Hey Everyone!!
We had a pretty hectic week, but as always it was awesome!! We had some pretty crazy news and also had a Baptism!
On Thursday, we were told that all of the Missionaries in our mission would be returning home! They told us to pack our bags, clean our apartments and be ready for any news. We have received word that the Church is sending some planes to come and collect us this week, but we do not know the exact day. Once I arrive home I will be quarantined for 2 weeks and then possibly re-assigned to a state side mission to complete the rest of my service as a missionary! Although the Church has said that missionaries coming back to America will most likely have there time shortened or altered because of the amount of missionaries coming back at once. This means my missionary service could be over, but I hope not!! It has been pretty hectic with all the news because they are having 140 Sierra Leonian missionaries return to replace us. They have been coming in and now we are just waiting for us to get the go ahead to fly out. It is a big job and it is driving some of the missionaries crazy to know that they are going but not knowing when they are going!!
I am kind of sad to know that I am leaving and possibly not continuing my service, but I also know that The Lord is very mindful of us and knows why it is happening!
On Saturday we had a Baptism!! It was awesome because the area has not had a single baptism in almost 8 months!! And we had 3 people baptized! We have really been putting in some hard work and the Lord is magnifying our effort like He always does!! I forgot my SD card reader and so I will send some pictures next week of the baptism. I am grateful for this time in my life! See you next week!
-Elder Morgan
Elder Eli Morgan
Serving in Sierra Leone
Monday, March 23, 2020
Monday, March 16, 2020
A Miracle
Good Afternoon Everyone!!
I had a pretty hectic and nice week. We had two more exchanges, some very sad news in the Mission, transfer news came, and I experienced a miracle!
It all started on Friday when we received our transfer news. My companion has been transferred to Freetown, and I am training a new Zone Leader named Elder Marava. He is from Zimbabwe, and he is a complete stud. I am so sad to leave Elder Quaisie because we just got along so well, it was like we were brothers! I am also so excited to learn and work with Elder Marava!
Anyways, my companion left on Sunday night and I was left to be in a trio with the other missionaries in my apartment. We went to sleep and woke up this morning for Preparation Day. At about 8 o'clock we left to do some Baptismal Interviews that we were not able to complete on Sunday, and finished at about 11 o'clock. We then decided to get some lunch at a restaurant not too far away from where we were.
Now before I get any further in the story you need to know that the only form of transport in Bo is what we call "Okadas", or motorcycle taxis. Often you'll find 3 or 4 riders on the okada, but our mission rule is one person to one okada. Well we went to the main road and got onto an okada. We began to ride to the restaurant at a pretty quick pace. As we made our way down the road I saw a woman standing on the sidewalk looking the other way to check to see if she could cross the road. I did not think anything about it because I thought she would look our way as well. When we were about 5 feet away from her, she ran out into the street without looking our way. We ran straight into her. As we hit her, the motorcycle went out of control and we went down. The motorcycle landed on my leg making it so that it dragged me on the road with it, we skidded down the road about 15 or 20 feet, I would say. After we stopped I got up and examined myself, I felt some pain on my right heel, right side of my hip, and had some road rash on my forearm but other than that I was ok. I then saw the horrible scene!! The woman we hit had broken her leg a little bit above the knee and it also looked like she had some broken ribs and some very serious head trauma. She was knocked unconscious and looked like she was dead. The man that was driving the bike was lying face up on the ground and was knocked unconscious as well. He has a very large cut on the forehead and looked like he was dead as well. People grabbed them and took them to the Government Hospital right away. They were unconscious and very very bloody.
While this was happening, I was a bit light headed but other than that I felt pretty good. I said a quick prayer of gratitude and also for the Lord to be with those two people and then they told me to go to the Hospital as well because of my arm.
We got to the hospital and they did a check up on me, nothing was broken and nothing was too bad. They cleaned my wound, gave me some medication and even an ejection in my booty for the pain! I then called the senior couple and told them what happened. Now my hip and leg hurt but other than that I am doing very well, I can walk and I feel pretty good.
As I look back on it, I could have very easily and probably should have gotten more hurt, but I realize that the Lord had protected me. I should have been very badly hurt like those other two but here I am walking with a limp and still smiling! I am really grateful for His hand in my life. He really protected me today.
<Parent Note: We are very grateful that Eli was protected today. He told us that the woman had passed away and he thought that the driver would most likely pass as well due to the extent of his injuries. He said that the scene was pretty terrible. Eli was wearing a helmet, but the driver was not, which we're sure helped keep Eli safe. We were surprised by the way that they took the two injured people to the hospital. They picked them up and put them between the driver of a motorcycle and another passenger, and drove them to the hospital, while the passenger in the back held the injured person on the motorcycle. Such a different world.>
This week we also received some pretty sad news in the Mission. One of the Elders, Elder Schwenke passed away due to Cerebral Malaria that was not treated quickly enough. I knew him pretty well, having worked together in the office in Freetown. It was really sad news. All the Zones will be holding a Zone Devotional in tribute to Elder Schwenke this week.
My brother also received his Mission Call!! He will go to the Ghana Kumasi Mission! He is gonna be the best missionary they have ever seen there! I am really excited for him and can't wait to call him and give him some advice!! He is awesome!
I am doing great! I love missionary work, no matter what trials come our way!
Love Ya!!
-Elder Morgan
I had a pretty hectic and nice week. We had two more exchanges, some very sad news in the Mission, transfer news came, and I experienced a miracle!
It all started on Friday when we received our transfer news. My companion has been transferred to Freetown, and I am training a new Zone Leader named Elder Marava. He is from Zimbabwe, and he is a complete stud. I am so sad to leave Elder Quaisie because we just got along so well, it was like we were brothers! I am also so excited to learn and work with Elder Marava!
Anyways, my companion left on Sunday night and I was left to be in a trio with the other missionaries in my apartment. We went to sleep and woke up this morning for Preparation Day. At about 8 o'clock we left to do some Baptismal Interviews that we were not able to complete on Sunday, and finished at about 11 o'clock. We then decided to get some lunch at a restaurant not too far away from where we were.
Now before I get any further in the story you need to know that the only form of transport in Bo is what we call "Okadas", or motorcycle taxis. Often you'll find 3 or 4 riders on the okada, but our mission rule is one person to one okada. Well we went to the main road and got onto an okada. We began to ride to the restaurant at a pretty quick pace. As we made our way down the road I saw a woman standing on the sidewalk looking the other way to check to see if she could cross the road. I did not think anything about it because I thought she would look our way as well. When we were about 5 feet away from her, she ran out into the street without looking our way. We ran straight into her. As we hit her, the motorcycle went out of control and we went down. The motorcycle landed on my leg making it so that it dragged me on the road with it, we skidded down the road about 15 or 20 feet, I would say. After we stopped I got up and examined myself, I felt some pain on my right heel, right side of my hip, and had some road rash on my forearm but other than that I was ok. I then saw the horrible scene!! The woman we hit had broken her leg a little bit above the knee and it also looked like she had some broken ribs and some very serious head trauma. She was knocked unconscious and looked like she was dead. The man that was driving the bike was lying face up on the ground and was knocked unconscious as well. He has a very large cut on the forehead and looked like he was dead as well. People grabbed them and took them to the Government Hospital right away. They were unconscious and very very bloody.
While this was happening, I was a bit light headed but other than that I felt pretty good. I said a quick prayer of gratitude and also for the Lord to be with those two people and then they told me to go to the Hospital as well because of my arm.
We got to the hospital and they did a check up on me, nothing was broken and nothing was too bad. They cleaned my wound, gave me some medication and even an ejection in my booty for the pain! I then called the senior couple and told them what happened. Now my hip and leg hurt but other than that I am doing very well, I can walk and I feel pretty good.
As I look back on it, I could have very easily and probably should have gotten more hurt, but I realize that the Lord had protected me. I should have been very badly hurt like those other two but here I am walking with a limp and still smiling! I am really grateful for His hand in my life. He really protected me today.
<Parent Note: We are very grateful that Eli was protected today. He told us that the woman had passed away and he thought that the driver would most likely pass as well due to the extent of his injuries. He said that the scene was pretty terrible. Eli was wearing a helmet, but the driver was not, which we're sure helped keep Eli safe. We were surprised by the way that they took the two injured people to the hospital. They picked them up and put them between the driver of a motorcycle and another passenger, and drove them to the hospital, while the passenger in the back held the injured person on the motorcycle. Such a different world.>
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| This was right after the accident. This is the small wound I got on my forearm. |
My brother also received his Mission Call!! He will go to the Ghana Kumasi Mission! He is gonna be the best missionary they have ever seen there! I am really excited for him and can't wait to call him and give him some advice!! He is awesome!
I am doing great! I love missionary work, no matter what trials come our way!
Love Ya!!
-Elder Morgan
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| After proselytizing a hard day, this is what we look like! This was from my short time in Ghana. |
Monday, March 9, 2020
Zone Conference and Projectile Vomit
Hello Everyone,
This week went by pretty fast and I really enjoyed the work we were able to do! We had our Zone Conference and two awesome exchanges!
Our Zone Conference was really awesome! My companion and I had prepared a great instruction for our Zone on not getting just going through the motions on mission. I feel that it went well, but like always, there are some things that we could have improved on! Over all it was really great! I have kind of a funny/gross story about Zone Conference, so please read with caution...
That morning we were running a bit behind schedule because of some last minute preparation for Zone Conference, so I did not get to eat any breakfast. On the way to the conference my stomach started to hurt but I just thought it was because I had not eaten and was getting hungry. I just shrugged it off and went into the conference praying that lunch would come quick. They began to open up the conference and do some opening exercises, as they did this I started to feel really bad and started sweating bullets! I did not really understand why because I was sitting directly underneath a fan and was near a window so the breeze was coming in very nicely. As this went on I began to feel kind of weird and so my companion and I got up to go to the bathroom. As soon as we came out of the chapel I projectile vomited all over the floor, I kid you not, if you saw this it would have resembled the part in Pitch Perfect when that lady throws up all over the stage! This went on for a few seconds and my companion almost slipped on the vomit because it was everywhere. I then ran to the bathroom and continued to paint the walls and bathroom two more times. I finally was through and we went back to our seats. (Parent Note: Eli confirmed that he did clean up after himself...) I was still kind of sweaty and some missionaries were watching me kind of weird haha. I began to feel a little bit better and we carried on with the conference. After about 2 hours we had a small break, and they had some food for us to eat. I was feeling halfway decent and so I took an apple and started eating it. Oh boy, I could not have made a more incorrect choice! I took one bite and then talked with the mission nurse to tell her that I threw up everywhere. As I was talking with her, I started to sweat again and felt the need to go to the bathroom. I excused myself and ran to the bathroom. I had just made it into the doorway of the bathroom when I stumbled and ran into the wall, at that very moment of great surprise I projectile vomited three more times on the floor, walls, and when I finally got to the toilet, I threw up there as well. Right as I got done cleaning up, we gave our instruction and went through the rest of conference! It was kind of crazy but now I am feeling much better!
The very next day we went on exchanges with the people from my old area in Rutile! I was able to talk about some people that I was teaching and check up on them again! It was so fun to talk about the good old days in the bush haha, what a great experience and day we had that day!
Then on Saturday we had another exchange with a companionship in our Zone that is having some small trouble. I really enjoyed my exchange with Elder Tepe from Togo! It was so awesome to be with Him and learn from him as well.
Other than that we had a Zone activity today, we all made food and played a Restoration trivia game that my companion and I came up with! It was good to have the whole Zone together and do something fun.
Overall just a great and busy week! I am grateful for good weeks and i am grateful for bad weeks because you can always find something to have joy in!
That is one feeling I have come to know on my mission, JOY! It is just the greatest feeling we can feel. I am grateful for all the supportive emails and also the Lord for the loving kindness towards me. He really does know me and knows what is best for me and knows what I need to improve on as well. He is great!
-Elder Morgan
This week went by pretty fast and I really enjoyed the work we were able to do! We had our Zone Conference and two awesome exchanges!
Our Zone Conference was really awesome! My companion and I had prepared a great instruction for our Zone on not getting just going through the motions on mission. I feel that it went well, but like always, there are some things that we could have improved on! Over all it was really great! I have kind of a funny/gross story about Zone Conference, so please read with caution...
That morning we were running a bit behind schedule because of some last minute preparation for Zone Conference, so I did not get to eat any breakfast. On the way to the conference my stomach started to hurt but I just thought it was because I had not eaten and was getting hungry. I just shrugged it off and went into the conference praying that lunch would come quick. They began to open up the conference and do some opening exercises, as they did this I started to feel really bad and started sweating bullets! I did not really understand why because I was sitting directly underneath a fan and was near a window so the breeze was coming in very nicely. As this went on I began to feel kind of weird and so my companion and I got up to go to the bathroom. As soon as we came out of the chapel I projectile vomited all over the floor, I kid you not, if you saw this it would have resembled the part in Pitch Perfect when that lady throws up all over the stage! This went on for a few seconds and my companion almost slipped on the vomit because it was everywhere. I then ran to the bathroom and continued to paint the walls and bathroom two more times. I finally was through and we went back to our seats. (Parent Note: Eli confirmed that he did clean up after himself...) I was still kind of sweaty and some missionaries were watching me kind of weird haha. I began to feel a little bit better and we carried on with the conference. After about 2 hours we had a small break, and they had some food for us to eat. I was feeling halfway decent and so I took an apple and started eating it. Oh boy, I could not have made a more incorrect choice! I took one bite and then talked with the mission nurse to tell her that I threw up everywhere. As I was talking with her, I started to sweat again and felt the need to go to the bathroom. I excused myself and ran to the bathroom. I had just made it into the doorway of the bathroom when I stumbled and ran into the wall, at that very moment of great surprise I projectile vomited three more times on the floor, walls, and when I finally got to the toilet, I threw up there as well. Right as I got done cleaning up, we gave our instruction and went through the rest of conference! It was kind of crazy but now I am feeling much better!
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| Eli's Zone |
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| Elder Sluga (far left) taught us how to make lappa neckties! We all made our own matching neckties as an apartment! Also yes, it is the dry season and so my face is always red and sweaty like this. Its not easy! |
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| Bo Zone Conference. March 2020 |
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| Rutile missionaries—they serve far away and are so faithful and trustworthy! They are doing a great work!Elder Borup, Elder Morgan(now in Bo) and Elder Holi |
The very next day we went on exchanges with the people from my old area in Rutile! I was able to talk about some people that I was teaching and check up on them again! It was so fun to talk about the good old days in the bush haha, what a great experience and day we had that day!
Then on Saturday we had another exchange with a companionship in our Zone that is having some small trouble. I really enjoyed my exchange with Elder Tepe from Togo! It was so awesome to be with Him and learn from him as well.
Other than that we had a Zone activity today, we all made food and played a Restoration trivia game that my companion and I came up with! It was good to have the whole Zone together and do something fun.
Overall just a great and busy week! I am grateful for good weeks and i am grateful for bad weeks because you can always find something to have joy in!
That is one feeling I have come to know on my mission, JOY! It is just the greatest feeling we can feel. I am grateful for all the supportive emails and also the Lord for the loving kindness towards me. He really does know me and knows what is best for me and knows what I need to improve on as well. He is great!
-Elder Morgan
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
A Rough Week
Hey Everybody!
This week was kind of a tough one for me!
I had an awesome exchange with one of our District Leaders anmed Elder Sluga. He is such a stud and doing such a good job!
Other than that we have just been preparing for Zone Conference this week, that means to prepare an instruction for our Zone and set up the venue and food. It is fun, but also a little bit challenging.
Our area is doing well, but we had so many appointments fall through this week. The ones that we did have were very awesome though! We are currently trying to build up the area more.
I am grateful for the tougher weeks because it kind of helps me rely on the Lord more. I am really grateful for Him! Thanks for everything!
-Elder Morgan
Parental Note: This was a rough week for him because he's having some challenges with his neck (we told him NOT to go to a chiropractor in Sierra Leone!). Plus they have no power at night, so he's hot and sweaty. That, plus trying to sleep on an uncomfortable mattress and pillow!
This week was kind of a tough one for me!
I had an awesome exchange with one of our District Leaders anmed Elder Sluga. He is such a stud and doing such a good job!
Other than that we have just been preparing for Zone Conference this week, that means to prepare an instruction for our Zone and set up the venue and food. It is fun, but also a little bit challenging.
Our area is doing well, but we had so many appointments fall through this week. The ones that we did have were very awesome though! We are currently trying to build up the area more.
I am grateful for the tougher weeks because it kind of helps me rely on the Lord more. I am really grateful for Him! Thanks for everything!
-Elder Morgan
Parental Note: This was a rough week for him because he's having some challenges with his neck (we told him NOT to go to a chiropractor in Sierra Leone!). Plus they have no power at night, so he's hot and sweaty. That, plus trying to sleep on an uncomfortable mattress and pillow!
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