Camp Weekly Report

Dear Fam,

I'm happy to hear that everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving. This week we had loads of fun, on thanksgiving we didn't really do anything, just another day in the life of a missionary. But the following day, was Elder Mauga's birthday and we went over to a members and they went all out... they bought Chinese food, cake and Sparkling cyder. I'll I savored every bite of the Chinese food. In Osu they actually had many nice places to eat the only problem was we couldn't afford it. I also head they just put in a KFC there, it opened two weeks after I left! Now in buduaburam our options are rice or rice or rice. Anyways I can of just went of there so sorry for that. By the way the frog was pretty good, the same members give it to us this week and when they brought it out Elder Mauga and I looked at each other and we were both thing, "here we go again".



On Saturday, we had the Baptism of Fabrice, Phillimena, and Queengirl. I had the privilege of preforming the baptism, this family is very special to me and I am excited for them, they are ready to make there journey back to our Heavenly Father. I could just see it in there eyes how happy they were and they kept saying thank you thank you. Every time people say that I just, thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me we be a tool in his hand. Saturday was such a wonderful day, it was one of the happiest days of my mission. I wonder if my joy was that of alma except I didn't pass out. We also had the baptism of Prince, Kofi and Abigale. These three are all from part member families, that is one thing I am so grateful for, to be uniting families! On Saturday evening the ward had a recent convert meeting, it made me happy to see many of the people there, I just pray these people can continue on the path.

Today we weeded all the grass in front of our apartment, that was one of the pictures I sent. It took forever but we cut it all down. Dad, I'm sorry to say I didn't use "two hands" or "pull them by the root" but don't worry. When i'm home I will use two hands and pull all the roots. We played some football today, mom thanks again for sending the football. It cracks me up seeing them play with it. There is not much more I can say, but I continue to love to study from the topical guide and make scripture trains, its something that has really helped me in my teaching and I hope you all try it out. I know the Church is true and that I'm doing what the Lord would have me do!

Much Love,

Elder L.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Fam,

I'm glad to hear all is well. All is well here in Buduburam, this past week we had the baptism of Samuel Narh. Its been really fun to teach him, he is like a brother to Elder Mauga and I. We are all born in 91! We moved the other two baptisms to this week, because they couldn't find the actual birth date for the kids (Prince and Kofi). Prince and Kofi are from a part member family. We are also planning of the baptism of Abigale Penson, she is 25 and is the daughter of the Sunday school President. She just came from Liberia at the end of last month.  And lest but definitely not the least Fabrice, Phillimena and Queengirl will also be baptize on Saturday as well. They are the ones in the picture holding the soup. I love this family very much, I can never remember what I have told you about our investigators so if I repeat anything forgive me. We have seen a miracle take place in the life of Fabrice and his family. Fabrice has been working to overcome and alcohol addiction, the tricky part has been the fact that they have a few Muslim prayer rugs as the wall between their house and a drinking spot. The smell of Alcohol and Weed consumes their place and I think its a miracle. Some times I am amazed by what goes down on the camp, the UN isn't really playing a role at all these days and the Ghana Goverment could care less what happens on the camp because Ghanaians don't live here. Dad, I think you should put together another semester abroad and come a help some of the people around here understand the effects of what they are doing.

Dad, I'm glad to hear you had a happy birthday! I'm looking forward to celebrating the next one with you. Sherry I hope you have a happy birthday as well and I'm happy you don't have to spend it in the car. I'm not sure what I will do I will do for thanksgiving, but its also my half birthday. So maybe I'll have to splurge and treat myself to something. Next Monday Elder Mauga is preparing pig for the Zone so maybe I'll count that as my thanks giving. Thanks for all the Prayers!

Love, Elder L.

 

The Temple Trip was great!

Dear Fam,

The football game was so much fun, we had so much fun! We won one game and lost one, but it was great to just run around for a change! Running full speed felt really funny to me and I know I have gained a lot of weight. This coming week we will have the baptism of Samuel, Kofi and Prince. Samuel is a trooper, he has not had an easy life and he works from the time he wakes up until about the time he gets ready for bed. Samuel and Kofi live with members, their parents recently passed away. They are great kids and I know the fullness of the gospel will bless their lives so much as they grow up. The work continues to go forward, Queengirl, Philimena Fabrice are Preparing for their baptisms on the 26th. We pray all is well, please pray for Fabrice, he has a word of wisdom concern but if he keeps it they can all be baptized together.

Going down was easily the best part of the week, it has felt like ages since I went to the temple and I look forward to the day when I can go every week. My interview with President Judd went well, he is inspired in everything he does. We spent most of the time talking about the future of the Liberia Camp. In my last letter to him I told him of a concern we were having, that so many of these recent converts are going back to their homes but they are not telling the church where they are going. So there are a many, many people that the church has no idea where they went. Speaking to President Judd in my interview he said that if we can trace some of these people and find some small groups or units. They would be able to start something outside of Monrovia, it will take some work but most of these people have go to their hometown so I'm excited about that. I think everything will be figured out after I leave but nothing would make me happier than if though all this it helped the church reach some where outside of Monrovia. President Judd also told me I should make a list of our recent converts so that I can always keep track of them and help the church know where they are. He contacted the Area Seventy, and they are seeking the Lords direction but it is comforting to know that the Lord will reveal his will to them and I pray that this can help the church grow in Liberia. He also told me of a similar situation he had on his mission, working on a Naval base. He has know idea where those men went and he said that he has started to try and find them and how they are doing.

Mom, I was able to see you during conference which made me very happy, conference was great! Dad, I hope you have a happy birthday. When I get home I sing happy birthday for you Ghanaian style. But I know that the L. version is the greatest of all!

Love to all,

-Elder L.

Dear Fam,

I'm sorry to say this is going to be a quick letter because we are going to go play Football as a zone. Not soccer football but FOOTBALL! My fingers are shaking because i'm so excited to go play. This week was a good one, we had the baptism of Aresa Joloka. Her three older sisters are all members of the church and she is excited to be united with them. This morning we went and moved sand for a few hours, last week it rained super hard in the camp and at the bottom it flooded really bad. So that it doesn't happen again. One thing I don't know if I'll ever get used to over here is that everyone feels like they have to come and say some smart comment or something about america when they see me working. I play along but... if only they knew. I don't know if I told you this but A lot of new areas are going to and are opening up. They just opened up a second area in the Volta region, Kpong. President Judd has taken a lot of interest in that region and he has told us that he will continue to open up new areas. President Judd has a great vision for this mission, I also don't know if I told you but this mission is going to get a number of more missionaries.

Yesterday I was finally able to watch conference, I think President Monson is hilarious. His story about the five dollar bill... none of the Africans had any idea about what he was talking about and I just kept laughing during his talk. My favorite talk was given by Elder Callister, he gave a powerful talk on the Book of Mormon. I especially liked his diagram where a many different lines were going though the dot that represented the bible but, if you also have the Book of Mormon, only one line can go though the two. This week will have interviews and a temple trip and i'm really looking forward to both. Thanks for all the love, thoughts and prayers!

Love, Elder L