Elder Jenks (They never really do use first names, so it makes it difficult for those of us keeping up the blog.) is one of those. He and Billy met first in the Mission Training Center, and Billy was excited to learn that they would be serving as companions. Both quickly realized that their excitement was not misplaced. Working along with the other missionaries in the coastal city, they quickly built a pool of investigators, spending long days in 110 degree heat.
Billy shared how his testimony grew as they were directed to specific individuals and used novel contacting methods to meet investigators in a nation that has an official ambivalence toward religious freedom and missionary work. They built their investigator pool to eight, despite the fact that all the missionaries battled illnesses, which seem to be ever present for the young men serving there. Billy at one point was hospitalized but knew better than to let his Mom know, at least until he had fully recovered.
Among those novel approaches, Billy and Elder Jenks organized a movie night the local church congregation, showing The Prince of Egypt. Striving for authenticity, Billy even succeeded in tracking down a popcorn machine, another completely novel idea in India cinema. The evening was a success, but not to the level that Billy’s earlier open house had been in Hyderbad, where he showcased the life of Christ in video and the remarkable photographs of Mark Mabry.
Reporting on the success of the movie night, Billy said the members and the visitors loved it. The Elders had arranged to bring in a big movie screen, large speakers, a huge projector, and they borrowed rope lights that were run along the floor in
the aisles. At the end of the movie when the song “Miracles” came on, you could feel the spirit was so strong. “It was priceless,” he said. At the end, he bore his testimony of living prophets and the fact that there is one on the earth today—that they receive revelation from God. He said that is the strongest testimony he has ever shared concerning prophets. While he spoke, there was complete silence. “You could feel the emotion as well as the strong spirit in the room,” he said.
Along with the spiritual work, Billy and Elder Jenks challenged each other physically, working out regularly, despite the heat, and getting together with the other Elders to play football on the beach during their preparation day. For the game, Billy and Elder Jenks had special shirts made up that had their names printed in Telugu with their numbers on them—NFL Indian style. The shirts hit the comedic chord, and Billy admitted that while his competitiveness may have decreased this past year, his love for making others laugh has not.
The walking and exercise has taken weight off of Billy, which is noticeable in the photographs. “When we come home at the end of the day we can actually wring out our shirts and ties,” he wrote. “There is so much perspiration that we have a puddle on the floor.” With it all, he is enthusiastic, reporting that being with Elder Jenks is like working with his best friend. Their personalities are infectious as they work to make people smile and laugh in the streets, and challenge each other to set and keep goals. Billy wants to return to his lacrosse, and Elder Jenks has been inspired to go out for his university’s soccer team when he returns home.
April and May were also good months for Billy and his parents. For Easter he received a CARE package with new ties, his much love licorice, and most importantly insoles for his shoes. In May he was able to call home for Mother’s Day and let Tammy hear his voice and the family feel his enthusiasm and love for the gospel. There is no question that an already disciplined and mature young man is changing into a remarkable leader, even though his brother Joseph thinks his accent is funny. In his voice you can hear a genuine love for the people and an understanding of the importance of the work and the transformational power it has in the lives of those who embrace the gospel.
“I have never been happier,” he told us, expressing his love for his mission president and for all that he is learning. “It is a remarkable journey, and I can feel direct blessings in my life as we love and teach the people.” It was also during the telephone conversation that he admitted to his hospital foray. “I was running a temperature of 104. I went for a couple of days hoping it would go away, trying to work through it.” It did not abate. In fact, it was soon accompanied by abdominal pain and at the insistence of his companion he called the Mission President and checked into the hospital.
“It’s important to be very careful on what you eat,” he said, explaining that the only American food they have is pizza, though it does not taste like anything we’re used to in the United States. Still, his spirits are higher than we have ever seen, with the only let down being when Elder Jenks was transferred from Visak to the Hyderbad 1st Branch on April 29. “I feel like I have lost a great friend,” Billy said, but then quickly rebounded with, “But I know that we will continue our friendship.”
The family excited to talk to Billy on Mother's Day. He had sent his Mother a beautiful traditional India dress with a strand of pearls. He expressed the love he has for his family and he feels like if he had it to live life over again, he would focus more on his family and be less concerned about friends. He has seen the worst living conditions and yet the people seem happy and are very friendly and loving. “The most important possession to have is your family,” he said. “That is what matters most in India. The families are very close and live near one another.” He said that he has come to appreciate that family and the Gospel are the real essentials in life.
His new companion is doing great, and Billy is really enjoying working with him. He is a great Elder to train, hard working and eager to learn.
