But there is no place he'd rather be than pedaling a bicycle -- while sporting dress clothes -- along the primitive streets of Madagascar and ministering to the 21 million people who live on the world's fourth largest island.
Waters, a 2010 graduate of Polk State College Collegiate High School, arrived in Madagascar earlier this month as one of 60 young missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints serving on the 226,444 square mile island located off the southeast coast of Africa.
More than 50,000 missionaries from the church are serving in this capacity worldwide.
"Although it may seem to (people) that this is a big sacrifice to give up two years of my normal life to do something that will be hard, stressful, and a total culture shock, to me it's an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Madagascar as Christ would if he were here as a representative of Him," Waters said in a message to the News Chief forwarded by e-mail from his mother, Lori Waters.
An amazing place
E-mails received by the Waters family reflect his awe and respect for the people of Madagascar as well as his dedication to serve them.
Arriving, after a what he describes as "the longest flight ever", at the mission home in Madagascar Aug. 10 without his luggage was not enough to daunt his enthusiasm.
"I'm here safely and the country looks amazing. I can't wait to get to work," he wrote.
Five days later, his weekly e-mail describes improvements in his understanding of the Malagasy language, the friendly nature of the people he's met, and his rather humorous introduction to the local food options.
"The people are the nicest people ever. You can say, "Hi!' to every person you go by (and that's a lot) and they'll start a conversation with you," he wrote.
While his e-mail indicated a fledgling ability to think in Malagasy, his first speaking presentation in the language was a challenging learning experience.
"On Sunday, they had me and one other new elder come up and bear testimony (and the other elder was Malagasy too so it was easy for him), I didn't even know how to say, 'and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.' Ha. But I had the other elder of the companion of the other new native also write it down for me on paper. It went pretty well, though, I think."
Adapting to the country's diet seems to be a little more difficult.
"It's gonna take a little bit to get used to the food though. The other night after a lesson ... they (locals) fed us rice and loaka, the topping that they put on the rice, its usually like some kind of meat and some vegetables. And that's what we have every meal of the day besides breakfast because we make that ourselves," he said. "But for that meal, the loaka was pieces of fish, shrimp, and the fish head with the eyeballs and all. I was able to eat the fish and the shrimp, but there was no way I was gonna eat that fish's eyeball and head."
His dad finds this amusing.
"He's finding out what kind of different things he will be eating; it is amazing. For a boy who loves eating pizza seven days a week, it's going to be an interesting experience," Glen Waters said.
An e-mail sent on Aug. 21 recounts heartbreaking stories of families racked with disease from drinking water, accidents, brittle bones, and inoperable tumors -- and the missionaries quest to baptize them.
He also offered several insights into his life on the island.
"So just some random stuff about the mission stuff so far: We teach about six to eight scheduled lessons a day and then on top of that, random people invite us in, so we stay busy. We had 6 baptisms on Saturday," Beau Waters wrote. "The language still isn't perfect, but it's coming. It's beautiful here. There (are) lots of hills and mountains, and pretty sunsets. We live on $5 a day and that gets us a lot here."
At 6 feet 5 inches tall, he's had an interesting time fitting into buildings made for much shorter people.
"I've fit into maximum, maybe 4 houses so far. I mean standing up straight. Houses have really short ceilings and are just really small here. The average Malagasy guy is like 5-6 maybe, really short."
He signed off with, "I love you lots, I pray for you each day as well. Love for eternity, Elder Waters.
His Malagasy name is Eldera Ranoralava, meaning "Tall Waters."
A blessed life
Beau Waters is the youngest of four adult children of Lori and Glen Waters, owners of Built By Waters, a builder of high end homes.
Lori Waters describes her youngest child as a guy with a "great big heart with a great big smile."
"He loves people and others feel that love," she said.
One of the last people Beau Waters made it a priority to see before he left Winter Haven was an elderly woman friend in a nursing home.
"The night before he left he hurried to her room and she said, 'You brighten my day.' Beau said he felt the say way about her and proceeded to give her a great big hug. That is Beau. He sees young children, kids his age and older adults as well, in the same way," Lori Waters said. "They are people that he loves and he has no problem letting others know of his love for them."
This, Glen Waters said, will make his son an effective missionary.
"Beau's such an awesome kid. He's just liked by everyone and he likes everyone. He likes to serve and do good things, always," he said. "I just think he's going to be an incredible person to show a lot of love to people over there."
A sports enthusiast, Beau Waters participated in basketball and swimming in high school. He also enjoyed competitive ballroom dancing. While in college at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, he participated in intramural water polo, basketball and volleyball -- both men's teams and coed teams.
The Waters family is a close-knit clan actively involved in the church and community. But Lori and Glen Waters know what it is like to be separated from their children by long distances. Beau's two older brothers, Brenton, 25, and Brock, 22, took mission trips to Argentina and California, respectively.
Lori Waters said she finds great comfort in knowing her son is well prepared -- missionaries go through intensive training before serving on a mission.
His faith and excitement to serve also give her peace.
"He's loving the people. He's happy," she said. "I get his letters and I cry with happiness."
Although they won't see their youngest son until he completes his mission trip two years from now, Lori and Glen Waters are thankful missionaries write to their families every Monday if they have access to e-mail.
"You know they are watched over by the people there and watched over by the Lord," Glen Waters said.
Like his parents, Beau Waters finds strength in his faith, his family's love and dedication to his purpose: To share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"Although we may be far away physically, we will be close in spirit," he said.
He is prepared for the sacrifices he will make during the next two years.
"When we go on a mission we make sacrifices -- being away from our families physically, cell phones, TV, and for me, not being able to watch ESPN everyday," he said. "The way that I cope with this is by realizing that the Savior has gone through all of our pains and sufferings, large and small, and because of that he will always be there for me in my times of need and he will watch out for my family and bless them."
"I know this to be true because I've seen it happening already," Beau Waters said.
Glen Waters knows first hand the blessings his son will experience because of his mission service. Having grown up in Haines City, he served his two-year mission in Indianapolis, Indiana 33 years ago.
"It was tough to leave home. But I can tell you it was the best thing I've ever done in my life. Because of those two years of service, the blessings have never stopped coming," he said.
Donna Kelly can be reached at 863-401-6969 or donna.kelly@newschief.com.
This story appeared in print on page B5
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