Things here in New Georgia are great!! All except for the internet, of course. It's really giving me a hard day. To give a little more bulk of my words, I'm including my letter to President Roggia for you to read for this week. Time permitting, I'll add more.
Hello President!
Things here in New Georgia are fantastic! I have so much to share, so I'm not really sure where to start...
I think I'll start with Elder Willis. I'm telling you, this Elder is really solid. He's hard-working, but I think his working potential has been a little smothered with his previous companions. We have outstanding unity and love one for another. He's very devoted to the cause of bringing souls unto repentance. It's been a long time since I've experienced a companionship so sweet. Thanks for pairing us together; I promise that neither you nor the Lord will regret it. In fact, I'd even advise that you keep us together as long as possible. The work is advancing at unprescedented speed here in New Georgia.
Considering the lack of material from the other Elders who have worked here, and Elder Willis' own inexperience with the area, we've basically opened the place up all over, which is most sweet. We have the Spirit here with us at all times, so it's drawing people to us like I've never seen before. We have had tons of new investigators this week, and some of them even came to church Sunday. It's been a powerful week for me. I'm really loving missionary work these days. We have a goal of more than a dozen baptisms this month, and I strongly believe that we can make it happen.
As far as the District goes, things are good, if not a little quiet. I think the quiet is good though. Things are very friendly, and we're not having any problems there.
This companionship is reminding me of my time with Elder Bennion. Good grief, we worked so hard, and taught so many people, and we really had the Spirit with us. We had a lot of fun too. I'm seeing the same here in the coming six weeks, and I'm really going to make the most of it. I really love being here, and I really love my companion. Things are just so sweet!
Thanks for your love and support!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
This week was filled with so many spiritual experiences that they've almost been innumberable. To answer Dad's question about how the people here receive the Book of Mormon, here's the following experience that Elder Willis and I had with a woman:
This woman, Mabel, was a referral from one of our members here in N.G. We sat down, and right away we asked if she had any questions for us. She said no, and the then the member blurted in "Well what about those things you were asking about the Book of Mormon??" We got a good laugh out of that. We then proceeded to teach her about the book, where it is from, and what it is about. We sat with her and read the Introduction together. In a solemn moment at the end, Elder WIllis and I bore testimony of the book, and sister Mabel simply said "I need this book." We haven't had a follow-up with her yet, but we know that she felt something that day. It was awesome!
The key to conversion is in the Book of Mormon. Plain and simple. So, we invite others to read it, and then, if indeed that person is an honest seeker of the truth, they will find out for themself. That's the beauty of the book.
As for ideas for Joshua's mission preparations, I can't really think of anything... Just make sure he's set like I was! Maybe a decent flahslight, but I bet he'll have electricity, unlike me.
As for N.G. area, it's SANDY. We proselyte in sand all blessed day long. It's kinda fun though. I really love this palce, and I really love Elder Willis. It's amazing to me that two people of such different background and interests can come together with such astonishing unity as we have. It's just AWESOME. :-)
As for my day today, Elder Willis and I thought it fitting to enjoy as much as humanly possible today. So, we went to the supermarket in town and bought tons of chicken and pork to BBQ on an overturned fan cover. What's more, I went to the most ghetto place in Africa and bought three lobsters. Yeah, we're living the life out here!! :-)
Regadless of how comparatively underdeveloped N.G. is than Sinkor, I like it so much more. It's like a sandier version of Bo, so I'm in love with it! The weeks ahead are going to be the sweetest; oh, the very choicest indeed.
Well, I love you all! I hope you have a wonderful week! Love and adoration to all!!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Transfer News, Pictures & Cheap Clams
Things are good these days!! Things have been a bit hectic too. We just got our transfer news this morning (a week or so early... This transfer was bound to be a nutso one. There are 8 newly called zone leaders and 1 new assisstant in the mission. Crazy!), and I found out that I'm being transferred to New Georgia branch tomorrow morning! It's in our same zone, but on the furthest edge outward. I'm excited, because I'll be serving with Elder Willis, who will be going to USU when he returns home in two Octobers. It'll be awesome! I like having things changed around.
I'm so happy to hear about Joshua's mission call to El Salvador! I got the news this past week from Sister Roggia via text message. WOO HOO!!! I'm so excited for him!!!
Oh!! I have some pictures for you this week since I won't be able to send pictures from here on out while I'm in Liberia. Here you are. We have some pictures at the beach, one at the apartment, one of us preparing snails for dinner, one of a baptism, and one of Elder Raymond eating. It was sweet times man...
Hey, guess what? I found somewhere I could buy clams!! They're cheaper than the sand that they live in!! I bought like 20lbs of them for roughly $0.40. Yeah, sick right?? :-) Mission is so sweet.
Goodness, I'm just so distracted today... I wish I had mind to tell you more. I love you like crazy, so that's what's important right? Ha ha ha. Things are good. As I mentioned to Dad, I'm being transferred to New Georgia branch, so things are a little shook up for the time being. Times are good-o!
Love you!
Elder Vaughan
I'm so happy to hear about Joshua's mission call to El Salvador! I got the news this past week from Sister Roggia via text message. WOO HOO!!! I'm so excited for him!!!
Oh!! I have some pictures for you this week since I won't be able to send pictures from here on out while I'm in Liberia. Here you are. We have some pictures at the beach, one at the apartment, one of us preparing snails for dinner, one of a baptism, and one of Elder Raymond eating. It was sweet times man...
Hey, guess what? I found somewhere I could buy clams!! They're cheaper than the sand that they live in!! I bought like 20lbs of them for roughly $0.40. Yeah, sick right?? :-) Mission is so sweet.
Goodness, I'm just so distracted today... I wish I had mind to tell you more. I love you like crazy, so that's what's important right? Ha ha ha. Things are good. As I mentioned to Dad, I'm being transferred to New Georgia branch, so things are a little shook up for the time being. Times are good-o!
Love you!
Elder Vaughan
Monday, February 13, 2012
An Apostle Visits Liberia
Oh man, I might be just as disappointed as Josh that his mission call hasn't come yet! I'm just waiting to hear that it's the Sierra Leone Freetown mission. ;-) Wherever it is, I'll be so happy for him!
Considering that there isn't a whole lot to answer in neither yours or Dad's email, I'll just send one home this week so we can share some sweet details about Elder Holland's visit.
He arrived Friday in the late afternoon, around four. He was scheduled to come Thursday evening, but there has been a lot of dust blowing in from the Sahara, so planes could neither take off or land in all of Sierra Leone or Liberia. President and Sister Roggia had spent four days trying to get here from Salone, but because of the weather, they were only able to arrive just hours before Elder Holland did. We, the missionaries, were supposed to have a meeting with him Friday morning around nine. As the news passed around that flights were being delayed and things, it was pushed to three, four, five, and so on a so forth. We were even beginning to question if he'd be able to come at all, because the most recent news we had heard was that his plane was in a holding pattern above Roberts International Airport in Liberia. If he wasn't able to land, there would have been no choice but to return to Accra.
Faith, as it always is, was the answer. Elder Holland is an apostle of the Lord. Can he not command the dust to quiet itself to allow him to land his plane and minister to his people? Of course he can, and indeed the dust cleared, though not a moment too soon. Had he spent another ten minutes in the air, the plane would have turned back.
Sister Roggia was already at Sinkor chapel, where the entire weekend was being staged. She announced to all of us anxiously awaiting missionaries that Elder Holland had indeed landed, and was on his way to the chapel. We cheered. We were gathered together in one of the classrooms as we waited for the long-anticipated arrival of that great apostle. Elder Liufau was there too, and he was standing outside the door in the hallway. After some period of time, he slid inside the door with a dazed look on his face. "Uh, Elders... He's here." We all looked, and beheld him as he walked down the hall to where he was to wait before his first meeting with the priesthood and auxiliary leaders of the church. Quickly recovering, we had another moment to also see President Dickson, Elder Snow, Elder Sitati, Elder Mensah, and their wives coming down the hallway towards us. AH! We were like a whole bunch of school children.
We continued to wait in the classroom for the first meeting to conclude. When it was done, we were admitted into the chapel for our missionary devotional with Elder Holland. HOW SWEET!!! We all got to shake his hand, and there were many pictures taken (there were some LDS.org reporters there. They said to wait a week or two and you'll be able to see their reports on Elder Holland's visit to Liberia. You might wanna check it out, since I was in the front! ;-) ).
We heard some brief testimonies from President Dickson and Elder Snow first, which were really wonderful. The program was a lot less structured than it was originally planned to be, considering Elder Holland's delayed arrival. Instead of a Q&A session, he simply talked to us specifically about our mission and things.
He first expressed his gratitude for our diligence as missionaries, and fully acknowledged the brutal nature of this mission in particular. He said that "every other mission in the world is a 2-year holiday from BYU-Idaho." That made me laugh. He narrated how it would be with us "staggering" through the funeral doors of our home chapels, and proclaiming over the pulpit "I'm back from MONROVIA!!!" with wild and bleary eyes. That also made me laugh. Yes indeed, this has to be the hardest mission in the world. Of every mission I've ever heard of in all of the world, even in Africa, this one takes the most guts to complete. We take it as it is; just part of the call.
He then took time to admonish us to be the best missionaries we could be. He started by analyzing the mission numbers, stating that the mission has over 1000 baptismal dates for the month of February. "1000 baptismal dates??" He said, "Most missions can't get 1000 baptismal dates in ten years!! And these are only for the month of February." he concluded with a sarcastic air. He continued by saying that nobody was here to watch us do what we do, so it's up to us to maintain the mission in Liberia. The mission president is in Sierra Leone, so he can't watch over you, and "heck, I represent church headquarters, and I couldn't even get here!" He made a point by saying that "If you want to sleep in, you can sleep in. If you want to loaf, you can loaf. If you want to break mission rules, nobody will know; except for the Lord and the angels in heaven who keep score."
He concluded with talking about what we will need to do as returned missionaries. He related that the thing that makes him "go ballistic" the most is missionaries who serve an honorable two years and then go home and are less-active. "What-in-the-world kind of Latter-Day Saints are those??" He endeared us to internalize our missions; to never forget them, and to live up to those people that we served. As a concluding commentary, he said "If I find you in three or five years and you're less-active, I'll wring your necks!"
That was the majority of what he said to us the Elders and Sisters. I have a few more notes that I took, but I don't have them on me. It was really nice for us to be aknowledged as the toughest of the tough, considering that we serve in one of the most thankless jobs there is. We work and work and work, and not an ounce of "thanks" is given for anything, save when one is baptized, and even that is seldom seen. It doesn't really bother me, but it was wonderful to be praised by an apostle, especially one like Elder Holland.
The meeting concluded in prayer, and we returned home, rather late I might add, arriving home about an hour and a half after curfiew. It's okay, the apostle blessed us. ;-)
The next day, Sunday (yesterday), was kind of a zoo for us. All of the same church dignitaries were there at the church, and we the missionaries had the job of ushering and doing odd jobs for the sake of the district conference. The conference was held in two sessions: Morning session for Monrovia district, and afternoon for Bushrod Island district. We, unfortunately, didn't get to listen to much of the conference because we were counting people, guarding the bathroom so the Liberians won't dirty the place for Elder Holland, and the like (we had 800 in attendance in the first session, and nearly 1000 in the second. Sweet!!). In the end, we were rewarded for our labors with the scraps left over from Elder Holland's catered lunch ("table scraps" makes it sound bad... I've never eaten so good on my whole mission. Ka-peesh.).
We were fortunate to hear a little from the last session of conference from Elder Holland. He said that "If I were looking for a church, there are three things that I would make sure are key in the church doctrines." The first he explained was that the church must teach that God is our loving Heavenly Father, indeed in the form of an exalted man, and that we, as his children, are heirs to such a glory. He talked more on the subject, cross-referencing from various scriptures and other quotes. The second requirement for his church was an organization like that of the primitive church in the days of Christ. He said that he needed apostles, prophets, and continuing revelation, and so on and so forth. The third, unfortunately, was lost from our ears as we were carried away on another assignment elsewhere in the building.
At the conclusion of the second and last session of district conference, Elder Holland made a hasty departure, on his way to catch the plane back to Accra. It truly was a blessing and a miracle that he was able to come here and speak to us. I was sitting right in the very front and center of the pulpit during the missionary devotional, so I even got to feel the breeze of his breath, so to speak. If any pictures show up of that, you will surely see me. The camera guy got quite a few of us Elders in the front. I think that concludes my thoughts on Elder Holland's visit for now... without my book, I can't remember much else.
I DID have an interesting conversation with Elder and Sister Fife, our area doctors while they were here (I guess they're required personelle in Elder Holland's entourage). They are a real young senior couple, so I was curious as to how they landed their call as area doctors. Sister Fife explained that she was a respiratory therapist back home, and her husband was a general physician. She said that they are taking a two year sabbatical in order to serve a year and a half, after which, they will both return and continue their work as medical practicioners. It made me think of you, Mom and Dad. ;-) It won't be long before the two of you can be considering a mission, huh? I'd love that for you two. :-)
Well, that's about all I've got today. I hope it's good for you! Things are as busy as they always are. I love you so much! Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Considering that there isn't a whole lot to answer in neither yours or Dad's email, I'll just send one home this week so we can share some sweet details about Elder Holland's visit.
He arrived Friday in the late afternoon, around four. He was scheduled to come Thursday evening, but there has been a lot of dust blowing in from the Sahara, so planes could neither take off or land in all of Sierra Leone or Liberia. President and Sister Roggia had spent four days trying to get here from Salone, but because of the weather, they were only able to arrive just hours before Elder Holland did. We, the missionaries, were supposed to have a meeting with him Friday morning around nine. As the news passed around that flights were being delayed and things, it was pushed to three, four, five, and so on a so forth. We were even beginning to question if he'd be able to come at all, because the most recent news we had heard was that his plane was in a holding pattern above Roberts International Airport in Liberia. If he wasn't able to land, there would have been no choice but to return to Accra.
Faith, as it always is, was the answer. Elder Holland is an apostle of the Lord. Can he not command the dust to quiet itself to allow him to land his plane and minister to his people? Of course he can, and indeed the dust cleared, though not a moment too soon. Had he spent another ten minutes in the air, the plane would have turned back.
Sister Roggia was already at Sinkor chapel, where the entire weekend was being staged. She announced to all of us anxiously awaiting missionaries that Elder Holland had indeed landed, and was on his way to the chapel. We cheered. We were gathered together in one of the classrooms as we waited for the long-anticipated arrival of that great apostle. Elder Liufau was there too, and he was standing outside the door in the hallway. After some period of time, he slid inside the door with a dazed look on his face. "Uh, Elders... He's here." We all looked, and beheld him as he walked down the hall to where he was to wait before his first meeting with the priesthood and auxiliary leaders of the church. Quickly recovering, we had another moment to also see President Dickson, Elder Snow, Elder Sitati, Elder Mensah, and their wives coming down the hallway towards us. AH! We were like a whole bunch of school children.
We continued to wait in the classroom for the first meeting to conclude. When it was done, we were admitted into the chapel for our missionary devotional with Elder Holland. HOW SWEET!!! We all got to shake his hand, and there were many pictures taken (there were some LDS.org reporters there. They said to wait a week or two and you'll be able to see their reports on Elder Holland's visit to Liberia. You might wanna check it out, since I was in the front! ;-) ).
We heard some brief testimonies from President Dickson and Elder Snow first, which were really wonderful. The program was a lot less structured than it was originally planned to be, considering Elder Holland's delayed arrival. Instead of a Q&A session, he simply talked to us specifically about our mission and things.
He first expressed his gratitude for our diligence as missionaries, and fully acknowledged the brutal nature of this mission in particular. He said that "every other mission in the world is a 2-year holiday from BYU-Idaho." That made me laugh. He narrated how it would be with us "staggering" through the funeral doors of our home chapels, and proclaiming over the pulpit "I'm back from MONROVIA!!!" with wild and bleary eyes. That also made me laugh. Yes indeed, this has to be the hardest mission in the world. Of every mission I've ever heard of in all of the world, even in Africa, this one takes the most guts to complete. We take it as it is; just part of the call.
He then took time to admonish us to be the best missionaries we could be. He started by analyzing the mission numbers, stating that the mission has over 1000 baptismal dates for the month of February. "1000 baptismal dates??" He said, "Most missions can't get 1000 baptismal dates in ten years!! And these are only for the month of February." he concluded with a sarcastic air. He continued by saying that nobody was here to watch us do what we do, so it's up to us to maintain the mission in Liberia. The mission president is in Sierra Leone, so he can't watch over you, and "heck, I represent church headquarters, and I couldn't even get here!" He made a point by saying that "If you want to sleep in, you can sleep in. If you want to loaf, you can loaf. If you want to break mission rules, nobody will know; except for the Lord and the angels in heaven who keep score."
He concluded with talking about what we will need to do as returned missionaries. He related that the thing that makes him "go ballistic" the most is missionaries who serve an honorable two years and then go home and are less-active. "What-in-the-world kind of Latter-Day Saints are those??" He endeared us to internalize our missions; to never forget them, and to live up to those people that we served. As a concluding commentary, he said "If I find you in three or five years and you're less-active, I'll wring your necks!"
That was the majority of what he said to us the Elders and Sisters. I have a few more notes that I took, but I don't have them on me. It was really nice for us to be aknowledged as the toughest of the tough, considering that we serve in one of the most thankless jobs there is. We work and work and work, and not an ounce of "thanks" is given for anything, save when one is baptized, and even that is seldom seen. It doesn't really bother me, but it was wonderful to be praised by an apostle, especially one like Elder Holland.
The meeting concluded in prayer, and we returned home, rather late I might add, arriving home about an hour and a half after curfiew. It's okay, the apostle blessed us. ;-)
The next day, Sunday (yesterday), was kind of a zoo for us. All of the same church dignitaries were there at the church, and we the missionaries had the job of ushering and doing odd jobs for the sake of the district conference. The conference was held in two sessions: Morning session for Monrovia district, and afternoon for Bushrod Island district. We, unfortunately, didn't get to listen to much of the conference because we were counting people, guarding the bathroom so the Liberians won't dirty the place for Elder Holland, and the like (we had 800 in attendance in the first session, and nearly 1000 in the second. Sweet!!). In the end, we were rewarded for our labors with the scraps left over from Elder Holland's catered lunch ("table scraps" makes it sound bad... I've never eaten so good on my whole mission. Ka-peesh.).
We were fortunate to hear a little from the last session of conference from Elder Holland. He said that "If I were looking for a church, there are three things that I would make sure are key in the church doctrines." The first he explained was that the church must teach that God is our loving Heavenly Father, indeed in the form of an exalted man, and that we, as his children, are heirs to such a glory. He talked more on the subject, cross-referencing from various scriptures and other quotes. The second requirement for his church was an organization like that of the primitive church in the days of Christ. He said that he needed apostles, prophets, and continuing revelation, and so on and so forth. The third, unfortunately, was lost from our ears as we were carried away on another assignment elsewhere in the building.
At the conclusion of the second and last session of district conference, Elder Holland made a hasty departure, on his way to catch the plane back to Accra. It truly was a blessing and a miracle that he was able to come here and speak to us. I was sitting right in the very front and center of the pulpit during the missionary devotional, so I even got to feel the breeze of his breath, so to speak. If any pictures show up of that, you will surely see me. The camera guy got quite a few of us Elders in the front. I think that concludes my thoughts on Elder Holland's visit for now... without my book, I can't remember much else.
I DID have an interesting conversation with Elder and Sister Fife, our area doctors while they were here (I guess they're required personelle in Elder Holland's entourage). They are a real young senior couple, so I was curious as to how they landed their call as area doctors. Sister Fife explained that she was a respiratory therapist back home, and her husband was a general physician. She said that they are taking a two year sabbatical in order to serve a year and a half, after which, they will both return and continue their work as medical practicioners. It made me think of you, Mom and Dad. ;-) It won't be long before the two of you can be considering a mission, huh? I'd love that for you two. :-)
Well, that's about all I've got today. I hope it's good for you! Things are as busy as they always are. I love you so much! Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Monday, February 6, 2012
Snapped Back, the Divine Gift of Agency & Fisher of Men
Things are a lot better these days. I don't know what really happened, but I just snapped back into a better mood and attitude. Things are great these days. Elder Raymond and I are having a great time. I just feel awesome.
Agency is wonderful, isn't it? Think about it: Of all of God's creations, we are the only ones that are given the power to willfully disobey him. Wow. Everything else in the universe must live or die by his word. We are given the divine gift of agency, to choose joy, sorrow, or anything else in between, and it all comes from simple obedience or disobedience to the principles of eternity.
This week was pretty sweet!! Every Sunday, people come and visit the church for their first time. We figured out a sweet tactic of "netting" them (Fisher of man, anyone?): On our roster sheet in gospel essentials class, we added a column to indicate whether or not the person is a member. This makes the biggest difference for me since I'm still getting to know the people. If I don't know the person that is a nonmember, we flag them down after class and set up appointments to meet them at the church to teach them. If they come, sweet, we have a new investigator. If not, well, that's how it usually is. They come and visit and then never come again (often because the church isn't very "lively", as they would say.). Our days end up with us at the church teaching lesson after lesson with powerful investigators from noon to six. Yeah, it's awesome. Things are going on alright these days.
One of these lessons was particularly sweet. The brother's name is Bartimaeus. He came on Sunday, we talked to him small, and invited him to come back to the church the following Wednesday to meet with us. While we were in our office on Tuesday, he showed up. We told him that we had planned for Wednesday, and he replied that he knew, and that he was simply hoping to see us there. Well, we had some extra time, so we sat down and asked him a few opening questions about church and things. He said that he loved the church, and that he wanted to be a baptized member. Uh, wow! Sure! We assured him that it would be possible.
I saw that he had a Restoration tract (we had never given it to him, so I was curious), so I asked him what he knew of it. He then reiterated the complete contents of the lesson of the Restoration from memory in its entirety. From there, we had nothing more to teach, so we simply gave him a baptismal date and a return appointment. Sweet, right? He already had testified to us that the Book of Mormon was true, even though he hadn't yet recieved one for himself, because he had sincerely asked God if it was true. He explained that he had visited the church seven years ago, and had long been impressed by the teachings therein, and that now was simply the time for him to unite himself with the church. Man, the work is so sweet when we are lead to prepared investigators!! :-)
I can't really say that there's a whole lot going on these days that's out of the ordinary. For us, we haven't had any office work in three weeks, so we're just ordinary missionaries. I like that. Then we get the perk of our office that we use for emailing home.
Elder Holland is coming this weekend, which is huge. I think I mentioned that, right? I better have... At least it's been a while since I did. I'm very excited. He's having an hour long Q&A with the missionaries in Liberia. Am I excited? Uh, YES. It's going to be awesome. I'll report on that next monday. It's surely going to be a powerful experience. We're having a two-session district conference here in Sinkor. Our district is first, and then Bushrod Island District members. It's going to be crazy. I'm just excited like nothing!! Being a missionary means I get to meet tons of general authorities, which is the best. I love it so much!
I'M SO EXCITED FOR JOSH!!!! Sis. Roggia will be here in Liberia on Thursday, so I'm sure she'll tell me in person if she gets the email from you guys with the news on Joshua's mission call. :-)
Thanks for the package. I'm going to make a request: Don't send any more. I don't really need them. The love reaches me just fine through email. Now that I'll have everything that I could need, you don't need to spend any more money on me. At least, til I get back. ;-) That's what you could do, you could save it to lavish on your precious baby when he gets home! ;-) Ha ha ha, kidding, kidding. But really, you don't need to send anything else again. I think I'll be good for the next 9 months (yeah, 9 months. Crazy, right??? It goes so fast!!!). The same with Western Union. I don't think I'll need any more money until I'm a few weeks from going home, then I might need some to get me safely back. Deal?
So STAR WARS EPISODE ONE IS NOW IN 3D??? Oh man, I'm going to cry if I can't see that. Episode 1 has always had a uniquely special place in my heart. Man... I'm in awe... Yeah, I figured that 3D TVs would be available by now... Man, I want to see that so bad... Anyhow, I'll be blessed for my sacrifice.
I'm sure I'll have a lot more to talk about next week... And Josh will have his call!! Woo hoo!! I can't wait to hear about that. :-)
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Agency is wonderful, isn't it? Think about it: Of all of God's creations, we are the only ones that are given the power to willfully disobey him. Wow. Everything else in the universe must live or die by his word. We are given the divine gift of agency, to choose joy, sorrow, or anything else in between, and it all comes from simple obedience or disobedience to the principles of eternity.
This week was pretty sweet!! Every Sunday, people come and visit the church for their first time. We figured out a sweet tactic of "netting" them (Fisher of man, anyone?): On our roster sheet in gospel essentials class, we added a column to indicate whether or not the person is a member. This makes the biggest difference for me since I'm still getting to know the people. If I don't know the person that is a nonmember, we flag them down after class and set up appointments to meet them at the church to teach them. If they come, sweet, we have a new investigator. If not, well, that's how it usually is. They come and visit and then never come again (often because the church isn't very "lively", as they would say.). Our days end up with us at the church teaching lesson after lesson with powerful investigators from noon to six. Yeah, it's awesome. Things are going on alright these days.
One of these lessons was particularly sweet. The brother's name is Bartimaeus. He came on Sunday, we talked to him small, and invited him to come back to the church the following Wednesday to meet with us. While we were in our office on Tuesday, he showed up. We told him that we had planned for Wednesday, and he replied that he knew, and that he was simply hoping to see us there. Well, we had some extra time, so we sat down and asked him a few opening questions about church and things. He said that he loved the church, and that he wanted to be a baptized member. Uh, wow! Sure! We assured him that it would be possible.
I saw that he had a Restoration tract (we had never given it to him, so I was curious), so I asked him what he knew of it. He then reiterated the complete contents of the lesson of the Restoration from memory in its entirety. From there, we had nothing more to teach, so we simply gave him a baptismal date and a return appointment. Sweet, right? He already had testified to us that the Book of Mormon was true, even though he hadn't yet recieved one for himself, because he had sincerely asked God if it was true. He explained that he had visited the church seven years ago, and had long been impressed by the teachings therein, and that now was simply the time for him to unite himself with the church. Man, the work is so sweet when we are lead to prepared investigators!! :-)
I can't really say that there's a whole lot going on these days that's out of the ordinary. For us, we haven't had any office work in three weeks, so we're just ordinary missionaries. I like that. Then we get the perk of our office that we use for emailing home.
Elder Holland is coming this weekend, which is huge. I think I mentioned that, right? I better have... At least it's been a while since I did. I'm very excited. He's having an hour long Q&A with the missionaries in Liberia. Am I excited? Uh, YES. It's going to be awesome. I'll report on that next monday. It's surely going to be a powerful experience. We're having a two-session district conference here in Sinkor. Our district is first, and then Bushrod Island District members. It's going to be crazy. I'm just excited like nothing!! Being a missionary means I get to meet tons of general authorities, which is the best. I love it so much!
I'M SO EXCITED FOR JOSH!!!! Sis. Roggia will be here in Liberia on Thursday, so I'm sure she'll tell me in person if she gets the email from you guys with the news on Joshua's mission call. :-)
Thanks for the package. I'm going to make a request: Don't send any more. I don't really need them. The love reaches me just fine through email. Now that I'll have everything that I could need, you don't need to spend any more money on me. At least, til I get back. ;-) That's what you could do, you could save it to lavish on your precious baby when he gets home! ;-) Ha ha ha, kidding, kidding. But really, you don't need to send anything else again. I think I'll be good for the next 9 months (yeah, 9 months. Crazy, right??? It goes so fast!!!). The same with Western Union. I don't think I'll need any more money until I'm a few weeks from going home, then I might need some to get me safely back. Deal?
So STAR WARS EPISODE ONE IS NOW IN 3D??? Oh man, I'm going to cry if I can't see that. Episode 1 has always had a uniquely special place in my heart. Man... I'm in awe... Yeah, I figured that 3D TVs would be available by now... Man, I want to see that so bad... Anyhow, I'll be blessed for my sacrifice.
I'm sure I'll have a lot more to talk about next week... And Josh will have his call!! Woo hoo!! I can't wait to hear about that. :-)
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
African Chemistry, Dogs & the Effects of Affliction
FINALLY! My stuff got to you! I was wondering when it would... I just sent a letter to Bro. Kenner chastening him for his tardiness. Well, that now needs to be rescinded... I figured it'd be the best gift you guys could get from me. I don't think you really NEED the neck ties or lappas, but they're fun. The pics and videos are the real gold, aren't they? ;-) How about the lappas? You just wear them around the house like a towel. They are more of lounging clothes... Anyhoo, I'm glad you got them and like them! I'm working on more things for when I'm coming home. ;-) It's never too late to be prepared!!
I'm glad you liked the West African Chemistry and Physics exams I found for you Mom. Yes, according to the description given by the student from whom I recieved the tests, he said it's the advanced level of Chemistry, similar to AP. I could remember those things on the test, but if you asked me to do them right now, I obviously couldn't. It's actually funny you mention that, because I went shopping for a calculus practice book yesterday. I was realizing that all of my mathematically-based skills are slipping big time, so I wanted something to help me regain the ground that I've lost, especially considering that I have from 7-10:30 p.m. in the apartment. Unfortunately, there was nothing that I could use since I don't have a calculator. I've just decided to not worry about it for now, because I know that the Lord will bless me for forsaking my mathematics for mission. I'll remember in time.
You asked about our methods for butchering chickens. Well, we kill chickens by chopping (rather than wringing their necks) simply because it's cliche. We don't kill chickens often (in fact, since the most recent video, we haven't killed any). We just buy the pre-killed ones. Less entertainment, but it's a lot easier, and we don't have to clean up after them (they're the messiest eaters/poopers!). But yes, by now, I've got it figured out in theory how to clean a chicken. Never done it myself though, because I've never had to. I've also learned how to kill a goat (merely spectating, as usual. I'm not really a hands-on kind of person in the art of butchery). Oh, and the neck is one of the more prized pieces of the chicken. It's delicious. This place really teaches you a lot...
Yes, to answer your question, there are MANY dogs here in Liberia (as well as Salone, although the Salone dogs are a lot mankier. More like street curs, rather than actual dogs). I've never really observed an aversion from the Muslims to dogs, but I wouldn't be surprised. Remember also that there are different sects of Islam, just like there are with Christianity. Perhaps one thing that is taught in one place isn't observed elsewhere. Plus, the faithfulness that the people in Salone have to Islam in general (or any religion, for that matter) is rather weak, so it wouldn't surprise me if they were SUPPOSED to observe it, but never do. What's more, there are very few Muslims here in Liberia. I'd say 90% Christian, if not more. It's not like Freetown East, where it's more like 40% Christian and 60% Muslim. That's something that's a nice change about this place.
Well, as for the work here, things are moving along. We had three baptisms this weekend, which was sweet. Now we're back where we always end up: With lots of recent converts and a handful of investigators that don't come to church. The real trick to missionary work is to be able to sustain the teaching pool full of progressing investigators. It's easy to invite people to be baptized, but it's hard to get them to actually DO anything. They're used to their ordinary lives where they're not obligated to act on anything that is taught or preached to them. It's frustrating, but it makes it very easy to see who is really prepared for baptism when that time comes.
I'll be honest, as for me right now, I'm not having the easiest time. I don't really know why; I'm just not liking this place. I'm healthy, so far as I know, and there's nothing wrong. I just have had a hard week. My patience is being tested like nothing. And it's not just me, but the five other elders in our district as well. All of us want to return to Sierra Leone. This totally isn't the same mission here in Liberia. Anyhow, we're here, and that's where we're staying for the mean time. I'm working on getting my head in the game in a more positive attitude. President Roggia also tells me that for a time that I've lost sight of the grand vision of the work, which may be true. When you face affliction and trial, it's easy to be distracted. At any rate, I'm doing my best, and praying that I can become stronger and better than I am now. I'm eating well, I'm sleeping well, so I think it's just left to myself to be happy and productive. I guess it's just been a rough patch. You know how I am, it's not too natural for me to complain when this has been my divinely appointed assignment. I just need to express myself a little. Right now, things are tough, but it will end one way or the other, so I'm going to make the best of it!
You're right Mom, the gospel is really the only thing that can allow us to overcome the problems that we face in our lives. It's the atonement that can carry me through to the other side. So now, it's left to me to make of it what I will, and I will make i great. My trials are just coals in the furnace of affliction that evenly temper the sharp edge of a sword. Anyhow it goes, I'm happy enough, and am workin' my buns off as usual. ;-)
Love you all! Have an awesome week!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Technology, Bucket of Snails & 80 Degrees Cold
Well, I DID just have a huge email composed for you... which the computer deleted. I'm really not happy about that right now... >:-(
It's funny hearing you talk about your technology and gadgets back home. It's hard for me to even think about those sorts of things here. $500 for a gadget in my head equals 5 months of food. Man, why waste it? I get by on $4 a day, buying my own food, paying my own transport, everything. I'm excited to try my new skills when I get home.
Speaking of food, we have a free dinner tonight. My companion spent the morning foraging for snails, and he got a HUGE bucket of them that we'll fry up tonight. No worries, there'll be a lot of pictures. Being in an all-African district is so dang awesome! Snail is actually really good... I don't know why we make fun of the French so much for eating them... I think they're good. My companion is a lot of fun. It was actually pretty funny, because he disappeared into the banana grove in our compound (pictures of that forthcoming) and came out thirty minutes later with a bucket full of slimy goodness!
At the moment, the internet is being exceedingly crappy, so I'm trying to work that out. I'm here at the church, so I'm surprised by this problem.
To answer your question that I can remember, Elder Holland is coming in three weeks, so yes, we'll be seeing him. They've arranged for us to have a one-hour Q&A period with him. Sweet, eh? I'm prayerfully considering anything I might want to ask him. It’s unlikely, considering that the gospel of Jesus Christ is so simple to understand, even for the unlearned. The only questions that missionaries tend to ask are of deep doctrine, and I don't really even have questions about that.
Oh, I loved the snow pics by the way, but, honestly, I'm a little scared... Why? Uh, well, I get cold here... at around 80 degrees... O.o So, uh, in your next package, could you please, uh, send one of my hoodies? (Wow, did I just ask for that aloud??) That way I can wear it at night AND use my fan, thus protecting me from those vile mosquitoes. We all want that, right? Without it, I just get way too cold. I put it on the lowest setting when I lay down, and at around midnight I just shut it off because I'm shivering. Crazy, huh?
The computer has never been this fussy here. Lets face it, Liberia has just been a place of affliction for me, hasn’t it? I can’t wait to go back to Sierra Leone. That’s where I want to be right about now…
So again, sorry! This email will have to do for this week. Next week will be better; I promise! I love you! Have a wonderful week!! :D
Love,
Elder Vaughan
It's funny hearing you talk about your technology and gadgets back home. It's hard for me to even think about those sorts of things here. $500 for a gadget in my head equals 5 months of food. Man, why waste it? I get by on $4 a day, buying my own food, paying my own transport, everything. I'm excited to try my new skills when I get home.
Speaking of food, we have a free dinner tonight. My companion spent the morning foraging for snails, and he got a HUGE bucket of them that we'll fry up tonight. No worries, there'll be a lot of pictures. Being in an all-African district is so dang awesome! Snail is actually really good... I don't know why we make fun of the French so much for eating them... I think they're good. My companion is a lot of fun. It was actually pretty funny, because he disappeared into the banana grove in our compound (pictures of that forthcoming) and came out thirty minutes later with a bucket full of slimy goodness!
At the moment, the internet is being exceedingly crappy, so I'm trying to work that out. I'm here at the church, so I'm surprised by this problem.
To answer your question that I can remember, Elder Holland is coming in three weeks, so yes, we'll be seeing him. They've arranged for us to have a one-hour Q&A period with him. Sweet, eh? I'm prayerfully considering anything I might want to ask him. It’s unlikely, considering that the gospel of Jesus Christ is so simple to understand, even for the unlearned. The only questions that missionaries tend to ask are of deep doctrine, and I don't really even have questions about that.
Oh, I loved the snow pics by the way, but, honestly, I'm a little scared... Why? Uh, well, I get cold here... at around 80 degrees... O.o So, uh, in your next package, could you please, uh, send one of my hoodies? (Wow, did I just ask for that aloud??) That way I can wear it at night AND use my fan, thus protecting me from those vile mosquitoes. We all want that, right? Without it, I just get way too cold. I put it on the lowest setting when I lay down, and at around midnight I just shut it off because I'm shivering. Crazy, huh?
The computer has never been this fussy here. Lets face it, Liberia has just been a place of affliction for me, hasn’t it? I can’t wait to go back to Sierra Leone. That’s where I want to be right about now…
So again, sorry! This email will have to do for this week. Next week will be better; I promise! I love you! Have a wonderful week!! :D
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
"Thanks for the Life", New Companion & Pizza!
I'm at full strength, so no more worrying or praying for me! The whole malaria business was totally crappy, but I'm a strong believer that whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger. On top of that, I believe that the closer to death you get, the more powerfully you bounce back. So with that, I'm actually rather grateful to survive yet another run in with the most notorious disease in Africa. Something about being sick this time really awoke in me a love for my life that I've never had before. People here, when you ask how they are, often respond "I tell God thanks for the life," which I never really understood. Now, I KNOW. Every day I wake up and tell God thanks for the life, because one day, it won't be there.
Thanks for the pictures from the business. Man, Dad's warehouse isn't going to be anything like how I left it! I guess that's good, since it comes from growing and not from anything else. I'm excited to be a part and pull my weight. And I'm so happy to hear about Helen and Heather getting married! Marriage is truly the greatest thing. It always makes me so happy to see two people who put themselves aside for someone else. It always brings out the best in them. Around here, it's not too common to see, so when I see it now, oh how it touches my heart!
Oh, I just remembered something I wanted to ask you about. What would you think about me being an EFY counselor when I get back? I was bouncing ideas off of Elder Liufau the past couple nights of what to do with life as a RM, and that stood out as the most awesome. I don't really know anything about what the schedule looks like for that, but I know that I'd love to be a part of it. The only other concern would be how it interferes with my participation with the business. But anyways, that's a thing of the future that was on my mind this week.
I've recieved a new companion who has a reputation to work very very hard, so it'll be just what I need to get things back in gear after everything was thrown from the sickness. Missionary work is just sweet! Now I'm with Elder Raymond from Nigeria. We've been together for a whole two hours or so, but I can tell it's going to be awesome. I'm really excited. I love getting new companions, so it's always exciting. What's more, it now makes me the only American (okay, here they simply say "white". There's no shame or insult in distinguishing race, since we're all treated fairly.) in the apartment. I'll be with Elder Raymond, Elder Esiaba, Elder Ameworlor (from Ghana), Elder Obinna (from Nigeria), and Elder Mazani (from Zimbabwe). I'm telling you, it's gonna be a blast!
As for Joshua's mission call... I'm guessing Texas for stateside, and Kenya for international. That'd be cool, right? You mentioned the establishment of a mission in India and how the church is seeking Mormons of Indian descent to serve there. It makes sense that they want Indians to serve in India. That's what they want here too, but the demand for missionaries is WAY too high for the branches to meet. Hence, we have about half foreign and half native missionaries. And I guess by native I mean native to West Africa.
So Jesse's been listening to Dragonforce? Man, I was seriously not liking that music when I left on mission. Now that I've had a famine of worldly music, it would be so appealing! I thought it'd be a lot harder for me to leave the music I like behind, but really it hasn't been so bad. I still have music (mission approved), and though it may not be my first preference in terms of entertainment, it's still music. It's like going vegetarian; there's just nothing as good as a medium rare steak.
Thanks for sending those items I requested. I really appreciate it. Sure, I'm in Monrovia where it's POSSIBLE for me to get things like sandals for myself, but the difficulty is in finding ones that are good quality. You know that if it's from the states that it'll be good. But here, people have become very talented at making things that are crap appear to be top quality. Hence, I really appreciate the help. Oh, and I don't remember if I asked for it, but deoderant is one of the best things to recieve. It's so insanely expensive here. So, if you throw in like 3 or 4 of them, I don't think I'd need any more until I came home. That, and shaving cream. It's EXPENSIVE! One can or maybe two will do just fine for me. Thanks!
Can you believe it? I don't have double-digit months any more. I have 9 1/2 months left to go! I'll be SO SO SO SAD when that day comes! I'm really not ready to come home. Which I guess is good, because I still have a decent bit of time left. I really love being here, in spite of all of the hardships we go through as issionaries in Liberia.
Oh, speaking of hardship, we have a new guardian angel in our branch. His name is Mark Luzaine (not sure on spelling), and he's from the states. He's staying here for six months working for the Air Force. He's sealed, has two kids or so, and is by himself here. Last week, he came to our apartment and brought us a pizza and grape juice. Man, it was the best thing I've ever eaten! My first pizza in 14 1/2 months! He's a really great guy, and he's offering to help us in any way that he can. So, there's an additional reason for you to be completely sure that we're being watched after here in Africa. ;-)
Alrighty, time is finished for me today I think. I love you all so much, and hope that you have an awesome week. Grandma Little told me about what you did for Dad. You know, buying a double recliner so that the two of you could still be together and so that he could sleep sitting up. I'm so impressed by you and Dad; the way that you take care of each other. You truly live what you said when you told me that marriage is about putting 100% into it all the time, so that when one is less than that, the other is there to lift them up. I admire you so much, and appreciate similar sacrifices that you've made for me in my own life. You and Dad are simply incredible people, and I can't wait to be with you again.
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Thanks for the pictures from the business. Man, Dad's warehouse isn't going to be anything like how I left it! I guess that's good, since it comes from growing and not from anything else. I'm excited to be a part and pull my weight. And I'm so happy to hear about Helen and Heather getting married! Marriage is truly the greatest thing. It always makes me so happy to see two people who put themselves aside for someone else. It always brings out the best in them. Around here, it's not too common to see, so when I see it now, oh how it touches my heart!
Oh, I just remembered something I wanted to ask you about. What would you think about me being an EFY counselor when I get back? I was bouncing ideas off of Elder Liufau the past couple nights of what to do with life as a RM, and that stood out as the most awesome. I don't really know anything about what the schedule looks like for that, but I know that I'd love to be a part of it. The only other concern would be how it interferes with my participation with the business. But anyways, that's a thing of the future that was on my mind this week.
I've recieved a new companion who has a reputation to work very very hard, so it'll be just what I need to get things back in gear after everything was thrown from the sickness. Missionary work is just sweet! Now I'm with Elder Raymond from Nigeria. We've been together for a whole two hours or so, but I can tell it's going to be awesome. I'm really excited. I love getting new companions, so it's always exciting. What's more, it now makes me the only American (okay, here they simply say "white". There's no shame or insult in distinguishing race, since we're all treated fairly.) in the apartment. I'll be with Elder Raymond, Elder Esiaba, Elder Ameworlor (from Ghana), Elder Obinna (from Nigeria), and Elder Mazani (from Zimbabwe). I'm telling you, it's gonna be a blast!
As for Joshua's mission call... I'm guessing Texas for stateside, and Kenya for international. That'd be cool, right? You mentioned the establishment of a mission in India and how the church is seeking Mormons of Indian descent to serve there. It makes sense that they want Indians to serve in India. That's what they want here too, but the demand for missionaries is WAY too high for the branches to meet. Hence, we have about half foreign and half native missionaries. And I guess by native I mean native to West Africa.
So Jesse's been listening to Dragonforce? Man, I was seriously not liking that music when I left on mission. Now that I've had a famine of worldly music, it would be so appealing! I thought it'd be a lot harder for me to leave the music I like behind, but really it hasn't been so bad. I still have music (mission approved), and though it may not be my first preference in terms of entertainment, it's still music. It's like going vegetarian; there's just nothing as good as a medium rare steak.
Thanks for sending those items I requested. I really appreciate it. Sure, I'm in Monrovia where it's POSSIBLE for me to get things like sandals for myself, but the difficulty is in finding ones that are good quality. You know that if it's from the states that it'll be good. But here, people have become very talented at making things that are crap appear to be top quality. Hence, I really appreciate the help. Oh, and I don't remember if I asked for it, but deoderant is one of the best things to recieve. It's so insanely expensive here. So, if you throw in like 3 or 4 of them, I don't think I'd need any more until I came home. That, and shaving cream. It's EXPENSIVE! One can or maybe two will do just fine for me. Thanks!
Can you believe it? I don't have double-digit months any more. I have 9 1/2 months left to go! I'll be SO SO SO SAD when that day comes! I'm really not ready to come home. Which I guess is good, because I still have a decent bit of time left. I really love being here, in spite of all of the hardships we go through as issionaries in Liberia.
Oh, speaking of hardship, we have a new guardian angel in our branch. His name is Mark Luzaine (not sure on spelling), and he's from the states. He's staying here for six months working for the Air Force. He's sealed, has two kids or so, and is by himself here. Last week, he came to our apartment and brought us a pizza and grape juice. Man, it was the best thing I've ever eaten! My first pizza in 14 1/2 months! He's a really great guy, and he's offering to help us in any way that he can. So, there's an additional reason for you to be completely sure that we're being watched after here in Africa. ;-)
Alrighty, time is finished for me today I think. I love you all so much, and hope that you have an awesome week. Grandma Little told me about what you did for Dad. You know, buying a double recliner so that the two of you could still be together and so that he could sleep sitting up. I'm so impressed by you and Dad; the way that you take care of each other. You truly live what you said when you told me that marriage is about putting 100% into it all the time, so that when one is less than that, the other is there to lift them up. I admire you so much, and appreciate similar sacrifices that you've made for me in my own life. You and Dad are simply incredible people, and I can't wait to be with you again.
Love,
Elder Vaughan
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