Sunday Warriors

Sundays as missionaries are always an adventure. I've known that since I've been set apart, but it really is emphasized since I've been here in Nicosia. Last Sunday, one of our friends wanted to come to church, but he had no way to get there from the Refugee Camp. Finances to travel away from the camp are not something very abundant there.

"Great!" we said. Then we found out he had been talking about church to 3 others in the camp and invited them to come!

So, with special permission, we drove out to the camp early in the morning to pick them up with the missionary van. These amazing people, whom we have come to call our 'Sunday Warriors', came walking to the Van, and off we went to church! With 4 amazing people. Of course, church meetings were amazing and they fit right in with everyone. It was beautiful.

Unfortunately, it came to be time to go, so we packed up in the van and went on our way back. Each of our Sunday Warriors, whom each put in the effort to come to church, left with a Book of Mormon in hand and having had a good Sabbath Day. On the road driving with enlightened spirits and listening to African worship music was a peculiar time God manifested a truth to me through the Holy Spirit about my mission. As we steadily drove down the highway with these 4 people who wanted to come to church, I felt the spirit of God manifest that this is one of the things I was called here to do for my mission. I felt as if a warm light filled this simple and yet powerful group of people to and from the sacrament. For a simple, small moment, I was graced with the opportunity to see the love God has for these, His children.

Later in the week, we had a lesson at the camp. Lessons at the camp are really interesting because we are not legally allowed to enter into the camp for any situation. So what we do is schedule the meeting about a day in advance via Whatsapp. There is about a 50% chance that they will receive the message because they do not have sim cards and only have internet at one building out of the 100's in the camp. So we just have to hope they are close to that building for them to get the message. Once they have, they confirm whether or not they can meet on a certain day. We show up at the scheduled time at the camp and park about 400 yards away. We give them a call, then come out and give a lesson with the van's trunk open with us sitting on the back. It's one of the most unique ways I have given lessons with Elder Mueller, and yet it was one of the most spiritual lessons I have ever had. These people may be in a very difficult situation but there's something beautiful here. Their spirits and the willingness they have to hear the gospel is something hard to witness anywhere else. It reminds me a great deal of the Israllites trekking through the wilderness. I try to pray for them as often as I can because they deeply need it.

Every Tuesday, we are invited to go to a restaurant owned by one of the members here in Cyprus. It is often a highlight for the missionaries here because the food is awesome Chinese, and everyone is very kind to us. Last Tuesday, we arrived as usual and were happily munching down on a meal. Since the restaurant has very authentic food, it's not uncommon for us to be the only westerners in the entire restaurant with Mandarin Chinese conversations flying around us.

So naturally, when two people walked into the restaurant as we were eating, the waiter greeted them with a "Ni-hao!"

"Sorry, we don't speak Chinese,"

"Oh, well I don't either." She replied. Literally the entire restaurant started laughing. It took us a while to get over it. We missionaries enjoy these experiences so much honestly.

Something I have come to see is how what you see as valuable completely changes as you go through your mission. Like, what I considered important has not completely shifted, however I would say I prioritize different things. Elder Morgan was talking to me about how he sees time spent with the other missionaries as super valuable time, and I honestly agree with him. Spending time together and having adventures is what has stuck in my brain the most on the mission. Not all the logistics, the numbers, the exact lesson details, but the people. I think wanting good experiences with other people is a God-like attribute. There is a reason even some of the most socially withdrawn people in the world still wish and require the company of others. God placed us here on this Earth together for a reason.

A truth revealed to me actually before my mission was not only are we sent to this world at a certain time, we are also sent alongside the people we meet today. There is a reason we are all sent here at this time in this world. I believe realizing that completely changes the way you can see other people. Every single person deserves love from the Savior and as we try to become like Him, we should strive everyday to do the same.

See the beauty in every life. Every person has had a life up to the point they have met you. I hope that knowledge can grant some humility and as well great joy in your soul.

I have to throw this out there-- I knew Cyprus would be beautiful, but I slowly grasp that more and more the longer I stay here. The beaches, mountains in the North, the Templar Castles littered across the lands, and mosques or churches that dot the map. Despite the beauty of this country(s), that isn't what we focus on, because we are here to invite others to unto Christ. However, that does not mean that we don't stop for a moment to go, "Guys, do you realize where we are?"
We say this, however, one of the best responses to that would be, "Yes! The Lord has called us here for the salvation of His people."

Elder Koch and I went on an exchange to Limmisos, and honestly that entire adventure I could probably talk about for the rest of this email. However, because of a lack of time and I try to keep these email from being too dry and boring, I will share our experience trying to get on the bus back to our area in Nicosia.

We arrive to the bus stop with 14 minutes to spare before the next bus leaves. It's great to arrive early, however, Elder Koch turns to me with a straight face.
"Do you have a mask?"
"No?"
"We need one for the bus."
"Oh no."
And thus began our run to find an open pharmacy. I pulled up google maps to find the nearest one, and then it was closed, so we basically run in a big circle until we found ONE pharmacy that was open.

"Do you have masks here?" Elder Koch asks as we walk towards the register. The lady there points to one of the walls, and we take the masks from there and set it on the counter.
"2,60 please." She says in half Greek, and half English as she speaks to someone in the back. I pull out my card and hold it out in front of me she turns and looks at me like "why are you still here?" until she finally takes my card to process the transaction.
Then we began to run back to the bus stop. Just  as we were about 200 yards away, a bus goes by.
"Wouldn't that suck if that was our bus?" one of us say.
Then the second bus went by and it was definitely our bus. And there it went.
Sooo... we waited for the next one for about 30 minutes, which was no concern until we entered the bus. Mean while were made aware the bus would be only 4 euros, it was actually 5. This would be no problem except the buses here in Cyprus only take cash. Elder Koch and I scramble to find anything for the last 2 euros.
The bus driver goes, "Hop on-- I'm already late. You just pay me at your last stop." So we hopped on and took a seat.

This was a risk because we were not sure if we even had 2 more euros on us. So for the next 5 minutes, we scrambled through our bags to find loose change.
I can promise you with all of my heart, God gifted us some Euros that day. We pull out just barely enough change from random pockets to be able to afford the bus ride we were  already on. We paid the kind bus driver once we got to Nicosia and proceeded on our way to the member's restaurant for food. Yes, this happened that very same day.

Little side note! We found out that masks weren't really required for the bus ride. I found myself questioning why we had to go running to find these masks that just sat in my bag until Sunday. God makes a use of everything because masks WERE require for our bus ride to Larnaka for a special Sacrament, and a lot of the members did not have masks. We ended up having enough masks for everyone. That would have not worked if Elder Koch and I would have not purchased those mask almost 5 days prior.

Going to this special sacrament meeting was remarkable because we had a member of the presidency of the the Seventy attend. So we tried to get as many members from the South there. And also friends! So of course, we invited our Sunday Warriors. We arrive at the camp at 6:30 in the morning (yes, we had to wake up at 5:30 am and leave by 6:10 am). We parked the 400 yards away from the camp and shot the call.
"We are on our way!" One of them on the phone call said. 30 seconds later, we see two of our warriors come out of the back gate.
"Where are the other two?" Elder Mueller ask. At this point, the two we have seen are half way there. "Wait there they are!"
That's when we spot to figures running out of the gates.
"Is that them?" I ask. As they came closer, it totally was. I guess, the first two got impatient and left before the other two. The two others must have realized they needed to come quick, and started running. They just booked it as quick as they could to the van.

This almost brought tears to my eyes. I don't think I need to explain why. It reminded me a great deal of those in England that raced to the waters of baptism out of excitement. I think this was that moment for Elder Mueller and I in our missions. They arrived at the van, and there is nothing but good feelings. Love each and every one of them and am so proud for how much they come to know about their Savior Jesus Christ. It's illegal to take pictures of the Refugee camp, however, if they can make it to next Sunday, we will try to take a picture all together. They have truly become friends of ours and I hope to stay in contact.

The mission packs so many changes and experiences. One of the big things the member of Presidency of the Seventy taught us in Sacrament that Sunday was this;
"If you have ever had the desire to share or spread the Gospel, you have been called to the work."
This has stood out to me this week because some of our best experiences have come from referals of other friends. Even if they have not been baptized, they have been called to the work.
God can do this work on his own-- he just allows us to be apart of it. What an honor and privilege!

I hope everyone is doing well at home! I heard you're still getting snow, which is crazy to me! It's short sleeve weather here now! Sorry if that makes anyone jealous...

Love you all!

Elder Dylan Hansen