Farewell to Freetown, Jungle Roads & Sweet L-I-B

So, while I was still in Wellington, they brought my replacement, who was indeed my dear friend and former companion Elder Bennion. We had a sweet couple of days working together as I awaited the day I traveled to Liberia. It was nice because I was able to get him acquainted with both the area and area book, his companion Bro. Kargbo, and pretty much everything else about life there. He had served in Wellington 2nd branch at the beginning of his mission, so he's already pretty familiar with the scenery.

Friday was the day I was anxiously awaiting: Heading to Liberia! Friday was nice. Bro. Markus the mission driver came and picked me up at the Wellington apartment near noon last friday. I was traveling with Elders Obinna, Coffie, and Iyieuware (yeah, the last name is insane. Pronounced "you-are-eh"). We arrived in Kenema in the evening to stay the night around 8pm after passing through Bo to drop off some few things. I got to see my old apartment on Bo #2 5th Street. Yeah, that was crazy. It was interesting to have all of the old memories flood back into my mind of the place I once called home.

When we reached Kenema, we were starving, so Markus took us to the Capitol Hotel for the crappiest and most expensive casava leaf I've ever had. However, we were filled, so I was okay.



The next day we woke early, around 6 am to start our journey again. It was amazing to listen to the stories that Bro. Markus told us about his time as a soldier in the Sierra Leone civil war. He was a true hero at that time. I was so inspired by him and his example of how to be satisfied in life. His life isn't that extravagant, and his job isn't very glorious, but he's perfectly happy because he has time for church and for his family. I'm grateful for the wisdom I gained from listening to him.

The road to Liberia, however, is 86 miles of horridness. I've never hated traveling so much in my life. It took us about six hours in the Ford Everest to reach the border. The dirt road is composed of themost turbulent array of muds, stones, and who knows what else. It seriously looked like a motocross arena. It was terrible. I was in the back seat, so I spent the whole time fighting car sickness. Poor Elder Obinna lost his own battle and threw up all over the jungle (which was staggeringly beautiful by the way. We got to drive through the Kola National Forest Reserve, which was awesome. It's a HUGE JUNGLE! Sweet.

Needless to say, I was grateful to arrive in Monrovia. This place is like a third world America. I'm struggling to find a way to describe this place. Well, I live the high life, compared to other Elders around here. We live smack in the middle of town, which is very nicely made and paved. We have dozens of super nice super markets here in town where you can get almost anything you can care to think of! Problem of course is the price. This country uses two currencies: The USD, and Liberian Dollar ("Liberty"). $1USD=$70-73LD. We don't use coins here. I dunno, just a few differences.

We have elecricity, which is a definite perk. We also have running water in the compound, which is a rather nice change. Hmph! Freetown? Forget about it. There is no running water there. I'm really liking this place. I had my first Dr. Pepper in 13 months. Yeah, sweet.

As far as my calling as office Elder goes, there's not much to it. Mostly scanning and emailing baptismal records. It's not bad. I like the office work because it gives me a little chance to change things up every once in a while. I can get pretty discontent with routine. I'm amazed to this day that I survived Njaie Town for so long. As of right now, I'm enjoying sweet air conditioning in my office and an amazing computer all to myself for free. Yeah, the labor of office elder has some definite perks. Our office is in the Sinkor district center, so we get to come to the church all the time. This place is really nice, and the church has done really well here. I'm happy about that!

My companion is amazing. He really knows his stuff, is a humble guy, and works his tail off. He certainly keeps me on my toes! It's great. He's from Texas, has been on mission for 2 transfers now, and is just excellent. I'm really enjoying being with him. After being with a branch missionary for so long, it sure is sweet to be with a legit Elder again. I'm really loving this place.

Yesterday and the day before was our Christmas conference, hence why I'm emailing today, rather than Monday. We had loads of fun, played games, all that jazz. We watched Megamind again, which was just as good the second time, and A Christmas Carol starring Jim Carrey. The food was so good too! I had my first turkey and cheese sandwhich in I don't know how long! Then I had a legit CHEESEBURGER! Man, I can see why everyone calls this place "Sweet L.I.B."! We're enjoying like crazy. I got to see some old friends like Elders Svongwa, Tims, and Appleby. All in all, I really had a great time.

As far as the people go, I don't know too much yet. I've only taught like 5 lessons since I've arrived because of the conferences and things. I do know, however, that these people speak the worst English I've ever heard. You can't even excuse it by saying it's a different language. It sounds like English from the deep south gone horribly wrong. I'm doing my best to keep up with it. They call it "coloqua." It's not a written language, so I can't really send any examples. They basically cut off the last syllable of any word they speak. It's bad. I'll try to give you some samples on the phone when we talk at Christmas. ;)

Alrighty, everyone, I love you! Have a wonderful week! can't wait to hear from you! :)

Love,

Elder Vaughan

Transferring to Monrovia, Liberia!

First: Congrats on the Armar Branch becoming a Ward! It's a great blessing indeed. The people here are anxiously awaiting the day that there can be a ward in their COUNTRY, let alone one they can attend. Many of us speculate that that is why Elder Holland is coming: To organize the first stake. But, we don't know! Time will tell.

Second: Congrats with cyber monday! I can't wait to come back to join the team. I really do miss it a lot. It felt kind of like a working family (it DID help that the family also works there! ;) ) Sounds like you did BOKU past 1,000 orders last week alone! That's so cool! The way it sounds, the new warehouse isn't going to do for the business for much longer!

Okay, so I have a little to talk about today: Last night was transfer news, and I'm being transferred to Sinkor branch in Monrovia Liberia! I'll be serving as an office elder for the whole of Liberia. I don't really know what all of that entails, but it'll be sweet. I'm going to an Elder Liufau, who is an American Samoan. From what I've heard, he's never actually been to Samoa, so he's basically an American. Elder Liufau has been on mission a little over three months now, so I'm still senior companion. Isn't THAT fun?

I already knew I was transferring mid-week last week when I received news from the Assistants on Wednesday that ANOTHER branch missionary was coming to me starting the very next day. I thought it was very odd, considering that Bro. Sanu was going to stay until Sunday evening. If they wanted me to be with a branch missionary again, they could have just waited til today or tomorrow to send him! I spent the night pondering the reason and concluded the following morning that it was because I was surely being transferred, thus giving Bro. Kargbo a chance to learn the area a little before I go. Sure enough, it's what happened! I'm pretty dang excited to go. That place is basically another mission! Funny enough, it's Elder Bennion that's coming to
replace me! I think it's where he'll finish his mission, since he's going back in April.

Training pre-mies (Pre-Missionaries) is NOT EASY! They typically have ZERO experience teaching, so it's obviously a challenge for that reason. I do my best to help them prepare for their own missions. I've learned a lot here in Wellington about dealing with people that you may not get along with. I just do my best, and go forward with a smile! There's not a whole lot else you can do.

Elder Kenner left us today. All that needs to be said about that is that it's sad. After 9 months of living with him. I'll miss him a lot, but he's returning after a faithful 2 years, so I'm happy for
him.

Okay, time don don. Next time you hear from me, it'll be from Monrovia! Woo hoo!!! A new life awaits! And OH!! I get to live with my pikin Elder Esiaba again! I'm WAY excited for that! I think I'm leaving Freetown on Friday, I'll get there Saturday. You can change my "current city" status on Facebook, eh? ;) Ha ha ha!!

Okay, love you lots! Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Vaughan

Early Christmas, a New Tee Shirt & Chastisement

Did I receive Aunt Becky's packages? YES I DID!! I've been trying to remember for weeks to let you know, but it just slips my mind. And what a sweet package it was! You have no idea how nice it is to get decent quality toiletries through the mail, especially deodorant and toothbrushes!

What's more, guess which other package I got? Your Christmas one!

Woo hoo! It took like 11 days to get here. Isn't that awesome?? Sis Roggia was praising your wisdom in listing the contents on the shipping manifest. You have no idea how many people try to send boxes that say value of $100-$200 on them, and then find out that they can only be received through bribe. It's ridiculous. Be grateful for UPS.

The contents of the package were wonderful! While it is ordinarily expected that one should wait for Christmas to open Christmas presents, I'll be honest and say that I didn't wait. I hope you can understand. ;) I felt something roughly speaker-shaped in one, and something roughly SD card shaped in the other. THANKS SO MUCH! It came in handy on Saturday when the landlord surprised us by remodeling our kitchen. We had to stay at home ALL DAY LONG. That was a little crappy, but having general conference audio and new inspirational musics helped SO MUCH!

Without the other speakers, my musical listening would have ended after couple short hours. Wearing the Star Wars shirt just feels amazing too. ;) It's the only shirt I've worn all week (when not wearing my white shirt and tie)! I wash it in the morning so that it's dry in the evening. I might love it just a little TOO much. THANK YOU!!

I'm outstandingly jealous that you got to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert!! That's the kind of music that I loved so much at home! The other bands I listened to were the same style, just of the non-Christmas variety. Uh, I'd LOVE to go see them! I even have some on my first memory card, but when I was putting music on it, I was just watching for Christmas-y things. I wasn't sifting the METAL Christmas out, so I have it! However, the Spirit says I shouldn't listen to it till I get home. No problem, I'll just go enjoy with you!

Woo hoo!! Cyber Monday! I'm glad to hear that it's busier than ever at work Dad! Can't wait to get the final numbers. It's so sweet!

I'm excited like nothing to find out where Josh is going on his mission (when that time comes)! I'm praying for Africa. Heck, even Sierra Leone! If I got to train him, I'd be the happiest man on earth! We would be Elders Vaughan! Or, Elders Vog-han, Vogue, or whatever these people call me.

Well, not a whole lot to say about this week. Things can be hard at times. I have a lot of teaching opportunities with my companion, which are very important. This is our last week together, so I look forward to making the most of it. He's so excited to serve, and for all of the right reasons. Even I didn't have all of the right reasons to want to serve, but I discovered them as I came.

It feels like there hasn't been a whole lot of stuff going on for us this week... Partly because of the odd jobs we had to do this week, like watching the apartment while the kitchen was being redone, zone meeting, a temple recommend interview for my companion, things like that. It feels like most of our week was eaten, and I hate that. Zone meeting was interesting though. Elder Kotey, one of the zone leaders, took an hour to chasten the zone for some different items of disobedience. With as many new missionaries as we have here (oh, HALF THE ZONE!!), there is a LOT of broken rules regarding communication with girlfriends. It's a little sad, and a little pathetic. I'm grateful that I didn't have to worry about that at all. I'm not concerned for them though, they'll figure it out, Most of them do.

Well, today I'll be putting together your christmas presents! It's something small, but I think you'll like it anyhow. As you know, I can't really send anything. Sorry for the not-so-interesting email. It's just missionary work as usual! Next week will be transfer updates, so stay tuned! ;)

Love you all! Have a wonderful week!

Elder Vaughan

Stolen Items, Amulek is my Companion & Hugs for Mom

Today I laughed a LOT. Josh e-mailed me his usual antics, and Mom's email about being duct taped to a wall for charity was certainly a funny one! That's such a cool idea to raise money! I'm so glad that you like being the "cool mom." It makes my life a lot better.

YOU FOUND MY STASH?? I shouldn't have been so foolish to think it wouldn't be found, hidden in my Warhammer Tank. Well, it wasn't intended to be effective. It was really a last-minute idea to hide away some last things I was holding on to the night before I left, one year ago. If I remember right, my headphones were in there too. I also tried to stuff my ipod in there, but upon discovering that it wouldn't fit, I gave up. In my haste to just get it put away, I just decided to give it to Jesse. Does he still use it? I'm definitely going to be needing an ipod of any variety when I get home. Man, and I need that $35 I stashed in there too.

We're celebrating Thanksgiving big-time!! We've enlisted the help of our dear Antie Chris to roast for us FOUR WHOLE CHICKENS!! Yeah, one for each of us. No worries, Thursday will be just as good for us as it will for you (minus, of course, the company of dear friends and family). We really shelled out for it, but it's no problem. We all want to enjoy.

I am getting a little irritated with some of my things going missing. Two weeks ago, my Sierra Leone football jersey was stolen, and today my sweet graphic tee that I had also bought was stolen. Driving me a little nuts. What can I do? I'm not stupid when it comes to keeping things safe. They just disappear. *Sigh*. There ARE a few things I won't miss about this place.

Dad, you asked if I think that my companion is like Amulek in the Book of Mormon? Uh, YES! He got a call from the Mission Prez (i.e. The Lord) to serve to someone who was coming to his house who was the Lord's messenger. Am I not then Alma? Ha ha ha, yeah, it's a little bit of a stretch, but you're right! I love my Amulek companion... He's my best friend! We just have fun every day, and baptize people like crazy!

The work it so much fun. This week we had a sweet baptism of Sis. Susan Sulaiman. It was wonderful. She's your same height, so baptizing her was super easy. As soon as she bent her knees, she was already under the water! This transfer we've had a steady baptism every week. It's so sweet! It's the kind of momentum I like. Rather than one every transfer, we have one every week! It's just awesome. I think by this time I've baptized 40 people (numbers matter not, but I know there are some at home who want to know). It's BOKU!

This week we received some great news: Elder Curtis of the Area Presidency is coming in January!! Woohoo!!! More exciting than that though is this: Elder Snow of the Presidency of the Seventy is coming here with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Twelve Apostles!!!!!!!!!! They'll be coming in February. It's kind of a big deal since it's the first time an apostle has come here since Elder Scott dedicated the land years ago. Am I excited? YES YES YES YES YES!!!

Anyways, that's the week! I love you so much Mom! Watching Bro. Sanu hug his mom every day at the end of proselyting isn't very easy to watch. Worry not, the next year will be over oh so very quickly! (Not that I necessarily WANT it to, but, when my time is over, it is indeed time to go home and hug my Mom. ;-) )

Love you!

Elder Vaughan

Sinkers, Floaters & Submarines

So, regarding that money you sent me, it's pretty much finished. I bought some NICE slacks (2 pair..it was getting needed. One of mine was spoiled with bleach. I was mad about that.), a few more sweet Jatala ties (I'm sure you'll be seeing them in pictures), a new belt (Nigerian one. So cool!), a new pair of shoes, and a bunch of souvenir-ey-esque things. Most of those things you'll just have to wait to see. ;) You don't have to worry about money for me again for a while. Maybe I'll want in my last 6 months, but I'll keep you updated.

Man, this keyboard is killing me. I think things will be a little more concise this week. Sorry, ya?

Work is going good. Jeez, this past week is just a blur in my mind when I try to recall something specific... We worked! Uh... Well, okay, here's what I've been thinking about this week:

Recent converts. As I've been in the area long enough to HAVE some, I've watched what can happen. We have three kinds: Sinkers, floaters, and submarines. I kinda thought of this parable as I was soaking beans to make refried beans today (burritos, anyone? I'm WAY excited!). Lets say that the water is like life with the gospel. While they all initially do some degree of floating, some sink straight away. Others are kinda in between. Others once again (note how few they are) are simply "floaters", and are content with floating.

Putting it in real-life now: We put these people into water (hint: Baptism), and some of them thereafter sink straight away. Those are so FRUSTRATING! They look like the rest of the beans that we're soaking, but they sink so readily. Others are excited about the church for a time, but as different circumstances enter their lives, they sink, and on occasion, bob back to the surface for a time. Those are the "in-betweens". And then, the floaters: The converts that make like SO easy! They baptize, and then bring many others to baptism. I don't have to think or worry about them again, because regardless of how turbulent the waters are, they float. I, unfortunately, as the Lord's great bean-soaker, have to spend much of my time helping those otherwise helpless sinkers to float.

Anyways, that was a little random, but it's what I've been thinking about.

Sorry about my short letter in return. This keyboard is stressing me out. Be watching the mail. In about a month's time, your Christmas presents should arrive.

Love you lots!

Elder Vaughan

Roots and Branches, Burgers and Fries & Cutting the Strings

The leadership conference with President Dickson this week was pretty sweet. We received instruction from him and the Ghana Accra temple president. Unfortunately, as I found out later, the reason for their visit wasn't such a good one. At the same time, I'm not so much at liberty to share what it is, but know that it was pretty discouraging. Let some weeks pass and maybe I'll be able to share. It's been on my mind a lot. But yeah, the training was sweet.

They introduced a couple ideas about teaching investigators. The main focus is making sure that "the branches grow at the same rate as the roots", which, unfortunately, doesn't happen often. We baptize and baptize 'til we have prune fingers, and then spend months and months reactivating.

So, yeah, the great and frustrating dilemma of this mission. You'd think that it would be remedied by ensuring conversion BEFORE baptism, but it really doesn't. People can seem very converted, and then a week later they are back in their old ways. It's annoying like nothing else, I tell you.

Uh, being with Elder Moss this week was insanely fun. That man is funny, and he and I (and Elder Wood) are in the same situation that we are aiming to follow in our father's footsteps regarding careers. His dad is a successful mechanic, and he wants to take it up after his father. Well, that's what I wanna do for my dad! ;)

We had a blast that day. He and I are heavily pressured as trainers and District Leaders (him more so, considering the stubbornness of his district!), and so it was super refreshing to be with someone that I could see eye-to-eye with. Then we had a burger and fries at a place called DeMoses. Obviously not American, but not bad at all. It was sweet. I really love that guy. He's such a great guy.

Yeah, we all laughed about Elder Stuart getting a hug from a debul. Those things are just so strange... They are supposed to be intimidating, but some of them just look silly. They just dance around, juju people, and somehow get money from it. The scary ones are the ones that cut themselves in the streets. As Joseph of the Old Testament, we flee from that sort of evil.

Elder Kenner is going home in 4 weeks. We've been living together for like 9 months now. Ha ha ha, man, a piece of me is going to die when he goes. I'm sure you'd love chatting with him when he gets back. He and I have talked about EVERYTHING, so, he can give you a clear picture of how I'm doing.


To answer Mom's question: Eastern Police isn't so bad anymore. Come to find out, the day that Elder Purcell and I had gone there was the day before the Ramadan Pray Day, which is the Muslim equivalent of Christmas (in size). So, THAT was why the place was so bad on that particular day. Even today, Brother Sanu and I went to the West to buy some things. It wasn't bad AT ALL compared to that day before. I got some sweet things (wait a year, you'll see! ;) ), and Bro. Sanu got all of his mission things, so he's set to go! He's so excited, so that helps a ton with the work, which at the moment, is not easy. Our pool is pretty much dry, so we're huffin' it to find more peeps to teach. Yeah, not fun. It's better than the states though. We do basketball contacting, wood-splitting-referral-collecting, and things like that. It's sweet. Except for blisters, which are not sweet.

Well, can't say a whole lot else about what's going on... We had a sweet zone conference last week with Elder Mensha of the third quorum of the seventy. It was good. I really liked president Roggia's instruction the most though. His are always deeply profound. There was an awful lot of talk about "cutting the strings", and keeping your eye single to the glory of God and focusing on mission. I guess it was good, considering that MORE THAN HALF OF THE MISSIONARIES IN THE ZONE ARE UNDER 6 MONTHS ON MISSION!! So, yeah, we occasionally have to deal with rudimentary problems. This mission might be a little stressed for a while while the new elders are reaching maturity as missionaries. Lets face it, none of us come perfect or perfectly prepared, so it'll take a little time to mature, but when it does, this place will be on fire!

I love you!! Have a great week! I promise I will too!

Love,

Elder Vaughan

New Companion, Leadership Conference & the One Year Mark

This week has been splendorous! Yeah, Halloween kinda doesn't exist around here. It's more like Halloween exists EVERY DAY the way people dress here! I swear, some of these people are just blind. Well, some literally ARE, but that's besides the point.

Thanks for the money! I'll put it to good use! :-) I have a list of things I'm thinking of, and a lot of it is for those that I love across the pond! Worry not, Elder Kenner Clause will be coming this December with a sleigh (a very small one, mind you) full of goodies from Africa. As much as I can pester him to favor me to take, I'll give him.

Yes indeed, luckily I'm still here. Whereas, Elder Kenner will NOT be in a short amount of time. This is his last transfer, so he's got 5 weeks left. As for myself, I'm grateful both that the time is going, but I know that I'll be absolutely HEARTBROKEN to leave this place. It's become my second home, so leaving here may be just as hard, if not harder, than leaving my original home. Hence, I'm grateful to be here. I think of the things at home that I'm NOT missing out on, and I feel absolutely at peace with the supposed "Hell-Hole" I live in. Yeah, this place is a living nightmare, but at the same time, it's absolutely wonderful.

My companion is Brother Sanu from Wellington 2 branch. He lives across the street from our apartment, so he moved in right away! He counts as a full-time missionary in every regard. He has his call to the Nigeria Calabar mission, and he'll be reporting there in about five weeks. That means I get to train him before he goes! It's so great. I love being with someone fresh on mission, because they are always so excited to be working hard! It was like when I trained Elder Esiaba. That man was PUMPED to work! It made the days so good, and we got a lot of work done. The same is happening with Bro. Sanu. He's an outstanding teacher, and he will definitely become an outstanding missionary. We're having a great deal of fun!

As for other interesting things going on, there isn't a whole lot. Today we went back to that sweet waterfall that I went to my first transfer here. It was a heck of a lot of fun! We went with Elder Kenner, Kotey, Essego, and Taylor. Unfortunately, Elder Taylor kinda got sick in the bush... Yeah, that's kind of a downer, but it was a sweet adventure anyways. I'm so stinkin' tired. My knees are SO exhausted! I took some more sweet pictures and videos, but I'm thinking that It'll be best for you to wait for Christmas to get them. ;-)


Well, yeah, as pertaining to the whole "one year" thing. Not thinking about it a whole lot. It's cool and all, but I'm just happy I'm here, whether or not it was after a month or a year has passed. I still feel like a new missionary, and I learn so much every day. Speaking of learning, tangent time! We found out last night that President Dickson is going to be here tomorrow, and he's going to be giving us leadership training! It's times like this that I'm super grateful to be a District Leader. Truthfully, it's not a hard/big/challenging calling. You just order stuff, maintain the apartment, and go house hunting when called upon to do so. Oh yeah, and District Meeting Instruction. Not a fan of that one, but yeah, now it pays in dividends when I get to go to these trainings! I'm SO excited! This is the third time since I've come that I've got to see President Dickson. I love listening to him so much, and so I look forward to tomorrow IMMENSELY. That, and Elder Moss, the Kissy District Leader, will be my companion for the day, so I'm excited for that too. He has a blog so I've heard, so you might end up seeing something about me on there next week.

ANYWAYS, back to the whole "year" thing. I've just decided that it means that I have to turn things up big-time in the next 12 months. I have a lot of learning that I've done, and a lot left to do. So, with that, please refer to Hymn #255.

Well, not a whole lot more to say. I'm doing my best every blessed day, so that's what counts! I love the work here, despite the challenges and setbacks that we face, it's the best. I know the church is true. If I didn't KNOW it for a FACT, I would have turned tail on this place within days. Only a powerful conviction of the
restored gospel can keep someone here sustained for two years. It's hard, but is anything worthwhile easy? Of course not.

I love you and miss you a lot (but not too much ;) ), and hope that you as well have the most splendorous week. :-)

Love,

Elder Vaughan