The Red Dirt and the Ripple Effect: Finding the Work in Unexpected Places

It’s funny how the Lord orchestrates our assignments. You think you know the boundaries of your field, you get comfortable navigating the familiar streets, and then—bam—He opens up a whole new world to you. I was recently reflecting on a missionary experience that took me far afield, to a place called Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. If you’ve ever felt like the Lord is calling you to a place that looks nothing like the mission prep center you trained in, or the ward you know best, take heart. The principle remains the same: the work is always there, waiting for us to see it.

What struck me most about that area was the incredible sense of community, especially among the islanders and Polynesians. It was like being immersed in one big, extended family. When you are surrounded by people who already know each other, who have those deep roots—the aunts, the cousins, the established friend groups—it can feel like a challenge for the tracting. You’re two young girls, trying to connect, and it’s not always easy to break into those established circles.

Working with the Seeds Already Planted

But here’s the nugget of wisdom I want to pass along to my fellow rogue disciples: when direct tracting hits a wall, you pivot to the connections. The success we found wasn't in the random street corner; it was in the ward parties, in the gatherings where people were already gathered and feeling the spirit. Working with part-member families—those wonderful souls whose children grew up without the baptismal covenant—was where we really found traction. They were receptive because they were already connected to the Church.

It taught me a profound lesson about the nature of the work. Sometimes, the most fertile ground isn't the open street, but the dinner table, the community gathering, or the friend who already knows the truth. These are the places where the Spirit can whisper loudest.

Beyond the Main Streets

And speaking of getting out into the field, the sheer geography of Kalgoorlie was an adventure in itself! The red dirt, the bike rides out to the outer cities—it was a reminder that the Lord doesn't limit His assignments to the neat little grid of a city center. We had to plan day trips to visit members in surrounding areas. It made the work feel exciting, almost like a pilgrimage. It forced us to be proactive, to plan visits with purpose, knowing that these outlying areas weren't just 'out there'—they were right there, part of our assigned territory.

It reminded me that whether you are in a bustling metropolis or a dusty, resource-dependent mining town, the principle of diligent, joyful effort remains constant. We have to be willing to ride our bikes (or our digital connection) to the next corner, the next neighbor, the next conversation.

If you feel like your current assignment is challenging, or if you feel like you’ve hit a patch of 'red dirt' where the easy wins aren't happening, remember this: Look for the existing connections. Build relationships with the members who are already there. And always, always be ready to ride out to the next area the Spirit prompts you to visit.

“The Spirit doesn't always whisper in the loudest voice; sometimes He speaks in the quiet persistence of showing up where it’s inconvenient.”

I’d love to hear about the unexpected places the Lord has taken you in your own service. If you're feeling the call to deepen your understanding of these principles, I highly recommend checking out the latest teachings on covenant keeping in the LivingBook. For those of you who want to practice navigating tough questions before your next mission discussions, don't forget to check in with Davee—he’s ready to run some AI Investigator drills with you!

For a great discussion on building community and finding the Spirit in our daily lives, join a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces this week. Let's keep the momentum going, disciples!