Family, How is everyone doing? From the sound of it everyone is getting sick. As for me I am sick free. Malaria is not a life long disease, which means I won't be coming home from getting sick. Its kind of like the flu to us. It comes, its not fun, and then it goes.
So this week for me was pretty good. If I didn't know any better I would have thought that all of africa won the presidential election in America. I heard it all this week. "We won the election" "Its the Black house now" and many many others. It is so ridiculous that people here focus more on American politics that thier own countries problems. People now think that Sierra Leone will be better because Barak Obama will be president. It doesn't make any sense to me either.
It is getting really hot now. The rainy season is officially done and now we are in the "dry season". But the funny thing is I am never dry. My shirt is soaked in sweat about 2 minutes into each and every day. And climbing the hills doesn't make it any cooler. Nonetheless (scriptural transition) the work must go on.
I had a cool experience on Thursday. Elder Kpodi and I decided to have a companionship service project for the people that live around the chapel. We bought brooms (which is a bundle of sticks tied together and the only way to sweep is to bend down) and went and visited all the members, less actives, and investigators and asked them what we could do to help. Most of them would tell us nothing but that didn't stop us from helping them. We eventually just started to pick up the trash around thier houses (if you can call them houses) and pulling unwanted plants around the area. The response we got was pretty amazing. Most of them were very curious as to why we were doing this. We contacted over 50 people in the 3 hours of cleaning. some people mocked us of course and some were very grateful. Either way we drew alot of attention to ourselves. One of the ones we contacted we ended up teaching a couple days later and she came to church on Sunday. Service is truly a powerful tool.
We had District Conference here in freetown this past weekend (like stake conference). For the Sunday session the brethren in salt lake sent a disc focused specifically on africa. I was too busy ushering the people in to sit but the attendance was so good. We had almost all of our baptismal candidates there (5 out of 7). They should all be baptized this Saturday, or at least that is the plan. Well I hope you have a great week.
Elder Degen
PS GO UTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
E-mail dated 11/3/08
Of course I had malaria. Everyone here gets it at one time or another. The symptoms are fever, chills, aches all over your body, throwing up, and my favorite runny stomach (diarrea). It actually wasn't to bad but it just lingered for alot longer than it should have. But I'm back to 100 percent now so no worries. My companion got malaria once back at his home and he is terrified of it. He won't sleep unless his mosquito net is up.
I learned something at zone conference this past thursday. An Elder was giving instruction on adjusting to the need of investigators. As missionaries we make a lesson plan for every lesson that we teach and I'm telling you from experience that we don't always teach what we plan. This elder made it very clear that planning gives us the spirit, which in turn helps us adjust to meet the needs of our investigators. I realized that I was in a little bit of a slump the last two weeks (partly because I was sick) because I didn't feel like I was teaching by the spirit. I was getting very comfortable with myself and my knowledge of the lessons that I actually started to rely on my own understanding of the lessons and wasn't teaching with the spirit. I realized then that it doesn't matter how much knowledge you have, it will do nothing for you if you don't rely on the spirit. We should always ask ourselves Am I relying on the spirit or my own understanding? If the answer is different than the spirit, then an adjustment needs to be made.
Story of the week. On Saturday we met with one of our investigators who is having a problem with the Word of Wisdom. When we arrived we found him reading from the Book of Mormon (yay) but he was using a cigarette as the bookmark (no). We made him make an agreement with us that everytime we see him smoking we can take the cigarettes away. My companion took the two he had at the time and smashed them on the ground right in front of him. We gave him some scriptures that can help him and told him that If he wants to stop it all depends on him. He came to church the next day and is really progressing. He has a strong desire to change and wants to make his life better. We'll see how his smoking problem goes this week, but I have confidence that he will stop soon.
Elder Degen
PS GO UTES AND JAZZ!
I learned something at zone conference this past thursday. An Elder was giving instruction on adjusting to the need of investigators. As missionaries we make a lesson plan for every lesson that we teach and I'm telling you from experience that we don't always teach what we plan. This elder made it very clear that planning gives us the spirit, which in turn helps us adjust to meet the needs of our investigators. I realized that I was in a little bit of a slump the last two weeks (partly because I was sick) because I didn't feel like I was teaching by the spirit. I was getting very comfortable with myself and my knowledge of the lessons that I actually started to rely on my own understanding of the lessons and wasn't teaching with the spirit. I realized then that it doesn't matter how much knowledge you have, it will do nothing for you if you don't rely on the spirit. We should always ask ourselves Am I relying on the spirit or my own understanding? If the answer is different than the spirit, then an adjustment needs to be made.
Story of the week. On Saturday we met with one of our investigators who is having a problem with the Word of Wisdom. When we arrived we found him reading from the Book of Mormon (yay) but he was using a cigarette as the bookmark (no). We made him make an agreement with us that everytime we see him smoking we can take the cigarettes away. My companion took the two he had at the time and smashed them on the ground right in front of him. We gave him some scriptures that can help him and told him that If he wants to stop it all depends on him. He came to church the next day and is really progressing. He has a strong desire to change and wants to make his life better. We'll see how his smoking problem goes this week, but I have confidence that he will stop soon.
Elder Degen
PS GO UTES AND JAZZ!
Monday, October 27, 2008
E-mail dated 10/27/08 - Yikes! Malaria!!
Hello Family,
I'm glad to hear that your week went by fast. Mine on the other hand went by very slow. I'm not going to lie but last week was crappy. But please don't worry about me (MOM). Last week Saturday I got Malaria (gasp gasp). Let me tell you that it is not fun to get. I didn't recover as quick as i should have and we concluded that I also had a bacteria infection. Last week was very tiring and I didn't take the time to rest that I needed. Which only made the problem worse. I learned from my mistake and on Saturday I took the whole day to rest from my labors. I feel so much better now and you really have no need to worry. But it really made me even more grateful for many things, as if coming to africa hasn't done that enough already. I am really grateful for my health, especially now that it is better. I was also very humbled as to how important it is to have you body feeling well to be more spiritual. Reminded me of the promise at the end of the word of wisdom. nothing is temporal to God, all things are spiritual. But please don't fret, All is well with me now.
I have been studying to doctrine and covenants and I read something yesterday that was really good. Look at the beginning of D&C 58 about adversity. I've also learned so much a bout the history of the church while studying. Man it would have been terrible to be an early saint. They went through so much. Like before the whole walking across the plains thing. I got to watch the last session of conference and half of the first session. (in that order, don't ask me why) I absolutely loved them. I can't wait to get the ensign to read all the words of the prophets, seers, and revelators. My favorite (so far) was the talk by Neil L Anderson. It was about not knowing everything but knowing enough. Wow that story about the deaf child was amazing.
Questions: Yes I have a zone conference this week. Tell Sherrie I recieved her package last week and thank you very much. Put something for Elder Kpodi inside. Just put whatever and I'll share it with everyone. The rain is slowly going away (which means its hotter than . . .. .well you know)
(1) It is hot at night. Expecially when the power is gone because the fan can't work without power. (2) Pizza might be the thing I want most when I get back (3) I can speak Krio, but I only do it to those that can't understand English (4) I'll let you know how they celebrate Christmas here in a couple months from now.
Have a good one
Elder Degen
I'm glad to hear that your week went by fast. Mine on the other hand went by very slow. I'm not going to lie but last week was crappy. But please don't worry about me (MOM). Last week Saturday I got Malaria (gasp gasp). Let me tell you that it is not fun to get. I didn't recover as quick as i should have and we concluded that I also had a bacteria infection. Last week was very tiring and I didn't take the time to rest that I needed. Which only made the problem worse. I learned from my mistake and on Saturday I took the whole day to rest from my labors. I feel so much better now and you really have no need to worry. But it really made me even more grateful for many things, as if coming to africa hasn't done that enough already. I am really grateful for my health, especially now that it is better. I was also very humbled as to how important it is to have you body feeling well to be more spiritual. Reminded me of the promise at the end of the word of wisdom. nothing is temporal to God, all things are spiritual. But please don't fret, All is well with me now.
I have been studying to doctrine and covenants and I read something yesterday that was really good. Look at the beginning of D&C 58 about adversity. I've also learned so much a bout the history of the church while studying. Man it would have been terrible to be an early saint. They went through so much. Like before the whole walking across the plains thing. I got to watch the last session of conference and half of the first session. (in that order, don't ask me why) I absolutely loved them. I can't wait to get the ensign to read all the words of the prophets, seers, and revelators. My favorite (so far) was the talk by Neil L Anderson. It was about not knowing everything but knowing enough. Wow that story about the deaf child was amazing.
Questions: Yes I have a zone conference this week. Tell Sherrie I recieved her package last week and thank you very much. Put something for Elder Kpodi inside. Just put whatever and I'll share it with everyone. The rain is slowly going away (which means its hotter than . . .. .well you know)
(1) It is hot at night. Expecially when the power is gone because the fan can't work without power. (2) Pizza might be the thing I want most when I get back (3) I can speak Krio, but I only do it to those that can't understand English (4) I'll let you know how they celebrate Christmas here in a couple months from now.
Have a good one
Elder Degen
Monday, October 20, 2008
E-mail dated 10/20/08
Degen Family:
How are we doing this week? From what it sounds things are going very well. Sorry you couldn't go to St. George and enjoy, but hanging out ht home is just as fun. So before I answer questions this time I'm going to go over my week and maybe some of your questions will be answered whilst you read. Elder Kpodi and I are finding ways to make the work progress here and we found a way to teach even more lessons in one day. We went on splits with branch missionaries for the whole day on wednesday. Combined we ended up teaching eleven lessons. The branch missionary I went with introduced me to this white couple from Kentucky (Yes pa, Kentucky) who are here helping to solve the child malnutrution problem. The are planning to set up a factory that produces a formula to help the children with malnutrition. They will stay here as long as it takes (bless their hearts). I had the opportunity to teach them the first lesson. It was very weird teaching a non-seirra leonean. I'm pretty sure I was called to teach the africans and not americans. but all the same we will see if we can help them in thier efforts to make this country better.
The rest of the week wasn't bad. I went on splits a couple of other days with the District and Zone leader. Today for P-day we played volleyball and ate fufu (some food that none of you would ever eat). There are 4 couples in this mission. 2 in freetown and two in liberia.
I need a washing machine, air conditioner, milk, ice cream, pizza, 24 power, and running water all the time for Christmas. But that is not possible so make sure you send me some contact solution. don't forget the contact solution.
I haven't seen any snakes yet. I've seen plenty of frogs. We have cockroaches in the apartment. I see geckos in the apartment sometimes too. I've never seen monkeys running the streets. Of course its lawful to have them as pets. I know of some missionaries in the past that have had them as pets. And people here love to eat them. I'm getting plenty to eat. I've gained like 5 pounds. Everything else is fine. I'm glad to hear to great news about the utes (grandpa is rolling over in his grave right now, laurie and brittany at the game?).
I love you all.
Elder Degen
How are we doing this week? From what it sounds things are going very well. Sorry you couldn't go to St. George and enjoy, but hanging out ht home is just as fun. So before I answer questions this time I'm going to go over my week and maybe some of your questions will be answered whilst you read. Elder Kpodi and I are finding ways to make the work progress here and we found a way to teach even more lessons in one day. We went on splits with branch missionaries for the whole day on wednesday. Combined we ended up teaching eleven lessons. The branch missionary I went with introduced me to this white couple from Kentucky (Yes pa, Kentucky) who are here helping to solve the child malnutrution problem. The are planning to set up a factory that produces a formula to help the children with malnutrition. They will stay here as long as it takes (bless their hearts). I had the opportunity to teach them the first lesson. It was very weird teaching a non-seirra leonean. I'm pretty sure I was called to teach the africans and not americans. but all the same we will see if we can help them in thier efforts to make this country better.
The rest of the week wasn't bad. I went on splits a couple of other days with the District and Zone leader. Today for P-day we played volleyball and ate fufu (some food that none of you would ever eat). There are 4 couples in this mission. 2 in freetown and two in liberia.
I need a washing machine, air conditioner, milk, ice cream, pizza, 24 power, and running water all the time for Christmas. But that is not possible so make sure you send me some contact solution. don't forget the contact solution.
I haven't seen any snakes yet. I've seen plenty of frogs. We have cockroaches in the apartment. I see geckos in the apartment sometimes too. I've never seen monkeys running the streets. Of course its lawful to have them as pets. I know of some missionaries in the past that have had them as pets. And people here love to eat them. I'm getting plenty to eat. I've gained like 5 pounds. Everything else is fine. I'm glad to hear to great news about the utes (grandpa is rolling over in his grave right now, laurie and brittany at the game?).
I love you all.
Elder Degen
Monday, October 13, 2008
E-mail dated 10/13/08
Degen family:
Wow snow!! I hope your ready for winter. As for me I will be enjoying the rain for another month or so. October is actually the month of thunder and lightning. HOLY COW can it thunder here. I swear world war three had broken out and every country had decided to attack Sierra Leone (I'm not quite sure why they would). Man it was loud. Yesterday we had a huge storm coming in and Elder Kpodi and I did not want to be caught in it so we began to go back to the apartment early. We didn't quite make it so we began to run to not get to soaked. That is actually a common sight with us in the rainy season.
As for the spiritual aspect of it: We had 2 more baptized on Saturday. Marie Kargbo and Elizabeth Wilkinson. I actually performed the baptisms again and it went very well. They both showed up to church on Sunday and both recieved the Holy Ghost.
Oh another thing we did this week. we had a zone service project at the Cemetery. first of all cemetery's here in Africa are not as nice as cemetery's in Utah. This country has alot of problems with the living to worry about so the dead are kind of in a mess. 12 missionaries cleaned one corner of the cemetery for four hours. 8 of them had cutlasses (they look exactly like swords) and they were cutting down all the green so they could see the gravestones. I was stuck pulling weeds for four hours around the headstones. It was actually fun and it looked so much better. It was just a funny sight to see 8 missionaries with swords attacking anything green in front of them.
Kalli I'm pretty sure Halloween isn't celebrated over here. thanksgiving is not either. but I will try and do something to celebrate them anyway. I hear alot about American Politics over here. For some reason they would rather talk about american politics than sierra leone politics. Don't ask me why.
Thank you for the information about my friends. I don't really hear from anyone but family. So Grady got his call. Sweet. I do hear from CJ as Lisa forwards me his emails. And we both write each other. Sonja as well. Thank you for all the information and I hope you have a great week.
Elder Degen
Wow snow!! I hope your ready for winter. As for me I will be enjoying the rain for another month or so. October is actually the month of thunder and lightning. HOLY COW can it thunder here. I swear world war three had broken out and every country had decided to attack Sierra Leone (I'm not quite sure why they would). Man it was loud. Yesterday we had a huge storm coming in and Elder Kpodi and I did not want to be caught in it so we began to go back to the apartment early. We didn't quite make it so we began to run to not get to soaked. That is actually a common sight with us in the rainy season.
As for the spiritual aspect of it: We had 2 more baptized on Saturday. Marie Kargbo and Elizabeth Wilkinson. I actually performed the baptisms again and it went very well. They both showed up to church on Sunday and both recieved the Holy Ghost.
Oh another thing we did this week. we had a zone service project at the Cemetery. first of all cemetery's here in Africa are not as nice as cemetery's in Utah. This country has alot of problems with the living to worry about so the dead are kind of in a mess. 12 missionaries cleaned one corner of the cemetery for four hours. 8 of them had cutlasses (they look exactly like swords) and they were cutting down all the green so they could see the gravestones. I was stuck pulling weeds for four hours around the headstones. It was actually fun and it looked so much better. It was just a funny sight to see 8 missionaries with swords attacking anything green in front of them.
Kalli I'm pretty sure Halloween isn't celebrated over here. thanksgiving is not either. but I will try and do something to celebrate them anyway. I hear alot about American Politics over here. For some reason they would rather talk about american politics than sierra leone politics. Don't ask me why.
Thank you for the information about my friends. I don't really hear from anyone but family. So Grady got his call. Sweet. I do hear from CJ as Lisa forwards me his emails. And we both write each other. Sonja as well. Thank you for all the information and I hope you have a great week.
Elder Degen
E-mail dated 10/6/08
Family,
I really wish I could have heard conference. It sounds like it was awesome. (then again, when is conference not awesome) 80% of the churches population is within a day of the temple. I'm part of that 20 percent right now. It takes like a week to get to the temple for people here. One day (probably during the Millenium) Salone will have a temple. We probably won't get to watch conference until the end of October, and I will probably only get to watch one session. People here don't really understand the big words used in conference so their attention spans last for only one session. At least this is what older missionaries have told me.
This whole country is run on cell phones. I think I've seen one land-line the whole time i've been here. But you have to pre-pay instead of post-pay. It kind of stinks but oh well. As for this week we had about 30 appointments, but we worked just as hard if not harder. We are literally teaching all day. We only go out on monday evenings on p-day. Our investigators are no more than a 45 minutes walk from the chapel. So we walk alot. As for the petersons, they came in march and will be serving until next october. The usual 18 months for couple missionaries. I usually see them at least once a week.
Baptisms are usually combined with another branch. So we communicate with other missionaries to see if they are holding a service the same day we are. Since we are the only ones in the congo Cross branch and all Elders are assigned to one branch only it is common that I see investigators that I did not teach.Our last conference was on thursday. It was really good. I really liked what president squires told me. He told me to look back at the end of each day and look for the ways that the lord was helping us in the work. It reminded me of Pres Eyrings talk on his journal in last years conference. Wow, it really does humble you. Everyone should try it and write it in thier journals. How have you seen the Lords hand in your day today.
I'm sorry if it is short today but the internet is very crappy. I tried to send you a longer one earlier but the internet went down. So now I'm writing everything over again and my time is almost up. don't be upset. only joking.
Elder Degen
I really wish I could have heard conference. It sounds like it was awesome. (then again, when is conference not awesome) 80% of the churches population is within a day of the temple. I'm part of that 20 percent right now. It takes like a week to get to the temple for people here. One day (probably during the Millenium) Salone will have a temple. We probably won't get to watch conference until the end of October, and I will probably only get to watch one session. People here don't really understand the big words used in conference so their attention spans last for only one session. At least this is what older missionaries have told me.
This whole country is run on cell phones. I think I've seen one land-line the whole time i've been here. But you have to pre-pay instead of post-pay. It kind of stinks but oh well. As for this week we had about 30 appointments, but we worked just as hard if not harder. We are literally teaching all day. We only go out on monday evenings on p-day. Our investigators are no more than a 45 minutes walk from the chapel. So we walk alot. As for the petersons, they came in march and will be serving until next october. The usual 18 months for couple missionaries. I usually see them at least once a week.
Baptisms are usually combined with another branch. So we communicate with other missionaries to see if they are holding a service the same day we are. Since we are the only ones in the congo Cross branch and all Elders are assigned to one branch only it is common that I see investigators that I did not teach.Our last conference was on thursday. It was really good. I really liked what president squires told me. He told me to look back at the end of each day and look for the ways that the lord was helping us in the work. It reminded me of Pres Eyrings talk on his journal in last years conference. Wow, it really does humble you. Everyone should try it and write it in thier journals. How have you seen the Lords hand in your day today.
I'm sorry if it is short today but the internet is very crappy. I tried to send you a longer one earlier but the internet went down. So now I'm writing everything over again and my time is almost up. don't be upset. only joking.
Elder Degen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)