Monday, July 7, 2008

Darren Update

He's lost 15 pounds. He's going to Prague for a Visa trip. He is homesick and having a hard time learning the language. Last week he was chased by a drunk man and another man told him to go home because he's an American spy.

He's only been out for four months and has many investigators. He's also had a baptism. He says he loves what he's doing. He says that his companion is the best and that they have a lot of fun together. One thing about Darren - he loves challenges and he is extremely resilient. He will get through this and be a better person because of it. I'm proud of him.



Here he is in his Russian hat.

15 comments:

Jan said...

How long has he been out again Red?

I hope he can learn the language somehow really quick. I felt so sad when I read this, but I know that he is okay when he said he loves what he is doing.

My missionary has only 4 months left. It has gone by so fast. Thanks for the update though. I understand how a missionary mother feels. That drunk man was so wrong. He is an American Hero.

Jan said...

Thanks for serving Darren.

tiki_lady said...

I love hearing missionary stories. I am sorry he is struggling with the language, but with perserverance he will master it! I know he will. What great experiences he is having. There is always a rainbow at the end of the storm. Ok, enough for cliche's. Let him know he rocks! and he has our prayers with him.

Redhoodoos said...

You guys are great. I am sending him a package and will print out your comments! Thank you.

Redhoodoos said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
"Q" Tips, "K"razy fun and daily "L"ife said...

Darren is an awesome kid and will triumph in any task that he tries , i know that he will master the language, and maybe even conquer the drunk guy! It is great to hear that he likes his companion, it would be a disaster if he didnt.

chelle said...

Darren is doing what he was called to do and will be blessed with all the gifts he needs. The language will come. My friend told me that the language was very slow to her and this made her so sad. She really tried but the first 6 months she mostly sat and listened because she could not speak. In hindsight, she realized that this time was priceless. She learned so much from just sitting and listening. She has a bubbly personality that lets her often be the center of attention, so she feels as though the language was kept from her so she could just sit and listen and learn at first.

Thanks for all your service Darren! m

tammy said...

If we didn't struggle with anything we wouldn't appreciate it so much. Once he catches on with the language...and I know he will... he will appreciate the hand of the Lord in his life and will become an even more powerful missionary.

Please tell him I appreciate his service. I'm a convert and I know how special those missionaries are.

Anonymous said...

WOW! He will do great...after all ... look who his Momma is!:)

Anonymous said...

p.s. I LOVE THE HAT!

Janell said...

Missions can be so hard. SO very hard - but so very good. What an exciting time for him!!!

kitchenditcher said...

My son too loves what he is doing. He has been out 10 months but it feels like 10 years! How blessed we are to have such valiant and strippling warriors for sons!

julie said...

Sounds like a normal mission! When he gets home he will be homesick for Russia. We just miss wherever we are not. I hope in heaven we have it all.

Dolly said...

My son has lost weight also! I just sent him new pants :) He went from a size 44 to a 40. (He's six-six!)So, as soon as I found him church pants and jeans...I sent him food! He said it's expensive to buy meat in Switzerland. They eat a lot of rice and veggies. So I know he's healthy!
Cam struggles with the language also-they have four different dialects. He keeps telling me he's not homesick-because we've had several young men return home from our stake:( But he's sent them letters and tells us, "The Church is true!" Warms my heart!

Da Bergs said...

OH MY GOSH! How I wish I still had a missionary out!!! OH HOW I MISSED THEM!!! but, oh how happy they were and how they grew!!! Darren will grow too! He WILL learn the language!!! He will get over the home sickness and it will come back and he will get over it again... Congrats on the baptism!!! ENJOY!!!! What a blessing!!!