1/27/14

Dear Everybody,
Well the internet isnt working too well. so we have a very small
amount of time to email today. This week has been great working hard
even though illness. Yes i was sick small just you know the usual
fresh cold. I don't really how you can get a cold when it is so hot
but just one of those things.
We had a very successful baptism this last gone saturday. Shema
Kakarpah was baptized along with 3 others. We would have had 5 in all
but the night before the baptism Francis Howard broke his leg in
football, he snapped it right on the shin bone. He is so converted
though, we went to his house after the baptism just to check out the
situation and give him so comfort. He wanted to be baptized so badly.
He was telling us that he just wants to help out in the church no
matter what he is doing. He said I just want to help pack the hymn
books after service. Notice 3 months ago this was a well know rogue
(thief) inside the community. Don't tell me people cannot change. I
just think about Pres. Monson talking about leopards changing there
spots. Of course with our crutches just one stick he walked and made
his way to church. Talk about a strong man.

Yesterday on our way home we decided to pass by Shema and her mother
Asheba. We arrived and didn't see Shema but we found Asheba just
staring at her church. We walked up and greeted her, "Ya, ole ma
hello." Her church really all it is, is bamboo sticks on the outside
and zinc on the top. The floors are just dirt with a few bamboo
benches. She was looking how she could improve and make it bigger, so
we gave our own suggestions. She had the front facing the street where
everyone gets distracted and we suggested to turn the place around. We
also offered our services to help to rebuild her church. Now i don't
really know if this would be like assisting our enemy or anything but
the offer was taken genuinely. i I think she might even let us help.
Maybe we will take one of the roof pieces off so nobody gets too
attracted to the wonderful church that the missionaries help rebuild.
Luckily it also serves as a nursery school so we will just count it as
the school and not the church.

We this is the last week of our transfer and we are pretty sure my
companion Elder Oni will be leaving the area. I will miss him bad
way-oh because we truly are like brothers from other mothers. Talking
about how much our parents loved us and cared for us it was like i was
talking to my brother. Early curfew, always knew were he was, you know
the protective love that our parents gave to us that now we really
have come to appreciate.
Answer the question how is the zone, and being a zone leader? We are
amoungst the greatest missionaries in Liberia ( since the Liberia
Monrovia Mission is the greatest mission) we work with the best
missionaries in the world. Thankfully we are out of town, way out, so
we are just continually focusing on our purpose. These missionaries
don't get distracted. Monrovia to Harbel is like going from Las Vegas
to Fallon. Not in distance but in busy-ness. Harbel is run by the
monopoly company Firestone. If you have ever wondered were firestone
gets the rubber to make their tires, well it is here in Margibi
County. (I wont go into how bad there pay is but would you be able to
survive an 8 hour shift on only $2 a day not an hour.)
We are just doing well out here is great to hear you are doing some
things for yourselves random trips and cruises. If you count the
number of trips you have been on in the last 14months i think it would
be more than your fingers and toes. But i am glad you are enjoying. I
love you very much and just want to let you know i am enjoying my
mission as well.
Shout out to both of my friends Sydney Trotter and Anna Glover for
getting engaged. Guess you didnt want to wait huh?? No just kidding
Congrats. Enjoy being attacted at the hip with a man the rest of
eternity.... haahaha. at least i dont have to worry about that for
long!!!
I love you all.
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the White African)