Mission: Possible
A Hurst Stake Primary Activity
Have you ever been asked to do something and felt that it was impossible to accomplish? Or have you gone through a trial of some sort and felt it’d be impossible to overcome?
Matthew 19:26 teaches us the answer to both these questions: “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” This was the theme for a recent children’s activity hosted by the Hurst Texas Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Preparing to Serve
Serving the Lord through missionary service may be very hard and challenging, but elementary-aged kids 8-11-years-old, recently learned what it’s like to be a missionary and how, with the Lord’s help, serving a mission is possible.
During the activity, the children learned what it’s like to teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ and were taught basic self-care tasks that they might need while on a mission, such as sewing on a button and making simple dishes like homemade pizza.
Primary children learn how to make homemade pizza. Image courtesy of Rachel Scott.
One class focused on identifying several feelings they’re bound to experience on their mission and what to do about them. They acted out feelings and other kids would have to guess what that feeling was.
Heavenly Father knows what we’re going through and how we feel in any given moment. It is comforting to know that He’ll always be there to help us get through whatever feelings of sadness, disappointment, embarrassment and frustration.
Learning about Different Cultures
Other activities included stations the children rotated through to learn about various cultures from returned missionaries who served in Guatemala, Tonga, and Tennessee.
Leki Uasike from the Euless 3rd Ward (congregation) shared some experiences from his mission in Guatemala. He taught the kids that “Tengo hambre” means “I’m hungry” in Spanish. He also taught that knowing a person’s name is important when you’re teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to them. The kids played a game helping them learn the names of the other children in the room.
John Hola from the Euless 4th Ward, served his mission in Tonga. He taught the kids a few words pertaining to a game that is played in Tonga. “Sōtia” means “soldier”. “Fakauku” means “diver”. And “Vakapuna” means “airplane.” When one of these words is said the kids act out the object.
Marieta Walton from the Bedford 1st Ward, shared experiences from her mission in Nashville, Tenn. She said: “Be grateful for the little things that you have.”
While she spoke English on her mission, Walton spoke of a few words/phrases that were foreign to her like “fixin’ to go” means “to be ready to go do something.” “Y’all” means “you all.” And “youns” means “young ones.”
Lessons from Full-time Missionaries
Missionaries taught the children about what to expect if they choose to go on a mission. Image courtesy of Rachel Scott.
Four current full-time missionaries: Elders Jones, Elder Fields, Elder Anderson, and Elder Gummow spoke with the children about their mission experiences and how they prepared for their missions. They also answered several questions from the children to help them to know what to expect if they serve missions themselves when they’re older. They included role playing, where some kids would act out being taught and others would be “the missionary.” Evelyn Pulido, a Primary child, was one of the “missionary” volunteers, knocking on a door and sharing her knowledge and feelings about Jesus Christ with a person pretending to be taught.
It was a good experience for those involved to receive a firsthand experience of what approaching strangers and sharing with them a message about our Savior is like —what thousands of missionaries throughout the world do every day.
Evelyn Pulido roll playing a scenario with the full-time missionaries. Image courtesy of Rachel Scott.
With the Lord, Serving a Mission is Possible
If you’re shy and have a hard time talking to people, or if you have an aversion to trying new foods, if you’re not sure you can live without your family for up to two years, the Lord is with you in this work of helping to bring His children back to Him. Whatever the challenges when serving a mission or in our everyday personal lives, the Lord knows that with our faith and His help, we can accomplish and get through anything.
Report by Rachel Scott
Rachel Scott serves as a Stake Website Editor and Reporter. She is a wife of 18 years to a brilliant and amazing man, a mom of three wonderful children, and works part time at a middle school. She enjoys walking, reading, doing puzzles, and attends the temple during her free time.