Monday, April 29, 2013

New Arrivals In Liberia

Elders Jensen, Montgomery, manquane, Morrison and Sisters Reimitsi, Kitieto.... This afternoon at the Monrovia airport. All is well. They are on the Lord's errand

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Sunday, April 21, 2013

New Senior Couple

Elder and Sister Kanzler arrived today in Freetown!! Welcome to the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission. You will love it

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Messima Branch Chapel Then and Now plus a Waterloo Branch!

This is the Messima Chapel rental of the Bo District in October 2010.  It was all open air.  The rain, wind, heat, all came in during Sunday meetings.  No fans, no electricity, no bathrooms, no lights.
This was one of the classrooms during Sunday School and Primary.  But, now....

A new Messima Chapel rental that is closer for everyone!  Most walk or take transport.  Our missionary vehicle is the only one in the compound.
The new Messima Chapel has chairs, lights, generator, fans, sound system, bathrooms, classrooms, branch president's office for computer/MLS and an outdoor font.  What a wonderful blessing for these good Saints in Bo!  
April 7th, the Messima Branch and New Barracks Branch were realigned.  It was a special day for everyone. This is the New Barracks Branch.
This is the Messima Branch.
Sweet little girls
The Waterloo Branch was created April 14th.  It is part of the Freetown East District.  A rental chapel is being leased and renovated.  We have two sets of missionaries in their branch.  It was long awaited and the joy was evident in everyone's face. Don't you just love it?  This IS a marvelous work and a wonder!

Saying So Long...

Elder Liufau (right) new Assistant with Elder Otaniyuwa (Elder Asiedu smiling in the background)
For all missionaries going home we weigh the bags so they meet the airline regulations. Otherwise, the missionaries will have to pay an overweight fee at check in. Sister Lauritzen goes over their tickets, passports and gives additional instructions.
Going to the van. 
Packing the luggage
Elder Donkor, Elder Purcell, Elder Rochester and Elder Wuthrich left together. They will ride on the Sea Coach across the water, a bus to the airport and finally onto the plane.  Elder Dyngee had left about 4:00 a.m. with Markus to catch the Sea Coach over to the airport for a 7 a.m. flight to Liberia.  
Assistants making sure everyone and everything is in the van.
Elder Wuthrich (former assistant saying good-bye to his companion)
Bye Elders! (Elder Donkor was in the front seat) Thank you for serving with faithfulness.  Well done!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Returning with Honor!

Five going home from Sierra Leone and more will go home from Liberia in a few days.  We love you Elders!  Thank you for your two years of serving others!

Thursday, April 11, 2013

April is Time for President's Interviews!

Sister Nyawe and Sister Owusu
Elder Rochester (goes home after two years to Texas April 15) and Elder Etuk
Sister Brown and Sister Awuoche
Elder Nwaokonko (DL) and Elder Serafine
Elder Donkor and Elder Tawiah (It is really hot and dry right now; hence, the hats.)
Elder Bogh, Elder Gherkins and Elder Jest
Elder Aluka and Elder Otubu, our Office Elders, working on recording baptismal records.
President Roggia set apart Br. Bangura and Br. Aligie from Bo as full-time missionaries. They were leaving for the Ghana MTC and then will serve in the Nigeria Port Harcourt Mission.
Assistants and Sister Lauritzens making sure the tickets, passports and yellow fever cards are together for the Pre-MTC missionaries leaving to Ghana.
Sister Lauritzen, President Roggia, Elder Otaniyuwa and Elder Wuthrich saying goodbye to the Pre-MTC missionaries.
Sister Attiobge and Sister Apiyo serving in Bo
Elder Weller and Elder Clawson reading a letter from the former Elder Svongwa and enjoying it! (Elder Walker watching)
Missionaries in Bo coming and going after interviews with President Roggia
Pretty star flower outside of the Njaiboimba Chapel.
Elder Jones showing pictures of a possible new missionary apartment to the Schlehubers. (Elder McDonald and Elder Walker behind chairs)
Watching the video of the Miracle in West Africa.  
Elder Flament and Elder Sumrak
 I really like this picture. Elder Sumrak is helping a convert with a tie. (He was so tender and careful.)
Elders Hovley, Penia, Mukwaira, Stanford, Flament and Sumrak in Bo.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

A Wonderful Easter Weekend in Bo

Elder Mills and Elder Fonokalafi (right) and two baptismal candidates.
Elder Woodhead and Elder Weller and two good souls.
Elder Gyewu-Appiah and Elder Turner with a brother and sister waiting to enter the waters of baptism.
Elders and President Roggia.  Busy day prior to the Easter Program in Bo.
President Roggia and Elder Penia shaking hands.
Love it! Gathering everyone.
Sweet.
Elder Arikpo and Elder Chigede with others.
Elder Weller
Elder Hovley and Elder Penia and another baptismal candidate.
The Baptismal Service was delightfully crowded with members and baptismal candidates. Several weeks prior to baptism, they are taught the lessons about the gospel of Jesus Christ .  It is called the gospel of Jesus Christ because the Atonement of Jesus Christ is central.  Those who desire baptism develop faith in Jesus Christ, repent, are then baptized by one with priesthood authority, receive the Holy Ghost and endure to the end.  Continued faithfulness is called "enduring to the end."  Seventeen were to enter the waters of baptism.

Listening intently to a question after baptism...
Sunset in Bo near the Njaiboima Chapel
Easter Sunrise in Elder and Sister Schlehuber's compound and off to Kenema.
Elder Barth, Elder Chemhuru, Elder Hales and Elder Richardson in Kenema Easter morning at the Simbeck Branch. (sitting on the stairs into the outside baptismal font)