This is what we received this morning from Zach's Mission President, President Galanos:
Dear Parents,
I am pleased to report to you about the transfer that has just taken place in the mission and which will be effected on Monday.
Elder Kelley and Elder Hall will continue as a companionship in the south Athens Area of Paleo Faliro. Elder Kelley is a great and mature young man from the USA. He has a great sense of commitment and has matured beyond all measure. His grasp of the Greek language is excellent and can be absolutely relied upon to do the right thing. Elder Hall is also from the USA and a great example for any missionaries to follow. He has a steady nature which will stand him well in the months to come, and is progressing well with his grasp of the language. He is a keen student of many things. You need to know I value these young men greatly and their contribution in the area is exemplary. I am very impressed with how well they compliment each other with their quite different characters and attributes. They are a credit to their parents and strive to represent the Saviour Jesus Christ to the best of their ability.
Overall the mission is progressing well with all missionaries growing daily in testimony and personal development. You need to know that is certainly not Brazil or Mexico. But the gospel of Jesus Christ is still the same as is the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon. Our primary objective here is to establish the church which means allowing the Lord to either lead the elect to the missionaries or the missionaries to the elect, and then strengthening them to build a strong foundation for the church.
The missionaries and members labour daily in circumstances quite different to most places in the world. The culture is markedly different to anything the missionaries are familiar with. We deal with a culture based on a religion that has deep seated traditions and a professional clergy that is displeased with what we do. The culture itself mitigates against people acting freely to join the church quickly. But herein we see the beauty of the gospel which reaches out and touches the hearts of men and women searching for truth regardless of circumstances.
The young men and women who comprise this marvellous army of the Lord are outstanding. I have no qualms in saying we receive the best of the best; they love learning this challenging language to the point of just enjoying speaking it. They strive hard to build their testimonies and to learn and practice the lessons from Preach My Gospel. We all strive to be PMG missionaries in a PMG Mission. They will return to you a mature men having overcome much in their lives. Like the Brother of Jared they will have exercised much faith and many will have seen miracles happen. They understand there are no “ranks” in the mission and all serve as they are called – some to help a challenged missionary; some as leaders; some as great soldiers; but all because they have a testimony.
Is all perfect? Do they feel great every day? Of course not! But I testify to you that day by day, as they stumble, they struggle to rise and continue; if they need to repent, they do and move forward. My wife and I have a great love for your sons and daughters and are doing our very best 24/7 to help them allow the Saviour to mould their character. I tell them two things continually: (1) the character they have the day they step off their mission is the character they will have the balance of their lives. They may grow in wisdom, knowledge, and even testimony, but their foundational character will probably be set, and if they do the best they can, it will have similarities to that of the Saviour – therefore, what character do they want to have; it rests partly with them; and (2) How do you eat an elephant? You cut him up into very small pieces and then eat one small piece at a time, chewing consistently and carefully swallowing each piece before trying another.
Thank you for your sons.
Kind regards,
John Galanos, PresidentGreece Athens Mission
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