I've been transferred. I'm now in Freetown East Zone in Wellington 1 Branch with Elder Purcell as my junior companion. Additionally, I've been called as District Leader for Wellington District. Uh, yeah. Not a minor change. Pictures will follow next week, as I only arrived a few hours ago.
So, I found out last Thursday night that I was coming here, and I was walkin' on air! I'm so excited to be here. Elder Kenner, my former district leader, transferred with me to the same district and will be serving as one of the Freetown East Zone Leaders.
The last half of last week was spent tying loose ends before I left, and Sunday night I went to the Sewa Road apartment to stay the night. Have I ever done anything more dangerous that ride on an Okada (motorcycle taxi) with that monstrous suitcase on my lap? Uh, nothing comes to mind...
Anyways, this morning at dark-thirty (3:00 am) Elder Kenner and I went to the bus station in Bo town, and got to Freetown by around 9:00. So, I'm kinda tired. I left my "son" (trainee) Elder Esiaba at home alone with Elder Brownson (Elder Kenner's "son"). I kinda feel bad for them, on account of how lonely the house would be in that case. He's ready to take over Njaie Town though; just as ready as I am to leave there. Elder Vogl (an Aggie!) will be replacing me there, so I'm excited for him.
My new apartment is AWESOME. I'll take pics today. It's on the second story of a complex, has a nice breeze, and is smack in the middle of East Freetown. It's awesome because if I want something, I just walk outside of my house and get it, whereas in Bo, I'd have to travel all the way to town to buy it. I'm loving this place like crazy. It is a little dirty here though, more so than in Bo, because all of Freetown East is basically a giant shanty town. It's amazing though. I'll do my best to send pics.
My companion, Elder Purcell is a big ol' American Samoan man, and I already love him. He's been on mission for 3 months now, and is amazing. I can tell that we're going to have a lot of fun.
You'll be pleased to hear: No more motor bikes. The mission has disallowed the use of them in Freetown because of how many cars are on the road. We take taxis now, and I like that LOTS better.
Regarding District Leader duties, it's not much in this district. I just watch after my four district members (Me, Elder Purcell, Elder Eyinda, and Elder Kenner), two of which are zone leaders. I send in numbers (to the zone leaders in our house... Uh, not hard since I had to do that before, but only to the District Leader), take stewardship over the house and district funds and needs, and minister to my district members spiritually. It's pretty dang awesome, and I'm excited for it. No Dad, it's not a promotion.
Wow, what else can I say? I just have a fresh look on missionary work now. I've been in Bo so long without moving... The feel and nature of EVERYTHING here is different! I'm in the city now! It's so wonderful. I feel right at home here.
We don't have traffic signs! Or traffic rules! Or police (for the most part)! I'm so glad I'm here in Africa. This is a divinely assigned mission, and I love it like CRAZY!!
Well, I don't have much else to say, just because I'm tired out of my mind. Next week though, prepare for pictures! :)
Have a marvelous week!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Monday, August 1, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
College Crocodile, Youth Activity and Foods I Like
Wow, Hilary is in Honduras?? That's so cool! I bet she's just LOVING that! They have special missions for medical officers in the church. Like Doctor Maughan (I love his name!) and his wife here in West Africa. He's in charge of all of the medical affairs of all of the missionaries in West Africa, and so he did some similar things. He came to the MTC and immunized all of those who hadn't been able to in their own countries. I bet he just loves his work (and STRESSES over it!).
Wow Mom, our trip to New York City was a year ago, wasn't it?? I realized how long it's been this past week when I realized that I opened my call over a year ago. Jeez, the time flies. Especially where I've been in the same place for 9 months! This past transfer with Elder Esiaba has gone so fast! President Roggia says that he plans on having me stay one more transfer to finish training my companion. I don't mind, I love this branch.
I can't really speak of anything this week that was especially crazy or especially spiritual. We finally finished up the GPS work in our area, which required a LOT of walking. We also payed a visit to the CKC (Christ the King College) crocodile. He's a legendarily humongous croc that was born and captured in the same year that the school was organized some 70 years ago. They also had a python in captivity, but in recent years, it escaped. I bet someone just stole it and ate it. People do that kind of thing here.
We had an AMAZING youth activity on Wednesday. There was a lot of hype around it, so the turnout was spectacular. For us, that means new investigators! The young men and women prepared, practiced, and performed a hilarious skit, there was a Book of Mormon trivia challenge (in the which they FAILED. I was ashamed), and a POWERFUL song written by Rammy Tommy. It is his "Dear Joseph" song that he composed. It had a backup choir, keyboard, back beat shuffle and everything! I made sure to film as much as I could. It was pure awesomeness.
At the end, we had some refreshments of achekeh, which is a food I recently discovered a liking for. To make it, they take gari (dried and shredded casava root) and boil it into a mush. They add "gravy" (not exactly sure what's in it. I know there's palm oil at least...), cucumber, boiled egg, ketchup, mayo, lettuce, and usually dried fish. It's so good! And it's only like 2,000le for a nice big bowl of it. They sell it on the roadsides everywhere, so when I'm hungry, I can enjoy!
I've also discovered the deliciousness of gari as a breakfast food. You just take the dry gari (before it's boiled) and add plenty of sugar and cold milk, and eat it just like that! You'd get similar taste and texture if you took a bag of frosted mini wheats and crushed the daylights out of them before pouring milk on them. It's uber yummy, and a meager 300le a cup. Obviously, the sugar and milk is what is expensive.
As far as spiritual things go, we are having a hard time. School just let out, so EVERYONE is going on vacation to the villages or to Freetown for the next two months. It's a little frustrating, considering that our investigators are almost exclusively students. We did however, find a wonderful recently married couple that we are teaching, and they are EXCITED about the church. I love it when people follow the simple steps: Read, pray, and then know that it's true through a manifestation of the Spirit. The people who struggle are those who don't do these things. And how simple they are! The third is to attend church, and is key to lasting conversion. I've seen that it's usually one of those things that really converts someone more than the rest.
I wish we could have a cool summer (rainy season) around here. It's SO HOT. AND HUMID. They said by this time that it's supposed to rain continuously, but it's not. AT ALL. I rains like once a week, which is terrible. It just "washes the sun," as they say. So, it makes things WAY hot and WAY humid, as opposed to what it's like in the dry season, which is just hot.
Dad and Jesse, don't get lost at Ghost Lake again, and if I were you, I'd bring a pot and some matches to enjoy some crayfish! I bet you'll have a blast this week. As for me, it's just another ordinary week!
So Dad you think you would want to be a mission president someday? Oh Dad, that is NOT a small calling, ESPECIALLY where there are no stakes established. So, maybe my mission is unique like that, but still, if you ended up in a place like that... Oh man! I can only imagine the stress of President Roggia's labors, considering that he handles ALL business related to the church in two COUNTRIES. I think you'd be a great mission president though. Your "investigators" would be us, the missionaries. At least, that's what President Roggia says. I think it's a cool philosophy.
Well, I'm out of ideas of things to say. I love you so much! It's hard to imagine that the house is quiet with Jesse there... It was never that way when I was at home! ;) Have an amazing week!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Wow Mom, our trip to New York City was a year ago, wasn't it?? I realized how long it's been this past week when I realized that I opened my call over a year ago. Jeez, the time flies. Especially where I've been in the same place for 9 months! This past transfer with Elder Esiaba has gone so fast! President Roggia says that he plans on having me stay one more transfer to finish training my companion. I don't mind, I love this branch.
I can't really speak of anything this week that was especially crazy or especially spiritual. We finally finished up the GPS work in our area, which required a LOT of walking. We also payed a visit to the CKC (Christ the King College) crocodile. He's a legendarily humongous croc that was born and captured in the same year that the school was organized some 70 years ago. They also had a python in captivity, but in recent years, it escaped. I bet someone just stole it and ate it. People do that kind of thing here.
We had an AMAZING youth activity on Wednesday. There was a lot of hype around it, so the turnout was spectacular. For us, that means new investigators! The young men and women prepared, practiced, and performed a hilarious skit, there was a Book of Mormon trivia challenge (in the which they FAILED. I was ashamed), and a POWERFUL song written by Rammy Tommy. It is his "Dear Joseph" song that he composed. It had a backup choir, keyboard, back beat shuffle and everything! I made sure to film as much as I could. It was pure awesomeness.
At the end, we had some refreshments of achekeh, which is a food I recently discovered a liking for. To make it, they take gari (dried and shredded casava root) and boil it into a mush. They add "gravy" (not exactly sure what's in it. I know there's palm oil at least...), cucumber, boiled egg, ketchup, mayo, lettuce, and usually dried fish. It's so good! And it's only like 2,000le for a nice big bowl of it. They sell it on the roadsides everywhere, so when I'm hungry, I can enjoy!
I've also discovered the deliciousness of gari as a breakfast food. You just take the dry gari (before it's boiled) and add plenty of sugar and cold milk, and eat it just like that! You'd get similar taste and texture if you took a bag of frosted mini wheats and crushed the daylights out of them before pouring milk on them. It's uber yummy, and a meager 300le a cup. Obviously, the sugar and milk is what is expensive.
As far as spiritual things go, we are having a hard time. School just let out, so EVERYONE is going on vacation to the villages or to Freetown for the next two months. It's a little frustrating, considering that our investigators are almost exclusively students. We did however, find a wonderful recently married couple that we are teaching, and they are EXCITED about the church. I love it when people follow the simple steps: Read, pray, and then know that it's true through a manifestation of the Spirit. The people who struggle are those who don't do these things. And how simple they are! The third is to attend church, and is key to lasting conversion. I've seen that it's usually one of those things that really converts someone more than the rest.
I wish we could have a cool summer (rainy season) around here. It's SO HOT. AND HUMID. They said by this time that it's supposed to rain continuously, but it's not. AT ALL. I rains like once a week, which is terrible. It just "washes the sun," as they say. So, it makes things WAY hot and WAY humid, as opposed to what it's like in the dry season, which is just hot.
Dad and Jesse, don't get lost at Ghost Lake again, and if I were you, I'd bring a pot and some matches to enjoy some crayfish! I bet you'll have a blast this week. As for me, it's just another ordinary week!
So Dad you think you would want to be a mission president someday? Oh Dad, that is NOT a small calling, ESPECIALLY where there are no stakes established. So, maybe my mission is unique like that, but still, if you ended up in a place like that... Oh man! I can only imagine the stress of President Roggia's labors, considering that he handles ALL business related to the church in two COUNTRIES. I think you'd be a great mission president though. Your "investigators" would be us, the missionaries. At least, that's what President Roggia says. I think it's a cool philosophy.
Well, I'm out of ideas of things to say. I love you so much! It's hard to imagine that the house is quiet with Jesse there... It was never that way when I was at home! ;) Have an amazing week!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Monday, July 18, 2011
Branch Census Continues, Soccer Win & The One Third Mark
Hey Mom, thanks for sharing those quotes from John Bytheway. He is just awesome. Elder Kenner and I have re-listened to his recordings tons of times, and just love it. It feels better and better every time, because I'M becoming better and better. It makes it more fun to listen to when you are this obedient to the commandments.
Oh, if the atonement healed only sins, I'd be in trouble. There is so much here that is so far out of my control, and having the atonement makes it possible to overcome even the hardest challenges. I guess that's why the work is so light for me... I'm really depending on the Lord, so he takes the burden off of me. I can't believe I went my whole life before mission trying to bear all of my burdens alone. It was definitely foolish of me.
After being in Bo for eight months, there are of course new lessons and surprises, but since I've never even moved branches, they aren't many! Ha ha ha... Oh man, Njaie Town branch. If you had told me 8 months ago that I'd still be here at this time, I would have wept more bitterly than Paul. But now, I love it here. Things are fun, and there is no stress, because I have my focus on what matters the most. The branch is doing well, and the members are wonderful. I just wish you could come here and meet them. Splitting the branch is really hard work though. We've spent two days every week this transfer doing address location with the GPS gizmo. It's HARD, because we have to locate all of the 350 members on the directory, and GO TO THEIR HOUSES. That's where the work comes in. So, we've found 205 of them so far. The other 145, well, we're working on finding them. So many of them left after the war that they may not be able to be found again. It's a LOT of work!
Wow, a third of my mission is gone? Dang... It goes FAST. I don't really know where I've grown most, I just know that I've GROWN! I have a lot more confidence (nothing shatters your confidence like moving to a third world country in Africa) than I used to, and my love for the people have grown.
Today we played football (soccer) against New Barracks branch, and won! It was awesome. My companion scored two goals! He's pretty dang good. I invited two of my branch missionaries to come play for us, and they scored three of our goals! So glad I baptized them. It's totally paying off now! ;) The fact that I've been able to teach investigators through baptism and up to receiving the priesthood and callings in the church is pretty dang awesome. That's a definite blessing for staying in one place so long.
Here's something interesting that happened this week: One of our investigators died. Yeah, just died. We had only met with him three times, and it's been more than a month since he had transferred to the eastern province. I just found out yesterday. They say he was feeling cold right before he started vomiting blood. He then keeled over dead. Yeah, crazy. Well, I get the privilege of doing his temple work when I return! It's kind of an insane thing to happen. I don't worry about him though, because he was doing exceptionally well when we met with him before he transferred. It's just so...unusual!
Sounds like the business is doing very well! I'm happy to hear that. How do you manage to maneuver the forklift in that space? We had a hard enough time with the pallet jack. So, if Helen is down in the warehouse, does that mean that Heather has to be all alone upstairs?? That's not good. She HAS to have a friend up there to chat with.
Dad, it sounds like you and I are doing similar work. I'm helping all of my recent converts (that are of the age/gender/etc.) to fill out mission papers. The first to go will be Festus next February, then Abraham that March, then Abada in April, and Alusine in May, and finally Ibrahim in June. It's kinda awesome to help my converts work on mission papers. Makes me remember the time when I did it for myself... Oh goodness, that was a long time ago! Can you believe that it's been over a year since I've opened my call letter??
Anyways, time to jet. I love you all so much!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Oh, if the atonement healed only sins, I'd be in trouble. There is so much here that is so far out of my control, and having the atonement makes it possible to overcome even the hardest challenges. I guess that's why the work is so light for me... I'm really depending on the Lord, so he takes the burden off of me. I can't believe I went my whole life before mission trying to bear all of my burdens alone. It was definitely foolish of me.
After being in Bo for eight months, there are of course new lessons and surprises, but since I've never even moved branches, they aren't many! Ha ha ha... Oh man, Njaie Town branch. If you had told me 8 months ago that I'd still be here at this time, I would have wept more bitterly than Paul. But now, I love it here. Things are fun, and there is no stress, because I have my focus on what matters the most. The branch is doing well, and the members are wonderful. I just wish you could come here and meet them. Splitting the branch is really hard work though. We've spent two days every week this transfer doing address location with the GPS gizmo. It's HARD, because we have to locate all of the 350 members on the directory, and GO TO THEIR HOUSES. That's where the work comes in. So, we've found 205 of them so far. The other 145, well, we're working on finding them. So many of them left after the war that they may not be able to be found again. It's a LOT of work!
Wow, a third of my mission is gone? Dang... It goes FAST. I don't really know where I've grown most, I just know that I've GROWN! I have a lot more confidence (nothing shatters your confidence like moving to a third world country in Africa) than I used to, and my love for the people have grown.
Today we played football (soccer) against New Barracks branch, and won! It was awesome. My companion scored two goals! He's pretty dang good. I invited two of my branch missionaries to come play for us, and they scored three of our goals! So glad I baptized them. It's totally paying off now! ;) The fact that I've been able to teach investigators through baptism and up to receiving the priesthood and callings in the church is pretty dang awesome. That's a definite blessing for staying in one place so long.
Here's something interesting that happened this week: One of our investigators died. Yeah, just died. We had only met with him three times, and it's been more than a month since he had transferred to the eastern province. I just found out yesterday. They say he was feeling cold right before he started vomiting blood. He then keeled over dead. Yeah, crazy. Well, I get the privilege of doing his temple work when I return! It's kind of an insane thing to happen. I don't worry about him though, because he was doing exceptionally well when we met with him before he transferred. It's just so...unusual!
Sounds like the business is doing very well! I'm happy to hear that. How do you manage to maneuver the forklift in that space? We had a hard enough time with the pallet jack. So, if Helen is down in the warehouse, does that mean that Heather has to be all alone upstairs?? That's not good. She HAS to have a friend up there to chat with.
Dad, it sounds like you and I are doing similar work. I'm helping all of my recent converts (that are of the age/gender/etc.) to fill out mission papers. The first to go will be Festus next February, then Abraham that March, then Abada in April, and Alusine in May, and finally Ibrahim in June. It's kinda awesome to help my converts work on mission papers. Makes me remember the time when I did it for myself... Oh goodness, that was a long time ago! Can you believe that it's been over a year since I've opened my call letter??
Anyways, time to jet. I love you all so much!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Monday, July 11, 2011
Playing Piano, Craving Salsa & a Baptism
So Mom, since you went to visit Hilary's mission, does that mean you'll come visit mine? ;-) Ha ha ha, oh dear, this place would simply blow you away. There is no way to comprehend this place unless you've spent time here. It's insane...
Mom, it's good to hear that you still have the skills at the piano! As for myself, I've gotten so much better since coming on mission! I take the keyboard home every week after sacrament (a rather arduous task, if I do say so myself) and practice all week when I get home from proselyting. It's really a blessing for us. My companion can play as well, and so can Elder Kenner, our district leader. We have a lot of fun playing together. I'm just grateful that my skill is increasing, rather than fading, in the absence of a piano. I can accompany about 20-25 hymns now, and I'm continually getting better! Before, I couldn't play any. My companion and I play in sacrament meetings for the branch because there is only one person in the branch who knows how to play it, and he travels a lot.
There aren't ALWAYS people in our path EVERY day who are prepared for the gospel. Sure, we have a few of those guided encounter conversions, but most of them are extremely gradual. I don't like "hanging out" during proselyting time, at all. I've seen the positive effects of "taking time" though. I think you remember me talking about my convert Festus. The coolest thing is watching the EXTREMELY gradual change that is coming over his mother, who is neither a member nor investigator. She shut down any initial attempts to teach her, but she has grown to love us (more particularly me, I'm sure. I've been here a LONG time!) as we pass by every day. She's designated a special plate for us elders that she puts food for every day. Before, she wouldn't so much as talk to us, but now she has assigned herself as my "Salone Mom" and loves chatting with us, including on gospel topics. We're just waiting for the right moment to start the real teaching. We know it will happen, but if we rush or force anything, it could ruin the foundation that we've built. We're obedient, work hard, and have a LOT of fun.
Speaking of a lot of fun, the fourth of July was awesome! We invited Elder Stott and Elder Barth over for a BBQ. The pictures are attached. One shows Elder Barth on the left, and his companion Elder Stott on the right. They come over almost ever P-Day for various enjoyments. Elder Stott was our grill man for the night, and he did a brilliant job. Another picture shows my ingenious setup, consisting of six and a half cement blocks, an overturned baking pan, a pot full of rocks and coal, and an overturned fan cover. We grilled 30,000le worth of BBQ chicken (that was about 12 HUGE pieces)(oh jeez it was good!) and enjoyed it with fried rice. It was wondrous.
The next picture is of the baptism we had for Sister Umu Makieu this past Saturday. It was an awesome service! It's been a long time coming for her conversion. We had taught her everything, but she had no interest in coming to church at all. She'd even run from us when we had set times to see her. One time as she ran, she hurt her shoulder, and decided that we were too persistent to give up, so she had better just listen to us next time we come. She was baptized a month from that time. She is CONVERTED. It's so exciting! Sure, we baptized only one person, but she is a PERSON, and that's what counts. She'll never fall away from the church. It was such an awesome baptism. Oh, and my companion is pictured on the right. We haven't snapped too many pictures yet...
Oh, so I thought of some thing to send me: SALSA. Oh man, I was craving salsa so bad the other day. We can make flour tortillas, and there are beans and stuff here, so we could make something truly wonderful. A bottle/jar of Pace would be so good... If you could send that, that'd be most wonderful. Thank you!
Thanks for all the information you sent about Malaria, Dad. Yeah, Malaria sucks like nothing, and what you described is pretty much what happened. One week, I felt pretty icky on P-day, and came down with a fever. I felt progressively better(but never totally well) through the week, but as it reached Monday the next week, I was DYING in the evening. I spent hours in the bathroom just DYING. I took two rounds of treatment, and I feel fine now. It's an experience I'll never want to go through again. Ugh, it was the sickest I've ever been in my life, far far far way!
This week is seemingly uneventful, with the exception of Umu's baptism. We spent two whole days doing address location for all of our members in the entire branch to prepare for the upcoming split. We have to find at least 300 of the 340 members on the directory. It's a LOT of walking, since some of our members are in villages on the outskirts of town (still in our area!!). We've done it for three days now, and found 140 of them, and need to find another 160, so our proselyting has suffered a little. It doesn't really matter though, because God knows what we're up to, and knows what our investigators need. It's just a busy time for us!
So I'm curious Dad, where do you and Mom want to serve your mission? When do you plan on going? I'm so excited for that day! (yeah, a long ways off, I know, but regardless!) I know you and Mom will be great missionaries. As for the work we do here, we seek for "the one," and not for numbers. Numbers = NOTHING. You'd love missionary work here (and anywhere else, I'm sure!). Are you wanting to go back to Texas? That'd be neat to go back to where you had served before.
Alright, time is short. I love you all!
Elder Vaughan
Mom, it's good to hear that you still have the skills at the piano! As for myself, I've gotten so much better since coming on mission! I take the keyboard home every week after sacrament (a rather arduous task, if I do say so myself) and practice all week when I get home from proselyting. It's really a blessing for us. My companion can play as well, and so can Elder Kenner, our district leader. We have a lot of fun playing together. I'm just grateful that my skill is increasing, rather than fading, in the absence of a piano. I can accompany about 20-25 hymns now, and I'm continually getting better! Before, I couldn't play any. My companion and I play in sacrament meetings for the branch because there is only one person in the branch who knows how to play it, and he travels a lot.
There aren't ALWAYS people in our path EVERY day who are prepared for the gospel. Sure, we have a few of those guided encounter conversions, but most of them are extremely gradual. I don't like "hanging out" during proselyting time, at all. I've seen the positive effects of "taking time" though. I think you remember me talking about my convert Festus. The coolest thing is watching the EXTREMELY gradual change that is coming over his mother, who is neither a member nor investigator. She shut down any initial attempts to teach her, but she has grown to love us (more particularly me, I'm sure. I've been here a LONG time!) as we pass by every day. She's designated a special plate for us elders that she puts food for every day. Before, she wouldn't so much as talk to us, but now she has assigned herself as my "Salone Mom" and loves chatting with us, including on gospel topics. We're just waiting for the right moment to start the real teaching. We know it will happen, but if we rush or force anything, it could ruin the foundation that we've built. We're obedient, work hard, and have a LOT of fun.
Speaking of a lot of fun, the fourth of July was awesome! We invited Elder Stott and Elder Barth over for a BBQ. The pictures are attached. One shows Elder Barth on the left, and his companion Elder Stott on the right. They come over almost ever P-Day for various enjoyments. Elder Stott was our grill man for the night, and he did a brilliant job. Another picture shows my ingenious setup, consisting of six and a half cement blocks, an overturned baking pan, a pot full of rocks and coal, and an overturned fan cover. We grilled 30,000le worth of BBQ chicken (that was about 12 HUGE pieces)(oh jeez it was good!) and enjoyed it with fried rice. It was wondrous.
The next picture is of the baptism we had for Sister Umu Makieu this past Saturday. It was an awesome service! It's been a long time coming for her conversion. We had taught her everything, but she had no interest in coming to church at all. She'd even run from us when we had set times to see her. One time as she ran, she hurt her shoulder, and decided that we were too persistent to give up, so she had better just listen to us next time we come. She was baptized a month from that time. She is CONVERTED. It's so exciting! Sure, we baptized only one person, but she is a PERSON, and that's what counts. She'll never fall away from the church. It was such an awesome baptism. Oh, and my companion is pictured on the right. We haven't snapped too many pictures yet...
Oh, so I thought of some thing to send me: SALSA. Oh man, I was craving salsa so bad the other day. We can make flour tortillas, and there are beans and stuff here, so we could make something truly wonderful. A bottle/jar of Pace would be so good... If you could send that, that'd be most wonderful. Thank you!
Thanks for all the information you sent about Malaria, Dad. Yeah, Malaria sucks like nothing, and what you described is pretty much what happened. One week, I felt pretty icky on P-day, and came down with a fever. I felt progressively better(but never totally well) through the week, but as it reached Monday the next week, I was DYING in the evening. I spent hours in the bathroom just DYING. I took two rounds of treatment, and I feel fine now. It's an experience I'll never want to go through again. Ugh, it was the sickest I've ever been in my life, far far far way!
This week is seemingly uneventful, with the exception of Umu's baptism. We spent two whole days doing address location for all of our members in the entire branch to prepare for the upcoming split. We have to find at least 300 of the 340 members on the directory. It's a LOT of walking, since some of our members are in villages on the outskirts of town (still in our area!!). We've done it for three days now, and found 140 of them, and need to find another 160, so our proselyting has suffered a little. It doesn't really matter though, because God knows what we're up to, and knows what our investigators need. It's just a busy time for us!
So I'm curious Dad, where do you and Mom want to serve your mission? When do you plan on going? I'm so excited for that day! (yeah, a long ways off, I know, but regardless!) I know you and Mom will be great missionaries. As for the work we do here, we seek for "the one," and not for numbers. Numbers = NOTHING. You'd love missionary work here (and anywhere else, I'm sure!). Are you wanting to go back to Texas? That'd be neat to go back to where you had served before.
Alright, time is short. I love you all!
Elder Vaughan
Monday, July 4, 2011
More on Malaria & Independence Day...Salone Style
They always tell me that Mom's have a sixth sense, but I didn't know that it worked inter-continentally! ;) Yeah, malaria was rough. Simply put, it makes you wish you were in the Spirit World. Ach, I pray to never get it again. It's horrid. As far as malaria goes, it's not very common for us missionaries anymore. In the past, there was a fair amount of disobedience regarding nets and taking the preventative doxy pills, so people got it a lot. For us now, we are strictly obedient, so it's a pretty rare thing now. The only time that we are vulnerable is when we are making our way home after dark through the swamps, or when we sit in our parlor or on the veranda in the evenings. So, it's pretty rare. I can even remember the bite that caused it. Ugh, it was so not fun. I couldn't move, or even sit up right. I was vomiting and diarrhea-ing for three days. HORRIBLE.
Treatment is to simply drink lots of re-hydration solution (salt/sugar water), sleep, and take meds. It takes three days to beat the major symptoms, and then a little more time to beat it out. Mine took a little longer because of how stubborn the pathogen was being. I had to take two rounds of treatment to finally kick it out. Now I'm just recovering from lost sleep. All in all, a month of illness and a great deal of experience gained.
Yes, training is a big responsibility and opportunity. I received a letter from President basically telling me that I'm responsible for Elder Esiaba's mission. If he becomes a successful, happy missionary, the credit is mine. If not, the failure is likewise mine. President says that the calling of trainer is the highest calling that a missionary can receive, and it's totally true. I'm not stressed about it though, because Mom taught me something: DO YOUR BEST. So, that's what I'll do! President Roggia follows the same philosophy, so I'm good to go! I'll just continue, working as hard as I can, and loving Elder Esiaba as best as I can, and God fills in the rest. I just let my upbeat, positive, fun-loving side dominate, and whatever happens, Elder Esiaba will love being here the rest of his mission. Training is a LOT of fun. I love it.
My companion is awesome. Elder Esiaba came pre-trained, for sure. He's an excellent teacher, and he knows Nigerian pidgin, which is basically the same as Krio. He makes training gloriously simple. He's smart, and very capable. We have a lot of fun together. He's just learning the routes and courses of things here, which is taking him very little time. Definitely a lot easier than having to train an American, I'd imagine. They start from the ground up with learning the way of life here, but as a Nigerian, Elder Esiaba comes from a more similar (but still much more different) lifestyle.
Training in this mission is a two-transfer thing. Well, it wasn't before, but it is now. So, that means I'll get to stay in Njaie Town a whopping 7 transfers. I feel so bad for Elder Bennion though. I see and talk with him frequently, and it sounds like Messima is pretty rough. He was so excited for the work here in Njaie Town, and I'm sorry that he had to be pulled away unexpectedly. I guess God knew, so it's all well at any rate.
Thanks for sending the new razor and clippers! I typically like using manual razors nowadays, but they can agitate my skin at times, so it might be a nice change. I managed to fix the camera. Turns out, it was the memory card. According to things I've been told, the card can get virus', but the camera itself can't. Elder Kenner told me that Elder Vogl had the same problem with his camera/card, and he was able to access it through a computer or different camera. I hope it's the same, because there are BOKU awesome pictures and videos. If I can get a chance today, I'll find a card reader and try putting the files on my thumb drive so that I can send the card home to you to enjoy. I know you'd love that. ;) If I can't copy the files, I won't risk sending it though. Hopefully that's understandable.
Oh, and thanks for sending a little extra money. I don't need a whole lot. It's really supposed to be for souvenirs and personal items, so I don't need too much I don't think. Using my subsistence funds alone to support me each month is a great opportunity to learn to budget. This month, I get to learn how to scrimp and save, as I accidentally miscalculated and misappropriated some of my subsistence money which was ultimately spent, leaving me in the red for a few days. It'll be a good chance to learn how to manage with what I have. Farewell enjoyment...
Oh boy, I miss the working at the warehouse BADLY. I was just telling Elder Kenner about it last night, and how I hope that Helen and Heather will be there when I get back. Heather is a ball of sunshine that always made my mornings brighter, even when all I wanted to do was sleep more. I look forward to those mornings again.
Wow, Sam is married! Cool. That's cool to see what they're doing with their lives. Ha ha ha, I'm not exactly idle myself... ;)
Oh, so this week I've set some rather far-sighted goals: First, I'm cutting some TV shows from my life when I get home. Namely Glee, Community, and the Office. I will not watch them as a return missionary. I will still enjoy the Glee soundtracks, but the shows have a decent bit of "poop in their brownie," so to speak. Secondly, I'm cutting some video games from my life. In fact, video games in general will be a very small part of my life. I'm vowing to not let myself be idle like I was before. Third, no more skate shoes and baggy jeans. Ugh, that's so high school. I'm not totally sure what I'll wear, but I want to look good, not like a slob. What kind of RM looks like a slob? Uh-uh, not going there again. Maybe some classy black and white Adidas or something, and nice jeans with a good belt. I can't believe how sloppy I let myself look. I'm disgusted with the mere APPEARANCE of my former self! Ha ha ha. I'll be a whole new me. :)
The one thing that is NOT changing is Warhammer. I love it, and it's edifying, so it's staying the way I left it. Well, I'll have to be a little less impulsive with my purchases. I have a list of things that I "want" written in the front of a notebook. When I get home, I will evaluate the list and eliminate everything that was just a fleeting desire and set goals to reach the rest. I'm so excited to be a whole new me at home! :)
Wow, Josh is leaving the house next month! Crimony. Mom, who is going to keep you company?? I'm almost sad for you, but I know that you'd be even more sad if we were still at home doing nothing... Have fun in your travels with Josh and Hil. I can't wait for our own trip back to MY mission. ;) Ha ha ha, unlikely, of course.
For the Fourth of July, we're having our fair share of celebration for ourselves today! We are going to have the New London Elders over (both Americans, Elder Stott and Elder Barth. They come over like every week, and we just have FUN), and we're having Salone-style BBQ and fireworks. When it's all said and done, the pictures will explain themselves. I look forward to it. I can't wait to show you how we're going to celebrate. It'll blow your mind. ;)
Love you all,
Elder Vaughan
Treatment is to simply drink lots of re-hydration solution (salt/sugar water), sleep, and take meds. It takes three days to beat the major symptoms, and then a little more time to beat it out. Mine took a little longer because of how stubborn the pathogen was being. I had to take two rounds of treatment to finally kick it out. Now I'm just recovering from lost sleep. All in all, a month of illness and a great deal of experience gained.
Yes, training is a big responsibility and opportunity. I received a letter from President basically telling me that I'm responsible for Elder Esiaba's mission. If he becomes a successful, happy missionary, the credit is mine. If not, the failure is likewise mine. President says that the calling of trainer is the highest calling that a missionary can receive, and it's totally true. I'm not stressed about it though, because Mom taught me something: DO YOUR BEST. So, that's what I'll do! President Roggia follows the same philosophy, so I'm good to go! I'll just continue, working as hard as I can, and loving Elder Esiaba as best as I can, and God fills in the rest. I just let my upbeat, positive, fun-loving side dominate, and whatever happens, Elder Esiaba will love being here the rest of his mission. Training is a LOT of fun. I love it.
My companion is awesome. Elder Esiaba came pre-trained, for sure. He's an excellent teacher, and he knows Nigerian pidgin, which is basically the same as Krio. He makes training gloriously simple. He's smart, and very capable. We have a lot of fun together. He's just learning the routes and courses of things here, which is taking him very little time. Definitely a lot easier than having to train an American, I'd imagine. They start from the ground up with learning the way of life here, but as a Nigerian, Elder Esiaba comes from a more similar (but still much more different) lifestyle.
Training in this mission is a two-transfer thing. Well, it wasn't before, but it is now. So, that means I'll get to stay in Njaie Town a whopping 7 transfers. I feel so bad for Elder Bennion though. I see and talk with him frequently, and it sounds like Messima is pretty rough. He was so excited for the work here in Njaie Town, and I'm sorry that he had to be pulled away unexpectedly. I guess God knew, so it's all well at any rate.
Thanks for sending the new razor and clippers! I typically like using manual razors nowadays, but they can agitate my skin at times, so it might be a nice change. I managed to fix the camera. Turns out, it was the memory card. According to things I've been told, the card can get virus', but the camera itself can't. Elder Kenner told me that Elder Vogl had the same problem with his camera/card, and he was able to access it through a computer or different camera. I hope it's the same, because there are BOKU awesome pictures and videos. If I can get a chance today, I'll find a card reader and try putting the files on my thumb drive so that I can send the card home to you to enjoy. I know you'd love that. ;) If I can't copy the files, I won't risk sending it though. Hopefully that's understandable.
Oh, and thanks for sending a little extra money. I don't need a whole lot. It's really supposed to be for souvenirs and personal items, so I don't need too much I don't think. Using my subsistence funds alone to support me each month is a great opportunity to learn to budget. This month, I get to learn how to scrimp and save, as I accidentally miscalculated and misappropriated some of my subsistence money which was ultimately spent, leaving me in the red for a few days. It'll be a good chance to learn how to manage with what I have. Farewell enjoyment...
Oh boy, I miss the working at the warehouse BADLY. I was just telling Elder Kenner about it last night, and how I hope that Helen and Heather will be there when I get back. Heather is a ball of sunshine that always made my mornings brighter, even when all I wanted to do was sleep more. I look forward to those mornings again.
Wow, Sam is married! Cool. That's cool to see what they're doing with their lives. Ha ha ha, I'm not exactly idle myself... ;)
Oh, so this week I've set some rather far-sighted goals: First, I'm cutting some TV shows from my life when I get home. Namely Glee, Community, and the Office. I will not watch them as a return missionary. I will still enjoy the Glee soundtracks, but the shows have a decent bit of "poop in their brownie," so to speak. Secondly, I'm cutting some video games from my life. In fact, video games in general will be a very small part of my life. I'm vowing to not let myself be idle like I was before. Third, no more skate shoes and baggy jeans. Ugh, that's so high school. I'm not totally sure what I'll wear, but I want to look good, not like a slob. What kind of RM looks like a slob? Uh-uh, not going there again. Maybe some classy black and white Adidas or something, and nice jeans with a good belt. I can't believe how sloppy I let myself look. I'm disgusted with the mere APPEARANCE of my former self! Ha ha ha. I'll be a whole new me. :)
The one thing that is NOT changing is Warhammer. I love it, and it's edifying, so it's staying the way I left it. Well, I'll have to be a little less impulsive with my purchases. I have a list of things that I "want" written in the front of a notebook. When I get home, I will evaluate the list and eliminate everything that was just a fleeting desire and set goals to reach the rest. I'm so excited to be a whole new me at home! :)
Wow, Josh is leaving the house next month! Crimony. Mom, who is going to keep you company?? I'm almost sad for you, but I know that you'd be even more sad if we were still at home doing nothing... Have fun in your travels with Josh and Hil. I can't wait for our own trip back to MY mission. ;) Ha ha ha, unlikely, of course.
For the Fourth of July, we're having our fair share of celebration for ourselves today! We are going to have the New London Elders over (both Americans, Elder Stott and Elder Barth. They come over like every week, and we just have FUN), and we're having Salone-style BBQ and fireworks. When it's all said and done, the pictures will explain themselves. I look forward to it. I can't wait to show you how we're going to celebrate. It'll blow your mind. ;)
Love you all,
Elder Vaughan
Monday, June 27, 2011
Survived Malaria & Training a Nigerian
Well, I gave myself a haircut today, and my clippers broke. I tried fixing it, and it just broke more. Ugh! I'm so ticked! So, you don't necessarily need to send another, but... Gosh, I'm just mad about that. I know things aren't cheap, and to send them to me isn't cheap either. I can survive if you don't send another. But, if you do, you can send a plug-in one if it's cheaper. Second (and this is the one that scares me), my camera might be busted. I'm still trying to figure out what's wrong. It just won't turn on, but it's all charged. When I plug it into the computer, it identifies that a camera is plugged in, but it doesn't appear anywhere or allow me to take any action with it. I tried fiddling with the battery, and I don't think that's it. The only thing left to try is the memory card, which I'll test when I get home. I'll be so crushed if all of my videos and pictures were lost. Oh, that would break my heart. So, I don't know what to do about that yet. I might be able to buy one here if I had to, but we can wait a week on it. UGH!! Text doesn't adequately express my frustration. This camera is so nice.
Also, envelopes are a bad idea to send me. They seal themselves in the humidity. I used the ones I received just fine, but just know that they are affordable and I can find them here. I could use some more razors though, because nice ones are expensive like nothing and mine are all gone. I think that's all... Thanks!
So, on to other things. Guess where I'm not? Messima. Guess where I am? Njaie Town. One investigator in the branch decided to use her agency poorly and tell Elder Bennion that she was in love with him. Well, when that happens, we have two choices: Cut off all contact with the person, or transfer. Elder Bennion opted to transfer so that I can continue to teach her because she is doing extremely well, and wants to be baptized. If we cut off contact, it means that she likely would never have that chance in this branch. So, Elder Bennion made the noble leap of faith and went to Messima in my place, and now I'm training a new missionary in his place.
This means that I will have stayed in this branch longer than any missionary who has ever served here. Training in this mission is typically a 3 month process, so that means I'll be here another two transfers. Crazy, eh? I don't mind, because this is the sweetest branch in Bo. Training is a lot of fun. My companion is Elder Esiaba from Nigeria, and he's powerful. He makes training really easy, because he's talented and smart. He already knows a Nigerian pigeon language that's very similar to Krio, so I don't have to worry about helping him with that too much, and he's very familiar with West African life (obviously) so I don't have to help him with culture shock too much.
I would love to take and send some pictures, but that could be quite some time in the future. Yeah, not much else to say about that, because he only recently came on Thursday, but things are going very well, and training is a piece of pie right now. Oh, I miss pie. If you could somehow send me one, that would be the best thing ever. ;)
Oh yeah, I also had a small case of Malaria last week. Uh, fate worse than death, let me tell you. I spent four days wanting to just die. Plenty of vomiting, diarrhea, migraine headaches, and other unpleasant symptoms. I finished my last dosage of treatment two nights ago, and I feel pretty much fine now. Malaria is ROUGH. Looking back, it was a good experience to help me relate to the early saints who were dying of the disease in Nauvoo. Oh man, when you get sick with it, you really are dying. You can't do ANYTHING besides suffer. I'm still trying to figure out how I got it, because I sleep under my net every night, I take doxy, so it could very well be just because I live in Africa. It's a fact of life here. But yeah, don't worry about it, because I'm being obedient, and the Lord is watching over me.
I finally got to see Elder Priddis again this week! I can't even tell you how excited I was. He was just as excited to see me. It was just so... neat. He left me after serving in Njaie Town for 5 transfers, and he left to Liberia and then Freetown for a total of 6 months before seeing me again. When he saw me, I had been serving as long as he had in the branch, and I myself am training. It was such a cool moment to see him again to be able to discuss the branch, and how things are going. Elder Priddis told me he dreams about this branch every night. Ha ha ha, oh Njaie Town. He served here longer than anywhere else, so that's pretty natural. I wonder if my extended service here in this branch will screw up my perceptions of other branches I have to serve in in the future. I guess that remains to be seen.
We received 4 new missionaries to this zone, so half of the preexisting elders are training. Elder Stott is training an American, and he's the first green American I've seen since arriving in Sierra Leone! It was so weird. It really shows you how far you go in such a short time on mission. Those two will be coming over for some monopoly and cake this afternoon, so I look forward to it.
Dad, it's good to hear about things in the Armar Branch back home. I miss the branch like crazy. I'm so proud of Nino for serving a mission. It truly is the greatest time of a young man's life. When it comes time to return home, I'll be so heartbroken.
Dad, it's interesting that you mention of being kind as a missionary. Sometimes there are those who are not as kind as they should be. I mean, they're not really a problem, but they can be unfriendly at times. It's kind of sad, because as a servant of the Lord, a person ought not to be so. I do my best to be as perky and happy and loving as possible, and it makes my relationships with everyone here meaningful and positive. I have yet to meet a missionary that I've had a disagreement with. It's a lot of fun to be here with these people.
Please enjoy your summer!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Also, envelopes are a bad idea to send me. They seal themselves in the humidity. I used the ones I received just fine, but just know that they are affordable and I can find them here. I could use some more razors though, because nice ones are expensive like nothing and mine are all gone. I think that's all... Thanks!
So, on to other things. Guess where I'm not? Messima. Guess where I am? Njaie Town. One investigator in the branch decided to use her agency poorly and tell Elder Bennion that she was in love with him. Well, when that happens, we have two choices: Cut off all contact with the person, or transfer. Elder Bennion opted to transfer so that I can continue to teach her because she is doing extremely well, and wants to be baptized. If we cut off contact, it means that she likely would never have that chance in this branch. So, Elder Bennion made the noble leap of faith and went to Messima in my place, and now I'm training a new missionary in his place.
This means that I will have stayed in this branch longer than any missionary who has ever served here. Training in this mission is typically a 3 month process, so that means I'll be here another two transfers. Crazy, eh? I don't mind, because this is the sweetest branch in Bo. Training is a lot of fun. My companion is Elder Esiaba from Nigeria, and he's powerful. He makes training really easy, because he's talented and smart. He already knows a Nigerian pigeon language that's very similar to Krio, so I don't have to worry about helping him with that too much, and he's very familiar with West African life (obviously) so I don't have to help him with culture shock too much.
I would love to take and send some pictures, but that could be quite some time in the future. Yeah, not much else to say about that, because he only recently came on Thursday, but things are going very well, and training is a piece of pie right now. Oh, I miss pie. If you could somehow send me one, that would be the best thing ever. ;)
Oh yeah, I also had a small case of Malaria last week. Uh, fate worse than death, let me tell you. I spent four days wanting to just die. Plenty of vomiting, diarrhea, migraine headaches, and other unpleasant symptoms. I finished my last dosage of treatment two nights ago, and I feel pretty much fine now. Malaria is ROUGH. Looking back, it was a good experience to help me relate to the early saints who were dying of the disease in Nauvoo. Oh man, when you get sick with it, you really are dying. You can't do ANYTHING besides suffer. I'm still trying to figure out how I got it, because I sleep under my net every night, I take doxy, so it could very well be just because I live in Africa. It's a fact of life here. But yeah, don't worry about it, because I'm being obedient, and the Lord is watching over me.
I finally got to see Elder Priddis again this week! I can't even tell you how excited I was. He was just as excited to see me. It was just so... neat. He left me after serving in Njaie Town for 5 transfers, and he left to Liberia and then Freetown for a total of 6 months before seeing me again. When he saw me, I had been serving as long as he had in the branch, and I myself am training. It was such a cool moment to see him again to be able to discuss the branch, and how things are going. Elder Priddis told me he dreams about this branch every night. Ha ha ha, oh Njaie Town. He served here longer than anywhere else, so that's pretty natural. I wonder if my extended service here in this branch will screw up my perceptions of other branches I have to serve in in the future. I guess that remains to be seen.
We received 4 new missionaries to this zone, so half of the preexisting elders are training. Elder Stott is training an American, and he's the first green American I've seen since arriving in Sierra Leone! It was so weird. It really shows you how far you go in such a short time on mission. Those two will be coming over for some monopoly and cake this afternoon, so I look forward to it.
Dad, it's good to hear about things in the Armar Branch back home. I miss the branch like crazy. I'm so proud of Nino for serving a mission. It truly is the greatest time of a young man's life. When it comes time to return home, I'll be so heartbroken.
Dad, it's interesting that you mention of being kind as a missionary. Sometimes there are those who are not as kind as they should be. I mean, they're not really a problem, but they can be unfriendly at times. It's kind of sad, because as a servant of the Lord, a person ought not to be so. I do my best to be as perky and happy and loving as possible, and it makes my relationships with everyone here meaningful and positive. I have yet to meet a missionary that I've had a disagreement with. It's a lot of fun to be here with these people.
Please enjoy your summer!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Monday, June 20, 2011
Heading to a Dudgeon, a Baptism & a Hooded Cobra
First of all, transfer news: I'm being transferred. Huh. Sometime this week, most likely tomorrow morning, I'll be moving to the Sewa Road apartment here in Bo to be the senior companion in Messima branch. My companion is a branch missionary by the name of "Bro". Salami (not sure on spelling. I've only seen him like twice). It's kinda scary, I won't lie. Bro. Salami has been in the area for only a week with his senior companion, Elder Wood, so, I get to learn an area AND be senior companion to a branch missionary. This is NOT going to be easy. I've always dreaded having a branch missionary companion, just because they have a lot less practice and experience than even a greenie from the MTC. I'm pretty nervous, but looking forward to it.
I'll likely stay in Messima branch for at least three transfers. Chances have it that I will train after the next transfer, meaning I'll have to stay for a third transfer after that. Eh Bo... Things here are crazy. I'll get to stay in Bo FOREVER.
Now, about the Sewa Road apartment: It's a DUNGEON. I'm not too excited to live there, even though their freezer works. That's something that they have that we don't. That, and a compound with a wall. So, we'll see. Elder Allred will also be transferring there at the same time, so it'll be neat to live with him again. I'm certainly not the same person I was in my first transfer. I'll also be with Elders Opuene and Dogbatse, and Elder Allred will be training. Not to jump to conclusions, but I can't see how this district could be better than (or even close to) the district I enjoyed this past transfer.
Ugh... I'm going to miss Elders Bennion, Svongwa, and Kenner. The good part though is that both Elders Kenner and Bennion are training, which means that all three of us will be in the zone for at least the next two transfers. Elder Svongwa, however, is going to Liberia with all the other Zimbabweans. Good luck with that...
Wow, high school graduation already! I graduated a YEAR AGO!! I can't even believe it. Congrats Josh! That's so cool. I'm so jealous of the fun he gets to have in college. I can't even describe how excited I am to go to college!
Wow, things sound crazy at home! Aunt Dawna and Aunt Val are pregnant?? Wow! That's awesome! I'm so excited for them! And Jessica is planning on serving a mission? Jeez, stuff is happening while I'm away! I can't believe Dad cut down the willow tree... That makes me VERY sad. :(
So, cool stuff that happened: First, we had a baptism on Saturday! Sorry, no pics this week. I took some, but totally forgot the cord for the camera. We worked for six weeks solid for this one baptism, and it was totally worth it. He's a new member of my beloved "Reservation Gang." My "Gang" is comprised of the converts within the Reservation quarters here, and they are powerfully awesome. I'm going to miss them a lot. It was a really awesome milestone for me to see four of them ordained to the Melchizidek priesthood on Sunday, and another confirmed. It was an eye-opener as to how successful I've really been. Sometimes, it doesn't feel that way, but on Sunday, I was well-pleased with myself.
I SAW A HOODED COBRA LAST TUESDAY!!! It was HUGE!! We were on bikes to Reservation (which is pretty bush), and it crossed the road and struck at a bug flying in the air. It's hood came out and everything! It was SICK. I was telling some natives about it, and they just cringe. They HATE snakes. I also heard that there are spitting cobras here. Hmm... Not safe. Ha ha ha. ;) I love this place.
Another recent convert gave us six yards of sugar cane to enjoy this week. It was SWEET! If you've never had it before, it's like chewing a very watery and sweet stick. Mmmm. We bought it for 1500le, which is about 36 cents. Yay! Oh this place is awesome.
Well, I don't have so much time right now. I'm busy busy busy! I love you so much! Best of luck in all that you do!
Elder Vaughan
I'll likely stay in Messima branch for at least three transfers. Chances have it that I will train after the next transfer, meaning I'll have to stay for a third transfer after that. Eh Bo... Things here are crazy. I'll get to stay in Bo FOREVER.
Now, about the Sewa Road apartment: It's a DUNGEON. I'm not too excited to live there, even though their freezer works. That's something that they have that we don't. That, and a compound with a wall. So, we'll see. Elder Allred will also be transferring there at the same time, so it'll be neat to live with him again. I'm certainly not the same person I was in my first transfer. I'll also be with Elders Opuene and Dogbatse, and Elder Allred will be training. Not to jump to conclusions, but I can't see how this district could be better than (or even close to) the district I enjoyed this past transfer.
Ugh... I'm going to miss Elders Bennion, Svongwa, and Kenner. The good part though is that both Elders Kenner and Bennion are training, which means that all three of us will be in the zone for at least the next two transfers. Elder Svongwa, however, is going to Liberia with all the other Zimbabweans. Good luck with that...
Wow, high school graduation already! I graduated a YEAR AGO!! I can't even believe it. Congrats Josh! That's so cool. I'm so jealous of the fun he gets to have in college. I can't even describe how excited I am to go to college!
Wow, things sound crazy at home! Aunt Dawna and Aunt Val are pregnant?? Wow! That's awesome! I'm so excited for them! And Jessica is planning on serving a mission? Jeez, stuff is happening while I'm away! I can't believe Dad cut down the willow tree... That makes me VERY sad. :(
So, cool stuff that happened: First, we had a baptism on Saturday! Sorry, no pics this week. I took some, but totally forgot the cord for the camera. We worked for six weeks solid for this one baptism, and it was totally worth it. He's a new member of my beloved "Reservation Gang." My "Gang" is comprised of the converts within the Reservation quarters here, and they are powerfully awesome. I'm going to miss them a lot. It was a really awesome milestone for me to see four of them ordained to the Melchizidek priesthood on Sunday, and another confirmed. It was an eye-opener as to how successful I've really been. Sometimes, it doesn't feel that way, but on Sunday, I was well-pleased with myself.
I SAW A HOODED COBRA LAST TUESDAY!!! It was HUGE!! We were on bikes to Reservation (which is pretty bush), and it crossed the road and struck at a bug flying in the air. It's hood came out and everything! It was SICK. I was telling some natives about it, and they just cringe. They HATE snakes. I also heard that there are spitting cobras here. Hmm... Not safe. Ha ha ha. ;) I love this place.
Another recent convert gave us six yards of sugar cane to enjoy this week. It was SWEET! If you've never had it before, it's like chewing a very watery and sweet stick. Mmmm. We bought it for 1500le, which is about 36 cents. Yay! Oh this place is awesome.
Well, I don't have so much time right now. I'm busy busy busy! I love you so much! Best of luck in all that you do!
Elder Vaughan
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