This week was a tad bit stressful with trying to get people ready for baptism. It was nice and sunny for three days, during which all of the interviews were conducted. Then, the day of the baptism, it RAINED. Fortunately, at least one of our candidates, a rippled man of awesome by the name of Mustapha, was able to make it, even under the rain without any coat or umbrella. The other candidate, however, not so much. Sunday was the scheduled confirmation for Mustapha, and again, it RAINED. TEEEE!! "Te" (pronounced "teh") is a Krio word that represents time. If you say 'so something happened "te"', it means that it happened for a long time, or a lot in general. So yeah, it rained te. This time, unfortunately, he wasn't able to reach under the rain. I kinda understand, as it was just dumping buckets.
One new thing that I got to try this week was performing baptismal interviews. In fact, I did TEN of them! Ha ha ha, yeah, it was a LOT! I went on a brief exchange with Elder Eyinda, one of the Zone Leaders, and he took me to all of his candidates and I interviewed them! It's not really hard, and it's kinda fun. I like being able to see people who have really changed (or, in one case, someone who had definitely NOT!). The Spirit attended to me as I talked with them, and I was able to discern their needs. One of the candidates was clearly not prepared. As I talked with her, I sensed that she was lying to me regarding the law of chastity, and when I inquired further, she continually denied. So, I simply asked her if she was ready to baptize. She said yes, but I felt sick to my stomach, an indication of the Spirit that indeed she was not ready at all. It was a neat experience that I won't soon forget about how the Spirit very SPECIFICALLY guided me.
I am excited for Austin to be serving his mission in Georgia. That'll be so cool for him! He's going to love it there. Stuart's mission call to Russia definitely fits him! Ha ha ha, good luck in Russia! It's COLD there! I hope Riley makes the choice to serve a mission. It's really just plain awesome. I know that it's the kind of thing that he'd like, especially in a crazy mission like this one. He seems like the kind of person that would shrug off most of the daily problems that we face here. Uh, kind of like the swarm of cockroaches I faced the other day. Elder Vaughan + 2 flip flops against 100 cockroaches. Score: Roaches: 0 Elder Vaughan: 87. It was gross, but highly satisfying. Just a simple fact of life around here.
Josh has been emailing me for the past few weeks, and we've talked about a lot of things. He already told me about all of his awesome college roomies, and it sounds like he's having the time of his life. I can't wait to be a part of it! College just seems like the right place for me to be. Well, after mission of course. Africa is the place for me for now! ;) Josh has already told me about how he changed his major, and some other different things. He says he found himself an awesome secret computer lab. It just sounds like fun over there!
Okay, my time is short. Elder Purcell and I are going into west end today to find him some shoes. Oh yeah, podas. Can't wait for that... I had a little less time today because i had to write a good long letter to Josh. ;) Oh I miss that guy... Have an awesome week! I love you bin bin!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Uber Zone Conference with a General Authority & Poda Poda Logistics Explained
So, the "uber zone conference" was uber exhausting. Remember how I had a keyboard I practiced on in Njaie Town? Yeah, I have one here too. So, Sister Roggia asked my companion and I to accompany ALL of the sessions of conference! we were BUSY!!
Friday was the first day of the conference, and the first day that we got to hear from Elder Sitati. We had a combined Zone Conference with all of the elders in Bo and Freetown at Beliar Park. It was SWEET! We received instructions from the assistants to the President, President and Sister Roggia, and Elder and Sister Sitati. It was just amazing. Elder Sitati is just one of the most down to earth people ever. He's a real person! Not some super-charged spiritual coalescence of power! His instruction was basically a one hour Q and A period with the Elders. He shared a lot of awesome experiences, and gave some inspiring counsel regarding the selection of an eternal companion. ;) The advice that he gave there was especially good.
Saturday was another busy day for us, because my companion and I had to be Elder Sitati's piano ghosts, appearing wherever he was to accompany the singing. It was EXHAUSTING!! Saturday morning we took a taxi all the way from Wellington to Beliar Park to accompany the Priesthood and General Adult sessions, in the which Elder Sitati destroyed false notions about the "church in Africa" versus the "church in America." People here have the stupid idea that they are different, and we spend so much time convincing them otherwise! Elder Sitati sure helped us out. And, as an African general authority, he did an excellent job of destroying notions regarding mixing traditions and culture with the church. Some people in the church fight juju with juju, rather than depending on God. Anyone at the conference would now think better of that! I was grateful to be there.
After the sessions of the conference, the Assistants drove us, President and Sister Roggia, and Elder and Sister Sitati to the Kissy chapel (it was to drive us close to home, which was nice). I got to ride in a car with a General Authority! It was way nice. I just loved listening to him talk. He was going there for the open house and to prepare for the dedication the next day. As soon as we got there, we went proselyting.
Sunday was probably the busiest. We got up early to go to the dedicatory prayer in Kissy for the new chapel, and then left right before the conference session started so that we could find transport to west end. I gotta admit, any kind of travel from East to West or vice versa is STRESSFUL!! Eastern Police is a junction of a main thoroughfare of Freetown, and you HAVE to go through it to reach the other end of Freetown. Yeah, thousands of cars, one intersections. Who's idea was this?
Anyways, the transports operate as follows: Poda-podas and taxis labeled for West end operate West of Eastern Police, and those labeled for East end operate East of Eastern Police. So, to get to Beliar Park, one has to take a poda/taxi to Eastern Police, then find another poda/taxi to beliar park (if you are quite lucky, you only need to transports, though you usually have to take a third and sometimes fourth). Yeah, not fun. So, we had to do that from Kissy to Beliar, East to West, in order to meet Elder Sitati at the conference that was going to take place in the West. Yeah, piano ghosts, eh?
The conference in the West was wonderful and all, and the Freetown district was split into East and West districts, which is nice. After our duty was finished, we were left to ourselves to find transport from West to East (which we weren't able to. We WALKED from Beliar Park to Eastern Police before we found a ride! It was so far...).
So yeah, that was the majority of my week! Kinda hectic, kinda awesome. I have a few more pictures, but for the sake of time, I have to save them for later. Have an awesome week!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Friday was the first day of the conference, and the first day that we got to hear from Elder Sitati. We had a combined Zone Conference with all of the elders in Bo and Freetown at Beliar Park. It was SWEET! We received instructions from the assistants to the President, President and Sister Roggia, and Elder and Sister Sitati. It was just amazing. Elder Sitati is just one of the most down to earth people ever. He's a real person! Not some super-charged spiritual coalescence of power! His instruction was basically a one hour Q and A period with the Elders. He shared a lot of awesome experiences, and gave some inspiring counsel regarding the selection of an eternal companion. ;) The advice that he gave there was especially good.
Saturday was another busy day for us, because my companion and I had to be Elder Sitati's piano ghosts, appearing wherever he was to accompany the singing. It was EXHAUSTING!! Saturday morning we took a taxi all the way from Wellington to Beliar Park to accompany the Priesthood and General Adult sessions, in the which Elder Sitati destroyed false notions about the "church in Africa" versus the "church in America." People here have the stupid idea that they are different, and we spend so much time convincing them otherwise! Elder Sitati sure helped us out. And, as an African general authority, he did an excellent job of destroying notions regarding mixing traditions and culture with the church. Some people in the church fight juju with juju, rather than depending on God. Anyone at the conference would now think better of that! I was grateful to be there.
After the sessions of the conference, the Assistants drove us, President and Sister Roggia, and Elder and Sister Sitati to the Kissy chapel (it was to drive us close to home, which was nice). I got to ride in a car with a General Authority! It was way nice. I just loved listening to him talk. He was going there for the open house and to prepare for the dedication the next day. As soon as we got there, we went proselyting.
Sunday was probably the busiest. We got up early to go to the dedicatory prayer in Kissy for the new chapel, and then left right before the conference session started so that we could find transport to west end. I gotta admit, any kind of travel from East to West or vice versa is STRESSFUL!! Eastern Police is a junction of a main thoroughfare of Freetown, and you HAVE to go through it to reach the other end of Freetown. Yeah, thousands of cars, one intersections. Who's idea was this?
Anyways, the transports operate as follows: Poda-podas and taxis labeled for West end operate West of Eastern Police, and those labeled for East end operate East of Eastern Police. So, to get to Beliar Park, one has to take a poda/taxi to Eastern Police, then find another poda/taxi to beliar park (if you are quite lucky, you only need to transports, though you usually have to take a third and sometimes fourth). Yeah, not fun. So, we had to do that from Kissy to Beliar, East to West, in order to meet Elder Sitati at the conference that was going to take place in the West. Yeah, piano ghosts, eh?
The conference in the West was wonderful and all, and the Freetown district was split into East and West districts, which is nice. After our duty was finished, we were left to ourselves to find transport from West to East (which we weren't able to. We WALKED from Beliar Park to Eastern Police before we found a ride! It was so far...).
So yeah, that was the majority of my week! Kinda hectic, kinda awesome. I have a few more pictures, but for the sake of time, I have to save them for later. Have an awesome week!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Monday, August 15, 2011
New Aussie Best Friend & Other Associations
So, today I made a new best friend! It's been nine and a half months of silence with regards to my favorite things like Warhammer, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars. Today, however, the silence was broken! You likely remember Elder Appleby that I wrote about last week. Yeah, he's kinda the most amazing person ever! He kicked my butt in a Star Wars/Lord of the Rings trivia contest (like, by a LOT. This man could give Joseph Lawrence a run for his money!). Of course, I was running out of trivia questions to stump him with (or at least to ATTEMPT to, anyways), so I turned to Lord of the Rings trivia related to the Games Workshop version of the game. Yeah, he knew that too. I was so excited! Almost ten months without talking with someone who's even HEARD of my favorite pastime! He came over to the apartment today to hang out/eat boku rice, and we had the best time talking about totally lame and nerdy stuff! Oh goodness, I missed it.
After talking to him at length about his home of Brisbane, Australia, I've decided that that is somewhere I want to go at some point in my life. He showed some pictures and described it, and it sounds like a paradise! He's already planning on visiting the pacific northwest, so I'd love to return the favor in the future... Yeah yeah yeah, far far in the future.
I feel bad for him though, because he can't get packages OR mail here! Do you think that you could send him a small package? He's been here for 5 months or so, and he's received NOTHING. I think there's just a problem in the transit from Australia to West Africa. I'd very much appreciate it if you could do that for me. He is my new best friend, after all ;).
This week is our UBER ZONE CONFERENCE WITH ELDER SITATI!! WOO HOO!!! I'm more than excited for that! Elder Sittati of the area seventy is coming here to Freetown to dedicate the newly constructed chapel in Kissy, Freetown. Two days prior, he'll be addressing us at the Zone Conference, at which West, East, and Bo zones will be attending! I'm excited to see a bunch of old friends, and to finally meet the only African general authority in the church! It's going to be sweet. He's originally from Nairobi, Kenya. I'm stoked!!
That's pretty much what's going on for me... I don't really know what else to say. Things are so mellow and mundane around here. Yeah, we take taxis instead of bikes, that's cool. I don't really know... It's just the same ol' same ol' going on here! The branch is really strong too. We don't have to worry too much about retention or reactivation because of that, which is a HUGE relief in leaving Njaie Town branch. It was so hard for us to keep people unless they were 100% converted before baptism. Here, if someone want's to be baptized, we baptize them! It's pretty nice. I don't feel the same affection to these people than I did for my Bo peeps, but i guess that sort of thing comes with time.
Not sure what else to write... I love you all so much and I miss you! Most of the time, I'm too busy to even think of home, or remember that it's there. I don't want to go home (which is good since I have a long ways to go). It's weird being in an apartment with the Zone Leaders. Both Elder Eyinda and Elder Kenner have only 3.5 months left on mission. Elder Kenner was my District Leader in Bo, if you don't remember. We moved together, and now I'm HIS District Leader! It's kind of funny how that reversed on us. I gotta admit, I'm really grateful that he and I are still together. We keep each others sanity most of the time. We have similar ideas and opinions and interests. He's almost like a portent to a more-excellent "me". I look at what he is and what he does, and can model myself after him. I joke a lot about how I don't love him and that he won't be missed, but he chidingly replies "you know you'll miss me like nothing when I'm gone." Oh yes, it's definitely true.
Well, I'm out of stuff today. My email was pretty dang rambly... I'm sure you can see that there's quite a bit on my mind, but it's not bad, and I'm not stressed or worried. Just thinking and figuring things out.
Okay, I love you! Have an awesome week.
Love,
Elder Vaughan
After talking to him at length about his home of Brisbane, Australia, I've decided that that is somewhere I want to go at some point in my life. He showed some pictures and described it, and it sounds like a paradise! He's already planning on visiting the pacific northwest, so I'd love to return the favor in the future... Yeah yeah yeah, far far in the future.
I feel bad for him though, because he can't get packages OR mail here! Do you think that you could send him a small package? He's been here for 5 months or so, and he's received NOTHING. I think there's just a problem in the transit from Australia to West Africa. I'd very much appreciate it if you could do that for me. He is my new best friend, after all ;).
This week is our UBER ZONE CONFERENCE WITH ELDER SITATI!! WOO HOO!!! I'm more than excited for that! Elder Sittati of the area seventy is coming here to Freetown to dedicate the newly constructed chapel in Kissy, Freetown. Two days prior, he'll be addressing us at the Zone Conference, at which West, East, and Bo zones will be attending! I'm excited to see a bunch of old friends, and to finally meet the only African general authority in the church! It's going to be sweet. He's originally from Nairobi, Kenya. I'm stoked!!
That's pretty much what's going on for me... I don't really know what else to say. Things are so mellow and mundane around here. Yeah, we take taxis instead of bikes, that's cool. I don't really know... It's just the same ol' same ol' going on here! The branch is really strong too. We don't have to worry too much about retention or reactivation because of that, which is a HUGE relief in leaving Njaie Town branch. It was so hard for us to keep people unless they were 100% converted before baptism. Here, if someone want's to be baptized, we baptize them! It's pretty nice. I don't feel the same affection to these people than I did for my Bo peeps, but i guess that sort of thing comes with time.
Not sure what else to write... I love you all so much and I miss you! Most of the time, I'm too busy to even think of home, or remember that it's there. I don't want to go home (which is good since I have a long ways to go). It's weird being in an apartment with the Zone Leaders. Both Elder Eyinda and Elder Kenner have only 3.5 months left on mission. Elder Kenner was my District Leader in Bo, if you don't remember. We moved together, and now I'm HIS District Leader! It's kind of funny how that reversed on us. I gotta admit, I'm really grateful that he and I are still together. We keep each others sanity most of the time. We have similar ideas and opinions and interests. He's almost like a portent to a more-excellent "me". I look at what he is and what he does, and can model myself after him. I joke a lot about how I don't love him and that he won't be missed, but he chidingly replies "you know you'll miss me like nothing when I'm gone." Oh yes, it's definitely true.
Well, I'm out of stuff today. My email was pretty dang rambly... I'm sure you can see that there's quite a bit on my mind, but it's not bad, and I'm not stressed or worried. Just thinking and figuring things out.
Okay, I love you! Have an awesome week.
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Monday, August 8, 2011
Salone Bobo, Mountain Climbing & Cockroaches Galore
So, uh, WOW! Freetown is SO different from Bo! There is BOKU enjoyment here! This week was an interesting week, as I mainly was getting to know the branch, my companion, the people, the area, and well, EVERYTHING! It's all good though. This place is a lot of fun. I feel happy here in Salone, so it's easy to shine. My mind and heart are here, and my thoughts are nowhere at home.
First, about my companion: I think I shared some things last week about him, but if I didn't here we go: He's an American-Samoan, and he's awesome. I don't know what else to say about him. Everyone here calls him "Salone Bobo" which is Krio for "Sierra Leone Boy." It's funny. The people here really do love him.
This week, I learned just how tired Elder Purcell's last companion was. He went home last week after two years of honorable service. However, he left a little work for me behind. First, he ate all the phone money, which sucks. Here, we have to go to places to buy phone credits to call or text. Inside one month, we're given 129,000le to last us. I came to 50,000 and 0 credit on the phone. Uh, problem, right? Additionally, the area book hadn't been touched in months, so our numbers/baptismal dates/etc. are all out of whack. I have to do a bit of tidying up here.
Being District Leader is fun. Especially considering that there is only four of us in the apartment, two of which are Zone Leaders. Every week we have district meeting, at which I have to provide instruction and direction for 45-90 minutes. Yeah, that's not too easy, but it's fun. It's a little weird though, since the other district members are my companion and the zone leaders. I really like it though. It's put a little fire under my butt to work even harder.
And work harder I do! This place is on the MOUNTAINSIDE!! Proselyting is NOT very easy here. If we don't have to go very far, we DO have to climb great heights. The view is wonderfully stunning though, as we are near the sea. Unfortunately, it is rainy season, and clear skies are in short supply. I don't mind it too much though.
The branch here (Wellington 1) is awesome too! The people are strong, and we had a strong turnout of investigators at church this week! The church building itself is beautiful; a definite upgrade from the Njaie Town building (not to play the "comparison" game, as Njaie Town has a lot of ups that Wellington doesn't). The young single adults and the youth are at the church almost every day doing something or another, be it an activity, or just hanging out. I'm really pleased about the positive effect that that sort of association will have on our members here!
I'm running out of things to say from last week. Oh! You like my tie, eh? Yeah, that's a brand of tie known as "Jatala." They are these GORGEOUS Nigerian ties that, if you have connections, you can get a hold of. Which, in fact, I do have connections! ;) They are super durable and much more beautiful than any other ties. Kapeesh. That particular green one I acquired from a return missionary in Njaie Town branch. I have another 9 that I've acquired via trades/purchases, and they stand as my mainstay for ties. They'll last all two years, whereas my ties that I brought from home are already wearing out, and hence are retired for the time being. I was successful in acquiring the money you sent me, and I promptly put $30 aside to the buying of ties. It should get me 5 more of those Jatalas, and I'm paying a tailor to make 3 "Africana" ties, which will be made out of some nifty native gara cloth. I'm so excited! Oh, the things that make a missionary happy! Ha ha ha...
Well, today was an adventure and a half for some of us Elders! My companion and I went clear out to the Grafton apartment, which is almost as far East as you can go and still be in Freetown. THEIR HOUSE IS A BLINKING PALACE!!! I've never seen a missionary apartment so wonderful!! Even the Sinkor (Liberian Zone Leader) apartment (which is no longer inhabited) and the Assistant's apartments are crappy compared to this place! I wish my camera had had more memory to take pics of the place, because it's INCREDIBLE! I think I'll have a chance to go there again in the coming weeks...
ANYWAYS! We went there and met Elders Wood (an old friend from Bo), Tawiah, Pabie, and Appleby. They are American, Ghanaian, Nigerian, and Australian, respectively. I gotta be honest, I was super excited to meet Elder Appleby. He's the only Aussie here, and he's an absolute live wire! I love him a lot.
After a brief reception in their palace, er, home, we went hiking! We went clear out to the mountain behind their house and into the jungle that lies there! It was intense, and uber-awesome! It was raining, which it pretty much always does here, but it was still awesome. Elder Appleby showed us a path leading into the thick of the jungle at the base of the mountain. At the base thereof, we forded a stream, and continued into the thick underbrush and started huffing up the side of the mountain.
Eventually, we reached our destination: The Grafton Dam and Waterfall. It was amazing! Just a river/waterfall flowing from the top of the mountain in the middle of the jungle! We took plenty of pictures, and had loads of fun! I've got to admit, it's probably the most fun I've had on mission so far. In return for their invitation to go hiking, I invited them over to play Transformers Monopoly with us and enjoy some chicken fettuccine Alfredo from home next week. ;)
So, for the pictures: The first is the view of part of my area from the balcony of our apartment. Our apartment is awesome in almost every way, with a few exceptions: The shower is small, running water is scarce, there's not a whole lot of space and HOLY COCKROACHES!!! Try as I might, I can't stop them from spawning themselves in every nook and cranny of this place!! I keep it clean, I kill them with spray, but they just COME FROM NOWHERE! I hate them more than anything else. We didn't have this problem in Bo apartment.
Next is a picture of Elder Purcell as we reached the top of the mountain where an investigator lives. I've discovered a new frustration of being bounced (when someone is a "no-show" for an appointment) when it means we climbed a mountain for nothing.
Next is a picture of me bluffing (Krio for "showing off") my new rain boots and umbrella. This place is MUDDY like NOTHING. I'm grateful to have them.
The next two are of some of the waterfalls we enjoyed. Aren't they awesome?? Elder Appleby is the man standing on the rock in the second picture. He was pretending he was being Legolas during the hike. That was entertaining!
The last is a picture of Grafton area and Kossoh town area. It's not so much an "urban jungle" as it is an "urban/jungle" area. Seriously, these towns are on the outskirts of nothingness. However, it's stunningly beautiful.
Okay, a don rayt boku! I love you so much! :)
Love,
Elder Vaughan
First, about my companion: I think I shared some things last week about him, but if I didn't here we go: He's an American-Samoan, and he's awesome. I don't know what else to say about him. Everyone here calls him "Salone Bobo" which is Krio for "Sierra Leone Boy." It's funny. The people here really do love him.
This week, I learned just how tired Elder Purcell's last companion was. He went home last week after two years of honorable service. However, he left a little work for me behind. First, he ate all the phone money, which sucks. Here, we have to go to places to buy phone credits to call or text. Inside one month, we're given 129,000le to last us. I came to 50,000 and 0 credit on the phone. Uh, problem, right? Additionally, the area book hadn't been touched in months, so our numbers/baptismal dates/etc. are all out of whack. I have to do a bit of tidying up here.
Being District Leader is fun. Especially considering that there is only four of us in the apartment, two of which are Zone Leaders. Every week we have district meeting, at which I have to provide instruction and direction for 45-90 minutes. Yeah, that's not too easy, but it's fun. It's a little weird though, since the other district members are my companion and the zone leaders. I really like it though. It's put a little fire under my butt to work even harder.
And work harder I do! This place is on the MOUNTAINSIDE!! Proselyting is NOT very easy here. If we don't have to go very far, we DO have to climb great heights. The view is wonderfully stunning though, as we are near the sea. Unfortunately, it is rainy season, and clear skies are in short supply. I don't mind it too much though.
The branch here (Wellington 1) is awesome too! The people are strong, and we had a strong turnout of investigators at church this week! The church building itself is beautiful; a definite upgrade from the Njaie Town building (not to play the "comparison" game, as Njaie Town has a lot of ups that Wellington doesn't). The young single adults and the youth are at the church almost every day doing something or another, be it an activity, or just hanging out. I'm really pleased about the positive effect that that sort of association will have on our members here!
I'm running out of things to say from last week. Oh! You like my tie, eh? Yeah, that's a brand of tie known as "Jatala." They are these GORGEOUS Nigerian ties that, if you have connections, you can get a hold of. Which, in fact, I do have connections! ;) They are super durable and much more beautiful than any other ties. Kapeesh. That particular green one I acquired from a return missionary in Njaie Town branch. I have another 9 that I've acquired via trades/purchases, and they stand as my mainstay for ties. They'll last all two years, whereas my ties that I brought from home are already wearing out, and hence are retired for the time being. I was successful in acquiring the money you sent me, and I promptly put $30 aside to the buying of ties. It should get me 5 more of those Jatalas, and I'm paying a tailor to make 3 "Africana" ties, which will be made out of some nifty native gara cloth. I'm so excited! Oh, the things that make a missionary happy! Ha ha ha...
Well, today was an adventure and a half for some of us Elders! My companion and I went clear out to the Grafton apartment, which is almost as far East as you can go and still be in Freetown. THEIR HOUSE IS A BLINKING PALACE!!! I've never seen a missionary apartment so wonderful!! Even the Sinkor (Liberian Zone Leader) apartment (which is no longer inhabited) and the Assistant's apartments are crappy compared to this place! I wish my camera had had more memory to take pics of the place, because it's INCREDIBLE! I think I'll have a chance to go there again in the coming weeks...
ANYWAYS! We went there and met Elders Wood (an old friend from Bo), Tawiah, Pabie, and Appleby. They are American, Ghanaian, Nigerian, and Australian, respectively. I gotta be honest, I was super excited to meet Elder Appleby. He's the only Aussie here, and he's an absolute live wire! I love him a lot.
After a brief reception in their palace, er, home, we went hiking! We went clear out to the mountain behind their house and into the jungle that lies there! It was intense, and uber-awesome! It was raining, which it pretty much always does here, but it was still awesome. Elder Appleby showed us a path leading into the thick of the jungle at the base of the mountain. At the base thereof, we forded a stream, and continued into the thick underbrush and started huffing up the side of the mountain.
Eventually, we reached our destination: The Grafton Dam and Waterfall. It was amazing! Just a river/waterfall flowing from the top of the mountain in the middle of the jungle! We took plenty of pictures, and had loads of fun! I've got to admit, it's probably the most fun I've had on mission so far. In return for their invitation to go hiking, I invited them over to play Transformers Monopoly with us and enjoy some chicken fettuccine Alfredo from home next week. ;)
So, for the pictures: The first is the view of part of my area from the balcony of our apartment. Our apartment is awesome in almost every way, with a few exceptions: The shower is small, running water is scarce, there's not a whole lot of space and HOLY COCKROACHES!!! Try as I might, I can't stop them from spawning themselves in every nook and cranny of this place!! I keep it clean, I kill them with spray, but they just COME FROM NOWHERE! I hate them more than anything else. We didn't have this problem in Bo apartment.
Next is a picture of Elder Purcell as we reached the top of the mountain where an investigator lives. I've discovered a new frustration of being bounced (when someone is a "no-show" for an appointment) when it means we climbed a mountain for nothing.
Next is a picture of me bluffing (Krio for "showing off") my new rain boots and umbrella. This place is MUDDY like NOTHING. I'm grateful to have them.
The next two are of some of the waterfalls we enjoyed. Aren't they awesome?? Elder Appleby is the man standing on the rock in the second picture. He was pretending he was being Legolas during the hike. That was entertaining!
The last is a picture of Grafton area and Kossoh town area. It's not so much an "urban jungle" as it is an "urban/jungle" area. Seriously, these towns are on the outskirts of nothingness. However, it's stunningly beautiful.
Okay, a don rayt boku! I love you so much! :)
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Monday, August 1, 2011
Transferred to East Freetown
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
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
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