Hello Everybody!
Wow, what an awesome and special week I had. I really learned a lot and had some neat experiences. Before I share some experiences- the weather is cooling down! It actually rained a few times this week. One night it rained so hard in the middle of the night, it woke me up because it make the whole house shake. Literally! But aside from that lets see how my week went.
On Thursday, we had a Zone Conference. It was Elder Uko's first one and so He was pretty excited. It was a really humbling and wonderful experience. President Clawson gave some short opening remarks about missionary repentance. He began to talk about how when we get angry or impatient we do not have the Spirit with us. At that moment I was chastised severely by the Spirit. These past two weeks, I have really been struggling with my patience. I have been praying intently to have my heart softened and to be better. But of course praying alone will not fix it - we must act. I really felt Godly Sorrow for the times I had felt impatience for my companion or for whatever else that was going on at the time. I never yelled or got very angry, but was just a little impatient in my heart and mind. I learned that to have the Spirit guide us in this work we must try our best to be open to the Spirit. I repented that night and instantly felt the weight lifted off of my shoulders. I really learned from that experience about controlling my patience. The Lord makes our weaknesses strengths, not perfections, and so I am still trying my best to work with Him on this. Wish me luck!
On Saturday we had a special experience that I will never forget, I feel strongly to share it.
Previously I talked about James Jr. who struggled with a few things stopping him from baptism. We have been making goals and working hard with him to stop.
On Saturday, we had a nice lesson planned out for him. We reviewed his goals and I could tell he was not relying on The Lord. I felt the strong prompting to bear my testimony of The Atonement. As I did this, He began to cry. I realized he was just a scared little boy in a man's body in a way. He had never felt this amount of love from anyone. He then shared with us how he had been a good kid but joined a gang and had made some really poor decisions. He then said he did not know if God could forgive him of all his sins. This broke my heart. I began to really feel the weight of his sins he had kept in all these years. The words of Jefferey R. Holland popped into my head and I told him " James, I have a strong testimony that no matter how many times you think you have missed. No matter how many mistakes you think you have made, or how far out of the circle you think you are, you have not fallen farther than the light of Christ shines". By this time I was shedding a few tears, James was, as well as Elder Uko. He lost it, I have never felt more of a powerful witness of The Atonement of Jesus Christ. I shared a scripture with him, and my companion shared a powerful testimony. I then asked if He wanted a Priesthood blessing. After the Priesthood blessing I gave him, maybe the first meaningful hug he has ever had in his life. I really felt the whole burden that this man has had to carry through out his life.
Walking away from that experience I thanked My God that Elder Uko and me could have that experience. I realized the amount of relief The Savior can give us. I love this work and truly believe God is wholeheartedly in this work. I am grateful and will always remember this.
-Elder Morgan
Parent's Note:
We talked to Eli again today. It's so fun to hear his voice. He sounds more and more like a native. The accent he was working on before he left for Africa has fully developed. He is loving the people and the area and is having a great time. He's told us a few things on the phone that we'll share here:
Each Saturday the members of the Ward (congregation) go out on ministering visits, which means they go out to visit other members of the Ward to check on them and to invite them to church. Every week, Eli and his companion receive 15-20 referrals for new people to teach. They have so much work to do, it's hard to get it all done. They have started leaving the house an hour early each day and staying out a little longer at night, just to get the work done.
When we talked to Eli today, he and his companion were out looking for a hammer. They weren't sure if they would find one, though. They want make a pull-up bar in their "compound". I guess the weights they have there are made out of concrete and aren't very good, so they are looking for other workout options.
The area he is in is known for feeding the missionaries. People offer them food all the time. It's mostly rice dishes and casava leaf, but the people in Bo are very giving.
He doesn't really like taking pictures. Because there is nothing for the people to do in Bo (nobody really works), they tend to wait for something exciting to happen and then they all gather around. Eli taking pictures is "exciting" to them so it becomes something of interest to everyone around. The missionaries stand out in Bo, so everyone sits and watches everything they do.
Elder Eli Morgan
Serving in Sierra Leone
Monday, March 25, 2019
Monday, March 18, 2019
A Faithful People and A Referral
Hello Everyone!
Today the power in the cafe is pretty spotty and so this may not send, but I am still gonna try! This week was a good one! I hope everyone else had a wonderful week as well. Nothing too exciting, just another good week in Salone.
The weather is getting a lot hotter, it is more of a humid hot. I am glad this only lasts for this month and next, because I am ready to be done with dry season. I am done with going to bed sweaty and waking up sweaty!! It rained once this month but nothing to really get excited about. I am really enjoying having 4 people in the apartment, there is always some joke to be made and some fun to be had. We will be having our Zone Conference this week on Thursday, I really love when these happen. President and Sister Clawson do a really good job with speaking and doing some fun activities with all the missionaries.
Our new zone has been having some meetings and what not to establish expectations and some other things. It has been really awesome to see what the new Zone Leaders have in store for us.
This week my Faith has really been built. The people in Sierra Leone are just so faithful. Whenever we ask them to pray or do a small assignment, they just say "Why? I already know these things are true. I don't need to pray." Just like that. It is really strengthening to see how these people live and what great faith they have. A similar experience happened. One of our investigators told us about some things He was doing that were going to stop Him form being baptized. I asked Him to speak with the Bishop about it and He agreed. He saw Bishop the very next day and is working hard to stop his addictions. It is so humbling to see. I have also learned the lesson in diligence. Diligence of carrying out the work when it seems hard especially. When we work hard, that is when the blessings come. We are preparing some awesome and prepared people for baptism because of it!
A cool new experience Elder Uko and I had this week. On Tuesday, one of the missionaries in Freetown called us and said He had a referral for us. He was traveling and began to talk with a man about the church. The mans name is Pastor Kemokai. He is a big pastor around here and has many churches. The missionary gave us his name and number, so we called Him and went to go see him. He was a nice man, but had some good questions for us. The main question was about the Book of Mormon. He said it was an evil book and said some of the most negative things I have ever heard. He said he would take Books of Mormon and throw them away or burn them, because i was from The Devil. While He was saying these things, I felt prompted to share my testimony with Him. After he had finished His thoughts. I bore the strongest testimony of The Book of Mormon have ever bore and testified of its truthfulness. After I finished I invited Him t read it, and He ended up accepting to read and ponder a scripture we asked Him to read. Maybe this won't change his mind or even scratch it, but I am grateful I did it. We are going back again this week so wish me luck!!
Well I think I have to hop off before the power cuts out again! Till next week!
-Elder Morgan
Today the power in the cafe is pretty spotty and so this may not send, but I am still gonna try! This week was a good one! I hope everyone else had a wonderful week as well. Nothing too exciting, just another good week in Salone.
The weather is getting a lot hotter, it is more of a humid hot. I am glad this only lasts for this month and next, because I am ready to be done with dry season. I am done with going to bed sweaty and waking up sweaty!! It rained once this month but nothing to really get excited about. I am really enjoying having 4 people in the apartment, there is always some joke to be made and some fun to be had. We will be having our Zone Conference this week on Thursday, I really love when these happen. President and Sister Clawson do a really good job with speaking and doing some fun activities with all the missionaries.
Our new zone has been having some meetings and what not to establish expectations and some other things. It has been really awesome to see what the new Zone Leaders have in store for us.
This week my Faith has really been built. The people in Sierra Leone are just so faithful. Whenever we ask them to pray or do a small assignment, they just say "Why? I already know these things are true. I don't need to pray." Just like that. It is really strengthening to see how these people live and what great faith they have. A similar experience happened. One of our investigators told us about some things He was doing that were going to stop Him form being baptized. I asked Him to speak with the Bishop about it and He agreed. He saw Bishop the very next day and is working hard to stop his addictions. It is so humbling to see. I have also learned the lesson in diligence. Diligence of carrying out the work when it seems hard especially. When we work hard, that is when the blessings come. We are preparing some awesome and prepared people for baptism because of it!
A cool new experience Elder Uko and I had this week. On Tuesday, one of the missionaries in Freetown called us and said He had a referral for us. He was traveling and began to talk with a man about the church. The mans name is Pastor Kemokai. He is a big pastor around here and has many churches. The missionary gave us his name and number, so we called Him and went to go see him. He was a nice man, but had some good questions for us. The main question was about the Book of Mormon. He said it was an evil book and said some of the most negative things I have ever heard. He said he would take Books of Mormon and throw them away or burn them, because i was from The Devil. While He was saying these things, I felt prompted to share my testimony with Him. After he had finished His thoughts. I bore the strongest testimony of The Book of Mormon have ever bore and testified of its truthfulness. After I finished I invited Him t read it, and He ended up accepting to read and ponder a scripture we asked Him to read. Maybe this won't change his mind or even scratch it, but I am grateful I did it. We are going back again this week so wish me luck!!
Well I think I have to hop off before the power cuts out again! Till next week!
-Elder Morgan
Monday, March 11, 2019
New Companion and a Baptism
How was the week for everyone? I know I had a great and exciting week as usual. Lets see what went on.
Well first and foremost I received my new companion. His name is Elder Uko. He comes from Nigeria. He is a really cool guy and a good worker. We are working really well together and I am enjoying being able to train. I received Him on Wednesday. We got Him at about 6 o'clock and took Him to dinner and just talked about The area Book and our investigators. The next day we talked about some expectations and got right to work. At first I was pretty nervous, but once we got into the grind, everything just fell into place. We are working really hard and are having growing success.
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| Picking up the new missionary, Elder Uko |
We also had a baptism on Saturday. We baptised Brother Julius Hindowa, that guy is so awesome. I conducted the meeting and gave a talk on The Holy Ghost, then Baptised Bro. Hindowa! I was just so overjoyed because Bro. Hindowa when we first met him, was drinking pretty excessively and smoking throughout the day. But after a few lessons we began to see small improvements and he has now stopped drinking and smoking and everything else he was doing. The Gospel can really change people and I am so grateful for this lesson!
What I really want to talk about this week is the blessing of obedience. I think we can take the lesson of obedience and put it into every situation in life. This transfer It has been nice to sort of be in charge. I am grateful for this opportunity because it all depends on me for how hard we work and how obedient we are. Because of this I am trying to make sure we are both doing these two things. I have truly felt the blessing of having both missionaries obedient. Because of working hard and being obedient we have now been able find two people and teach some awesome lessons this week, who we could not find or see at all since my time here. I have also seriously felt the spirit so much more and I am loving it. What a wonderful lesson to learn!
Overall, this week helped me to learn to not doubt. I had a really special experience that happened that really gave me a different outlook on the matter. I love The Lord and know He blesses us when we are obedient and go out on a walk of faith. See Ya next week!
-Elder Morgan
Monday, March 4, 2019
Transfers, Trainer and Transitions
Hello Everyone!
I am sorry I did not have an email last week, my head was still rattling from my Dentist Appointment! But this week was another good one, full of hard work and of course, sweat!
First of I will shed some light on my Dentist Appointment. The first time I went to Freetown to see the Dentist they took an X-Ray and told me to come back. I waited a week and went back last weekend. I sat down in the chair and asked what kind of procedure they do. The dentist then replied that there would be no need for Novocaine or anything like that. So I was pretty nervous but just went with it. He began to drill and it was pretty painful. After drilling He took a hook tool and scraped out everything. It hurt pretty bad! I am grateful I went but I don't really want to go back! After the appointment I wasn't feeling too well, so I just emailed quick and went home!
Just a quick thing about last week: The Elders in the bush were brought out because of some violence between the Societies and the Government. The Societies were acting up and so they sent armed police into the bush to fight them. The Elders were rushed out and got to spend the week with us! It was a great week!!
This was a pretty good week. Here are a few experiences:
First we received our transfer news! Going into this we already knew Elder Pasikala was going to go, and so it was a little bit sad. But Elder Pasikala got transferred to Freetown as Zone Leader, and I have been assigned to train a new missionary. Man, am I nervous and scared haha. I have literally just finished my training and now I have to train a whole new missionary?! I get anxiety when I think about how I am now the one who is being relied upon to train and further the work in our area. I just get a headache when I think about it. But The Lord doesn't give us more than He knows we can handle, even if it stretches our abilities. Nevertheless, I am excited for the things I am going to learn about Leadership and from my new companion. I have much to learn and this will be a wonderful way to further that. I do not know his name or where He is from yet, I will find that out on Wednesday when He comes! President Clawson also created a new Zone in Bo, so now we have the Zone Leaders in our apartment now. I am pretty excited to have another companionship in the apartment. It will be so much fun!
We had a baptism on Saturday. Our original plan was to baptize two people but due to some exams at school, we baptized one person and will be baptizing the other this coming Saturday. On Saturday it was a very nice baptism for a man named Saidu Kanneh. He has been taught for over 2 years! When I first got into the area, Elder Pasikala and I really decided to work on all the people who have been taught like that and are making very nice progress with all. After the actual Baptism, Saidu was invited to come and bear a testimony at the pulpit. As He was talking, I had such a Spiritual Experience. As He began to talk, I felt a strong impression that we did good with Him. I thought about our Missionary Purpose and how we were fulfilling this through Him. He bore a strong testimony and at the end of it I had tears in my eyes and the words "Man, this is seriously what it is all about, all the tough days, and the tough stuff that happens, happens for a reason. This is that reason! This man has come so far from what He was to what He is now. He is coming to know His Savior." I am grateful for these experiences and hold them close to my heart.
The next day at church my companion bore His last testimony in this area. He said some great things and it was a spiritual testimony. We then sang Hymn 153, Lord with us ere we part. (Or something along those lines). And I had tears in my eyes that whole meeting! That night He gave me some great advice, I will miss Him dearly!
Over all, just a great week. I enjoy this place! Even though there is some crazy stuff, I love it and enjoy every minute of it. I am very excited to train and am going to try my very best. I know The Lord will fill in all the cracks and more. I am grateful for this opportunity!! Well, I will talk with everyone next week!
-Elder Morgan
I am sorry I did not have an email last week, my head was still rattling from my Dentist Appointment! But this week was another good one, full of hard work and of course, sweat!
First of I will shed some light on my Dentist Appointment. The first time I went to Freetown to see the Dentist they took an X-Ray and told me to come back. I waited a week and went back last weekend. I sat down in the chair and asked what kind of procedure they do. The dentist then replied that there would be no need for Novocaine or anything like that. So I was pretty nervous but just went with it. He began to drill and it was pretty painful. After drilling He took a hook tool and scraped out everything. It hurt pretty bad! I am grateful I went but I don't really want to go back! After the appointment I wasn't feeling too well, so I just emailed quick and went home!
Just a quick thing about last week: The Elders in the bush were brought out because of some violence between the Societies and the Government. The Societies were acting up and so they sent armed police into the bush to fight them. The Elders were rushed out and got to spend the week with us! It was a great week!!
This was a pretty good week. Here are a few experiences:
First we received our transfer news! Going into this we already knew Elder Pasikala was going to go, and so it was a little bit sad. But Elder Pasikala got transferred to Freetown as Zone Leader, and I have been assigned to train a new missionary. Man, am I nervous and scared haha. I have literally just finished my training and now I have to train a whole new missionary?! I get anxiety when I think about how I am now the one who is being relied upon to train and further the work in our area. I just get a headache when I think about it. But The Lord doesn't give us more than He knows we can handle, even if it stretches our abilities. Nevertheless, I am excited for the things I am going to learn about Leadership and from my new companion. I have much to learn and this will be a wonderful way to further that. I do not know his name or where He is from yet, I will find that out on Wednesday when He comes! President Clawson also created a new Zone in Bo, so now we have the Zone Leaders in our apartment now. I am pretty excited to have another companionship in the apartment. It will be so much fun!
We had a baptism on Saturday. Our original plan was to baptize two people but due to some exams at school, we baptized one person and will be baptizing the other this coming Saturday. On Saturday it was a very nice baptism for a man named Saidu Kanneh. He has been taught for over 2 years! When I first got into the area, Elder Pasikala and I really decided to work on all the people who have been taught like that and are making very nice progress with all. After the actual Baptism, Saidu was invited to come and bear a testimony at the pulpit. As He was talking, I had such a Spiritual Experience. As He began to talk, I felt a strong impression that we did good with Him. I thought about our Missionary Purpose and how we were fulfilling this through Him. He bore a strong testimony and at the end of it I had tears in my eyes and the words "Man, this is seriously what it is all about, all the tough days, and the tough stuff that happens, happens for a reason. This is that reason! This man has come so far from what He was to what He is now. He is coming to know His Savior." I am grateful for these experiences and hold them close to my heart.
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| Baptism of Saidu Kanneh |
Over all, just a great week. I enjoy this place! Even though there is some crazy stuff, I love it and enjoy every minute of it. I am very excited to train and am going to try my very best. I know The Lord will fill in all the cracks and more. I am grateful for this opportunity!! Well, I will talk with everyone next week!
-Elder Morgan
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| We got lost in a super bushy part of my area trying to find someone, so took picture of a cool spot! |
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