Been Skiing This Week

Finally, feeling like a missionary. Well almost.

We arrived in Sierra Leon. Things run a little differently here. During the first week, we stayed at the Mission Leaders' home because they wanted to take us to our area. They had a crazy week with 26 missionaries coming in on several different days, a visit from the general RS and primary President (Sister Freeman), and a week later, the area authority with two half-mission conferences. We never had it that bad. So we tried to help and enjoyed a "busy" week.

That week did help me break into the way things happen here. For example, there are no tow trucks in this country. So if a car breaks down, they just leave it on the two-lane road and wait for a mechanic to take care of it. There is no KAT scan machine or MRI in the country. Groceries are tricky. In the capital (4-5 hours away) are two markets smaller than an All a Dollar. They have treasures like flour, cheese, honey, peanut butter, TP. I was warned to stock up. But the prices were so exorbitant it was difficult to swallow:

-Butter: $16 a lbs

-Peanut butter: $16

-Hamburger $14 a lbs

-Milk $6 for a small box

How would I transport much when we wouldn't get to our home with a full day of travel (a zone conference squeezed in between)? I did my best and bought a few boxes of supplies. I filled a cooler. WHAT WAS I THINKING? I should have filled a Uhaul...but those don't exist.

The good news is they have pineapples now and mangoes in the spring. I'll buy up a ton when I return to the capital every month. The worst part is that we have six young Elders here in Moriba Town who have longing eyes for a homecooked meal. Soon enough.

Back to getting here... and skiing...

After traveling 2 hours on a decent road, we turned off on a dirt road. Nope, not on Google Maps. We began okay for the first 20 minutes; then we started getting swallowed up in moguls as big as any I've skied on. If they were compared to rapids, they would have been thrown from the boat. Both sides of the road were lined with tall grasses, corn stalks, palm trees, and jungle beyond that. Occasionally, we would pass a small village with around 5 to 10 homes. It was almost dusk, so fires started in the front yards, and children played in the dirt. Every town had the same skinny dog. Occasionally, a motorcycle would pass us with four people and supplies squeezed on, making it look top-heavy. Out of nowhere, a couple of children would pop out of the tall grass to see who was coming up the road. I had an instant love affair with how adorable they were, their big white teeth, smiles, and waving with excitement. Goats, pigs, and chickens freely passed here and there. After an hour, we thought we must be getting close, but nope, we were on those moguls for 3 hours. Our ribs hurt. It felt as if we'd been on a bucking bull ride.

We pulled into our compound a little after dark. Our property is about a half acre with 12-foot cement walls surrounding it. Then, barbed wire loops on top of that. Two guards, always working around the clock, let us in the metal gate. Yes, it's very dangerous here after 7 o'clock. But no worries, it's only because the mosquitos come out at night. 10-15% of our missionaries always have malaria, and many have had typhoid. We need to be careful. The town is safe.

They have guards mainly to give our prospective missionaries a way to earn $150 over three months to buy a passport for their missions. The young men are so grateful for this opportunity. It's heartwarming. During this time, we can help them prepare to be incredible missionaries. Yes, we could just pay for that passport, but the wisdom in them earning it is inspiring. They came over today and are so excited to start Mission Prep again. The last senior couple set this program up and sent out 31 missionaries.

When we arrived in the dark, we entered our abode, which had been shut up for three months. The humidity and dust storms hadn't been kind to our home. Let's just say I went to bed in my clothes. I've come to really be grateful for electricity. We're spoiled with a generator that works most of the time. There is no electricity in this area. We're blessed to have fans and a fridge, not to mention a toilet. Whew.

Come to find out, along that road are eight branches in the District we're presiding over. There are lots of members behind that tall grass road that we get to meet.

It all paid off yesterday when we finally visited our neighbors and met a few branch presidents. It is heartwarming. These people have nothing but strong testimonies of Jesus Christ.

I've loved the day. We had six prospective missionaries come over early, and 6 Elders who live nearby just left. Absolutely incredible... They are amazing.

Love you to pieces.

xoxo

Mom