Paynesville

E-mail dated 11/2/15

Family and Friends,

Akwaabo! Thank you everyone for your emails and prayers of support this week, I can't think of a more spiritual day than the day that I had yesterday. Before I get to that though, I want to thank you all for the updates on home that I received! I'm glad that everyone had a safe and (lonely?) Halloween on Saturday and that the Utes were able to pull off another W. I'm also excited for the Jazz updates that are going to start coming in soon! It's been great this week to see how happy everyone is and what you're up to. I love you all!

Well, I don't want to beat around the bush. This entire email will be about the All-Liberia Conference that happened yesterday! I'm not going to understate this or try to downplay it: Yesterday was one of the greatest days of my life. For weeks our mission has been looking forward to the coming of Elder David A. Bednar to Liberia, and our waiting was finally over yesterday. The meeting started at 10 a.m. at a building in downtown Monrovia, but when I arrived at 7:30, there were already hundreds of people there from all around the country. By the time 9 o'clock rolled around, there were a few thousand people packed into this small building. The atmosphere was amazing. I've never seen people more excited in my life. At 10, Elder Bednar and his wife walked into the building, followed by Elder Donald Hallstrom (Presidency of the Seventy) and his wife, Elder Legrand Curtis Jr. (Area President, Member of the Seventy) and his wife, and then President and Sister Carlson. The spirit that entered the room was indescribable. 

The meeting began and everyone was so reverent. The Carlson's spoke first, then the Curtis', then the Hallstrom's, then Sister Bednar, and finally Elder Bednar. I just want to describe to you some of the things that were said by an Apostle of the Lord to the saints of Liberia! First, he spoke to the members of the Church. He stated, in effect, "The Lord allowed this suffering and this disease to happen for you to learn something: You are the missionaries!" He complimented these saints on their amazing resolve to preach the gospel, even when the full-time missionaries were pulled out of the country. Then he spoke directly to the non members who were in attendance, which was amazing because we had quite a few investigators there. He taught the Restoration of the Gospel, a message I have taught literally hundreds of times, more beautifully than I can even put into words. He explained it so simply and with so much spirit that only an Apostle could do. I was blessed enough that I was sitting close to the pulpit, probably no more than 20 yards away from him.

Then he spoke to the entire congregation. He counseled everyone about the power of the Atonement and about how turning away from the natural man (Mosiah 3:19) is the purpose of this life on Earth. He spoke of the temptations we face in this life and related this to the story of Satan tempting the Savior after he had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. Satan tempted Christ with three things: Turn the stones into bread, cast yourself off the pinnacle, and all of the Earth can be yours. Elder Bednar stated simply that there was not three different temptations, only one; Do it for YOURSELF. The natural man wants things right now, the natural man turns in. But the Savior turns out. All temptations the devil has to offer all come down to the same thing, do it for yourself. He counseled all the saints to no longer do things for themselves, but to serve other people. He was very animated as he talked and he even slammed the pulpit a few times and used large waving hand gestures. 

One the greatest spiritual experiences I've ever had happened when he invited the entire congregation to sing "How Firm a Foundation" with him. I've never heard a louder chorus of people. As I was singing the words, tears were streaming down my face. I know a lot of you know me, and I'm not a crier, but this was an overwhelming moment for me and for all the members of the Church in Liberia. As I looked around and saw these people singing the words:

"In ev'ry condition--in sickness, in health,

In poverty's vale or abounding in wealth,

At home or abroad, on the land or the sea--

As thy days may demand, as thy days may demand,

As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be."

I couldn't control my emotions anymore. These amazing members have suffered so much in their lives and to see them sing with such faith and strength was more than I could handle. The words couldn't even come out of my mouth. 

Elder Bednar concluded his talk by pronouncing a blessing upon the congregation. He said "I, as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, turn the key and pour down the blessings of Heaven upon this country and upon you, my fellow saints." As he did this he literally took his hand and made a turn-key motion above his head. It felt as if a wave went throughout everyone in attendance and I don't think I've ever felt the spirit more strongly. I left that meeting feeling so edified and uplifted! I wish there were words accurate enough to describe how I felt.

I have more to tell, but I'll try and do it in your questions that you've asked!

1.  Tell us about Elder Bednar and his visit!!  You said he was speaking to all the Church members there.  Where did you hold such a meeting?  

It was in the Executive Pavillion in Monrovia, but the meeting that happened soon after was at a nearby stake center! For the second meeting, which was just for the branch and district presidencies (and the missionaries), it was a very personal interaction with Elder Bednar. For two hours he instructed the Priesthood leaders about 4 things (I know Dad would have loved to been in attendance for this one):

1. Priesthood

2. Priesthood Authority

3. Priesthood Power

4. Priesthood Keys.

And for most of the meeting he did a Question and Answer session with everyone. In case I need to repeat myself, I was in a question and answer session with David A. Bednar. It was amazing. There were about 100 people in this sacrament hall, so it was a lot more personal. Elder Bednar is probably one of the funniest people I've ever met, and It was so great to actually see his real personality as compared to the mantle that all the General Authorities have to uphold at General Conference. He was so loose and free and vibrant. It was awesome. 

2.  I received a friend request on Facebook from Quita Kialain.  I assume you know who she is.  From her profile page I can tell she is a member of the Church, I assume in the Paynesville branch.  Is that correct?  What can you tell me about her?

She is one of my favorite members in Liberia!! She recently left for Minnesota last week, and it was actually me who added you from her Facebook! She would love to talk to you. She is a return missionary and we would visit her almost every other day. I know her very well! Talk to her on Facebook please :)

3.  Do you think that you will be able to Skype on Christmas?  (Please say yes!!)

I think I will be able to, but it depends on where I am! If all else fails, I'm going to try and beg the Hezseltine's to allow me to come to their apartment on Christmas! I will keep you updated!

4.  Do you get a chance to speak in Church often?  Did your branch have a Primary Sacrament Program?  

I haven't had to speak in Church yet thankfully, because we have so many powerful members here in Paynesville! I did not get to see a Primary Program here, but I think that's because they might have done it earlier this year!

5.  It seems like transfers should be coming soon.  When are they?  

The next transfer will be December 8, so I still have quite some time! I hope that we will be able to baptize quite a few more people before I have to leave Paynesville. I'm excited for the near future!

Thank you all again for your love and support. I hope that each of you can have a great week and that you will all be safe and protected. I love each and every one of you! 

Love,

Elder Degen

P.S. Here's a story about Elder Loader. Near the end is a picture of me and him and our convert, Abigail Amoah, who recently sent me pictures of her at the temple!! Her conversion story is one of the greatest stories of my mission. Enjoy the article!

http://www.missiongeek.net/2015/10/near-death-experience-changes-missionarys-life/

E-mail dated 10/26/15

Family and Friends,

Akwaabo! Thank you everyone for your emails and support this past week, I needed them! Elder Carlson and I were extremely busy as we were preparing for our baptism last Saturday, and because of all of your prayers, it was successful. 

The Lord blessed us with 11 baptisms this past week! I wish I could go through each one of their stories and tell you have they became converted, but I don't have enough time in the world! Here are their names:

Esther Parker

Uriah Sayou

Prince Somah

Bindu Smart

Korah Smart

Patience Smart

Emmanuel Ngorah

Armah Kanneh

Princess Cooper

Josephus Toman

Stephen Robertson

It was an amazing service and I'll send the pictures as soon as I can! I'll answer your questions now...

1.  Do you know why Elder Bednar is coming to your mission next week?  Will he be meeting with the missionaries?  How long will he be there?

He is coming to strengthen the saints in Liberia! He is in Accra right now for the mission president's seminar, and then he will fly here on Saturday. Also, he is going to be mic'd up and followed by a camera crew for a documentary about the Church in Liberia. He will speak to all the members in the country on Sunday morning, and then Sunday afternoon he is meeting with the leaders of the branches/districts and the missionaries are invited to attend! So I pray that I will be able to shake his hand. He will leave Sunday evening back to Utah after a 10 day adventure for him and his wife. 

2.  About how many lessons do you and Elder Carlson teach each day?  

It's usually around 6 or so. We consistently get 30-40 lessons a week. And that's not me trying to brag about numbers, because I could seriously sit down in a chair on a corner of a road and have 10 lessons in one day without approaching a single person. People are just dying to hear the gospel here.

3.  Is there strong Priesthood leadership in your branch?  I would assume that with so many wanting to join the church that leadership issues might be a problem.

Thankfully we have such great leadership here in the Paynesville Branch! Our branch president and his counselors are all return missionaries and they know how to get things done. Obviously there are some things that are different from back home that the leaders lack, but I have been blown away at how self-sufficient the Church is here compared to Cape Coast. It's been a big blessing. 

4.  Is there a good mix of adults, youth and children in your Branch?  

Yes, it's pretty balanced! There are a lot of Melchizedek Priesthood holders in the branch, which is a good indicator that the branch will split soon. I am also surprised at how many sisters in the branch are return missionaries as well. The children are plentiful as always.

5.  About how many miles does your Branch encompass?  It is a hardship for them to get to church on Sunday?

Our branches boundaries are unknown. My guess is that some members travel from 4-5 miles to get to Church, which is a big sacrifice financially. It's most hard when we have people dying to come to the chapel, but they can barely afford to eat the following day let alone pay the $1 for transportation. It's hard to see. 

6.  Do you have any idea about how much money people there earn working full time?  I am just curious if it is comparable to US wages.  I'm sure it is not.  Do you know of anyone who has a lot of money (like the guy you lived close to Ghana that was from Utah).

I'm not %100 certain, but judging from what I've seen so far, if a family makes $2,000 a year then they are doing really well. It's pretty hard knowing that my subsistence I pulled today is more than a family of 5 will have for the month. I haven't met any rich miners yet, but a woman in my branch is going to America this week, and she is dying to contact you Mom! She also knows the Peterson's (Eric's mission couples) really well. She owns an orphanage and a school and she is going to the states to work with some people to adopt her orphans.

7.  What was your biggest challenge this week?  Your sweetest success?

My biggest challenge this week was having to tell multiple people they could not be baptized. We had been teaching them for weeks, they have been coming to church for months, but they couldn't be baptized because they aren't legally married. To get a traditional marriage legalized, it costs $50 and they have to bring their birth certificates (which a lot of people don't have), so it is extremely difficult for them. I have heard of couples saving up for a year to get their marriage legalized so that they could be baptized, and I hope that happens to my candidates as well! My sweetest success was by far watching these amazing 11 people be baptized on Saturday. I think hearing their testimonies was probably the time in the service when I felt the spirit the most. It was so rewarding to see these people so happy. 

I love you all, thank you for everything you do for me!

Love,

Elder Degen

Pictures from Paynesville

Elder Degen, Elder Verdoni, Elder Carlson

Baptism!

E-mail dated 10/19/15

Family and Friends,

Akwaabo! I know this might get old, but GO UTES! As long as they keep winning, I will begin my email by mentioning them! I was so excited to hear about the game from everyone. I forget about football during the week, but for 2 hours on Mondays I get to celebrate! Even better than that though, was hearing about how everyone is doing. I was glad to know that everyone is safe and sound and that things went well with UEA weekend. It was fun to hear about.

My week was indescribable. I wish I could put adequately into words the feelings that are with me right now, but I can't. I just want to let everyone know the love that the Lord has for His children here in Liberia. I have seen firsthand the miracles that have been happening in this country and the blessings of God. Let me explain.

Liberia was hit with Ebola last year, and it shook the entire country. Thousands of people died because of it, but tens of thousands more died because of the civil unrest that followed. Those with simple diseases like colds and fevers died because there was no medical care brave enough to treat them. Members of the Church were left without missionaries, and without much contact from their leaders. I've heard people describe their struggles during the Ebola crisis and I feel the deepest kind of sorrow in me. These people suffered for a long time without the necessities in life. Many of those who were not actively religious started to depend upon God again for their needs. 

 The branches and districts in Liberia did their best to continue to kingdom of God, and they succeeded mightily because they were continually depending upon the Lord. There were hundreds baptized in a span of 13 months following the missionary evacuation. But that was just the beginning. I firmly believe that God has heard these great people's cries and is answering them right this very moment. Because of these people's faith, this has been the result:

At nearly every branch in Liberia, there are not enough seats to fit the people that are attending Church. People are standing outside in lines to partake of the sacrament. The Church has been here in these areas longer than 10 years and there are 40-100 investigators at sacrament meeting in some areas every week. Every single Sunday, Elder Carlson and I get around 10 people that come up to us devastated because they couldn't be baptized in the previous week. We have had over 200 referrals in the past month, all begging to join the Church because they have found what they are looking for. They cannot build chapels and create units fast enough. The Church is growing so fast here that I sometimes feel like it's a scriptural account in the Book of Mormon. I have been overwhelmed with emotions as I have begun to realize the significance of these things. These are answers to prayers and I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father that I get to be the means to answer someone's cries for help. It's the greatest responsibility that I can ever undertake.

Sorry to go off on a tangent for a minute, but I just had to share the Spirit that I have felt this past week. My eyes have been opened. Let me answer some questions now!

1.  I have sent a couple of regular sized envelopes through the mail.  Have you received either of them?

No, not yet! I've heard of quite a few things that have been sent to me since I've come to Liberia, but I haven't received anything yet! I do have a zone conference on Thursday, so I hope that they will arrive safely by then.

2.  What kind of camera were you able to find and did you have plenty of money?  

Sadly I lost about 500 pictures when I lost my camera, but I was able to find a decent Samsung camera for an okay price! It has wifi, so hopefully I will be able to send pictures easier!

3.  Do the people in Monrovia have access to television and internet in their homes?  If I remember right, it was uncommon when Eric was there.  Are American television shown there?

Television in homes isn't unheard of, it's just uncommon. Computers in homes are rare. But, most everyone has a cell phone with internet capabilities here! I have seen quite a few America DVD's here for really cheap, but many of the Africans don't like them.

4.  Is the food in Monrovia similar to what you ate in Cape Coast?  Do you generally have electricity and running water in your apartment?  

The food is completely different!! In Ghana I would have Fufu, ampesi, banku, rice, caconte, jollof, etc. But here its all RICE. Which is good because rice is delicious, but I just wish they would mix it up once in awhile! And the mission does a great job of giving it's missionaries the necessities like water and power. Every apartment has a generator and a big tank for water. 

5.  According to Sister Hezseltine, the rainy season was supposed to end on October 17th.  Did it finally stop raining?  

It has certainly rained less this week than in the past! I'm still wearing rain boots though on some days. I hope that it's almost over. Of course, I say that now, but in four weeks from now I probably will want the rainy season back!

6.  Is it getting easier to understand the people?  Do they speak with an accent like in Ghana?

I can now mostly understand the people, but there are still some times when they speak deep pigeon that it's impossible for anyone to understand them without a Urim and Thummim. They speak much differently here! In Ghana you had to speak slowly and clearly. Here, you have to speak fast and drop off the last half of the word. They also speak in a higher tone. It's interesting! 

Thank you all so much for your emails and support this week, they mean a lot to me! I'm doing so well and I'm happy. The work is greater than anything I've experienced before and I think it's only beginning. I love you all and hope that you have a great and safe week!

Love,

Elder Degen

E-mail dated 10/13/15

Family and Friends,

Akwaabo! Thank you everyone for the amazing emails this week! I had a really busy week with not much time to think about anything else, so it was nice to relax and read how things are at home. First of all... GO UTES!! I'm so excited right now! The Utes haven't been good for years and now they decide to be amazing? Well, I guess that's the Degen missionary curse/blessing... Now the Jazz just have the win the Finals and my suspicions would be confirmed.

My week was an exciting one, but also a tiring one because of Elder Carlson and I's schedule. We have been preparing all week for our baptism on Saturday, so we have been doing all that we can so that we could get our candidates ready! We saw each of them as often as we could and on Thursday I went on splits with Elder Bayoh and he interviewed them! We were so excited when seven of them were passed.

On Saturday morning, we went to the chapel at 8:30 and found that the font had no water. We were so disappointed. The water truck that was supposed to come on Friday to fill the font hit a car on its way to the chapel and couldn't come in time. We didn't know what to do! Thankfully, the other Elders at the area nearby ours was having a baptism and so they said we could just come and join them. So we all got on motorcycles and our big caravan of bikes arrived at the other chapel around 9! It was a baptism of 20 for the 3 companionship's ​and it was amazing. I will send the pictures with this email!

I will try to explain the rest of my week by answering your questions!

1.  How are you and Elder Carlson getting along?  Is he related at all to President Carlson?

We get along great! I feel like we would have been friends back home. But, he is in no way related to my mission president!

2.  Now that you and Elder Carlson are over all of Paynesville, how many branches does that include?  Do they all meet in the same building? 

Okay, I need to be more clear! Elder Carlson and I are now over Paynesville branch 1 all by ourselves! It is a massive area though, and it's impossible to cover with just us two. There are 3 total branches in Paynesville, and the other branches are who we had the baptism with!

3.  When you have so many referrals, how to "weed" them out, so to speak?   How can you possibly teach all of those that want to hear the Gospel.  I assume that the branch missionaries are helping with that?

We have started only teaching those who are attending Church on Sundays! Although that's still not an easy task because we have weeks where 23 investigators come to church. After people are baptized, we also need to teach them the 5 lessons again, which takes up a lot of our time as well. We are busy people! When we come home in the evening, we spent a lot of time just planning for the next day and praying that God will help us reach all of these people. It can be overwhelming at times!

4.  Did the rain subside at all this week?  How come it rains so much more in Liberia than in Ghana?  Aren't they pretty much right next to each other? 

IT RAINS SO MUCH HERE. I don't know why! They are only separated by Ivory Coast, so I don't understand it.

5.  Were you able to get some of your things replaced?

Yes, everything is fine now! Thank you so much for everything. If I ever need anything I promise that I will let you know :)

6.  You know that I/we are still sending a package soon.  PLEASE, if there is anything you need/want from home, let me know in the next few weeks or so.  I have heard that it takes longer for packages to arrive in Liberia than in Ghana.  The last package I sent to Ghana I think only took 2 weeks for you to get it (1 week in transit and 1 week to make it to you). 

To be honest, I can buy so much more in Liberia than I ever could in Ghana. I can find deodorant, american food, and other things. Although, you sent me something in my last package that was too good to not ask for again. Can you please send me that cookies and cream Jif spread?? It was amazing. If I need anything else, I promise I will let you know. Thank you!

7.  Did the baptism take place last Saturday?

Yes! Their names are:

Mamie Coleman

Yawson Paige

Moses Stewart

Lydia Gonquoi (her father is one of the eight missionaries who escaped during the war)

Maiwu Zay Zay

Wilfred Mantor

Charleston Zaingbay

 

The Lord has blessed me so much in the past month and I am so excited to see what he Has in store for me in the next 10 months. Thank you all again for your support. I know I am an absolutely horrible writer and I may not be able to get back to everyone who emails me, but I hope that everyone knows I appreciate it so much when I see your name in my inbox.

I hope that everyone has a great week and that I can hear from you all again next week! I love you all.

Love,

Elder Gavin Degen

E-mail dated 10/5/15

Family and Friends,

Akwaabo! What a wonderful weekend it has been! I was so glad to receive so many emails and updates about General Conference and the spiritual strength it brought to everyone. My inbox was flooded with the news! I was also so happy to see more pictures of my new nephew and to hear that everyone is safe and sound. Also, GO UTES!

This week has been interesting for me as well here in Paynesville! We had great success proselyting during the week, teaching many lesson sand getting more referrals than we can ever possibly teach. We've received over 200 referrals the past few weeks and we are overwhelmed with people. Our schedules are so busy that we have to willingly deny people who want to be baptized because we physically don't have the time to teach them all. It's frustrating, but I can't complain because I know this might be the only place in the world that has this "problem"!

On Thursday, President Carlson decided to expand the mission because of the demand in some other places and so he gave us some interesting news. Elder Ibe and Elder Sirleaf (Another elder in my apartment) are being transferred to Bush Rod Island to open a new area, and I will be with Elder Carlson to finish his training with him! It's been an interesting change, but I have faith that Heavenly Father knows what he is doing. I know this is what the Lord wants! So now Elder Carlson and I are over ALL of Paynesville! We have a baptism of around 5-10 planned for this Saturday, I will let you know more about the details next week!

Now to answer your questions...

1.  Why were you not able to e-mail last week until Tuesday instead of Monday?

We were insanely busy last week because of some things we had to coordinate with our branch missionaries! Normally we will email on Monday's, but here in Liberia we don't really get a P-Day because we're so busy right now!  

2.  How often do you get to see President Carlson or the Hezseltine's?

I was with both of them a lot this week because of the emergency transfer! It was fun to be with them for a little bit in the office this week. I even got to watch conference in the office! Which was amazing, by the way. It was the first time I've watched conference in English on my mission. I found myself praying for President Monson during his entire address on Sunday Morning. It was hard to watch his health deteriorate in front of my eyes. But, on the bright side, I also got to witness the calling of the three new apostles!

3.  Describe a typical P-day in a new country?

Wake up, do wash, go to the market, go email, meet the branch missionaries and teach a lesson if you have time, and then go home by 7. All in that order! 

4.  Is there a market close to your apartment that you can shop at?  Do you typically use American money or do you exchange it for foreign money?

Yes, there is a massive market called Red Light right near my apartment! There is also the Liberian National Coca-Cola factory right near my apartment. It's awesome.

5.  Do you communicate with anyone in Cape Coast?  How are is Elder Adu-Gyamfi doing?

I email him every week and he is doing great! He emailed me today and said that 3 of the investigators we found together were baptized this past week! I also am still in contact with President Stevenson.

6.  The Hezelstine's posted a short blog this week where it indicated that it has been raining not "cats and dogs" but "dinosaurs".  It also indicated that the rainy season is supposed to end October 17th.  It's kind of strange that they actually give a date for the end of the rainy season.  Have you witnessed any flooding where you are?

It has rained so much this week!! So so so much. We were teaching on Friday and trees were falling down around us because of the wind. The streets were flooded! 

7.  What was your greatest success this week and your greatest challenge?

My greatest success has been seeing the excitement of missionary work in the members. Every single member wants so badly to be able to bring someone into the gospel, that I can't help but feel successful as a missionary. Although extremely demanding, the work is aided immensely by our many branch missionaries and leaders. My greatest challenge this week has probably been saying goodbye to Elder Ibe. Him and I got a long really well and I am really going to miss him. We did a lot of hard work together and I wish him the best! I am excited for my time with Elder Carlson though.

Thank you all so very much for your prayers this week. I may have felt your prayers more this week than I ever have before. I know that the Lord uplifts and blesses His missionaries! I pray every night that all of you can receive the blessings of my service, cause I certainly know that I am receiving too many.

I love you all so much! 

Love,

Elder Degen