Eric's e-mail dated 8/25/08

Hello,

Another week has come and gone. Man, the weeks really fly by. Something about missionary work is that the days go by slow but the weeks go by fast. It doesn't make much sense but it is completely true. Weeks when we have zone conference make the week go by even faster because they usually take the whole day. I have not yet recieved the package because the post office was on strike because they haven't been paid in like 6 months. But the Petersons told me today that its opened back up and they will personally deliver it when it arrives. Thank you for the letter. Even though it was dated July 17 or something like that it is still good to hear from you and the sports world.

What are sundays like? Well our service starts at 9, so we arrive at the chapel by no later than 8:30. Yesterday after service I set up the appointments for the next couple days and we actually taught one of our investigators about prayer. I then stayed for another 30 minutes teaching a couple members how to play the keyboard. I am not the teacher that grandpa was and people here learn very slow. I don't think they understand that playing the piano takes a long time to learn and its not something I can teach in just one sitting. From then until 4 or so, we go out and visit the members and investigators that did not come to church, or something like unto it. Sundays are not productive days here in Sierra Leone so our day ends at 5. We usually go over to a members house to eat dinner at 4 every sunday. We then have a weekly planning session like we are supposed to in Preach My Gospel. So Sundays for me are nothing like they are in the states. Like I've said before, this mission is very unique in almost all aspects. Everywhere else in the world sundays are prime proselyting times, but not here.

How is my Krio coming? I can understand everyone now and I'm beginning to incorporate the deep Krio words into my speech. It is very hard to express myself (especially my testimony) because the vocabulary is like one-tenth of the English vocabulary. I've learned how to explain extremely complicated things in very simple terms, like the Atonment. Speaking the Krio is fun when the people are excited that you can speak their language, but if they begin to tell my I'm wrong, it just destroys your confidence and you don't feel like speaking it anymore. I can speak it fine, where others can understand me but I'm still a long way from speaking it well.

My companion is convinced that he will be leaving me this transfer, as he has been in this area since the beginning of february. He has never been to the US but he wants to attend BYUI when he gets of his mission. We'll see what really happens as the next few weeks play on.

CJ and I try and communicated through e-mail but it really doesn't work. I got a letter from him about a month ago. But I think we both know that it is going to be hard to keep in touch everyweek. Don't worry, we'll still be the same after we see each other for like 30 seconds.

So on Saturday it literally rained all flipping day long. We even delayed going out as we had hopes that it would soon cease. We were wrong and began walking in the rain. By the end of the day I was so wet. Especially my feet. I don't care if everything on me is wet as long as my feet are dry. But when my feet are wet the day is no fun. We were able to accomplish some things though, so its not like it was a wasted day. Oh sweet Salone. You don't mess with August here. Anywho, have a great week and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH AND GAVIN. I love you all.

Elder Degen