Mission Stories
Get insights on having a powerful and successful full-time LDS mission. This podcast shares inspiring stories and practical principles for embracing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, overcoming challenges, and building a strong foundation for lifelong discipleship. Faith-promoting stories and lessons from real full-time LDS mission experiences to inspire and teach. Based on The Mission Prep Series by Shawn Record.
Mission Stories
Keeping Back Nothing: From Fleas in Honduras to Miracles in McAllen - Sister Jamie Pyatt
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In this episode of the Mission Stories podcast, Shawn, guest Jamie Pyatt, and co-host Lauren explore the transformative power of Principle One: Choose Ye This Day and Principle Two: Revelation Leads to Conversion. Jamie, who served in both Honduras and Texas, shares a gripping narrative of moving from a state of resistance to becoming a consecrated disciple of Christ.
The "Wrestle" of Choice
Jamie admits that at 21, serving a mission was not on her "radar," and she was initially offended when her bishop suggested it. Her father, a convert, challenged her perspective, saying, "I think you’re just mad because now you got to pray about it". This sparked a spiritual "wrestle" between her own will and God’s. Through a series of promptings—including a manila envelope full of articles about sister missionaries and a powerful testimony meeting—Jamie's heart softened. Shawn notes that choosing and owning the choice to serve is what distinguishes a life-changing mission from one that simply "happens" to a person.
Trials in Honduras and a Sudden Evacuation
Jamie was originally called to the Tegucigalpa Honduras Mission in 1992. Her service began with intense physical and cultural challenges, including third-world living conditions and an infestation of fleas. However, her mission was abruptly disrupted by terrorist threats against North American missionaries. With only one hour to evacuate, Jamie left the country with nothing but a backpack and the clothes on her back, while battling a high fever from dengue fever.
Finding Purpose in McAllen, Texas
Reassigned to McAllen, Texas, Jamie initially struggled with discouragement, feeling that Texas was "not her mission". Her new mission president challenged this mindset by asking, "Do you think that God loves his children in Honduras more than his children in Texas?".
Jamie and her companion decided to fast for their hearts to "come to Texas" and set an intention to be "all in". The answer to their prayer came literally at their doorstep when Kenita Gyos, a young mother, knocked on their door asking, "Can you tell me how I can know if I’m a child of God?". Kenita had been searching for the right church for ten months and was led to their apartment after seeing a picture of Jesus they had placed in their window. Jamie reflects that the Lord "saved" Kenita for them as much as He saved them for her, teaching the sisters a vital lesson in God's awareness of His children.
The Missionary as the Convert
The episode concludes with the principle that the biggest convert on a mission is the missionary themselves. Lauren shares that we must stand "right next to Christ" to effectively invite others to Him, and Jamie emphasizes that a mission should transform a person from being "wishy-washy" to someone who will "not deny the Christ". Shawn highlights that Jamie’s story is a perfect example of serving with "all humility of mind" and "keeping back nothing," illustrating that our agency is the greatest gift we can return to God.
