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In this episode of the Mission Stories podcast, shawn interviews his niece, Reese Wren, who recently returned from serving in the Chile South Mission. Reese describes her mission as a "magical" place characterized by German-influenced architecture, the constant smell of bread, and even penguins. While she is now "on fire" for the gospel, she candidly shares her journey from being a fearful, "lukewarm" missionary to a consecrated disciple of Christ.

Overcoming the "Lukewarm" State

shawn recalls a pre-mission trip to Washington D.C. where he challenged Reese to imagine contacting the hundreds of people walking by; at the time, she admitted she didn't care about them and had no desire to stop them. This apathy followed her to Chile, where she spent her first few weeks in a "passive decision-making mode," terrified of the language and relying on her companion to do all the teaching.

The turning point came when Reese realized she wasn't doing anything "wrong," but she also wasn't doing anything "right". In what she describes as her "Enos moment," she knelt for 20 minutes and pleaded with God to show her her weaknesses so she could change. This act of humility triggered a "mighty change of heart," transforming her greatest fear—street contacting—into her favorite part of missionary work.

The Story of Juan: A "Golden" Soul

The heart of the episode is the story of Juan, a 63-year-old construction worker who had smoked since he was 15. Despite his rough outward appearance, Juan was a "golden" investigator who was desperate to change his life. To overcome his lifelong addiction, Juan made a pact with Reese to drink mate (a traditional herbal tea) every time he felt the urge to smoke, even sending her "proof" photos three times a day.

Reese highlights the spiritual struggle of fighting for Juan’s soul when some local church members and leaders expressed doubt about his ability to truly change. Through this experience, Reese learned to see Juan not as a "dirty" stranger, but as a beloved brother and a son of God. shawn notes that this is the ultimate purpose of a mission: to learn to love others the way the Savior does.

Key Principles and Advice

Principle One (Choose Ye This Day): Reese emphasizes that every day on a mission is a deliberate choice to stay and work, rather than just being "acted upon" by circumstances.

Principle Three (An Open Mouth Finds Listeners): Though she was initially terrified, Reese discovered that opening her mouth on the streets was the most joyful way to find those the Lord had prepared.

The Power of Repentance: Reese defines her mission experience as a process of continuous repentance, which she describes simply as a "willingness to change".

shawn concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to get off the fence and serve. Reese’s final advice to those considering a mission is direct: "Do it," because the experience of losing yourself in the service of others is the only way to truly find your own conversion.