The Widow’s Mite - God’s Perspective

*Sisters Chamberlain and Breshears, Sister Quinn, Sisters Dietz and Stanley - We love our missionaries!*

Everyday President Quinn (Mark) and I keep busy making sure our missionaries feel loved, know they are supported in their missionary purpose, experience success, and are safe and healthy. We do all we can to see they serve their 18 (sisters) to 24 (Elders) month mission in a way that brings joy, growth, and blessings to them individually.

There are times however when a missionary’s time is cut short due to a health concern. We have seen a missionary who tore their ACL playing soccer on p-day and a missionary who has developed back pain and a missionary that is experiencing a deepening depressive illness. In some cases, after we have done all we can to help them, it has been in their best interest to return home to get consistent medical care, family support, and receive the physical therapy or clinical therapy necessary to help them heal.

When this happens, the missionary has a couple of options they can consider depending on the individual situation. One, is to go home, get the care they need, and when healthy again return and finish their mission back in their original mission area. Another idea, is to be “transferred” home and complete their mission time as a service missionary, doing service when able, while they get the care and support they need. For many however, it is best for them to return home and be honorably released having their missionary service completed.

The widow giving her all. Mark 12: 41-44

Missionaries feel badly when having to complete their service earlier than they had originally planned. We understand their disappointment and appreciate their desire to serve. Yet, sometimes, unfortunately, they feel guilty on top of that. We are saddened when we see this unnecessary guilt that turns to shame as they complete their mission. President Quinn and I sit them down and lovingly talk to them about the Bible story in the book of Mark, chapter 12 about the “widow’s mite.” We teach him/her that we are not comparing their mission to a mite, what we are doing is inviting this missionary to understand how the Lord sees sacrifice. The Lord accepts their mission time as complete. Their offering is whole. Yes, like the widow, the missionary has cast in their all! We look them in the eye and say, “God does not look on the calendar but looks upon your heart. You can rejoice in your service rendered and the sacrifice you have given to the Lord. The Lord loves you as we do! You can return home holding your head high knowing you have given your all!”

*Elders Gordon and Hessing, President Quinn, Elders Berg and Torgesen - More missionaries to love*!

When a missionary’s health requires them to return home and be released, we have them attend the farewell celebration dinner with their fellow returning missionaries that transfer. This is where testimonies are born, and a mission gift is given. During the evening we honor them all for the service and sacrifice made. We remind them of the great love the Lord has for them and how the Lord desires their happiness by having them be life long disciples of Jesus Christ. We talk of their obedience and goodness. We express gratitude to them for the love they have given to many and for proclaiming the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Northern California. This is a time to celebrate and feel the thanksgiving of the Lord.

Then the next day we put all of them on airplanes and send them back to their families who are excitedly awaiting their return! We always wipe tears as we wave good-bye!

My hope is that each one of us will celebrate the return of every missionary. Each missionary is worthy of our admiration. Like the widow, each one has given their all to the Lord. Give them a good long hug and welcome them home!

Thanks for reading - Elaine

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