Last days in Mission...

Pondering the future?

Just before going into the airport...

Last preparation day for some... (all from Elder Wood's camera)

Coming and Going Feb 28th

Elder Guzha, Elder Priddis, Elder Boye-doe and Elder Ellsworth on their way to the Government Wharf to board the ferry with the assistants and Markus.  We look forward to hearing from you all!

 Elder Priddis and Elder Wood

Elder Wood and Elder Norton (new assistant)

Off to the wharf and to the airport

We picked up the new missionaries.  More about them in a few days. We will do an orientation tomorrow and a dinner.  Then, four will go to Bo and one will stay in Freetown.

Missionaries going home tomorrow

It is always fun to watch them put on their suitcoats after two years hanging in the closet here at the mission home.  Some fit, some are too big, some are way too small... Elders Ellsworth, Boye-doe, Milton, Priddis and Guzha!  We will miss each one of you!  Thank you for your loving, dedicated service to the people of Sierra Leone and Liberia and to the Lord.  

Elder Wood and Elder Norton, (new assistant) putting on aprons to wash all the dishes after our farewell dinner.  Elder Priddis helped put away one last time. Thanks Moms for raising such good, thoughtful helpers.

Anticipation...

Waiting for the meeting with Elder Holland.  Everyone was so eager to meet him and pensive too.

Glad for a wide angle lens on my camera. It was a Quad-Zone Meeting. I'll post the actual picture probably in March.  This was just a 'practice' pic!  :-) Got lots of pictures so will start posting more in the next few weeks. There just wasn't any free moments to upload.

Church News

Elder Holland's visit to Sierra Leone was in the Church News yesterday.

Check out the Church News article for 

Sierra Leone: HERE

Ghana: HERE

Liberia: HERE

Special days in Monrovia

We saw this scene as we walked on the dock after crossing the water on Eco Water Taxi. As you can see in the background, the skies were filled with Harmattan trade wind sands.

Building a new boat...

We had quite the time getting to Liberia this time.  The Harmattan sands blocked the airports in Monrovia and Freetown.  We spent one night at the Lungi Airport (found a couple nice couches in the VIP lounge... when we found out we were spending the night in the airport, we headed to the softest seats available)  The flight was supposed to go in the morning, but couldn't get out.  We went back to the mission home and tried it the next day.  Same thing, spent the night at the airport to catch a 3 a.m. check-in on a prop job straight to Monrovia...even it was 2 1/2 hours late getting in the air.  Finally got to Monrovia.  The same thing happened to Elder Holland, et al--- they came a day late after trying to get there the day before from Accra.  The Saints prayed for clearing skies so that our guests could land.  Late afternoon their flight arrived.

Young Women, Primary and Relief Society Presidents waiting for Sister Holland, Sister Snow, Sister Dickson and Sister Sitati for instruction in the Sinkor Chapel in Monrovia, Liberia. They came about 9 a.m and stayed the day waiting until 4 p.m. when all arrived.

Taken from the other side of the room.  All, men and women, waiting in the Sinkor Chapel applauded and cheered when the plane finally landed !!

After the meeting, Sister Holland gave them each a hug.  It was a wonderful occasion for them all.  During the Sisters Auxiliary Meeting, the Priesthood Leadership Training was going on.

Some of the Liberia Auxiliary Leaders...  It was a historic day.

While waiting for Elder Holland and Elder Snow to visit with them, the missionaries were happy meeting all the sisters.

Our four sister missionaries in Monrovia.  We will double that this week as we open a new apartment in the Bushrod Island Zone and do a border transfer of sister missionaries from Sierra Leone. First time to transport sisters on the rough jungle road to the border... :-)

Yay, Zimbabwe missionaries!

Some of the above pictures were while the missionaries were waiting for Elder Holland's meeting with them.  It was a great meeting and his message was all about serving an honorable mission and staying true after returning home.   The next day Elder Holland spoke at a special Monrovia District Conference where about 800 attended and a special Bushrod Island District conference with about 1000 attending.  More pics to come...

It Truly is a Marvelous Work and a Wonder!

Liberia Bushrod Island District Brewersville Branch

 Bushrod Island District Caldwell New Georgia Branch

 Bushrod Island District Duala Branch

 Bushrod Island District Doe Community Branch

Bushrod Island District Logan Town Branch

Lots of miles in these shoes...

 Above are places where those shoes walked with great effort looking for the honest seeker of truth in Freetown.

Hgyenkwah Restaurant...washing hands first

 A little shop that the missionaries buy from on the road to the Mission Office.

 

 Laying down some asphalt around the mission office area.

A Goodbye to Elder Saxton...who was reassigned to the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission.

Yes, indeed, the Work goes forward, and it is Marvelous and a Wonder!