Today was Matthew’s flight to Arkansas. Ever since we received the first communications directly from the mission, we have known that the first 48 hours were going to be interesting food wise. The incoming missionaries are fed at the mission home and don’t even have access to all their luggage until they head out to their assigned areas. That means that for two full days plus his travel day, all the food Matthew would have would be what he could carry with him through security at the airport and any meager allergy friendly options he could find in the convenience stores in the airport. So as with all things, we made a plan to keep him fed. We live close enough to the MTC that we can take advantage of the same day MTC delivery services that are offered by several Provo businesses. So early this week, I packed up a box of a dozen muffins (one of Matthew’s favorite travel foods), some rolls, and several bags of cookies and dropped it off for delivery. Matthew doesn’t eat a ton when he is stressed, and knowing that he would be rather anxious, he figured that would be enough to get him through the day. I also planned to have a box of shelf stable foods waiting for him in Arkansas.
Last week, I got a phone call from one of the senior sisters who is serving in the mission office in Bentonville. Sis. B called and basically said, “How in the world do we feed your missionary?” That’s not an easy question to answer, so there have been multiple conversations, I’ve spent quite a bit of time online shopping the Walmart in Bentonville, and I suggested some fast and easy prepared food meals that are pretty much Matthew’s comfort food. She has obviously read all the info that we have sent to the mission, because she also asked about what kinds of pans he needs, whether or not he will need separate dishes in his apartment, etc. She has been working with the couple who deals with housing to make sure they have everything ready for him when he gets there.
Several days ago, I got another call from a different sister who is the secretary in the mission office. She puts together little “snack packs” for the missionaries to take with them when they leave the mission home to drive to their areas. She said that it can be a long drive, and missionaries often don’t eat that well, so she tries to put together some healthier snacks for them to have as they travel. I went back to the internet and gave her some options there as well. When I told her that Matthew can have Club crackers and Welch’s fruit snacks, she excitedly proclaimed, “I have those!” I gave her several other ideas to flesh out his snack pack, so hopefully that will be helpful for him as well.
I also got a text message from Sis. B on Monday. Matthew’s boxes of food had arrived, and she wanted to make sure that they didn’t need to be opened right away to get anything into the fridge. I assured her that everything was shelf stable and that Box #1 was to help get him fed for those first two days in the mission and Box #2 was to take with him when he headed out to his area so that he wouldn’t starve while he is figuring out what brands of foods he can get that are safe for him. She also asked me to send her details about things like what brands of bread are safe for him, so as I researched, I sent some info her way.
Sis. B called once more this morning, to ask about some fresh produce. Obviously, they try to feed their missionaries healthy meals and the fast prepared foods I suggested were lacking in that department. So, I shared some info about what kinds of fruit he likes, Malia chimed in with the addition of rice and BBQ chips (we were in the car when she called), she asked what was in the boxes I’d sent so she had an idea of what he had access to, and I think she felt better about being able to offer him a well-rounded meal. One of the really helpful things about this particular sister is that her daughter has Celiac which means that she knows all about the dangers of cross contact. Over the years, I have learned that cross contact is one of the hardest things for people to wrap their brains around. The idea that trace amounts of food so small that can’t be seen can pose a real risk can be baffling to many who have never needed to deal with these types of things, so honestly, knowing that someone who really gets the reality of the need for excessive care taken in food preparation has been good for my food allergy mama brain.
Once Matthew arrived at the mission home and ate, he had a few minutes to message us. Wednesday is P-day in the mission, so while he didn’t have time for an actual call, he did send us some info. Obviously, he had arrived safely. He had been fed chicken strips, rice, BBQ chips, and green grapes. He was recovering from food poisoning part 2 and while he still didn’t feel great, he was grateful for some (almost) real food. He asked about some of the items in his boxes and will be relieved when he has full control of his food again.
Once Matthew gets to his own apartment the food part will be easier…hopefully. A lot of that will depend on the cooperation of his companion. But he’s ready to clean like crazy and educate his companions and hopefully things will go well. I know he has worries about many things and being ill twice in the past ten days has not helped. But we have taught him everything he needs to know in terms of feeding himself safely and he has placed his trust in the Lord. Hopefully with a bit of time to figure everything out, Matthew’s food needs will take a back seat in his brain so that he can really focus on the work he is meant to do in Arkansas.
And so, his missionary service truly begins. And I suspect he has a lot to learn about being a missionary, getting along with companions, and navigating the great unknown that is Arkansas and Missouri.
