PRAIRIE GROVE -- Two young missionaries serving with the Prairie Grove Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are finishing up their time in Prairie Grove and moving on to new mission fields.
Sister Shaelynn Hanson, 19, and Sister Hannah Himes, 20, enjoyed their last few days in Prairie Grove last week.
Hanson, who is from Idaho, has been in Prairie Grove for six months and is is moving to Branson, Mo., for her next mission. Himes has only been in Prairie Grove for six weeks and is going down the road to Fayetteville. She's from Utah.
Hanson said when they go to a new mission field, they do not know how long they will stay, except they know they will be somewhere for at least six weeks.
Both are in college and took a break to serve on the mission field for 18 months with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They'll go back to college when they are finished. Hanson is interested in elementary education and Himes said she is interested in geology and culture.
While here, they have volunteered at several places, such as LIFE Ministries and Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, and have volunteered on community service projects, including mowing yards and other yard work.
They said they've also shared about the hope of Jesus Christ with a lot of people.
During the pandemic, they've had a lot of video calls and video chats with people and posted videos to share with others. Himes said being a missionary during covid-19 has actually been the best time to be on the mission field because "help and hope is what people need right now."
The young ladies live together in an apartment, but did not know each other before they came to Prairie Grove.
Both said they've loved being in Prairie Grove and wished they would have the opportunity to stay a little longer.