Moving Day Picture



October 30, 2012 Moving Day
Thanks to the Lauritizen's for the photo



Finally Moving

So, Thank you thank you wonderful family :) I loved hearing from you!
I got some dear elders this morning, which was really nice to read
before I headed out for an exciting day in Freetown...So much sweet
news! But, thank you thank you to Rebecca, Sis Peterson, Jullian ,
Drew, Momma, and pops, I loved hearing from all of you so much today
:) You are all amazing and I am so grateful for all of you and
Rebecca, You got a letter with your name on it on the way...not
someones elses...I apologize again ;) oh and Kasidy Jackson, I wrote
you a letter this week as well, thank you so much for your letter! it
was the longest I have received hahaha :) thank you!

Also...Kendall Boyd...did you ever get my letter?????

Well Momma, I love you so much and its so good to hear about
everything back home! I uh, totally did not know the lego guy was the
flash drive and have had him propped up against my picture frame along
with the plastic dog Saidu gave me a while back...Also, that soccer
pin you sent me was SUPER awesome! but, i don't like to wear them, So
i let Saidu have it and he is so happy momma, gosh it felt so good to
let him have it. He wears it every Sunday to church and everybody
always compliments him on it and gosh he just glows from it, so thank
you so much for making his day mom :) I love the tie by the way, its
my Bluffing tie! Good pick, you got my style down PERFECT! But, when I
get home today I will check the music and see if it works but thank
you so much :) you are so sweet! I hope it does, I need a lil change
in music, funny that I just mentioned that this morning hahaha

And...I didn't get sick! I am feeling totally fine after our
disgusting meals...but, we furthered it last night when we ran out of
food...and only had frozen vegetables...and ran outta salt...so used
Taco seasoning on our vegetables hahaha and it was totally uh, not
yummy but not too gross :) we enjoyed! sorta...hahaah thank you mom
for the seasoning! it saved us more then dry vegetables haha!

And...while I was in the bank today waiting to get our subsistence I
saw the news about the hurricane! it looks crazy. I am praying for you
guys and I know you will be okay, but hurricanes in VA can be wacky.
Please be safe and don't do anything silly...hope you didn't repair
the shed yet father,because you may be saying goodbye to it again ;)

Wow! sounds like you have been super busy momma but I am glad that you
got to enjoy some alone time and also got some many opportunities to
hangout with Mrs. P this week. That is awesome! I wrote the family a
letter this week, So I hope you get it within the month, but I just
want you to be happy momma :) hahaha so keep on enjoying yourself!

Something you could send me...NOT EMERGENCY, just if you ever put
another package together anytime or anything...like does not need to
be anytime soon...but I would love the Plan Of Salvation Visual
pictures...Like the lil cut outs things with the world and the sun and
everything, I would LOVE to start using that in my lessons, even with
older people. It would help them understand SOOO much better. thank
you momma :) if you cannot, I will attempt to make my own...but it
will be wo wo.

Well....first, news I found out today. the Assistant told us that
LIBERIA has been closed! along with Sierra Leone. The missionaires are
now locked in their countries. NO more missionaries will travel
between countries, they are preparing for the permanent split...so i
will not get to experience Liberia...and I will not get to learn
Koloquoa or however you spell their crazy language...and uh...thanks
to the new revelation...Elder Barth said they are sending 150 +
missionaries in the next 6 months...uh...we don't even have a 100 in
this mission...THAT IS INSANE! I don't know how accurate it is...but,
geeeze, he is an assistant so who knows. They are planning on putting
4 missionaries in  EACH branch and opening up like a bunch of new
areas, so it is possible I will be in Mount Aureol for a long
time...because I may split from Elder Burton and train someone else in
my area..but who knows, it is just complete chaos right
now...accompanied with the fact that apparently an average of 600
missionaries sent in papers a week before...and the average now is
7,000? what!? someone tell me if that is true, i heard it from another
Elders parents I think.

Also...We are moving out! finally! Super P day was cancelled today,
because we had to start packing because we are moving to our new
apartment tomorrow. Elder Burton and I got the opportunity to check it
out earlier this week because it is in our area and it is okay. It
actually has tiling, unlike our dirt floors, but it has small
rooms...so back to bunk beds...and the worst part is it only has 1
shower..for 6 missionaries, and its on a very busy street. so it is
going to be loud unfortunately, but, we will manage :) man, the
craziness that is going on in this mission...the craziness!!!!

Well...I will take it event by event I guess this week.

Tuesday morning we were having personal study and a swarm of dogs came
barking past our window, we haven't seen them in the compound in
forever, but there was like 10 of them, so Elder Burton and I jumped
up, grabbed the brooms, and ran outside. I stood up on the balcony and
threw the broom as hard as a I could and NAILED a dog straight in the
head! It liked flopped over like it was dead, and got back up and ran
out the compound! geeze the adrenaline rush! It almost makes me want
to come home and hunt!:) The assistants were proud of me...since they
have many hunting nights with the dogs,they say I am becoming one of
them hahaha

Also, Elder Burton and I have despaired from finding a chapel...we
went out Tuesday for a good last look, because our area is going DRY
because we have spent so much time finding a chapel instead of
teaching the gospel :/ but, whatever the Lord requires he will get
from us. But, we found a building, but the door to the second story
was locked, so Elder Burton and I had to ninja our way, like hopping
off neighbourings houses windows and on unfinshed doors to get up to
the second story balcony...yeah, we were a lil dirty afterwards, but
we took some pictures and it looks like a possibility...once we tear
down 6 plus walls :) but, later in the week, Elder Burton and I got
the opportunity to ride with Elder Lauritzen and President Marcus in
the mission Jeep to go and show them our find, and they are hopefully
getting it approved and sent to ghana for permission to get it up and
running...average predicted wait time...2-3 months :/ so I may not even
see the fruits of my labors...but that is okay. I know if a chapel
needs to be found, then we had to do it. It stinks because we have
only 1 more baptism we believe or maybe 2, until like the end of this
month ....but, missionary work is more than teaching I guess, it is
service too, so I am trying not to let it discourage me too much.

We taught one awesome family this week and we had a great lesson with
the momma and her two daughters. After the lesson, we were trooping
back up the mountain and this girl came sprinting out after us and was
like ELDER SUMRAK ELDER SUMRAK, so i waited for her to catch up and
she was like, Elder Sumrak, can you teach me some workouts? my tummy
is getting big and I want to lose it. What workouts can i do? Me and
Elder Burton were like uh...and looked at each other, and I was
like...You could run or you could walk to church on sunday! yeah
yeah, do that...and maybe eat less? can you do press ups? No? how
about crunches? no sabe? okay...um yeah eat less and walk to church on
sundays :) I promise you will lose your tummy in no time. uh AWKWARD
hahahaaha

Well, we got our hoodies made in one night! we went to the guy and he
is hilarious. He is a  funny old fat black guy, who
listens to country music, sings and dances around his shop, apparently
knows karate, and can out dance anyone. He made our hoodies and they
are SO legit. It is a lil hot to wear them but we are excited to bluff
them when we get home ;) we are getting some more made this week, only
costs about 7 dollars for the material and about 5 dollars to make
them, so not too bad :) specially for a unique african
hoodie...seriously, you will never see hoodies (homeboys) like this
hahaha they are weird!

Also, our investigator Cristiana is progressing SO much! we are going
to see her as soon as we are done here, but her baptism is on saturday
and she has come so far. I just randomly contacted her on the street
one day, and she has changed so much. She has it so rough. She lives
in pretty much a prostitute house (yeah, only will teach on the
balcony there) but, she is giving up all that. She says she will break
up with her boyfriends and give up all the other stuff and she even
came to church the past weeks, even yesterday when she was sick! and
she comes alone...with nobody...not even our members who are her
neighbours came and she still did...she feels/looks so outta place
but, she knows this is the right choice and I am so proud of her :)

Smoking...its bad for you! Smoking in Africa....Weird...uh...so Elder
Burton and I were walking down the street on Saturday, and in the
middle of the street was about 6 or 7 people all just sitting there
taking turns smoking out of the biggest bong. Like seriously, in the
middle of the road...like they were using like a water hose. I was
like what the heck! and they all were like "Hey! Pastors! Good
evening, hows the day!" we were like uh, got to get outta here, got to
get outta here. What is wrong with this country hahaha? WHy do we love
it so much?:)

Well, we had to fill the tank after the baptisms on saturday. I Don't
know if I told you last week but dry season is coming and we can't
afford to drain the baptismal font anymore...so we take buckets and we
cart it back up to the tank, about 20 yards away from the font, so I
stood in the font and filled buckets while 2 Elders transported the
buckets to an Elder standing on top of the tank to dump in. Yes, we
get work DONE around here hahaa :)

Well...we had one crazy crazy crazy lesson on Saturday night. We
taught this referral from the sisters and it was absolute chaos...15 +
girls.  NO guys. We taught them all outside. There was like 4 girls
our age, 10 girls who were lil and even 1 momma and wow, chaos, chaos.
They were just all giggling and everything and wow, I was just so
happy that we were able to finish the lesson and get 5 people a
baptismal date, but, none came to church (could have expected it, but
tried not to and practice a lil faith, too bad it requires faith on
both ends ;) ) Yeah, weird, the lil girls like dog piled us at the end
of the prayer and we were like ah ah ah ah girls can't touch us
hahaha! Probably NOT going back there

Well...Today was sweet. Ran some sprints this morning, packed up my
bags for tomorrow, then got transport to the bank with the assistants
Elder Barth and Elder Appleby, took about 2 hours to get our money
out, we then went to the restaurant where we got egg burgers fries and
ice cream again...ah :) then...then we went to a pharmacy to get some
district medicine and there was a white girl working there and we
haven't seen a pretty white girl our age in well uh for me 5
months...so we were all super shy and ran out as quick as we
could...yes, the mission does mature you...but, in different
ways...no, we can't talk to white girls. hahaha yes we are dorks.

But, then on the wood market, which was complete chaos today.
Literally at one point I had two women yelling at each other/me
pulling my arms in separate directions. they had all 4 of us by the
wrist and were dragging us everywhere trying to sell us tish but
ah...the men on the wood carvings side are just as bad, but I left
with 4 bracelets and a SWEET necklace...:) so, I am happy hahaha

Life here in the mission is sweet. I love my area. I love the people.
I love Sierra Leone. Ugh, my legs are tired from our mountain, but we
make it through. I worked out every single morning/night this week,
and had plenty of protein, and the chest on my shirts is getting super
tight hahaha :) So, I am putting on some muscle hopefully, which is a
big relief from the lack of protein I get. But, we ate a lot of
chicken and eggs and protein shakes this week so all is well...all is
well ;) thank you so much for the protein momma.

We were a little discouraged after yesterday in which all of our
progressing investigators except Christiana and Onike and Isatu came
to church...we are going to have to drop 7-9 people who I love, who
love the gospel, who have changed, who have progressed, but won't come
to church...my favorite boys (gilbert and abubakarr) they have changed
so much! they have given up all their women, quit drinking, promised
to pay tithing, read so much from the book of mormon, but, they have
only came to church once in the last month :/ its painful...we can't
keep spending time on people who don't progress. its hard...its
discouraging...its sad. I want their salvation...but, other people
deserve the opportunity to practice their agency. ugh

Well, after a bummer last night, I wrote some songs in my journal and
it really cheered me up. ate gross vegetables and some good yummy
bread...and now life is back on track and we are moving FORWARD!:) got
our subsistence back, we got money, we got food, lets do this thing!
boo yah! haha life is good.

I know this gospel is true and I love it so much. I honestly used to
be upset from all the restrictions I had in my life...Now, I pray to
God and I am so thankful because I see how much they protected me, how
lives are so screwed up without the gospel, and how a couple words, a
couple scriptures, and a wonderful touch from the Holy Ghost can
change the life of even the most corrupted sinner. It's
beautiful...It really is...and I don't even fully understand it
appreciate it, or put it into action. I know the atonement is real. I
have seen it in my life. I have seen it in the lives of others...It is
amazing. It is unbelievable. It is so intense that I try to avoid it
in my studies just because I know how much studying I would need to do
just to fathom 1% of it...but, I know its real. I was inspired to
study deep doctrine in the scriptures after reading a verse in
Doctrine and Covenants that read that nobody could be saved in
ignorance...and its true...You can't sneak into exaltation. You can't
happen upon it. You must realize what you are doing, you must accept
and keep covenants made. You know when you have made it, even before
God welcomes you into his kingdom :) I know that is true. I know
change is constant. I know who I want to be, I know who I am. I know
I can get there, slowly but surely, not over night, but with constant
prayer and constant change. I love you all so much and know this
gospel can help your lives as it has helped mine. Repent . Pray. Life
is okay :) I love you all! have an amazing week and please take care!

-Love,
Elder Jesse Sumrak

Be safe in the hurricane...I beg!

Food - good, bad, and ugly!

Elder Sumrak's responses to several questions from MOM:
Oh, and Moma, yes it is too hot to wear a hoodie most of the time, but
we are having them made for home, and apparently he can make them in a day.

not many babies in church, about 11 attending primary, kids everywhere
everyday just like to give us high fives or yell at us obnoxiously
until we are out of sight...like White man White man White
man...doesn't matter if you respond...they won't stop hahaha :)

And I am sharing teaching in church. I have talked once and taught Elders
Quorum twice, but there are PLENTY of Melchezidek priesthood holders
to do it, so I told them that I would be giving everyone else an
opportunity to teach...I teach 30 + lessons a week...it is somebody elses
turn on Sundays ;)

Elder Sumrak's Letter

Sso, first off, thank you everybody for the many dear elders I received
this week. It was really pleasant to receive so many, and it was very
very enjoyable :) So a thank you thank you to aunt deb, katie, cassy,
Bekki Brau (wrote you a letter) Jenalyn Thiriot, sis peterson,
gabriella (wrote you cuz) dad, rebecca (wrote you cuz, thanks for
letting me use your address as my utah mail address ;) ), momma
dearest, thomas and laura (thank you for the postcard Laura, you are
so sweet, Drew, aunt deb, katie, rachel (wrote you my cousin),
Jenalyn, Mommmaaa, Papa, ah thank you so much everyone. I was truly
spoiled this week by all of you writing me and yeah...I'm a pretty
lucky person and I love you all!

Mommmmmmmmmmaaaaaaaaaaaaa! how are you doing mom? I miss you
lots and lots! I got your box this week which was pretty awesome!:)
you are so sweet momma. already starting taking the meds and vitamins
and even had some protein today! so thank you so very very much :)
Elder Burton and I are staying healthy and enjoying the protein bars.
So the protein bars are our favorite, so we love those! boku boku!
but, as far as other food goes, i really do not need anymore haha! we
get plenty subsistence so its just really nice to have snack food like
protein bars, but now I have 4 jars of pnut butter and I just can't
get through the food quick enough haha, so maybe no more food till
Christmas momma dearest ;) but, you are so sweet! we enjoy and love
the boxes so much! especially the pictures of everyone ah I love them.
And the gum is super awesome since its kinda expensive here. but thank
you lots mommma, the propel packets are awesome as well. You are the
sweetest and thank you. you spoil me like crazy...but, my companion
isn't complaining ;)

Well....another great week in beautiful hot smelly Sierra Leone! Lots
and lots of fun stuff this week!

Well, we started the week and ended the week with lots of CHAPEL
HUNTING. mission president and district president said a chapel must
be found, so Elder Burton and I cut out a full 2 days of proselyting
to walk the most busy streets of Freetown, asking every building if we
could use any place in their house on Sunday for
service...everywhere....everyone. Apartments, colleges, schools,
houses, compounds, talking to at least 50 people a day, making phone
calls, meeting people at their apartments to talk availabilities...so
exhausting...so unproductive hahaha...we only found one possibility
after 15 hours plus walking around looking for a building...not even a
nice one. just a room big enough for 100 people to sit and talk...but
not much luck, but we will see if our contact calls today ;) but, let
me slightly boast, but not in myself, the Lord of course, that even
after our shift of priorities, Elder Burton and I still dominated the
entire district with lessons taught this week...idk how, but the Lord
still wants his work to go forward as well as his chapels, so he truly
blessed us with small bounces and great opporunities this week.

Also, got to go on exchange (to my area of course) with Zone leader
Esiaba this week, which was really sweet! We got tons of FMs and had a
great time with each other. he is a nigerian as well, but...a humble
one ;)

Well...for some depressing but exciting news...this week the
assistants bought two live chickens and called Elder Burton and I
over...so we took the chickens out back, dug a hole, cut their heads
off...(which was pretty hilarious since Elder Appleby had to work up
the nerve for  a whole 5 minutes because we didn't have a big knife,
just a half dull one, so no big chop off the head...but a quick sawing
rather) but we killed them, then plucked off all the feather...took
all the guts out, yeah fun stuff. new for me. but kinda exciting and
gross at the same time.
Then, last night we went over to the assitance becasue they have an
electric oven and we put the chicken inside...yeah, we were super
hungry, so after an hour we took it out, the meat was white, and we
ate it...but, it was not finished cooking and we realized parts of it
were still raw...but, I was so hungry that I just ate my part anyways,
oh man we were afraid of Salmonella but who cares! well, to add to the
disgustingness of the night, Elder Burton then put his portion on a
plate...but, accidently dropped the plate and the chicken went on the
dirty floor and some in the trash can....but, we are hungry guys...so
we picked it all out and fried the bits...but, fried them too much and
it tasted like tish...yuck! but we finished it hahahah
To further add to the grossness, we were still really hungry, so went
home and poured ourselves a bowl of cereal, to discover at least 50
ants swimming in each of our bowls...do not judge us....we were
hungry...so we ate all of it still....ummmmyeah we're pathetic...
So to continue, we were still hungry, and ate wet bread with half
spoiled scrambled eggs to top off our night...so, we feel great now.
hope we don't drop dead in the middle of the day...but gosh, as bad as
it sounds, we had such a good time haha, yeah we're crazy, but we were
just laughing our heads off the whole time about the complete gross
indecent situations we had found ourselves in. Oh, Sa Lone
mission...truly amazing...truly truly.

Well, Elder Burton also showed me how to make ground nut soup this
week. Which is super good and is a must make when I get home for you
guys. You will love it...but, of course we are going to need some rice
for it ;), also, is there any africans markets near the house momma. I
doubt it...but, i could make us some yummy yummy stuff if there is ;)

Well...something that Elder Burton and I find hilarious is the
terrible grammer and mispellings and everything on all the packages
and labels here. I love drinking powder milk that says it is good for
you child and will help them grow the strongest of them
all....really...who the tish let that person label things?
really...hahah :) but, its quite entertaining, so I don't complain.

also, random fact, love the missionary lego dude you sent me mom haha :)

But, on to the amazing baptisms we had on Saturday. 4 awesome people
were baptized and I got the special opportunity to baptize Ruth Momie
James  Meaton James Williams (MJ), David Abubakarr
Mansaray, and Salematu Kamara (a small girl who has no records about
her date of birth or anything but everyone says that she thinks she is
9...they think....)

So, I got to baptize the first 3 and Elder Burton baptized Salematu
and ah it was so great. We had 10 baptisms with the other branches
included with us and it was just such a special day and I felt the
spirit so strongly :) everyone is so strong and all showed up for
their confirmation and ah :) I love this work. MJ's testimony really
touched me and almost made me cry and made me realize how important
this work is...and how sacred my responsibility is...and helped me
really know how much of a difference I make. He got up and was like I
want to thank the Elders for helping me get where I am today...and
especially Elder Sumrak...because I didn't want to listen to what they
had to say, and I kept making excuses so I wouldn't have to see them,
but he showed me a scripture in the book of mormon...and it has
changed my life....

...I know the book of mormon is true and I love it with all my heart.
I know the power that the book has because it personally was what
converted me...I tell it here and I will tell it now. I have always
gone to church. I have always thought it might be true. I always knew
that if a church was true, it was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints...but, I didn't even gain my true complete and unending but
ever growing testimony until I finished the book of mormon in
February...I know the book is true. I know it can change lives and I
will share it with everyone :) I love this gospel. Its not easy, even
for a missionary sometimes (or maybe its just me) but, if we just open
our mouths, we can change lives...even when we don't mean to...even
when we think it is impossible...the book of mormon can make it
possible, because the book of mormon did it for me. :)

Also, Kalo Kalo (not serious) bobo (boy) abdulrahman! we have been
teaching this boy everything and he is 16, looks like he is 20 and is
super ripped. we went to him the other day and were like so
Abdulrahman...have you been keeping the commandments or transgressing
them...to which he answered smiling "both". to which I couldn't help
but laugh for a good 30 seconds and tell him that that was not quite
possible, and...then he came to church yesterday for the first time in
like 8 weeks! :) so, I was super excited but ah...some people...I love
these people, they are hilarious!

So, Sundays are super stressful usually for me...which I don't like
because they are supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable...before
sacrament I am usually running around helping prepare things. as soon
as Sacrament ends, oh geeze, all tish breaks loose. Things to be done:
1. Run and secure a room before another branch takes it
2. grab the gospel principle books from the office
3. start stealing chairs for the investigators class
4. find the teacher
5. find the chalk
6. find the eraser
7. start assigning branch missionaries to each investigator in the
room before they get lost in the crowd and end up 1. leaving because
they are confused, 2. stressed. 3. or in another branches investigators
class hahahaha
8. meet all the contacts and referrals
9. fight off any kids who try to eat the sacrament bread
10. try not to pass out
11. get everyone in the halls out and into classes
12. break up fights in Primary

all in some random order hahah oh gosh but, I love it so much, and its
so worth it :) it is funny because Elder Burton and I will talk and be
like oh my gosh church today is long, hot boring, why would our
investigators ever want to come back and there they are telling us
they love the service, they love the lessons, they love the atmosphere
:) which I can only give credit to the Holy Ghost (which is
 hard with how  noisy that building is) but it really is the power to
conversion. It doesn't matter what we do...it doesn't matter what we
say...all that matters is how they feel :) and I know that is
true...but its nice to do our part as well to make that possible for
them hahaha! oh church...

Yesterday was branch conference, which was really nice since all of
the District Auxillary leaders were present, chastising everyone, and
hopefully we will see some changes soon. but, the district president
promised if we do our part, mount aureol will split in less then a
year, the stake will come soon, along with a separate district, and
Treeplanting will get its own home group :) so we are doing all we can
to make sure these promised are fulfilled. ah! work work. we love it
:)

These weeks are going by WAY too fast. I don't want to leave Elder
Burton. We are having such a successful companionship together and I
wouldn't mind staying with him the rest of my mission haha. we get
along great together. Cook together, workout together, its really cool.
We have the same appetite, same concerns (well, sorta haha well he is
doing well at least, his girlfriend and him will be celebrating their
4 year anniversary on October 31, so haha congratulations to him!) we
both love to gym, which is great to have someone to push you and
compete with as well, but he is a big guy. about 6:4, 200 pounds. he
can lift some heavy stuff, a lot more then me at least, but I can rep
it out at least :) nobody can do crunches as much as me here, so I got
that and Pushups on everyone haha :)

So, Africans, no matter how ripped they look, are WEAK! Our branch
missionaries were bragging today and came into the gym and these guys
are pretty jacked looking. big defined arms, 6 packs and all and they
come in here bragging to us...we DESTROYED THEM. Saidu was able to do
15 on the bench that I repped about 35 on. then smoked another boy
Daniel in some pushups. crunches...nobody competed ;) (nobody ever
does crunches with me :( ) haha Apparently, Elder Burton said that
Elder Weller (not a strong guy at all) arm wrestled a GIANT african
guy and killed him 3 times back in Kenema haha . it is so true... :)
they are like "ah...I'm sore from gyming this morning."
"how much you gym"
"well, I did like 15 pushups"
"oh, well how many times?"
"Huh?"
"how many times you do 15?"
"once"
"...."
Oh you just got to love it :)

I am so happy to be serving on a mission in Sierra Leone. It isn't
easy, but I'm glad it isn't because then I would have no reason to
grow. But, as Elder Burton and I joked last night as we ate a bowl of
ants...what will ever faze us again after this? nothing! so, we are
truly happy and enjoying and the field is a little too white with rice
to harvest..but, we are doing our best. we are putting on the armor of
righteousness! We have sacrificed a lot to be here...but, it is worth
it to do the Lord's great work, ad I will never regret it, even for a
second. Phillipians 4:13-14 (I think) I read this morning...I really
enjoyed it and it is like my motto right now. Keep your eye on the
prize, don't look back, but keeping reaching forward. I love all of
you so much and know this gospel is true. It has blessed my life and
the lives of so many people here and will continue to do so forever!
Take care everyone, family friends and loved ones.

-Love,
Elder Jesse Sumrak
(me na Sa Lone bobo)
(Lef for do bad)
(Me no sey Daddy God dey)

Who would want an easy football game?

I am glad that everyone enjoyed their letters. I have been trying to
write some more family, because I miss them and love them so much, but
I only get small time so I try my very best. and about the boots
momma...I should be fine for now. You know I love shoes...but, I
should be okay for now. I don't think I will have troubles until my
year mark at least, even though this mountain is brutal, and has
potential to tear shoes in half! Also, could you check out the new
indoor beautiful nike football shoes for me and send me some pictures?
maybe you could take some of my money and save them for me for when I
get home...you know me and shoes ;)

Momma!:) I love you and all the family and all the wonderful people I
got letters from and just really everyone. Those pictures are so
awesome! wow the yard looks great for halloween. You guys really did
work this year and it looks pretty awesome.  Looks like some new stuff
as well huh ;) but, it is so cool that you got to meet Elder Hale's
family! they are so awesome and I can't wait to go and meet them in
person in a couple years haha. Yeah, hit my 4 month mark today, wow
wow wi wow, huh? time surely flys by. Also, in reponse to the devil,
uh they are people who dress up in scary clothing, like giant masks
and black clothes and spikes and they dance around and stuff in the
streets and people all swarm around em and dance and and go crazy.
Just ask father, he saw it on Anthony Bourdain food show things haha.

But, thank you thank you Lauren Byrd, moma, dad, nick, katie cutler,
tHE WONDERFUL SMITHFIELD BRANCH, and bro and sis Robertson, it was so
good to hear from all of you and I am so grateful for the time you
took to write me :) thank you so very much!

But, what a sweet sweet busy exhausting week. Elder Burton and I
climbed the mountain EVERY day this week, and to be honest, i don't
know If i could do it today, so thank goodness it is pday. our quads
are so burnt out, we could barely even move yesterday, but thank
goodness we get to rest today :)

SICK again...got the sore throat, rough cough, hole in my lungs
feeling. yeah, no good...no good at all, but I am pushing through
it....as in I still run around and gym super hard and make myself more
sick...but all for the sake of staying healthy ? ;) hahaha
Had some delicious PUMPKEY for the first time this week. Elder Burton
showed me how to make it and it is so good. you put it on rice (like
everything here) but its like fried pumpkin and other stuff but I know
how to make it now so that when I get home I will definitely make it
for you guys :)

Met a woman from Virginia last week! was running home after email and
everything and this large black woman in a store called me over. She
is from Sa Leone, but has a house in Fairfax Virginia, so we talked for
a while about it and I got the family contact information, so
hopefully we can go back and proselyte there some time.

Elder Burton and I had a good ol battle with a pastor up at Treeplant
this week. He told us he wanted to hear about Jesus Christ in 1
minute, so I decided to throw the godhead at him, and prove him and
the trinity down, which I won :) he didn't like that, so he ended up
skipping his appointment and tried to battle us for the next 30
minutes, in which we won...1 Cor. 15, don't mess around haha we sabe
em bain bain! yeah...we know, we need to be more humble, but stubborn
people get on our nerves :/

I DID GET YOUR PACKAGES mommma! thank you so much. the birthday ones
came and it was super super sweet of you. Thank you so much for all
the pictures and the food and everything. It was so sweet. And Lauren
Byrd, I love you! I wrote you a letter today :) you are amazing momma
dearest, Elder Burton and I have been enjoying very very much. He told
me to tell you thank you thank you!:)

So, on the way down the other day, this small boy ran at Elder Burton
and jumped at him head first and bounced off him and hit his head
small small, he then started to lay there having a seizure, to which
we had no idea what was going on. The momma casually walks out and is
like, don't worry he does that all the time, like once a day. All the
children start grabbing his arms and legs and pulling him out, like to
stretch him, while me and Elder Burton are like uh,...I don't think
you are supposed to do that! LEF BO LEF! but, after a minute, the
seizure stopped and the boy was fine. I cleaned his bloody head off
with a rag. (now it is my shoe rag) but, ah poor kid :/

Another crazy instance, walking down the road and all the schools are
letting out so there are hundreds of kids on the road, and I see one
girl, about 14-15 laying on the road crying. Her ankle is a little
bloody and she is just coverd in dirt ( she had fallen while climbing
the path). So, I took out my good ol handy baby wipes and started
cleaning her all off (while like 40 kids gathered around us) it was so
funny. They were all like, white man, what are those paper? don't
touch the blood white man, and ah it was funny, but she was all good
and ended up limping off. What a crazy week :)

So, this week was ELECTION MADNESS. like 3 of the days each of the
parties was having their campaign days, and EVERYONE is just wearing
their party colors and partying and partying and driving around
blowing whistles everywhere. Geeze it is obnoxious and just crazy, but
the lil parties looked like fun, to bad we have MUCH better things to
do, LIKE SAVING SOULS!!!!!!!:)

Well, we had some problems this week with about 1/2 of our
investigators, who all were supposed to be baptized this coming
saturday, but all have problems with the law of chastity. We are
teaching these two boys. So, they are like the
players in their neighbourhood, sleeping with everyone, and just like
the popular kids. But, they are super progressive and LOVE the gospel,
just not this law of chastity. hahah, but we taught one on Friday
and he told us that would be hard but he would do it, we then showed
up on saturday...yeah, he had already broken it, and the other refused
to live it...so we opened up the bible and taught Joseph and Potiphars
wife at em, and david and Bathsheba, and by the end of the lesson they
both promised to keep the LOC and one of them melted my heart. He was
like, you guys can we add you on fb, and get like your emails and
stuff, I want to always be friends with you guys, even after you
leave...you don't know it, but you are changing our lives...and ah, I
just wanted to cry. It really makes me happy, and motivates me,
knowing that I do have an impact here...I am changing lives...

I was super bummed yesterday, as was Elder Burton, when only about 8
investigators came to church (which is great, but we were expecting
like 20) haha but, we were just super upset. We worked SO hard this
week. We walked so much, taught like 30 lessons and geeze it was just
a bummer. But, ELder Barth really cheered me up when he told me to
think of the miracles, not the bummers and geeze I started to see so
many. Like, 3 people were interviewed for baptisms yesterday, lots of
new investigators, a special lil girl who wants to be baptized but
isn't old enough yet, and ah it really was a great day...

So, everyday the climb to treeplant takes like 30-35 minutes, but we
were late to our DL training meeting saturday evening, so we had to
sprint down the mountain, not jog or walk fast, but sprint! we made it
down in like 8 minutes haha. Everyone was like WHITE MAN, why are you
running!? we are like uh what do you think? we either thiefed
something or were late, or being chased by a mob, you tell me people!?
haha oh boy, but we are so sore from it...ah so dead. but the training
was good. We got to get transport and go to Lumley district, which was
my first time in sa leone leaving my area, so it was really sweet.
Their area is crazy! it looks like a crappy hollywood. They even have
lined roads haha but we went to the meeting, grabbed some fry fry, and
made our way home. we were so tired...ugh...but we still gymed, and I
was able to crank out 350 pushups hahaha, I think that might be a new
personal best for me :)

Today was a lot of fun! woke up, did my laundry, wrote some letters,
had our studies, made some scrambled eggs, Elder Applyby gave me a
haircut, which actually doesn't look bad. He layered it and everything
for me :) we then went and gymed and then went out with the assistants
(elder barth, Elder Appleby) into town. They showed us this SWEET
restaurant, where we sat down and had amazing egg burgers (egg,
hamburger, onions, lettuce, cucumbers ketchup, mayo) so good, and
Swarmas ( like a meat burritto) so yummmy, and then a little cup of
ice cream :) what a good lunch! Elder Burton and I then went and
bought some jerseys (yes, I had a problem) I bought 3 haha :) I love
jerseys. Then we went and bought some fabric material in the market to
get a man to tailor us some africana hoodies out of them. yes we enjoy
very much :) it is super fun! we then went to the wood market which is
just amazing awesome crafty african stuff that is all handed crafted
and everything. geeze I love it. I want to just get everybody
something and bring it on home, but my suitcase isn't big enough and
plus I don't want to haul it all around for 20 more months, so maybe
at the end of my mission ;) which is not for a very long time. now we
are emailing...woohooo!

So, let me explain a trip to the market in a couple different
scenarios (keeping in mind in each scenarios we are the ONLY white
men, and it is VERY crowded everywhere we go). Jersey hunting - if you
are on the road and even glance up and look at a jersey, someone will
come running out and start telling you come come come! look look, its
nice right?! if you tell them thats not your team, they will tell you
so what, you can buy right?

Same thing with when I was loooking for a watch today (my casio one
fell apart, but its funny since it was so dinky and we got it for 10
bucks at walmart, and I can buy super nice watches here for so cheap.
I haggled a guy for a watch today for 12,000 (which is 3$ and it is
pretty nice looking watch). but, they all run out and start putting
watches on your arms and like oh this one, you like this one? this one
looks so good on you, you should buy 2, hahaha it is nuts!!!!!!
Material hunting - you get men everywhere pulling on you, trying to
drag you into their stores, yelling for you to come look. you got
women yelling at your, telling you try this try that, youll look good
in this haha, oh man it is nuts!

Wood market hunting - as soon as we walk in, please come buy, look at
this, handcrafted, you like em? see fish? you like the fish? haha they
are so desperate to rip us off!!! but, you got to love them.
Food hunting - my personal favorite. everyone is yelling at us, white
man what are you looking for? dno't you want pepay? can't handle
pepay? want bananas? here these are nice yes? gosh we are just like
yes we sabe whattin we dey look for, tank ye tank ye. haha its so much
fun though, people are so great :) I love them!

Funny story also, we contacted this one girl, who has a
bad reputation in her neighbourhood as the veteran...but, she is so
sweet. She is like 20, and came all the way to church all by herself,
and even said she feels so good inside when we teach her. she isn't
very educated but asks the best questions I have heard my entire
mission. She asks like "wow Jesus Christ has done so much for me...I
don't feel like I can even pay him back ever...Elders, can I pay Jesus
Christ back? How can I do it?" I am just like, YOU ARE AWESOME!:) haha
and she came to church yesterday! but, while we were teaching her on
her balcony, Gilbert walks by (keeping in mind this is on the other
side of our area , about an hour away from Gilberts house) and he
starts yelling at me and I yelled back and told him we were coming
that afternoon...show up at his house and taught him LOC, to which he
tells us "guys I got ladies all over! its not easy. I mean, even
downstaris in that house you were teaching! I got them!" and he
starts smiling and laughing and we are just like :oh..boy...shaking
our heads...hahaha geeze....
but, the mission is so sweet. I have had a rough week being sick and
all, but it is awesome!:) I love it so much. I really do miss home and
miss everyone so much, but I know this is where I need to be, and I am
pushing through. I love these people oh so very much, and am working
very hard...we are doing our very best, and our praying and pleading
for God to do the rest. Its not easy...but, if it was, what would be
the point anyways right? who wants to have an easy football game? you
got to be challenged to get better right? but, to be honest I would
love some easy tests in college....I love you all so very much family
and friends. Mother and father, nick and thomas and Laura and all my
cousins and uncles and aunts and grandparents and friends and buddies
and just all you people. You are amazing and you are in my prayers
every night...please take care, and remember that Jesus Christ
lives...He will come again...I know this to be true :)
-Love,
Elder Jesse Sumrak
the old tired guy :)

Owning the Road

Wow, so good to hear from you guys! sounds like you had a
pretty awesome week in Utah, and I totally miss you guys lots. Well,
to start down the list :)
Mom here:  I told Elder Sumrak that we missed his sarcasm and this
was his reply: I have lots of sarcasm and since this week has been really stressful
on me, Elder Burton has got to hear all of it. Also, he fears that I
am slightly suicidal by the way I OWN the road. Man, I totally conquer
the road now, just walk out there like nothing :) imagine me on the
belt way in Washington DC just weaving in and out of the
highway...yeah thats me everyday now, im pretty much a boss. WOW i am
so glad that you got the letter to Brandon momma :) I love that guy so
much, thank you for taking the time to go and do that. He is a great
guy and I hope that he contacts me back hahaha.
That is so sweet that Nick got to go to a bunch of college classes.
That is so sweet and I am rather jealous indeed. and more running
shoes?! Wow, dad is going to have a bigger collection then me when I
get home! don't be a hypocrite father ;) i am just kidding hahah enjoy
pops, you really deserve it for how much you run. And Laura is taking
Nick's pictures? wow I know those will turn out amazing. She is so
talented and Nick and his blue steel will make for some amazing
pictures ;)
And yeah...Thomas good memories at that park (Vivian Park) huh...I hate running...
Conference sounds pretty much awesome and NO we weren't able to watch
it or even listen to it!
So, Sister Roggia texted Elder Burton and me when we were out
proselyting and we were just totally stunned! We took like 20 mins to
just sit down and like ponder about what all this means and it is so
amazing. Nick was on my mind. Rachel was on my mind. Wow...I know they
got some thinking and praying to do but that is so crazy...revelation
is amazing. I went home and prayed about it hahah...18 year olds
serving missions? they are so small!!!! I AM SO SMALL!!! I am battling
muslims in the streets and what not and its just crazy to think 18
year olds doing the same thing haha but the Lord qualifies those that
he calls, so I know if Nick decided to leave right after high school
he would be an amazing missionary, nonetheless :)
You are so sweet to send me another box mother, I love you so much. I
still haven't gotten the birthday package :/ but, its okay. I did get
the stamps though momma so thank you very much! It will take me a
while to drain all those stamps ;) but, give me time and I promise I
will hahaha.  The assistants and president went
to Bo this week, so Elder Burton and I are the big men in charge ;)
or at least we are the ones who have to wake up at 5:30 am to go turn
the generator on for the seminary class to start in the chapel
hahaha...oh joy :)
We have not found a new place but, who knows what will happen...yeah...
But. on to the amazing people who wrote me this week! Thank you so
much Rebecca, Uncle Dave, Aunt Lanae, Kadee Christofferson, Cassy,
Miranda, Rachel, Momma bear, Sis Peterson, Dad, and all the amazing
facebook friends who wished me happy birthday :) and Thomas and Laura
for the amazing postcards hahaha horses.....you are all amazing. Thank
you for taking time out of your schedule to write me :) I love it so
much and I try my best to write everyone back...but its not easy with
such a jam packed monday hahaha :/ i am sorry but I try my best!
WOW, what an eventful week in Sierra Leone. SO much crazy stuff I have
to talk about and just not enough time, so here comes some scrambled
chaos like usual, hope it all makes sense :)
Well, one day on the way out proselyting, the whole entire junction
outside our apt was cleared out and everyone was standing around
staring at the side of the hill we usually climb. The police wouldn't
let us cross so we waited for a minute, and then they blew the rock up
haha! it was a giant explosion!!! Like I was shaken, rock was flying
everywhere haha, but nobody was hurt :) they are trying to make space
for a road they are making, but geeze it was crazy...so in the chaos
of everyone cheering and going crazy, we ran acros sthe street to do
the Lord's work regardless haha
Well, school has started back up in Sa Leone...SO transport is
IMPOSSIBLE to get. All the kids are using them by the hundreds, so
Elder Burton and I cannot get transport up the mountain...here is like
a comparison. In 12 weeks with Elder Ngerem, I think we hiked 5 times
up the whole mountain? maybe? Elder Burton and I hiked every single day
this week, and will have to continue to for the remainder of our time
here haha. It is a good 30-40 minute hike, going like straight up the
whole time. For those who have climbed the Y (BYU mountain)...its like that,
but sketch, and you got people yelling at you, begging at you, and just
flat out getting in your way the whole way up.. :) but, we enjoy and
love it. Specially since RAINY SEASON IS OVER! now, the stereotypical
african sun is beating down on our backs, yeah...Now this is the
africa I imagined back home. HOT HOT HOT!!! Already got a tan like
crazy in 1 week.
But, one day I was not feeling well at all...not at all...and we were
almost at the top of the mountain and I stopped and told Elder
Burton...dude I think I feel runny tummy coming on...he was like man,
what are you going to do? then, it hit me and I was like oh my gosh I
have to go right now! So, I sprinted over to a lil zinc home, knocked
on the door and asked the mamma if I could use their bathroom. She
handed me a kettle (with water...yes...for what you may think...) and
went and unlocked the shack for the bathroom. It was NICE, well as far
as Elder Burton said for Sa Leone standards. A piece of wood covering a
hole...he said usually there is no wood. But, it was
terrible...terrible...but, thank goodness for my mother, mother I love
you so much, because I had packed baby wipes...so did not have to use
the kettle of water for uh..yeah you know. But, that was my great
experience of the week...wow sure you all wanted to hear about that
one, but I thought it was necessary.
Had the cutest experience the other day when we were super busy
crossing through the streets and the smallest lil black boy tugged on
my arm when I walked by and I kinda brushed him off at first because
we were busy and he would have been only about the 200th  kid that day
asking for food, but he whispered "help me white man". So I asked him
what he needed and he asked me to help him cross the street. So, I
grabbed his hand, stopped the traffic, and got him across. He was such
a cute lil guy, and I am so glad that I stopped to help him out :)
Well, Elder Burton and I have been ENJOYING!!! we went to Saint Marys
last week, which was like uh a legit grocery store, and  I bought like
20 dollars worth of mixed vegetables and elder burton got hamburger
and man! we enjoyed this week. It was so good. Also, started eating
this street food called a kingdriver, which is just like a giant sugar
cookie haha, yummy melted flour and sugar or something but they are so
yummy. elder Burton and I hike so much that we have to eat boku
everyday just to have enough energy to get up and down that crazy
mountain. ah...but, we are managing :)
We had interviws with President Roggia this week, which were pretty
awesome. I love that man so much.  I got to sit down and tell him
everything about my area, everything that was bothering me, even my
latest problems, and he helped me feel so much better. He is such a
great and inspired man, and I am so grateful to have him as my mission
President :)
We had one baptism this week, and I got to baptize Adama Simbeh Conteh
:) it was pretty awesome. She is a 24 year old woman, mother of 2, and
is just so sweet. I also got to confirm her in church yesterday which
was a great experience...
but, church yesterday was a total disappointment, in which Elder
Burton and I were discouraged to the lowest point I think I have been
in a long time...only 3 investigators came to church, when we were
preparing for 15 baptisms on October 20, and we were fasting for each
of these amazing people...and only 3 showed up to church. We felt so
worthless and so discouraged...but, when  we finally ate that night,
and prayed to God, we both felt great, and felt like the Lord was just
giving us a humbling expereince, and to not be discouraged but get
back up and try our hardest this week, and that is exactly what we are
going to do :) we are not going to let it get us down but, we are
going to go and do our best. in my frustration I told Elder Burton...
"wow wow wow, everyone comes to us "baptize me baptize me", and
then you tell them to come to church and they say by gods grace i will
be there, then they don't come, then they vex at us because they
aren't baptized yet, but, I know patience and love and
humility is the key, so i will pray for all
of these attributes and pray that those we teach understand the
importance of church and the sacrament....ah :) mission...
So, Saidu the branch mission leader is so sweet...I love that guy.
He is just such a nice guy. Always wants to help me
out and he is just such a charitable kid...I love the tish out of him.
Also, the quote of the week goes to Saidu Conteh. So, every 3 months
we switch service locations and now our branch meets in our apartments
parlor...yeah, it is so small and hot and man it is no good at all. So
saidu in regards to the news "Crappy things are not good in the sight
of God...Like with Cain and Abel, when Cain gave crappy things to
God." hahaha I was weak, oh Saidu. you are such a silly man.
The other day when we were teaching an investigator,
she took out a needle, like a legit like syringe needle and kept
joking around like she was going to stab us...so this joking around
went on for about 30 seconds until I flipped a script! (keeping in
mind this is in krio translated to my english) Get that thing away
from me before you kill me! you stab me with that,
I will beat you!" to which I then took the needle out of her hand
when she was not looking and taught about 10 children about health and
safety hahaa. I was like children, we will talk about the gospel soon,
but you see this needle, you see em? it can kill people! don't play
with em, yeah? You hear me? Never play with em! hahaha Elder Burton
and I were so freaked out by it! we were not playing around. HIV is
not a game at all yeah....sheesh, gets me freaked out just thinking
about it...hahaha
Also, sweet event of the week. Had a muslim guy in the
area approach us one night on the street and we started
to ask him about Islam, so we could understand it better so that we
could teach it better hahaha...and he was like walk with me. so we
walked and talked and then stood off the road and talked a bit, in
which he revealed to us muslim doctrine, how he thinks it is wrong,
and how he has been trying for a long time to change to Christianity
without being disowned by his family ( which is half strange in this
country since muslims marry christians and it really doesn't matter
much here, but to his family it does). He told us that he had had
multiple dreams in which Jesus Christ was trying to tell him that he
needed to go to chrisitanity to be baptized...we are trying to get a
hold of the guy again...he was such a sweet guy....ah....hope we will
find him again.
But, this mission is so sweet. So hard but so amazing. I love it so
much. I love this revelation that the prophet has received. It is
crazy to think about, but so sweet to know that God is continually
talking to a prophet here on the earth for the benefit of the world
and the saints. I know this gospel is true. Nothing will stop me from
teaching it for the rest of my life. I love it and I have seen it
bless my life, and the lives of so many people here who are faithful
enough to experiment with it. Its like a seed yeah :) plant it and
watch it grow. If its good, nourish it. If its bad, burn it. Anyone
that plants it has seen that it is good, now its just getting them the
faith to plant em :) I love you all so much famiily dearest. Momma I
love you. You are all so amazing and thank you friends! I miss the
tish out of you, but almost 4 months on mission. I am old man, as they
call me here hahaha. Can't imagine 18 year olds coming here
soon...what if Nick or clayton came here?!?!? WHAT!!!:) well enough of
my crazy imagination. I love you all and take care!
Love, Elder Jesse Sumrak

Birthday Week

Thank you so much for the letters dear family and friends! Elder Mann
(wrote you buddy), Phoebe and Maddie (letter on the way :) ), sis
peterson, soccer momma, drew, mom, dad, rebeccca (another letter
sent!) , Robin Lee( congrats on the mission call buddy, sent you a
letter), also JEFF LEAVITT, if you even read these reply if you got my
letter punk!

Elder Mann...if you are reading this, this is the shoutout you
wanted.I love you very much my brother, all the way from Ghana. I
can't wait to see you in 20 months my man. I wrote you a good ol
letter with my life story in it today so hope you get it soon. You are
the man! keep on keeping on MANN for life!

But, I got the box momma! but no package yet!:) it was soooooo
sweetttttt!!!!!! I was so happy and have been sharing lots with my
companion. Thank you so much mother dearest.
:) I waited all the way from tuesday to saturday to open it on my
birthday, and we have enjoyed very much. The food was great, the
notepad is sweet,  the zip it monster bag
is pretty much the sweetest case I have ever seen, the pictures were
nice  and wow...thank you mother dearest!

Yeah, Eddie is pretty hilarious! I love that guy so much. he called me
on my bday and told me "te amos"...yeah he is learning spanish? haha :)
got to love him. But, the hat trick he is talking about is when I
scored 3 goals on the ward like 2 months ago when we played, but he
wants a rematch against the white man haha so we will see if we play
anytime soon. but, no no soccer on my bday, or in a while actually :/
just too busy on pday to play really...sad i know. I'm sorry i have no
stories right now mother dearest, but they will come I am sure in the
future. planning on playing this monday :)

So, the new companion is pretty much AWESOME! Elder Burton and I are
running this place like a boss. I got to start taking over and do what
I wanted since I knew the area, and it really helped and me and him
are rocking it, in just one week haha! we have 15 baptisms planned for
October (we are hoping and praying) and we had 75 people at church on
sunday (most since I got here) and 10 investigators at church (most
since I got here), so I am super excited for this companionship. I
love Elder Burton! He is 6'3 and man, just an amazing missionary.
Speaks great Krio, everyone understand him, super organized...we are
going to ROCK it!

Hahaa Sis Peterson is awesome. I love reading her letters to me. I am
glad that you are using dearelder as an example to help others. I am sure the
world will benefit from wonderful women in the relief society! without
a doubt :)

I am so happy to hear about Grandfather! He never quits. Grandad, you're
going to be there when I get off the plane, yeah? :) I know you will
be and I love you so much! I hope I am as healthy and strong as you
one day! haha

Wow, nick is so cool. I love that guy. Glad he is having such a great
senior year and I hope he continues too.

My studies kinda cooled off this week as I am going through ACTS so I
have stayed out of Doctrine & Covenants a little bit, but gosh I love those
manuals too momma. I wish I had them before back home. they help me
learn SO much stuff. But, yeah my bible study is going great, but excited to finish
within the next month or so and get back in my book of mormon ;) never
gets old! then on to JESUS THE CHRIST! woohooo! I love the pictures of
the buddies back home. miss the tish outta them so wish them hello and
my love mother :)

So, the beginning of this week was a little rough. Had tons of
missionaries coming and going and I gave away ALL the food in my box
to the poor elders who had nothing. They were all out of subsistence
and were entering the apartment or going back home and so i fed them
with everything I had haha, even took them out to lunch on their last
day to get them some good food. It felt really good to help out...but,
then me and my compy were both dead, so i took out some personal money just
so we could have transport up the mountain...needless to say we lived
off rice and oatmeal hahaha dry dry dry but we enjoy and we love it!

The week was sorta crazy with exchanges and what not, and the new
elders got here early while the others didn't leave til thursday! so,
on Tuesday we had a 5 man team up in Treeplant of me Elder Burton,
elder ngerem, elder symons, and saidu haha it was so much fun, but I'm
sure we were an intimidating force of mormonism entering the
community. but, all the lessons went great and we ate lots of good
food for Elder Ngerems farewell :)

I also got to see the fresh batch of missionaries out of the MTC. wow,
makes me start to feel old when I see my first new group of Elders
following me. All wide eyed and scared out of their mind, just like I
was haha :) woke up at 5:30 on thursday to see them all off in the
vans, along with my papi and some other good elders...but, I'm really
excited for my new companionship. I loved Elder Ngerem but it is
really cool having a companion who understand me and responds along
with me when we hear WHITE MEN WHITE MEN! haha oh you got to love
africa :)

so, had some pretty interesting lessons and experiences I would love to
share with you guys. We were teaching David Mansaray on Saturday, and
man this guy was just unloading some questions on us haha, we were
teaching the 10 commandments and boy this kid can talk. He was like,
well "is it a lie, if some guys are trying to kill you, and I hide you
in my house, and tell them you went THAT way?" we uh...kinda kicked
our feet in the dirt and said well yes, but, its okay and I would hope
if that happened you would do that..but, try not to lie and uh always
ask god if its okay...if you feel bad afterward,uh repent :) hahaha it
was funny.

Another great expereince, oh GOSH, This one is about the LAW OF
CHASTITY! so, we are preparing this 26 year old big guy for baptism,
and we are teaching him the law of chasitity in his home and he is
just like...wow guys that is so hard .and we bore personal testimony
and talked aobut the blessings and everything and he was just like
guys, this is super hard, i will try though, and I was like man, if
you say try, you WILL fail! I want you to say you will live it! and
then I asked him, do you have a girlfriend? and he said yes and
explained she was muslim and all and we asked him if it was okay if we
could sit down and talk to her sometime and he made a face and was
like well uh,guys....and then his face gets so serious....and he is
like "shes here...SHES here" and she knocks on the door and walks in
:) man, I smiled from ear to ear, and just jumped on it and was like
hey sister we are missionaries and went straight into teaching her the
Law of Chastity and the guy is like "uh, I left something, uh
somewhere," and gets up and runs out of the house...so, now I am on
the verge of busting out laughing while we teach her the law of
chastity, close the lesson, and he never came back hahaha :) still
haven't seen him since, but I hope he is doing okay :) oh, gosh it was
great!

Had a very emotional experience the other day when a mother of a 18
year old girl we teach called us over and started begging for food,
just begging for money to buy rice...and we can't give her
anything...its against the rules and she is just like on the verge of
tears, and asks us to pray for her, but she wants to say the prayer.
So, we all close our eyes, and I think she just wanted us both to say
a personal silent prayer, so we continued...and man, I just felt so
helpless... I just started sobbing like a little baby...this mission
is so hard sometimes. As the woman said, I know your message may be
true, but how do you expect me to even pay attention if I can't even
focus because me and my family are starving to death? ah...its hard.
truly. It breaks the heck out of my heart and I don't even know what
to do sometimes...but, I will pray and hand it to the Lord and do my
best.

Oh, mother...please don't send anything for the children or  have
Rak pak do it or anything...I wish we could but we can't give them
anything. Its hard not to...but i can understand the painful
reasoning. Me as white man can give give give, next elder is poor man
who can't give and all the children cry and beg him for stuff and he
has nothing to give. children are offended and everybody loses...so we
aren't allowed to give them anything :( its not easy here..its not
easy at all...but, thank you and everyone for your beautiful charity.
It is the thought that counts. truly.

So, my birthday...wow, what a wack day haaha! so, it was National
Cleaning day, so no missionaries were allowed to leave the apartment
until 12 (on this day the whole country is quarantined in their
compounds and must clean their house and the surrounding environments)
....(yeah still looks like tish) but that happened...also, our convert
couldn't make it to her baptism, but we had the program and everything
so we still cleaned the font, then waited forever for Elder Hales and
Elder Richards to show up and have their baptism of one lady. it was
fun haha, just us Elders and her, so we grabbed some kids cleaning the
compound and got them to come in and give talks and testimonies hahaha
;) the baptism was intense. the water drained or something so Elder
Hales baptized this lady in like knee deep water haha, he is such a
boss! ah he is the man :)

but, we didn't even get to proselyte til like 5 and we had a quick
lesson, and then the Conteh family called me up and said they had
birthday dinnner prepared for me. So, we went to their house and
wow,,,they prepared so much for us :) they prepared this ground nut
soup with rice that had like chicken, fish balls, fish, beef and ahh
so good, and they  bought us fantas and sprites and wow :) what a
sweet sweet family. the big 2-0. I feel old as mess...my body is
exhausted. the mission and this mountain is not kind, but the lord and
his grace and mercy help lift me back up and down everyday...I know
this wouldn't be possible without him...I couldn't even get out of bed
without him....

I really enjoyed all that the Conteh family did for my birthday
 and it felt nice to have some love from the wonderful Conteh family.
A little home away from home...but, i truly miss you guys and can't
wait to celebrate 22 with you guys one day hahaha....

But, it's been a long week. I love my new companion and really look
forward to the week ahead of us. We are going to work super hard and
do our best to have these 15 baptisms, all before the 20th  No one thinks
we can do it,but gosh dangit we are going to pray and fast and we are
going to do it! WE WILL DO IT! :) I hope haha :) well I love you all
so very much! I love the mission, of course I will experience some
heartaches and some problems...but, I will endure. I read a scripture
in like Acts 16 or 17 today that said something about "through much
tribulation to enter the kingdom of God"...its not easy for
anyone...Everyone has their own trials and tests they must pass
through in this life. I will pass through mine and endure and
hopefully the Lord will be proud of me. Crap and tish will happen but
I know if I do my best and keep my eye on the prize the Lord will
raise me up and give me the strength and inspiration and encouragement
I need. Life isn't easy...but, if it was it wouldn't be worth living.
yeah, I am in a cheerful mood as you can tell.

I love all of you so very much. The mission is the greatest thing I
could ever do. You find out what is most important in life...and
figure out that the Lord will never forget you. Things in this Earth
will pass away, but the things ordained of by the Lord will not. Ever.
I love you all. I miss you. I hope you all have an amazing week and
life and everything and yeah yeah yeah.

Love,
Elder Jesse Sumrak