We kept working through the crowd, and somehow, up ahead another block or two away was that bright pink. France Lyon Mission. Packing wise, bring easy to use suitcases. Very little snow (winter in Orleans). Well, we started walking one direction out of the station. Learn the discussions in English before going to the Mission Training Center then you have a better idea of what you are saying in French. I trained Elder Jeffs. Missionary Training Center. I want to live in a place like this. My nervousness changed to joy, and we kept walking along the road, talking to everyone that came close. Many people told me I wouldnt see any since I was going to France. It didnt usually get too hot except for when the wind blew in from the Sahara. Crepes, raclette, burrito fete, pastries, Had a knife pulled on me and was jumped by a group of young Arabs. (Jeffrey), Depends on what part of the county youre in. The weather felt extreme (but its really pretty moderate) but only because of the humidity. So Why Did My Husband Want to Join It? (Alex), Layer! And I loved hearing peoples stories. A man opened the door in a small robe and when we asked him if he spoke English, he swung the door wide open and revealed a butcher knife in his hand. Youll get rid of the big one quickly of you bring it. (Jacob), We had an investigator who was searching for something better in life. We finally ran into one of our Evangelical African friends who cast out the demon in him. The Church was legally recognized in October 1968. We spoke French to her and she repeated it all in Russian. (Stuart), Cholet (twice), Troyes, Coutances, Aulnay-sous-Bois, le Vesinet, Tours. Surely there will be hard and discouraging times. Amazing member missionaries, amazing examples. (Bryan), One time playing soccer near the Eiffel Tower and watching a bunch of illegal sellers of tourist items running away from police and diving into bushes and seeing all their stuff flying everywhere. I learned more during my mission than 25 years of life. Organization. Raclettr. (Anonymous), Getting along with your companion is more important than you ever would believe. (Jordan), Riding the bus at night in Mauritius. (Matt), Bread and cheese, snails, sauerkraut with various meats, fries and the different sauces that France and Belgium have to offer. To do otherwise will keep you from speaking for a good part of your mission. The ability to learn and speak another language. The next day, we were notified from our Mission President that missionaries were no longer to hold Halloween parties in any way whatsoever. 5. Missionary Moms & Dads DC North Mission Group. Here Are Five Ways to Find Answers, Helping Loved Ones Face Questions and Doubts about Faith. Everything you do/learn will apply to whatever you do after your mission for the rest of your life. It doesnt make sense to have to use time to even begin to find a testimony on your mission when you could be bearing it instead to people that need it. I love you, and so does the Lord. New friends. A few of the members had a chuckle. We all spent the day in our apartment, having our meeting there in our living room, followed by a big lunch. (Kale), The Moloroff (speed record of 6:15). That lead to us teaching he and his girlfriend. We were there for 20 years before making the journey to America., Brother Luala felt grateful just to come to the United States, but the Lord had more in store for him. (Michael), Too many to list. Some times to a fault for preaching the gospel as they only want to worry about themselves and dont need anything else . Weve seen how Heavenly Father has a unique and beautiful plan for Brother Lualaand all the French-speaking people in Phoenix. I also gained a lot of confidence and happiness. (Alex), Rainy, warm in country/cities, very rainy. Since we did nothing everyone was a lot nicer to us. Slightly nerve racking but ultimately hilarious. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: France Parismissionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments. (Anonymous), It gets very hot and very cold. (Kale), Poubelles, crepes, couscous, steak-frites. (Douglas), Every baptism was such a spiritual experience. The ability to speak to strangers and to do hard things. In the evening that same day we were in a remote location far from the center and knocking doorsguess who opened one of the door we knocked at. (Kara), French (study a second language early). (Stuart), Crpe, Burrito Fte, Donner Kebab, Brioche, Galette Brtonne, Crme Frache Pizza. You can find happiness in anything if you want to. So many sacrament meetings for me were also so sacred, I felt like they were celestial room moments. (Chloe), Any kind of cheese and bread and Greque kebabs. We spent the next four hours walking the sisters home before we could head back to our own apartment. There are 346 missions in this index. He decided to be baptized. Full-Time Senior Missionaries Senior Service Missionaries Service Missionaries Missionary Manuals Dress and Grooming Missionary Training Centers Online Recommendation System Missionary Recommendation Interview Questions Missionary Preparation Frequently Asked Questions Sharing the Gospel Online Mission Maps Home ChurchofJesusChrist.org Missionary Love the people and dont judge others :)(Jordan), Read the scriptures out loud in the language. (Kara), TIGHTS! I discovered a lot about myself. (Michael), It will be the hardest thing you ever do. Has awesome preparation days. To name two, I was blessed to learn to love people, even though I dont directly benefit in any temporal way from those people. Also, companionship study could be very spiritual because we were studying similar doctrine together and discussing what we learned in detail. Then knowing that he was faithful to the end of his life. (Nicholai), EVERYTHING! Remember that youll be effectively living out of your luggage sometimes, and transfers happen unexpectedly sometimes. The missionaries attracted converts and established a base for more Latter-day Saint French-speaking immigrants. I tapped him on the shoulder after we crossed the street and started talking to him. Full-Time Senior Missionaries. France Marseille Mission. We were told that our street was pretty much on the line of the evacuation zone and that we could leave if we wanted but otherwise were advised to stay in our apartment until the demolition specialist from Belgium could arrive on the TGV later that afternoon. (Roberto), When knocking on doors the first time, I commented after about three doors to my trainer Man, there sure are a lot of people called sonnerie here! Most of the doorbells said sonnerie on them. (Stuart), I suffered from debilitating migraines during my mission. Heres a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the ParisLDS Mission. Other times, it was just having a conversation with the man in the park about death, and what he was going through. The prophets of the Book of Mormon regularly apologize for the weaknesses of mortal tongues because it can be the first and most intimidating barrier to sharing eternal truths with strangers in strange lands, but it can be overcome. The cobblestone may break your wheels so try to get a strong suitcase. I wish I knew the doctrine better or even had a stronger testimony on certain things. It was right outside a train station and everyone stopped to see how I would react. Make sure youre prepared. Long suffering. Goat cheese salads. ): I have complete confidence in you. HenryB. Eyring, Prayers of Faith, Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 28. (Anonymous), The end of a mission is the beginning of a life mission to grow and serve. Brother Naatjes is a former stake president, high councilor, branch president . We made it clear that us sisters were missionaries and why we were here. (Valan), Dont bring tons of American clothes. One or two probably turned away, but one man was at least curious. (Matt), Each area has its own culture really. (Nicholai), Be more outgoing and less afraid of making mistakes. I did not have the gift of tongues from the get go, but I learned to accept myself for mistakes. Boots for rain. We do them ourselves using buses, metros and trains. I wish Id understood things about the Temple more when I was there attending so much so I couldve more fully appreciated the experience. -awesome!!!! (Roberto), While riding our bikes in Orleans, some guys we rode by spat at and hit us in the shoulder. You prayed that we would have a fruitful evening! The Lord answers prayers! On Halloween, we decided to show the French what a real Halloween was like. I love the members and how much they love the missionaries. (Dennis), Raclette, Crpes, Quiche lorraine, Ptisseries (viennoise and pain au chocolat aux amandes), African peanut chicken sauce and rice, and Baguette ham & gruyre sandwich. Like when someone disses someone and you say Burn! well I said Brul (burn) and found out that doesnt work too well. (Drew), Paris West & East, St. Brieuc, Versailles. (Matt), How to find the good in others, studying for a couple hours at a time, and not being afraid to open my mouth. (Elsa), A gypsy kid stole my companions cheeseburger at one of the McDonalds on Rue Ste. That feeling of love was astounding. From that moment on, Brother Lualas life was changed. It was a surprise for me to meet American people who speak French. During the 1960s, Church membership increased fivefold as missionaries and members worked to spread the gospel. Click the mission name for a page that indicates the mission (s) that now serve the same area. (Matt), Having my last lesson on my mission where our golden investigator told us a story where he met 2 young men in white shirts and ties that gave him a book that forever changed his life and his families. She got baptized later, and I got to baptize and confirm her. (Matt), Being threatened numerous times and actually being punched in the face. Paris is awesome. Now my son is also serving in the same mission I know there were about 100 + missionaries and maybe 20-some sisters It was a lot smaller area than it is now. (Jeffrey), Kebabs, crpes, coquilles St Jacques. So I turned my bleue away and walked around the median just to be safe. How to work past exhaustion. Over coming adversity. (Google Maps) 3. She met the missionaries after her member friend told her about how priesthood holders can bless homes, and this really helped her and her family. (Jeffrey), France is a beautiful country. She said she was hoping to talk with us more, and what a miracle it was that we just appeared! (Mariah), Had a great companionship study in the morning and really felt the Spirit. I learned to love a large variety of foods. (Doug), Good sturdy yet lightweight luggage. (Valan), Threw up in garbage can at metro stop after eating flour and water for dinner. It was a long walk. (Drew), Pain au chocolate. The people outside of Paris seem more friendly to Americans than Parisians do. He then reached out and grabbed some of my long red hair, and cut off several inches. To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Paris Mission: Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the France ParisMission. We had an elder from England who had not done language training. How to enjoy being anywhere. You will learn sacrifice real fast. RussellM. Nelson, opening remarks in Children and Youth: A Face to Face Event with Elder GerritW. Gong, Nov. 17, 2019, broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. The honeymoon might last a bit longer (a year or two) but if your partner or yourself are not grounded in the gospel, some rough, exciting, sad times are ahead of you. (Jacob), We were riding bikes one day with our skirts pinned and our helmets. (Valan), Walking in a sketchy city with lots of Arabs and came across a fight in the parking lot. My last companion started training Elder Whitman the day I went home. (Anna), I was training for the second time in St. Ouen/Sarcelles, and we were waiting to cross a busy street after an appointment. When we got there it turned out that the sister missionaries where there as well. Trying different foods. On my first assignment, I was asked to lead the music in the Relief Society in Versailles. 172 Years. Dont assume they dont understand you if you are speaking in English together. The quicker you do the faster you will start to have one of the most cherished times of your life. Do your best to communicate in a loving way with your companion. (Bryan), A strong testimony of the work and of the church. But there was no time to jump out and talk to her, get her number or set up an appointment. Among the hardest things Id done. The sisters where Im from wear black all over! We tried to explain to him that we werent nuns, and he thought that we were sad about it, so he spent 20 minutes reassuring us that someday we could be nuns. Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service, rev. She asked me if the Book of Mormon could truly change her life for the better. 4. That was always a good spiritual experience. (Anonymous), Cherbourg, Nogent, Vannes, Sarcelles, St Brieuc, Evreux, Niort, Soissons. (Anonymous), Where ever you are called, serve with all your might, mind, and strength. Bread. (Valan), Never snowed. The language of the Spirit is the codex for the universal translator that is the Gift of Tongues. I was thinking, what are we doing?! Believe that everything will work out and dont worry so much. (Kara), Colombes, Evry/Grigny, Versailles, Melun, Bois Guillaume, Rouens, and Nantes. Learn to accept them for who they are, look for the good in them, compromise with them, and have a good time while you are with them. (Stuart), Well I had a French companion and I was joking and said your mom to him in french but in french that means a super bad word haha so be careful with your translations haha. Now, as I work, it seems a lot of people only want to associate with those who can help them. Seeing ancient castles and cathedrals and buildings blew my mind!! Wherever and however we are called to serve, may we take comfort in President RussellM. Nelsons words to youth (many of whom are now full-time missionaries! (Jeffrey), French speaking and knowing how to act professionally in a setting. (Kale), I would shore up your testimony and knowledge of the Gospel and Book of Mormon. Try to remember the quality of the people represent more than the quantity of numbers you have. I learned to listen more than I talk. Friends. (Paul), The language is beautiful. (Jordan), How to speak another language. You are assigned to teach in the French language. We were both more than surprised to receive such a mission call. I also learned to listen better. I asked for her name as she ran out and she yelled it back. After the law granting religious freedom was passed in 1967, an independent Spanish branch was organized in Madrid. My companion scheduled a dinner appointment just outside of our area, but I went along with it since he only had three weeks left in his mission. (Jeffrey), Nantes, Rennes, Poitier, Bourges, Tours, Reims, Antony, Sarcelles. Then we were praying for safety. You will become fluent enough. *Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. (Douglas), Crme brle, lapin la moutarde, crpes, couscous algrienne, une bonne quiche, et un sandwich baguette pour quelques euros sur la rue. Every apartment will have enough. Later missionaries entered Quebec City where a branch was organized in 1969. Was in 3 missions, all transfers were by airplane. Buy French Language LDS Missionary France or Quebec Mission Sweatshirt: Shop top fashion brands Sweatshirts at Amazon.com FREE DELIVERY and Returns possible on eligible purchases Amazon.com: French Language LDS Missionary France or Quebec Mission Sweatshirt : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry (Doug), Pain au chocolat (Nantes) Falafel (Paris 4eme) Baozi (Paris Rue Au Maire 3eme) Banh Mi (Paris 13eme) Gaufres (Bruxelles) Kebab Poulet (18eme, Rue Marx Dormoy) Any McDonalds (really good in Europe). American baggy clothes stick out like a sore thumb. Self Control. (Dennis), Do not feel like you are not finding success if there are few baptisms. That ended my first porting experience and the Elders bought me my first French pastry. Hangers take up a lot of space in your luggage. Life-long friends. Nothing changes the truthfulness of the gospel and Satan will work against you, so fight the battles and win. (Nicholai), Talked to strangers. (Stuart), I wish that I hadnt done things for competitive reasons. Brussels is the city of miracles and Nogent is a dream. (Merrilyn), Learned a new language. (Scott), When I was serving in Belgium, we were walking with our recent convert to his house when he ran in front of us and mooned us hahaha. We try to keep this information up to date, but its a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office. How to serve and make amazing friends. Try to keep your luggage limited, too: one large suitcase, one good backpack or carry-on piece, and a wardrobe bag for your suits/dresses.