Feb 25, 2013 Liberia Monrovia - A New Mission

Wow crazy week its so amazing to see how the work is going forward. Not gonna lie being in Liberia we really only here things that happen in the world from email and once and a while from our mission president.  SO what I'm trying to say here is keep telling me everything that is happening. I'm so thankful for you being so supportive to me. BTW our new mission president is going to be Elder Kirkham one of the senior couples on mission now so its pretty sweet. I'm so glad too if it was any other person it would take so long to get the mission back up and running after the Roggias leave.

Its sweet to here about all of my friends receiving mission calls and leaving to various parts of the world. Girls no matter what your decision is whether its going on a mission or not i know that the lord will bless you. The Prophet has not yet said (or that i have heard) that girls are commanded to serve missions. I was reading an article in the liahona about "the Decision". Its really between you and the lord. I dont think anybody should judge someones DECISION. This is just for the women. Guys get your butts out on missions.

 This is true. For true. I think of how maybe i would have prepared alot more during my senior year in high school. I know one thing for sure. Whether you are going on a mission or still deciding Be a Boy/GIrl Scout and BE PREPARED. Prepare by doing the little things. Read your scriptures small small everyday. Most importantly develop a relationship with our heavenly father by Praying Everyday. This is so vital and important for a mission. You have to have the spirit to be your constant companion or really you cant do anything. Oh and dont just read the scriptures, STUDY them. Focus mainly on the book of mormon but also know the bible. Use Preach My Gospel to help you on your way to your mission. Dont think that if you dont go on a mission you cant be a missionary. Look around there are people everywhere who need the gospel of jesus christ in there lives. Sorry i kind of went on a tangent. But these things are very important so START NOW!!!!!!

Well this week in Liberia has been hard. One of our investigators has had malaria for over a month now and has lost 30-40 pounds on her little African Body. Its really hard to not being able do really anything. So please keep these people in your prayers.

People always have said missions are hard. I thought they were talking about the work when they said this. For me the work is life its just the things i cant do that are hard. Dealing with people that you absolutely love and would give your heart or kidney too and not being able to help them that's what is hard for me. I thankful of what i have in this life, i kick my self everyday about taking those things for granted when i was back home.

Today has been a wonderful day though. This morning we got up at 630 and got ready to go play some basketball next to the beach. After about an hour and a half i finally made one basket. No i joke. We then went down to the beach for some personal study. We lad on our Lapas and studied Lehi's Dream.;) No i studied in Alma about him and Amulek. It was so sweet to have our personal study with the sound of waves crashing into the beach. Felt like i was in a different mission. After that we played some Football or soccer on the beach which is always fun to stretch out our blistered ingrown toes. haha.

So this day has been sort of a break from the heck-deck week Elder Park and i had Last week.    I get to eat all the fish i want now in the meals we get from our Families we teach. Elder Park is a great missionary and its been fun getting to know him a little bit more this week.
Well i dont have a lot of time we are going to get more lapas and finish measurements for my African suit so maybe next week i will have my suit. Ah its so sweet. I'm so Excited.
I love you all very much. Remind People on Facebook to write me or dear elder me some time soon. Its always really nice to get letters they really boost my week. So sometimes the letters they don't quite get here so just keep sending them. Thank you very much.
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the WHite African)

New Mission in Liberia Monrovia!!

February 22, 2013
It was announced that Liberia would become it's own mission.   Great to see the work progressing!!
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/news-releases/

List of 58 Additional Missions Being Created

With the influx of new missionaries, some existing missions will be divided to form these additional missions:
Angola Luanda
Argentina Comodoro Rivadavia
Argentina Posadas
Arizona Gilbert
Arizona Scottsdale
Australia Sydney North
Bolivia Santa Cruz North
Botswana Gaborone
Brazil Curitiba South
Brazil Fortaleza East
Brazil Juiz de Fora
Brazil Natal
Brazil Piracicaba
Brazil Santos
Brazil São Paulo West
California Bakersfield
California Irvine
California Rancho Cucamonga
Chile Santiago South
Colorado Fort Collins
Ecuador Guayaquil West
Ecuador Quito North
El Salvador San Salvador East
Georgia Macon
Ghana Accra West
Guatemala Cobán
Honduras San Pedro Sula West
Idaho Nampa
Idaho Twin Falls
Illinois Chicago West
Japan Tokyo South
Kansas Wichita
Korea Seoul South
Liberia Monrovia
México Cancún
México Ciudad Juarez
México Ciudad Obregón
México México City Chalco
México Pachuca
México Queretaro
México Reynosa
México Saltillo
New Zealand Hamilton
Nigeria Benin City
Ohio Cincinnati
Oregon Salem
Papua New Guinea Lae
Perú Huancayo
Perú Iquitos
Philippines Cavite
Philippines Cebu East
Philippines Legaspi
Philippines Urdaneta
Ukraine L'viv
Utah Salt Lake City East
Virginia Chesapeake
Washington Federal Way
Washington Vancouver

Pictures: Feb. 15th

Life in Liberia:  pulling this wheelbarrow behind the motorbike.



Elder Widdison, Elder Sekrime, Elder Park (new comp.) and Elder Skouson

Training Awesome Feb.18

                                                                   
Sounds like a busy week. I'm glad to have a mother that is willing to work with her kids to nurture us through the eternities.

(This is in reference to cutting his fingers just one year ago on Feb. 13th delivering flowers.)Ya um lets just say im one of those people that honestly just hate Valentines day. Its crazy even here they still celebrate the big V day. I really have a different reason for not liking it. Well i decided to think about all the things i can still do now that i have my fingers and the work alright. So i washed by hand, ate some finger foods and played our little keyboard for an hour or so. Ya btw i can almost play Choose the Right to perfection. Not trying to toot my own horn or anything. No i really cant play at all. Maybe sometime in the future you can send me a simplified hymn book. I dont know only if you want me to play some hymn for people. Its up to you really.;) No well it turned out to be a great day. I thought about all the things i accomplished since that happened and realized the blessings in my life.

Anyways, Elder Park wow what a great guy. We have only spent a little time together but its cool to see how much he has learned in such a small amount of time. I learn new things from him everyday. Like i have said in the past Training is different. I'm trying to figure out the right amount of stewardship i have to have over him. No i joke. We are both learning new things everyday. Both about the gospel and about Africa. For me i have already decided i want to become an African. I'm learning more and more kolokail everyday. Also there about 16 different tribes just in Liberia I'm trying to learn small small paylay and gia. Its hard though. There are different sounds that my mouth just isn't use to making. But I'm coming on small small.

We have met with some really great people in these last few days. we are really trying to work with the members of our branch to both find less active members and referals. Its been sweet. We have been working pretty hard this last week and everyday i learn something new about the gospel from Elder Park. We met with a JW yesterday and tried not to bible bash but what he was say just really had no truth behind it. So we tried to act dignified and respectful and i told him he needed to repent and be baptized and pray to our heavenly father. So hopefully he isn't too angry with me. It was right after our missionary Sunday which really just drains me.

Speaking of Missionary Sunday. I had the opportunity to give another talk. This talk i could really feel the spirit testify to me that this is what the people needed hear. I based my talk off of Mosiah 2:17 which talks about when you are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. This last week i read that scripture to one of our Recent converts and knew i was suppose to speak on this. I read from the True to the Faith about service and Charity. I thought it turned out all right. Usually the people here in the church are chastised a lot so when ever i speak i try to encourage with a loving heart.

After my talk I had the wonderful opportunity to teach Releif Soicety. I taught them how they could have a stronger family. I think "by small and simple things great things are brought to pass" is going to be my theme for this year. I taught about how through Pray, Scripture study and going to church on time will help us personally to be examples to our children. Also how we can also pray with our families and read the scriptures with our families everyday. and once a week have FHE.
This week was really great though I'm learning new things everyday and cant wait to tell you what has been happening in my life next week.

I Love you all so much and thank you for being loving parents to me. I can see now why you pushed me so hard to become the man i am today. So i thank you very much. But why didn't you tell me to continue to play the piano. ;) Sorry Ya.
I love you all!!!
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the white African)

 

Bushrod Island Zone Conference January 26, 2013

Bushrod Island Zone Conference with Elder and Sister Curtis. This is his Mission Presidents last Mission Tour while on  their  mission with the Africa West Area Presidency. Two tours each year for the last three years. (The sky is white/gray/pink because of the Harmattan time of year. Lots of sand in the air)




  Elder Skouson meeting Elder and Sister Curtis from the Africa West Area Presidency

All the missionaries went back to their areas after conference. 

Feb 11, 2013 Training!!

Hello Mi familia,
Well I'm a father, and my son is white....... AHHHHH Two white men!!!!! That is all we are going to hear for the next three months!!! My Son's name is Elder Park, He is actually from Seattle Washington. Not gonna lie its werid looking at a white guy all the time now hahaha. He is a hard working guy and i know we will work wonders in Doe Community. Its kind of funny seeing him try to get use to all these liberian things.

So yesterday was a wonderful long exhausting day. Man, church takes it right out of me. We went into the Branch Presidents office yesterday morning before church to have him fill out a few baptismal records. He was making the program for church and asked/told me i was going to be the speaker for today. Luckily i had brought with me the Liahona and i had study some of the articles the night before.  So i had ten minutes to prepare a talk for 25 minutes. It is so sweet. I talked about the importance of daily prayer and scripture study.  Also talked about how to strenghten family relationships. It actually turned out alright. Being a missionary is very sweet i love being able to share what i have learned with everyone. As a missionary you really can see what the people need in there lives to help them grow. I have the opportunity to speak again next week as well for our Missionary Sunday. I also taught the gospel princples class and young men. Speaking about the young men two brothers were able to pass the sacrament for the first time yesterday because they finally got white shirts. Oh it was so sweet to see them being able to pass the sacrament. Elder Kouao and i baptized them about two months ago.

After Church Elder Park and i were lucky enough to have some "Pumkey" for dinner that one of our recent converts made. This has to be my favorite dish that i have tried here on mission. Its just like a Pumpkin and pepea soup with a sweet taste to it. It also had some sort of meat in it. Still dont really know what kind of meat it was but it tasted good. I have loved trying these new things here.

Its a big difference between training and being trained. I hope i can be like Elder Kouao so i can train good good. Their is alot more responsiblity and sometimes it can be difficult but i know as i trust in the lord and i turn to him for everything i will accomplish great things. This mission has really shaped me into a better me. I hope to continue to do the things the lord want me to.

Well I have small time, i love you very much and thank you for supporting me while im hear on mission.
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the white african)

February 4, 2013

Dear Family and Friends,
Ow Di Bodi????
Sounds like an exciting week. I heard that The Ravens won the super bowl. I bet Bro. Motivou was pretty happy for that. Im wondering did dad watch the game??? Probably not. Its also really exciting to hear about all of my friends going on missions all over the world. SOOOO coool to see how this work is going forward. I love to read the emails from Elder Harper and both the Popps. Does Brandon Fisher put out an email? if so can i have it? And any other emails would be super cool.
Anyway nothing really new this week except TRANSFER NEWS!!!!!! Its both exciting and sad at the same time. First off my Companion Elder Kouao will be leaving. Thats the really sad part. He is such a good missionary and i am really going to miss him and his stories. The exciting part is i will be Training Elder Pack. I dont know anything about him and i dont even know if his name is really Elder Pack or not. It should be a good opportunity to learn alot about being a Father. Not really just when you train you become a father. Im thankful for this opportunity to serve.
During Testimony meeting yesterday my Companion bore his testimony and told everyone he was going to leave. He has been here for over 8 months now. He was telling me how the branch was when he first arrived and there was absolutely nobody that came to church. So pretty much everyone that comes to church he has baptized. Some 80 or so baptisms. Its crazy ya. I also realized how it is so important to sprint on your mission. Two years is a long but small time for our missions. 
So your getting out of town i see. Well tell me how your trip is and send me lots of Photos. Im very happy that Dad finally has a calling now so maybe you can get back to normal life. hahahah. Anyway speaking about Your calling please be a big help to those missionaries in your ward. I think of how much we depend on our Branch Missionary leader for working with our branch. His name is Bro. James and is such a wonderful help to us missionaries. That one of the  major reasons we are having so much success in our area. He is such a help to us. Especially because our area is so big. If i had some good advice to give it would be work with the ward/branch during your mission because it can be such a help to you and your companion.
As Mikayla visits all these temples have her send pictures of them all. I'm so excited she is able to go and see so many things and learning so much. I think she is grownin up. My big sister all grown up. Speaking about sisters how is marissa and millie??
Well what can i say my mission is wonderful we had another Baptism this last saturday. Her name is Elizabeth Toe she is 17 years old and has a small piken ( small boy). She is just wonderful and her friend Maybee is going to be baptized this week along with the last member of the Kardio family Freddie. He is an 18 year old boy finally ready for the gospel. He comes to church every week now, and participates which is just great. You know how i said that the young women were lacking in the branch? Well that has since changed we have many young women who are just being great examples and bringing people into the church. The work is so sweet. My new compainon and I really are gonna need to work hard these couple weeks because Elder Kouao and i have met with so many proseptive families. Its really exciting and i hope my compainion like to work.
Well exciting news since i am staying for at least another 3 months in Doe community, i have decided to get an African suit. We are going into town today to pick up the material or lilies as they call it. Should look pretty good when its done. Well gotta go I love you all very much im trying to do my best here. Please tell people to keep writing there is nothing like a letter you can hold in your hands. Dear elders are wonderful as well maybe you can post on Facebook that people can write by going to the website.
I love you sooooo much.
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the White African)
P.S. I could use some more crystal lights, and some more nutella. Thank you so much i love you.

January 28, 2013

What a week!! It sounds like It has been a blast back in the states!!! I love to hear about how everything is going. I just loved dads talk wow that was 100 times better then the talk i gave. Mine was mostly about small small things like coming to church on time to partake of the sacrament. The church is so young here. But we are coming on small small. Right now we really are trying to make sure our converts are converted. Its kinda hard to tell if they will continue to come to church after they are baptized.
Speaking of converts the man who was married last week, Bro B., was baptized last saturday. He is such an amazing example to me. He has had to wait to be baptized for almost two months now and he was always to church 15 mins before sacrament. He is such a wonderful man who is truly converted to the gospel and church of Jesus Christ. We also had to other girls be baptized. Both just stellar converts. R., who is about 26, has a small girl who is as dad would call her a fireball. During church she cant sit down. Its almost funny to watch. The other girl is also wonderful her name is J.. She has been taught by many missionaries and finally accepted the gospel. She also cooks palm butter for us after Church. Woooo hoooo.
Church is wonderful here. But being on mission where the church is so young puts alot more responsibility on our shoulders. First if there is a doctrinal question on any subject member/ non members will always turn to the missionaries. What ever the missionary say goes. That's one of the reasons I'm nervous for elder K. leaving because he knows everything and i really know nothing. Once someone catches me, there goes my reputation. If you don't know something here its big problem. So for you soon to be missionaries, learn your stuff. I have had to do a lot of catching up.
By the end of church for some reason we are just completely drained. We will often go and eat the food J. makes and think about how small our responsibility was when we were at home. Return missionaries here are just crazy. None of them come to church. I think of how much we stress about people coming to church as missionaries and then go home and never go ourselves. Its crazy thing Elder K. and I made a promise that we would always come to church after our mission if we have the chance, unless we were physically unable. Coming to church is just one of those small things that really just keeps us on track. If everyone came to church every week Liberia would have a stake by now.
Well i need to step down off my high horse, but this week has been great.
(I asked him about worms)    I really dont know about the worm situation here in Liberia. I dont think i have worms but i dont know what they feel like. Maybe you can send me loads of information on different diseases i can get here in Africa and who knows i might become a hypochondriac. Haha no something i try not to think about. Like you know the sandwich i buy every night, ya the lady who makes it chews an herb in her mouth then spits it in my sandwich. Ya just things like that you don't think about too much. You just kinda say "TIL" This is Liberia.
Speaking about malaria i think i did lose some weight. That picture kind of shows it doesn't it. Sorry Ya.
Its wonderful to hear about your subbing job. My love of kids has really grown being in Africa. I try to help them in every way i can. If its drawing water for them or washing some clothes i just try and do my best to help. I wish i can send photos more often. I will try to sometime.
Well we are off to town again. So i am pretty excited. Hopefully Millie gets Better soon. Please send my Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Simper and to katie .  I love you all very much. Thank you for all the support you have given me. I love you !!!!!!!!!
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the white African)

January 21, 2013

WOOOOOOOHHHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Holy cow so many people going on missions!!!!! Congradulations to Sean F., Alexa P., and Justin L., for getting your mission calls. Also farewell Mallory R., Ian M., Sterling D. if your mission is anything like mine You will love it. Its so wonderful to see all my friends getting calls and making this work move forth. Now i just need mission addresses so i can write some of theses people.
Also, THANK YOU SO MUCH, i received another package this week. It was just wonderful seeing the pictures of family and friends all cheering me on. Its amazing how much a simple letter or package can truly lift your spirits. Its always nice to know i am not forgotten. So again thank you for the support i have received. I have the best family in the whole world. I still hope to get the last one but if i don't i wont cry, too much.
Well This week has been wonderfully, surprisingly, eye opening. I was able to lead this week as a part of my training. Lets just say there is a big difference between being trained and training. There are things you have to actually worry about beside just teaching. Like paperwork and making sure things are all set for baptisms etc. You really have to be a man and to face challenges with my big boy pants on. I realized this week that my companion and i became men at different times in our lives. He really became a man when he was about 12, and i am still in the last stages of just becoming independent. We had interview with President Roggia this week and he pretty much told me i will be training next transfer. It puts a whole new outlook on things when you think about being the one in charge. So the next two weeks im going to try to learn absolutely everything about everything. I feel like i need to push myself that much harder.
Speaking of Pres. Roggia we had a Zone Conference this last tuesday. Elder Curtis in the area presidency came with his wife to speak with us. I just loved Sis. Curtis i was so nice to hear from just another  women. When she first started talking i thought it was you mom. It was almost surreal. But i just told myself it wasnt my mom. She gave a wonderful talk about inviting people to do things. They are just a lovely couple.
I had the opportunity to go to my first Liberian marriage. It was for one of our investigators. Brother B. and his Wife were married by our branch president. This has been a long process trying to get his married then baptized. He will be baptized this next Saturday. He has been in the army for most of his life and one of the strongest men i know. He also fought in the war that was here. Just a great guy with crazy stories.
Speaking of crazy stories Elder K. my companion told me another one of his many stories. I haven't heard the same story twice and i think i have heard at least two every day. He was talking about his friend and he called him "the red pen" which means he was the correction. Honestly his stories would put gang member stories just look like child's play.
We had our Missionary Sunday yesterday, which means the missionaries do everything. I had the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting about How by small and simple things great things are brought to pass. I read a few scriptures like Alma 37:6-7 to help them understand as they do the little things, like go to church and praying everyday, the lord will make them become great. I thought it really went well and i think the people also understood me. I hope they do the things that we have told them to. I know Liberia will become a better place as the church and the membership in the church continues to grow.
Like i said before, i absolutley love my mission and i am trying to do my best to learn as much as i can about the gospel and how i can make myself a better person. Really to become more Christ-like and develop those attributes. For those going on missions take President Richards advice and "Sprint"!!!!!!!
I love you all very much and cant wait to hear about everything that has happened throughout the week next week.
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the White African)