Works for Me - Battle Creek Enquirer 4/16/07

WORKS FOR ME
Missionary takes message to all who will listen
Andy Rathbun
The Enquirer

The radio stays off, the news gets ignored, and the focus stays on Jesus Christ for an unpaid Mormon missionary, living and preaching in Battle Creek.

Utah native Elder Christopher Child works seven days a week, from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., on his mission, a two-year trip during which he spreads his belief in God.

Traveling with another 20-year-old missionary, Elder Paul Oblock, Child gets doors slammed in his face, and occasionally is threatened. But it's rewarding work.

"The enemy isn't other people," he said. "The enemy is the adversary (the devil), obviously. We're trying to bring people to Christ in any way we can."

You mentioned you don't talk with your family that often.
"We are limited to two times a year."

Do you choose when?
"No, actually the mission president decides. And for us it's Mother's Day and Christmas."

How long did you last talk?
"I'm sure it was under an hour. So. It's good to keep it brief. We say the important things. It's nice to hear their voice. It's good to keep it brief so you're not distracted, you don't get too homesick afterwards. It's more uplifting."

But you're able to e-mail?
"Once a week, and we can correspond with our family through letters otherwise."

Have you ever been hurt?
"I've been threatened to have vicious dogs sent out on us, but I personally haven't sustained serious injury. It's a very safe thing to do, to serve a mission. The Lord really looks after those that love him."

Do you have many doors slammed in your face?
"Absolutely. And I don't blame them really. Perhaps they've had a rough day."

Is that discouraging?
"It can be discouraging at times, but one of the benefits is we're not alone. We don't work alone. It's good to have that friendship, that companionship. That companionship helps us to get through those tough times."

I take it you don't have time to see movies.
"We don't go the movies. We don't listen to the radio. We don't surf the Internet, do the normal things that we do while we're home."

So do you listen to music?
"We listen to that music which is approved. It's uplifting, and it helps us to focus on our work as well."

What's an example of uplifting music?
"Anything that's instrumental, classical music."

What did you listen to before?
"Josh Groban. Stuff like that. That was really my taste."

Do you miss TV, the radio, that stuff?
"Not really. I thought I might, but you know, the things of the world, they're just distractions, really."

Any opinions on Republican Mitt Romney, the Mormon presidential candidate?
"People say, 'What do you think of Mitt Romney?' We don't follow the news at all. We would encourage — I would encourage, personally, this is just me speaking — everyone that can to vote for those that they think would best run the country, those that would best do the job."

How do you feel the mission's changed you?
"I think the difference it's made in my life is I look outward now. And I'm not saying that to be prideful or anything. It's just something that's come about. I look at others' concerns and try to help them."

Have you thought about what you'll do after the end of your mission, in nine months?
"I'll probably be going back to the University of Utah, finish my (pre-med) studies there, and then marry, have a family of my own. But really I'm focusing on the work here."

Andy Rathbun can be reached at 962-3380 or arathbun@battlecr.gannett.com.