Mormon missionaries find two years a life-changing experience

Las Vegas may seem like an unlikely destination for a Mormon missionary.

But Jonathan Castrey, a Naperville college student, says he and his message received a surprisingly warm reception in the place often known as "sin city."

Many Las Vegas residents, disillusioned by the glamor and promise of easy riches, are intrigued by the very different lifestyle of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who already reside in the city, he said.

"There were a few people who really, really knew they needed a change in their lives," he said. "It was interesting to see the change they had."

Castrey was one of eight young men from the Naperville congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to return from mission trips around the world within a year. Among the others, Skipper Plowman served in Russia, Braden Fisher in western Idaho, Preston Clark in upstate New York, Erik Miller in Colorado Springs, Sam Anderson in the Dominican Republic, Trent Monson in Puerto Rico and Matt Stevenson in Panama.

They did not choose their destinations and were sent to serve in places where they knew no one before they came. The young men were taking to heart the church's strong encouragement that they devote two years of their lives in spreading the gospel and serving others.

Married couples, young women and retirees also may choose to serve in missions, but the most typical missionaries are young men who begin their work between the ages of 19 and 21, said Julie Stevenson, public affairs director for the Joliet Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Naperville missionaries all interrupted their college studies to go. They, or their families, covered their living expenses during their period of unpaid service.

Being a missionary means more than knocking on doors, Castrey said.

"One of the big things I learned to do is build relationships with people," he said. "I learned it was important to get to know people before you bring up something important."

Not all of the missionaries found as positive as reception as Castrey, but all said they were glad they went.

"Out of 10 people, nine would probably slam the door in your face," said Clark, who helped residents shovel out in winter snowstorms during his two-year stint in upstate New York. "(But) it was a great experience. I did grow and learn a lot from it."

The number of missionaries that the 280-member Naperville congregation had out at the same time was unusual, but they happened to be young men of the same age who had grown up together, Stevenson said. Her own son, Matt, was among them.

Matt returned in August from Panama, where he learned to speak Spanish and helped people with everything from painting their houses to bringing in the harvest. Since Mormon missionaries follow the New Testament pattern of working in pairs, he was assigned a Latin companion.

Stevenson acknowledged the experience was sometimes difficult. He got sick from bad food and didn't always get along with his missionary partner.

"Cultural differences can be confusing," he said. "But you learn so much from it. It's really worth it."

Monson said he was humbled and amazed by his experience in Puerto Rico, where he helped people dig out from two mudslides on the island.

"People can have a simple lifestyle and enjoy it," he said. "I have a completely different outlook on life. I have an appreciation and respect for everything we have in America."

Before being sent to the field, the missionaries undergo three week of training and an additional nine weeks if they have to learn a foreign language. Plowman said his three months of training couldn't completely prepare him for Russia.

"Once we got to Russia, we found we didn't know any Russia," he said.

Plowman spent two days a week in service, working at hospitals and in English clubs. The other days were devoted to evangelism, setting up in the town center or going door-to-door. If someone expressed an interest, they would make an appointment to talk more, he said.

"It (the interest) was much lower compared to the United States," he said. "They didn't like us very much."

The experience taught him the importance of family, morals and faith, Plowman said.

"Before I was centered on me and life as a college student," he said.

Fisher calls it a miracle that he survived a serious car crash with no injuries while serving in western Idaho. He helped residents bring in hay and do home projects, and found a mixed reaction to his message.

"You kind of learn to forget about yourself and care for others," he said. "It easily was the best two years experience of my life."

Two more young men from Naperville church are about to go on their own missionary experience. Brian Clark will serve in the footsteps of his dad, who had served as a missionary in Japan at age 19, as well as those of his brother, Preston.

But unlike Preston, who served in upstate New York, Brian will be going to Kenya in East Africa. Brian said he was both shocked and thrilled to learn his destination.

"The church is growing rapidly over there among the people of East Africa," he said.

Eric Horne said he was hoping for a destination more exotic than Seattle, but believes that's where God wants him.

"I'm kind of curious ... what he wants me to do and who I'll meet," he said. "It's kind of stressful. There's a lot expected of you, but I expect I'll be able to step up to the test."