On the Road To Damascus

Famiglia mia,

As Paul set out on his mission to bring the word unto the gentiles, he left the Greek islands in hope of finding the Italian mainland. As he was tossed upon the seas with his small ship, the captain was unable to keep the control and the Lord ended up crash-landing the boat of Paul upon the shore of the small island of Malta in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. At the end of Acts it explains all of this story and how Paul went through some of his most brutal afflictions in his attempt to preach the Gospel that he knew to be true. I come this week very humbled to tell you that my mission has been changed. The Lord and President Kelly have come to a conclusion that the time has come that I go to this island of Malta to finish the work that Paul began 2,000 years ago. Last Saturday morning was a morning that I will never forget. At the end of every personal study I conclude by reading a chapter from Paul, whether it be a letter to Timothy or a chapter from the Acts of these great disciples. Saturday I read the last chappter of Acts that speaks of this incredible journey that Paul made. Moments following, President Kelly called me to break the news that I would be transferred to this island. A few small facts about the place that I am going, and then maybe all of you can go and look at the incredible history of this place.

- I am called to learn two new languages, including Maltese and another middle-eastern language.

- It is an indepent country

- English is spoken often

- Italian is spoken seldom

- During WWII there were more bombs dropped on this speck of an island than all of Italy combined due to the utility of the island in gaining way to the entire Sea.

- Where the film Count of Monte Cristo was filmed.

- Internationally re-knowned for it's incredible diving and scuba opportunities.

- Last, and I don't want to give any of you a scare, but on a clear day we can see the coast of Lybia from the island. I don't say this to worry Mom to the point disability! But I am now the closest missionary to the war in Lybia!

With all of that being said... I know this is what the Lord wants. I feel I am going home, and so does President Kelly. He has felt very impressed to send me there from when I came into the mission. These last few days have been some of the hardest of my entire life. Yesterday I had to say goodbye to Giuglio and Lina Brancasi. I thought leaving home was difficult, but the absolute heart-wrenching feeling from saying goodbye to the two people that I left home to find is a feeling that I will never forget. But there are those at Malta that await me. It's been hard to say goodbye to all of the members here, also. But yet, somehow there will be something that will be more difficult and that will be to say goodbye to my companion Anziano Errante. My best friend in the entire world. I'll see him again, but words can't describe the friendship we've had together. A memory that I will have for the rest of my life. Conference Weekend and this week was not a better way to leave Brindisi. The guidance and the answers received from the Lord during Conference Weekend will guide me to the island of Malta, and I hope to make it a little bit more easily than a crash-landing! Tomorrow morning I leave on a train from Brindisi to Rome and then I will take a small little AirMalta plane to my new home! I have never been so excited. My mind's at Malta but my heart is here at Brindisi. We'll see how it goes! It's so good to hear from all of you at home. I'm so glad that you all had a great experience at Salt Lake. I'm so thankful that we can continually move forward on this grand voyage of life together, with the Prophet to guide us and show us the way to eternity in our families. As he spoke this weekend I could only think of one thing, that he is the father of the earth, as is expressed in the scriptures defining a prophet. I know he's that prophet and I'm doing all that I can to share it with others. Hayley, CONGRATS!!! My companion and I prayed for you all week long! Good work! I know this e-mail is long, but it's been maybe the most exciting and self-finding week in my entire life. Paul went his way from Malta to Pozzouli(Napoli) untill he finished his mission at Rome. As I arrived here in Italy I landed in Rome, following his steps to Napoli and the Pozzouli bay, and now I set out, instead of on a boat but by plane, to the island of Malta. I'm thankful for your prayers, please help me to learn this language and share this Gospel with those that are waiting for me. I'm retracing the steps that Paul once walked here, and I'll continue to do so in writing my own mission story "On the Road to Damascus." I love you all!

Anziano Gatchell