The canceled game of Missionary Pickup
The life of a young member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is interesting.
For one thing, they leave all of the things they consider important, like school or relationships, and serve for two years. For another thing, they do so willingly.
These missions lead to an interesting dilemma. Two common concerns most missionaries have are: first, what am I going to do when I get out there and second, what happens when I get home? Missionary Pickup may believe they have the answer.
Missionary Pickup, a company based in Salt Lake City, provides a tool to overcoming the concerns of missionaries who are returning home.
The company, made up of travel agents, guides and other professionals, offers services to parents and families who wish to meet and travel with their children back home.
John Montgomery, vice president of Missionary Pickup, explained why.
“Parents and families send these kids out for a year and a half or two years and send a check each month for their support. We bring parents to their children so they can see how they’ve grown,” he said. “They see these boys and girls they sent out acting as adults in the real world. The families become more appreciative of who their children have become and what they can do.”
According to the Church website, the LDS church has 338 designated missions covering certain regions of continents, countries and regions.
Of these missions, 65 percent are outside of the United States and Canada. Missionary Pickup specializes in that remaining 65 percent.
They offer trips for parents and families to all of the major continents, but specifically Central and South America.
With a majority of the missionaries going to these areas, they see the greatest opportunity for helping them connect with their families.
According to www. missionarypickup.com, the first step for parents to come home with their missionary is to contact Missionary Pickup.
With a phone call they can start to get an understanding of what they need to do.
The next step is to contact the Mission President. Although the church has no official policy on parents returning to get their children, the separate missions might, so it is important to find out any stipulations.
The third step is to let the missionary know and then leave them out of it.
“They’ve got other things on their mind and, more often than not, they don’t have the time or resources to hunt down the best hotel,” Montgomery said.
Once the family decides they want to go through with it, the rest is left up to Missionary Pickup.
According to the wants of the clients, they’ll set up tours, hotels, flights, travel, guides and anything else that can or will make the experience more pleasurable.
There are many opportunities to serve others and Missionary Pickup has found one they really believe in.
“It feels good to help change the world by… strengthening family bonds, and increasing the commitment to serve in the church and most importantly, our neighbors.”
Missionary Pickup can be contacted at 1-866-277-0900 or view their Web site at www.missionarypickup.com
nebutler@cc.usu.edu