Week #24 - She Says

Sunday, September 22, 2013

We attended church in Waterloo today – the 1^st time since their building was remolded and it now accommodates the growing number of members. It also has fans! Quite nice though they just add to the noise the generator makes. We got home by 3:00 pm and I took a much needed nap.

As I sit here and look up from my computer, I see a paper map of the world produced by “doctorswithoutborders.” Their advertisement on the map states, “We find out where conditions are the worst – the places where others are not going – and that's where we want to be.” Apparently they arrived and determined they really didn't want to be here because if we have any serious illness/accident, we will be flown out of the country for treatment.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Oh my there is a lot going on right now in the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission! So many moving/working parts to keep a mission running smoothly and with so many new missionaries coming by the 1^st of the year (approximately 64) and as one of two Housing Coordinator couples, let's just say, WHEW! My plate is full, but I like it much better than if it was partially empty and I was looking for things to do. We had a staff meeting this morning to discuss all the new and adjusted assignments. The mission president and his wife are constantly prompted and inspired with ideas and vision and it is pretty exciting. I just hope Scott and I can keep up.

We had a meeting with Zone Leaders and President Kpullum tonight. President Kpullum is a wonderful man who works full time in west Freetown and met with us earlier today at the Mission Office, then this meeting tonight at 5:00 at the Kissy Building. Mind you he has no vehicle and is constantly on the go. He shows up a little late and we proceed with the meeting. About 45 minutes into the meeting, Abu John, his executive secretary shows up and tries to slide in unnoticed. President Kpullum doesn't miss a beat when he says to Abu, “I thought maybe you got lost or captured!” Usually at these meetings, his counselor is late, and President Kpullum says for all to hear, “Why can't you get here on time, you have a car!” These men seem to take it all in stride and there is no doubt they love and respect President Kpullum.

On our drive home tonight, I decided to video a portion of it. I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. Tomorrow I am going to video our drive to the mission office.


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

I saw something today on the way home in the car that was very encouraging and heartening. I looked off to the side of the road and saw a dog being pet by a young man, and what I also saw was happiness on the man's face and a spontaneous smile. What a tender mercy to see that today.

Friday, September 27, 2013

It was Cathy Burns' birthday today and we celebrated at the Bliss Restaurant. The restaurants that we “trust” are owned by mostly Lebanese. It was a fun evening and we sat outside in spite of the mosquitoes.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Today was spent in Wellington at a baptismal service. The weather was very enjoyable with a sea breeze that helped keep the temperature down. Six people were baptized. The font was filled clear to the top, and when the youngest and littlest was set to enter the font, Matthew lifted him up and over, with just his head exposed out of the water. Matthew was very gentle and kind to this young boy, preparing him to be baptized and tucking in his white shirt so it wouldn't float to the top of the water.

Wellington 1 and 2 Baptismal Service

Brother Will speaking at the baptism. I love the logo on his shirt.
Branch Missionary, Matthew, helping a young man get ready to be baptized.

Missionaries waiting to baptize. Notice the tan line on their necks.

Helping a disable brother into the water. 

Elder McDonald pondering something.

We delivered some supplies to the missionaries. It is always fun to talk with them. I had more requests for peanut butter so we stopped at the store on the way home and I bought 10 more jars.

Dinner was at home, and I baked potatoes and then prepared a sauce with vegetables in it and poured it over the potatoes. About 6 bites into the meal, something was very bitter and tasted funny; rather than spit it out, smart one that I am, I swallowed it. Not good....the very bitter taste didn't go away for hours, leaving my mouth feeling kind of numb proceeded by somewhat of an upset system for the rest of the night. With my vivid imagination, I am trying to think what it could have been because Scott ate the same thing with no problem. We have cockroaches even in the microwave and they hide out in the vents and other places but I do have a microwave lid that I place over our food; however, when I Googled “what does a cockroach taste like,” one of the comments was, “bitter.” Enough said.

Love, Robin