Having internet problems

We have lots of pictures from the District division but the internet isn't cooperating.  We are heading to Bo and Liberia.  Will post when we return....

Tri-Zone Conference in Freetown

Enjoying the beautiful day and old friends.

Waiting for the Tri-zone conference to begin.  We had almost 60 of us together.

Elder Norton and Elder Assumong

MTC mates back in July 2010

Bo Zone

Freetown East Zone

Freetown Zone

Elder and Sister Sitati with the tri-zones of Bo, Freetown and Freetown East on Friday, August 19, 2011

All were happy to shake hands and greet Elder and Sister Sitati.

Thursday at the Mission Office

Elder Adjei, one of our office elders.  They are kept so busy every day.  Since we are getting 10 more new sister missionaries, they have been getting the apartment ready for them in Freetown.  Some of the sisters will go to Liberia and Bo also.

Elder Afadi, our other office elder.  We sure love them and are grateful for all the hard work they do.

Elder Tawiah and Elder Afadi chatting for a few minutes.

Elder Wood

Companions Elder Wood and Elder Tawiah....Sister Patterson and I, both, keep telling Elder Wood to eat more!  He said he is eating lots and lots and says he has gained.  Elder Tawiah is the cook.  So the deal is:  Elder Tawiah makes it and Elder Wood eats it.  He has lots of energy, is very happy, healthy and doing well.  They work hard and he works it off.  (to Mama Wood: we are doing a little nagging about eating. Here he is wearing a size 17 shirt. Yes, he got the size 16 but wants to wear this one out first (?) :-) We love them all! )

Sister Patterson noticed Elder Wood had a scrape on his arm.  Their area is quite steep in different sections.  He was wearing rain boots (which is so wise because it just pours and pours here) and slipped on some rocks.  It was healing pretty well but she brought out some first aid creme to help it out plus a band aid. 

As we were backing down the mission office driveway, these two vultures didn't even move as we backed up. Leaning out the window of the vehicle, we snapped this one.  I wondered if they were young birds because they weren't as big or dark as the other ones we've seen.  They didn't seem to want to fly quickly.  Anyway, fun to see up close...

Sunday: To Wellington and Kissy Branches

Freetown East Zone Leaders:  Elder Kenner and Elder Eyinda

On the wall in the Primary room at Wellington Chapel...

Shaking hands after a few moments of discussion...

Elder Vaughan, Elder Kenner, Elder Eyinda and Elder Purcell talking with President Roggia after the Wellington Branch meetings.

Elder Vaughan and Elder Purcell as they came into the compound of Wellington Chapel. (To Sister Vaughan: yes, he received the hair clippers...can you tell?)   :-)

Elder Addo and Elder Emanuelson at the Kissy Branch

Elder Rochester and Elder Moss at Kissy Chapel.

New Missionary leaving

 Elder Masada Mbayo (holding little sister with his Mom, Dad and siblings) from Lumley Branch left for the Nigeria Calabar Mission today.  He flies to Accra, Ghana to the Missionary Training Center.  (Never been on an airplane before....the start of many new experiences)

Elder Mbayo was set apart by President Roggia and then the Assistants took him to Government Wharf where he got on the water taxi to Lungi Airport.

On the Ferry (with mission van) to Lungi Airport

We were all packed up in the van, ready to go, when the tire went flat!  Markus to the rescue! The missionaries were in their best white shirts and suits that had been put a way for two years.  They were very uncomfortable just standing there. (They didn't say that, but we could tell they wanted to get right in there helping)

President telling them a story back in the "army" days.

Waiting on deck for the ferry to begin its journey to the wharf near Lungi Airport.

Stairs going up to the top deck to stand or to sit while the ferry sails along.

Elder Smoot (as they all were) pondering the vastness of the eternities... what next?

Waiting

Our Assistant Elder Priddis, and his new companion (and Assistant) Elder Intsiful...also waiting...took an hour on the ferry to get to Lungi. It was very pleasant though and air was cool.

  Elder and Sister Neves were there, too.  Three of their children came to visit and to see where Mom and Dad serve so diligently every day.  So, they were on the ferry taking the kids back to the airport to fly home.

Sister and Elder Patterson.  He and Elder Priddis did the driving on and off the ferry today.

Coming into port...

love the patchwork sail...

We are waiting for the gray mission van that Elder Patterson is driving off the ferry so we can drive 30 minutes to the airport.

Coming Home!!

Last night Elders Hilton, Laneri, Smoot, Massey, President Roggia, (Elder Priddis and Elder Intsiful, Assistants) and Hickey had their farewell dinner at the mission home.

Returning with Honor: Elders Hilton, Smoot, Massey, Laneri and Hickey.  They fly today at 5:30 p.m.  We will take the van on the ferry across to Lungi Airport.  We will miss each of you!