From MPNNow.com(NY):
Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints, Elder Jason Osborn and Elder Cody Leder talk to Sierra Cason who lives on Rossmore Street in Gates.
Gates, N.Y. - Dressed in white short-sleeve, button-down shirts, neckties and slacks, the two young missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Leder and Elder Osborn, approach a house on Rossmore Street in Gates where the owner is working on his porch.
Leder introduces himself and begins to explain his mission, but before he can finish, the homeowner interrupts.
“Not interested,” he says.
“Is there anything we can do for you?” Leder asks.
“You can go,” he gruffly replies before quickly disappearing into his house.
Splotches of red appear on Leder’s already pink cheeks. Heads down, they turn and leave.
Elder Jason Osborn, 23, is from Cut Bank, Mont., and Elder Cody Leder, 21, is from Woodburn, Ore. They’ve dedicated two years of their lives to being missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often known as the Mormon Church. Missionaries adopt the title “Elder” during their time serving the church. Currently the two men are canvassing the Gates and Chili area.
At the next house they stop at on Rossmore Street, the men receive a warmer response from Sierra Cason, a teenager who is watching her younger siblings play outside. She is polite, she listens to what they have to say without interrupting, and accepts a card from them with information on how to learn more about their religious beliefs.
Cason says she listened to the two missionaries because she didn’t want to be rude. She realizes not everyone is as patient.
“Some may not be interested, some may take the time to listen,” she says. “A lot of people don’t want to be bothered or care for it.”
Leder estimates the response is split 50/50 in terms of positive and negative receptions when they go door to door looking for people to teach.
As they head down Rossmore Street, a man in a white Veterans Outreach van beeps the horn and waves to them. They recognize him as Dave, a man they met last week while they were out walking. Dave was barbecuing and invited them to join. Although he isn’t a Mormon, he told the missionaries he is a man of faith.
“He invited us to come back anytime,” says Leder. (cont.)