Missionaries come to the aid of residents

by Emily Chesnic

When Lynn Dalakas Midis, of Brecksville, recently examined the yard work she needed done at her home, she realized she and her husband needed help. She was nursing a fractured ankle and her husband was recovering from triple bypass heart surgery.

Upon seeing a social media post, created by sister missionaries with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offering free landscaping services, Midis said she assumed the proposal was “too good to be true.”

Regardless of her skepticism, Midis reached out to the trio of young women. Then, they showed up, quickly and ready to serve.

“They came equipped with rakes, gloves, shovels and contractor bags. They did the work and would not accept payment,” said Midis. “I can’t say enough good things about them. They were so friendly, polite, worked quickly and cleaned up. I do not think professionals could have done a better job. They really, really helped.”

Sister Cassidy Kohler, 19, said she and sister Rebekah Sellers, 20, and sister Auralee Davies, 20, were more than happy to aid Midis, as they are taking on community services projects in the area, planning to do so for about a year and a half.

The sisters are part of a group of about 65,000 missionaries with the Utah-based faith widely known as the Mormon Church, with sister missionaries serving for 18 months, voluntarily, without pay.

Upon finishing high school, Kohler said members of her congregation can choose to serve as missionaries for a time, if they feel led to do so, joining other Mormon missionaries already serving around the world.

“It is important to share with others, we do this voluntarily. We chose to come because of our love for our savior Jesus Christ and serve and share his light,” said Davies.

The girls first planned to serve out of the country, but the COVID-19 pandemic has them working stateside.

Davies got to Ohio approximately nine months ago, with Kohler and Sellers arriving in the area six weeks ago to also begin serving as missionaries in the Brecksville and Strongsville areas. Their church is providing their lodging during this time of service.

Since their arrival, the sisters have been meeting with members of their congregation and doing projects in the community, including yard work, said Sellers. They have been advertising their free labor virtually, as COVID-19 makes it difficult to go door-to-door in neighborhoods helping amid a pandemic.

Kohler said they invite all “to come unto Christ to experience peace and joy,” and are happy to share their reasons for lending a hand.

Midis said the girls did not “preach” while they served her. She said she is interested in having them return to her home to learn more about their inspiration for aiding people in need, however. Midis now are telling others about the “amazing missionaries.”

So far, the sisters said Ohio has been very welcoming, and those they have helped so far have been appreciative.

“People need simple services, and it is great to help and relay a message that truly changes lives. It changed our lives,” said Davies.

The pandemic has been difficult for many, said Kohler, who wants to “spread hope” to as many people as she can in Ohio.

“Our main focus is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with people,” she said.

The missionaries invite Northeast Ohio residents to request free assistance through their church’s website, churchofjesuschrist.org/ComeUntoChrist, or on the Facebook page Come Unto Christ.

“We would love to talk with anyone and help. Reach out to us,” said Kohler. ∞