District Conference and other goings on

Freetown District Conference was held this past Saturday and Sunday. The theme of the conference was "Tithing, Offerings, and Self Reliance". There has been a BIG push here to help people to become self reliant. You can understand how big a push that is when you realize that some individuals make about $1,000 a month while others make as little as $50 a month--and those are the people who have some type of job. Many individuals don't have any type of job.

The Saturday auxiliary training involved a drama about the parable of the 10 virgins. They then had 4 mini-classes about various elements of self-reliance. The Relief Society, primary and Young Women then had some specific training in regard to their particular auxiliary.

The Saturday afternoon session (adult session) of conference continued the training about the importance of having the faith to pay tithing first and then how to try to save and be independent. There is a big cultural tradition of expecting others to take care of you. (This tradition may even be growing more in the United States.)

On Sunday there were 2 different sessions because of the cost of transportation for the members. They had an East side and a West side conference. We attended both sessions. There were many strong testimonies shared. President Squires shared a story that I'm sure many of you have seen on the internet about "The mousetrap". It is about a mouse that becomes alarmed when he discovers that there is a mousetrap in the house. He warns the hen (who says it is of no concern to her), the pig (who says that he will pray for the mouse), and the cow (who says it is no skin off his nose). That night the farmer's wife hears the mousetrap go off and hurries down to see what is caught in the trap. Instead of the mouse it is a venomous snake, which bites the farmer's wife. She becomes very ill and is taken to the hospital. When her husband brings her home, he fixes her some chicken soup. She continues to not do well so many of her friends and family come to visit. The farmer kills the pig in order to feed the visitors. But alas, the wife does not get better and she dies. To provide food for the funeral, the farmer slaughter's the cow. The mouse watches all of this from the crack in the wall. The warning is that we need to be concerned for those around us and assist when we can. We are all in this together.

At the East side conference, Sister Abu, the wife of the 2nd counselor in the District Presidency, shared her testimony. She testified of the importance of the literacy program of the church. After she finished, the people broke out in a little spontaneous applause. It was so endearing to see their love for this sister and her courage to break free from the "bonds" that held her captive.

It was wonderful to be with the members of the church. When you gather with fellow Saints, you definitely feel the spirit. It doesn't matter where in the world you are, the feeling is the same. We love the people here in Sierra Leone.

We now have new neighbors--Lowry and Maylene Flake. They will be here until the end of November. They are being well received by the members here as the Flakes served on the Measles Campaign here in Sierra Leone in 2006. There are many of the key people that they worked with before who remember them fondly and are grateful to have them back.

At a recent zone conference I learned something that may help one of you. Sister Squires had shared the story of the man who was asked to push against the rock. He pushed and pushed day after day and couldn't move the rock. He was so discouraged. When the person who had asked him to push against the rock came, the man reported that he had not been able to move the rock. The other person said "I didn't ask you to move the rock, I asked you to push against the rock--which you have done. Look how strong you are and the muscles you have developed while you have been pushing against the rock." Sister Squires then shared an important acronym:

P--pray
U--until
S--something
H--happens

So when you get in a tight fix and wonder what to do--remember to PUSH!!!!

Sending our love to all of you. Keep PUSH ing!!!!!!