Hello Family and friends, so good to be able to talk again, as for the
rain...well, its October...it's not supposed to rain anymore.but it
still tends to do it at the most inconvenient times and when I do not
have an umbrella on me...as last Tuesday went, where a random
hurricane force rains and winds bombarded us in our area and we were
wearing sandals...my ankle was still hurting, we were on the top of the
mountain, and we had a FAMILY of 6 waiting for us...so the zinc roofs
were actually blowing off, which might I add if one hits you you might
be going home early from your mission, but we said a prayer and ran
off into the rain, and were soaked to the bone in less then 10
seconds...but, the family was happy to see us and welcomed us
warmly...we came home and drank hot chocolate and put hoodies on,
closed, and went to sleep hahaha
Hahaha and wow, I love that story ( INSERT FROM MOM -
this is the story that was in my letter that Jesse is referring to:
Oh and great story told in conference. It made me think of you. So this
man in a village in a remote country was burning his field in preparation
for planting season but it was dry and his fire got out of control and he
knew if this fire spread beyond his area that it would ruin his neighbors
harvest and it would hurt so many people. He prayed and pleaded with the
Lord to stop the fire and he saw a black cloud appear just over his farm
and it rained so hard and put out the fire. All around were blue skies but
over his farm was a thundercloud. He was overcome with the knowledge that
Heavenly Father knew him and answered his prayer. Cool Story and made me
think of you and your many experiences with rain. You are so wise my dear
Jesse – the Lord does know you personally and answers your prayers. Thank
you so much for sharing your testimony with all of us.) END OF INSERT
because it definitely applies to me
and I can bare testimony that it is true...its so true. I don't
believe in coincidences anymore, and its almost funny how casual I see
miracles now, but it really is incredible how much the Lord does for
us, and more specifically his mission work. His work is hastening on
and its amazing.
So, our baptism on Saturday was frustrating and not well planned
but, it all got accomplished fortunately, even though people were
sharing wet clothes and no towels were present, at least the spirit
miraculously was, then found out after it was finished THEY CHANGED
SACRAMENT MEETING TO 12:30...well, maybe this may seem a minor
inconvenience, but may I remind you not everyone has facebook or a
phone?! so, we showed up 2 hours early for church to greet all the
members and investigators who didn't get the memo I mean heck, why
tell the missionaries, why would they need to know?! but, they
attended the earlier session and we went up to the mission office and
got to help put baptismal records into the church system which
actually was mildly entertaining :) Our service we only had 2
investigators...but 8 had gone to the previous session so I was put at
ease. Fast Sunday was sweet yesterday when we ended it with strawberry
pancakes by chef Sumrak haha, just pancakes with strawberry pop drink
mix, super good though ;)
I made the sweetest groundnut stew this Monday, that I can't wait to
make for you all when I get home, with 6 pieces of chicken, carrots,
green beans, onions, pepay, garlic, tomatoe, groundnut thick paste,
and just um deliciousness, and it lasted me the entire week hahaha.
also made some no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies in a put, wow, not
too bad...but I actually used oil! what?! is it me? am I possessed?!
The work is going sweet and we are teaching many families and having
much success together. I love Elder Labrum and we are having a great
time! I am sad to see some of my best friends, Elder Burton, Wolfgramm,
and Walker go home tomorrow...its sad, but they have served great
and I have enjoyed serving with Elder Burton and the others as my
leaders. they are great men who gave great service and time to this
great work. I got to go on a an exchange back to Mt. Aureol with Elder
Gyewu Appiah this week and it was so cool to see my area and my recent
converts and everything that is exactly the same and the new areas
they are now teaching in and see SISTER CONTEH and her husband. She is
the sweet woman who fed me my first cassave leaf on my first day, and
she was living in a small shack with trying circumstances. her
husband had the faith to pay his tithes and attend church...they now
moved into a BIG house and are enjoying the blessings of obedience and
righteousness as they prepared to go to the NEW church building,
now 45-60 min walk away, I am so proud of them. May the Lord continue
to richly bless them for their sacrifice and everyone that is on that
Mt.Aureol hill. I love them all and know that the Lord is mindful of
their work.
I got like pink eye or something hahaha or just a really irritated
eye and had to wear glasses most of this week, which people called me
Spiderman, and instead of being offended I was just happy they knew who
Spiderman was :) but, it hit me this week how funny things here are.
you have people with iphones begging for food, you got people sitting
in tin shacks watching dstv satellite. you have children wearing harry
potter book bags to class. if this is 3rd world and the close to
poorest country in the world, you might laugh at some of the things
you find here...its interesting, that's for sure :)
Next week should be interesting and I should have some juicy transfer
news, but life is great here. planning a 7-8 mile run with Elder
Labrum tomorrow morning, so we are excited for that :) or at least I
am poor guy probably is begging for a transfer hahaha I'm such a good
companion. I love being able to work so closely with the leaders and
the members in my district. it is fun to get to know them and help
them to the best of my inadequate capabilities, but I try my best and
that is all that matters..
I started a project yesterday and its going sweet! I am taking my
patriarchal blessing and cross referencing EVERYTHING pretty much so
that everything is found in the scriptures for explanations and what
not, it is really cool and I'm enjoying it. I will let you know how it
turns out in the end! I love all of you so much and wish I had more to
say...Oh, I did get to participate in my first naming and blessing of
a child yesterday, as they apostately (?) slowly raised the baby up
and down as they said the prayer, while Elder Labrum and I tried to
muster our strength to hold the child still, so maybe the people were
confused but you're not supposed to do that hahahaha oh I love Africa :)
peace out scouts!
Love,
Elder Sumrak
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