Questions & Answers

Tom (Elder Sumrak's Dad) Questions:
Do the prison guards you mentioned with the AK47's point the guns at you when you walk by and if so why?  From what other Elders say, how does your current area compare to other areas?  Hear much about Liberia? Will you ever have to serve in an area where Anthony Bourdain's (the Food Channel) Witch Doctor lives?  Do you have the opportunity to eat in members homes or do you mainly take care of your own meals? Have you been able to develop a workout routine where you are and what you have to work with?

Elder Sumrak's Answers:
hahahah okay pops so i had some extra time so please share these
answers with mother and the blog...but here are some answers to your
questions....


no, they do not point guns directly at me haha...just in the
vicinitiy...according to other Elders, this is the hardest area in the
mission. lowest baptisms...hardest terrain (only place with
mountains...where I am MT.Aureol) hahaha dirtiest area. Apparently
Liberia is beautiful and has beautiful apartments which are very clean
and what not. The missionaries say our apartment is the dirtiest they
have been in.

The areas like we watched Anthony Bourdain go to, I go to everyday. Talked with the
elders yesterday actually and they said they have seen many Witch
Doctors (devils) wandering the streets right outside our compound
before. Apparently, they love to bring the white missionaries into the
act so we are advised to avoid them and stay away. People follow them
and dance and chant but they are in Freetown, not just the BUSH. But,
I go to Bush areas like twice a week. Random village like areas in the
mountains...but they are very civilized and they eat lots of food
like on Anthony Bourdain hahaha.

We mainly take care of our own meals...but free meals are sometimes frequent
and sometimes end badly for our bodies. hahaha

My workouts are random and sporadic. Some mornings we don't have power
so I am not exactly motivated. but there are some weights in the
apartment. meaning a bench....with cinderblocks on either end haha and
one pair of like 20 lb dumbbells. and yeah that's it. But I try to keep
up benching and crunching at least. But, I really don't care to be
honest. I am too exhausted to workout some mornings. running...not
really an option. roads are too crazy. too many cars. too much holes.
not safe hahaha.

And here is something interesting as well: the mission here in Sierra
Leone/Liberia might split soon. and if  it does, missionaries are
stuck wherever they are. So, i could be here in Sierra Leone the rest
of my mission, or possibly in Liberia. But, nothing assured yet,
but there is a chance. :) Also, there are measures being taken to make
the first stake here which would be pretty amainzg. I love you all -be
safe. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!