ELDER JESSE SUMRAK
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Super Sweet Conference
Hahaha thank you for sending those pictures momma, you are so sweet :)
and I don't know what I am looking at, but if you look at Elder Hill
he is looking at me, so maybe there is a link there? who knows!? But,
could be anything, could be a crazy lizzard, drunk bikeman, incoming
torpedo, sun imploding, all possiblities :) and it only rained like
once last week and for like 5 minutes today ,so I still take my broken
umbrella, but wear my sandals everyday again :) so that is nice!
But...this week was pretty simple and eventful sorta...I guess. busy
as tish. We almost contacted half the people from the conference and
then a bunch of random people came to church who we didn't expect all,
and only like 8 from the whole group at the conference haha, but we
are doing our best to still try and encourage everyone so small small
:) we are trying our very best! we had a super sweet conference with
Elder Curtis this Tuesday and it was super spiritual and uplifitng. He
talked lots about modern revelation and also working with our members
so we have been trying hard to put that into practice...I taught a
hardcore Jehovah witness this week (as well Katie)...and the
conversation sounded a little like this (keep in mind I was tired, he
was stubborn, and I was tired "Give me proof of the BOM in the Bible."
READ IT AND PRAY ABOUT IT! yeah something like that :) and then taught
a muslim for about 2 hours haha good times...good times...
So, while proselyting Saturday a group of guys were playing
basketball...so we went and challenged them much to their laughter and
surprise, the white guys in shirts and ties who came and ROCKED the
black tall africans haha. we owned them 11-6 and then taught one of
them the plan of salvation haha :) good times, we represented the US
of A well. Lebron might not have been proud but at least my mother
would be :)
I also had a service idea while out teaching so we went to the local
little bakery on the mountain and went and helped women make
kingdrivers, much to their enjoyment, laughter, and surprise as well.
They couldn't comprehend that we were there to help and as I listened
to them all talk in Krio (they didn't know I could understand) they
were so grateful that we would come up there and how we were so
different than the rich pastors who just preach and bluff and are too
prideful to do this sort of thing, so I have a testimony that if we
humble ourselves and become as the people we can win their love, the
first step to winning their hearts and salvation. Just as Paul
did...become like the people, do the things of the people. It sure was
fun and tasty as well and they all want us to come back on Saturday,
so we promised to come help again, and I think we will make it a
weekly service project. :)
We took us some ward missionaries with us earlier in the week and gosh
it was hilarious having our recent convert try to tell some guy that
John the baptist received the priesthood from Aaron...hahaha :) small
small, learning will come with time and patience hahaha.
Also, Yesterday, our recent convert, the one who overcame smoking,
gave a talk in sacrament meeting on honesty, and
it was so great! the only thing lacking was his finish. "thank you
all" and returned to his seat haha :) he did great and I was so proud
of him. I think I was more nervous for him then he was haha but the
Lord really helped him. It made my week to walk by his house and see
him sitting outside with his gospel principles manual taking notes.
The gospel really does change lives. I used to walk by and see him
smoking with buddies. now he sits and studies....the gospel is REAL :)
repentance is REAL!
The mission is amazing and I can't belive I will be turning 21 on
Sunday. It really doesn't feel real and gosh it is going by TOO
quickly...Where has the last year of my life gone? haha, I still haven't
even gotten used to saying I'm 20...before I know it I am going to be
dead! ah whatti happen? Oh everyone, enjoy your week, I love you so
very much! onward press onward!
Love,
Elder Jesse Sumrak
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
New Pictures!
Thanks to the Lauritzen's for posting new pictures on their blog. It has been so long since I saw a picture of Elder Sumrak.
Ward Conference Explosion! (not really, just a great turn-out)
Wow, thank you for the soccer update mother dearest, I got some dear
elders as well so I am excited to see what is going on there soon. I
would love any information you have on the Gareth Bale signing, I
heard he went to Real Madrid, but really any info on Manchester United
and Real Madrid is good with me :) what would be the SWEETEST is if
you could find a SUMMER 2013 Complete Transfer Sheet. I would love to
see where everyone ended up if at all possible. If you could do that
that would be perfect :)
And I loved the story of the van breaking and fixing haha, the Lord is
truly mindful of us when we are in his service, and I think especially
in the case of his missionaries as well haha, he doesn't want any
delays to his work :)
Can't wait to hear where Clayton is going on his mission, ah that is so
exciting. GHANA AFRICA, watch it happen!
Celeste Kellogg! Wow, congratulations to her, she was doing awesome
before I left and I even listened to some of her stuff, even if I'm not
a country sort of guy, and I enjoyed it. Wow, the Hannah Montana of
Smithfield :) I remember she was a good soccer player as well, but
kushey to her, if you happen to see her again tell her hello for me.
Well...As for my week...
Lets start with the big excitement. Yesterday, we had our Ward
Conference, which I anticipated would go well, but never imagined it
would go as well as it did. Normally, we had 100-120 in sacrament, we
had 310 yesterday...We spent the ENTIRE sacrament meeting adding more
and more and more chairs, and the sacrament itself took like 20 some
minutes to pass haha, since they ran out of trays and water haha, it
was great. We broke the record forreals, no other ward conference even
topped 200, it was incredible. And another Miracle...54+
investigators...Stake President Swarray had them all raise their hand,
and I was just like *whistle* tish we are going to be busy. They all
made it to investigators class and I stood up to address them all with
something like this (interpreted to English)... "um...obviously, there
are a lot of you, and only uh...2 of us. So, we will be calling and
visiting each of you this week, and do our very best to make sure we
come and visit each of you individually and allow you to learn more of
Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, The book of Mormon, and baptism...um thank
you..." I Have NO IDEA what to do. Currently I set up with ward
missionaries to go on splits with us on both Tuesday and Thursday so
we can go out and try to contact all of these people but I am honestly
so overwhelmed I feel like I am going to explode haha, but we will do
our very best, pray and hope for the rest :)
Another Miracle, received a picture from Elder Stanford in Bo...2 of
my investigators from a longtime ago who I had taught, loved,
cherished, and left were baptized and confirmed. Nancy, an old woman
nurse who just loved to tell us her life story while I struggled to
stay awake in the heat. I felt more like a therapist then a
missionary...but then again, we are like spiritual therapist haha :)
And John Mgvaou, a man I contacted by my theory if someone is outsider
eading a book then they are being led to me :) or I am led to them
haha, so talked to him, he was so POOR so soso poor and came to church
and payed his tithes the 1st sunday he came and then was offered a job
far away (Blessing or curse?) and left, but now he finally came back
and was baptized :) YAY!
Ibrahim ...A young man who was referred to us by a less active
youth member who is now in prison and uh...yeah,
but Ibrahim has come to church every week
for the past month, but we didn't see him AT ALL last week, until on
Saturday evening we ran into him at the church compound and he begged
us to have a lesson with him even though it was getting dark. so we
gladly accepted and sat down to teach him and boy he taught us, my
gosh, I asked him if he read the Book of Mormon introduction and
MIRACLE MIRACLE. he read...oh boy did he read. He recited to us the
entire introduction, and ALL of the testimony of Joseph Smith, dates
and names included as well as number of visits to Hill Cumorah and
Moroni visits. Out of curiosity he went on to read WORDS OF MORMON and
told us the whole thing perfectly. His friend had asked him what he had
been studying so much and wanted to read it, but Ibrahim was so absorbed
he told him no, but he would copy it down so he could read it. SO
Ibrahim went on to hand copy the entire Words of Mormon for his
friend...hahahaha WHAT A BOSS> and I want you to get a good image of
this kid. He is my height and looks like a thug. Swags his jeans down
super low, wears a leather jacket and spikes his hair, looks like he
has possibly killed someone and the boy is just so loving and caring
and just a witness of NEVER judge a book by its cover :) now he sports
a nice CTR ring (courtesy of mother dearest) and wears modest clothes
to church, and looks like a missionary. What a boss!
We had a super sweet baptism on Saturday! I worked super hard to
organize everything but I forgot to choose someone to say the closing prayer
but, everything else went PERFECTLY and
started 10 minutes early. What? you heard right! 10 minutes early :)
and it was combined with Dwarzak, Freetown, Belliar Park, and Hill
Station. I had the sweet privilege to baptize 33 year old Adama,
mother of 2 children who is just the sweetest woman, and
Alfred baptized his stepdaughter-ish Mariama :) it
was a super sweet baptism and just an amazing day.
We even have families right now which just have me so excited! One man
we found contacting and his whole family live WAY WAY WAY up the
mountain but all came to church to be baptized. One woman and her
children came, and then the less active boy, Tamba (the one who we
convinced to return to church activity) his father now wants to follow
the family :) so we are super busy and will be for the next 4 weeks
without a doubt...I will die...but, I will die happy.
So, everything is great and mission is great. I'm tired but I guess
that's a good thing :) Elder Labrum and I are working very hard, both
physically and spiritually haha. We are working out every morning,
benching like crazy, and running quite frequently. We are hanging in
there. he has lost TONS of weight, while I am trying hard to maintain
hahaha, but with how much we workout we got to eat A LOT haha , but it
makes life different and fun. Nice to break out of a routine and feel
human sometimes...what am I talking about, I'm a missionary, I'm not
human!
I love you all so very much, have a great week!
Love,
Jesse
Elder Sumrak
elders as well so I am excited to see what is going on there soon. I
would love any information you have on the Gareth Bale signing, I
heard he went to Real Madrid, but really any info on Manchester United
and Real Madrid is good with me :) what would be the SWEETEST is if
you could find a SUMMER 2013 Complete Transfer Sheet. I would love to
see where everyone ended up if at all possible. If you could do that
that would be perfect :)
And I loved the story of the van breaking and fixing haha, the Lord is
truly mindful of us when we are in his service, and I think especially
in the case of his missionaries as well haha, he doesn't want any
delays to his work :)
Can't wait to hear where Clayton is going on his mission, ah that is so
exciting. GHANA AFRICA, watch it happen!
Celeste Kellogg! Wow, congratulations to her, she was doing awesome
before I left and I even listened to some of her stuff, even if I'm not
a country sort of guy, and I enjoyed it. Wow, the Hannah Montana of
Smithfield :) I remember she was a good soccer player as well, but
kushey to her, if you happen to see her again tell her hello for me.
Well...As for my week...
Lets start with the big excitement. Yesterday, we had our Ward
Conference, which I anticipated would go well, but never imagined it
would go as well as it did. Normally, we had 100-120 in sacrament, we
had 310 yesterday...We spent the ENTIRE sacrament meeting adding more
and more and more chairs, and the sacrament itself took like 20 some
minutes to pass haha, since they ran out of trays and water haha, it
was great. We broke the record forreals, no other ward conference even
topped 200, it was incredible. And another Miracle...54+
investigators...Stake President Swarray had them all raise their hand,
and I was just like *whistle* tish we are going to be busy. They all
made it to investigators class and I stood up to address them all with
something like this (interpreted to English)... "um...obviously, there
are a lot of you, and only uh...2 of us. So, we will be calling and
visiting each of you this week, and do our very best to make sure we
come and visit each of you individually and allow you to learn more of
Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, The book of Mormon, and baptism...um thank
you..." I Have NO IDEA what to do. Currently I set up with ward
missionaries to go on splits with us on both Tuesday and Thursday so
we can go out and try to contact all of these people but I am honestly
so overwhelmed I feel like I am going to explode haha, but we will do
our very best, pray and hope for the rest :)
Another Miracle, received a picture from Elder Stanford in Bo...2 of
my investigators from a longtime ago who I had taught, loved,
cherished, and left were baptized and confirmed. Nancy, an old woman
nurse who just loved to tell us her life story while I struggled to
stay awake in the heat. I felt more like a therapist then a
missionary...but then again, we are like spiritual therapist haha :)
And John Mgvaou, a man I contacted by my theory if someone is outsider
eading a book then they are being led to me :) or I am led to them
haha, so talked to him, he was so POOR so soso poor and came to church
and payed his tithes the 1st sunday he came and then was offered a job
far away (Blessing or curse?) and left, but now he finally came back
and was baptized :) YAY!
Ibrahim ...A young man who was referred to us by a less active
youth member who is now in prison and uh...yeah,
but Ibrahim has come to church every week
for the past month, but we didn't see him AT ALL last week, until on
Saturday evening we ran into him at the church compound and he begged
us to have a lesson with him even though it was getting dark. so we
gladly accepted and sat down to teach him and boy he taught us, my
gosh, I asked him if he read the Book of Mormon introduction and
MIRACLE MIRACLE. he read...oh boy did he read. He recited to us the
entire introduction, and ALL of the testimony of Joseph Smith, dates
and names included as well as number of visits to Hill Cumorah and
Moroni visits. Out of curiosity he went on to read WORDS OF MORMON and
told us the whole thing perfectly. His friend had asked him what he had
been studying so much and wanted to read it, but Ibrahim was so absorbed
he told him no, but he would copy it down so he could read it. SO
Ibrahim went on to hand copy the entire Words of Mormon for his
friend...hahahaha WHAT A BOSS> and I want you to get a good image of
this kid. He is my height and looks like a thug. Swags his jeans down
super low, wears a leather jacket and spikes his hair, looks like he
has possibly killed someone and the boy is just so loving and caring
and just a witness of NEVER judge a book by its cover :) now he sports
a nice CTR ring (courtesy of mother dearest) and wears modest clothes
to church, and looks like a missionary. What a boss!
We had a super sweet baptism on Saturday! I worked super hard to
organize everything but I forgot to choose someone to say the closing prayer
but, everything else went PERFECTLY and
started 10 minutes early. What? you heard right! 10 minutes early :)
and it was combined with Dwarzak, Freetown, Belliar Park, and Hill
Station. I had the sweet privilege to baptize 33 year old Adama,
mother of 2 children who is just the sweetest woman, and
Alfred baptized his stepdaughter-ish Mariama :) it
was a super sweet baptism and just an amazing day.
We even have families right now which just have me so excited! One man
we found contacting and his whole family live WAY WAY WAY up the
mountain but all came to church to be baptized. One woman and her
children came, and then the less active boy, Tamba (the one who we
convinced to return to church activity) his father now wants to follow
the family :) so we are super busy and will be for the next 4 weeks
without a doubt...I will die...but, I will die happy.
So, everything is great and mission is great. I'm tired but I guess
that's a good thing :) Elder Labrum and I are working very hard, both
physically and spiritually haha. We are working out every morning,
benching like crazy, and running quite frequently. We are hanging in
there. he has lost TONS of weight, while I am trying hard to maintain
hahaha, but with how much we workout we got to eat A LOT haha , but it
makes life different and fun. Nice to break out of a routine and feel
human sometimes...what am I talking about, I'm a missionary, I'm not
human!
I love you all so very much, have a great week!
Love,
Jesse
Elder Sumrak
Monday, September 9, 2013
Growing Up and Loving Life
My week has been okay, a little stressful with meeting and stuff but a
whole bunch of brilliant new investigators to liven me up, so I'm
excited that. those 20 missionaries arrived and they were sent ALL
over the mission with tons of new proselyting areas and splits popping
up. we survived another transfer and are still together and the only
missionaries in Belliar Park fortunately. But, on the 17th we will
receive one newby in our apartment/district. His visa had problems so
he is a little late, so we got a branch missionary. Brother Kallon
with us now.We have district meeting every Tuesday but I only have 6
elders in my district, just my apartment. Elder Labrum and I. Elder
Itomo and Mthembu, and Elder Gweyu-Appiah and Brother Kallon. We are
enjoying and having a great time. they love to cook and my workouts
make me love to eat, so we get along great ;) hahaha
and what! that sounds like some CRAZY stuff going down at good ol
Iwa...I can remember when I was just a small chap, 15 some years ago
inside the kingdergarten class room with Mrs. Whitley, good ole
"Joseph" walking in to pick up his lunch, me and brennan ethan making
trouble and having a good ol time. man, where the heck did my life
go!? I mean I'm happy with where I am but I'm honestly tearing up just
imagining how fast my life is passing me by...I guess its sweet I have
a testimony of the plan of salvation and everything and know greater
things are in the future, but I believe my only opporunity of infancy,
innocence, and playful bliss has passed. Now my knolwedge and agency
holds me accountable for everything haha, am I a whiny baby if I make
it sound like I'm complaining ;) I honestly do love life! hahaha
Well concerning Nick - I'm handing it over to God and I am going to pray my heart
in gratitude and tears to him tonight for doing so much for Nick and me (I'm so
selfish I know) I have prayed and prayed and prayed for that boy this
whole week and I'm so happy he is doing well. Please send me another
email and tell me more stories about my growing little brother. I love
and miss him so much....
Had a couple of elders go home this week.
Anyone can "return with honor" but only the dilligent and
faithful can "serve with honor". I hope I am and will continue to be
the latter. If I get ever get trunky please someone send a package to
me with a boxing glove that smacks me in the face, because that is
some dumb tish, forreal. But, one elder and my papi, Elder Ngerem packed
their bags and returned home Friday. On Tuesday I got to do my first
District meeting with Mt. Aureol district which went quite nicely. Its
right in our parlor so thats convenient. I have a great district and
apartment and I love them all very much...I am the oldest by far and I
try hard to be a good example to all these young guys. Everyone is 7
months and less, and we will have 2 being trained as well haha young
guns! :) root out all apostasy early so we don't have an Israel vs.
Canaan situation :) Sure people didn't even like Moses a lot of the
time, so if they don't like me...well" I'll be kinda sad and maybe be
like Moses and say AH this burden is to heavy to bear alone, well its
a good thing I have the Lord to always pick me up :)
Miracle Miracle this week, that almost trumps all miracles in my life
in immediacy hahaha. Elder Labrum and I are walking up the mountain
and its just pouring. just miserable pouring, and my umbrella is
breaking and I'm just wanting to cry haha and I just cry out "Oh, Lord,
Please let it stop!" and Bam, not even 2 seconds passed by, the rain
UTTERLY CEASED, entirely! and the sun came out. Not even 2 seconds, I
promise...Elder Labrum and I stopped looked at each other and were
just like woah...did that just happen? and in the middle of the path,
just stopped and said a short vocal prayer of gratitude for another
constant reminder that our heavenly father is watching us and
listening to us...yeah, our prayers always seem to do with rain, but
gosh its sweet. I am TRYING to become like Jesus, so one step
at a time right? Well in my joy, my umbrella snapped in half while
putting it up, so threw it in the bush and continued onward haha God
loves us :)
:)
The sisters this week had a sister conference which was quite strange
because as we were coming out of our district leader training, I see
all the sisters in the whole mission in jeans and Sister Ostler and all
of them having a good ol time haha, I want an Elders Conference where
we can all come play football! forreals :)
Sister Kanzler found EXPIRED Peanut butter for 7,000 leones, which are
normally 25-30 which is just too much for missionaries to afford
really, but she bought up half the stock and sold them to us
missionaries, so I got a couple reserved and now she is going to go
buy us 10, which i will just use my money on for now so I can stash em
for the rest of my mission :) Yummy expired peanut butter, woot woot!
made in Illinois might I add!
Our runs have gone quite well this week, even though I had to find us
a new route, but if you want to look up the route, its down Padema
road from the prison, to the cotton tree, from the cotton tree down
Sanders Street to the U-Building (miata conference center) then back
to Mends street :) its about 30 minutes or 35 minutes long but gosh
running this morning I did not feel well at all! and another miracle
happened in that one store was open at 6:15 in the morning that people
were mopping and I ran and found a safe haven! :) I am very lucky, and
TMI? so what?
So, Saturday was "national cleaning day" so on Friday evening at 4:00
we had our baptism, so of course it didn't start until 5:00 but it was
the baptism for 10 or so people, and 2 for Belliar Park, Ibrahim
and Matta who I had the privlige of baptizing, and gosh it was
great. I love them both so much, but Ibrahim is like my best
friend...My Saidu is gone and God sent me someone else for this small
time and its Ibrahim. He is so great and I love him so much. He has
already brought 3 investigators to church and just walks around as a
missionary haha, he even sat down at the sacrament table on Sunday and
I was like "what are you doing" and he was like "Ah, I forgot, sorry I
got excited" and went and sat back down hahaha :) he is great. On
Sunday I got to give a talk to the Ward, which was tragically empty
with only 60 people or so, far from our usual 100 -110 + because it
had rained from 5:00 am to 12:00 haha aond continued and continued.
But, I gave a talk on families and we had a member from the Area
Seventy there from Ghana who also spoke after me, so it was sweet
having him there.
And uh, Saturday cleaning day was a joke, we just cleaned small around
the place and chilled because nobody was allowed to leave their house
until 1:00 or you will get like arrested haha :) so that was fun...
Today we had super P day and all gathered at the chapel and played
games and ate food and watched something like A Rare Posession which
was pretty sweet...got some lovely packages from my lovely mother and
then straight to go email :) can't wait to go home and see whats
inside!:)
I love you all so much and just want you to know that I have a
testimony that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came and died for us.
He loves us. He has promised and offered us so much, in return for so
very little. Even if we offered our whole souls and efforts, we would
"still be unprofitable servants" so let us at least offer the most we
can, and try to be slightly less unprofitable servants :) I know if we
follow him that we will no longer be his servants, as the area seventy
said...servants serve with no thought of reward, Christ prepares to
reward our efforts...we aren't his servants..we are his FRIENDS :)
Love,
Jesse
Elder Sumrak
whole bunch of brilliant new investigators to liven me up, so I'm
excited that. those 20 missionaries arrived and they were sent ALL
over the mission with tons of new proselyting areas and splits popping
up. we survived another transfer and are still together and the only
missionaries in Belliar Park fortunately. But, on the 17th we will
receive one newby in our apartment/district. His visa had problems so
he is a little late, so we got a branch missionary. Brother Kallon
with us now.We have district meeting every Tuesday but I only have 6
elders in my district, just my apartment. Elder Labrum and I. Elder
Itomo and Mthembu, and Elder Gweyu-Appiah and Brother Kallon. We are
enjoying and having a great time. they love to cook and my workouts
make me love to eat, so we get along great ;) hahaha
and what! that sounds like some CRAZY stuff going down at good ol
Iwa...I can remember when I was just a small chap, 15 some years ago
inside the kingdergarten class room with Mrs. Whitley, good ole
"Joseph" walking in to pick up his lunch, me and brennan ethan making
trouble and having a good ol time. man, where the heck did my life
go!? I mean I'm happy with where I am but I'm honestly tearing up just
imagining how fast my life is passing me by...I guess its sweet I have
a testimony of the plan of salvation and everything and know greater
things are in the future, but I believe my only opporunity of infancy,
innocence, and playful bliss has passed. Now my knolwedge and agency
holds me accountable for everything haha, am I a whiny baby if I make
it sound like I'm complaining ;) I honestly do love life! hahaha
Well concerning Nick - I'm handing it over to God and I am going to pray my heart
in gratitude and tears to him tonight for doing so much for Nick and me (I'm so
selfish I know) I have prayed and prayed and prayed for that boy this
whole week and I'm so happy he is doing well. Please send me another
email and tell me more stories about my growing little brother. I love
and miss him so much....
Had a couple of elders go home this week.
Anyone can "return with honor" but only the dilligent and
faithful can "serve with honor". I hope I am and will continue to be
the latter. If I get ever get trunky please someone send a package to
me with a boxing glove that smacks me in the face, because that is
some dumb tish, forreal. But, one elder and my papi, Elder Ngerem packed
their bags and returned home Friday. On Tuesday I got to do my first
District meeting with Mt. Aureol district which went quite nicely. Its
right in our parlor so thats convenient. I have a great district and
apartment and I love them all very much...I am the oldest by far and I
try hard to be a good example to all these young guys. Everyone is 7
months and less, and we will have 2 being trained as well haha young
guns! :) root out all apostasy early so we don't have an Israel vs.
Canaan situation :) Sure people didn't even like Moses a lot of the
time, so if they don't like me...well" I'll be kinda sad and maybe be
like Moses and say AH this burden is to heavy to bear alone, well its
a good thing I have the Lord to always pick me up :)
Miracle Miracle this week, that almost trumps all miracles in my life
in immediacy hahaha. Elder Labrum and I are walking up the mountain
and its just pouring. just miserable pouring, and my umbrella is
breaking and I'm just wanting to cry haha and I just cry out "Oh, Lord,
Please let it stop!" and Bam, not even 2 seconds passed by, the rain
UTTERLY CEASED, entirely! and the sun came out. Not even 2 seconds, I
promise...Elder Labrum and I stopped looked at each other and were
just like woah...did that just happen? and in the middle of the path,
just stopped and said a short vocal prayer of gratitude for another
constant reminder that our heavenly father is watching us and
listening to us...yeah, our prayers always seem to do with rain, but
gosh its sweet. I am TRYING to become like Jesus, so one step
at a time right? Well in my joy, my umbrella snapped in half while
putting it up, so threw it in the bush and continued onward haha God
loves us :)
:)
The sisters this week had a sister conference which was quite strange
because as we were coming out of our district leader training, I see
all the sisters in the whole mission in jeans and Sister Ostler and all
of them having a good ol time haha, I want an Elders Conference where
we can all come play football! forreals :)
Sister Kanzler found EXPIRED Peanut butter for 7,000 leones, which are
normally 25-30 which is just too much for missionaries to afford
really, but she bought up half the stock and sold them to us
missionaries, so I got a couple reserved and now she is going to go
buy us 10, which i will just use my money on for now so I can stash em
for the rest of my mission :) Yummy expired peanut butter, woot woot!
made in Illinois might I add!
Our runs have gone quite well this week, even though I had to find us
a new route, but if you want to look up the route, its down Padema
road from the prison, to the cotton tree, from the cotton tree down
Sanders Street to the U-Building (miata conference center) then back
to Mends street :) its about 30 minutes or 35 minutes long but gosh
running this morning I did not feel well at all! and another miracle
happened in that one store was open at 6:15 in the morning that people
were mopping and I ran and found a safe haven! :) I am very lucky, and
TMI? so what?
So, Saturday was "national cleaning day" so on Friday evening at 4:00
we had our baptism, so of course it didn't start until 5:00 but it was
the baptism for 10 or so people, and 2 for Belliar Park, Ibrahim
and Matta who I had the privlige of baptizing, and gosh it was
great. I love them both so much, but Ibrahim is like my best
friend...My Saidu is gone and God sent me someone else for this small
time and its Ibrahim. He is so great and I love him so much. He has
already brought 3 investigators to church and just walks around as a
missionary haha, he even sat down at the sacrament table on Sunday and
I was like "what are you doing" and he was like "Ah, I forgot, sorry I
got excited" and went and sat back down hahaha :) he is great. On
Sunday I got to give a talk to the Ward, which was tragically empty
with only 60 people or so, far from our usual 100 -110 + because it
had rained from 5:00 am to 12:00 haha aond continued and continued.
But, I gave a talk on families and we had a member from the Area
Seventy there from Ghana who also spoke after me, so it was sweet
having him there.
And uh, Saturday cleaning day was a joke, we just cleaned small around
the place and chilled because nobody was allowed to leave their house
until 1:00 or you will get like arrested haha :) so that was fun...
Today we had super P day and all gathered at the chapel and played
games and ate food and watched something like A Rare Posession which
was pretty sweet...got some lovely packages from my lovely mother and
then straight to go email :) can't wait to go home and see whats
inside!:)
I love you all so much and just want you to know that I have a
testimony that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came and died for us.
He loves us. He has promised and offered us so much, in return for so
very little. Even if we offered our whole souls and efforts, we would
"still be unprofitable servants" so let us at least offer the most we
can, and try to be slightly less unprofitable servants :) I know if we
follow him that we will no longer be his servants, as the area seventy
said...servants serve with no thought of reward, Christ prepares to
reward our efforts...we aren't his servants..we are his FRIENDS :)
Love,
Jesse
Elder Sumrak
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
How Old Am I?
A week in Sierra Leone and gosh it has flown by. Already September, I'm
going to be 21!? what? and it's sad that while typing I actually had to
pause and think, is it 21? or 22? how long have I been here? sometimes
it feels like a month, sometimes it feels like a lifetime...but at
least its been a sweet lifetime! So, received transfer news this
weekend, AND...I'm staying Belliar Park to finish Elder Labrum's
training! Iam returning to my old apartment on Mends Street because it
is in our area, which makes sense, and I am the district leader in the
Mt. Aureol District now. So...of course I had a nice list of
stuff to take care of, so I
went ahead and ran all over town and the office today to get
everything...almost all taken care of, just got to take care of myself
small small now...but, i am excited to be able to go on exchanges now
up to my old area! I am stoked!:)
This week was pleasant and busy. Saturday was a complete dud as we
showed up for the baptism to find the assistants calling us, informing
us that the font was unusable..we went to go check, and yes, someone
drove a hole in the middle of it...no waters going in that bad
boy...baptism cancelled until next week :/ I was not too happy at all!
Food was running low earlier this week while waiting for subsistence
day...so, Elder Labrum had the genius idea of making pasta...and
adding peanut butter and sugar...it was AMAZING, but he said after the
first 5 bites it was just too much for him hahhaha...but its all he had
so he downed the whole thing!:)
Had a wonderful experience with one young man this week that has
really made me one of the happiest I have been my entire mission. The
young man is a long time member, but has often caused
trouble just due to his loud candid character and he offended the
bishop and youth, who essentially drove him away from the ward and
literally told him he wasn't welcome anymore...I was pretty mad at the
boy too, he was cursing in the compound, causing problems, we saw him
in our area with literally 50+ people gathered around as he and one
woman yelled and screamed at each other for well over 30 minutes...I
had about enough of him...So, Saturday, I felt promted to go and visit
him and found him inside his room in the dark, by himself. He looked
completely depressed, almost as if he had been crying, and this was
not the energetic boy I was used to. I felt complete compassion and
pity at once for him and all negative feelings subsided as we sat down
and talked and he told us all abut how he felt and we
continued to talk to him and his mother and reassure them that
everyone can makes mistakes and they are still welcome and it seemed
like nothing was really accomplished by the time we left...I felt
disappointed I couldn't help him more. We had brought a strong recent
convert who assured him the youth would accept him back, but he didn't
seem convinced...I invited him to the youth family home evening, and
he acted as if he would dodge it.....So, family home
evening came, and I didn't even recognize he was there until the youth
leader noticed him. He was sitting amongst us on the benches outside
the chapel, but was wearing a hat and sunglasss (almost like out of a
movie or something haha) and the youth leader reconciled him to the
group and we sustained his return...but, after the closing prayer, I
saw the boy quickly heading for the gate, but managed to catch
him, and my prayer was answered as 4 or 5 other youth grabbed him and
gave him a big bowl of rice and he enjoyed with everyone else...and
when I left, he was smiling :) it made me so happy to see him
fellowshipping again with the youth. Sunday came, and there he was,
for the first time in months, and he got up and bore his testimony,
and there was just such a different humble spirit about him and he
went and sat back with his friends and ah, it felt as if we had
contributed in converting someone to the church...it was an amazing
spirit that filled my soul even until now, reassuring me that I am
making a difference small small in this world :) I love the Lord and
the Spirit for prompting me to go visit a boy who I now love,
and now realize how much the Lord loves him :) What a blessing!
But, not much else is going down really. we have PLENTY of people to
teach, but fortunately our new apartment will give us more time to
teach people, instead of spending hours of waiting and getting
transport, so we are going to enjoy much much success here I pray. It
is raining a tish load still...which is disappointing but by the end
of September it should be finished for the most part :) Or I can pray
haha, but I will miss rainy season for reals. its my last one :/ oh,
sa lone I love you!
Shoutout to Nicholas Sumrak, I love you little bro, be strong. Take
care my good friends and family, cousins and uncles and aunts, my
missionary friends and cousins. grandparents, neice, brother, and
sister. love you all so much! bye bye!
Love,
Elder Sumrak
going to be 21!? what? and it's sad that while typing I actually had to
pause and think, is it 21? or 22? how long have I been here? sometimes
it feels like a month, sometimes it feels like a lifetime...but at
least its been a sweet lifetime! So, received transfer news this
weekend, AND...I'm staying Belliar Park to finish Elder Labrum's
training! Iam returning to my old apartment on Mends Street because it
is in our area, which makes sense, and I am the district leader in the
Mt. Aureol District now. So...of course I had a nice list of
stuff to take care of, so I
went ahead and ran all over town and the office today to get
everything...almost all taken care of, just got to take care of myself
small small now...but, i am excited to be able to go on exchanges now
up to my old area! I am stoked!:)
This week was pleasant and busy. Saturday was a complete dud as we
showed up for the baptism to find the assistants calling us, informing
us that the font was unusable..we went to go check, and yes, someone
drove a hole in the middle of it...no waters going in that bad
boy...baptism cancelled until next week :/ I was not too happy at all!
Food was running low earlier this week while waiting for subsistence
day...so, Elder Labrum had the genius idea of making pasta...and
adding peanut butter and sugar...it was AMAZING, but he said after the
first 5 bites it was just too much for him hahhaha...but its all he had
so he downed the whole thing!:)
Had a wonderful experience with one young man this week that has
really made me one of the happiest I have been my entire mission. The
young man is a long time member, but has often caused
trouble just due to his loud candid character and he offended the
bishop and youth, who essentially drove him away from the ward and
literally told him he wasn't welcome anymore...I was pretty mad at the
boy too, he was cursing in the compound, causing problems, we saw him
in our area with literally 50+ people gathered around as he and one
woman yelled and screamed at each other for well over 30 minutes...I
had about enough of him...So, Saturday, I felt promted to go and visit
him and found him inside his room in the dark, by himself. He looked
completely depressed, almost as if he had been crying, and this was
not the energetic boy I was used to. I felt complete compassion and
pity at once for him and all negative feelings subsided as we sat down
and talked and he told us all abut how he felt and we
continued to talk to him and his mother and reassure them that
everyone can makes mistakes and they are still welcome and it seemed
like nothing was really accomplished by the time we left...I felt
disappointed I couldn't help him more. We had brought a strong recent
convert who assured him the youth would accept him back, but he didn't
seem convinced...I invited him to the youth family home evening, and
he acted as if he would dodge it.....So, family home
evening came, and I didn't even recognize he was there until the youth
leader noticed him. He was sitting amongst us on the benches outside
the chapel, but was wearing a hat and sunglasss (almost like out of a
movie or something haha) and the youth leader reconciled him to the
group and we sustained his return...but, after the closing prayer, I
saw the boy quickly heading for the gate, but managed to catch
him, and my prayer was answered as 4 or 5 other youth grabbed him and
gave him a big bowl of rice and he enjoyed with everyone else...and
when I left, he was smiling :) it made me so happy to see him
fellowshipping again with the youth. Sunday came, and there he was,
for the first time in months, and he got up and bore his testimony,
and there was just such a different humble spirit about him and he
went and sat back with his friends and ah, it felt as if we had
contributed in converting someone to the church...it was an amazing
spirit that filled my soul even until now, reassuring me that I am
making a difference small small in this world :) I love the Lord and
the Spirit for prompting me to go visit a boy who I now love,
and now realize how much the Lord loves him :) What a blessing!
But, not much else is going down really. we have PLENTY of people to
teach, but fortunately our new apartment will give us more time to
teach people, instead of spending hours of waiting and getting
transport, so we are going to enjoy much much success here I pray. It
is raining a tish load still...which is disappointing but by the end
of September it should be finished for the most part :) Or I can pray
haha, but I will miss rainy season for reals. its my last one :/ oh,
sa lone I love you!
Shoutout to Nicholas Sumrak, I love you little bro, be strong. Take
care my good friends and family, cousins and uncles and aunts, my
missionary friends and cousins. grandparents, neice, brother, and
sister. love you all so much! bye bye!
Love,
Elder Sumrak
Lots of New Missionaries Coming to Sierra Leone
Sorry for the late post! I had to take my youngest son to college (BYU) but I am back and here is Elder Sumrak's letter from 08/26/13:
Oh, that box sounds positively delightful dear mother and I am anxiously anticipating this blessing haha thank you so very much angelic momma!
As for the worms, they were successfully defeated when our plumber came and we reported the problem, the fix is nice, since it was only our water tank that had mold and worms and crap in it, but he climbed on the roof and cleaned it all out so as for now, no more worms...but yes, we drank it haha we just put it through the filter...yes we bathed with it, just use boku bleach, we use it for cooking...boil the tish out of it. but, we have and will continue to survive. also, the Kanzlers are amazing and I love them lots, you should talk to them or email them some time, I know they would enjoy that, being always in the office helping around I get to talk to them quite a lot and they are hilarious. even Sister Kanzler helped us out and bought us some on sale, expiring peanut butter :) yay! came to find out why the beans at the store were so cheap! THEY WERE EXPIRED...so, my reaction when asking the manager might surprise you when I asked...is anything else expired? I'll take it...yeah, lets go sa lone!
We are trying hard to prepare for more missionaries and doing what little we can do. 20 in Sept, Oct, and Nov, and 10 more now already confirmed for December...that's at least 70 this year, and almost doubling our mission...we found 1 apartment this week with the zone leaders and it completely SHOT our proselyting day but eventually got inside, got boss man Markus there to take pictures and he immediately started the paperwork with them ....we are desperate haha, not playing around like last year when this happened haha
Well...sweetness and sweet news and conversions this week! Saturday was a sweet sweet baptism of 11 people, 2 from Belliar Park, 2 from Hill Station, 2 from Mt Aureol, and 5 from Congo Cross and I kinda took charge and made it run like an american baptism haha! made sure it started on time with a program and everything and everyone had whites and the water was actually filled up (if not sort of brown) and I was just happy alone with that, much less the miraculous people who were baptized :)
Aminata was baptized who is a sweet 18 year old girl whose whole family is members
then, Ibrahim , one of the oldest people I have baptized, he is about 35 and is a super strong athlete and person who has just had a super hard life with lots of challenges and set backs both with school, jobs, sports, and even religion, and upon finding him, he was highly addicted to smoking over 10-12 cigarettes a day...he now has not smoked in close to a month, and it was amazing to hear his testimony and his change and even for the first time on Sunday when he came he wore priesthood attire and looked great...what an example that anyone can change...
Then, the miracle man, Solomon ...so, this young man of about 24, I taught all the lessons to in Bo. He lived WAY out in the bush, far enough that it was a 45 min journey, just to teach him and come home haha, but now he came to Freetown and was living in Hill Station by himself. He found the church and the Hill Station elders, who just had him interviewed by Elder Weller. Well, it was funny because I called them because we were locked in the apartment the other day, and Elder Mongalo answered "Yes, Elder Sumrak?" and Solomon was like WHAT, Elder Sumrak is in Freetown?! So, he asked me to do his baptism and it was a great experience being able to see him again and see him make this promise with God :) truly a blessing!
Also, got a call from Elder Stanford in Messima that 2 of my investigators, and even a man and his family, that I taught all the lessons are finally being baptized :) SO EXCITED! everything is going great right now and the Lord is showering Sierra Leone with blessings, and even me abundantly. I am so lucky to be here serving the Lord and doing his work...I love it so much and I am so happy.
Had our interviews with President Ostler this week and also had an exchange with Elder Aseidu, which was great. We had an emergency swap and we received a younger missionary in our apartment now...so change is always exciting, excited to see what happens next Sunday. exciting transfer, I'm sure, with 20 newbys on the way...WHAT!
Well...the miracle of the week happened on Saturday night, Sunday morning. Saturday night I was exhausted, and the water was very low, so I knew me and my compy would have to go fetch it from a distance away...but, I prayed while we closed and the rain started pouring...but ended quickly, giving us only enough water for Saturday night, but the time was late...so as I went to sleep I prayed that rain would come so we could have drinking water and bathing water Sunday morning...around 3 a.m my prayer was answered, and I jumped out of bed and went out into the cold rain and put all of our buckets outside, then soaking wet, crawled back into bed...the rain continued all morning and we filled EVERYTHING :) and the rain still continued to pound, even blowing the door open...as I prayed and told God that we now had enough water...if He would please allow the rain to cease so our investigators would come to church....15 minutes later, the rain ceased until our service was over :) miracles are amazing and are so possible if we just have the faith to ask our Heavenly father. He wants to bless us :) just ask!
Well...Life is great, I love and miss you all so very much and pray for you constantly. Nick...your going to do great buddy, don't worry about it! Thomas and Laura, your the bomb diggity, Lumi...don't poop yourself. momma don't pretend your not happy to have some quiet ;) love you. Pops...go eat something ADVENTURE TIME!
Love,
Jesse,
Elder Sumrak
Oh, that box sounds positively delightful dear mother and I am anxiously anticipating this blessing haha thank you so very much angelic momma!
As for the worms, they were successfully defeated when our plumber came and we reported the problem, the fix is nice, since it was only our water tank that had mold and worms and crap in it, but he climbed on the roof and cleaned it all out so as for now, no more worms...but yes, we drank it haha we just put it through the filter...yes we bathed with it, just use boku bleach, we use it for cooking...boil the tish out of it. but, we have and will continue to survive. also, the Kanzlers are amazing and I love them lots, you should talk to them or email them some time, I know they would enjoy that, being always in the office helping around I get to talk to them quite a lot and they are hilarious. even Sister Kanzler helped us out and bought us some on sale, expiring peanut butter :) yay! came to find out why the beans at the store were so cheap! THEY WERE EXPIRED...so, my reaction when asking the manager might surprise you when I asked...is anything else expired? I'll take it...yeah, lets go sa lone!
We are trying hard to prepare for more missionaries and doing what little we can do. 20 in Sept, Oct, and Nov, and 10 more now already confirmed for December...that's at least 70 this year, and almost doubling our mission...we found 1 apartment this week with the zone leaders and it completely SHOT our proselyting day but eventually got inside, got boss man Markus there to take pictures and he immediately started the paperwork with them ....we are desperate haha, not playing around like last year when this happened haha
Well...sweetness and sweet news and conversions this week! Saturday was a sweet sweet baptism of 11 people, 2 from Belliar Park, 2 from Hill Station, 2 from Mt Aureol, and 5 from Congo Cross and I kinda took charge and made it run like an american baptism haha! made sure it started on time with a program and everything and everyone had whites and the water was actually filled up (if not sort of brown) and I was just happy alone with that, much less the miraculous people who were baptized :)
Aminata was baptized who is a sweet 18 year old girl whose whole family is members
then, Ibrahim , one of the oldest people I have baptized, he is about 35 and is a super strong athlete and person who has just had a super hard life with lots of challenges and set backs both with school, jobs, sports, and even religion, and upon finding him, he was highly addicted to smoking over 10-12 cigarettes a day...he now has not smoked in close to a month, and it was amazing to hear his testimony and his change and even for the first time on Sunday when he came he wore priesthood attire and looked great...what an example that anyone can change...
Then, the miracle man, Solomon ...so, this young man of about 24, I taught all the lessons to in Bo. He lived WAY out in the bush, far enough that it was a 45 min journey, just to teach him and come home haha, but now he came to Freetown and was living in Hill Station by himself. He found the church and the Hill Station elders, who just had him interviewed by Elder Weller. Well, it was funny because I called them because we were locked in the apartment the other day, and Elder Mongalo answered "Yes, Elder Sumrak?" and Solomon was like WHAT, Elder Sumrak is in Freetown?! So, he asked me to do his baptism and it was a great experience being able to see him again and see him make this promise with God :) truly a blessing!
Also, got a call from Elder Stanford in Messima that 2 of my investigators, and even a man and his family, that I taught all the lessons are finally being baptized :) SO EXCITED! everything is going great right now and the Lord is showering Sierra Leone with blessings, and even me abundantly. I am so lucky to be here serving the Lord and doing his work...I love it so much and I am so happy.
Had our interviews with President Ostler this week and also had an exchange with Elder Aseidu, which was great. We had an emergency swap and we received a younger missionary in our apartment now...so change is always exciting, excited to see what happens next Sunday. exciting transfer, I'm sure, with 20 newbys on the way...WHAT!
Well...the miracle of the week happened on Saturday night, Sunday morning. Saturday night I was exhausted, and the water was very low, so I knew me and my compy would have to go fetch it from a distance away...but, I prayed while we closed and the rain started pouring...but ended quickly, giving us only enough water for Saturday night, but the time was late...so as I went to sleep I prayed that rain would come so we could have drinking water and bathing water Sunday morning...around 3 a.m my prayer was answered, and I jumped out of bed and went out into the cold rain and put all of our buckets outside, then soaking wet, crawled back into bed...the rain continued all morning and we filled EVERYTHING :) and the rain still continued to pound, even blowing the door open...as I prayed and told God that we now had enough water...if He would please allow the rain to cease so our investigators would come to church....15 minutes later, the rain ceased until our service was over :) miracles are amazing and are so possible if we just have the faith to ask our Heavenly father. He wants to bless us :) just ask!
Well...Life is great, I love and miss you all so very much and pray for you constantly. Nick...your going to do great buddy, don't worry about it! Thomas and Laura, your the bomb diggity, Lumi...don't poop yourself. momma don't pretend your not happy to have some quiet ;) love you. Pops...go eat something ADVENTURE TIME!
Love,
Jesse,
Elder Sumrak
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