UK Adventure

13 January continued. About 2 PM seven handsome young men and one lovely young woman came to my gate area and sat. The men wore black or other dark colored suits and white shirts; woman wore a black suit as well but had an ankle length skirt to replace the trousers. One by one others joined them until there were more than 20. All had the ubiquitous nametags announcing them as Mormon missionaries. One person was more beautiful than the next. How do they get them to look so pure? Innocence and good intentions poured off of them, effortless and endearing. I hesitated to engage in conversation, afraid of their proselytizing. Just overheard they're going to be missionaries in the UK. Despite their youth, they seem remarkably self-contained, yet cheerful. However, one boy is unable to temper his exuberance, sneaking behind his confreres, calling a name, and when the colleague turned--snapping a picture, all the while grinning an unabashed goofy and glorious grin. They know I'm observing them because everyone else is also.

As I watch, I note that there are many differences among the similarities. One intense young man, all angles and lines, has yet to smile. Another jangles his coins in his pocket. The aforementioned teasing one continues on his photographic mission. Still another sureptiously watches a gorgeous girl walk by. I haven't seen one yawn yet, perhaps later. Instead of bird watching, I'm missionary watching. My lifelist is getting long.

5:15 PM Now there are 25-30 of them. A second female has joined the group. Adorable, and showing an independent streak by wearing a skirt with a deep slit in the back. You go, girl!

One guy said, "I'll take a picture of the entire group."

I asked if he'd like me to do it. He replied affirmatively. Then a girl asked if I'd take one for her--and you can guess the rest--I had about 20 cameras hanging from my neck and arms. We all started laughing, as did other people in the gate area.

After a bit, three men approached and asked if they could help. At first I said, "No, I'm a camera thief, and this is how I make a living."

One kid said, "I doubt if you could outrun 40 of us." I replied, "But there are only 28. I can do that."

It was really fun and passed the time. It was also a bonding experience in a way. I ended by saying, "I'll wave at you if I see you out and about."

What I learned was that they won't find out their assignments until they get to the UK.

Many people stop by the group and say, "Going or coming?" Then they proceed to tell the kids of their own missionary experiences. I didn't ask one question but listened and learned a lot. A woman told me she and her son were on their way to pick up her other son in the UK. Her eyes shone with tears as sh told how she hasn't seen him in two years and that she'd been counting the days.

I said, "A big sacrifice."

She nodded but gave no complaint. Then she pointed toward her other son and said, "He'll be leaving soon."

"Where is he going?"

She said, "We don't know. You put in the application and wait to hear what you're chosen for."

This is still Day 1. I haven't even left Chicago and my day has been so full. What a day!

posted by Jerilyn Dufresne, author @ 03:31