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New companion, Elder Smoot.
Monday, August 24, 2009
E-mail dated 8/24/09
My computer just magically went off so this is the second time i'm writing this email. Sorry if its short. Yes, my new companion, Elder smoot, is the grandson of your mission president dad. Crazy world eh? He is from Farmington and he went to Davis High School. He is my eight companion since I've been here (9 if you count the mtc). We will work very well together.
You mentioned that Sister Wires was going to send you my pictures that I've been taking and you never got them. and you also mentioned that you got a picture of me at an airport in my suit. The last time I wore my suit was the day that I left you and the person that took that picture must have just been a random woman in the airport. So all those "old" pictures she sent were actually all of mine on my camera. I need to explain alot of them so just be patient.
No, our apartment does not have power. we are still running on generator every night. Hot water?? ha ha ha ha. I'm laughing so hard right now. There is no hot water at all. That was a good joke. We are lucky if we get water out of the tap. But i'm a boy scout and we are always prepared for these kind of things (like storage).
As to your questions about our responsibilites here concerning the recent converts. All that responsibity is on us right now. I don't think I've ever told you but I'm secretly running this branch. If the missionaries were not here this branch would fall apart. Like for example I helped a branch missionary fill out his mission papers just today. I feel like I do everything. But I love these people so much now that I really want to be part of the growing up process in full.
I told the petersons to call you the week they get home. I'll remind them once again. I love you all.
Elder Degen
Rice is LIFE
You mentioned that Sister Wires was going to send you my pictures that I've been taking and you never got them. and you also mentioned that you got a picture of me at an airport in my suit. The last time I wore my suit was the day that I left you and the person that took that picture must have just been a random woman in the airport. So all those "old" pictures she sent were actually all of mine on my camera. I need to explain alot of them so just be patient.
No, our apartment does not have power. we are still running on generator every night. Hot water?? ha ha ha ha. I'm laughing so hard right now. There is no hot water at all. That was a good joke. We are lucky if we get water out of the tap. But i'm a boy scout and we are always prepared for these kind of things (like storage).
As to your questions about our responsibilites here concerning the recent converts. All that responsibity is on us right now. I don't think I've ever told you but I'm secretly running this branch. If the missionaries were not here this branch would fall apart. Like for example I helped a branch missionary fill out his mission papers just today. I feel like I do everything. But I love these people so much now that I really want to be part of the growing up process in full.
I told the petersons to call you the week they get home. I'll remind them once again. I love you all.
Elder Degen
Rice is LIFE
Monday, August 17, 2009
E-mail dated 8/17/09
Good Morning America,
Wow, word gets around fast. Yes, I am staying here in Congo Town for another transfer. The surprising news is that Elder Kargbo is going to serve in Bo in his own country. He has never been to Bo so its still all new to him. The even more surprising news is that I'm training another Elder straight from the MTC. I know that the Squires know the kid as he lives somewhere north of Salt Lake. His name is Elder Smoot. Sis Squires said his grandfather served as a mission president. I can put two and two together and I'm pretty sure that he is the grandson of your mission president, dad. Crazy, eh? I guess I'll learn alot about him this week.
The predominant religion where I'm serving now, is Christian. Although all of those churches think that worshipping God is dancing and clapping for Jesus. In Sierra Leone the dominant religion is Muslim. Many people here in Congo Town have heard about the church, and they all get fed alot of anti-mormon crap. Many people have a problem believing the Book of Mormon to be inspired literature. Actually there are so many misconceptions about us that I can't even begin to name them all. We are not instructed, or taught, how to respond to these matters. Thats why we have personal and companionship study. I've had many people yell at me, most of them are drunk though. Oh, well. Focusing on the negative only makes things worse.
On Thursday evening to sunday morning we had the Assistants to the president in our Apartment. Now both of the assistants have been my companions at one point (Amegayie and Seawright) so I was enjoying thier presence this week. (and I didn't get much done in the evenings, so once again I had plenty to wash today). (biscuit)
Oh, we had an amazing baptism on Saturday. Annie and Debah Brown were both baptized. Annie is the mother and Debah is the daughter. I have been seeing this family twice a week for almost 6 months now. I absolutely love them and I was so happy for them to take this big step. That feeling I had when I was baptizing them was definitly how the celestial kingdom feels. I don't think I've grown closer to anyone else since I've been here. I'm glad that Heavenly Father allowed me to be apart of thier conversion.
Brittany get a job, Gavin cut you hair, josh bear your testimony to your 10 yr old friend, and kalli draw me a picture.
Elder Degen
Wow, word gets around fast. Yes, I am staying here in Congo Town for another transfer. The surprising news is that Elder Kargbo is going to serve in Bo in his own country. He has never been to Bo so its still all new to him. The even more surprising news is that I'm training another Elder straight from the MTC. I know that the Squires know the kid as he lives somewhere north of Salt Lake. His name is Elder Smoot. Sis Squires said his grandfather served as a mission president. I can put two and two together and I'm pretty sure that he is the grandson of your mission president, dad. Crazy, eh? I guess I'll learn alot about him this week.
The predominant religion where I'm serving now, is Christian. Although all of those churches think that worshipping God is dancing and clapping for Jesus. In Sierra Leone the dominant religion is Muslim. Many people here in Congo Town have heard about the church, and they all get fed alot of anti-mormon crap. Many people have a problem believing the Book of Mormon to be inspired literature. Actually there are so many misconceptions about us that I can't even begin to name them all. We are not instructed, or taught, how to respond to these matters. Thats why we have personal and companionship study. I've had many people yell at me, most of them are drunk though. Oh, well. Focusing on the negative only makes things worse.
On Thursday evening to sunday morning we had the Assistants to the president in our Apartment. Now both of the assistants have been my companions at one point (Amegayie and Seawright) so I was enjoying thier presence this week. (and I didn't get much done in the evenings, so once again I had plenty to wash today). (biscuit)
Oh, we had an amazing baptism on Saturday. Annie and Debah Brown were both baptized. Annie is the mother and Debah is the daughter. I have been seeing this family twice a week for almost 6 months now. I absolutely love them and I was so happy for them to take this big step. That feeling I had when I was baptizing them was definitly how the celestial kingdom feels. I don't think I've grown closer to anyone else since I've been here. I'm glad that Heavenly Father allowed me to be apart of thier conversion.
Brittany get a job, Gavin cut you hair, josh bear your testimony to your 10 yr old friend, and kalli draw me a picture.
Elder Degen
Monday, August 10, 2009
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E-mail dated 8/10/09
We just got back from a pretty sweet Super P-day on the Beach. Now remember that we are in the rainiest month of the rainy season, so it was raining almost the whole time. That didn't stop 16 missionaries from playing Volleyball and Soccer on the beach. Playing in the rain is so much fun, oh and we had the whole beach to ourselves. We also enjoyed lunch and some other activities that the Mauldins (the couples) prepared for us. All in all, I'm pretty tired and I still haven't done my laundering. Biscuit!!
This past week was the same old same old. During District meeting on Tuesday we were instructed to focus a little bit more on the Recent Converts and Less Active members. We've had a mission goal of 60/40, meaning 60% of our lessons taught to investigators and 40% to members. President Squires wouldn't mind if we did 50/50. Which I think is the greatest idea. How can these people be "continually nourished be the good word of God" if we as missionaries leave them off the schedule for other investigators. We for sure can't leave that up to the branches. I'm seeing that the converts that we baptized just one year ago are less active now, because they were never nourished by the good word of God. I'm not going to let that pattern repeat. We even went to the extent of teaching our recent converts the hymns (its hard for them to learn at church because of the small amount of books available and no organ). One of our converts from May (Mator Prompaye), was so excited that he called me and asked me for the tunes of some of the other hymns. I'm so excited for him.
Another thing I started on Thursday, was I began to read the Book of Mormon again, but this time I'm doing a Preach my Gospel activity of marking every time there is a reference to the Savior ( any of his names or Pronouns). I've only reached to Mosiah 22, and I've found that he is on every page almost 20 times. You would be very surprised at how many times the Book of Mormon mentions him. I had no idea. I hope to finish it this week and count them up. Now for your questions.
About transfers, I don't think I'm going anywhere (or at least that is my hope, I absolutely love this branch). There are 8 different areas in Monrovia that are possible for missionaries to serve in. None of my apartment mates are leaving either, or at least I think. My health this week is fine. Have I been hiding anything from you? One day all these things will be made known unto you. he he (now you are scared). "Of course I'm sure how dare you question my authority . . . Morning". Yes I still have to be careful about the water. My branch was not effected with the Branch Presidency changes. Change is good.
Elder Degen
This past week was the same old same old. During District meeting on Tuesday we were instructed to focus a little bit more on the Recent Converts and Less Active members. We've had a mission goal of 60/40, meaning 60% of our lessons taught to investigators and 40% to members. President Squires wouldn't mind if we did 50/50. Which I think is the greatest idea. How can these people be "continually nourished be the good word of God" if we as missionaries leave them off the schedule for other investigators. We for sure can't leave that up to the branches. I'm seeing that the converts that we baptized just one year ago are less active now, because they were never nourished by the good word of God. I'm not going to let that pattern repeat. We even went to the extent of teaching our recent converts the hymns (its hard for them to learn at church because of the small amount of books available and no organ). One of our converts from May (Mator Prompaye), was so excited that he called me and asked me for the tunes of some of the other hymns. I'm so excited for him.
Another thing I started on Thursday, was I began to read the Book of Mormon again, but this time I'm doing a Preach my Gospel activity of marking every time there is a reference to the Savior ( any of his names or Pronouns). I've only reached to Mosiah 22, and I've found that he is on every page almost 20 times. You would be very surprised at how many times the Book of Mormon mentions him. I had no idea. I hope to finish it this week and count them up. Now for your questions.
About transfers, I don't think I'm going anywhere (or at least that is my hope, I absolutely love this branch). There are 8 different areas in Monrovia that are possible for missionaries to serve in. None of my apartment mates are leaving either, or at least I think. My health this week is fine. Have I been hiding anything from you? One day all these things will be made known unto you. he he (now you are scared). "Of course I'm sure how dare you question my authority . . . Morning". Yes I still have to be careful about the water. My branch was not effected with the Branch Presidency changes. Change is good.
Elder Degen
Monday, August 3, 2009
E-mail dated 8/3/09
I've just been staring at the screen for like 5 minutes now. I don't know what to say. I'll start by answering the questions, I guess. President Squires was here all last week and I only saw him a couple times for about 2 minutes each time. He is a pretty busy man. As for the Wires they are going home in late December or early January. The Mauldins are going home next April.
The rainy season in Monrovia is so crazy. In Freetown it was predictable, rain a little bit every day. Here in Monrovia I have no idea what season it is today. August is supposed to be the rainiest month, but we haven't had water running in our apartment in 3 days. The rain has just stopped for about a month. But for two weeks in late june/early july it rained so hard for so long. Maybe the heavens gave us all they got. I don't know whats going on.
The investigator that we contacted last week did not come to church this week. But we are still working with him. He was very busy trying to find a job to support his 6 children and 5 grandchildren. We were able to teach him about the Book of Mormon this week with him. I've decided that as missionaries its our job to get investigators to read the Book of Mormon, because if they read it conversion is only two steps away (pondering and praying are left). But the hard part is getting people to read it. Its like pulling teeth. I'm getting pretty creative. I've been teaching all of my investigators the stories inside the Book of Mormon. Like we read 1 Nephi 3 with them and its thier assignment to read 1 Nephi 4. OR the story of Ammon cutting off the arms of the servants. Or Abinadi getting burned. Or the brother of Jared praying. I could keep going. I'm convinced that if a member is reading the book of Mormon every day, their is no way they could be less active. So I stress reading the Book of Mormon with everyone. The frustrating part is when people want to be convinced of the truth with only the Bible, and they've been fed with so much anti-mormon crap about the Book of Mormon that they won't even touch the Book of Mormon. Funny thing is that if they really understood the Bible it clearly points that this is the only true church. (by the way i've seen the exact chruches that nephi saw in 2 nephi 28).
About your Zion's camp comment. Sister Mauldin made a comment some months ago that this mission is Zion's camp. How true it is. The Lord prepares his leaders at a young age, and thiers no better place for him to do it than when we are far away from home with nothing but the gospel to think about. As for this week it was basically the same. Nothing really exciting happened, that I can remember. So thats all for the week. Have a good'n.
Elder Degen
The rainy season in Monrovia is so crazy. In Freetown it was predictable, rain a little bit every day. Here in Monrovia I have no idea what season it is today. August is supposed to be the rainiest month, but we haven't had water running in our apartment in 3 days. The rain has just stopped for about a month. But for two weeks in late june/early july it rained so hard for so long. Maybe the heavens gave us all they got. I don't know whats going on.
The investigator that we contacted last week did not come to church this week. But we are still working with him. He was very busy trying to find a job to support his 6 children and 5 grandchildren. We were able to teach him about the Book of Mormon this week with him. I've decided that as missionaries its our job to get investigators to read the Book of Mormon, because if they read it conversion is only two steps away (pondering and praying are left). But the hard part is getting people to read it. Its like pulling teeth. I'm getting pretty creative. I've been teaching all of my investigators the stories inside the Book of Mormon. Like we read 1 Nephi 3 with them and its thier assignment to read 1 Nephi 4. OR the story of Ammon cutting off the arms of the servants. Or Abinadi getting burned. Or the brother of Jared praying. I could keep going. I'm convinced that if a member is reading the book of Mormon every day, their is no way they could be less active. So I stress reading the Book of Mormon with everyone. The frustrating part is when people want to be convinced of the truth with only the Bible, and they've been fed with so much anti-mormon crap about the Book of Mormon that they won't even touch the Book of Mormon. Funny thing is that if they really understood the Bible it clearly points that this is the only true church. (by the way i've seen the exact chruches that nephi saw in 2 nephi 28).
About your Zion's camp comment. Sister Mauldin made a comment some months ago that this mission is Zion's camp. How true it is. The Lord prepares his leaders at a young age, and thiers no better place for him to do it than when we are far away from home with nothing but the gospel to think about. As for this week it was basically the same. Nothing really exciting happened, that I can remember. So thats all for the week. Have a good'n.
Elder Degen
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