Tuesday, April 22, 2014

April 21, 2014

Dear Family,
This week has been an eventful one and the last full week my companion will be on mission. So we tried hard to make it a very productive one. 
I got my wish of going with my father one last time out to proselyte on an exchange. Elder Kouao is the best missionary i have ever served with. I will be a sad man when both he and Elder Oni leave tomorrow.
Just like i said we had an eventful week. Thursday after doing some interviews for baptism we visited a member of the branch presidencies house that is about 30 away on motorbike. So we paid the bike man less than 2 U.S. or 120 LD and we went off. Never really thought how big this firestone company is. But it is huge. Maybe the biggest in the world. No small money is made here. 
But anyway we met with the Kone family and had like a family home evening. The greatest part about it is we didn't have to show them how do do anything. They are a legit latter day saint family. We sung hymns and the whole family didn't need a hymn book. It was a sweet experience. Bro. Kone served a mission and came back in the time of war. He said it wasn't easy at all but the kept the faith and says that he didn't go hungry one day during the war. Which is a big miracle cause many people did of hunger and thirst. He was just so happy we came he says it has been 6 years since the missionaries have stepped into his home. Just a sweet family.
The rest of the week was just helping my companion get ready to ship off to Nigeria. I will miss this man like frog. This is the hard thing about mission is building great relationships with people and then having to separate. I dont even want to start to think about leaving Liberia. It will be a sad day for sure. 
I love you all and i am enjoying mission like frog.
Love,
Elder Skouson


Dear President Kirkham,
Not going to lie hearing one of my best friends on mission has gone home is really kind of shocking and sad so we will definitely be praying that he has a speedy recovery and comes back soon.
Speaking of people going home I went on an exchange with my father Elder Kouao. I believe the best missionary in this mission. Though i was "suppose" to be training him, it was the exact opposite. He trained me on how to be bold but loving with people. To be straight and not beat around the bush when discussing someones salvation. We met with one man named Jefferson Wesseh and his wife Naomi. We have been teaching them for some time now and they come to church one one time. He is a important man inside his church and has many responsibilities there. As soon as we sat down i could see the Elder Kouao knew this was a good man but needed some small tough love about the gospel. We began by asking inspired questions for Elder Kouao trying to get to know him. To be honest every time Elder Oni and I have come I always feel like we were only seeing the tip of the iceberg and that the real problem or issue he is hiding. By asking these inspired questions we got him to open up more then i have ever seen him do before. He began to tell us that the people in his church are persecuting him like crazy. Almost threatening him if he leaves his church. We could understand why he asked so many questions about this church being a devil church. He just didn't want to be losing his soul by coming to The Church of Jesus Chirst of Latter Day Saints. Just like we had so many times before we invited him to pray. He has prayed before many times but he said he didn't really want to listen because he has been listening to so many others before. We jumped on this and invited him to pray with his whole heart and wait for the response that heavenly Father wanted so desperately to give to him.
Needlesstosay it was a very good lesson, lasted a little long but it was much needed for the Wesseh family. The best thing about it was President Wesseh our branch President was there to help him understand. Presidnet Wesseh before he was baptized went through a very similar persecution among the church he was attending before. So i was great to have him there to help Bro. Jefferson understand and he did and what Jefferson needs to do.
Another thing that Elder Kouao unofficially trained me on is seeing the potential that my area ,camp two, has. We were walking not far from President Wessehs house  down a street we don't normally take and he helped me see all those who are potential investigators. He came up with a great idea that me and my new companion will do when he comes. We don't really go knocking door to door at all in this mission, but what we are going to do is take one day to teach a whole street of people. Now this might sound crazy or foolish but for this line that we were on it would be great. It will help these people understand the doctrines of the Church not the rumors.
Just wanted to let you know that Elder Kouao has done some great work and it was great for me to go out with him one last time before he leaves.
I am excited for the transfers. Its a much needed thing here in Harbel we are excited to whoever comes just we want ones who are ready to work.
President thank you for your hard work you do for us missionaries and the people of Liberia.
Love,
Elder Skouson

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