few minutes on their front porch is an uplifting and beneficial experience. And hopefully it will spark a feeling in them to return to the fold.

You can catch up on our journey here.