Sorry that we haven't posted something for a couple of weeks. Sometimes it seems that we are pretty busy and then when I sit down to write the blog, there doesn't seem to be a lot to write about. But here are the latest happenings in Sierra Leone.
Since the end of July, 3 new branches have been organized. The branches stay fairly small both because of the size of the buildings available to meet in and to give members more of an opportunity to serve. We have had the opportunity to meet with the members of one of the new branches. They are SO excited about the change. They are truly fired up to see their branch grow. They have taken great pride in their building. They are meeting in a building that has been renovated in order to make rooms available for the various needs of an operating branch--chapel, classrooms, etc. There have been a few setbacks with water dripping into the building, but it doesn't dampen the spirit of the saints. Electricity is provided by a generator. The nice thing is that the generator is in a room downstairs from where the church services are so the noise from the generator isn't quite so bad.
In order to prepare the building for the new branch, there were many things that needed to be done. New pews, tables, chalkboards, and pulpit needed to be built. You can see some of the pews in the picture below. What is amazing is that all of the things were built without any electric equipment. Everything does done completely by hand. When it came time to haul the furniture from where it was made to the building, it was all done in the back of the pickup we drive. They really had the furniture stacked on there and usually had about 4-5 African workers hanging on. I think they just thought it was cool to ride down the hill and wave to their friends. (I should mention that the people here will be happy to hitch a ride anyway they can. It is not unusual to see some young men running as a big dump truck hauling sand slows down for a speed bump. They will jump on the back and climb up and ride on the sand to where they want to go.)
This is a picture of the chapel area of the building. The door you can see goes into the Primary room area. As you sit in the back of the chapel for Sunday School, you can hear the Primary children singing and being taught. (All the children meet together throughout the primary time.)
One of the unique things that we got to be a little involved with was the painting of the chalkboards. One coat of white paint and then 3 coats of green paint were put on the board. They turned out great. You can reallly see the white chalk on the green surface from at the back of the room. Sister Peterson was the head of the chalkboard process.
With Elder and Sister Peterson leaving next Wednesday, Elder Jones has been receiving instruction on the proper care of the generators. We have two generators at the mission home and 2 at the mission office, as well as a small generator at each of the missionary apartments. He will be responsible for doing the oil change, etc.
On August 19, we had the biggest transfers we have had since coming here. We had 5 elders return home--all American elders and 5 new Elders come--all American Elders. It seems to be a pattern somewhat here in this mission that the Americans come in the summer months and the African elders come in the winter months. It is an interesting phenomenon. We are so impressed with all the elders who serve in this mission. It is not an easy mission in many ways--each mission has their unique challenges. We thought you would like to see these fine young men. The ones on the back are the returning elders--Elders Gibson, Burns, Olaveson, Anderson and Whitlock. The ones in front are the new elders--Elders Hickey, Massey, Laneri, Smoot and Hilton. It is interesting to see the changes that occur especially in the first few weeks that the elders are here. Each adjusts at a different rate, but each is a joy to watch. I have learned much from watching their dedication and willingness to serve.
Last Saturday we had a big West Africa Day of Service. All the saints gathered together in their various locations and did some type of service for the community. It was first thought that the saints here were going to clean a Mosque. Why they would think that the Muslims would want some Christians coming in and cleaning their building isn't really sure. As it ended up, we cleaned streets in downtown Freetown. We were worried about the rain, but it turned out to be a wonderful day. The saints enjoyed themselves so much. It was great to see all the yellow "Mormon Helping Hands" everywhere you looked. We would get "thank yous" from various people as they walked by. It was fun to see the members be so happy to see each other from the various branches. They would run over laughing and giggling. What was great for me was that so many that I had seen in various places, ie at piano classes, at the mission office, at the branch meetings, would come over and hug me and include me in whatever they were doing. When we first got to the service project, Elder Jones was asked to go haul some water so that they could use the water to clean some steps (moss, etc., grows everywhere). So he took off and I was left to figure out what to do. But I had the BEST time. I didn't even meet up with Elder Jones until the end of the service project. Towards the end of the project, we did get a little drizzle of rain so we all found some shelter. I was in a little tin store front building. There I was with a little store full of black faces. All I could think of was "One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just isn't the same." What is really funny here, though, is that there is no problem in talking about black and white. It is not offensive or have racial undertones. It is such a great thing!!!! At the end of the project we all met at the local bus station. That is where the following pictures were taken. The one of me is with sisters form the Lumley branch.
On Sunday, Elder Jones and I participated in the Lumley Branch Conference. We had been working with the branch choir. They sang "More Holiness Give Me " and "We are Sowing". Learning the parts was pretty difficult for them. They did a good job, however. One area that they had no difficulty on was looking good. The sisters decided that they would wear ties like the brethren. They wore white blouses and black skirts and then put on a tie. They looked very cute.
On Monday, August 24, we had a ground breaking out in Kissy (on the east side of Freetown) for a new building. It will be the first building built by the church here from the ground up. The saints are so excited about it. There are three of twelve branches here in Freetown that meet in nonrented buildings. In the Bo area there are two of 9 branches that meet in a nonrented building. The members have to be tithing faithful in order to be considered to have a building built. Elder Jones got to actually be invited to be part of the ground breaking ceremony. (My part was to play the keyboard--I held in on my lap as I played as there was no where else to put it. At one point in the meeting, one of the brethren didn't think it was loud enough, so they put the microphone from the battery operated loudspeaker on it. Boy was it loud then. I searched for the volume control to turn it down, but with no success. I think they still sang louder than I played, though.)
Joining in the ground breaking were Elder Peterson, the two branch presidents whose branches will meet in the new building, and two members of the District Presidency--President Bundaka and President Abu.
The sisters of the branches even joined in and wanted their picture taken. One of the branch presidents explained that the Relief Society was truly responsible for this great event. They had held a special fast and had ended their fast on the day that the new building was announced to the members.
That should probably be enough for this post. As a tidbit to encourage you to check back--a visit from one of the members of the 1st Quorum of Seventy.
Know that we are happy to be part of this great work. We are truly learning to love the people here in Africa. They are striving to do what is right and to serve their Heavenly Father. Many are new in the church, but are trying to learn and deepen their testimonies of the Savior.
If any of you know someone who wants to serve--let them know missionary positions are available in Sierra Leone!!!!!
Love you all-----until next time
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