Hello Friends and Family!
Let me start by answering the FAQs (mostly from my mom)
No, I am not sick
Yes, I am still a missionary
Yes, it is boring sometimes
Yes, I have enough food
Missionary life in general has been changing over the past few weeks. Surprisingly, I have found more success now staying inside, than I ever have walking and knocking doors. "How?" you might ask, one simple way, Social media.
I have taken it upon myself to share what God has given me, the gift of hands (NOT TONGUES), and post an ASL video daily. After my first video saw a bit of success, I decided it was a worthy endeavor. After some Portuguese group shared my initial post, and it gained roughly 3K views, I was floored. I frantically thought of new ways I could share, and spread messages. Luckily my amazing family at home provided me with many requests, which I am still striving to fulfill. Most of my posts got around 1K views, and a few comments from Church members (or otherwise) asking for my help in translating something for a Deaf friend. This gave me even more to do! (which helped me escape the clutches of boredom)
I continued this pattern until last thursday, where my post of "If we Love him" defied all my expectations. In the first day it had 10K views and over 1K shares, the following days had the same pattern, and it now has roughly 100,000 views. Messages flooded in from literally across the earth, I've had conversations with people in Scotland, Australia, and I've tried to speak chinese (which didn't work). The capabilities are endless, not just for finding Deaf people, but all the referrals I could be able to send!
I am very grateful for everyone who shared my posts, and hope they continue to do so! If you have ideas, please send them, I am slightly lacking in the creativity department as of lately.
While calling my parents, we discussed these happenings. We came up with a theory that in the coming days, it would be likely that missionaries were called to proselyte online. I agreed, but didn't expect what happened.
I got a call Transfer saturday (also conference saturday) and President Hammon asked me to be one of the new "Social Media Specialists" for the mission. There are 6 of us, and we are having a meeting with Salt Lake this tuesday. I know the church is also realizing the potential we have here, as we move toward a new age in missionary work. Even when this is all over, I know that knocking doors will be effective, but I will be a hybrid missionary, for that is one way I can magnify my calling!
Conference was amazing!! I would like to invite all of you to look for the patterns in Joseph Smith's first vision. Think about why he wrote it. Did he do it to brag? No, he did it so we could follow his example and receive our OWN revelation! How did he do it? I'll let you study and answer it yourself.
Hoping everyone isn't as crazy as I am in Self-Isolation,
-Elder Vance