Apr 25, 2016

Joshua 1:9

That is one of my favorite scriptures, too bad I'm not using it for some super spiritual experience this time around, it was just one of the many scriptures that I quoted to myself as I forced down the 5th free meal of the day. Holy cow Sunday was great for food, but bad on the stomach. Now I love getting free food as much as the next Elder, but it eventually turns from enjoyment to endurance. Cause you hit that "wall." No more room, but you still got half a bowl of rice left, it's a painful task to handle, but it must be handled if you don't want to offend the person who served you. I think there's some good moral lesson in there somewhere.

This week was awesome though! We got more Missionaries! 12 more to be exact, 9 elders and 3 sisters to be more precise. They are all awesome, and I'm so excited to have them here. I have loved every set of missionaries that I have welcomed. The Lord has just blessed this Mission with Missionaries who are happy, ready and want to serve. I love it.

Elder Wight and I broke some companionship records this week as well! We got the most lessons(31) and the most investigators at church(16) we've ever had as a companionship, which we were super proud of. We have been trying really hard to work as much as we can in our area on top of working with the Mission President and what he needs us to do, the Lord really provides a way to help us.

We played volleyball again today!! It was supposed to be our District versus the Congo Town District but they fell through but the 2 Sister Missionaries came from that District plus the members from Sinkor and Matadi branches, we had a good turn out and a great time. I love it so much! One, because I suck at every other sport, and two, the members love it and get excited and want to come back to play more. Oh and three, you make some good friends with the other missionaries, although this mission is so small we're all pretty good friends already.

We're looking ahead to a baptism this week, Ruth and Ruth. We're excited for both of them, they've both come a long way! We're excited!
Elder Verdoni
1. Sister Weah, a Branch missionary who left for her mission in Nigeria!
2. His name is Blessing and he's my favorite

Apr 18, 2016

The weather is getting less hot, not cool, just less hot.

So as per the subject, the weather the last couple of days have been pretty bearable! We even had rain this week, just one day but still, Rainy season is creeping in. It'll come in like a lamb and leave like a lion. FUN FACT: In the month of June Monrovia, Liberia receives more rain than Vancouver, Washington does in an ENTIRE YEAR. So you can say I'm pumped. Gotta break in those rain boots sometime. (LIB is around 210 inches annually)
You know, I beg for the rain but when it comes and doesn't stop your gonna find me begging for sun haha.

This week was great though! We've tried real hard to find more people to teach and the Lord has provided! We had four people come to church for the first time on Sunday. In Sunday School they were asked to stand and give their names and who invited them. One said, "Elder Wight" the other, "my brother Matthew" (Recent Convert) and the last to said, "I was invited by the Holy Spirit." Awesome. We were excited to meet them and they were quite excited to meet us too. We'll be meeting them this week.

We (Elder Wight and I) are trying to find ways to liven up Sinkor Branch, because we've seen the branch getting a little stagnant lately. So we teamed up with Matadi Branch and their missionaries to hold a missionary Fireside on Saturday! So the Matadi branch and their missionaries (Elders Bio, Akiem, Lota, and Hales) came to our branch! It was so fun. We had Moses talk on the Restoration and then watched the Restoration movie. After, we had rice with beans! so good, so so good. and then played Volleyball. That was a winner. We have a net at our chapel and so we set it right up and played with the members! Even some of our investigators played, it was awesome! In fact we loved it so much, we did it again today. The Matadi Elders came along with some members and the same with us and we played for a couple hours! So it was definitely a great weekend!
One thing I love is that Sinkor is pretty close to Matadi and I've been here long enough that I know many members and the Presidency from the branch, and vise versa, so it's really fun!

Nothing too crazy though, at least from what I can remember. We get 12 new missionaries tomorrow, 9 Elders and 3 Sisters! So excited!
Elder Verdoni

 Because it takes more than one pic to get everyone's smile!

Apr 11, 2016

HEAT There is no escape

Well this week was pretty good and really busy!
We worked a lot this week with E, J, I and G to prepare them for there baptism. Now, of course this was not without its fair share of wahala's and close calls but all was well. They are wonderful people and I love them so much! I say it every time but it is just so cool to see someone change their attitude, their behavior, their whole nature, because of Christ. It's my favorite part about my mission by far. 

We get there Saturday morning and YES there was water in the font this time! (A Miracle) but the next problem was the baptismal clothes. Oh man what a struggle, with not enough clothes, or too small, or too big, or ripped, or all of that. But we put our heads together and managed to pull something out that worked out for everyone!

The Baptismal service went wonderful and 4 more people found themselves happier and closer to God than ever before. I'm glad I was able to play a part in that.

Other than that though the sun is still burning the wicked and the righteous suffer along with them here in LIB! It's just that kind of heat where it's just as hot in the shade as it is in the sun and even hotter inside a building and you sweat from every single pore and it's only 12pm. But we "manage" as they say and make it through. Although whatever we go through living condition-wise is worth what we experience spiritually as missionaries (like the aforementioned baptism) so
I love it.

And just to add a piece of Liberia to you, during Elders Quorum at church this Sunday the Second Counselor in the Branch said "You are all welcome to the 3rd session, called the Elders.. uhh.. Elders Department." I love this country, at least they try their best.
Anyhow have a good week!
Best,
Elder Verdoni

 So close...so close

Apr 4, 2016

Remember Who You Are And What God Expects You To Become

First and foremost, conference was incredible this week! General Conference is always a treasure for missionaries but it was a big a treasure for the Saints in Liberia as well! This was the first time ever they had the opportunity to watch a live broadcast of the Conference! Many members worked really hard to get the satellite working and everything set in time, and they did. What an experience it was to watch Conference live in a chapel half a world away. Also, Elder Hallstrom's talk/shout out to the Liberian Saints really put the Spirit in the room. I can reaffirm what he said about the Spirit that attended that meeting on that "Hot and humid Sunday morning." The Spirit there was easily comparable to what one can feel at the Temple, at least what I have felt at the Temple. What a day that was, and what an experience it was to hear Elder Hallstrom talk about it in General Conference!

Unfortunately, Liberia is on the other half of the planet so we start Conference a bit later than everyone else. The morning session started by 4pm. The Morning Sessions were the only ones we were able to watch Saturday and Sunday, but Elder Wight and I were able to watch the rest of Conference on a computer.

This week was good otherwise, not too much to report or talk about honestly. Still preparing a few for baptism and what an experience it has been for them and for me. A couple of our investigators, "G"and "E", have been changing their lives for awhile now. There have been noticeable changes in their attitude, their demeanor, their friendships, and even their dress. It's been a great thing to witness. But this week at different times we had the opportunity to hear them bear their testimonies to us in a lesson or to someone else while we were present, and they blow me away. Their testimonies are beautiful and strong. Committed and touched by the Spirit of God, these two woman are being converted to Christ. I can't explain it well but to hear their testimony and feel the Spirit as they do, and to hear the thought in my head, "Wow, this is not the person I met 2 months ago. They wouldn't say this." It's just a remarkable thing.

Both of them, along with two others, "I" and "J", will be baptized this Saturday! We're excited for them all! And I will let you know how it goes!

Another Unfortunate thing is that I did not take any photos this week hahah, I will try to find something though.

Don't be afraid to make the right choice, even if it's hard. It will be worth it.
Elder Verdoni