The One Where He Gets Medically Released

Have you heard of squash?

I had as well, but I guess it means a little different here. It's not just a vegetable.

I can't remember the exact day, but I and Elder Koch were grocery shopping and I was wanting some lemonade. I couldn't find the stuff I was used to getting in Athens, but I was wanting it anyway. I quickly grabbed something from the shelf that said "Lemonade" on it, and kept shopping.

About a glass down and a very surprised group of missionaries later, we realize it's literally straight lemon concentrate, and I downed a whole glass before realizing it. You're supposed to pour about 10% squash, and 90% water.

Don't ask me how I didn't realize. I really don't know.

I have almost felt like my mission has been like that. Like, before the mission, it was a 1 to 9 ratio of experiences, adventures, and most importantly, spiritual experiences. On the mission, its almost 9/1 experience (Nine being the lemon squash).

That might seem intimidating at first glance, but honestly, it's one of the greatest experiences in this life. And I'm not saying that because I love stress, the busy life, or talking to people I've never met before. I still worry about talking to people. Stress still sucks. Being busy is tiring. However, learning how to manage and how TO learn has been on of the greatest blessing of my mission so far. I wish I could express how important it has been for me.

This last P-Day, we went to a lesson with a friend early in the morning. It was the first time teaching together and I think it went really well. We left the meeting to go drive our car out of the 60-minute parking (we way exceeded 60 minutes) we walked up to our car and Elder Huhtala hopped in. But I couldnt help but look back at the person we had just passed. She kept looking at us as we walked by. Which isn't uncommon, but it felt different this time.

"Hello!" I finally said, half way in the car.

"Hello"

I asked her name, and after about 30 seconds we were out of the car talking to her about her experience in Cyprus. She was an immigrant from Ukraine. She wanted to learn English and Greek and we just kept talking for about 10 minutes. We exchanged phone numbers to stay in touch about our English class, and we went on our way.

Just by going out and about brings remarkable experiences and allows us to meet and see others. We have bikes and cars in our area, but if I ever can, I choose to walk just because of the miracles that can happen from simple street interactions. Our Branch President in Limmisos was found by missionaries just because they were trying to send a letter home and they spoke on a bench outside waiting for their turn. One simple moment changed his life. 2 years is worth even one person's salvation. Even if it is your own conversion to the Savior.

I will say, something has felt different this last week. We had two lessons in one day, and they basically scheduled the next lessons with US instead of us with them. It is a solid reminder to me about our purpose as missionaries, and it's influenced our work.

So I know y'all had Easter last Sunday, but 'real' Easter was this Sunday (I'm saying that as a joke by the way). I thought we celebrate Easter big in the states, but it's something very special here.

Celebration starts on Saturday, and about 5 hours before midnight, Orthodox members gather at churches. Which, at some day prior, the priest has received fire from Jerusalem that is given to each Orthodox church across the Mediterranean. At about midnight the priest begins something like a vocal prayer, and begins spreading the fire to candles everyone in the congregation has. Usually there are so many people, it floods out of the church and into the court yard.

That's all we were expecting, at least.

We arrive at the wrong church (Orthodox churches are more numerous than Latter-Day Saints churches in Utah, mind you) but we were honestly excited. It was a smaller church and I felt there were a lot more Cypriots there than just tourists. They were all very kind, surprisingly even to us missionaries.

However, something we were not expecting was the 25ft tall pile of wood about 40 meters from the church with like 15 younger people dressed in black. We assumed it was some form of protest and continued to the church.

Once midnight hit, the light was being passed from person to person exponentially in a very calm demeanor, until we hear a

BOOM!

We all turned to look at the tall stack of wood. One of the people in black has lit it on fire and the rest of them proceeded to throw fire crackers into the flames. Explosions and fireworks are just crackling 40 yards away from us as everyone with us sings a very melodic prayer in reverence. It was quite contrast.

Elder Garrick began talking to one of the Cypriots there and discovered the fire was not a protest, but actually... a tradition!

Basically, they build this big tower of wood, make a stuffed version of Judas AND BURN IT.

Honestly, it was probably the best Easter I have ever had.

I guess I should bring up the elephant in the room. There's no real way to bring this up smoothly.

Unfortunately, I am being sent home for medical reasons.

About just as soon as I arrived in the field, I noticed something a little wrong with my physical health, but I shook it off because I assumed it would be something that would pass. Unfortunately with the increased amount of walking and biking in Cyprus, it became more prominent and began to become discomforting and painful.

I contacted the mission medical advisor, and a few hours later got a call from the Area Medical Advisor informing me this was something I needed to actually take seriously, and if it was something big enough of an issue, they would have to send me home to have surgery.

Two weeks later, I am now writing this in the airport, with a boarding pass that says, "SLC".

Three days ago, when I got the official news I was going home, I was really upset trying to figure out what I was going to do. Could I come back out on my mission after I had the surgery? Am I going to be released? What's going to happen to my companion? What's going to happen to this area? I'm the only French speaking missionary in Cyprus, what's going to happen.

Then.

It stopped.

Peace. Just as fast as it came, the anger was gone.

I think God has prepared me for this moment since I got to the field, because I have been remarkably surprised how I've been taking the news.

Don't get me wrong, this is still the hardest thing to happen on my mission, but there is peace surrounding it.

Since I was not permitted to do regular mission activities, Elder Huhtala and I got the opportunity to talk a lot these last few days. That and many more reasons is why I know he was here in Cyprus and my companion. If he was not here, I would have not felt comfortable enough to contact the medical advisor about my situation. That would have meant it would have just gotten worse and I wouldn't have gotten the proper care. Also, he's just a really good friend. It was good to have him. We discussed submitting to God's will for a good long while, and I think that's part of what they mean by missionaries are given strength from on high. Without the help of God, I think this whole situation would have been a lot harder mentally.

I couldn't control if I got this medical issue. And I couldnt do anything for it except get surgery in the states. That must mean God's will is involved in this.

And if God's hand is in this, why do I have to worry? He's got a plan for each of us, and I know he has plan for me? Why fear when things get hard?

It's like in Indiana Jones when he was crossing the bridge that was basically invisible. He had the enemies behind him, and the act of faith in front of him. He had to take the step and trust.

Faith is not a passive action. I have faith God will protect, not just His servants, but His saints. What a beautiful truth that is.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? ... Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident."Psalms 27: 1, 3

Be not afraid of God's will. Sometimes it's hard to understand it. Trust me, I know.

I think after being alive for 19 years, I've gotten to know myself pretty well. I know I like chicken, I can't eat red food dye, I like to work with my hands, cars are cool, and movies are just a legendary creation.

But, something I have found myself saying so much to people we would teach is, "We know pretty well what we want or maybe even need. However, there is a literal perfect being that knows you completely and what will come to pass. I might know myself pretty well, but you know who knows more?

He does."

I don't want to go home. But I'll trust Him. I can trust Him. I always can and I always will. And if it's His will I return to my mission, I will. If not, I will trust God.

No matter what, God will not short you of blessings you need. God's blessed me to see and do so many things and I feel humbled and honored. One of those things is the Priesthood.

I invite you to find ways to appreciate the Priesthood more in your life.

As you would expect in these last few weeks, there has been a lot of blessings and prayers for many of us missionaries. Receiving and giving blessings has been one of the most special things from my mission. Blessings of sick and/or comfort.

The "Laying on of Hands" has been something God has given to us since the beginning and is one of the greatest ways we have access to the Power of God. Do not hesitate to have it part of your life.

Part of the responsibility of a priesthood holder, expecially on mission is to be ready at all times. We aren't perfect, but we should try. At one time this week, I was requested to give a blessing.

The first thought through my mind was, "I don't feel ready to do this." I felt unclean and unprepared. That is the scariest feeling in the world.

Hence, I got to my knees and offered the most honest prayer of forgiveness and aid in my entire life. The kind where you focus your entire mind on it. It wasn't long, but it was fervent.

I felt, even to the deepest parts of my mind and without a shadow of doubt, these words: "You are forgiven."

What better relief can you feel than that? With that, I was able to give the blessing with complete comfort that I was worthy to deliver that blessing from God. I know, through my entire body and spirit, there is absolute power in the Priesthood. I promise you that, and will continuously promise you that. Not power of the world, but power of blessing his children.

I know God has a body of flesh and blood that is glorified and perfected. I know this.

Ξέρω ότι ο Θεός έχει ένα σώμα ήτοι τελικός. Ξέρω αυτόν.

God loves us.Ο θεός μας αγαπάει.

And he blesses us with His gospel.Και μας

This mission has been one of the most life changing things of my life. I wouldn't trade it for one single thing because I know this is what God wanted me to do. And it has changed me forever. My faith in God and Jesus Christ became πραγματικός. When you think God is done with you is when you find out, He's just getting started! I encourage every able young man to serve the Lord. Because you will find yourself with true joy in the Savior.

I add my testimony to Joseph Smith's in saying,

"HE LIVES!" For I know it! He came, died for our sins, only to rise again and then restore the full gospel of Jesus Christ back on the Earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith!

May God bless you!

Χριστός Ανέστη!!!

Αληθώς Ανέστη!!!

Πρεσβύτερος Ντίλαν Γιάννης Χάνσεν (Elder Dylan John Hansen)

Ιεραπόστολος γία την Εκκλησία του Ιησού Χριστού τών Αγίων τών Τεσσάρων Ημερών (Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)