Tag: christianity

Our Syrian Refugee

by Catherine Shaeffer Frodsham 5 January 2025

December 27, just after Christmas, we met a pleasant, quiet young man, a refugee from Syria, who joined our church last May 2024. Here, we will call him Zain. When he was in Turkey he found Jesus Christ. It wasn’t with our church but he found Jesus. At that time his Dad disowned him. You see in the Muslim religion, leaving the religion can be a death sentence, literally. He can NEVER go back to Syria. He has had no contact with his father since then. He does secretly contact his mother and a couple of his sisters and sends his mother money when he can, but dad will not accept anything from him.

Zain was just laid off when he talked to our branch president, who sent him to us as Welfare Self Reliance missionaries. In some countries where we have more members and leaders, we have self-reliance groups that can help people get help getting resumes up to date and how to get a better job. In Athens we only have a small branch of about 30 members and do not have the man-power to have self-reliance groups. Through the Central Europe Area, WSR couples are teaching 3 self-reliance groups or classes online, starting Jan. 16. Tim and I will be teaching “Emotional Resilience”. All of Europe and even in the world can join through QuickReg online. Although the time difference would prevent some from taking it outside of the Europe Area.

Zain came to talk to us. Before we looked at his resume or his CV as they call it in Europe we sat at the table and I started asking him about his family and his life in general. Here is his story. He is 23 years of age and has lived in Athens for 5 years. At the age of 16, with his parents, two older and three younger siblings, he left Syria for Turkey. While in Turkey he attempted a boat crossing to Greece. He was put in jail for 20 days and deported back to Istanbul. He tried again in 2018 at age 17 1/2 and paid $700 Euros for a place in a crowded dingy with about 45 people on board. They helped each other throughout the voyage, including the landing on the rocky shore on what we think was the island of Leros. The boat included families and teenagers, with several unaccompanied minors such as himself. After several hours at an army base, they were put in a camp for refugees. There, they gave up their passports to apply for asylum. It is better if you are age 17 or younger as you get more help and there are more programs to help unaccompanied minors. He was there for about 4 months.

During that time many more refugees from other countries came to the island. A large group of Palestinians came and caused riots in the camp which had been very peaceful up to that point. He said some of the Palestinians told them to climb to the highest part of the church – the bell tower and jump to kill themselves. It was very dangerous and Zain was moved with other children off the island to the mainland of Greece.

He was welcomed into a shelter for unaccompanied minors called HomeProject and had a safe place to live. They also helped him receive surgery for his cataracts. He later worked at HomeProject as a caregiver, night guard and translator. He learned English from Habibi. (an NGO that the church has funded for several projects). He then learned more English at Global Connect and received his GED certificate there. Global Connect was started a few years ago by Carolyn Rounds. She served as a full-time senior mission for our church in Greece, fell in love with the people and culture and saw a need that she could help. She held English classes and invited the full-time missionaries to come and help teach and tutor her students.

Zain was one of those students. He felt the Holy Ghost through Carolyn and the missionaries and asked to learn more. He was taught and was baptized in Athens 8 months ago. He worked as a translator, care giver and night security guard, but was recently laid off. He gets a small stipend since he does have his papers and is legal here in Greece.

It has been a journey for us, learning about the refugee situation in Greece, visiting soup kitchens, community centers and refugee camps, and then working personally with a young man who has survived it all, been disowned by his family and yet looks at the church and his future with optimism and hope.

He wants to serve a mission, is trying to save money to pay his living expenses and was looking at a start date of late 2025 or 2026. He did not realize that he could get help from the church to serve a full-time mission and would not necessarily have to work a year or two to save up enough money to do that. We are talking to the branch president on Sunday about Zain starting his mission papers. Can you imagine a Syrian missionary preaching about Jesus Christ. He is a strong, powerful young man. He said, “do I need to know a lot, so I can teach?” He speaks English, Turkish, Arabic and a little Greek. What an asset to the Lord’s Army in Gathering Israel!!!

This young man is in Greece with no family, only members of the church who love him. He just went in November to the Frankfurt Temple to do baptisms for the dead. He loves the temple. How special Tim and I feel to be on a mission in this beautiful country of Greece at this time and to be able to help Zain in any way we can. We are in awe of his courage, his strength, his love of family, even his dad who has disowned him. He loves his Savior Jesus Christ and wants to serve as a missionary. He has had many tragic events in his life but says he learns from all of his experiences, even the bad ones.

We met again today January 1st, 2025 with Zain. Tim helped him get his CV or resume all up to date so he can go find a good job. Tim talked to our branch president, Pres. Anastasios Stimagkiotis, and a new MLS senior missionary couple who just came last month. They are the Kannels. He is a wonderful man who has lots of experience in leadership in the church and is now in the branch presidency. Tim mentioned that Zain wants to serve a mission so they are both taking him under their wing to help fill out mission papers and get him on a mission. That makes us VERY happy. Sometimes we have the feeling that we came to Greece for certain people. Zain is one of those reasons. We love this kind young man.

Zain said today as we ate lunch that the difference in our church and any other church and especially the Muslim religion is “LOVE”. We have love in our church. He felt it and wanted that in his life. What a powerful thing to recognize. May we love all people, all religions, all races, the way Jesus would.

May we all be more like Zain!

Tags bible, christianity, church, missionary, Missionary work, missions, Refugee, Syria

Mission

Thank You President Soulier

Post author By Tim Frodsham
Post date December 29, 2024
1 Comment on Thank You President Soulier

Catherine and Tim Frodsham. 29 Dec 2024

Late last night, Catherine was scanning Facebook, something she rarely does, and found that President Jason Soulier, Mission President for the France Lyon mission, had passed away in his sleep early that morning. We were shocked.

The Souliers started their mission service in June, and we served under them for several months before our urgent transfer to Greece. In that short time, we became fast friends. Catherine, in particular, formed an instant bond with Jennifer Soulier. The couples in the mission office were new, and although we were WSR (Welfare and Self-Reliance) missionaries, we were the most experienced senior couple in Lyon and developed a warm relationship with the Souliers as they began their mission.

In an earlier post, I compared the three mission presidents under which we have served. I love and admire all three of these couples, capable and humble servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray for Sister Soulier, far from home, with so many missionaries under her care. Abruptly losing a spouse is scary, heart wrenching and extremely painful. It leaves one numb and in a fog for a time. Tim and I pray for Sis. Soulier as we know how that feels. We wish there was something we could do to help or relieve some of the pain. Tim and I both know there are no words that help but we want Sis. Soulier to know we care for and love her and are praying for her and her family. We pray for their family, children and grandchildren who have lost such a powerful and worthy father and grandfather. We are also praying for our sweet senior missionary friends and our young missionaries serving in the Lyon Mission. They are in our hearts. We love them and are asking angels to attend to all of them. This news has ripped the rug out from beneath all of us and they need our prayers.

Thank you President Soulier for your example. Thank you for you dedication, love, compassion and passion for the work. Thank you for your devotion to, and focus on each and every missionary in your care. Thank you for genuine friendship and Christ-like Example. Till we meet again, till we meet at Jesus’ feet. We love you President and Sister Soulier!

Tags christianity, church, faith, france, grandchildren, lyon, Mission, Missionary work, missions, Prayer, Soulier

Mission

Refugee Camps in Greece

Tim Frodsham, 11 December 2024

Back in the days of wood burning cell phones, I took a first aid class from the Red Cross. One of the subjects we covered was approaching emergency situations such as a car wreck or earthquake. The first step arriving on scene is assessment. Whose needs are the most critical? The answer is not the ones who are screaming. Their hearts are pumping and obviously, their lungs work just fine. Their situation may be serious, but they are alive, and at least for a time, they can wait. The ones whose needs are the most serious are the quiet ones, the ones who are silent and still. Their heart may have stopped or they may not be breathing. These are the ones for whom seconds may count, the ones whose needs are most dire.

Distributing Clothes at a community center serving refugee camps near Serres

In Greece, we have a perfect storm of refugee and homeless needs. Most refugees arrive in Greece on flimsy boats or rafts, coming from Turkey or Africa. The branch president of Thessaloniki described the journey of a recent arrival to several of the migrants who attend the branch and was surprised at the minimal response he received. It turns out that most of them had arrived on Greek shores via boat as well. One of the members attempted the boat crossing 20 times before he was successful. Incredible stories of persistence and faith reside right in his little branch.

Refugee Camp outside Serres, Greece

The Greek government ministries are attempting to handle a surge of migrants on budgets that were fixed years ago. We hear much about the situation of Migrants in Athens where we live. We are a metro ride from many of these organizations and visit them often. Thousands are in need of even the basics, food and clothing, and the shouts are continuous about their predicament.

The needs of Migrants in the refugee camps are even more desperate, particularly those on the Greek Islands. They lack the most basic necessities such as blankets and sheets, and winter is here. Scabies and other skin diseases are rampant through the camps. From the islands, we here stories of refugees, including women and children, sheltering in cardboard boxes during the rain. Funding is just not there, and the tiny populations of these islands cannot cope with the surge. The number of unaccompanied children arriving in Greece is also on the rise. Most come on their own, but some lost parents on the ocean crossing to Greece. These are the silent ones. Their plight is every bit as bad as a hurricane or earthquake survivor, but they don’t show up on the evening news. Due to their isolation, they are invisible.

NGO Light Without Boarders outside a refugee camp in Serres

When migrants reach Greek shores, most are picked up, or report themselves to the Hellenic Police, the national police department. The HP are tasked with processing each migrant, checking papers, trying to identify the terrorists and criminals among the many who are simply seeking asylum. This process can take less than a week, or up to six months. At this time, the migrants are put in the queue for an asylum interview. While being processed, they are held in detention centers and cannot leave. Due to the surge in migrants and lack of funding, many in these centers do not have even bedding and basic hygiene supplies.

Habibi Community Center outside a refugee camp near Ioannina

Once released from the detention centers, the Migrants are transferred to a refugee camp, run by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum (MoMA). Fixed budgets and surges in refugees have left many of the asylum seekers in these camps destitute as well. As in the detention centers, they lack blankets and bedding. In these camps, migrants wait for their asylum interview, which can take months, and then for the results of the interview, which can can take months or even years. During this wait, they receive a monthly stipend from the government, in the order of 70 euros a month. Families receive more, but it is still very small. After several months, an asylum seeker is eligible to find a job, but with unemployment in Greece at 35%, that is difficult. Many find jobs in the tourism industry, but the pay and benefits are small.

If a migrant is granted asylum, they are eligible to apply for travel papers and in many cases, a passport. If they are not granted asylum, they may appeal. Once a decision is made, all loose government benefits, including health care.

JRS Refugee School in Athens

There are many migrants in Greece who were denied asylum or are in Greece illegally. They cannot legally work and have no government benefits. Many women in this situation resort to prostitution, which pays as little as 3 euros a day (about $3.50). We had a woman at our church who was drawn to the missionaries and wanted to be baptized. She walked this very path and wanted to change her life.

Loading food bags at InterSOS

NGOs (Non Government Organization, to those from the states, a non-profit) are doing all they can to assist migrants and other vulnerable in Greece. Vela, an NGO working in Eastern Europe focuses on the unaccompanied children. They have established Safe Zones where the children receive shelter and food as well as medical and psycho-social support. Due to overcrowding and lack of funds, particularly on the Islands, many unaccompanied children reside in the regular refugee camps where they are susceptible to exploitation and abuse. Through the church, we did a quick project to supply blankets, coats and hygiene supplies to these Zones.

Distributing food and hygiene supplies at Koumoundourou Square. Photos courtesy of Ithaca Laundry

The men and women of the Greek Ministries are tireless in their efforts to cope with the crisis, but the asylum and refugee system in Greece is simply overwhelmed, and the humanitarian needs are great. The problem is multifaceted, and as a church, we cannot solve all of these problems, but we can help. One of God’s children at a time.

We love serving in Greece. The stories are hard to hear and the work seems endless, but we are His hands in ministering to those least fortunate.

Tags Asylum, christianity, Detention Center, Greece, homeless, immigration, Missionary work, Refugee Camp, Refugees

Mission

Humanitarian Work in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Post author By Tim Frodsham
Post date October 31, 2024
1 Comment on Humanitarian Work in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

From time to time, we here about the humanitarian work done by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In conference or in church publications we hear briefly about the amount of money or the number of projects carried out by our church. We also hear critics lament that the church is hoarding money, and we should give it to the poor. It reminds me of the story in John chapter 12; Mary taking an alabaster of expensive oil and pours it on the feet of the Savior. Judas Iscariot complains that a better use would be to sell the oil and give the money to the poor. It isn’t that simple.

As part of my doctoral work, I studied the humanitarian efforts of the western world, and how little impact these efforts had made over the last 50 years. The title of one of the books I researched says much: ‘The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good” by William Easterly. Though the book is out of date, almost 20 years old, his main points are valid today. It is hard to help others through humanitarian work. Roads are built which soon fall into disrepair. Wells are dug which fail after a few short months. Much of the aid given makes the recipients all the more dependent and even worse off when the aid stops. Handing out money only fuels this problem.

Most of the aid given by the west is dictated top down. Money and goods are dispensed by what we westerners think should be done, with little regard for cultures and customs of the people receiving the aid. Giving aid or help in any form requires intense thought and care in how that aid will be received and interpreted by the recipient culture and society. We are all about aid which fosters long term independence and self-reliance. Money alone does not help. Look at the amount of of money poured into the United States welfare system, creating generations of dependents. The U.S. welfare program destroys families and punishes those who try to work their way to independence.

Large foundations and other organizations, when dispensing aid, usually approach a community and dictate the aid they are going to provide. They tell the country or community what they think they need, what service or goods they are going to provide, and what they should do to fix their problems. Any aid given which does not understand and respect local cultures, and which is not aimed at developing self-reliance in the long term is doomed to failure.

The churches approach is not to dictate what we are going to do for you, but “what do you need?”, “How can we help you with these problems”. The church advances slowly into a new region or a new type of aid, relying on the expertise of those organizations already entrenched in the local population. Rather than becoming just another organization in the fray, we learn from those experienced in aid to the region, and consult with local leaders as to what we can do as a church to help them help themselves.

In the past, the church has provided aid through Latter Day Saint charities. The name of the Church was not used. Missionaries wore special tags that did not have the name of the church on them. Late last year, the humanitarian missionaries here in Greece hosted an NGO appreciation event, with catering and gift bags for those in attendance. As we visit the various NGO representatives, many of them mention the appreciation event, and were surprised that we are a church. They assumed we were just another small philanthropic foundation. That has changed. Though we were given such tags in the MTC, we were told soon after that we should wear our missionary tags. We use the name of church and introduce ourselves as missionaries for the church with everyone we meet.

Sometimes this backfires. Recently, a large donation was rejected by an organization in Eastern Europe because those working in their philanthropic wing threatened to quit rather than accept funds from the Mormons. We are not after the honor or the publicity, but people should know in an open, honest manner what our church is doing in the world.

The Nelsons, The Frodshams, Laura Papa (Front, 2nd from left) Eleni Metsa (back right)

We recently met with Laura Papa, the founder of a local charitable organization, METAdrasi. She rejected many offers from foundations and other organizations because there were too many strings attached to the funding. These organizations dictated to her what she needed to do to help the refugee women and children in her care, but it was not what they really needed. She would forgo funding rather than provide the wrong type of help. Her focus is to help refugee women rise above their circumstance and learn to provide for themselves and their children.

We have been in Greece two months, and have met many other wonderful people who have dedicated their lives to the assistance of the poor and needy.

Saffron Kitchen operates in down town Athens, providing thousands of meals for refugees, homeless and other vulnerable people in the city center. They work through dozens of other organizations to distribute meals. Each time we visit their facility, we are overwhelmed by the energy and commitment they exude. They not only feed those who have no idea where the next meal is coming, but they foster independence and self-reliance by hiring and teaching refugees how to cook.

The Irida women’s center in Thessaloniki focuses on women and their dependent children. Many of these refugee women have experienced untold tragedy and horror as they made their way to Greece. Pregnant, destitute, children in their care, the center provides a safe haven where they can heal and receive social and legal counseling.

Ithaca Laundry takes a mobile laundry van to various places in Athens to wash clothes of refugees, homeless and others who have no way of laundering their clothes. They provide counseling as well as people wait for their laundry. There focus is again on self-reliance. Job seekers can now go to an interview with clean clothes. Children to school.

The church has provided medical equipment for several municipal clinics in Thessaloniki and Larissa, as well as a clinic run by Médecins du Monde – Greece (Doctors of the World) in Athens.

One dentist spends two day a week at the clinic providing dental care for refugee children. We love their commitment and their energy.

We asked many of these dedicated individuals what problems they themselves face in this unending work. The response we hear most is “burnout”. Day to day they lift the hands and heal the hearts of those who have passed through unspeakable horror and yet continue to struggle, and in many cases, to thrive.

Many of the people pictured here have little belief or even knowledge of their Savior, but they are directed by His spirit. I pay tribute to these dedicated, caring people who spend their lives in the service of the least fortunate. We are blessed to have met them, work with them, serve as His hands in their support.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is working to gather Israel, both spiritually as well as physically. We are humbled to be the Lord’s hands in Greece. His work rolls forward with each step we take. Each small gesture for good. Each penny donated by a primary child. Each humble prayer that ascends to heaven. A phrase by one of the wonderful senior sister missionaries here in Athens comes to mind. “Who wouldn’t want to be us”. What a joy to be in His service.

Tags athens, bulgaria greece mission, christianity, doctors of the world, europe, Greece, Humanitarian, irida, ithaca laundry, latter day saint charities, metadrasi, Missionary work, saffron kitchen, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Mission

Changing of the Guard

30 September, 2024 Tim Frodsham

Last July, our mission president, Roland Léporé. And his wife, Amie, completed their three years of service to the people of southern France and returned home. They were replaced by Jason and Jennifer Soulier. They could not be more different.

President Léporé is a quiet, soft spoken man whose spiritual presence dominates the room. In zone conferences and other meetings, he stayed in the background for most of the meeting, speaking occasionally and allowing his missionaries to conduct and present. Many missionaries told us that when they were in the presence of President Léporé they felt they were in the presence of Christ. He was true shepherd. The young sisters and elders knew he was a true servant of the Lord, and they loved him.

President Soulier was a salesman in his former life, and exudes the confidence and energy of a motivational speaker. Where President Léporé’s meetings were quiet and thoughtful, those of President Soulier tend to be more loud and boisterous, They both work. I understand there is little overlap as one president replaces another. One president and his family leave before the other arrives. I think the brethren do that for a reason. They want the incoming presidents to follow the Savior, to use their own talents, and that of their companions in their sinngular manner, to move the mission forward as servants of Jesus Christ, using the talents unique to them.

Both couples are powerful men and women. Both are servants of Jesus Christ. Both have a mantle of leadership. Both focus on the work of the Lord and bring that work to fruition in utilizing their unique talents and gifts endowed from on high.

Unfortunately, we served with the Souliers for just a few months before we were transferred to Greece. During that time, I was impressed with their insight and problem solving abilities. Like their predecessors, they are people of faith. They are called, and are responding to that call to the best of their abilities and more, abilities that are magnified by the power of the spirit.

We are now serving with President David and Emily Nelson of the Bulgaria Greek mission. Not many missionaries have the experience of serving under three mission presidents. We are just getting to know them, and they too have a unique style of leadership. He is gentle, thoughtful and willing to listen to even the smallest need. They love the missionaries, love of the Lord and the Lord magnifies their talents as well in His infinite, intimate way. We are truly blessed.

Tags bible, christianity, church, france, Greece, jesus, Missionary work, missions

Mission

Forever Friends

31 August 2024 by Catherine Frodsham

(We successfully transferred to Greece and are coming up to speed on the many humanitarian projects sponsored by our church. This post is as much for us as for anyone else, to remember the incredible friends we have made in our 9 months of service in Lyon — Tim) Probably one of the most fun things about our mission is meeting the wonderful missionaries! We consider our young missionaries our grand kids or “Petite enfants” as they would say in France. Then our special senior couple friends are awesome.

We first met the Hardy’s. Liz and Dave from the state of Washington. They worked in the office and because our instant friends. We sure love them. They went home a month ago and we miss them so much.

We also met the Gannaway’s. Trish and Joe. They also worked in the office, and they served for 29 months with Lepore’s, our mission president. They were lots of fun as well. We enjoyed visiting them in the office and we went to dinner and had them over for dinner. The Gannaway’s and Hardy’s are home already.

We got new Office missionaries. The Dinkelman’s, Linda and Gary from Utah. Such wonderful, nice people. Also, the Miners’s, Jennifer and Larry from Utah as well. Such fun nice friends.

We also have about 10 more senior couples that are serving in the Lyon France Mission. We have a Senior Chat on Messenger so we can all talk to each other. We have 3 that are from France that speak French.

So here are the Powers – Kim and James that serve with the Young Single Adults in Geneva. Bernadette and Kelly McBride serve in Chalon sur Soane. She is the mission medical advisor

Here are the Herzog’s and the Barray’s that work together in Corsica. It’s so fun to be together.

Catherine has made many friends in the Porte Des Alpes ward. One sabbath day, just before sacrament meeting, Soeur Martine grabbed Catherine by the cheeks and told her “you need to learn French” The women of the ward felt Catherine’s spirit and wanted desperately to talk with her

Soeur Roux is the sweetest, most Christ-like woman one could ever meet. She lost her husband several months after we came to France. She is so gentle, so loving and has a fabulous sense of humor. Just a week or two ago, she fell and broke her shoulder. Thibault took one of our EnglishConnect classes and we met him in person at the CAJAF. We had to include one of many instant friends we have met along the way. Catherine met her at a my path devotional in Evry, France

The missionaries brought their friends (we used to call them investigators) into our home to have discussions, or just to feed them dinner and chat around the dinner table. We never let a moment go by that we didn’t testify of the truthfulness of the things the missionaries were teaching them.

Special friends that were taught in our apartment for months, Munashe and Machilo. They had their baby, Elsie, were married several months later and then Machilo was baptized the next week. As you can see, Catherine will not let go of that baby

There are many others that we have met along the way. An accordion player who sits outside the Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Catherine would place a large bill in his pocket every time we visited the Basilica. Florian, the hostess at the B&B we stayed at in Saint Clair Sur L’Elle. Segolene and Serge, whom Catherine mentioned in an earlier post. Gisele, who we met in Caen and who took one of our EnglishConnect classes. The Snyders, our counterparts in Paris, and Dorothee Cannon, our MTC tutor, who stayed at our apartment with her family for two nights while she picked up her son, here on a mission.

We had several group gatherings. For general conference, single adult activities and church meetings.

General Conference at the San Souci building

We started a tradition of inviting missionaries over once a transfer on a p-day morning to have waffles. We figured that once every 6 weeks would not be disruptive, but often enough that missionaries would remember and it would be something to look forward to.

Here are some of our missionary grandchildren…oh how we love them!!

We will miss our friends in Lyon and the work we have been doing here. We also look forward to our next adventure in Athens, Greece,

Tags christianity, france, Greece, lyon, Missionary work

Mission

Marseille – my home 50 years ago!!

Post author By Tim Frodsham
Post date August 16, 2024
4 Comments on Marseille – my home 50 years ago!!

16 August 2024 by Catherine Frodsham

This might sound strange to some of you who know me so well. But when I was 15 years old, I was a rebellious, rotten teenager. I had some bad friends and an older brother, Mike, who had some bad friends. We hung out together. My Aunt Donna and Uncle Wes Peterson decided to go on a sabbatical from their teaching jobs for 7 months. They had a son named Jon Peterson who I loved as a brother. We were pretty close. So, they took both of us on this sabbatical to Europe. We lived in Marseille, France. a rather large port city on the Mediterranean Sea. It was beautiful. We lived at 161 Bis Boulevard Boisson, Marseille France. I still remember that address.

I am not sure if that was a punishment for me to send me to Europe?? I wish I could have offered that punishment to all my kids when they were in their teens. It saved me. I grew close to my sweet Aunt and Uncle and my cousin Jon. Jon and I read the Book of Mormon together and we learned to love that book, and our testimonies grew at that time in our lives. The missionaries would come over and teach Jon and I missionary door approaches. “Bonjour Madame est Monsieur, Mais ami et moi nous sommes American. Nous sommes des missionaires des l’Eglise de Jesus Christ des Dernier Jour. Est qu’on vous en parler pour quelque minute? Jon could go out proselyting with them, but I couldn’t. We had a 6-month Eurail pass to go anywhere in Europe. We visited, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, Brussels, Austria. What a blast! We went to many museums and Jon, and I needed to write reports and take pictures of what we saw to turn in for school credit when we got home. It was an amazing experience. I saw beggars, gypsies, all types of people and learned to see them through different eyes than I had before. I had never seen homeless people in the US but there were many homeless people wherever we would go.

Here is what I learned 50 years ago. God loves all His children. It matters what we do in our life. I am grateful for my family. Lessons learned so long ago still apply.

When Tim and I were called to Lyon France Mission it was like Heavenly Father knew what this country meant to a girl who turned 16 years old the day we landed in Europe. I remember the night my aunt and uncle and cousin and I were on the train leaving to go back to the states, Jon and I leaned out the train window and yelled, “We love you Marseille!! We will be back!!” I never thought it would only be me to go back to Marseille, 50 years later. My cousin, Jon died last year so this trip was bittersweet. I felt Jon with me on my visit to 161 Bis Boulevard Boisson. I even smiled because He and I were happy there.

It is hard to believe this apartment building looks so good after 50 years. But it is still there, and I remember being on the 3rd floor.

Good memories. I miss my Aunt Donna and my sweet Uncle Wes who was more of a dad to me. I also miss my bro – Jon.

Lessons learned as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Lyon France Mission:

God loves all of His children. He knows us each by our name. If we trust Him and let Him, He will bring us home to live with Him and His son Jesus Christ. Repentance is for all. What a blessing that is to know we can be forgiven. The temples bind families together forever. We can receive revelation in the temple. I am grateful to be wearing the name of Jesus Christ on my missionary tag every day. We must all endure to the end which is so hard sometimes when things seem unjust or bad decisions from others cause us or our loved one’s pain and sorrow. We must still turn the other cheek. That is hard for me at times, especially when it comes to my children or grandchildren. I am still being refined. I am still “BECOMING”.

Tags Book of Mormon, christianity, faith, france, Missionary work

Mission

The Other Prodigal

Tim Frodsham. 14 August 2024

Our mission president asked all the missionaries to read and consider the story of the prodigal son before our last zone conference. My wife and I pondered the parable of these lost sons throughout the week. A focal point in considering this parable was Elder Hollands “The Other Prodigal” in a conference address some years ago.

The Other Prodigal (churchofjesuschrist.org)

He points out that we are all prodigals, and as such all need to be guided carefully back to the fold. I would like to ponder with you the faithful son, and his circumstance. I have heard many sermons that laud the return of the prodigal son, then proceed to lambast the faithful son for his jealousy and small mindedness. I believe that every word uttered by the Savior, especially when recounting His parables, means something, and how the faithful son fits into the Savior’s narrative is worth careful consideration. Let’s take a look at the “Other Prodigal”. First, we have all read the response of the father recorded in Luke 15, as he welcomed his son home:

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

We tend to gloss over the father’s interaction with the faithful son. Emphasis is mine:

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

At home, there was a party going on. The family was there, the servants knew all about it, the friends of the prodigal were in attendance, based on the narrative, and were celebrating in the house. The party had been going on for some time. After all, it takes time to “kill the fatted calf”, send invitations and prepare a feast. The only person not invited to the party was the faithful son. He spent the day in the fields, doing as his father asked, and only learned of the party as he returned from his labors for the day and heard the noise coming from the house.

The father sent invitations to sundry and all to celebrate the return of his prodigal son, but he sent no one to invite the faithful son. I do not think that was an omission in the parable. I believe the Savior chooses every word, and though His words, as recorded in the New Testament have been handed down and translated over two millennia, there is nothing to indicate that the parable of the prodigal son was changed in any substantial way over the centuries. The fatted calf was killed, family and friends invited, and a party was in full swing, all while the faithful son was doing the will of his father in the fields. There is another lesson to be learned here, a lesson for the 99 who remain in the fold.

I was assisting with a youth conference one year and noted with interest the lineup of speakers at the conference. All were prodigals who had a profound story to tell of wandering from the covenant path, and as the prodigal son, when ‘they came to themselves’, started their journey home. There was no one among the speakers at that conference who had quietly remained faithful throughout their lives. It is rare, even in the church, that the quiet faithful are celebrated.

I think of the mothers who chose to remain home, doing their most important work with their children, and then their grandchildren. They are certainly not celebrated by the culture of today. Consider the mockery of “Trad Wives” from “the great and spacious building”, or in modern terms, social media. There is a quote that pops up from time to time: “Well behaved women seldom make history”. Those “well behaved mothers” who go about quietly nurturing their family and serving the Lord are making the most important kind of history.

Remaining faithful is not a popular thing. At times, not even in the Church. That was another lesson the Savior was teaching as he recounted the experience of the faithful son. His blessings and recognition, the only ones that matter, are with the father. “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.”

The night before that zone conference, we had, over for dinner, the sister missionaries, and a family whose father had been converted and baptized just a few months before. As we discussed this parable, we pointed out that there was much celebration when he was baptized, but as time wears on and he settles into faithful service in the ward, the party ends. Much of what he will do, as with all faithful members of the church, will not be immediately recognized. What is important is that the Savior knows, cherishes his ever-faithful servants, and the reward will come in His good time and at His good pleasure.

In his October 2023 discourse “In the Path of Their Duty” Elder Bednar quoted President Hunter:

“If you feel that much of what you do this year or in the years to come does not make you very famous, take heart. Most of the best people who ever lived weren’t very famous either. Serve and grow, faithfully and quietly.”

He continues, italics are his: “A statement in the Book of Mormon by Samuel the Lamanite best summarizes my feelings for you.

‘Behold that the more part of them are in the path of their duty, and they do walk circumspectly before God, and they do observe to keep his commandments and his statutes. …

Yea, I say unto you, that the more part of them are doing this, and they are striving with unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their brethren to the knowledge of the truth.’”

The faithful son may never be celebrated with a “fatted Calf Party” but he is no less precious in the Father’s eyes. “In the path of his duty” he will be blessed as only God can bless: “All that I have is yours”

In this same discourse, Elder Bednar quoted extensively J Ruben Clark from a 1947 address, the centennial of the Saints arriving in the Salt Lake Valley. He was speaking of those in the last wagon: “To these humble souls, great in faith, great in work, great in righteous living, great in fashioning our priceless heritage, I humbly render my love, my respect, my reverent homage.”

Elder Bednar also celebrated those faithful who continue steadfast in the work “They of the last wagon, all who are no less serviceable, and you who today are pressing forward in the path of your duty are the strength of the Savior’s restored Church. And as the Lord has promised, ‘all thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ.’”

The message of the other prodigal in the Lord’s parable is powerful. We all stumble, we all have doubts that what we are doing makes any difference. It does, the Lord celebrates the quiet faithful. “Thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.”

Tags christianity, faith, Missionary work, Prodigal

Mission

The Girl in the Temple

August 12th, 2024 Catherine Frodsham

There is a young single sister in our ward. She has born her testimony a few times and I noticed her. I never really talked to her except the normal greetings “Bonjour, comment ca va?” She seemed to be struggling in life by her facial expressions and staying to herself at church.

Tim and I went to the Bern Temple a few months ago. We took another senior couple from Geneva to the temple with us to get to know them. They are James and Kim Powers, also serving in the France Lyon Mission.

While I was in the endowment room, I kept looking at the back of a young woman and I wondered if it was the one from our ward. I don’t even know her name. I still don’t. In the dressing room, I saw her come out from a dressing stall and I said you are from my ward. She said yes, I recognize you too. She spoke pretty good English. I said how are you. Then she started to pour out her heart and soul to me. She told me of how she came to the temple today to seek answers. I said what are your questions. She said I have a boyfriend, and he is not a member, and he doesn’t want to be. He doesn’t like my standards and wants to live together. I am afraid if I say no, he will leave. I said you came to the right place today. You are worthy to come to the House of the Lord to receive revelation just for you. How did you feel today. She said I feel as though I should leave him. I said then you have your answer. She said now will be the hard part, breaking up. I said yes it will be hard. But sometimes we learn the most from going through the hardest times. I said, I am so proud of you for knowing where to come for help from the Lord. He has spoken to you. What a blessing that is. I love you. I believe that we are here together because I can physically give you a hug from your Heavenly Father and tell you He loves you. I love you. When one door closes another door will open. I promise you that. We hugged and that was a very spiritual moment for both of us. AND I DIDN’T”T EVEN KNOW HER NAME!! But I knew her.

Here is a picture of my temple friend Anne-Flore and her new boyfriend! July 14, 2024

A few months passed and my son Zane was visiting us in Lyon with Zane, Weston and Bennett! I was on the stand to lead the music, and I saw her! By now, I knew her name: Anne-Flore. She was beaming and looked so happy. I went to give her a hug and she said, “I will never forget you. Thank you for talking to me in the temple. I want you to meet my “new “boyfriend!” She emphasized “NEW”. He is the brother of the 2nd counselor in our bishopric. He is a member and temple worthy!!! What a miracle!!! Heavenly Father knows each of us by name and He loves us, and He will help us through our trials and sometimes he will use those around us as His hands on earth. We need to always be willing to open our mouths and our hearts when we are prompted to do so even when we don’t know them by name. It doesn’t matter that I don’t know her name because I know her, and I love her. When she said I will never forget you, I said I will never forget you either!

Tags Bern Temple, bible, christianity, faith, france, god, jesus, Mission, Missionary work

Mission

Read

Tim Frodsham: 17 July 24

When reading the Book of Mormon, I try to do so with a theme in mind. Several times, I have read the Book of Mormon from the perspective that the events leading up to the first coming of our Savior are a sign and a type of the events that lead up to His second. There are times I read it for history, other times, I am looking for doctrine. On one reading, I read the Book of Mormon from a missionary perspective. This reading, I am reading with President Nelson’s statement from the October, 2022 conference in mind.

“So many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns “with power and great glory,” He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.”

That is a powerful statement. One can apply this citation to not only the Book of Mormon, but to all scripture. Any miracle, any manifestation we read about in the scriptures will be manifest and more in these latter days. Here are but a few examples:

1 Nephi 4, Laban is delivered into Nephi’s hands.

1 Nephi 16, Lehi and his family are guided by the Liahona.

1 Nephi 17, Nephi is instructed on how to build a ship

1 Nephi 18, Nephi miraculously calms a storm

2 Nephi prophesies of the last days

Jacob 7, Sharem demands a sign and is smitten

Mosiah 18, the people of Alma flee from king Noah. Even their children and pregnant women out pace the soldiers of Noah.

Mosiah 24, The people of Alma are persecuted but their burdens are made light, then they miraculously escape from their Lamanite persecutors. This is one of my favorites.

Alma 14, The people of Ammonihah reject Alma and Amulek and then destroy the believers in front of them. The prison walls tumble to the earth and their persecutors are slain.

Alma 15, Alma heals Zeezrom, a lawyer who was astounded and converted by the teachings of Alma and Amulek.

Alma 17, Ammon slays the enemies of the king at the waters of Sebus.

Alma 18, Lamoni, a king of the Lamanites is miraculously converted

Alma 24, The conversations of Lamanites when the Ammonites willingly laid down their lives

Alma 30, Korihor, an anti-Christ challenges Alma for a sign. He is struck dumb and eventually trodden down by the Zoramites

Alma 31, Missionaries are filled with the spirit and go their separate ways to preach the gospel

Alma 56, the Sons of Helaman fight with miraculous power

Helaman 5, Nephi and Lehi are preaching to the Lamanites and are cast into prison. Clouds of darkness overshadow the prison, the prison shakes and Nephi and Lehi converse with angels. There were 300 Lamanite witnesses.

Helaman 11, Nephi calls a famine down on the land, Nephi and Lehi receive many revelations

Helaman 16, Samuel the Lamanite prophesies and cannot be slain

3 Nephi 1, the signs of the Savior’s birth

One of my favorite stories is about the prophet Nephi who led the righteous saints just before the death, resurrection and appearance of the Lord. I marvel that his ministry to the saints preceding the coming of the Lord in the meridian of time, will be surpassed in our day. It is worth including passages concerning his ministry.

3 Nephi 7:17 And he did minister many things unto them; and all of them cannot be written, and a part of them would not suffice, therefore they are not written in this book. And Nephi did minister with power and with great authority.

18 And it came to pass that they were angry with him, even because he had greater power than they, for it were not possible that they could disbelieve his words, for so great was his faith on the Lord Jesus Christ that angels did minister unto him daily.

19 And in the name of Jesus did he cast out devils and unclean spirits; and even his brother did he raise from the dead, after he had been stoned and suffered death by the people.

20 And the people saw it, and did witness of it, and were angry with him because of his power; and he did also do many more miracles, in the sight of the people, in the name of Jesus.

The power the adversary wields in our world today is seemingly unbearable and insurmountable. We fear for our children and the whirlwind of lies, subterfuge and deceit that envelop them. Without hope and faith in His plan, it all seems hopeless. The Book of Mormon is replete with miracles that will be duplicated and surpassed in our day. It is not a coincidence that the bulk of the Book of Mormon, from Mosiah to 3rd Nephi, is dedicated to the years before His first coming. They are a mirror of our days. The miracles of those days will be made manifest and more in the dispensation of the restitution of all things and I have mentioned only a few of the events that transpired among the righteous who lived in the time preceding his first coming. We need always remember that the Lord is aware and in charge. He is wielding His power with finesse and authority far beyond our feeble understanding. We, in our day and our time, will witness and be surrounded by many of these miracles. We will see them individually as well as collectively as our Lord works tirelessly though us to gather the remnants of his flock before the whirlwind of his judgment.

6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith. (Ether 12:6,12)

Yes, the Lord promises to try our faith and he will not manifest His power to those who have no faith. But as with the faithful people of Alma, surrounded by trial and persecution, they were also surrounded by miracles. The power of God has and always will surpass in glory and light anything from the adversary.

That is why we are serving a mission. We are here because of a faith that the Lord will magnify our feeble efforts to bring about His will, and add to the uncountable miracles transpiring in these last days. We have faith that the blessings poured out on our families will far outweigh our absence. We testify of this work. The Lord is pouring miracles, small and mighty upon his people and all those seeking righteousness in the time before He returns.

Tags Book of Mormon, christianity, faith, france, grandchildren, jesus-christ, lyon, miracles, Missionary work, missions, nephi, scripture