It was a long day in the car driving back from Monrovia to Freetown. Hard to believe I was in Congo Town apartment early this morning. We left Monrovia at around 6 in the morning and arrived in Freetown at around 7 pm, with a 30 minute stop in Bo. Yesterday was amazing. It was the monrovia District Conference and I got to see the Congo Town branch. It was a great experience. My joy was . . . . I can't even use words to describe how great it was. I LOVE THAT BRANCH!!! Tender Mercy from the Lord. The rest of the week was great.
Tell Bishop Lang that I got his emial. I will be speaking on Elder Christofferson's talk in the last general conference. I know that Elder Lauti will be speaking on the 13th at 9 and Elder Yardley is the same day at 1 (but he lives just north of bear lake, that might be pushing it. I'll see if anyone else wants to make the run with me and then I'll make the decision). I don't know if it would be a good idea to have all my friends at the airport. My emotions right now are very very confused so I don't think I can make the best decision on this, but the Petersons and brother Seawright have confirmed that they will be coming. I don't know. I'll think about it this week and try and respond next week. My heart is being ripped in half, and I don't know what to think anymore.
I love you all and have a great week.
Elder Degen
Rice is Life
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
E-mail dated 5/24/10
Ok. So we are here in the great Bushrod Island of Monrovia. We are in about our 3rd internet cafe and we have finally found one that works. It probably looks really funny to the locals that there are two white men carrying there traveling duffel bag on their heads. Oh well, you should never worry about what others think of you anyways.
I'm going to warn you first hand. You might not get an email from me next week. Monday is the day scheduled for us to drive back to Freetown. It will likely take all day for us to do that. Just a heads up.
We just finished a Super P-day here in Monrovia. All the missionaries (22 of us) gathered in Caldwell to play some kickball. Once the rules were explained and an trial inning was played, everyone had a great time. We went to a Ghanaian restaurant afterward and enjoyed some fufu. I really hope somebody can prepare fufu for everyone to try. You all might think I am crazy for eating it, but I love it so much now. I want to have a video camera ready when you try it. I hope I'll be able to find some other african dishes. correction: West African dishes. I don't know what they eat down there in the south. Crazy Southerners.
I don't really care who comes to the airport or not. I'm sure the Petersons are coming and they might round up some return missionaries from this mission to meet us their. Just know that I will probably be really tired. Maybe friends can wait until after I'm released. Maybe the Yardley's and the Lauti's will want to have dinner. meh. Whatever is cool with me. I'm going to enjoy this whilst I can.
Have a great week.
Elder Degen
Rice is Life
I'm going to warn you first hand. You might not get an email from me next week. Monday is the day scheduled for us to drive back to Freetown. It will likely take all day for us to do that. Just a heads up.
We just finished a Super P-day here in Monrovia. All the missionaries (22 of us) gathered in Caldwell to play some kickball. Once the rules were explained and an trial inning was played, everyone had a great time. We went to a Ghanaian restaurant afterward and enjoyed some fufu. I really hope somebody can prepare fufu for everyone to try. You all might think I am crazy for eating it, but I love it so much now. I want to have a video camera ready when you try it. I hope I'll be able to find some other african dishes. correction: West African dishes. I don't know what they eat down there in the south. Crazy Southerners.
I don't really care who comes to the airport or not. I'm sure the Petersons are coming and they might round up some return missionaries from this mission to meet us their. Just know that I will probably be really tired. Maybe friends can wait until after I'm released. Maybe the Yardley's and the Lauti's will want to have dinner. meh. Whatever is cool with me. I'm going to enjoy this whilst I can.
Have a great week.
Elder Degen
Rice is Life
Thursday, May 20, 2010
E-mail dated 5/17/10
The past couple of weeks have gone really well. I can't really remember what happened during that time period. Time flies when your having fun, I guess. I don't really feel bad not writing detailed emials anymore. So don't be disappointed if this one is not very detailed.
I guess I'll start with our investigators. The Gbabay family is doing great!! I'm so excited for them. The father, Augustine, and the eldest son, Solomon, have been coming to church very consistently for the past three months and from what we can tell have gained atestimony of the restored gospel. This past week we retaught lesson one (because that is the foundation of our faith) and it was amazing. It was like I could see the lights turning on in their minds as we connected all four lessons back to the restoration. Its kind of like an epiphany moment. I could feel light entering into them. The very next lesson we reviewed the baptismal interview questions with thema nd they basically retaught the restoration in their own words and with thier tesimonies of how they know its true. And even better, the rest of the family (the mother, Christiana, Aminata, Pius, Alfred, and Florence) all came to church yesterday. The branch is welcoming them warmly and things are looking good. Augustine and Solomon will be baptized on the 5th of June. Everything else seems to be going good.
I'm staying very busy. We are getting ready to travel again. This time to Liberia for almost two weeks. I'm pretty exctited to attend the District Conference because I'll get to see the Congo Town people again. I hope everyone has a great week. Elder Degen
Rice is Life
I did get the package thank you very much. And I forwarded you somepictures that Sister Jones took of us.
I guess I'll start with our investigators. The Gbabay family is doing great!! I'm so excited for them. The father, Augustine, and the eldest son, Solomon, have been coming to church very consistently for the past three months and from what we can tell have gained atestimony of the restored gospel. This past week we retaught lesson one (because that is the foundation of our faith) and it was amazing. It was like I could see the lights turning on in their minds as we connected all four lessons back to the restoration. Its kind of like an epiphany moment. I could feel light entering into them. The very next lesson we reviewed the baptismal interview questions with thema nd they basically retaught the restoration in their own words and with thier tesimonies of how they know its true. And even better, the rest of the family (the mother, Christiana, Aminata, Pius, Alfred, and Florence) all came to church yesterday. The branch is welcoming them warmly and things are looking good. Augustine and Solomon will be baptized on the 5th of June. Everything else seems to be going good.
I'm staying very busy. We are getting ready to travel again. This time to Liberia for almost two weeks. I'm pretty exctited to attend the District Conference because I'll get to see the Congo Town people again. I hope everyone has a great week. Elder Degen
Rice is Life
I did get the package thank you very much. And I forwarded you somepictures that Sister Jones took of us.
Monday, May 10, 2010
E-mail dated 5/10/10
Well well well. Here I am again communicating with my family late in the evening hours. For that whole phone call I was doing my evening routine preparing myself for bed. We had six Elders in our apartment last night so thats why I may have sounded just a little bit distracted yesterday. Oh well. It was fun to talk for that small amount of time. I don't really have much to say this time, and I don't really have much time to mail. I would like to prepare for bed a little more focused tonight. I love you all and will give you many many more details next week.
Elder Degen
Rice is Life
Elder Degen
Rice is Life
Monday, May 3, 2010
Ok, So . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . This email is definitely notoing to be as creative as last week. I don't really have much time.I just finished looking at the school emial and I hope that it makes sense. We went to a beach clear out in Goderich for P-day today and we are running a little bit late. The only thing to sacrifice at the moment is our emialing time. Which really isn't a problem for me because I'll be talking with you very very soon. We will be driving back from Bo on Sunday and we won't reach Freetown until about 9:00 in the evening. So whenever we get back I will call you on our phone first (but only long enough for you to get my number) and then if you could please call back. We have an hour to talk this time. 9:00 PM our time is 3:00PM your time (i think). We are just going to have to play it by ear because I don't really know what time we will get back. It would be nice to call while in the car but there is no service inthe middle of the bush. meh.
Sorry buts that all the time I've got for now. I hope you have agreat week and talk to you on Sunday.
Elder Degen
Rice is life
CJ: So you need to let me know when and if you recieved my letter.I really sent one about the day after you sent me a mail or so. Ialso met someone from South Africa this past week. Remember a MusaDitsi from Soweto, Protea Glen ward. Yep, he is now a missionary in the Sierra Leone Freetown mission and we met on Tuesday. He still remembers Elder Hanson and his parents coming to his ward for a Barbeque back in December. He is excited to be here and sends his greetings. We both know someone on the same continent now. WOOT!!
Sorry buts that all the time I've got for now. I hope you have agreat week and talk to you on Sunday.
Elder Degen
Rice is life
CJ: So you need to let me know when and if you recieved my letter.I really sent one about the day after you sent me a mail or so. Ialso met someone from South Africa this past week. Remember a MusaDitsi from Soweto, Protea Glen ward. Yep, he is now a missionary in the Sierra Leone Freetown mission and we met on Tuesday. He still remembers Elder Hanson and his parents coming to his ward for a Barbeque back in December. He is excited to be here and sends his greetings. We both know someone on the same continent now. WOOT!!
Monday, April 26, 2010
E-mail dated 4/26/10
Congratulations Degen family. You have been accepted into the School of Future Technology and will begin taking classes right now. Your first class will be "How to use the Time Machine". Ready. Lets Go.
To Begin using the Time Machine insert 4 quarters into the computer. Just kidding, that would probably break the computer. Our first destination will be SIERRA LEONE at appoximately 6:30 PM on MONDAY 19 APR 2010. Remember that you can see the people but they can't see you, so don't hurt yourself when you see your son.
Elder Bird and Elder Degen are currently in the middle of teaching a fantastic family home evening lesson with the Gbabay family. They have just taught the covenant of baptism and asked if the family would like to be baptized. " Yes, but what do I need to do to be baptized?" asks Augustine Gbabay, the father of the family. "That is a great question," responds Elder Degen "the first things you need to do to be baptized are faith and repentance, which we discussed about the last time." "But I've already been baptized in the Catholic church." Solomon states.
"In order for the baptism to be recognized by God that person must have the priesthood power. Here's an example: If I want to go and direct the traffic on Pademba Road who do I have to recieve the authority from? The government right. If I were to just go and do it and then go to the government and ask for my pay what would happen?"
"They would never pay him"
"Why"
"Because he didin't have the authority!"
"Exactly, so how does God feel about baptisms that aren't done by His authority?"
"He doesn't accept them."
"Very Good! Brother Gbabay will you be baptized as a member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints"
"Yes, I will"
"What about you Sister Christiana?"
"Yes"
"Solomon, Aminata, Pius, Florence?"
"Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes"
"OK all those who havn't been coming to church and haven't been joining the discussions will now need to catch up to the rest of us" said the father.
"Ok lets go to the game now"
We are sorry but your time has expired. Please insert another 4 quarters into the computer for another round. Just kidding. Man that was just as funny the second time. The next destination will be SIERRA LEONE on FRIDAY 23 APR 2010 at appoximatley 4:30 PM. Ready. (imaginary spaceship noises)
"Elder BIRD!! My brain hurts. Why don't you come and figure this out and I'll change the blue triangles to white on the computer."
"Just let me finish this map of Kissy on the computer then I'll give it to President' and come and help."
"Do you know how hard it is to divide this Kissy branch directory into two branches with the correct number of females per branch and the number of active and less active young men, young women, and children per branch. My brain really hurts!"
Malfunction! Malfunction! Malfunction! We are sorry but you can't be pushing those buttons Gavin Stewart Degen. Geez you think this is easy going back into time. Well you've got another thing coming. That'll be 20 quarters for you. Well lets go to our last stop for this period. Destination SIERRA LEONE on SUNDAY 25 APR 2010 at approximately 8:00 PM.
"Elder Bird, which zone do you want to call and give transfer news first? I think we should tell Elder Albright in Liberia first because they had their numbers in first"
"That would make sense to me"
"Elder Grabau and Elder Gunderson go upstairs, freetown is not first this time"
(moaning and groaning)
(excitment on the phone beacue Elder Albright knows he only has 6 more weeks left)
"Paynesville Elders remain the same. Paynesville 2 Elders remain the same. Elder Korfeh recieves Elder Kenner and Elder Onuoha is going home .. . . . . . ."
Ok Ok. Man that took alot of brain power. This is Elder Degen now. I was telling Sister Jones how hard it is to write home these days and she told me to be creative. How's that for creative. I don't think it makes much sense but oh well. I don't have any idea about applying for the business school at the U. You would think that I already did that because I'm in the middle of my schooling process, but I have no idea about that. I love you all and have a fantastic week.
Elder Degen
Rice is Life
PS Elder Lamb and Elder Stice are returning home on Wednesday night. Maybe get in contact with them and find out when they are speaking. If you want to go to Idaho and listen to Elder Stice that would be kinda cool.
PPPPS Mister CJ you win the prize for the belated birthday wishing contest. I almost pooped my pants!
To Begin using the Time Machine insert 4 quarters into the computer. Just kidding, that would probably break the computer. Our first destination will be SIERRA LEONE at appoximately 6:30 PM on MONDAY 19 APR 2010. Remember that you can see the people but they can't see you, so don't hurt yourself when you see your son.
Elder Bird and Elder Degen are currently in the middle of teaching a fantastic family home evening lesson with the Gbabay family. They have just taught the covenant of baptism and asked if the family would like to be baptized. " Yes, but what do I need to do to be baptized?" asks Augustine Gbabay, the father of the family. "That is a great question," responds Elder Degen "the first things you need to do to be baptized are faith and repentance, which we discussed about the last time." "But I've already been baptized in the Catholic church." Solomon states.
"In order for the baptism to be recognized by God that person must have the priesthood power. Here's an example: If I want to go and direct the traffic on Pademba Road who do I have to recieve the authority from? The government right. If I were to just go and do it and then go to the government and ask for my pay what would happen?"
"They would never pay him"
"Why"
"Because he didin't have the authority!"
"Exactly, so how does God feel about baptisms that aren't done by His authority?"
"He doesn't accept them."
"Very Good! Brother Gbabay will you be baptized as a member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints"
"Yes, I will"
"What about you Sister Christiana?"
"Yes"
"Solomon, Aminata, Pius, Florence?"
"Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes"
"OK all those who havn't been coming to church and haven't been joining the discussions will now need to catch up to the rest of us" said the father.
"Ok lets go to the game now"
We are sorry but your time has expired. Please insert another 4 quarters into the computer for another round. Just kidding. Man that was just as funny the second time. The next destination will be SIERRA LEONE on FRIDAY 23 APR 2010 at appoximatley 4:30 PM. Ready. (imaginary spaceship noises)
"Elder BIRD!! My brain hurts. Why don't you come and figure this out and I'll change the blue triangles to white on the computer."
"Just let me finish this map of Kissy on the computer then I'll give it to President' and come and help."
"Do you know how hard it is to divide this Kissy branch directory into two branches with the correct number of females per branch and the number of active and less active young men, young women, and children per branch. My brain really hurts!"
Malfunction! Malfunction! Malfunction! We are sorry but you can't be pushing those buttons Gavin Stewart Degen. Geez you think this is easy going back into time. Well you've got another thing coming. That'll be 20 quarters for you. Well lets go to our last stop for this period. Destination SIERRA LEONE on SUNDAY 25 APR 2010 at approximately 8:00 PM.
"Elder Bird, which zone do you want to call and give transfer news first? I think we should tell Elder Albright in Liberia first because they had their numbers in first"
"That would make sense to me"
"Elder Grabau and Elder Gunderson go upstairs, freetown is not first this time"
(moaning and groaning)
(excitment on the phone beacue Elder Albright knows he only has 6 more weeks left)
"Paynesville Elders remain the same. Paynesville 2 Elders remain the same. Elder Korfeh recieves Elder Kenner and Elder Onuoha is going home .. . . . . . ."
Ok Ok. Man that took alot of brain power. This is Elder Degen now. I was telling Sister Jones how hard it is to write home these days and she told me to be creative. How's that for creative. I don't think it makes much sense but oh well. I don't have any idea about applying for the business school at the U. You would think that I already did that because I'm in the middle of my schooling process, but I have no idea about that. I love you all and have a fantastic week.
Elder Degen
Rice is Life
PS Elder Lamb and Elder Stice are returning home on Wednesday night. Maybe get in contact with them and find out when they are speaking. If you want to go to Idaho and listen to Elder Stice that would be kinda cool.
PPPPS Mister CJ you win the prize for the belated birthday wishing contest. I almost pooped my pants!
E-mail dated 4/19/10
Hello Hello Hello
Well I don't have much time right now because only one computer is working and we split the hour between the two of us because we have an Family Home Evening appointment with the Gbabay family in like 10 minutes. I think we are going to be just a little bit late. Meh. Nobody really keeps time anyway.
This past week was very busy. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday we had Zone conferences with Elder Golden in Movrovia, Bo, and Freetown. He is a very doctrinal man and its a learning experience just listening to him. It was interesting on how he instructed each zone differently according to what the spirit put into his mouth. I really enjoyed it. It was a lot of travelling but at the same time a great experience.
The only day we had to plan was Saturday. Everyone remembered my birthday. We bought ice cream (4 liters for $25) and Sister Squires and Sister Jones baked a cake and ate some of it with us. Lets just say eating cake and ice cream for three consecutive meals is not very healthy. I always wondered why mom wouldn't bake cakes for dinner every night, but now I know. Anywho it was good. We even had a great day of teaching (it was our only day of teaching as a matter of fact) as we were able to see most of our investigators.
For Super P-day today we went to the Aberdeen beach and played Ultimate Frisbee. Man I love that game. The sun scorched me though. And I'm out of shape.
Well I've got to go now. Have a fantastic week.
Elder Degen
Rice is Life
Well I don't have much time right now because only one computer is working and we split the hour between the two of us because we have an Family Home Evening appointment with the Gbabay family in like 10 minutes. I think we are going to be just a little bit late. Meh. Nobody really keeps time anyway.
This past week was very busy. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday we had Zone conferences with Elder Golden in Movrovia, Bo, and Freetown. He is a very doctrinal man and its a learning experience just listening to him. It was interesting on how he instructed each zone differently according to what the spirit put into his mouth. I really enjoyed it. It was a lot of travelling but at the same time a great experience.
The only day we had to plan was Saturday. Everyone remembered my birthday. We bought ice cream (4 liters for $25) and Sister Squires and Sister Jones baked a cake and ate some of it with us. Lets just say eating cake and ice cream for three consecutive meals is not very healthy. I always wondered why mom wouldn't bake cakes for dinner every night, but now I know. Anywho it was good. We even had a great day of teaching (it was our only day of teaching as a matter of fact) as we were able to see most of our investigators.
For Super P-day today we went to the Aberdeen beach and played Ultimate Frisbee. Man I love that game. The sun scorched me though. And I'm out of shape.
Well I've got to go now. Have a fantastic week.
Elder Degen
Rice is Life
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