In a Land Far Far Away....Sloane or Sierra Leone West Africa

Hello from West Africa Part 11

We arrived in Sierra Leone 20 September 2018 to begin our second West Africa Mission.
It is now Christmas Day and I am finally going to write a small blog. Merry Christmas to all our family and friends, we love and miss you all so much. All is well in the Sierra Leone Freetown
mission.

The night we arrived was quite the adventure. As we got off the plane after a VERY long journey, the skies were clear. As we began to get to the boat to cross the water (the airport is on the other side of the bay) it began to get cloudy. The skies grew darker and darker and then the rains came, and boy did it come. Not only was the rain torrential but lightning bolts seemed to surround us. We were not quite sure what we had got ourselves into. We were the only passengers on the boat with 5 pieces of luggage that we were trying to keep dry and also keep them in the boat with the waves. The boat went up and down so violently that it was hard to tell whether we were in the water or flying through the air. Lynn stood up so he didn't jar his back. Half way across the driver pointed to the 100 life vests hanging from the rafter. He said if you would like you can put one on.... so we did! As the boat docked we could see our wonderful mission President and his wife standing on the dock, fighting the wind & rain and trying not to get blown away. President & Sister Clawson had been waiting for us for awhile and they welcomed us with big smiles and hugs. And so our life in Sierra Leone began...

This mission has been quite different than our last. The week before we went to the Mission Training Center President Clawson called and asked if we would change our assignment and be the office couple instead of Member Leadership in Makeni. (More about Makeni later). We said of course we would and found out that we had so much to learn. Being the Presidents Secretary and Lynn is the financial Secretary we are able to be surrounded by wonderful young missionaries who we have felt so blessed to be with. These young men give up two years of their lives and leave their families to serve and preach the Gospel to those here in SL. They leave as boys and return as young men with many life experiences that will make them strong leaders. It is a privilege to work along side them. In the office we are VERY busy but life is good.

When we arrived my office trainer was an Elder that was so kind and patient with me. His name is Elder 'Alofaki. I kept telling Lynn that it was a long time ago (sort of) that I helped in his office. This is a much different experience and I worried how I was going to remember everything. Elder 'Alofaki was with me for a month and since his transfer he is still just been a phone call away when I have questions. :) I kept telling him that I wouldn't order his plane ticket home in January if I didn't know what I was doing. I think I will be ok. I guess he can go home, but we will miss him :). Below is me and my trainer, Elder 'Alofaki.

Freetown Zone Conference was on the 19th of December and it was a privilege to be there. This is only half of the mission and consists of the missionaries in the greater Freetown area plus a few from rural parts too. Bo & Kenema are on the other side of the country and they had their Zone Conference the 21st of December. The picture above is of Lynn and I as Santas' Elves. We are surrounded by gifts that were sent to the missionaries from their loving families. Our apartment was quite full. There was lots of love sent from home and all of the packages made it! We delivered the packages to them at conference. We had another set of "Elves" in Utah that worked hard coordinating and combining gifts, getting them ready to be sent to Sierra Leone. Elder Grays' parents took that responsibility and soon realized it was a full time job! I became good friends with the DHL delivery man. :)

I will add a few more pictures below, we just wanted to let everyone know we are alive and well in Freetown .

We are so grateful this Christmas season for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and for his life that He gave so that we might live. We have been so blessed, we love Him and that is why we are here. We love our beautiful grandchildren and all of our children. We miss them but we know that they are being blessed as we are away. We love our family and friends that support us and pray the Lords Blessings upon us all. With all our love - Elder & Sister Pack (Lynn & Janice)

Our "pretend" ride in the KK :)