Friday morning the elders all came to the Mission Home from where they were taken to the Chimp Reserve. It took some coordinating of vehicles to get everyone there and back. Elder Jones was involved in all the transportation issues. While the elders were seeing the chimps, Sister Squires and I finished up the goodies for the luncheon and dinner. We even had sufficient time for relaxing and a nice chat.
When the elders got back, everything shifted into high gear--as far as fun and noise was concerned. We had a "snack" buffet. The elders seemed to have a good time eating, chatting, and getting caught up with those they hadn't seen in a while.
After snacks it was time for district skits. There was quite a variety--some sang original songs which they composed while others did skits. Some of the skits were related to the scriptures. While others kidded about particular elders and their personalities. It was a great time!!!!
Elder Amoa-Ohenakwah and Elder Grabau singing an original song "Oh Little Town of Kenema".--They are the only two elders who are currently serving in Kenema (about 3-4 hours from Freetown).
Elders Intsiful, Lowe, Bird and Nyarko doing various types of songs in a medley.
Elder Massey asking Santa for biscuits--not the cookie kind here in Sierra Leone--the kind that you bake and but butter and honey/jam on.
Elder Andersen telling Santa (Elder Lauti) about his Christmas wish.
Elders Agamah, Gaxiola, Laneri, Merrill, Davila and Bro. Thoronka
After the skits, then we watched a video. President Squires then gave a spiritual message and read a couple of nice Christmas stories that brought the true "reason for the season" to our minds. We then had a wonderful dinner of barbecued beef (a very special treat), chicken, baked potatoes and/or rice, corn and garlic bread. For dessert we had chocolate cake. Gifts were then given out--with lots of boxes from home.
From President and Sister Squires, each missionary received a booklet that contained the conversion story or testimony of each missionary presently serving in the mission, as well as some from the past with pictures of each missionary and couple. It will be a great remembrance for each missionary--particularly as they return home and can remember those fine elders with whom they served.
The elders were then taken back to the apartments with early wake-up calls to return back to Bo and back to their regular schedule. They all seemed to have a GREAT time.
On Saturday we took 10 of the elders back to Bo. Presient and Sister Squires took the other 4 elders back to Bo on their way to Liberia for the Christmas zone conference over there.
Since then we have been busy getting things organized for new missionaries who will arrive next week--December 22. We are opening another apartment in Bo so we have been trying to get beds, wardrobes, tables, chairs, dishes, etc. We thought we were going to do all this on Tuesday and Wednesday, but it got postponed until Friday and Saturday. We will leave tomorrow to set everything up. We will return back to Freetown on Saturday in time for a special dinner for the elders put on by the district presidency.
On Monday, the elders will have a Super P-Day which will be a Christmas related. We will help a little there also. We will report on that in the next blog.
Until then, we wish you the VERY BEST of CHRISTMASES. We love you and appreciate each of you. We are so grateful for the Savior, Jesus Christ. We are happy to be a part of His great work and serving with these fine young men who go out to testify and help others to receive of the glad message of His love and His plan of happiness.
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