LEARNING THE MEANING OF SACRIFICE

LaRae and I both come from a long line of people that sacrificed their lives for the betterment of their children, grandchildren and beyond.  Their vision was such that they knew that their actions "today" would bless the family forever.  They walked across the plains of the rugged and unsettled United States to find a place of religious freedom.  They pulled handcarts and drove ox teams through mud and snow to arrive in a barren but promising land. Now, many years later, we both enjoy the fruits of their sacrifice.  We call them "pioneers" because they blazed the way for a more glorious future.  But, pioneers aren't just a thing of the past.  We meet pioneers here in Honduras every single day.

Elder Douglas Ordonez is one such pioneer.  He and his family joined the Church here in Honduras when he was just a young man.  His father was then, and continues to oppose the Church.  He, the father, abandoned the family long ago and now lives in the United States.  This young man was called to serve a mission in his own country and tells us that he meets people he knew as a child nearly every week.  In fact, he was privileged to bring one of his childhood friends into the church last year.  Like all the missionaries, his call was extended two weeks because of the changes in the missionary age.  Of his group of 16 missionaries, 10 have petitioned to go home on their original date. But, Elder Ordonez is staying.  He said, "The prophet called me.  I'll stay until he tells me I'm done."  Staying these two extra weeks will mean that he will miss the temple dedication in his home town of Tegulcigalpa, Honduras, and his sister's missionary farewell. She has been called to work as a missionary in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He will not have been able to see her for 3 1/2 years.  In our opinion, he is a pioneer - forging a better way for his people at great personal cost and sacrifice.

(From left: Alexander, Patti, Victor and Valeria Lopez.)

Victor and Patti Lopez are also pioneers.  Unhappy with what they have seen of other religions, they have invited us into their home to teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Victor, 82 years of age, married Patti more than twenty years ago and has raised her two children (Alexander and Valeria) as his own.  It is actually very touching to see the love that exists between them. They are so gentle with each other.  Victor was married before and had three children of his own, but his wife was constantly unfaithful.  He told me that he forgave her over and over again and that she is still "precious," but that she didn't want to be with him anymore.  He left Honduras and drove long-distance trucks in the USA for eighteen years before returning to Honduras and marrying Patti.  They are searching for a better way for their children!  Victor, though aged and pretty well confined to a wheel chair, is sharp as a tack.  He was terribly embarrassed of the fact that he didn't have teeth until I took out my false teeth and told him that we were "brothers!"  He shouted, "Look, Patti, we're brothers!"  His big toothless grin just melted my heart.  We love this family and are touched by the personal sacrifices they are making to find a better way for their family.  Time will tell the end of this story, but they have already touched our hearts.

Sister Mariah Flake from Clarksville, Tennesee, is another who is sacrificing so much to be here.  The seventh of thirteen children, raised on a horse ranch, chose to serve a mission for the Lord.  She has been a great missionary and has given her all to the work. Unfortunately, she has gotten sick.  For more than two months she has not been able to eat without getting sick.  All of our efforts to find out what is wrong have failed. She gets up sick every morning, feels terrible every day, all day, but we've never seen her without a smile.  Some final test results are due this week.  If the doctors can't discover what is wrong, she is going to have to go be treated by better doctors in the United States.  She wants so badly to stay here.  She literally is sacrificing her health to provide a better life for her "brothers and sisters."  Such is the drive and personal motivation of these missionaries.  Since we have arrived in Honduras, we have seen three other missionaries go home sick.  They are pioneers in every sense of the word.


As for us, all is well.  We sacrifice so little in comparison with what is offered here by so many.  We miss our family, of course, but we know that we will be with them again.  We are happy and well.  Each day brings new challenges and opportunities.  Where you serve matters so very little!  What really matters is that you serve - that you sacrifice - and that you love!  In the end there really isn't anything else you have to offer. Our calling right now is to serve in the mission office.  We are trying to do our very best.