And the Mormons came to visit.

Coming home from a walk tonight around 7:50pm after a chat with Miss Allie Mac (holler, girl, holler), I see two young girls standing at my neighbor's door, dressed in skirts, fancy nametags, and briefcases.

RRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAARRRRRR (that's a siren noise). Mor-mons. Mor-mons. Right? I mean, run the other way! Or be super mean. Maybe laugh in their face as I slam my door, yah? That's what I've been taught, anyway.

I was feeling a little adventurous tonight (SINNER). So I spoke over to them: "Hey, whatchya waiting for?"

The two girls turned around, surprised, and looked at me.

"We are here to see Jill. She made an appointment with us."

"Oh," I said. "Well, I think she's out." And they stood their akwardly. Then, they stepped away from the door and to me.

"We have a message of happiness to share with you," one of the girls said. She was Filipino and her voice was monotone, obviously rehearsed and tired. "A living prophet is alive today."

"Man, it's reall late," I said. "What are yall doing?"

At this point, the girls begin to relax and tell me they are missionaries of the Mormon church. "You've heard of the Mormon church, right?" the non-filipino asks, about to cower to hear my response, almost flinching.

"Yah, I think so," I respond. "But isn't it real late for yall? I mean, are yall safe? Yall are too cute to be out here in this part of Kihei."

"No, we work from 7am to 10pm." They smile. At this point, the Lord really began to put compassion in my heart. I mean, here are these two young girls working the streets of Maui late at night all for their faith. I was broken for their misguidedness, as well as for the way i know they've been treated.

We then began a conversation about how beautiful Maui is and how the Filipino girl came from the Phillipines and misses her family. I told her I can relate.

"What brought you out here from Texas?" they ask me.

I had two choices. A) tell them I came here to work at a CHRISTIAN church and to get the %$#$$%$ away from my door, or B) tell them I came for work. Just work. No details.

"My job," I say casually. I told the truth. I decided I just wanted to hear them out. No need for me to get all "christian" on them, like they hadn't heard that before.

As we continue talking about everyday things, I begin to see these missionaries as PEOPLE, not as crazy religious fanatics. Don't get me wrong: I understand they are false prophets and preachers and leading people toward death with a false religion. But we don't fight against flesh and blood. These two beautiful young girls are not my enemies. We fight against the ruler of the air and the powers of darkness. Satan. Not physical people.

After a bit more small talk, they ask if they can come visit me again. Obviously to tell me more about happiness. They wanted my name and number. What was I to do?

I gave them my first name and a false phone number. I mean, they know where I live now. They asked for permission to come back. What did I say?

"Sure, come back anytime. And if you get thirsty or hungry, or even if you feel unsafe, I'm here," I said. (I'm positive my Mom reading this right now is shocked and speechless at this point. Simmer, Momma, simmer)

"Okay. Thanks. Keep smiling," the precious filipino says.

I'm sure this was the most positive interaction these girls had all day, or even all week. No doubt they'd been bashed by Christians, doors slammed, and treated like crap the whole time they've been here in Maui.

I had two choices: be high and mighty, or be like Jesus. I think Jesus would have treated these girls like human beings. It's funny how we treat Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Catholics, Scientologists, and other religions as "fragile". We don't want to "ruin the Christian name" and be mean. "Be loving and compassionate and gentle to every other religion but the Mormons. We must destroy the Mormons by treating them like dogs," seems to be the Christian motto in addressing other religions.

Wow. Could we be more hypocritical? I think Jesus would want to vomit at our attitude. Are we to win every other person to Christ through love, just not the Mormons?

On another note, what can we learn from the Mormons? Why is it that the Mormon church is the fastest growing religion in the world? Because they meet needs, they take care of each other, and they get their word out. Shouldn't that be the Christian church?

Just as Jesus used the Samaritians, the lowest of the low, for his parables and stories to the Jewish religious leaders, maybe he would use the Mormons as an example for us arrogant Christians. How humbling that would be, huh?

I hope they come back. Maybe I'll let them come inside and drink some water and have a granola bar, because that's all I have. Maybe we'll talk about family. Maybe they'll want to talk about happiness. And you know what, maybe then I'll tell them about my sweet, loving, nonjudgmental Savior. And maybe, just maybe, by the Grace of God, they'll listen, because maybe, just maybe, they've already seen Him through me.

And maybe, just maybe, you should think twice when the Mormons come to visit.