Letter from Connie Gashler about Mission Progress

              It is sometimes extremely difficult to contact
either by knocking or just going up to people on the street.  That's why
I really like some of the creative, and effective changes that have been
made in the Samara Russia mission, where I had the opportunity to serve.

One major change that President Gashler made, was to almost entirely
eliminate the door to door approach.  Rather than have door after door
slammed in our faces, we found that it was much more efficient to stand
on the street with a sign board and maybe a table with lots of free
things to give out, and attractive pictures to look at.  This was a
wonderful way to work.  People would come up to US and ask for
information, rather than us going up to and scaring them off.  This way
we already knew that they were interested in learning more.  true some
people did just want the free pictures, or the free Bible or Book of
Mormon, but we made sure to give out flyers to everyone inviting them to
join us at our next cottage meeting.

The cottage meeting is another very effective tool that President Gashler
put into common use in the mission.  Cottage meetings consisted of a well
presented discussion (2n-6th) in a rented out hall or dormitory, a film
(The Lamb of God), and some mingling and refreshments afterwards.  This
was a wonderful way to help investigators warm up to the missionaries and
the members of the church who attended the meetings.  They began to feel
the spirit and to feel that they would like to become a part of the warm
group.   Most were willing to give us their addresses after a meeting
like that.

Another huge change that has been implemented in the Samara mission is
the Every Member A Missionary Program.    President Gashler noticed that
the rapid growth of the church in Mongolia was due to the fact that there
is absolutely no street tracting allowed there.  All contacts are made
through members of the church.  They have enormous success because the
investigators already have member friends, and they feel more welcome at
church, and are much more likely to be baptized.  Pres. Gashler decided
that our mission could do the same thing.  He printed copies of the old
Every Member A Missionary Program, and made sure that every member, and
every missionary knew how it works.  We had training sessions with the
leadership in every branch, and small two week classes to help everyone
become motivated and excited about the program.  It has been a tremendous
success so far.  Many members feel so good because they are able to play
such a major roll in the conversion of the people around them, and the
missionaries feel great because membership, and activation is up.

These are just a few of the wonderful changes that have taken place in
the Samara Mission, and I am sure there will be many more to help the
work progress.  President Gashler always said "Missionary work is like
removing snow, you can use a shovel--lots of work for little progress, or
you can use a snow blower and really get the job done!"


Connie Gashler