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