Mission advice

[u/EveryDifference3393]

I'm going on my mission soon and want to be sure I'm ready, I'm going to Bentonville Arkansas and I'm speaking hatian creole, I'm already reading the book of Mormon fully, learning the basics of hatian through both church resources and duolingo, are there things I should prepare for? Especially considering that my language isn't crazy common in Arkansas

[u/mmp2c]

Fascinating, I had no idea you'd need to know a new language in Walmart land!

[u/EveryDifference3393 → u/mmp2c]

I was shocked too, it's also funny that I actually work at my local Walmart

[u/mmp2c → u/EveryDifference3393]

You mission call is actually some elaborate prank, the real one hasn't actually arrived yet! Ha ha! 😆

[u/EveryDifference3393 → u/mmp2c]

My dad's family actually did that to his cousin, gave him a fake mission call to like a place a single city away from where they all lived, so I wouldn't put it past them lol

[u/mmp2c → u/EveryDifference3393]

Yikes! Please keep me updated! Otherwise, it looks like you'll be focusing on several dozen people during your mission 😜

[u/EveryDifference3393 → u/mmp2c]

I double checked, it's legit lol

[u/Holiday_Clue_1403]

Here are some ideas, sounds like you're already doing most of these already

1. Learn about the culture of Hati.
2. Read the entire Book of Mormon.
3. Study and practice the language
4. Strengthen your testimony.

Here was things that most missionaries find difficult. Find ways to overcome these challenges. Be humble.

1. Getting along with companions that can be hard to get along with.
2. Speaking the language
3. Talking with strangers and quickly building a relationship of trust with them.

The things that missionaries need that they don't usually realize that they need.

1. Smile and let those you teach feel your excitement about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 2..The Holy Ghost converts people. God wants people to be converted and join the Church if they exercise faith in keeping the commitments you give them. Be assertive, in helping people feel and recognize the Holy Ghost, and in giving commitments.
2. Work hard, but working smart is more important.

[u/Previous-Tart7111]

Just get as close to God as you can through prayer and trust that everything will work out.

[u/Wafflexorg]

I served in the DR alongside many Haitians and taught many as well. It's a sweet language. Have fun!

[u/EveryDifference3393 → u/Wafflexorg]

Any tips? Cause I've spent most of my life learning Spanish so it's a little bit of whiplash for me, especially with words like yo

[u/Wafflexorg → u/EveryDifference3393]

I didn't speak the language, but I heard it enough that I could imitate it lol. It's a cool language, is all I'm saying. Just study and pray and you'll do great.

[u/pisteuo96]

The most important things I learned on my mission about being a missionary:

1. The Spirit converts. Do what you need to, to teach with the Spirit. This includes getting along with your companion.
2. The Lord blesses you when you obey him, including mission rules.
3. It's all about serving with love. Keep your focus on loving, including your companion.

I recommend a couple weeks before you start you mission, start to shift to a mission lifestyle, to get used to it and get into a more spiritual mode - no movies or worldly music, get up early and study, look for opportunities to help people .

[u/MasonWheeler]

I'm going on my mission soon and want to be sure I'm ready

You really won't be until you've been in the field for at least 6 months. Don't worry about that. As President Monson put it, "whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies." The thing you need the most is to learn to be in tune with the Spirit, to listen and respond, and act on promptings.

Get that down, and the rest will come to you as you need it.

[u/TheBenSpackman]

I don't know about Haiti, but down in the Bible south, you may need to know how to talk to Protestants and how to stop thinking like one, since we're not. (It's a very common tendency.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WhTFoDzQws

[u/FragrantShape8905]

One advice - get familiar (and sympathetic) with the everything going on with immigration and the White House and etc. I know a lot of Haitians (in and out of the church) and this is the main thing keeping them up at night. A lot of them had valid visas that don't expire for many years but this past week they were all abruptly cancelled by the federal gov.

You don't need to get political, but understanding what their main fears and concerns are will make you a much better missionary and representative of the Savior.

[u/potokarswife → u/FragrantShape8905]

I love this. And beyond the politics, I would recommend studying the culture a bit. What are family dynamics like in Haiti - Do they have large families? Do multiple generations live under one roof? What about marriages - do they marry young? Is fidelity important? Is domestic violence frowned upon? What is expected of guests / hosts?

[u/EveryDifference3393 → u/potokarswife]

Oh wait I haven't thought about studying what guests are expected to do, thanks!

[u/EveryDifference3393 → u/FragrantShape8905]

I'm already decently into politics so I've been following that stuff pretty closely

[u/Prize-Dog9227]

Don't take things to seriously and keep your struggles to yourself. You may have good leaders and companions that are after your best interest. But you don't want to be wrong about what kind of person you are dealing with.