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It doesn't look like he has grown much!
Monday, September 28, 2009
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E-mail dated 9/28/09
To the surprise of everyone including myself I have been transferred back to Sierra Leone. I will be leaving on Thursday morning (by plane to freetown) then I will take the bus to the bush to a city called Bo (on friday morning). Yep, I can't believe it myself. Honestly I don't really want to leave this branch. I've been here for a while now and I feel like this place is my home. I am really having the same feelings (to a lesser extent) when I left home as I feel now. Its a little sad, but the Lord wants me in Bo and thats where I will go. My new companions name is Elder Lamb from American fork. I met him when I was in freetown. seems pretty cool. He has been out since april of last year.
We were able to get a new branch presidency on Sunday, finally. Yes, I know them, I recommended them and was actually a big part of the process of them bieng called. I could see a big difference in the spirit of the meeting now that we have a branch president. I'm a little bummed that I won't get to work with him, but what can you do? I know that the branch is in the lords hands.
Your questions about the airport. Of course there is security here. The airport is like a UN base. So many security people there. Yes, all missionaries who go home pass through freetown. I'm still waiting for that package. No one has passed to liberia since the end of august, so maybe it will be waiting in sierra leone for me. I love you all.
Kalli, don't worry about anything [regarding your surgery on Wednesday]. Take that picture of you on a mechanical bull and everything will feel better. take one of the stuffed monkeys in my room and if anybody makes you angry start speaking in the clicky language and the monkey will jab the persons eyes out. I love you and remember to always smile. It really does make you feel better.
Elder Degen
Rice is life
We were able to get a new branch presidency on Sunday, finally. Yes, I know them, I recommended them and was actually a big part of the process of them bieng called. I could see a big difference in the spirit of the meeting now that we have a branch president. I'm a little bummed that I won't get to work with him, but what can you do? I know that the branch is in the lords hands.
Your questions about the airport. Of course there is security here. The airport is like a UN base. So many security people there. Yes, all missionaries who go home pass through freetown. I'm still waiting for that package. No one has passed to liberia since the end of august, so maybe it will be waiting in sierra leone for me. I love you all.
Kalli, don't worry about anything [regarding your surgery on Wednesday]. Take that picture of you on a mechanical bull and everything will feel better. take one of the stuffed monkeys in my room and if anybody makes you angry start speaking in the clicky language and the monkey will jab the persons eyes out. I love you and remember to always smile. It really does make you feel better.
Elder Degen
Rice is life
Monday, September 21, 2009
E-mail dated 9/21/09
Guessed what I played today? Yep, I played a new sport, where we but the ball in a round hoop. I think you guys call it basketball. Wow, it was so much fun. I was still able to touch rim (but thats not much of an accomplishment because I'm pretty sure it was only 9 ft. the 6'5" Elder Moser was slamming them home). We then enjoyed some rice (my favorite) and chicken while we watched the movie about Emma Smith. That was our super p-day for this transfer.
As for that quote last week, I have no idea when he said it but that is one of our mission recitations and I have it all memorized. I love it so much. We have not had a zone conference since the end of august and the next one will be in October. My typical P-day. Get up, study, wash my clothes, go to a restaurant that doesn't sell rice, back by 7 (the curfew) and then District Meeting. Tuesday through Saturday we teach all day long. None of that knocking on doors business here. We teach teach teach. Sundays we go to church in the morning, and we teach until about 5 then we come back for our weekly planning. Every night we have to be back in the apartment by 7 (just a rule from our mission president for the missionaries in Liberia).
I've now been in Congo Town since the beginning of March. Transfers will be on the 30th of September but honestly I'm not expecting to go anywhere. To answer your questions about emailing or recieving news from home. I don't really care what happens back home but it is nice to hear about it. I enjoy reading about what all my other missionary friends are doing. When I first came on mission emailing was the highlight of my week. Now i struggle to think of what to say. But I appreciate all who email me and I do my best to reply back. I love you all and I hope you have a great week.
Elder Degen
Rice is Life
As for that quote last week, I have no idea when he said it but that is one of our mission recitations and I have it all memorized. I love it so much. We have not had a zone conference since the end of august and the next one will be in October. My typical P-day. Get up, study, wash my clothes, go to a restaurant that doesn't sell rice, back by 7 (the curfew) and then District Meeting. Tuesday through Saturday we teach all day long. None of that knocking on doors business here. We teach teach teach. Sundays we go to church in the morning, and we teach until about 5 then we come back for our weekly planning. Every night we have to be back in the apartment by 7 (just a rule from our mission president for the missionaries in Liberia).
I've now been in Congo Town since the beginning of March. Transfers will be on the 30th of September but honestly I'm not expecting to go anywhere. To answer your questions about emailing or recieving news from home. I don't really care what happens back home but it is nice to hear about it. I enjoy reading about what all my other missionary friends are doing. When I first came on mission emailing was the highlight of my week. Now i struggle to think of what to say. But I appreciate all who email me and I do my best to reply back. I love you all and I hope you have a great week.
Elder Degen
Rice is Life
Monday, September 14, 2009
E-mail dated 9/14/09
The time is already short, so here it goes! This past week was pretty normal. Although on Friday I had one of the most amazing lessons with Kokuloku Mulbah. Kokuloku was baptized in March of this year and recently he has begun to fall less active. Knowing the ultimate result of this dangerous action we humbly went to him and tried to call him to repentance. I don't know how it happened but once we opened our mouths the spirit just took over. I was learning at the same time as kokulo, but I was the one saying it. We started out by asking him the characteristics of someone who comes unto Christ. He listed obedience to the commandments. We shared with him how the devil works and read 2 nephi 28:21 with him. How the devil will "pacify" us and "lull us into carnal security" meaning that he will make it feel like we are being filled when actually we are empty. We then told him a couple of stories from the scriptures. The rich young ruler in Mark 10 and the story of Amalikiah and lehonti in Alma 47. By the end of the lesson he said that he know he needs to change and he was touched. we both felt (Elder Stice and I, we were on splits that day) so amazing after the lesson. I decided that their comes a time in everyones lives when they have to decide if they will "step over the line" and follow Jesus Christ or allow themselves to be decieved by the devil.
I want you all to know that . . ."I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. the dye has been cast out. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down or be still. I am done with low living, small talking, and coulourless dreams, tamed visions, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, or popularity. I don't have to be first, right, recognized, praised, reguarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His prescence, walk with patience, am uplifted with prayer and labor with power. my road is narrow. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the prescence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meader in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up or let up, until I have stayed up stored up and paid up for the cause of Christ. I must go till he come, give till I drop, preach till I know and work till he stops me. And when he returns for His own he will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear." -henry b eyring-
I love you all and have an awesome week.
Elder Degen
rice is life
I want you all to know that . . ."I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. the dye has been cast out. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down or be still. I am done with low living, small talking, and coulourless dreams, tamed visions, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, or popularity. I don't have to be first, right, recognized, praised, reguarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His prescence, walk with patience, am uplifted with prayer and labor with power. my road is narrow. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the prescence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meader in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up or let up, until I have stayed up stored up and paid up for the cause of Christ. I must go till he come, give till I drop, preach till I know and work till he stops me. And when he returns for His own he will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear." -henry b eyring-
I love you all and have an awesome week.
Elder Degen
rice is life
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
E-mail dated 9/8/09
So nice to hear from you. How was the great camping trip? Oh I guess you are still there right now so catch a fish for me. Seriously, catch a fish.
This past week was "full speed ahead." We worked very hard this past week and we were able to see some of the results. Sunday's make or break the week. If we have a good sunday then the week was a success, if not . . . well we won't talk about that. But this week was pretty sweet. We have been blessed with a couple of serious investigators these past few weeks and they are continuing to progress. Three in particular are making quick progress Galima Jallah, George Sesay, and Jodee Santee. The Lord prepared them and just happen to place them in our path. I'm pretty excited for the future of this branch. Oh, speaking of the future of this branch, we are going to be getting a new branch president soon due to the fact that our current branch president moved outside of monrovia. So I'm pretty excited about the change, but it will take a couple of weeks. Which means that I will be keeping the branch afloat until a new president is called. I guess you could say that I'm the acting branch president.
I never realized how much I love the gift of the Holy Ghost until I came to Africa. I don't know what I would do without it. I've always heard people say that but I never knew what they meant until now. I can truly say that the Holy Ghost guides me, testifies through me, and sanctifies me from my sins. It just took me awhile to recognize the spirit. Yesterday at church the spirit was prompting me to bear my testimony of the great gift of the Holy Ghost, so my mind is still pondering the event. (wow that sounded so mature of me, I better say something dumb soon).
I'm very healthy at the moment. Only my right arm is missing as of now, but the giraffes are still on the look out for me. Never trust a chimp. Biscuit.
Elder Degen
Rice is Life
This past week was "full speed ahead." We worked very hard this past week and we were able to see some of the results. Sunday's make or break the week. If we have a good sunday then the week was a success, if not . . . well we won't talk about that. But this week was pretty sweet. We have been blessed with a couple of serious investigators these past few weeks and they are continuing to progress. Three in particular are making quick progress Galima Jallah, George Sesay, and Jodee Santee. The Lord prepared them and just happen to place them in our path. I'm pretty excited for the future of this branch. Oh, speaking of the future of this branch, we are going to be getting a new branch president soon due to the fact that our current branch president moved outside of monrovia. So I'm pretty excited about the change, but it will take a couple of weeks. Which means that I will be keeping the branch afloat until a new president is called. I guess you could say that I'm the acting branch president.
I never realized how much I love the gift of the Holy Ghost until I came to Africa. I don't know what I would do without it. I've always heard people say that but I never knew what they meant until now. I can truly say that the Holy Ghost guides me, testifies through me, and sanctifies me from my sins. It just took me awhile to recognize the spirit. Yesterday at church the spirit was prompting me to bear my testimony of the great gift of the Holy Ghost, so my mind is still pondering the event. (wow that sounded so mature of me, I better say something dumb soon).
I'm very healthy at the moment. Only my right arm is missing as of now, but the giraffes are still on the look out for me. Never trust a chimp. Biscuit.
Elder Degen
Rice is Life
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
E-mail dated 8/31/09
Good morning once again and thanks for the update of the family. Well, the most exciting part of my week was the Zone Conference with Elder Dickson of the Seventy. He was just put in as the second counselor of the Area Presidency at the beginning of August. This mission was his first assignment. He is just new to the church in this part of the world but it was very apparent that his experiences in other parts of the world have made him who he is today. The man knows the scriptures very well. I want to be that knowledgable in th scriptures. Maybe one day. Interesting thing about him, is that he only has one arm. He lost his right arm to cancer right before he served his mission to Mexico. He said that losing his arm was the best thing that happened to him and told us that we grow through the hard times. He has a strong testimony about the resurrection and of the Atonement.
The package did not come, maybe in three weeks. Oh well. I still love you.
Interesting thing that I've determinded since I've been in Congo Town. When you think you have no clue what you are doing then you know you are doing it the Lords way. The moment you thinkg you've figured it out the Lord humbles you. I'm still learning what I'm doing out here. Normally we struggle to find serious new investigators. In the past week and a half we've found 5. Funny thing is we weren't even looking. Some of our previous investigators stopped coming at the same time that we gained these five. The Lord is using me to accomplish his work and I have no idea. Thats kind of how following the spirit works. Its not like I'm receiving revelation on every aspect of this work. Often times, I don't even recognize that I was following the spirit until I look back. But I love following the spirit. Its much better that doing it my way.
Now for your questions. Yes we have taxis. We use them almost daily. The bad part is that they shove 1 in the front and 4 in the back. I still cringe when I see a fat person get in with us. The other two Elders in the apartment are assigned to Sinkor branch. The internet cafe that I use costs 100 Liberian Dollars ( about 5000 leones or $1.66) for an hour. We do have a grocery store but it is small. I love you all and I can't remember if I wished Gavin and Josh a happy birthday. If I didn't I did remember them but I forgot to tell you. Sorry.
I love you all and enjoy the cool weather and camping.
Elder Degen
The package did not come, maybe in three weeks. Oh well. I still love you.
Interesting thing that I've determinded since I've been in Congo Town. When you think you have no clue what you are doing then you know you are doing it the Lords way. The moment you thinkg you've figured it out the Lord humbles you. I'm still learning what I'm doing out here. Normally we struggle to find serious new investigators. In the past week and a half we've found 5. Funny thing is we weren't even looking. Some of our previous investigators stopped coming at the same time that we gained these five. The Lord is using me to accomplish his work and I have no idea. Thats kind of how following the spirit works. Its not like I'm receiving revelation on every aspect of this work. Often times, I don't even recognize that I was following the spirit until I look back. But I love following the spirit. Its much better that doing it my way.
Now for your questions. Yes we have taxis. We use them almost daily. The bad part is that they shove 1 in the front and 4 in the back. I still cringe when I see a fat person get in with us. The other two Elders in the apartment are assigned to Sinkor branch. The internet cafe that I use costs 100 Liberian Dollars ( about 5000 leones or $1.66) for an hour. We do have a grocery store but it is small. I love you all and I can't remember if I wished Gavin and Josh a happy birthday. If I didn't I did remember them but I forgot to tell you. Sorry.
I love you all and enjoy the cool weather and camping.
Elder Degen
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