Four Weeks in England

We have been in England four weeks now and have met with the mission president, the president of our assigned stake, plus others, have had training regarding our assignment to start a Centre for Young Adults (CfYA) and “shadowed” a senior couple in Oxford who recently had their centre registered. Weʼve attended a stake conference which was a televised area conference from Salt Lake, a district conference, an Institute
Graduation and two baptismal services. We were at the baptisms because we had a key to the building and were asked to arrive early to start the boiler and fill the font.

Elder Parrett with the young elders and Tidiana, whose mother only speaks Portuguese. Fortunately there was an elder from Portugal to teach the family.

Jennifer Ichoku whose husband was baptized the following Saturday.


Last Sunday we actually went on a “teach” as they call it. We were asked by a sister in the Orpington Ward to come to dinner and talk to her non-member husband who has shown some interest lately in hearing about the gospel. We arenʼt sure yet how that was received.

Yesterday we drove to Tunbridge Wells for a “Mormon Helping Hands” project. We werenʼt handing out rations or filling sand bags like you see in the Church News, rather it was a weeding and planting project in the middle of town. We got several positive comments from passersby as we worked. Going home took a lot less time than getting there. We had taken a wrong turn on a roundabout and ended up on the wrong motorway (freeway) and it was 7 miles before we could exit. We had our doubts as we traveled narrow country roads, but the GPS unit eventually took us to our destination. No wonder everybody here uses them. It is so green here and it looks just like the pictures with vast fields surrounded by hedgerows.

Today (Sunday)we attended the Welling Ward and traveled with a brother from our ward who had some business there. We were glad for the opportunity to visit there without having to drive ourselves. Itʼs a scary proposition to drive in England with their unfamiliar signs and symbols and rules. Not to mention the narrow roads where people park every which way and there isnʼt room for two cars to pass.

On the way to Welling we got in a minor accident. Nobody was hurt but the woman passenger in the other car was yelling some nasty remarks. Fortunately the driver was level-headed and actually was quite nice. Always a new adventure here!

We have met some very wonderful people who are dedicated to the Lord and even though we know the church is true and the same wherever we go in the world, itʼs heartening to see it in action. To see how the spirit of the Lord works in peopleʼs lives strengthens me and Iʼm grateful to be able to serve a mission.

Thank you all for your prayers; keep 'em coming. And like all missionaries away from home we appreciate the letters too.