Week 1: First Email!!!!

Well, well, well, here we are. My first mission email! It’s a weird feeling to be writing this. 19 years of my life I’ve been waiting to be a missionary, and here I am… finally!

These first couple days have been a blur honestly but I’ll try my best to recount them.

I arrived at the Missionary Training Centre (MTC) in Provo at 4pm on Sunday after having spent the weekend with family friends. It was so surreal! Elder Baker and Elder Roblero were my hosts and showed me around for the first day. Dinner was chicken and potatoes and it was surpringly sweet but, according to Elder Baker (who is from Congo), everything tastes sweet here. Whilst in the cafeteria, we ran into Elder Omene who’s a friend from home. It was so nice hearing real English again

After dinner, Elder Baker showed Elder Takahashi (from Japan) and me around campus. The weather was glorious so loads of people were outside hanging out. We ran into some Elders who are leaving for various parts of Korea playing Hacky Sack so we decided to join in… apart from Elder Takahashi who was feeling kind of grumpy :/

Later some American missionaries asked me to take a photo of them. In doing so they heard my English accent and new friendships were born! They were a little interested in my accent but more interested to know if I could do an American accent. They asked me for some English phrases but all I could think of was, “Bung it in the bin” and “Bung it over there” etc, etc. Now when they see me they call me their ‘English Friend’ and start doing the accent whilst saying, “Oh, bung it in the bin, mate.”

At 7pm we saw a performance of ‘The Lamb of God’ which was surprisingly moving! Would recommend. After this we headed back to the residence and hung out till we went to sleep.

Monday was my first full day and it started off busy! After breakfast, I had my MTC orientation and got my admin work done such as scanning passports, making sure my medical is up to date, and setting up my phone. That was immediately followed by my first lesson. 

The rest of my class isn’t here yet as the US missionaries are doing a week of ‘MTC at Home’, so Sister Seppings (from Australia) and I were in a small class room together whilst dialling into the lesson. Turns out the teacher was in the same building as us so they ended up finding us and joining us in our little room. The class was on how to be more comfortable and confident.

We had lunch and then joined a meeting via zoom called ‘Welcome to the Work’.

Second lesson came about and the same situation as the first: Small room. Zoom call. It was OK. Sister Seppings and I spent a lot of the time laughing at how uncomfortable it was. The lesson was on setting goals and how to best plan lessons. 

Dinner and then personal study. It’s very hard to not be distracted by the view here.

Sports! We made it to the sports hall where I played mostly played volleyball and then finished with some basketball with my new American friends.

Tuesday. ‘P-Day’ meaning ‘Preparation Day’ ie ‘Day Off’… sorta. What a day!

1:00am… Elder Oblero came into our room, woke me up and said I needed to go into another room because I have a new companion (working partner). *Visible confusion*

Elder Kitimbo (from Uganda) had arrived and I was to be his temporary companion. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t massively happy as I get on really well with Elder Baker and it was the middle of the night. My sleep wasn’t great after that.

We wake up at 6:00am so that we have enough time to do laundry and head off to the temple. But those plans were not to be. As we were finishing off laundry, Elder Roblero called me and said he needed to take Elder Kitimbo to the Scheduling Office. We headed down to the office and I have to do all the admin I did the other day, but today it takes about three times longer. Eventually we get it done, and then I have an appointment to get a new EpiPen. When the doctor learned I was from Hampshire he asked me how to get to Jane Austen’s house from Portsmouth without a car. Weirdest doctor’s appointment I’ve ever had!

Finally, we got lunch and I called home. It’s weird being this side of the call having been the other side for my three older brothers. Seeing Artie (my two year old nephew) wave and say, “Hi, Baby Jake” (my nickname) kinda choked me up. Calling home is bitter sweet for sure.

Later at dinner, I impressed Sister Gillet (from Lyon France… but we won’t hold that against her) with the fact that I play jazz. After dinner, Elder de León (from Guatemala) arrived. He’s a really good guy. Super easy to get on with. His future comps are very blessed! So now I’m in a trio with de León and Kitimbo!

After dinner we had a devotional (inspirational talk) from Elder Neil L. Andersen. His wife told us that all we have to do is plant a seed in peoples’ hearts. Reminds me of that thing that’s like, “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit”. Elder Andersen talked about being sure of your goal and the fact we need to be adaptable. We do not change hearts and convert people, but rather the spirit and Christ do. Do not be afraid to be a part of something bigger than yourself!

On the way back to residence, I ran into the Americans again. It was their last night so we hung out, said goodbye and took some photos. Sisters James and Yost, Elders Gerstner, Haslam, and some Texan who’s name escapes me… you’ll be awesome! Go well .

That’s been my time here so far. Sorry if this has been a long one; yesterday was not a day off

Love you all, 

Elder Bishop (Jake)