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Spreading 'The Word' overseas
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| By ANTHONY BOTTAN |
August 14, 2008 |
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For the next two years, Valley Stream resident Peter Olson, 19, will experience quite a culture shock, in addition to a life-altering change.
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Olson, who is a parishioner at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Lynbrook, will leave this November on a two-year missionary retreat to Tokyo, Japan. He joins a missionary effort of more than 50,000 young men and women serving around the world for the Church of Jesus Christ.
"It's a time for personal growth," Olson said. "I'm doing this so that I can serve the Lord and give back. The Gospel has blessed my life."
Olson, who would have been a sophomore at Harvard University this September, joins seven other Harvard students who are making the worldly trek to spread the Good Word. The other six student missionaries will travel and teach Catholicism in other countries, like Canada and Chili, and live there for the next two years.
Olson leaves on Aug. 27 to Provo, Utah, where he will have 11 weeks of preparation and studying at the church's missionary training facility. He does not know a word of Japanese, he said, but he is not worried about the language barrier. "I think I'll come out knowing how to say a few things," he said. "Once I'm in Japan for a year and a half, I think I'll be pretty efficient in the language."
During Olson's two years in Japan, he will spend his time finding and teaching the people of Tokyo who are interested in learning more about the Church of Jesus Christ. He will also serve the Tokyo community in more general ways, like teaching English, and participating in other humanitarian efforts. While in Japan, Olson will be paired up with a different missionary every six weeks. Everyday, he will wake up at 6:30 a.m., he said, and will spend the rest of the day visiting people, teaching the Gospel, as well as English to those who want to participate. His day will ened at 10:30 p.m.
The 2007 Valley Stream South High School valedictorian has been saving up for his mission ever since he was little, he said. He comes from a family of nine children, all of whom are dedicated to missionary work. Olson is following in the footsteps of his siblings -- five of whom have also participated in missionary work in places like Brazil and Canada. "I'm a little nervous," he said. "But I believe strongly in my faith, so I'm excited to share that. It will be nice to spend two years not worry about myself."
Olson said he is a huge fan of Japanese food, and is looking forward to indulging in its cuisine. One thing he is not looking forward to, he said, is the 18-hour plane ride from Utah to Japan. He often takes cross-country road trips, he said, which he hope will prepare him for his global journey. Olson plans to return to Harvard in 2010, where he plans to major in history with a minor in math.
Comments about this story? ABottan@
liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 246.
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©Herald Community 2009
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