Hey family,

Let me start by saying what a good weekend to be able to hear the voices of the people that I love. It was pretty crazy to hear all of your voices especially little miss B. She is such a sweetheart. Man, talk about my heart melting when I heard her. I miss her like crazy. As I do everyone else but her a lot, I don't know why but I really just love that little girl. Maybe she can help me when I get home, you know with the women. She is a good way to break the ice with the girls.

So I just wanted to tell you a little about how Christmas goes in Sierra Leone. As I woke up, I wondered if it was Christmas at all. I looked around and everyone was doing the same old song and dance. Every once in a while someone would say Merry Christmas. I am kind of taken back that people have really lost the spirit of Christmas. Because they don't have much money for gifts they just kind of forget about the holidays. So the average child here for Christmas they get a used pair of clothes and then they eat a big dinner. That's about how things go. But its ok because they are soooooo grateful to receive anything. All the little toys that you sent me became Christmas for those little kids here in Africa. As dumb as you think a 50 cent little motorcycle is, it made a bunch of kids Christmas - it really did.

So for Christmas I gave a talk on fatherhood and Christ and also ate a bunch of food and then, of course, talked to the fam. As long as the network would allow. But hey anything is better than nothing. We are lucky to have phones out here in the African jungle.

So for current events, I would like to say that I won the push up competition. I know surprising, right? Well I am getting pretty good actually. The competition might be more surprising actually. The way it worked was you do one push up shake hands and then do another one. Well I beat the first person no problem, then the second immediately after, no problem then the third comes, at this point I have done like 100 pushups or more so I was kind of tired because I never got off the ground. So as I am waiting the third person comes, so I make it more interesting we put our legs on the chair and did it. Needless to say, he beat me but barely. After we did like 30 or so I couldn't do anymore and he could only do 2 after that so I should have tried harder. But I was impressed with how many I did haha, I guess that's why they call me kosombo.

This week was a fast week. The mission is really zipping by so fast. I love it. I don't want to sound like a complainer but man Africa is tiring me out. Its crazy how humbling this place is. This week in district meeting we talked about Christlike attributes and seeing the face of God. Probably one of my favorite topics besides eternal families. I love talking about Christlike attributes. It is the best thing out there. When you become more like Christ you really become happier. You can see your thoughts and your countenence change. Its amazing. You can become whatever you want to be. Its our choice. So this week I made another pair of my 30000 mile shoes. Let me tell you everyone wants those things. They are coveted. I bought a tire for 40000 which is like ten bucks and I cut it up to make a tread for my shoes and I sewed it on. Man I miss working

Well I don't have much to say except next time you talk to me I will be coming home that year, wahoo! Godspeed. Never give up. Love you guys.

Love Elder Kev

Keep the faith

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hey family,

 

Things here in Bo are going good. It has its ups and its downs as does every area in every mission. As for right now we are really trying to find more investigators. We are really lacking them right now. There was a problem here in Bo where the branch presidents and other church leaders were stealing tithing and fast offerings so that is why all of the presidents were changed and missionaries were presidents for a small time. So now the task at hand is for all of us missionaries to train new leaders as well as bring new members. This week was busy for me with branch business and with district business, and also zone Christmas conference. Needless to say, we did a lot this week. I had some baptism interviews for the sisters and then I also had to go and settle some disputes. Haha, sisters they are funny sometimes. Also this week we had a program for our district. If you did not know we are not stakes or wards we are districts and branches throughout both Sierra Leone and Liberia. Anyway, we had a Christmas program which we got to sing at and also I got to sing in a quartet ath the last minute, lucky me. Wow, I am really starting to not like last minute things. I really hate when people are not prepared but that seems to be the motto for missionaries, do every thing last minute. That is totally not me. Anyway, that was fun. Elder Jenkins stayed at our apartment last minute and it was fun to reminisce about times of old. We have both changed a lot.

This week we had a service project. That was fun and a work out. No one here has ever heard of a lawn mower or a weed wacker. It is called your arm and a machete. Wow you should have seen all the work that we did. Our group was known for our power and endurance. For some reason, I take everything to be a competition. I think it is a part of my genes. Which isn't too bad because it makes me do my best all the time. This week we did not have much of a chance to go and teach lessons. We only got to teach like 15 lessons or something, but it was a fast week. Also I was tired of drawing water from a well with a bucket so I fixed the pump. It took me some time to figure it out. I just couldn't get the pump to pull any water from the well so after I hung in the well upside down by my waist, I cut the pvc pipe off and pulled it up. It was funny! I wish we had a picture of it. I was like a little kid on the monkey bars hanging by my legs. Instead it was a fat guy in a white shirt and tie in a well. I got the pipe out and we pulled it up and the valve on the end was bad. It is a one way valve so that you can prime the pump. Anyway, it was stuck open. We got a guy from Freetown to bring us one and we got it all hooked up so now we have a shower. Wahooo! My theory is if we have the ability to have a shower, lets do it. I can't believe that the pump had been broken for 6 months. Yes - 6 months- because no one would fix it. Man, people are crazy.

So we are praying Markus comes from Freetown this week so we can have Christmas. If not, it will be January. Oh well - that is not too bad because by that time I will be singing I'll be home for Christmas!!!

So this week I learned about what it takes to SEE the face of God. As children of our Heavenly Father, is that not our greatest objective? To be worthy to see the face of God? To render the veil thin enough so that we can see him. Joseph Smith made it pretty clear that if you are worthy then you can. It's funny because when you are in the presence of someone who is keeping themselves very pure you can see that there countinence is different. That there is some kind of glow about them. Our physical body changes as we become true followers of Christ. As you study the scriptures you can see that. In 2 peter 1 it talks about how we can receive our calling and election. I would hope that everyone is striving to receive this. Its really hard to think of these things and act on them. I think when we try to become more like Him then we really know Him.

There was something that Brother Jones told me a long time ago that has stuck in my mind and that is to live worthy of your priesthood. And I didn't quite get it until recently. I was thinking about how special I am as an individual. WHY ME? That is the question. Why would God choose me? Out of 7 billion people, 14 million are members with about 7 million active and about 3.5 million of those are men and about 1.5 million are old enough to hold the priesthood and about 700,000 are worthy (stats given by pres Roggia). And from that there are 56,000 missionaries, why me? Am I doing everything that I can to receive the blessings of heaven? Am I worthy to behold the face of God? That is the question, each and every day I am trying to work towards this. My favorite thing to think about and to study is Christ-like attributes. Without these attributes, we are really nothing. What's cool to think about is that we are preordained to the things we are doing here on earth. Now all I need to do is live worthy of the priesthood, or continue on the path. I really like the scripture from Proverbs 1:5: a wise man will hear, and will increase his learning and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise councils." Everyday we need to grow. If we are not becoming better then we are becoming worse. Because it is the Christmas season now, I hope that every one is remembering what it's all about. Remembering what the sacrament really is, and knowing that he lives.

Merry Christmas everyone. I love all of you and can't wait to talk to you and here your voices. Love you and keep the faith.

Love Elder Moss

Oh yeah - congrats Amy and Mike. SHE IS A CUTIE!!!

g

Hello family,

 

How are you guys doing this week? As for me, I am doing good - not too many complaints. So you know that I am in Bo now. Bo is sweet and crappy at the same time.  We are in the middle of nowhere but, hey, I don't have that much longer left so it's cool with me! As for getting food out here, it is not easy but that is cool too.  It means for easy weight loss. There are some really nice supermarkets in town but, ya right, like my money is sufficient for that. So I have for dinner, 3 boiled eggs and for breakfast, if I am feeling hungry, will have a couple crackers. So life is good.

 

It's always funny when I get to new areas because people look at my pictures that I have and they don't even know that I am in the pictures. I was thinking that when I get home, I am really different than the person I was when I left. I will be half the physical size and twice the spiritual size. I am excited to see everyone's faces when they see me. But that is far off so I don't want to dwell on that.  I will be in good shape for football though.  I just started doing pull ups.  Hey, they are hard when you are fat so I can only do like ten haha but I can do like 75 push ups straight. Ya, ya  laugh it up.  I thought it was good for my size. Ok moving on….

 

Bo…. I am a little confused on why everyone likes it so much. It's cool but man the mission work needs WORK. Sunday we had two investigators at church. I was a little sad but we will fix that if I have anything to do with it. Our chapel is super itty bitty, about the size of the family room. When I got to church I was being optimistic until we started.  I almost stood up and walked out to go and check the sign outside to see if I was at the right church. President has given me a big responsibility to get this branch turned around to what it is supposed to be. I have kind of been stressed out this week with all the work I have to do with the branch and also the district. I am not sure what the missionaries have been doing here but it is obviously not what they where supposed to be doing. So we will see if we can fix that.

 

The area is  big and dusty but flat so I don't have to go mountain climbing every day.   There also is a jungle in our area.  It's so sweet but my companion is nervous to go there because maybe we will get eatin' by some African wilderbeast! But one day I will go and take pictures. It's cool because we cross this river on a huge fallen tree and go off into the jungle, just like you see in the movies

 

So also I have sisters in my district now, lucky me two new ones.  So I have to help them as well. My plate is full to say the least. I guess I have been studying to try to figure out how to do it all and the story that keeps coming to my mind is the story of the bro of Jared in Ether 2.  In verse 23,25 I think it basically says the Lord said, what will ye that I should do, that ye may have light in your vessels? What will ye that I should prepare for you? I guess when I do all that I can, the Lord will do the rest but first we need a game plan. The problem I have is I feel like I can take on the whole world but I can't.  I wish I could but I can't. I am forced to get help. What I have learned in missionary work is if you love the people and you love the Lord, you will do anything because perfect love casteth out all fear.  I think Satan really tries to work on me because I am working so hard.  I am glad we have revelation.  Even though it is often a strenuous endeavor that requires lots of intellectual effort combined with faith and spiritual yearning, the Lord expects us to use our talents, intellect and common sense as we seek solutions to our problems and answers our questions.   So I guess revelation is easy and hard for one to get, depending on your own faith.  Just this morning I was reading from the conference edition of the Liahona and I read something cool.  President Uchtdorf talked about Willie Wonka and the chocolate factory and  how we need to stop waiting for our golden ticket and enjoy the chocolate that is right in front of us. He said it doesn't mean we give up on our wants and desires and dreams but we need to be happy now.  Don't always be planning for future happiness and never be happy. I hope that everyone is happy while I am away, that you are enjoying the moments. I love all of you guys and want nothing but the best for you all and that includes you Rissa.  BE HAPPY, only we can choose to be happy!

 

So in summary. mission is good.  It has its ups and it has its downs but I can tell you that it really makes you a man.  Remember that the strongest steel comes from the hottest fire. He never said it would be easy just worth it. I love you guys.  Have a great week.

 

 Love Elder Kosombo (my new krio name. It means the strongest and toughest).

 

I wish these languages I am learning were real languages instead of tribal languages because I am learning mende now so now I can speak kalukwa, krio, mende and English!

 

Well love you guys take care
> holidays,
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Hello Family,

How are things over there once again?  Things here are good. I guess you are wondering about transfer news.    I am being transferred to Bo branch. So I am going uptown. It will be fun.   ELDER JENKINS and I will be together for Christmas!!!! Wahooo ~ man I am stoked.  I am kind of sad to leave Elder Saxton and Elder Burton but man it will be sweet to see my boy again.

To be honest, I don't have a whole lot to say. I cut my hair and it's pretty short. I figured it will grow back and it's hot. I am tired of people running there fingers through my hair.  It's not so bad when children do it but when people my own age do it, it makes for an awkward moment.  Everyone wants to just touch my hair. Weird.

 

So I have been trying to rekindle some strength that I have lost. I think I am still pretty strong, I decided to go and try to lift the back of this van in our compound.  It is a old vw bus.  Needless to say I, could lift it completely off the ground in the back so I think I am still pretty strong. A little civic would have nothing on me haha. I have been training a lot so I guess it is paying off. I just need to chisel the abs up and get rid of my fat. I am still an ox under that fat.  The diet is definitely not helping me. Bread and rice. Man, I don't know.

 

Anyway, things are good.  I have a huge assignment from president, like a gazillion records to fix from Elder Neves.  Man, I love that guy but he left me a butt load of work.  Lots of records to fill in.  I have like 100 records to fix and people to see by tomorrow night. So I will be busy.

 

So Saturday they had a wedding at the chapel and the bathrooms were locked because of construction.  Unfortunately, the font was not. I cannot believe people. The PEED IN THE FONT.  Sunday I opened the font to show an investigator and WHAT the smell!!!  Holy smokes!   I almost died.  What do people think sometimes.  It was so embarrassing!  Church was good this week except for one of our leaders!!  Saturday I found the 1st councilor in the district presidency drunk outside of the church compound. I feel like everything I am doing is being unwound sometimes. So I had to make a report to get that fixed. I taught another guy who was drunk as could be this week. I gave him the word of wisdom tract.   Hopefully, he will see it when he is sober.  Oh the joys of missionary work. The hardships are ok because the blessings are great. Never have I learned more in my life. I have grown more than people can understand. I love this gospel. And I can't wait until I can see you all again.  Sweet is the work. Love ya

 

Love  Elder Kev 

Hello Family,

How are things over there on that side? Things here are going great, the work is sweet, but I have to say it is bittersweet at times. You become close friends with the people you work with and then it is their time to leave. But I guess the same will be with me. The Neves will be leaving on this Tuesday, which is sad because I have become such close friends with them.  It's ok - the time has come for them to go home and I can't come home until they have left so I guess that is a good thing. I really do love it here.  Love is the key.  Love has no boundaries, no limitations of good will. I think the love of God in our hearts produces happiness, peace, oneness and ultimately eternal life. So essentially, without ,there really is nothing in this life.   If you truly love God, you will do His will and if you do His will you will receive blessings and if you receive blessings then you will be happy.  That is how it goes, truly it is. I think that that is one of the greatest attributes of Jesus Christ, unconditional love. I think it is directly related to charity as well. When we figure out how to love someone else more than ourselves then we will truly be happy. I listen to things that I used to say when I first came on my mission. I would make comments about love but really it was not love.  If you love someone, truly you will do anything to make them happy even if that means that you are not getting what you want. I think the problem with relationships today is that everyone is seeking their own happiness and not others.  If we are always trying to help others, then we will in turn become happy. I love the example of dad.  He is awesome at doing service.   He told me that service to others is one of the most important things in this life.  And I can see it in him. He is always serving others, but most importantly I see him always treating mom like an angel. I am realy blessed to have the family that I have. I was thinking about Thanksgiving (on whatever day it - thank goodness I had a calendar) and I was thinking of things that I was thankful for.  So many things, but it was basically about all the people in my life.  I was thinking of how great my family is how awesome my friends are and I love ones that I have. I really am blessed. Now they don't celebrate Thanksgiving here, unfortunately, but I was still thankful. I am so grateful to be in this mission. Some people might be vexed that they have to serve in such a place but I am happy. God really does love me and he loves my future family. Because, I can tell you, that there is not another place in the world that a young man can learn more for himself and his future family. The men that leave this mission really grow a lot.  The men we can become from this mission is amazing. I can't even begin to tell you the changes that have taken place in my life. And the great thing is, everything is for the better. Not only spiritually have I grown but physically as well. Well I guess physically I have gone down. Not going to lie I am becoming a stud haha. I am pretty stoked to go waterskiing when I get home.

I guess you want to know a little more about the work and about the place. Today I went looking for some speakers for my cd player because mine broke.  Man, what a nightmare.  No one on the planet sells battery powered speakers. I think I asked every place imaginable. We even got to some places that were in the hood of Sierra Leone, ha can you only imagine. A  hood in Sierra Leone, ya it was that bad. It was really sketchy. It is kind of fun to start talking to people because as I ask prices of things they try to rip me off because I am white and they are kind of dumb so they start speaking Krio right in front of me and making jokes about how I am white and they are going to get money out of me. That's about the time that I talk in Krio and I explain to them that I have been here for quite some time and that they are not going to rip me off.  It cracks me up but also frustrates the crap out of me to always have to deal with dishonest people.

I have been trying to narrow down what is the key problem in getting people to accept the gospel here and I am pretty sure that it has come down to pride. People think that they know everything and they will not humble themselves to learn more. Its sad because we know that you cannot be saved in ignorance. And there is a lot of ignorant people out there. I cannot figure out why people cannot see what is right in front of there face. They go on an endless searching game looking for something that they already have found. I love revelation.  It is so powerful when it comes, but don't forget it because it might not come again.

So interesting events to report on. Hmmm I found cereal and powdered milk.  Holy cow!  What a treat that is, even though its plain corn flakes and powdered milk, it is so sweet!  What else -  oh haha - my companion has a problem - he is lactating!!! Man, the jokes are flying!  We actually don't know what's wrong but it does make for good conversation, or good jokes at least.

Transfers are next week.  Honestly, I don't know what's going to happen to me but I think I am going to be tranferred, I have been here for some time, in fact longer than anyone has stayed in this area.   It is the hardest area to physically proselyte in the mission, at least so I am told.  It would be a nice break to come down off of the mountain.  Anyway, all is well.  One favor, maybe if you can, could you send me some speakers so I can listen to music. That would be great. I love all of you so much.   Take care, work hard.  I want to leave you with a good quote, "it is by the Holy Ghost that we can clear the next seemingly insurmountable hurdle. Put your trust in the Lord and He will lift you up.

Love Elder Moss

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Hello family!!

Another week has come and gone. And it was not too bad of a week. Mission is great, I sure do love it but it can give you gray hairs, to say the least. I understand why so many people go home bald.  It's a good thing that my genes give me lots of hair. I am having a good time but I am getting tired. I am trying to continue to work hard all the way until the end. I don't want to be one of the missionaries that rolls over dead for the last 6 months.

So Christmas call is coming up, kind of exciting! So whats the plans there? From what I understand it is pretty expensive here for us to call home. And I am getting old so I am not a bomba (rich man) in mission. The work here is going strong. It is like a roller coaster.  One day will be amazing and the next will be crazy.  Something that I have learned from mission is that you choose to be happy. You can sit and argue with someone till your head falls off or fire starts shooting out your eyes, or you can look them in the eyes and say I love you, I am sorry. I like the second option.   What can someone even say to that. No matter what the argument or how mad you are, you just need to get a big smile on your face and look them in the eyes.  When we can develop humility and faith and love, all the Christ-like attributes, then there is nothing in this world that can stop you from accomplishing what you need to accomplish. Obviously the Lord is omnipotent, and if you are on his side, you are safe. When troubles come our way, we need to ask ourselves what can I learn from this and how can I grow. Recently, I got a quote from my mom and it has been ringing through my mind and I am trying to figure out what I can do. The quote was a cheesy one that she saw on someone's facebook and it simply talks about worth. The thought in my mind is what is my worth.  What am I, Kevin Moss, worth to the world?  What can I bring to the table and how can I increase my worth? Also, we need to know if something or someone is worth it for you, then you dang well need to be worth it for them. I think the best way to gain personal worth and happiness is by developing Christlike attributes. The only person that can stop me from being great, is me. That's the beauty in this life.  You can become all that the Lord has made you to be if only you choose to. But no one can force you or beguile you into being good.  There comes a time in everyone's life where we need to look ourselves in the eyes and say its time to grow up. Its time to stop being a boy and start being a man. For long on my mission I was irritated at the world.  I was mad for the situations I was in but now I ask myself why was I mad?  Look how far I have come.  If I had not been put through the furnace then I would not be coming home strong. The other day, I was sitting down kind of feeling sorry for myself, missing home, wanting to give some people hugs, when I decided just to study a little bit instead of feeling sorry for myself.  As I did, I looked to the hymn book and the hymn I am a child of God opened up. One of my favorites!  The words are so simple, yet so profound and powerful.  It touched my heart. I, Kev, am a child of God! And HE has sent me here. HE has given me sooooo much, parents who are kind and dear, HE leads me, HE guides me, HE walks beside me, and HE will help me find my way.  He will teach me all that I must do to live with Him someday. My needs are great but if I understand His will, all will be ok.  My kind of remix to the song but this is how it hit me. God is doing all these things for me but what am I doing in return? There is a scripture in the D&C  that I love.  If we do all things in our power, then we can stand still and know that God is there.  I love what my dad always told me, if you are going to do something, do your best.  Don't walk away thinking you should have done more. "I will do my best until He comes and when He does my banner will be clear."

Things in Kissy are going great. The branch is doing good.  We had an idea that we need to get everyone that is coming to church regularly, attending primary and coming to activities be baptized. We have come to find that there are so many parents that have children that are 8 yrs old and they are not baptized, kind of like they forgot. So we had parents submit to the branch president their children and he went through it to see what he can do. Unfortunately, he did not finish the whole process for last week but all should be a go for this weekend.  There is really so much to do all the time, and I pray things don't fall apart when me and Elder Neves leave.

I guess that the last thing I want to say is that I love you guys.  I don't think I have told you enough.  If you were not there to back me up, I don't think I could have accomplished all that I have been able to accomplish here.   I have learned so much -  probably things I couldn't have learned anywhere else! I am so grateful for this gospel and the blessings of having a family for this life and throughout the eternities! What a blessing that is to know that we can have a friend, a wife, a brother, a sister, a mother and a father forever. I know as I keep  the commandments, God will always bless me! Whether it be with trials and tribulations or bonbons and relaxation. The blessings from heaven will come. I know as I have learned from my parents and from others, that I will put my trust in the Lord will help build my future family to be stalwart and strong in the gospel.  To be an arm to lean on and a beacon of light for my family.  I know it all starts with one step so now is the time to start. I love you guys loads.  I pray for you daily.  I cannot tell you how much you mean to me.  Keep the faith - never give up and keep on smiling.

Love Elder Moss

Hello family,

 

How are things over there on the other side of the planet? Things here are moving forward and I am still alive so that is great. So I am trying to think what great extravagant experience that I had this week and nothing is coming into my mind. It was kind of a ho-hum week. We did not have too many visits to go on but for me I felt like I was running around all week like a chicken without a head, trying to get all these things fixed in the apartment. Such as the stove.   So here is the problem.  I am on American football time and everyone here is on African time which means they come 1 to 2 hours later.  For instance, I was at the apartment studying all morning. Then we left and got all the way to the top of the hill and then the phone rings.  "Elder Moss, I am coming to pick up the stove so I need you to go to the apartment."   Ugh -  so 40 minute walk back down the hill and we get to the apartment and he is not there.   Luckily, he showed up 2 hours later.  After that, we went back up the hill.  The next day he tells me the stove is fixed so he brings it back.   Of course I wait forever for him to come. He drops it and as he is about to leave I say "let's test it before you go". So we do and yup it is still broken.   I pick it up and put it in his truck and tell him to tell president I don't want to see this stove again in the apartment.   It is going to kill someone one day. Anyway, lucky us, we got a new stove. It took many hours and lots of patience but I think that it was worth it in the long run. I mean not dying in an explosion is always a good thing.

 

It is so fun to have some Americans in the apartment, it is quite the hoot. You can only imagine the conversations. I am like a little boy on Christmas finding out from Elder Saxton all the things that have changed at home. Its pretty funny. I was showing Elder Saxton some pictures and he was telling me about b and how much she has changed. He said pictures won't do me or her justice. I look like a different person and she is huge. I am pretty excited to see the changes around home.

 

So you guys have been wondering why I have not written by hand in some time. Its because I just don't have time any more with preparing instructions and taking care of people and doing interviews. I mean, for instance, the interviews I had to do last month for our district was huge.  We baptized seventy plus people in one month. That's like twenty people a weekend, haha its crazy!  And I have to proof-read all the paper work. Lucky me. I guess you might be confused, I have been the district leader for quite awhile.  I just didn't think it was necessary to tell you.  I read emails and all people here do is talk about callings and boast of themselves and I hate that so, ya, I wasn't going to tell you but that's why you haven't got any handwritten letters in a while.

 

This week someone told me that she wants to name her first born after me, who is not born yet.   That kind of caught me off guard. And she says if it's  a girl then I can choose a name. I don't know what I would name her, but she told me to know by the time she is baptized.

 

So this week was cool I passed goal.  101 baptisms and the number is still going.   If you teach with the spirit, things are so easy. When you do what's right its so easy.

 

So I wish I had my camera with me.  I wanted to show you a picture that I have.  It is of my shoes. I have a 30000 mile warranty on my shoes.  I put a car tire on the bottom. It is pretty awesome!  I can't wait to show you guys. Well, I wish I had more exciting week but I did not. Thank you everyone for supporting me on my mish.  It is awesome to hear people care about me at home.  Sometimes you don't see so much love here for the Americans. But I know this church is true.  No matter how hard life gets we can always turn to the Lord.  Luckily. I  have experienced that a lot.  I did not think you could pray holes in your pants but you can.  I have pants that are a testimony of that.  I love to pray.  It's awesome to receive answers. 

 

I love you guys loads.  Have a great week!

 

Love Kev aka Elder Moss
 the gugura hondu

---

Hello family,

 

How are things going over on the other side of the planet? Things on this side are going great. Mission is mission, nothing new here. We had some cool things happen I guess. I had the opportunity to go to an instruction from President Dickson and also the Ghana temple president. It was interesting to see what they had to say about the success that we are having in our mission. Also this week, we had the chance to have zone conference (which was last minute) Sorry, I  needed to add that.  It was good.  As I have been on mission, I have grown in ways that most might not understand. My knowledge of the church has increased and I pray that it continues to grow and flourish in the gospel. Many have prayed for a change in me, as I have myself and I am glad to know that as we put our trust in the Lord, our prayers and answers become a reality. Often times in our life we find ourselves praying, praying for love, for humility and even patience. But the problem is, we pray and we want it now. Love, patience, humility, all the Christ-like attributes, take time to develop. They take acts of faith and sometimes, the torments of hell. I have found often times we pray for answers, and we fast and we wait and finally we get our answers, as long as we never give up. But so often I see in peoples lives that when the going gets rough, they sit down and cry about it. When confusion hits, they forget the very thing that the Lord told them to do.  Then they ask again and are saddened when the answer to their prayer does not come again.  If we pray for something, we have to remember the answer that is given to us, act upon that answer and have faith in the Lord that that is what you are supposed to do.  It really blows my mind when people receive revelation and then they go contrary to the revelation that has been given to them.  You know something -  life is tough, life is tougher when you are stupid. I have learned something about faith.  It is not just saying ok or yes but it is, in reality, saying "thy will be done".   Faith, not speaking words or writing things down. True love is displayed through actions. But more importantly the actions that you do when the situation is rough, when you think no one is watching. That is the person you are. People here and at home often do not understand this concept.  As for me, I am grateful that my dad had taught me to be a man and to do what is right, no matter the consequence. To do things that are Christ-like, even if there is no apparent reward, or even if no one is watching you. The thing is that there is always someone watching you. In our proselyting efforts, we have found some genuine brothers that are seeking for the truth. As we go to them and as we teach them, we see something awesome.   We see their eyes light up as we are able to feed them something that they have never tasted thus far in their life. It is something that is sweeter than anything in this world and they want more. We had the chance to watch conference.   Wow, what a difference it is watching it here. Elder Saxton says he is not going to church again haha (we watch all the sessions at once) but I think that he will get used to the rowdiness. I hope that we can fix that but conference is conference. No matter where you are, if you listen, the words can penetrate your heart. Often life gives us lemons and we can either suck on the bitterness or we can take the lemon and make lemonade. The doctrines of the church are at our disposal, why don't we use them? Make the choice today to be good, to follow Christ. Don't wait until tomorrow, because it might not be there.   I can't remember the prophet that said to just do it, but that is what we need to do.  Just do it!  And I deem it appropriate to add just do it, now!!!

 

Have a great week.  Love you all.

 

Love Elder Moss

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Hello Family,

How are you guys doing today? Things here are going. There has been some big changes that have happened in our district. So there are two new elders from America, Elder Saxton and Elder Burton from Idaho. Wow, it's funny because they are just like me when I came on the mission. They have girlfriends and they are still trying to get settled in. It's funny cause I will be studying and all the sudden I will hear "what?  This is crazy!  I cant' believe I am in Africa."  But that is to be expected.  Sometimes I roll over in my bed and think the same thing,  wow I am in Africa!  I am excited to see them grow. They are going to be awesome missionaries. They are going to work hard and bring many souls. The field is white ready for harvesting. This place is long over due for harvesting.

This week we had the opportunity to teach an idol worshipper.  Talk about a funny, messed up person. Man his thoughts about God and things are so scrambled. It was nice to sit down with him and bear testimony about the truthfulness of the gospel. The crazy thing is when you sit and you teach a lesson, they sit and act like everything makes so much sense and you extend commitments to them and they except, then you say "so see you Sunday" and they are like "ohhh - I am sorry but I can't come because I am muslim" or something else!  People are crazy but it's fun.

So the average lesson is taught outside, normally under a tree, sitting on a stone or maybe a chair.  I have taught very few lessons inside of a house before. Sometimes you have funny smells going on outside and different things happening - mom beating the child in the background; dad smoking and peeing on the wall; auntie washing clothes down in the stream - it's sure is fun.  You really do learn how to stay focused in a rough situation. But I sure do love missionary work. Something that has really hit me hard this week is that some blessings in life come soon, some come later and others may not come until we're in heaven but you know something -  if you embrace the gospel of jesus Christ and trust in the Lord, they will come.  I know that.   In life, all you can do is your own part and hope that the Lord makes the rest work out ok.

The weekend was good, just really busy.  Man, Elder Neves baptizes a lot.  But isn't that what we are here for? To help people into the waters of baptism. So that made my weekend really busy.  We were going all over the mountain for interviews and things. We also had a baptism which was very good.  It was just a young boy. He knows it was true and I am sure he is going to be beacon of light for his family. It's funny because he comes from an all muslim family and I don't know if you know the task it is to convert a muslim but man, it is not easy. Considering the fact that the rest of the family sometimes disowns you. I have kind of made it a personal challenge to convert muslims. They are hard but when they come they know that it is true, it is awesome. The branch is growing like crazy sooo many people there now.  I love it.  It just means more responsibility for us haha, but it's good I am learning everyday. I think callings at home will be no big deal anymore!  Let's see, I have done elders president, branch president, relief society president haha, primary, young men (and women).  I have had my hand in everything. It's great to learn.  I hope I don't have callings when I get home for a while at least.  I want a break.

So sad news - Elder Saxton broke your rule and he gave me both the envelopes.  I have not opened the Christmas one but man it is killing me. I need to open it now. It's killing me to look at it.  Mom, you can't do that. I have to have it sitting on my desk for two months.  I need to open that beast.

Mom, I have been informed that you worry about me.  No worries!  Don't worry.  I would never come home early.  God needs me here now. This is my calling.  Not Riss, not home, but this mission. If I do what I am supposed to do then God will make my future work out.  I will make the best of what is given to me. Sometimes I have made mistakes. I cant change it.  But I can fix it and not do it again. You know, I believe the best leaders and teachers and fathers are is the ones that never stops learning. When we stop learning, we stop progression. In life we cannot always take the easy way out. The easy way out is always going to feel right at first because we are in the point of trial and we are suffering and we want out.  Obviously, if we see an easy way out we take it and it feels right. But I have learned that the easy way is not always right. The strongest metal comes from the hottest fire. Often times learning and happiness has to be gained through suffering and trials and turmoil. Life is not a bed of roses. Take our experiences and learn from them. I know the God lives.  I know that Jesus is the Christ and that He loves us and He feels pain when we have pain and weeps when we weep. I know if we turn to Him, if we are beaten down to our knees turn to Him and pray for help, He will be there.

I love you all have a great week.

Love, your African son, Elder Kevin

PS  Mom, tell Caden I love him too!  He's a stud

FW: Pink Eye, Typhoid, Lost the Phone ~ All in All, a good week!

 

Hello family,

In light of the new found email and pink eye and probably typhoid a high temp and oh ya I lost the phone (guess who pays for that) I decided that I would like to share some scriptures. I had others to say, but this will be nice. These are some examples to me: John 9, 11:1-46; Acts 3; 1-10, 9: 36-42; 1 Nephi 3-4, 7;16-21; Enos 1;1-19; Mosiah 24: 8-25 , 27; 8-37; Alma 15 1-12, 56-57; Helaman 5; 14-52; 3 Nephi 7: 15-20; Ether 3; Moses 1;12-25.  Anyway, I am tired of writing scriptures and they are starting to get mixed in my head since I am writing down so many off the cuff but  I have more like Romans 2; 13-16; Hebrewss 5; 5-10; James 1;22-25.   Anyway, if you start reading these you are going to see a reoccuring theme,  which is faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for which you cannot see. It is apparent to me that my time has come to lay it over to the Lord. To put my faith in Him and to know that through Him I can be saved and all will be well. As I think about what the words mean "keep the faith", it gives me a burning feeling inside to know that the Lord is there for me. That I can hope for something - that I can ask for help. As everyone knows, I have the attitude that I am the person that can do it. Let me do it, I am ok you don't need to help me. I don't need help. But I guess that can catch up with you in the long run. Everyone needs help; everyone needs faith. So  I remember something else that everyone says.  Keep your nose buried in the work and when you go home all will be well. Tomorrow is another day.  Let the rain come.  I don't care, nothing can stop me. Satan cannot defeat me. Although my week was rough - my eyes where literally bleeding, my body was paining, I couldn't find a better thing to do than pray. It's a free long distance phone call that always has a familiar, caring  voice at the other end.  Who would not want to make the call. Let us all have faith.

The week was good besides the eyes bleeding, my body hurting and the loss of the phone. Oh and the email thing. Haha, it was kind of a brutal start. I have a picture (with the pink eye), I don't know if I should send it ~ I look dead ~ I am sure you will love it, it's me.

We actually did not have a baptism to do yesterday so it was almost relaxing (I did help with another baptism).  We taught some good families and I am excited for this new family that we contacted.  They are about my age, 22, and they have a little boy. Man, I love to see their faces light up as we proclaim the true gospel to them. They prayed and they know its true. Now we have a bigger problem.  The father.  He is the head of a 30 branch protestant church here in Sierra Leone…. Nothing I can't handle…. Well that's if I use my best friend, the Holy Ghost.  I can't do anything without Him.

So we have lots of work to do. As you know I am still here but I bet you would never guess who I am getting in the apartment.  Two Americans are coming and one of them is Saxton.  We will enjoy!  Things are good here, nothing  really worth complaining about. I am glad you liked the videos and pictures I sent.  I love you guys so much.  Have a great week.

Love Elder Kev

Hey family,

Well it's been another week. And I know that my last email was not good so I will try harder this time, but no promises. Once again my week was filled with a lot of events but to mention all of that would be boring. I guess I have a hard time writing a monologue about my week. But I am sure you want to know what's going on. So I guess it's a good thing that you are on Elder Neves mailing list. Sorry once again if this grammatically does not make sense this keyboard seems to work when it wants too. The weekend was kind of stressful, we had a baptism again but the one day I was praying that it would not rain guess what? It rained. The reason is we are teaching a family that lives so far up the hill and she is in a wheelchair. Although she was late (it was 10 min) what a testimony builder to see her and her brothers come up to the church muddy and dirty to the baptism with a smile on their face. I was privileged to have the opportunity to baptize them. What a spiritual experience baptism is. I think we take for granted our baptisms here because we do them so often and we forget that it is so important. Next week is the first week in some time that I will not be having a baptism. I can't believe how much work we have been able to accomplish and so fast. So my computer is not working well so I guess this is about what you are going to be privileged to get. So things are g oing here I guess you get your email from Elder Neves so you won't be to upset by this junky email. One of the trials we all have to go through by serving here. Yes I sent my camera stick with Elder Neves son. So this is it - I am tired of fussing with the computer. Love ya

love Elder Moss

While I was emailing Elder Moss back and forth, he told me that he hadpink eye and a nasty cold on top of the bad internet connection, hence the not so newsy email.

Hello family,
To be honest this is going to be short. I had one heck of a week and I don't have much nice to say. I have learned that when people are pushed against the wall, they will do anything to get out. You really learn the character of someone when they are in this position. And, the sad thing is that you learn that missionaries do not know what it means to have charity.

So I guess this is going to be basic. The new Liahona is cool. I know 2 people on the west Africa page. I know Prince Nyanforth and Tommy Abu. I baptized his daughter. I know them very well. Its cool to see us in there. A cool quote I heard from general conference is "every man who holds the priesthood, honor that priesthood."

So you asked what I would like in a package. Some breath spray or breath drops would be nice. We eat some funky things here so it would be great to be smelling nice for my own benefit. I like the drops.

This week in the Book of Mormon class we had 34 people. Man, that's a lot. My week was heavy with lots to do.

So this week no power, no water, no stove and musslims praying all night. That equals no sleep. What a good combination of things. I guess the reason we have no stove is because the knobs on the front keep catching on fire. So we had to stop using it. Then they replaced it with a broken one. I have been taking vitamins that Elder Lowe left behind. It makes me feel healthier.

So things are kickin' here. That's it for me. Love Elder Moss

New Shoes!

Hello family,

Well I am still here and I am trudging along. Things here are going good and the work is going. Something I have been asking myself this week is "am I being a blessing or a burden?" That is a good question that we can all ask ourselves. Am I blessing others or am I being a being a burden to others.

This week I got another load heaped on me. I was told that I need to do another devotional because the last one was such a success. So I need an idea for a fireside!! Man I already have lots on my shoulders and now they want me to do another thing. These things are starting to kick my butt, especially to do all these things by myself. But I've learned, "that doesn't kill you will make you stronger".

This week we had some new and interesting things happen. I have learned that the Muslim people really are oblivious to the things that are going on around them. To make a long story short, I got into an argument with two of them and it lasted for about thirty minutes. I finally told them to leave. Well about 5 minutes later, one of them came back and looked me in the eye and said "you are right. I don't have a testimony for myself. I have been following in the footsteps of other people and I have been wrong." Then he asked how he can become a member of this church. That is exactly what every missionary wants to hear! So I have been working on doing things with as much exactness as I can and it has been working. The problem is that I am getting more investigators than I can handle. I know, sad story isn't it. But the thing is that it is starting to stress me a little. But I guess that is a problem that missionaries want so I shouldn't complain.

So this week there was this guy, who is our neighbor and he was beating his children and as you guys know, I hate that like nothing else, so I decided that I needed to stop that from happening. I chastised him with some scriptures and I told him that it is better that he tie a millstone around his neck and jump into the sea than to suffer God's little children. I was mad. I hate that type of thing and it should never happen.

So I don't have much to talk about this week. I am just so tired. I did get my shoes - thank you - they are great. If I can get out of these mountains I might be able to I make my shoes last but if not, we burn through them pretty quick. I don't think people understand when I say mountain climbing, I mean like there are times you are on all fours going up and rock climbing. It is all part of my mission experience. Anyways all is ok here. Love you guys.

Love Elder Kev

Elder Moss & Elder Osifo

Hello Family,

 

How is the other side of heaven? Things over here are going good. We are staying super busy and working our tails off. Mission work is very interesting.   The best way that I can explain is like a parent and a child.   Think of how you would be if your child was sick.   What is the first thing that you would want to do.  Obviously, you want to get them help.  You feel sorrow because you love them. Well are you going to let them go to any ol person to help them out? Obviously not. You want the best, most obedient, well trained person to take care of your child. That is the same as missionary work.  If you are not obedient, if you are not the best person that you can be, why would Heavenly Father trust you with one of his precious children. What would you do if you were in His shoes. Think about it. The rules and guidelines are there for a reason and yes, sometimes it sucks but with obedience comes blessings. We are not able to see the eternal realm of things but we can have faith that are leaders do!!  So I guess this is a note to all my missionary friends.  If you are struggling, make sure that you check yourself first  before you blame others.  Not saying that everyone who struggles is disobedient but we can always be better.

 

So I don't have much to say.  We had a big baptism this week. Six people and the Neves brought another 5. I was kind of sad because one person was missing. Anyway, we figured something was going on and we would see her and the fam on Sunday. But no, they were missing.  I didn't know what was up except that I felt like I needed to go to their house and visit them.  So we went and visited and they said that they had the problem resolved.  They gave me some story that I felt was bogus.  Something about how they had confusion because of a phone. So I guess what needed to happen was some heavenly inspired questions.  I said a prayer and I was prompted to just talk about dad.  So the story is that I baptized the husband and now the wife is getting baptized.  The husband has the priesthood so I wanted him to baptize her.  So I told the story about dad baptizing mom and how happy and honored and proud to say that about my dad.  I told them how grateful I am to be able to say that my dad baptized my whole family.  I told her that is the why he needs to baptize her, not me. Turns out that was the whole dispute.  She didn't think that he was ready to baptize her because he was brand new in the church and that is why he wanted me to baptize her.  But now, because of the story I told, she is all gung ho to be baptized again.  So thank you for that dad and mom.

Church was good.  It's crazy to see how the rain can disturb the members so much.  It's not easy to come to church when it is raining,

 

So I finally got the package (don't know how it happened, but I am glad).  It is so sweet I love you mom and dad and Rissa.  The camelback is awesome.  Ahh, I tell you, it sure makes hiking the hills better.   Everything else in the package is great too. The sweets are a nice piece of heaven.   Thanks for the cookie mixes too.  I am scared to use our oven again because the last time the whole thing caught on fire and yes, I mean the whole back was on fire.   I was running so fast to get to the propane tank to turn it off and unplug it before it sucked in the tank and KABOOM!!!!  Don't worry.  It didn't explode and I am alive still but I am scared to try the oven again any time soon haha.

 

Me and my companion are doing good. My new desire is just to try to create a Zion celestial home. To make the best with what I have.  I want to implement everything that I want to do at home and it is working.  From prayers to cleaning.  To the words we say and the actions to others. Now is the time to establish how I want my future family to be. What better place to learn than here.  I want to become the best husband and father for that one beautiful daughter of God.   I love all you all so much.  Godspeed.

 

Love Elder Moss

 

 

Dear family,

 

How are things going over there? That seems to be the start of every single one of my emails. So how are things?  To start, no I haven't got any packages and/or mail for a while because the post office is still on strike, as well as all other government jobs.  It makes me really mad that they are on strike but I can't really blame them considering they have not been paid in a couple of years. I don't know why they continued to work for years when they never got paid.  I think I would make it a couple of months before I would decide to say, "if you don't pay me, I wont work." The pay that school teachers get here is really ridiculous.   You would not even believe it. Some will get round about 40 to 50 us dollars a month. Ya that is real!  How does anyone expect to live on a mere 40 dollars a month. I mean just for a 50 lb bag of rice costs 20 bones. So the poor people here, yes they are suffering.  So hmmm, I guess I haven't told you much about these things.   The food and things here can actually be expensive.   It is because everything has to be imported.  Luckily, I have enough money.

Well I guess that I better tell mom and dad happy 26th anniversary!!!  Wow you guys are old,  haha!  No, you are doing good.  My companion was actually thinking that you guys were my brother and sister. That is no joke!  Most of the people say, "wow your parents are so young!" That is because everyone here that is 40 looks like they are dead or they probably are dead by 40. That's what happens when you walk the side of a mountain everyday and all you eat is lawn clippings once a day or twice if you are lucky.  So I hope that you guys have a happy week and you have a good celebration of your anniversary!

This week I have come to learn or I am trying to learn that life's greatest gifts normally come wrapped up in adversity!  When you think that things are not that great they probably are that great and it probably will get worse. This week was a nice smack in the face. I don't want to sound to down but I really have a beef with the new district leader. He is lucky I am the new Elder Moss because the old one would have knocked him a new one.  Instead I held it in.   Well kind of ~ that's why I have a punching bag.  We are really having some disagreements.  I am really, really organized and I hate laziness. If you are not 15 minutes early, well then you are late. I tried and tried to get everything set for my interviews to be done for my candidates but he would not work with me.   Finally, at 9 the night before, he settles on a time.  So I luckily got a hold of them and convinced them to come to the chapel. Once they got there he was late. So I am trying to put on a baptism as well as get interviews done. And because he was late, some of them had to leave so they were pushed to the next day which was Sunday. They were there and he was late again. And again they had to go. So now today we will try again. But that is not the worst of it.  I have  come to deal with that kind of thing. This is what chaps my hide. We had a mother and daughter interview yesterday. The husband is a strong member and the wife and daughter are ready. The daughter is 9, need I say more.  He interviews them both and gives me back the paperwork and says nothing to me and goes to sacrament meeting.  So we plan the baptism, tell them the time and everything and I go to my meetings. Later that night, in the apartment, he calls me into his room. He wants to talk about this 9 year old girl.  He tells me that he needs to see her again.  So I say ok but why?   He said that she needs to know more about the law of chastity before she can get baptized.  Oh, I was flamed.   She is 9 is years old!  What 9 year old needs to know the law of chastity!  So I calmed down and then he tells me that I need to tell them that we have to postpone.  So I was given the dirty deed of telling them.  I  had 87 people get interviewed and the only one that has not passed is a nine year old girl, what a joke! 

 

So I have met all the new missionaries and they are good.   It was nice to see them.   I met elder Donaldson.  He is cool and he is in Bo. Oh sweet Bo!  He is lucky. Also this week we got dvd players.  That will be fun, not.  It is only to use for training and that is the only dvd's we have.  So one of my new challenges is English teacher.   Any idea's?   My companion can't read or write.  And, yes, that is not a joke.  He has never read any of the standard works or anything because he can hardly read.  I don't know how he got here but oh well.  It's going to be a rough transfer but at least he has a good attitude and we are going to try to make the best of things. I love all you guys so much.   Thank you guys for everything.  I love you guys!

 

Love Elder Kev

---

 Hello family,

 How are things going for you guys? I guess that dad says that work is slowing down? I really hope that it starts to pick up. It is never a good feeling to have work be slow. So, mom, you had a very busy week it sounds. Thanks for going and supporting friends my friends with their weddings.  Most especially, Shawn.  I hope that he is happy.
 
How was the weekend?  Mine was good and full of a whole lot of stuff. I want to be completely honest, this week was a grind.  But I made it through just fine. The work has really been busy. Something that was on my agenda was to put on a fireside.  Ok, not a fireside, it was more of a devotional. Man I had my hands full especially since I did most of it myself.  We had a few talks and watched the movie "the restoration". Man, that movie gives me the chils when I watch it.   It is very powerful. Then I talked.  I was going to talk on the Book of Mormon but I was guided by the spirit to not talk on that but to talk on the spirit.  So I had to change everything I had planned and then we watched "the Testaments".  Wow, what a turn out we had!  Over 130 people there. I was amazed that a couple of missionaries could gather so many people. We almost exploded our chapel, we had so many people.  It is so fun to sit in the font and conduct this thing and to see all these faces happy and ready to learn.
 
So now I am teaching a Book of Mormon class every week as well as a mission prep class on top of all the other things we missionaries do so I don't have much more to say about anything.   I am just not feeling up to writing today. Water issue is sucky.   We have been fetching water in the rain, so that we can do what we need to.  It doesn't to any good to complain so I'll grow up and get over it. I have to haul water and pump it by hand just to drink.  Sorry this is kind of lame.  I just don't have much to say.

So these last few days I have been counting my blessings like family and Riss.  I'm not too excited about this transfer.  I will be training a new Elder, Elder Osefu and I am the only American in the apartment again. Hello weight training.

So some Africans were looking my old pics from home and they thought I was not even in the picture. You might not recognize me when I get home.
 
Well that's it for me.  No package yet -  post office is on strike!  I love you.  Have a great week.
 
Love, Elder Kev

MTC Mates Reunited!

Hey family,

As you probably guessed, things are going great still.  The work is pressing forward.  We are focusing a lot now on refilling our teaching pool.  We can't complain too much when it is drained because they are baptized.  One of the things I noticed about myself is that I need to work harder on not getting comfortable with who we are teaching and always find more.  It is good to have the feeling of too many investigators because you cannot have too many, that's the sweet part.  One other thing I have been focusing on is my language, not the language as in English or Krio but my spiritual language. I read a quote a little bit back from President Monson and he said that the universal language of all missionaries is not learned in a textbook or a classroom, it is the spirit.  True conversion comes when you speak His language.  Conversion is not equivalent to knowledge that is for sure.  We are here to help people receive confirmation of what the spirit is telling them.

The coolest thing happened this week.  I am not going to lie, my heart was touched. And I know that sounds funny because I am a big burly manly man but my heart was touched by something that happened.  As I was walking down the road, passed a recent convert's house, I heard something that you do not hear coming from the windows of a house.  I stopped and went back and listened.  I heard a 9 year old little girl, who is not a member but her older sister is, singing "I am a child of God and he has sent me here.  Leads me, guides me, walks beside me, helps me find the way.  Teach me to live with him someday".  That's all she could remember as she was singing.  Man my heart was burning to know that this country can change through the faith of our recent converts and the children turning their hearts to Heavenly Father.  A great work can be done.  I was reading in Alma 34 and 31/32 and it stuck out to me a lot.  I guess in a sense everyday is a day of decision.  We need to decide whether we will continue faithful, remain open to the spiritual promptings and also keep our covenants.  I think we need to decide now whether we will continue to pause on our spiritual plateau or choose instead to fight the inertia and fight to climb higher.   Every thought, every feeling, every action makes us who we are and what we will become. There is nothing that we can do about our past except to repent, and the future does not belong to us yet, we truly only have now.  So I guess I have to ask myself what am I doing now. How am I preparing to meet God? What am I doing to lift others around me?  I know recently I have a lot of things that are helping me to prepare for my own future. There has been a heavy task laid on my own lap. The branch has decided that I can do a lot work. Well, ok that's not true.  I have kind of asked for it in a sense. I am pushing to do lots of things like home teaching and PEC and firesides and baptisms and callings like visiting teaching.  Lots of work for a small soul like me. They are working with me but man, its lots to do. Currently I am planning a fireside as well as trying to get home teaching started but to do that I am pushing the branch to get new a elders quorum presidency.  We just got the relief society all worked out. So we will see how it goes. Teaching is going ok.  Like I said earlier, when you speak the universal language of missionaries (by the spirit) conversion will take place. I notice that when we are strictly obedient to the rules, the Lord showers down the blessings of Heaven on us. And that is why the work is so rapidly progressing. People can see that we are here because we love them not because we want to live this way because, quite frankly, no one wants to live like this.  But they can see that we are willing to sacrifice our time, our money and many other things to help them with their own salvation.  I get the opportunity very often to teach multiple classes at church haha I kind of like it. It tests me to be able to come up with a subject off the cuff and teach for an hour and then immediately after, do it again. Its strenuous but cool! I guess I am growing up.

I decided that I need to introduce another phase into operation get stacked. To my exercise, I added a punching bag for some nice cardio. Plus it is kind of fun. So we will see if I can get rid of these stubborn love handles, and that extra love I am carrying around. If my calculations are correct I should be a fine piece of eye candy when I return home, haha.

I love you guys so much and miss you like crazy but  soon I will be home, less than 9 months wahooo crazy crazy. Transfers are Sunday so we will see what happens.  Hopefully someone that loves to work hard.  Those are the best.  That's why I try to be that guy. Recently I have seen an increase of love because we have been receiving some nice free meals. I can always tell true conversion by the food that they feed us, just kidding.  But man, it's nice to get free food especially since I am poor. Oh and dad how I would love to eat mac and cheese. I remember you saying to get used to eating mac and cheese because that will be dinner for the next two years of your life.  Well, right now, I would love some mac and cheeses!  I also wish I could do the dishes in the sink without toting water from a well and pouring with one hand and scrubbing with the other!  Oh well . . .

Love you guys.  Take care.  I liked this "thee lift me and I'll lift thee and we will ascend together!!"

Love Elder Kev

eh fanbul dem

Dear family,

How are you guys doing on this great day? it is a great day for me because I just received sustenance (money)!!  That means no more suffering for food. Well, ok I mean less suffering for food!! This week for me was pretty good.  Kind of a lot happened for me.  There is so  much success happening here.  It is awesome to be a part of it all.  You will be surprised when I tell you how many people that we have been able to help come to the church. it is amazing the number of people that are joining the church.  People that I met just over one month ago!  It is kind of like people's lives (in my eyes) are on fast forward.  I meet them with their lives kind of in shambles and then they come to church and pray and then see the blessings start to pour in.  We set a mighty high goal for this month on how many people that we wanted to help come to the fold.  We had an idea it was kind of a long shot because we just had met some of those people, but we prayed about it and we decided that it is a good idea to try to push these people a little bit and see what they can do and see if they are really ready.  In doing this, we had to give the people commitments that were maybe harder than usual but would help them to gain a testimony fast.  It's amazing when you do this.  4 weeks is what we are supposed to give for a baptism date.  When you do what you are told to do, the work goes so smooth.  Something that I was reading said that so many missionaries try to work different tactics when teaching people and trying to persuade them one way or the other or convince them to do something.  All we need to do is TEACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST with the spirit.  IF YOU teach by the spirit people cannot deny the message which you bring to them.   People can deny doctrine ideas or whatever but something that is really hard to deny is a witness that is true from the Holy Ghost.  By bearing testimony, they will know that what you are telling them is the truth.  As a result of those efforts and teaching by the spirit, I believe that we reap the rewards.  I don't reap the rewards, the people that we were able to teach reap the reward.   God never gives you more than you can handle, good or bad.  He will NOT give you more than you can handle. I will testify that by showing him that you can handle more, He will give you more to handle.  This month we had fifteen people come to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I guess that makes up for me ripping my $70 long sleeve shirt!  Yesterday we did most of their confirmations.  I have told you in the past that we are in a really mountainous area.  Well, of course yesterday was a huge rain storm and when that happens hardly anyone comes to church because they cannot get here because of flooding.  Many things in life will test your faith and this was one of those faith testers for our converts. I was stressed in the morning, hoping that they would come and trying to organize 12 confirmations.  I was trying to get elders together and teaching them prayers. I tell you that the best thing to do is pray.  After I decided to say a prayer to myself, I was so comforted and I knew that I had done my part and to just let the Lord do the rest.  I was very happy to take up half of the sacrament meeting with confirmations.   11 people showed up.  One was flooded at his house.  11 people soaking wet came up to me and told me thank you.  I tell you, the tender moments in mission. I can't tell you the joy I felt, to see the smiles on their faces as they received their gift, and their blessing.  Now that we are bringing so many people to the church, we have to work on retention.   Man, now our idea is to have a devotional.  I have a good idea but man it is a lot.  They ask a lot of me, in the PEC meeting, we talked small about it and I think we are ok.   We are getting a new brach pres. and they insist on telling me I am going to be it.  They are crazy!  That will never happen.  I just found out recently that 2 people that I taught and baptized are preparing to turn in their own mission papers.  WHAT!!!  How crazy is it to have someone you baptized going out to be a missionary before I even go home from my mission.  It's so sweet!  This week I had to be like a marriage counselor - man, people and their tiffs.  I tell you that I almost whapped this man for beating his wife. He is lucky I am a missionary and controlled my temper.  I chastised him and I guess things are working out. it is just funny that people seek advice from a boy that is not even married haha.  I do have a girl here that is after me though.  She is 8 and I guess she loves me and wants to marry me. So she was devastated when I told her that I can't marry her, that I already love someone, and want to marry someone else.  She is very persistent.  She told me that she can cook better, clean better and is nicer than Riss (obviously she does not know Riss!)

 

So I guess all is well here, nothing to complain about.  Power and water come occasionally, well power does.  Food is the same.  Keep on keepin' on!  Love you all.

 

Love Elder Kev

S
Hello family,

How are things going over there? I like to ask that every week, I hope that you don't mind.  Things are going good here.  This has been a very long but also surprisingly fast week. It's weird it was both at the same time. Probably because we got so much accomplished this week. Lots of fun things happened as well as some crazy things. So let us begin. We have not had much water lately.   We have been living off the reserve water, so as a result we have to get water trucked to us. And when the truck comes we all go out and bucket brigade. We bring out all of our 5 gallon storage containers as well as our buckets. Well my companion had a dirty bucket and he was going to wash it out, but apparently he touched one of the elders with it. So the elder said if you touch me with that again, I will punch you in the face. Well in my companions infinite wisdom, he touched him again and he got what was promised. Man some people are so childish, on the both sides. And, of course, I had to be in the middle of it. So that was not fun. The good news is we have water

 

So later we went out and had some good lessons, obviously frustration was in the air. We came back at the end of the night and no power.  So they light up the generator and shortly after the lights start going crazy and we smell fire, electrical fire.   We go out and yup the WALL is on fire. I guess you could say it was good we got water that morning. All is well though no worries just some burnt paint and wires and a bad smell in the house. Its funny cause I told them that that would happen if you try to run the whole house off of one plug. Well they believe me now. I just laugh at the way it gets fixed. The old plug just melted so lets just get a new one. Soon we will learn that the same thing will happen but no one listens to me. So to move on with the week. We had some good lessons found out that we need to change some baptism datea forward so we will be having 5 more baptisms on Saturday.  It's so funny people in this world they don't understand that the field is already white.  Why are you waiting to harvest? Get to work stop talking about how ready everyone is and start making something happen.

 

So I love to just jump in and start to help people.  We helping this girl and her family. And this girl needed to carry this oober heavy cooler full of water to the top of mount everest to sell. So you know me, I did it. You know that she called me the most stubborn person she had ever met.  I just thought that was funny. People here don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. You have to show your love for the people by helping them. But let me tell you something that cooler was heavy ha-ha.   I don't know how she was going to do it.

 

So this week we did lots of work at the church for the open house and for Elder Sitati.  We had zone conference this week. Man, I swear if I have to sing at another one of those I am going to be mad. This time did not turn out as well I don't think, considering I found out the new song the day of and also I got to practice a total of one time before singing for a general authority.   Just kind of mad that they threw in a solo for me as well. We sang more holiness give me. It was nice to see everyone, especially elder Jenkins.  Elder Sitati gave a instruction on…. You guessed it eternal marriage.

 

We had 7 baptisms this week and  that was awesome. It was sad to hear of my old branch pres.  I loved that guy.  He died from malaria. That stuff is brutal.  So I am tired of typing, so I think this is it.

 

All is well.  I love you all.  Happy b-day to gpa moss and also B this week.   Love you guys!

 

Love Elder Kev

Hey Family,

How are you doing? I am doing great as usual. If you ever hear me say good or fine that means I am doing great! In Sierra Leone, fine and good is the standard answer when someone asks you how you are so I have kind of got stuck in that rut a little by saying I am fine. But I am doing stupendous. Things here are moving along well, the work seems to go smoothly. It is funny how in the week you can have one lesson that is so spiritually powerful and then just immediately after that lesson you go to someone who will not even give you the time of day. It is frustrating sometimes but its ok.  I am coping with these people that like to just mess around with us. I was thinking about how blessed we are with people that are ready to learn. It is funny how so many people cannot read or even hardly talk English but they will do their best to learn all that they can learn. It's funny cause they say that this is a English speaking mission. But let me be first to tell you that that is a lie. It is not but its ok.  I have found that the Lord will bless you with the gift of tongues when you get here so that you can communicate. I like what President Monson has taught:  "The goal of gospel teaching . . . is not to 'pour information' into the minds of class members. . . . The aim is to inspire the individual to think about, feel about, and then do something about living gospel principles" .  We teach the people that living gospel principles will put a smile on their face forever. I love this gospel.

Sometimes I wish I finished writing this email before I read my emails. Its hard to smile knowing Kobe died but its good too know that he is in a better place plus we still have Shasta and Rex.

So this week Is going to be busy, we have on the schedule a open house with a General Authority coming, Elder Sitati. He is good.  He is coming to have an open house and also to dedicate the building.  Man, have I been doing some work there. They really take advantage of my mechanical mind haha. The branch pres. calls me his boss.  Man, I don't want that responsibility but I guess I have to have it. We also have zone conference Friday, guess who gets to sing again for another general authority. Yup, it's me.  Man, I don't think I am that great of a singer so I just don't understand why I have to sing so much. I think that will make three general authorities now I will sing for. Also we have 3 people that need interviews for baptism and to top it off we have 8 people baptizing Saturday. And I have to preside over that!  This will be a crazy week!

We had zone meeting this last week. I feel like I got spiritually slapped in the face. I feel like I am not doing enough to help the people. I don't want to be these peoples anchor. I need to do more! We will see what I can do. Living is going great, we have had power but not water.   Yesterday I burned the tar out of my hand.  Man that hurt. Steam burn from the rice. Oh well nothing time doesn't heal. We had a baptism last week. It went really well and the spirit was really strong.  I also got to sing there as well.  Who would have guessed that I had that talent. I guess all the la la's I sang around the house helped. Not for dad but for me.

So I found out Elder Lambson is not doing all that well.  I guess he got sick and he is, or did some time in the hospital so keep him in your prayers. It's not always easy here, but it will be worth it.

So as you can see, things are good.  I hope that it is well there.  Oh some fresh new [pics of the fam and riss would be nice.  It has been a long time since I have seen you all. I love all you guys!

Love ya!  Love Elder Kev