SUCCESSFUL MISSIONS
Eli and Bryce Boland, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Gray, are walking similar paths with their faith. The brothers are finding their own ways to build their relationship with Jesus and teach others what He can do for them through being missionaries.
Both brothers said they have lived in Jones County their entire lives and enjoy the people they have gotten to know through the years while around town and at the Jones County High School.
Eli, who just turned 21 years old, said he served in Arizona near the border, and he needed to know Spanish for the people who spoke the language in the region. He said learning Spanish was a challenge, and he wasn’t comfortable speaking Spanish until about six months into his mission trip. Eli said Arizona was different from Jones County, but he wanted to make the most of his time on his mission trip.
“When I first got called, I wasn’t sure how I would like Arizona and how the people would be, but when you’re in a place to serve and love you are really able to help people out,” he said. “A lot of people were really distant from Jesus Christ even though they believed in Him. I wanted to get the message across that He was here for them.”
The missionary said when he came back from the trip in March, it was a bit of an adjustment being back in Georgia. He said it was challenging at times being in Arizona when people would make fun of his testimony.
“I had to follow a strict routine as a missionary, and that was hard to adjust to at first. I got used to it, though. I would be up by 6:30 a.m. every day. The schedule and routine would be pretty full each day,” Eli said.
He said coming back from his mission trip wasn’t so bad, even though his friends and others were moving on with their lives. He said he’s working at Tractor Supply in Gray now and starting back at Georgia Military College. He is excited for his brother to walk down a similar path this August.
“My faith means a lot to me, because I know that Jesus Christ didn’t just suffer for me for no reason,” the missionary said. “He did it, because He loves each of us. He wants us to be happy, and that’s the message we try to share as missionaries. Jesus Christ is there for us.”
Bryce is 18 years old and recently graduated from the Jones County High School. He said he is excited for his mission. The missionary said this stepping stone that he will be making as many of his other family members have done is extremely important to him.
“I am leaving on Aug. 31 for Utah, so my mission starts soon. When Eli got home in March from his mission, I was working on my missionary application,” he said. “I found out in May I was going to Utah, and I’m pretty excited about it. I wasn’t expecting Utah, but I know that’s where I’m supposed to go.”
Bryce said he knows his mission will be challenging and it won’t be easy, but he knows he will be in Utah for the right reasons. He said he wants to improve the lives of others, and he knows it will be worth the hardships he will face.
“I feel pretty prepared, but I know there will be some curveballs thrown at me. I’m pretty good at getting into a routine and waking up early, so I don’t think that will be a huge adjustment. These missions set the pace for the rest of our lives,” he said.
The missionary said he feels getting the message out about Jesus Christ in Utah will be a challenge, because the church already has strong ties to Utah. He expects to have a hard time, but he said he knows when people are doing Jesus’s work, miracles can happen.
Bryce said he’s looking forward to helping as many people as possible on his mission trip. He said he’ll be in Utah for two years, and he feels they will go by fast. He said he has no future plans after he gets back, but he’s thinking of attending college.
“My faith is my guideline for my life, the center of everything I do,” the missionary said. “With all of my relationships throughout life, Jesus Christ is in the center of them. My faith is the most important thing in my life.”
