2 more LDS missionaries to be deported from Russia - KUTV 2News

[ad_2]

Missionaries deported (Photo: Oldham family)

(KUTV) Two more LDS missionaries are set to be deported from Russia Friday, 2News has learned.

This makes a total of six young men and women -- now referred to as volunteers -- who have been forced to leave the country after getting detained by police.

One of them, Drake Oldham, is from Cache County. His parents, Troy and Anita Oldham, have been watching developments in Russia from afar that have impacted Mormon missionary work in that country.

But this one came as a big surprise.

"I'm sad," said Anita Oldham. "I'm sad for him that he has to leave."

Drake Oldham was one of six volunteers who were detained by police a few weeks ago. Because of what's being called a "visa technicality," the country asked the volunteers to leave.

Three of them were reassigned to another Russian speaking mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A fourth went home early, according to the Oldham family, and the other two -- Drake and his companion -- are set to ship out Friday to Ukraine.

In a phone call, Drake said he cannot return to Russia for five years, his parents said.

"He got very emotional about that," Troy Oldham said.

This comes after Russia passed a law limiting religious proselytizing. From what their son has told them, Drake's parents chalk up what happened to a stricter interpretation of the law in Samara than other places.

"They've had kind of random run-ins with the police where they'd just take them and say, come down to the police station and we want to make sure all your papers are in order," said Troy Oldham.

Still, Drake's parents say they've never worried about their son.

"But he was also being cautious," Troy Oldham said. "A lot of things that he said was, it's really really important that we obey all the rules. It's for our safety."

In a few months, Drake will leave Ukraine and return home. In the meantime, his parents believe this experience has strengthened him in a way nothing else could.

"That's what faith is," said Anita Oldham. "You just know it's going to work out okay."

The LDS church did not comment further on this incident. The faith has volunteers serving in seven missions across Russia.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

[ad_1]

Source link