African Chemistry, Dogs & the Effects of Affliction

FINALLY! My stuff got to you! I was wondering when it would... I just sent a letter to Bro. Kenner chastening him for his tardiness. Well, that now needs to be rescinded... I figured it'd be the best gift you guys could get from me. I don't think you really NEED the neck ties or lappas, but they're fun. The pics and videos are the real gold, aren't they? ;-) How about the lappas? You just wear them around the house like a towel. They are more of lounging clothes... Anyhoo, I'm glad you got them and like them! I'm working on more things for when I'm coming home. ;-) It's never too late to be prepared!!

I'm glad you liked the West African Chemistry and Physics exams I found for you Mom. Yes, according to the description given by the student from whom I recieved the tests, he said it's the advanced level of Chemistry, similar to AP. I could remember those things on the test, but if you asked me to do them right now, I obviously couldn't. It's actually funny you mention that, because I went shopping for a calculus practice book yesterday. I was realizing that all of my mathematically-based skills are slipping big time, so I wanted something to help me regain the ground that I've lost, especially considering that I have from 7-10:30 p.m. in the apartment. Unfortunately, there was nothing that I could use since I don't have a calculator. I've just decided to not worry about it for now, because I know that the Lord will bless me for forsaking my mathematics for mission. I'll remember in time.

You asked about our methods for butchering chickens. Well, we kill chickens by chopping (rather than wringing their necks) simply because it's cliche. We don't kill chickens often (in fact, since the most recent video, we haven't killed any). We just buy the pre-killed ones. Less entertainment, but it's a lot easier, and we don't have to clean up after them (they're the messiest eaters/poopers!). But yes, by now, I've got it figured out in theory how to clean a chicken. Never done it myself though, because I've never had to. I've also learned how to kill a goat (merely spectating, as usual. I'm not really a hands-on kind of person in the art of butchery). Oh, and the neck is one of the more prized pieces of the chicken. It's delicious. This place really teaches you a lot...


Yes, to answer your question, there are MANY dogs here in Liberia (as well as Salone, although the Salone dogs are a lot mankier. More like street curs, rather than actual dogs). I've never really observed an aversion from the Muslims to dogs, but I wouldn't be surprised. Remember also that there are different sects of Islam, just like there are with Christianity. Perhaps one thing that is taught in one place isn't observed elsewhere. Plus, the faithfulness that the people in Salone have to Islam in general (or any religion, for that matter) is rather weak, so it wouldn't surprise me if they were SUPPOSED to observe it, but never do. What's more, there are very few Muslims here in Liberia. I'd say 90% Christian, if not more. It's not like Freetown East, where it's more like 40% Christian and 60% Muslim. That's something that's a nice change about this place.

Well, as for the work here, things are moving along. We had three baptisms this weekend, which was sweet. Now we're back where we always end up: With lots of recent converts and a handful of investigators that don't come to church. The real trick to missionary work is to be able to sustain the teaching pool full of progressing investigators. It's easy to invite people to be baptized, but it's hard to get them to actually DO anything. They're used to their ordinary lives where they're not obligated to act on anything that is taught or preached to them. It's frustrating, but it makes it very easy to see who is really prepared for baptism when that time comes.

I'll be honest, as for me right now, I'm not having the easiest time. I don't really know why; I'm just not liking this place. I'm healthy, so far as I know, and there's nothing wrong. I just have had a hard week. My patience is being tested like nothing. And it's not just me, but the five other elders in our district as well. All of us want to return to Sierra Leone. This totally isn't the same mission here in Liberia. Anyhow, we're here, and that's where we're staying for the mean time. I'm working on getting my head in the game in a more positive attitude. President Roggia also tells me that for a time that I've lost sight of the grand vision of the work, which may be true. When you face affliction and trial, it's easy to be distracted. At any rate, I'm doing my best, and praying that I can become stronger and better than I am now. I'm eating well, I'm sleeping well, so I think it's just left to myself to be happy and productive. I guess it's just been a rough patch. You know how I am, it's not too natural for me to complain when this has been my divinely appointed assignment. I just need to express myself a little. Right now, things are tough, but it will end one way or the other, so I'm going to make the best of it!

You're right Mom, the gospel is really the only thing that can allow us to overcome the problems that we face in our lives. It's the atonement that can carry me through to the other side. So now, it's left to me to make of it what I will, and I will make i great. My trials are just coals in the furnace of affliction that evenly temper the sharp edge of a sword. Anyhow it goes, I'm happy enough, and am workin' my buns off as usual. ;-)

Love you all! Have an awesome week!

Love,

Elder Vaughan

Technology, Bucket of Snails & 80 Degrees Cold

Well, I DID just have a huge email composed for you... which the computer deleted. I'm really not happy about that right now... >:-(

It's funny hearing you talk about your technology and gadgets back home. It's hard for me to even think about those sorts of things here. $500 for a gadget in my head equals 5 months of food. Man, why waste it? I get by on $4 a day, buying my own food, paying my own transport, everything. I'm excited to try my new skills when I get home.

Speaking of food, we have a free dinner tonight. My companion spent the morning foraging for snails, and he got a HUGE bucket of them that we'll fry up tonight. No worries, there'll be a lot of pictures. Being in an all-African district is so dang awesome! Snail is actually really good... I don't know why we make fun of the French so much for eating them... I think they're good. My companion is a lot of fun. It was actually pretty funny, because he disappeared into the banana grove in our compound (pictures of that forthcoming) and came out thirty minutes later with a bucket full of slimy goodness!

At the moment, the internet is being exceedingly crappy, so I'm trying to work that out. I'm here at the church, so I'm surprised by this problem.

To answer your question that I can remember, Elder Holland is coming in three weeks, so yes, we'll be seeing him. They've arranged for us to have a one-hour Q&A period with him. Sweet, eh? I'm prayerfully considering anything I might want to ask him. It’s unlikely, considering that the gospel of Jesus Christ is so simple to understand, even for the unlearned. The only questions that missionaries tend to ask are of deep doctrine, and I don't really even have questions about that.

Oh, I loved the snow pics by the way, but, honestly, I'm a little scared... Why? Uh, well, I get cold here... at around 80 degrees... O.o So, uh, in your next package, could you please, uh, send one of my hoodies? (Wow, did I just ask for that aloud??) That way I can wear it at night AND use my fan, thus protecting me from those vile mosquitoes. We all want that, right? Without it, I just get way too cold. I put it on the lowest setting when I lay down, and at around midnight I just shut it off because I'm shivering. Crazy, huh?

The computer has never been this fussy here. Lets face it, Liberia has just been a place of affliction for me, hasn’t it? I can’t wait to go back to Sierra Leone. That’s where I want to be right about now…

So again, sorry! This email will have to do for this week. Next week will be better; I promise! I love you! Have a wonderful week!! :D

Love,

Elder Vaughan

"Thanks for the Life", New Companion & Pizza!

I'm at full strength, so no more worrying or praying for me! The whole malaria business was totally crappy, but I'm a strong believer that whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger. On top of that, I believe that the closer to death you get, the more powerfully you bounce back. So with that, I'm actually rather grateful to survive yet another run in with the most notorious disease in Africa. Something about being sick this time really awoke in me a love for my life that I've never had before. People here, when you ask how they are, often respond "I tell God thanks for the life," which I never really understood. Now, I KNOW. Every day I wake up and tell God thanks for the life, because one day, it won't be there.

Thanks for the pictures from the business. Man, Dad's warehouse isn't going to be anything like how I left it! I guess that's good, since it comes from growing and not from anything else. I'm excited to be a part and pull my weight. And I'm so happy to hear about Helen and Heather getting married! Marriage is truly the greatest thing. It always makes me so happy to see two people who put themselves aside for someone else. It always brings out the best in them. Around here, it's not too common to see, so when I see it now, oh how it touches my heart!

Oh, I just remembered something I wanted to ask you about. What would you think about me being an EFY counselor when I get back? I was bouncing ideas off of Elder Liufau the past couple nights of what to do with life as a RM, and that stood out as the most awesome. I don't really know anything about what the schedule looks like for that, but I know that I'd love to be a part of it. The only other concern would be how it interferes with my participation with the business. But anyways, that's a thing of the future that was on my mind this week.

I've recieved a new companion who has a reputation to work very very hard, so it'll be just what I need to get things back in gear after everything was thrown from the sickness. Missionary work is just sweet! Now I'm with Elder Raymond from Nigeria. We've been together for a whole two hours or so, but I can tell it's going to be awesome. I'm really excited. I love getting new companions, so it's always exciting. What's more, it now makes me the only American (okay, here they simply say "white". There's no shame or insult in distinguishing race, since we're all treated fairly.) in the apartment. I'll be with Elder Raymond, Elder Esiaba, Elder Ameworlor (from Ghana), Elder Obinna (from Nigeria), and Elder Mazani (from Zimbabwe). I'm telling you, it's gonna be a blast!

As for Joshua's mission call... I'm guessing Texas for stateside, and Kenya for international. That'd be cool, right? You mentioned the establishment of a mission in India and how the church is seeking Mormons of Indian descent to serve there. It makes sense that they want Indians to serve in India. That's what they want here too, but the demand for missionaries is WAY too high for the branches to meet. Hence, we have about half foreign and half native missionaries. And I guess by native I mean native to West Africa.

So Jesse's been listening to Dragonforce? Man, I was seriously not liking that music when I left on mission. Now that I've had a famine of worldly music, it would be so appealing! I thought it'd be a lot harder for me to leave the music I like behind, but really it hasn't been so bad. I still have music (mission approved), and though it may not be my first preference in terms of entertainment, it's still music. It's like going vegetarian; there's just nothing as good as a medium rare steak.

Thanks for sending those items I requested. I really appreciate it. Sure, I'm in Monrovia where it's POSSIBLE for me to get things like sandals for myself, but the difficulty is in finding ones that are good quality. You know that if it's from the states that it'll be good. But here, people have become very talented at making things that are crap appear to be top quality. Hence, I really appreciate the help. Oh, and I don't remember if I asked for it, but deoderant is one of the best things to recieve. It's so insanely expensive here. So, if you throw in like 3 or 4 of them, I don't think I'd need any more until I came home. That, and shaving cream. It's EXPENSIVE! One can or maybe two will do just fine for me. Thanks!

Can you believe it? I don't have double-digit months any more. I have 9 1/2 months left to go! I'll be SO SO SO SAD when that day comes! I'm really not ready to come home. Which I guess is good, because I still have a decent bit of time left. I really love being here, in spite of all of the hardships we go through as issionaries in Liberia.

Oh, speaking of hardship, we have a new guardian angel in our branch. His name is Mark Luzaine (not sure on spelling), and he's from the states. He's staying here for six months working for the Air Force. He's sealed, has two kids or so, and is by himself here. Last week, he came to our apartment and brought us a pizza and grape juice. Man, it was the best thing I've ever eaten! My first pizza in 14 1/2 months! He's a really great guy, and he's offering to help us in any way that he can. So, there's an additional reason for you to be completely sure that we're being watched after here in Africa. ;-)

Alrighty, time is finished for me today I think. I love you all so much, and hope that you have an awesome week. Grandma Little told me about what you did for Dad. You know, buying a double recliner so that the two of you could still be together and so that he could sleep sitting up. I'm so impressed by you and Dad; the way that you take care of each other. You truly live what you said when you told me that marriage is about putting 100% into it all the time, so that when one is less than that, the other is there to lift them up. I admire you so much, and appreciate similar sacrifices that you've made for me in my own life. You and Dad are simply incredible people, and I can't wait to be with you again.

Love,

Elder Vaughan

More on Malaria, Ninety Percent & a Baptism

It's not really advised for you to try and diagnose me overseas, hahaha. To calm your mind, here's exactly what happened with my Malaria:

Saturday: Heavy fever/chills, and I suspected malaria. Sister Krumm took me to be tested, and I tested positive for P. Falciparum (the same one as before). I was given medication and began taking it immediately. I went home, and runny stomach, the most severe migranes, and occasional vomitting ensued for the duration of the day. I spent the day trying my best to sleep. Not very easy. Saturday night was when I passed out.

Sunday: More of the same, only more vomitting. Towards the evening and through the night, my body was rejecting all the fluids in my body, and I could feel myself dehydrating. Up to this point, I still hadn't eaten anything, but I was doing my best to drink plenty. I was still taking my medications, which included ibuprofen, paracetamol, ciprofloxacin (in case of other infections), and the anti-malarial. Miraculously, whenever the time came to take the medications, I was able to keep them in me, whereas anything else I took was forcefully expelled.

Monday: Elder Kirkham was concerned about dehydration, so he took me to the emergency room for a saline drip. While I was there, I also received an injection in my leg to stop the vomitting (that was key). I stayed there for a few hours, got rehydrated, and the doctor came to check on me (no worries, Dr. Mahmoud knows his stuff. He's very reputable as an excellent doctor). He said that I was okay to go home after the drip, and that the medications and everything that I was taking was good. He prescribed two anti-nausea medications for me as well. I was finally able to eat in the evening time for the first time in three days, and things started going down well.

From there, it's just been a slow recovery process. The parasite really took it's toll on me, so it's just been a matter of time. Sister Krumm in particular is a worry case, so she's been forcing me to stay inside and sleep even when I feel okay. Ha ha ha, it's really funny actually. She worries a LOT for us Elders, so if any of us are sick, we get a great deal of TLC from her.

I personally believe that I was infected by the parasite here in Sinkor since I came. When I first came, the mosquitoes were REALLY bad in our compound. Our screening wasn't quite adequate, and most detrimentally, the septic tank had a rupture in it, so we had our own breeding pool just outside our window. I was being bitten like crazy when I first came. The doxy that we take can only inhibit the reproductive ability of the parasite, but if we're exposed to too much of it, there's only so much it can do to stop it. I think I was just overexposed. Since that time, we've had our screening repaired, the septic tank has been repaired, and we keep an ample supply of "Raid" in our apartment to keep it mosquito-clean.

Malaria isn't common in the mission like it used to be. It used to be that every missionary was expected to contract it at some point in his mission, but that was mostly because of the general disobedience regarding doxy and things that was being observed. Nowadays, Sister Roggia has everyone keeping the rules. While indeed the cases of malaria have been minimized, they haven't been eliminated. That's virtually impossible, considering that malaria can be contracted from a single bite. So, it is contracted every once in a while, but as we are heading into dry season, we're anticipating that it will get a little worse before it gets better.

So, as far as my own health now, I'm doing quite well. I'm at about 90%, so things are great. Sister Roggia trusts the medication that I was given, so I trust it too. I don't believe that this case was a recurrence for me, beause last time I even took two rounds of treatment to be extra sure. I guess the one I took this time is a lot stronger, so it's not necessary. Even Dr. Mahmoud recommended it, so I think I'm okay. It's just been a matter of taking it easy this past week. But really, I'm doing great now.

I really appreciate all of the prayers and things. We really are helped and guided out here, and we need it every single day. Missionary work is not easy at all. The only thing that I look forward to when I leave here is having the heavy mantle of "Elder" fall from my shoulders. To carry it for two years is the heaviest task I've ever had, so it's wonderful to receive support from those on the other side. Thanks so much!

I'm so glad to hear that Dad's not going to have any problems with his health again. I'm relieved to hear that. I'd hate for your capacity to serve as couple missionaries someday to be hindered. ;-)

Yes, recovery is the most frustrating part of being sick. I've wanted so badly to go and work all this week, but doctor's orders said that I needed to sleep. Well, I'm doing great now, so I'm grateful for that!

You know, I could really feel it when I heard Dad try to talk on the phone Christmas day. I could feel just how much it meant for him to talk to me. I think that hearing him struggle to talk is what touched me the most. I mean, I guess I just had no idea what was going on at home, and then to hear that he was in the hospital in some unknown condition just dying to talk to me... I dunno, it really did touch me.

I spent the remainder of the day thinking about it all the way through the next day. And I can just tell when my Mom has been overworked! ;) I'm grateful for the way things turned out though, and I'm especially grateful for the doctor that was able to help. I'm just so glad that he was so sensitive to you and Dad as well, trying to make things alright in a situation that was just so messed up. I think I'm most grateful for him. While I am indeed watched after by earthly angels here, you are where you are as well. I guess it's a mission blessing or something.

Well, this week wasn't all that much in terms of missionary work. Mostly resting, sleeping, and relaxing. Yep, not much else. We did have a baptism on Saturday, which was awesome. It was amazing that we were able to pull off a baptism considering our severe lack of proselyting, but it was wonderful all the same. We were originally going to have it in our chapel here in Sinkor, but there was no water, and nobody to help us get water (our physical facilities manager was in Kakata). So, what we had to do was go all the way to the Matadi chapel and baptize there, which was a pain, but I was grateful that our candidates had to sacrifice a little for their baptisms. It always makes it much more meaningful for those people. They'll never forget it, because it didn't come so easy for them. I was really happy with it.

Anyhoo, that's the week in review for me. Not a whole lot going on. Thank malaria for that one. This week will be a lot better though. I'm on my feet, and I'm feeling good, so no problem.

Love,

Elder Vaughan

Happy for the Breath in my Nostrils

Mom was kind of the giveaway to me that everything hadn't been as rosy as she was trying make it sound (with Dad). You know how I am. I can just, I don't really know, FEEL it I guess. I knew she'd been through a lot, and I was just very sad. I'm relieved to hear that Dad is doing well now! It sounds like quite the ordeal.

If it makes you feel better, I've had my own fun ordeal over the past weekend I had another run in with Malaria, and it was worse than before. (Before I get into this, KNOW THAT I'M OKAY NOW!) It all started Saturday with tons of fevers, chills, diahrrea, vomitting, pain through every bone in my body, and the most excruciatingly painful migranes. The pain was just staggering. My conscious mind just resceeded further and further into a world between worlds, and my body was on autopilot, going between the toilet and my bed. I was too weak for anything else. I spent all of Saturday curled up and moaning. I wanted to die. I really did. The pain and the agony was just horrid.

Night came, and around 4am, my body gave out, and I fainted. I awoke on the ground to Elder Liufau asking if I was okay. My mind was clear, so I knew that I didn't hit it hard. I said I was okay, not sure why I was on the ground, but pretty certain I had blacked out. I knew who I was, where I was, and even what year it was (as it had just changed to 2012 only a few hours prior). He helped me back to my bed, and cleaned the various scrapes and bruises on my face (Which are PLENTY! Ha ha ha, I kinda look like the Phantom of the Opera. ;) ), and I crashed again.

My body was really having a hard time. I drank as much water as I could, took the meds I was supposed to, but I was still suffering for all of Sunday. I didn't go anywhere. I just languished. In the evening, I started vomitting again, and there was nothing left in my body. My body was dehydrated, and refusing to take anything to become hydrated. It was terrible.

Mindful of this, Elder and Sister Krumm (my guardian angels) took me to the hospital for a saline IV, which helped so much. At the same time they gave some injections to stop the joint pain and vomitting. Really, the treatment there put me back into shape. On that day (Monday), I ate for the first time again too. The Krumms were making sure I was well-taken care of.

Today is Wednesday, and the first day that I've been permitted to leave the house. The only thing I can do is office work until further notice. It's a little (okay, A LOT!) crappy, but I'm grateful to be alive. I don't really know what happened to me in those few days...

For three days, I wished I could pass away that I might not suffer again as I had suffered. On the fourth day, when I woke, the migranes had subsided, and the vomitting ceased. I had never been so happy to be alive! I hear people all the time say that God gives you the breath in your nostrils every blessed day and that you should be grateful for it, but I've taken it for-granted all this while. Now, I'll never do it again! I think the difference this time was how much help I received this time. The first time I got sick, only my companion helped me, and it was with getting water to flush the toilet and things like that. Elder and Sister Krumm, Elder and Sister Kirkham, Elder Liufau, my district, Elder Esiaba, and the sweet angel nurses at the hospital all contributed to me getting better. I was so darn happy for the breath in my nostrils, no matter how quickly it comes and goes!

You know Dad, I think we both learned something important around the same time. To be alive is such a precious and wonderful thing. But we, considering that our lives aren't always endangered, don't think anything of it. When our lives are put in jeopardy, it helps us to remember the Lord who made that life, and to thank him that we have breath in our lungs this day. I'm grateful today to not be suffering like I was on Saturday and Sunday! The life I have is enough to be grateful for.

I had to reflect a lot on a promise that was given to us missionaries. We were told in the MTC that we'd never get Malaria if we slept under our nets, take our doxy, use the fan (where possible), and use the filter bottle (which doesn't prevent Malaria, but obedience does!). I've done those things!! Why have I gotten Malaria TWICE now? I think the Lord is testing me a little like Job. In life, I've always had everything I needed. I've never had any serious injury or illness. Well, here in Africa, I'm living in quite the opposite state. I have almost nothing. Really, I have my toiletries, some few books, my clothes, and that's about it. My health is not always there. I think the Lord wanted to make sure that I would be valiant even if I was suffering in the physical realm as much as possible without killing me. Sure enough, I passed the test.

So, in the end, was Malaria the most horrid and painful thing that I've ever endured? Clearly yes. For BOTH times I've had it. Was it worth it? Well, I believe that the Lord knows that one. I had a priesthood blessing, so obviously His will was to allow me to be strengthened through this tremendous trial. An experience of a lifetime, that's for sure.

So, just as you made me promise to not be worried about you, you as well should never be worried about me. 100% of missionaries return home from this mission, so what is there to fear? Ha ha ha. I'm happy, I'm learning, and I'm (almost) healthy. (I should be by Saturday or so. No more negative symptoms, just immense fatigue). I was originally planning to not tell you about this, but I appreciate that I was told straightforwardly about Dad, and so I figured I'd return the favor. Again, DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME! Ha ha ha. This mission has safety as #1 priority.

I love you all so much! Dad, take care!

Love,

Elder Vaughan