Yo People!
I had such a great week! We had a good Christmas Day, had a good visit from President Harper and put in some nice work with the Branch.
I had a great Christmas Day, we just did our regular proselyting until about 5 o'clock and then came back and Skyped our families and made a nice dinner. It was so good to have the whole family together! It was so fun to see everyone and talk about the new things that are happening back at home. Even today, the whole family was together at a family reunion and I got to talk with almost all of them. Although the connection was so bad, I was very grateful to see everyone! The funny thing is that I am so used to speaking in Krio to anyone that is not my family so I did not know how to act! It was kind of an eye opener because I have now realized that I am super awkward! But I will try and work on it for when I get home!
One of the Elders, Elder Elisan, had typhoid and was sent to Freetown on Monday. He was admitted into the Hospital and treated for it. He was finally released from the hospital on Thursday and they were accompanied by President Harper on their way back to Sierra Rutile. President stayed for about two days and then went back to Freetown. He has been kind of sad because Sister Harper has been in America for medical treatment. She has been feeling sick for a few weeks and had to go back to America to find out what was wrong with her. But we have received good news that she is coming back tomorrow night! We have been praying for her and are so excited to have her come back!
Over the past two transfers we have tried to get Ministering going in our Branch. Our attempts have not totally worked effectively, but this time we really tried and it is working successfully! I am excited to see how it goes!
Over the past few days the Societies have been more active, they are doing more parades in our area and creating some havoc. Today a women's society ran around with small sticks chasing people trying to hit them. We kind of had to dodge them but it was not too bad. We also saw a devil in the market. A devil is someone who dresses up with a mask and wears long clothing and dances and chants some weird stuff in the streets. They are always more active around this time of the year and especially more so in this part of the country. It is always an adventure but I am loving it!!
-Elder Morgan
Elder Eli Morgan
Serving in Sierra Leone
Monday, December 30, 2019
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
I had such a great week! I am having a hard time remembering what we did because everyday just blended together and went so fast. We began a new transfer and so I challenged everyone in the District to make transfer goals focused on our Savior Jesus Christ! I also had the opportunity to speak in church yesterday.
Every Thursday we have a District Council meeting. My job is to assign a topic and someone to lead a discussion based on that topic. As I thought and prayed about a topic, I studied a few General Conference talks and tried to see if there was one that we could incorporate into our District council. I came across a talk given by Elder Ronald A. Rasband called "Standing by our Promises and Covenants". I studied it and paired it with a chapter in Preach my Gospel that I thought could be really good. I asked Elder Moffat to lead the discussion and He did so well!! We had such a Spirit led discussion and it was very successful!
I was asked to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting yesterday. Our Branch President asked me to talk about Christmas and Jesus Christ. I chose to speak about the first Christmas. I told a very simplified version of the account in Luke 1 and then went on to tell a quick overview of His life and the atonement that he did for us. After I talked about it, I was able to share an experience that happened in the first part of my mission. It made me understand and love the atonement more than I ever had before. So powerful!
President Nelson has asked us to speak in English while talking in Sacrament Meeting, but because krio is the common language here not many people understand English. As I was preparing my talk I prayed that even if these people could not understand all of what I said, they would feel the spirit and that would edify them and turn their thoughts to our Savior Jesus Christ. I said his silent prayer again before I talked and felt that my prayer would be answered. as I talked it was totally still and quiet. Usually there are some people making noise or children running around crying, but as I talked for 15 minutes no one even moved an inch! I was so grateful for the opportunity that I had to feel the Spirit at that time! It was awesome!!
I am grateful for this Christmas season and the opportunity that we have to share the message of Jesus Christ. He is wonderful.
-Elder Morgan
Parent Note: From our talk with Eli yesterday, we found out a little more about this Home Group. There are 17 members in the Home Group, but only 4 actively attend each week.
Parent Note: We got some more info from Eli in our Christmas Skype call...This was an end of year celebration they do in the Bush. Eli and his companion came a little late to the celebration only to find that the original member who was supposed to play this role didn't show. Since Eli was the only white person there, they asked him to do it. The lady that originally had the wig on her head, took it off and place it on Eli. He said it was pretty awkward.
I had such a great week! I am having a hard time remembering what we did because everyday just blended together and went so fast. We began a new transfer and so I challenged everyone in the District to make transfer goals focused on our Savior Jesus Christ! I also had the opportunity to speak in church yesterday.
Every Thursday we have a District Council meeting. My job is to assign a topic and someone to lead a discussion based on that topic. As I thought and prayed about a topic, I studied a few General Conference talks and tried to see if there was one that we could incorporate into our District council. I came across a talk given by Elder Ronald A. Rasband called "Standing by our Promises and Covenants". I studied it and paired it with a chapter in Preach my Gospel that I thought could be really good. I asked Elder Moffat to lead the discussion and He did so well!! We had such a Spirit led discussion and it was very successful!
I was asked to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting yesterday. Our Branch President asked me to talk about Christmas and Jesus Christ. I chose to speak about the first Christmas. I told a very simplified version of the account in Luke 1 and then went on to tell a quick overview of His life and the atonement that he did for us. After I talked about it, I was able to share an experience that happened in the first part of my mission. It made me understand and love the atonement more than I ever had before. So powerful!
President Nelson has asked us to speak in English while talking in Sacrament Meeting, but because krio is the common language here not many people understand English. As I was preparing my talk I prayed that even if these people could not understand all of what I said, they would feel the spirit and that would edify them and turn their thoughts to our Savior Jesus Christ. I said his silent prayer again before I talked and felt that my prayer would be answered. as I talked it was totally still and quiet. Usually there are some people making noise or children running around crying, but as I talked for 15 minutes no one even moved an inch! I was so grateful for the opportunity that I had to feel the Spirit at that time! It was awesome!!
I am grateful for this Christmas season and the opportunity that we have to share the message of Jesus Christ. He is wonderful.
-Elder Morgan
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| This is the Mata home group Chapel |
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| You guys thought you saw the last of Jesus... |
Monday, December 16, 2019
How Many People Can We Fit In A Car?
Hey Everybody!
I had such a great week!! We had such an awesome Christmas Zone Conference, a very spiritually uplifting exchange with our Zone Leaders and even some presents from Santa Clause!
We woke up at 3 o'clock in the morning on Tuesday. We had the whole District sleep over at our apartment to be able to get to the Public Transport Park on time. We were out the door by about 4 o'clock and walked down to the park. We paid for our seats and ended up leaving by about 6 o'clock in the morning. Before I move on let me help you understand something about taking public transport in Sierra Leone... Usually a car that has 8 seats would normally fit 8 people comfortably in any other part of the world. Here in Salone if they have an 8 passenger car they put 15 people in that bad boy and drive at about 100 mph down the worst roads in the world! Lets just say it was a very "cozy" ride. We ended up getting to Bo at about 10 o 'clock in the morning. We were greeted by our Zone Leaders and went out shopping, took a small nap, then went for some choir practices in preparation for the zone conference.
The next day we had an awesome exchange with our Zone Leaders, because we had our whole district there, we all got to go on the exchange but in different parts of the area. I had the opportunity to go out with Elder Barker! He is the most spiritually powerful super beast in the mission! I was able to learn so much from him. I am so grateful for that precious opportunity I had!
The next day, we had our Christmas Zone Conference. It was so fun to see everyone and have our thoughts turned back to the Savior Jesus Christ. After the conference we all performed skits and got some gifts from the Mission. I was also asked a few weeks ago to give a tribute to one of the Senior Couples that is going home in a few weeks. I was so happy to do that!
The next morning we were back on the road to Rutile! This time we hopped on small 8 seater car. We took some nice short cuts in the bush and came out almost black from all the dust! It was just a good time!
Overall, I had a good week. It was super fun to see everyone and to feel the Christmas Spirit while at Zone Conference. One thing that I love about Christmas time is being able to turn our thoughts to Jesus Christ! I have really felt the true Christmas Spirit while being on mission. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be out here, sharing the best message on earth!
This is such a special time to think about the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I have been studying the General Conference talks and one has caught my attention, it is called Honoring His name by Lisa L. Harkness. My favorite part is when she says " Our willingness to take upon us the name of Christ is more than a formal exchange of words. It is not a passive promise or a cultural contrivance. It is not a rite of passage or a name tag that we wear. It is not a saying that we simply place on a shelf or hang on a wall. His is a name that is "put on," written in our hearts, and "engraven upon our countenances."
I love this quote so much! I am grateful for our Lord Jesus Christ. He has perfect love for each and everyone of us and Christmas is a special time to celebrate Him!
See you guys next week!
-Elder Morgan
Parent Note: Transfers were today, and Eli and Elder Obasi will be staying together for one more transfer out in the Bush. They're excited to continue the work they've started in Rutile and look forward to more unique adventures!
I had such a great week!! We had such an awesome Christmas Zone Conference, a very spiritually uplifting exchange with our Zone Leaders and even some presents from Santa Clause!
We woke up at 3 o'clock in the morning on Tuesday. We had the whole District sleep over at our apartment to be able to get to the Public Transport Park on time. We were out the door by about 4 o'clock and walked down to the park. We paid for our seats and ended up leaving by about 6 o'clock in the morning. Before I move on let me help you understand something about taking public transport in Sierra Leone... Usually a car that has 8 seats would normally fit 8 people comfortably in any other part of the world. Here in Salone if they have an 8 passenger car they put 15 people in that bad boy and drive at about 100 mph down the worst roads in the world! Lets just say it was a very "cozy" ride. We ended up getting to Bo at about 10 o 'clock in the morning. We were greeted by our Zone Leaders and went out shopping, took a small nap, then went for some choir practices in preparation for the zone conference.
The next day we had an awesome exchange with our Zone Leaders, because we had our whole district there, we all got to go on the exchange but in different parts of the area. I had the opportunity to go out with Elder Barker! He is the most spiritually powerful super beast in the mission! I was able to learn so much from him. I am so grateful for that precious opportunity I had!
The next day, we had our Christmas Zone Conference. It was so fun to see everyone and have our thoughts turned back to the Savior Jesus Christ. After the conference we all performed skits and got some gifts from the Mission. I was also asked a few weeks ago to give a tribute to one of the Senior Couples that is going home in a few weeks. I was so happy to do that!
The next morning we were back on the road to Rutile! This time we hopped on small 8 seater car. We took some nice short cuts in the bush and came out almost black from all the dust! It was just a good time!
Overall, I had a good week. It was super fun to see everyone and to feel the Christmas Spirit while at Zone Conference. One thing that I love about Christmas time is being able to turn our thoughts to Jesus Christ! I have really felt the true Christmas Spirit while being on mission. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be out here, sharing the best message on earth!
This is such a special time to think about the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I have been studying the General Conference talks and one has caught my attention, it is called Honoring His name by Lisa L. Harkness. My favorite part is when she says " Our willingness to take upon us the name of Christ is more than a formal exchange of words. It is not a passive promise or a cultural contrivance. It is not a rite of passage or a name tag that we wear. It is not a saying that we simply place on a shelf or hang on a wall. His is a name that is "put on," written in our hearts, and "engraven upon our countenances."
I love this quote so much! I am grateful for our Lord Jesus Christ. He has perfect love for each and everyone of us and Christmas is a special time to celebrate Him!
See you guys next week!
-Elder Morgan
Parent Note: Transfers were today, and Eli and Elder Obasi will be staying together for one more transfer out in the Bush. They're excited to continue the work they've started in Rutile and look forward to more unique adventures!
Monday, December 9, 2019
Service, A Baptism and Being the Only White Person...
Hey Everyone!
I had such a good week! We had an exchange with the Mogbwemo Elders, did a Service Project as a District and had a Baptism!!
On Wednesday I went on an exchange with Elder Borup. He is from Idaho and has been out for about 4 months, he is such a solid missionary! I really learned a lot from him and will be able to put it into my missionary work from now on. They white washed their area, which means they both came to the area at the same time and they are doing so good. They have done such a good job with it. I really look up to both him and his companion.
On Friday we had a service project at a school in the Mosenesie Junction Area. We were able to work with a less active member and have such a great project! We cleared some weeds and made some nice new pathways! It was a quick project but really good to get there and do it!
On Saturday we had a Baptism! We were able to baptize two sisters named Augusta Lansana and Christiana Kamara. It was so awesome!
After the baptism we had an end of the year activity with our home group. They played music and did some plays. It was so awesome! I will send some pictures of the activity. Just know that because I was the only white person they chose me to be Jesus Christ. Not sure if it was sacrilegious, but it was awesome.
Talk to ya next week!
-Elder Morgan
I had such a good week! We had an exchange with the Mogbwemo Elders, did a Service Project as a District and had a Baptism!!
On Wednesday I went on an exchange with Elder Borup. He is from Idaho and has been out for about 4 months, he is such a solid missionary! I really learned a lot from him and will be able to put it into my missionary work from now on. They white washed their area, which means they both came to the area at the same time and they are doing so good. They have done such a good job with it. I really look up to both him and his companion.
On Friday we had a service project at a school in the Mosenesie Junction Area. We were able to work with a less active member and have such a great project! We cleared some weeds and made some nice new pathways! It was a quick project but really good to get there and do it!
On Saturday we had a Baptism! We were able to baptize two sisters named Augusta Lansana and Christiana Kamara. It was so awesome!
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| With and investigator |
Talk to ya next week!
-Elder Morgan
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Baptismal Interviews, New Rules and Lots of Pictures!
Yo Yo Yo!
I had such a great week! We are really working hard and having success in our area and in our companionship. This week I went on an exchange with Elder Elisan, had some baptismal interviews and got some new rules for us in the Bush.
Elder Elisan is serving in the Mosenesie Junction area. He is from the Philippines, and has been out for about 8 months. It was just a great exchange, we had some solid lessons and were able to tackle some problems they were having! Elder Elisan is such a stud and I really learned a lot from him during our exchange.
On Sunday we were preparing people for baptism by doing baptismal interviews. We have one man we are teaching named Desmond Hilliard, when we met him, he was having trouble with smoking cigarettes. As we worked with him, he was totally off of them for about 2 good months! Yesterday as we went to his house for the interview we caught him smoking a cigarette! He just had a weak moment and smoked one really quick. I was so sad! But we are now working on that again, we will see how it goes! Satan just totally sucks.
We have gotten some new rules for us out here in the Bush. We have to be back into the apartment by 6:30pm because of the Secret Society activity that will be happening this month and next. In December and January they do initiations into their Societies. Even if you don't want to join the society sometimes they will take you and force you to join. I am not worried about it though, it shouldn't affect us.
I am so grateful to be out here serving a mission! The work is great and we are working hard! This upcoming week I will go on another exchange with Elder Borup, we will do a service project for the town and we will be preparing to go to Zone Conference! Love you guys!
-Elder Morgan
I had such a great week! We are really working hard and having success in our area and in our companionship. This week I went on an exchange with Elder Elisan, had some baptismal interviews and got some new rules for us in the Bush.
Elder Elisan is serving in the Mosenesie Junction area. He is from the Philippines, and has been out for about 8 months. It was just a great exchange, we had some solid lessons and were able to tackle some problems they were having! Elder Elisan is such a stud and I really learned a lot from him during our exchange.
On Sunday we were preparing people for baptism by doing baptismal interviews. We have one man we are teaching named Desmond Hilliard, when we met him, he was having trouble with smoking cigarettes. As we worked with him, he was totally off of them for about 2 good months! Yesterday as we went to his house for the interview we caught him smoking a cigarette! He just had a weak moment and smoked one really quick. I was so sad! But we are now working on that again, we will see how it goes! Satan just totally sucks.
We have gotten some new rules for us out here in the Bush. We have to be back into the apartment by 6:30pm because of the Secret Society activity that will be happening this month and next. In December and January they do initiations into their Societies. Even if you don't want to join the society sometimes they will take you and force you to join. I am not worried about it though, it shouldn't affect us.
I am so grateful to be out here serving a mission! The work is great and we are working hard! This upcoming week I will go on another exchange with Elder Borup, we will do a service project for the town and we will be preparing to go to Zone Conference! Love you guys!
-Elder Morgan
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| The houses in our area...made out of dirt and palm leaves! |
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| Beautiful view of my Area |
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| Playing balance ball while waiting for interviews |
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| Soccer in the sand |
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| Eli and his companion, Elder Obasi |
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