Missionaries serving in Queens

Before retiring and becoming missionaries, Charlie and Carol were teachers and ranchers in Springville, Utah. Before coming to Liverpool, they spent 18 months in Kenya, teaching the gospel of Christ and assisting members of the Church branches.

“Kenya was a special place. The country is in such need from the developed nations. They need help in humanitarian ways, and they need help in the religious ways,” says Charlie.

There was more to it than teaching however, and the goal is not to convert everyone they meet.

“What we do as missionaries is teach what we have learned, and then you have to take it from there,” says Charlie.

“Our main invitation to our church is we don’t want to change your beliefs. We want others to bring everything they believe in and we’ll share whatever might add additional insight into their beliefs of Jesus Christ.”

The missionary involvement in Kenya has many goals aimed at improving people’s lives. Just some of the church’s work includes helping with education, providing funds and technology for digging wells and irrigation systems, and helping individuals find work through training and interviewing skills to financing small businesses.

“This is such a hard time in the world. If there is some hope, we should share it,” says Carol.

One of the couple’s roles is to help the younger missionaries. Sometimes when they find someone who wants to learn more, that person may prefer speaking with an older person.

“The younger missionaries more or less knock on the doors or talk to someone on the streets. They will usually find someone who wants to know more about the church and ask us to assist,” says Charlie.

Kenya provided its own challenges however.

“There was always the potential for danger, but we believed that because we were on the Lord’s errand, we would be protected. And we were on several occasions,” says Charlie.

At times there were riots, and poverty was much more visible than in North America.

On the other side however, they saw things that amazed them.

“The have so little, yet they’re always smiling. They are thankful for what they have,” says Carol.

She also chuckles, recalling while out in the bush teaching in mud huts that “Chickens ran beneath the chairs. Once I saw a cheetah run right behind the chapel we were teaching at. It was wow all the time.”

Being away from family can be tough at times. Back in Utah they have 14 grandchildren, one of which was six months old when they left.

“It’s hard to be away from family and home, and yet this is where we want to be and do.”

They do talk quite frequently however, through phone and e-mail.

“They know and are all happy and support us in what we do.”

A missionary’s work is voluntary, and while on missions they pay their own expenses. They say that this is their opportunity to give back to the Lord.

“We’ve been so blessed in our lives, that we will ever be indebted. This is our way of showing we are glad for all of our blessings,” says Carol.

The couple arrived in Liverpool at the beginning of Nov. They are already involved with the Liverpool Lion’s Club on projects, and offer their time to other organizations in the community. They say they are available to any organization in need of a helping hand.

The South Shore seems to have made an impression on them as well.

“If we didn’t have roots, we’d think about moving here. It is very beautiful here,” says Carol.

She adds the people here are wonderful, and remarks about how well they have been treated.

No matter where they go however, they say there is something they take away from the experience.

“When you live in a different country, you really absorb some of their culture. You get to know how they feel about things, their traditions and their families. I really enjoyed that part,” says Carol.