Hvala Vam (Thank you) to President and Sister Melonakos for sharing their story with us while they serve the Lord with all their hearts. President and Sister Melonakos have been called to lead the Adriatic North Mission since 2017.
Tell us about your mission, the countries and languages involved, and the people of the area.
Our mission includes five countries in the Balkan peninsula: Croatia (Croatian language), Serbia (Serbian language, Cyrillic alphabet), Montenegro (Montenegrin language), Slovenia (Slovenian language), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian languages). This includes most of former Yugoslavia. In our mission we have a varied geography and resources: the Adriatic coast, Alps, plains, farmland, flocks of sheep, little villages, and large cities. Like people around the world, Balkan people are hard working, they love their families, and they hope for better things in the future. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was mainly introduced in Yugoslavia in the 1970s by Krešimir Ćosić, an international basketball star. After joining the church during his time on the BYU basketball team, he turned down NBA draft offers in order to return to his beloved Yugoslavia to play basketball and to establish the Lord’s church there. He led the Yugoslavia basketball team to an Olympic gold medal in 1980. Under the direction of church headquarters, Čosić also established first one branch, then others, and the church slowly began to spread across the Balkans. Although there are a few multi-generational families in the mission, sixty percent of the members are single adults, so membership growth is slower than hoped for. There are currently about 1400 members of the church in our five countries.
How have you managed the language and other barriers associated with such a unique mission with so many different countries?
We studied Croatian for five months before we came on our mission. This is very helpful in singing the hymns with the Saints and engaging in very basic conversations. However, most of our communication is done in English (quite a few people speak English) or with local member or missionary translators.
What led you to the decision to seek your initial mission in Manhattan?
Throughout our marriage we planned to serve a senior mission. The hardest part was actually committing to go at a certain time. We found that once we committed, things fell into place and we were able to organize things, have the courage to leave our familiar life, and go serve the Lord full time. There are many opportunities for senior couples listed on the church’s website, so we looked at them, prayed, pondered, and applied for one that seemed like a good fit for us. It was great!
Once you decided that you wanted to pursue your first senior mission, what steps did you need to take to make it happen?
The most difficult logistical thing was to figure out what to do with our home and our dog in our absence. We were blessed to have Tony and Susan Jaeger, from our ward, agree to live in our home and care for it and our dog.
What advice do you have for members of the stake that are contemplating serving a senior mission?
Of the 12,000 senior missionary. positions needed in the world, only half of them are currently filled because not enough seniors are serving. Commit to it together when you’re young, prepare, and then just do it. Take that leap of faith. You’ll be so glad you did! You’ll be blessed, and so will your loved ones, eternally. It can be the most satisfying calling you’ll ever have. Also, with technology, it’s easy to stay in close contact with your family as much as you like.
Were there any fears that you had when you were considering serving your Manhattan and Adriatic North missions that you found were simply not warranted or melted away after you began serving?
Many fears, worries, hesitations. All totally faded away quickly.
Tell us about the people that you serve in the Adriatic North Mission? How have you grown to love the people that you serve and also those that you serve alongside (missionaries and leaders)?
The greatest thing about a mission is the people you get to know and love, and then seeing the hand of the Lord in your life and theirs. We have great relationships with so many members and friends in all five of our countries. It’s not easy being a member of the church here — our valiant members have often sacrificed a lot as they have entered and walked on the covenant path. We also now have 150 missionaries who are like sons and daughters to us! We also have many, many senior missionaries with whom we have loving, lasting friendships.
How has the mission blessed your life?
Increased faith in Jesus Christ and his restored church. Understanding grace and God’s help and strength beyond our natural abilities. Deeper understanding of the scriptures. Even stronger marriage and family relationships. Rich, loving new friendships. Appreciation for wonderful Balkan cultures and beautiful things in our five countries.
What are you most looking forward to eating, doing, seeing, etc. when you get back home to the Hickory Stake?
Just like the best things here are the people, the best things at home we’re looking forward to are the people there. Friends, famiy, and whatever the next phase of our lives hold.
