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They spent the day painting this green wall. This is how Eric does his wash!
Monday, May 25, 2009
E-mail dated 5/25/09
Wow, I can't believe its already memorial Day again. That used to be such a dumb holiday back in the days. Now I have a different view. I'd take driving around in a nice airconditioned car and having a BBQ with no school or work. Just tell me when I can sign up for that one. Actually they have a holiday here similar to Memorial day. They call it decoration day and it is sometime in the middle of march. I still proselyted and no BBQ so it was dumb.
The big news of the week is that I'm getting another new companion, but I guess you already knew that. I wasn't to suprised that another one is coming. But I am suprised that I have been called to train a new missionary. My companion is in the MTC right now scared out of "his little duck head" of coming here this week. I'm kind of excited for this new task. The other exciting news is that Mator Prompaye was baptized on Saturday. It was a very nice baptismal service with the spirit very strong. Escpecially at the end of the film "The Testaments". I absolutely love that movie so much. Mator was the only one baptized in my branch but there were 18 others baptized with him (from 2 other branches). It was a pretty good day.
Yes we did have a Congo Town makover in our apartment today. Because of that my time is very short and since we have a 7:00 curfew here, I'll only be able to answer a few questions. Sorry. My recorder was not stolen because I left it in the mission home in Freetown. I only had a certain amount of weight to carry and that wasn't high on the priority list. Oh well, If I need it I can have president bring it.
I would be cheering for the Magic, not the Lakers or the Nuggets. Ok I'm very sorry my time is up and we got to be going. I'm sure I'll have alot of news next week.
Elder Degen
The big news of the week is that I'm getting another new companion, but I guess you already knew that. I wasn't to suprised that another one is coming. But I am suprised that I have been called to train a new missionary. My companion is in the MTC right now scared out of "his little duck head" of coming here this week. I'm kind of excited for this new task. The other exciting news is that Mator Prompaye was baptized on Saturday. It was a very nice baptismal service with the spirit very strong. Escpecially at the end of the film "The Testaments". I absolutely love that movie so much. Mator was the only one baptized in my branch but there were 18 others baptized with him (from 2 other branches). It was a pretty good day.
Yes we did have a Congo Town makover in our apartment today. Because of that my time is very short and since we have a 7:00 curfew here, I'll only be able to answer a few questions. Sorry. My recorder was not stolen because I left it in the mission home in Freetown. I only had a certain amount of weight to carry and that wasn't high on the priority list. Oh well, If I need it I can have president bring it.
I would be cheering for the Magic, not the Lakers or the Nuggets. Ok I'm very sorry my time is up and we got to be going. I'm sure I'll have alot of news next week.
Elder Degen
Monday, May 18, 2009
E-mail dated 5/18/09
So pretty much the coolest thing happened today. We had a super p-day (a p-day where the whole zone gets together and normally plays soccer . . but not this time) where we went to a wulke farm (pronounced wookie like in star wars). Yes, we went to a farm. We get there and the first thing I notice is a chimpanzee running around in the front garden. I think I said "What the heck?" I was so confused. I've seen chimps before, but the've always been in a cage. As we begin to walk closer to it the chimpanzee runs toward one of the missionaries and grabs his legs and climbs up into the arms of this missionary (it was no small climb as this missionary is 6'5"). After a couple minutes it was tired of him and he came into my arms. I'm dead serious I held a chimpanzee today. He even climbed on my back and got my shirt all dirty, the little . . .. It was so cool. The rest of the farm wasn't so cool but hey, who cares what happens the rest of the day, I held a monkey.
Another wierd animal story for this week. In my area is an island completely surrounded by swamp. We go to this island every wednesday to visit members, less actives, and investigators. I was told that there are hippos and alligators in that very swamp. I asked about the Giraffes and they said no. Dang it. I won't be going to close to the swamp as i don't want to be eaten by a hungry hungry hippo.
Swine-flu shmine flu. Try Malaria. No sympathy here.
As for the spiritual side of the week. We had a zone conference this past tuesday and holy goodness gracious was it well needed. I love president squires so much. I learned alot from my interview. We were able to watch the priesthood session of conference. Man, you peolple are enjoying. I had no idea that is what was said. The definite theme of the meeting was How to replace fear with faith -- Service. Every single one talked about how we can somehow in someway serve others. President Eyring gave a powerful talk about that military dude . . but you guys have known about this for a couple months now so i'll stop. But wow it was good.
I'm continuing to learn about obedience everyday. Don't feel to bad that you weren't able to talk to me for to long, just be grateful that you were able to talk. I know that sounds kind of harsh but obedience is always the best option. I wish I could say more about what I've learned but now is not the time. "When the Lord commands it - Do it!" -Joseph Smith-
We do use the manual to teach with in Elders Quorum and Relief Society. But lately I've been spending more time in the youth and primary. I don't do much anymore as we don't have the resources for me to play the keyboard. I usually reject any kind of teaching oppourtunity because it would be of more benefit if they learn to do it themselves and not rely on the missionaries so much. I don't have the gift of tongues by the way. This language is in no way, shape, or form a kind of tongue. Peolple here think the gift of tongues is just saying jibberish like abbabababab bab babab whilst they are preaching. I've learned alot about what they are because I need to teach them what the true meaning of the gifts are.
Thanks for the update on the NBA. The only internet I use is the email and lds.org, so every little bit is news to me. GO MAGIC!!! The only thing I will be needing in the next couple months is some contact solution. Oh, I have made friends with a tailor that sews african dresses. I could smooth talk my way into her making dresses for you and brittany for like $10. So if you are interested please give me any measurements that she might need by next monday. I don't know what she will need because I'm not the one who knows how to make dresses. Just an idea.
Elder Degen
Another wierd animal story for this week. In my area is an island completely surrounded by swamp. We go to this island every wednesday to visit members, less actives, and investigators. I was told that there are hippos and alligators in that very swamp. I asked about the Giraffes and they said no. Dang it. I won't be going to close to the swamp as i don't want to be eaten by a hungry hungry hippo.
Swine-flu shmine flu. Try Malaria. No sympathy here.
As for the spiritual side of the week. We had a zone conference this past tuesday and holy goodness gracious was it well needed. I love president squires so much. I learned alot from my interview. We were able to watch the priesthood session of conference. Man, you peolple are enjoying. I had no idea that is what was said. The definite theme of the meeting was How to replace fear with faith -- Service. Every single one talked about how we can somehow in someway serve others. President Eyring gave a powerful talk about that military dude . . but you guys have known about this for a couple months now so i'll stop. But wow it was good.
I'm continuing to learn about obedience everyday. Don't feel to bad that you weren't able to talk to me for to long, just be grateful that you were able to talk. I know that sounds kind of harsh but obedience is always the best option. I wish I could say more about what I've learned but now is not the time. "When the Lord commands it - Do it!" -Joseph Smith-
We do use the manual to teach with in Elders Quorum and Relief Society. But lately I've been spending more time in the youth and primary. I don't do much anymore as we don't have the resources for me to play the keyboard. I usually reject any kind of teaching oppourtunity because it would be of more benefit if they learn to do it themselves and not rely on the missionaries so much. I don't have the gift of tongues by the way. This language is in no way, shape, or form a kind of tongue. Peolple here think the gift of tongues is just saying jibberish like abbabababab bab babab whilst they are preaching. I've learned alot about what they are because I need to teach them what the true meaning of the gifts are.
Thanks for the update on the NBA. The only internet I use is the email and lds.org, so every little bit is news to me. GO MAGIC!!! The only thing I will be needing in the next couple months is some contact solution. Oh, I have made friends with a tailor that sews african dresses. I could smooth talk my way into her making dresses for you and brittany for like $10. So if you are interested please give me any measurements that she might need by next monday. I don't know what she will need because I'm not the one who knows how to make dresses. Just an idea.
Elder Degen
Monday, May 11, 2009
Hmm . . . This is weird. It feels like there is more information in this email than the phone call yesterday. Maybe next time you should put it on speakerphone so everyone can hear me and ask me questions. Just a thought. I was kind of bummed that it was only a short time, but being obedient forces Heavenly Father to bless us. If only everyone could understand that. "O that I were an angel!" Thanks for agreeing and helping me be obedient, I didn't realize how great of a blessing that has been until I've been teaching people about obedience.
It sounds like you got a lot of nifty stuff for mothers day. How blessed you are. We should all be careful not to put to much attention to worldly things (not that you do, but i've been thinking alot about this lately). We should be careful not to fall into that cycle of pride that we read about over and over again in the Book of Mormon. Oh, if only we, as members of the church, would use the Book of Mormon more. This cycle of pride is constantly going on in the world today. Right now America is enjoying prosperity and Africa is in poverty but things could change depending on our obedience and pride. Another thing I've realized that all, yes all, the commandments are there to keep our families together. Families are a great blessing that we all take for granted. Imagine having no-one at home to email on mondays (like my companion) and not being able to write letters (he is the only member of his family and none of the members know where his family is) Most of the African missionaries are like that. We should do all we can to keep our families in tact. Oh, the importance of the family. Sorry to sound preachy, but I haven't had a spiritual email in a while.
Our baptism is still on Schedule for the 23 of May. We have to travel to the next branch over-paynesville- which is about a 15 minute taxi ride. Yes, we teach as much as in Freetown. But its not a matter of how much we teach, its how effectively we teach.
Well it sounds like everyone is doing great and I hope you all have a very wonderful-fantastic-super-dee-duper week.
Elder Degen
It sounds like you got a lot of nifty stuff for mothers day. How blessed you are. We should all be careful not to put to much attention to worldly things (not that you do, but i've been thinking alot about this lately). We should be careful not to fall into that cycle of pride that we read about over and over again in the Book of Mormon. Oh, if only we, as members of the church, would use the Book of Mormon more. This cycle of pride is constantly going on in the world today. Right now America is enjoying prosperity and Africa is in poverty but things could change depending on our obedience and pride. Another thing I've realized that all, yes all, the commandments are there to keep our families together. Families are a great blessing that we all take for granted. Imagine having no-one at home to email on mondays (like my companion) and not being able to write letters (he is the only member of his family and none of the members know where his family is) Most of the African missionaries are like that. We should do all we can to keep our families in tact. Oh, the importance of the family. Sorry to sound preachy, but I haven't had a spiritual email in a while.
Our baptism is still on Schedule for the 23 of May. We have to travel to the next branch over-paynesville- which is about a 15 minute taxi ride. Yes, we teach as much as in Freetown. But its not a matter of how much we teach, its how effectively we teach.
Well it sounds like everyone is doing great and I hope you all have a very wonderful-fantastic-super-dee-duper week.
Elder Degen
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
E-mail dated 5/4/09
Well it sounds like the exciting events of this week have already leaked into the home. Yes it is true that we had a thief (pronounced TEEF here) break into our apartment and steal everything valuable. Thankfully I carried my camera with me that day so I still have all of my pictures. This thief was smart and stupid at the same time. The four of us in the apartment have figured our how he did everything, all we need is to find the person. Actually I don't really mind about the stuff, it just bothers me that our safety was violated. I remember when my car got broken into at home and I was so mad over just a small CD player, that I was thinking what I would do if I saw the man. But this time I didn't have any feelings of anger or frustration, I just felt insecure. But don't worry we have welded the doors shut and it won't happen again. The only thing that will NEED to be replaced is some more gym shorts. The little bugger stole two of my three.
Other than that the week was pretty smooth. Mator's baptism will have to be postponed until the 23rd of May. The main reason being that we want people to show up to the baptism and if we postpone it we can combine the service with the other missionaries. It would look a little rediculous if only the missionaries and the man getting baptized showed up (which would have been a very likely possiblilty). Hence you see the postponement.
I taught the primary for the last hour of church yesterday. That place is so much better that Elders Quorum. I would much rather teach little children how to sing "popcorn popping"!!! As you know children can't be entertained with the same thing for an hour so I had to start teaching for the last 15 minutes. I did a pretty good job on my favorite Bible story . . . Jonah and the Whale. I really don't know why I'm sharing this with you . .. oh well.
The missionaries in our stake are working with Less-Actives? Less-Active work is . . . not my favorite thing to do. I have to treat less-active here as investigators because they really don't know anything about the church. Getting them to come to church can be a challenge as well. Actually now that I think about it the whole branch is less active. We probably have about 150 "active" people in the branch but our attendance is only 100 every week. Those 50 that don't come to church rotate every three weeks. Oh and all the less active work is on the missionaries. No branch support in this one. Man, this place has a lot of work. But on the bright side, we did have three Less-Actives come to church on Sunday. Woot!!
So on Sunday. I will call you guys at around 4 or 4:30 (GMT, or Liberia time). But have a calling card just in case it doesn't work. But I'm pretty sure it will work (the backup is incase the delay is to bad)
Crap, I just deleted the rest of your email, and unless I want to rewrite everything I can't get it back to answer your questions. So we shall reserve them all for Sunday. Have a good one.
Elder Degen
Other than that the week was pretty smooth. Mator's baptism will have to be postponed until the 23rd of May. The main reason being that we want people to show up to the baptism and if we postpone it we can combine the service with the other missionaries. It would look a little rediculous if only the missionaries and the man getting baptized showed up (which would have been a very likely possiblilty). Hence you see the postponement.
I taught the primary for the last hour of church yesterday. That place is so much better that Elders Quorum. I would much rather teach little children how to sing "popcorn popping"!!! As you know children can't be entertained with the same thing for an hour so I had to start teaching for the last 15 minutes. I did a pretty good job on my favorite Bible story . . . Jonah and the Whale. I really don't know why I'm sharing this with you . .. oh well.
The missionaries in our stake are working with Less-Actives? Less-Active work is . . . not my favorite thing to do. I have to treat less-active here as investigators because they really don't know anything about the church. Getting them to come to church can be a challenge as well. Actually now that I think about it the whole branch is less active. We probably have about 150 "active" people in the branch but our attendance is only 100 every week. Those 50 that don't come to church rotate every three weeks. Oh and all the less active work is on the missionaries. No branch support in this one. Man, this place has a lot of work. But on the bright side, we did have three Less-Actives come to church on Sunday. Woot!!
So on Sunday. I will call you guys at around 4 or 4:30 (GMT, or Liberia time). But have a calling card just in case it doesn't work. But I'm pretty sure it will work (the backup is incase the delay is to bad)
Crap, I just deleted the rest of your email, and unless I want to rewrite everything I can't get it back to answer your questions. So we shall reserve them all for Sunday. Have a good one.
Elder Degen
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