My Dearest Fam,
Okay so I guess I have to explain myself last week. After the super p-day I had some serious stomach problems or more commonly known as diarrhea. I seriously could not leave the apartment because I needed the much loved toilet so much that evening. I plugged myself up with some amazing crap-stopping pills that you gave me. Those didn't work but my companion wanted to go to the cafe. I was feeling that I could make it for an hour without my toilet friend. Well I only got to the half hour mark and lets just say with no public restrooms in this country I was holding it in. No one can think straight with that kind of pain. I know you really didnt' want to hear that and its your choice whether you want to post it or not. I think its funny and I hope it made you laugh.
As I briefly mentioned last week I got a new companion. His name is Elder Tuvaifale and he is from Samoa. He goes home in four months. I met him only once before and that is when he was being transferred from Bo to Liberia. Now he is happy to be back in Freetown. He is somewhat of a big guy and I can't walk as fast as I used to because he gets really tired really fast. So far in these past 5 days we have gotten along just fine. I was sad to see Elder Amegayie go so quick but thats how transfers go. So now I'm leading the way showing my new companion everywhere. He is almost done with his mission so he is getting a little bit tired of missionary work but he still has the desire to help others. One of his greatest attributes is his friendlieness. If you have ever met someone from the islands they all have that trait. He is always telling everyone hello and introducing himself to others. Its something I know all missionaries could do a little better on.
The night before Tuvaifale came, our district had a service project at the local school. We volunteered to teach the classes for an hour. I was assigned to teach the jr. high leveled people. The people in this class range from 15-50 yrs of age. I was their math teacher for one hour. I taught them how to round decimal places. It was so hard to teach but by the end I think they understood. My companion was teaching the beginning class the alphabet. It really made me grateful for the education that I recieved back at home and that some volunteers weren't teaching me. I can't really comprehend how it would be like living without going to school. But so many people here don't have the proper education. It makes me wish I could sit down with everyone for a month and teach them all how to read and write and do basic math and science. But the best way to improve this country is to teach them about the gospel. And I enjoy teaching the gospel much more than rounding decimals or the alphabet. It was a good experience. I think we are going to go every week.
Why were you reading a book about the war in Sierra Leone? That story doesn't suprise me at all. Maybe one day I will tell you all I've heard, which actually isn't much. Not that people are afraid to talk about it because the people will talk if you ask, but I don't usually ask. The war in freetown was fought in the eastern part. I've seen the easter part of freetown and yes, the effects of the war are still there. I've only served in the western part of freetown but the missionaries in the eastern part don't have as many supermarkets, cafe's, they don't have power and water as often. Just be grateful for where you live now.
I love you all and I hope you have a great week.
Elder Degen
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
E-mail dated 1/19/09
Hello there,
Its good to hear from my wonderful family back in the states. Everything here in the mission field is going well. As you know today is a special day for missionaries because we get a small break from missionary work. We like to call it P-day. Today we went to the beach and played soccer. It was sweet. I don't know why we don't do that every week, but then again I'm not in charge.
So know for some spiritual news. We had a baptism on Saturday that went very well. Although it started a little late, it actually turned out to be a spirital experience for our candidates (that is usually a big problem here for various reasons). But I know that these three will be great additions to the hill station branch. We had a wonderful zone conference this past week. President Squires gave some great instruction on the connection between repentance and sanctification. It was awesome. We won't have another zone conference until february 12th or so but if the package comes it will get to me quick because I see the couples almost everyday.
I'm sorry I don't have a cool story this week. I'm not feeling the brightest at the moment but nothing to worry about(ask jimmy for details) I didn't eat anything weird this week but I ate some snail, crab, and some squid looking thing a few weeks ago. The squid thing tasted the best. I have been on the petersons blog. It is awesome. I weighed myself at zone conference. I'm still the exact same as when I left. no worries.
Transfers are this week and my companion is being transferred to Kenema. I'm getting a Samoan companion named Elder Tuvaifale. I'll let you know all about him next week. I love you guys and have a wonderful week.
Elder Degen
Its good to hear from my wonderful family back in the states. Everything here in the mission field is going well. As you know today is a special day for missionaries because we get a small break from missionary work. We like to call it P-day. Today we went to the beach and played soccer. It was sweet. I don't know why we don't do that every week, but then again I'm not in charge.
So know for some spiritual news. We had a baptism on Saturday that went very well. Although it started a little late, it actually turned out to be a spirital experience for our candidates (that is usually a big problem here for various reasons). But I know that these three will be great additions to the hill station branch. We had a wonderful zone conference this past week. President Squires gave some great instruction on the connection between repentance and sanctification. It was awesome. We won't have another zone conference until february 12th or so but if the package comes it will get to me quick because I see the couples almost everyday.
I'm sorry I don't have a cool story this week. I'm not feeling the brightest at the moment but nothing to worry about(ask jimmy for details) I didn't eat anything weird this week but I ate some snail, crab, and some squid looking thing a few weeks ago. The squid thing tasted the best. I have been on the petersons blog. It is awesome. I weighed myself at zone conference. I'm still the exact same as when I left. no worries.
Transfers are this week and my companion is being transferred to Kenema. I'm getting a Samoan companion named Elder Tuvaifale. I'll let you know all about him next week. I love you guys and have a wonderful week.
Elder Degen
Monday, January 12, 2009
E-mail from 1/12/09
Una Kushe,
Well Hello guys. I hope you are all enjoying the cold cold cold weather. he he he. I don' even know what to say about it except : Endure. This week was back to business as usual. We are once again teaching like crazy. And with my area being named Hill Station, you can sure count on it having alot of hills. By the end of the week I was exhausted because I was on a week long hiking trip with my companion and my scripture bag. But it was all worth it. We ended up teaching 8 new investigators this week, all of them referrals from members or investigators. We taught a man on Saturday named Abraham Amara. When we finally found his house (which took about an hour of climbing one side of a mountain) we walked in and the first thing we saw was an empty beer bottle and a pack of cigarettes. We both were a little unsure at first but I followed my companions lead in teaching the first lesson. Quickly we realized that this man could speak pretty good English, so we switched gears from Krio and continued on. The spirit was so strong this time. I teach many lessons on the restoration and not many could compare with this one. I'm convinced that its up to us as missionaries to explain things clearly AND its up to the investigator to try and understand Then the spirit will testify. I think teaching in English helped but still I know that this man was touched. We left him with an additional assignment to read the word of wisdom pamphlet. He came to church yesterday and I hope he continues. Its so much nicer to teach educated people. We have another man named Jawah who can speak perfect English and I swear after two lessons this man is converted and is already being a missionary to others around him. The Lord has truly blessed us with people who are willing to hear the gospel. We counted this morning that we have around 26 investigators at the moment. And we will be baptizing three of them this saturday. There names are Lansana Sowa, Bashiru Kamara, and Maada Collier.
Ok now for your questions. Our branch has its own building (but no baptismal font so we have to go to another branch for that). We start at 9 and end at 12. Sundays are very unproductive days for teaching. We usually return to the apartment early and cook dinner. I don't attend the Sunday School class, I go to the Gospel Essentials class ( or the investigators class). My Companion and I take turns teaching the class. It is still hot, but its still humid (not dry). Dry as in no rain then yes. When it rains it gets a little cooler but the temperature usually stays the same all year round.
I'm glad to hear the interim head coach got my team a victory. Josh, teach the team how to run "horns". Giving talks are good mom. The human body is interesting. The man named Millsap is pretty good. And Elder Peterson told me the utes are #2. cool.
I hope you all have a very wonderful, fantastic, and jubilant week.
Elder Degen
Well Hello guys. I hope you are all enjoying the cold cold cold weather. he he he. I don' even know what to say about it except : Endure. This week was back to business as usual. We are once again teaching like crazy. And with my area being named Hill Station, you can sure count on it having alot of hills. By the end of the week I was exhausted because I was on a week long hiking trip with my companion and my scripture bag. But it was all worth it. We ended up teaching 8 new investigators this week, all of them referrals from members or investigators. We taught a man on Saturday named Abraham Amara. When we finally found his house (which took about an hour of climbing one side of a mountain) we walked in and the first thing we saw was an empty beer bottle and a pack of cigarettes. We both were a little unsure at first but I followed my companions lead in teaching the first lesson. Quickly we realized that this man could speak pretty good English, so we switched gears from Krio and continued on. The spirit was so strong this time. I teach many lessons on the restoration and not many could compare with this one. I'm convinced that its up to us as missionaries to explain things clearly AND its up to the investigator to try and understand Then the spirit will testify. I think teaching in English helped but still I know that this man was touched. We left him with an additional assignment to read the word of wisdom pamphlet. He came to church yesterday and I hope he continues. Its so much nicer to teach educated people. We have another man named Jawah who can speak perfect English and I swear after two lessons this man is converted and is already being a missionary to others around him. The Lord has truly blessed us with people who are willing to hear the gospel. We counted this morning that we have around 26 investigators at the moment. And we will be baptizing three of them this saturday. There names are Lansana Sowa, Bashiru Kamara, and Maada Collier.
Ok now for your questions. Our branch has its own building (but no baptismal font so we have to go to another branch for that). We start at 9 and end at 12. Sundays are very unproductive days for teaching. We usually return to the apartment early and cook dinner. I don't attend the Sunday School class, I go to the Gospel Essentials class ( or the investigators class). My Companion and I take turns teaching the class. It is still hot, but its still humid (not dry). Dry as in no rain then yes. When it rains it gets a little cooler but the temperature usually stays the same all year round.
I'm glad to hear the interim head coach got my team a victory. Josh, teach the team how to run "horns". Giving talks are good mom. The human body is interesting. The man named Millsap is pretty good. And Elder Peterson told me the utes are #2. cool.
I hope you all have a very wonderful, fantastic, and jubilant week.
Elder Degen
Monday, January 5, 2009
E-mail dated 1/5/09
SUP,
Well thanks to the couple missionaries (the Petersons) I got the news of the victory on Saturday. I almost caused him to have a heart attack I screamed so loud. SWEET!!!!! I'm glad to here that we are the only undefeated team in the nation. BRING ON THE GATORS!!!!!!
New Years was just like any other day in Sierra Leone. I'm sure everyone was out partying at the beach or bars but no loud fireworks or bangin of pots and pans. We did our own little celebration in the apartment. We bought 2 full sized roasted chickens and each companionship feasted. OH yeah, chicken and rice!! We went to bed at the usual 10:30 so nothing to exciting except now I can say I go home next year. The work this week was better as many people started returning from the provinces. We will be having a baptism during the middle of january and all three of the candidates had to be interviewed by mission president this week. Now all we have to do is teach them the commandments ( which takes a while because we split each of the thirteen commandments in preach my gospel into separate lessons so they will understand). Oh mom, the branch I'm serving in is not the Hilldale branch, most people here call it the HILL STATION branch. But you got the HILL right and that is for sure. We should have a really busy week this week. I'm not really sure how the school holiday system works here, but they all got some kind of holiday. This branch is very similar to the Congo Cross Branch in many ways. I love it all the same.
So what happened to my car? It better not be the clutch, because I replaced that once already. Oh well, maybe I'll walk everywhere when I get back home just like I do here.
The Primary Program in Congo Cross? I have no idea, I was not there to witness it. But let me tell you that missionary work is just as spiritual as anything else. Actually its more spiritual because you have to deal with people that don't know the truth but think they do. I'm reminded of Elder Bednar's talk about praying with faith and he said we should not only pray, but we should also have the faith to go and do. President Monson has asked us to pray for missionary work and now we must act. I've learned something about the second coming since I've studied intensly. And that is that the Savior cannot (not will not) come until we have properly prepared his kingdom for him. And he wants us to proclaim the gosple to every nation, kindred, toungue, and people before his coming. I now understand why only God knows when the second coming will be. It will come when we have showed we are ready for it. If we don't do our part it only delays his second coming. Proselyting can be frustrating but the rewards of seeing someone accept the gospel and truly live it are undescribable. Mom, you can be one of the most successful missionaries in the ward. I wish you and Sister Hall luck and for starters I would start studying preach my gospel so you can be able to teach and answer questions.
Well have a great week and PEACE
Elder Degen
PS one more time GO UTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well thanks to the couple missionaries (the Petersons) I got the news of the victory on Saturday. I almost caused him to have a heart attack I screamed so loud. SWEET!!!!! I'm glad to here that we are the only undefeated team in the nation. BRING ON THE GATORS!!!!!!
New Years was just like any other day in Sierra Leone. I'm sure everyone was out partying at the beach or bars but no loud fireworks or bangin of pots and pans. We did our own little celebration in the apartment. We bought 2 full sized roasted chickens and each companionship feasted. OH yeah, chicken and rice!! We went to bed at the usual 10:30 so nothing to exciting except now I can say I go home next year. The work this week was better as many people started returning from the provinces. We will be having a baptism during the middle of january and all three of the candidates had to be interviewed by mission president this week. Now all we have to do is teach them the commandments ( which takes a while because we split each of the thirteen commandments in preach my gospel into separate lessons so they will understand). Oh mom, the branch I'm serving in is not the Hilldale branch, most people here call it the HILL STATION branch. But you got the HILL right and that is for sure. We should have a really busy week this week. I'm not really sure how the school holiday system works here, but they all got some kind of holiday. This branch is very similar to the Congo Cross Branch in many ways. I love it all the same.
So what happened to my car? It better not be the clutch, because I replaced that once already. Oh well, maybe I'll walk everywhere when I get back home just like I do here.
The Primary Program in Congo Cross? I have no idea, I was not there to witness it. But let me tell you that missionary work is just as spiritual as anything else. Actually its more spiritual because you have to deal with people that don't know the truth but think they do. I'm reminded of Elder Bednar's talk about praying with faith and he said we should not only pray, but we should also have the faith to go and do. President Monson has asked us to pray for missionary work and now we must act. I've learned something about the second coming since I've studied intensly. And that is that the Savior cannot (not will not) come until we have properly prepared his kingdom for him. And he wants us to proclaim the gosple to every nation, kindred, toungue, and people before his coming. I now understand why only God knows when the second coming will be. It will come when we have showed we are ready for it. If we don't do our part it only delays his second coming. Proselyting can be frustrating but the rewards of seeing someone accept the gospel and truly live it are undescribable. Mom, you can be one of the most successful missionaries in the ward. I wish you and Sister Hall luck and for starters I would start studying preach my gospel so you can be able to teach and answer questions.
Well have a great week and PEACE
Elder Degen
PS one more time GO UTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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