I want my experience to last really long here!

Wow mom and dad, you guys are really enjoying it in Italy. All of that sounds really fun, have you learned any Italian? sounds like you are seeing really great stuff. I think dad is waiting to go hang gliding. I am still waiting for the day where dad goes sky diving. Well enjoy your time. Ohh how I could use a pizza and ice cream!

Whoa that came quick where Connor is leaving. Almost all the guys are on missions or have calls. I really like that. Mission is really quick... only 3 months and I have been here for a year.... I still feel like I just got here. I think my mission is going quick because I am working pretty diligently and now I have more responsibilities as a district leader. The mission is going to be really interesting in about 3 weeks. In three weeks, Elder Hales  (his trainer companion) MTC group will be going home. There are about 10 of them and they are the leaders of this mission, so it will be really interesting when they have gone home, this mission will be really different.

I think I have spent 1/4 of my mission in this area, which is really sweet. I have seen this branch really change, they are starting to run like a ward which is really sweet. For some reason this week at church, the number of people was doubled, so the church was filled up. I think it was because they started to do their home teaching!

Our area is good, we are just trying really hard to find new investigators, so we are contacting everyone that we can.I don't think I will be here for very much longer though. I have been here for quite a while. You know you have been in an area for a long time when you can walk down all the streets and greet people by their names and have a casual conversation with them. I feel like I know everyone here, so its fun when we find new people.

Rainey season is nice, but its really wet. Sometimes it will rain so hard that you can't go out and on Tuesday there was a storm that came in and it was like a hurricane. We were up the mountain on our way to visit a less active, and we took cover in a members house. Peoples metal sheet roofs were flying off. We were in their house for about an hour then the wind let up but it was still raining, so we walked home in the rain, I had my rain coat and rain boots so I was okay, and Elder Latu had an umbrella. On our way down the mountain we saw a lot of destruction.There was a house the size of ours with its whole roof lifted off and all the stuff inside was wet. Telephone poles were laying down and big trees were fallen over. The people here really do not like the rain because it messes everything up.

I really have a love for what I am doing. I have grown in the gospel and I really have found direction in my life. I want my experience to last really long here. I know that through the savior I have peace and happiness. If you want more peace and reassurance in your life go ahead and try the gospel of Jesus Christ, just do an experiment and live it and you will see for yourself. Its called faith, trying something where you don't know how everything will work out. The Book of Mormon has helped me gain faith in Christ and to live a wholesome life. I don't have much worries in my life, I have no idea what I am going to do for a living, but I am happy with what I am doing now and will do throughout my life. 

Wellington 1

Elder Beckett

Ends up they like to feed us, so it makes it much easier for us!

What? ..... you guys are going to Italy? Will I be able to email you? What are you guys going to do there? 

Wow, thats crazy to hear that Connor is going to leave soon, I am really excited for him! Those pictures are really funny, I think that I will print them out and put them on my wall. All the elders here thought that they were really funny.

This week I got a letter from Jaci Joyce which was a surprise, it was nice to get a letter! I also got a letter back, it made it all the way to Santa Ana and got sent back... so I guess you don't get that one. I'm a little behind on sending letters, but I sent the Golds one this week.

Well being a district leader is okay I guess. I basically just make sure everyone is still alive and doing well and try to help anybody with any problems they have and instruct them once a week at district meeting. Oh and I do interviews for all the converts in our district. Its fun  and it keeps me going. This week it took a lot of time out of our proselytizing. Wednesday we had to wait for an elder who was just arriving in Sierra Leone to come to our apartment, and they were running late. And then all of Friday we were not able to proselyting because I had district leader training and because of the distance of travel and transportation difficulties. Its been really nice to see how everyone in the district is so unified and everyone is really getting along. 

We have plenty of fun in the apartment. We had neighbors move into our compound, and I thought it was going to be terrible. Ends up they like to feed us, so it makes it much easier for us, because we are so busy with trying to manage our lives as well and be a missionary. 

This week I don't have too many stories, but it has been pretty funny to see how missionaries adjust to Sierra Leone. A new missionary in our district has made me see how much we adjust to be comfortable in this place.

I got sick on Sunday, I had to rest for about 2 hours but I'm okay now. We have a mission nurse, so its really nice to be able to talk to a professional.

I have been studying about doing missionary work the lords way this week and I have found some pretty interesting stuff. Before I left I was told by Elder Reddin "to do things as Preach My Gospel says to do them, some elders think they know a better way, but in the end its not as effective." So even as President Ostler has stressed the same thing of doing things the lords way I have studied about it. I realized that it takes faith in Christ to do things the way He has said to do them in missionary work. Also, to humble yourself before Christ to take His will and not your own. So I'm trying to grow my faith in Christ by doing things the Lords way.

Elder Beckett

PS- whats home like?

Post Mother's Day

We were able to speak with Cody for about an hour and a half yesterday. What a great Mother's Day gift!! He sounded great and he can speak Krio really great and has a crazy accent. He's so happy and immersed in the work. He has also been made a district leader and that will keep him a little bit busy. His letter today is really short I'm guessing because we talked so long yesterday and out of things to talk about? I could have talk for hours :-)  The bummer was that we got cut off in the end and didn't get to say goodbye but we are grateful for what we did get!

Last night was so sweet. I was really excited. I wish I could have said hello to Jeff and Brad but it was nice. I wanted to have scripture study with you guys and show you some of my favorite scriptures but it cut out. Either way I am really grateful. Well, I am short on time today and I have got to go. Have a nice week!

"Thou Shalt Not Steal"

Hey Mom,

I didn't realize how quickly I would be talking to you. To tell you the truth I forgot I would be. Not that I don't love you or remember you, but I guess my biggest focus is on the work here.. But yeah I will give you my number and I will text you or dad so that you can have my number and I will be able to tell you what time I will call. It should be around the same time. 

(WHAT? He forgot about the upcoming Mother's Day call this week!!)

Today we had a crazy experience during our personal studies. We heard a lot of people yelling so we opened our compound door and saw a mob of people chasing a man, and people were throwing stones at him, and every one was yelling thief (teef). When you see someone  steeling, you just yell thief and everyone will come out of their houses and help catch him and then they beat the person pretty good. People here really don't like thieves, because it is so hard to work for things here that when someone takes your stuff its a great loss. Moral of the story "thou shalt not steel" (sad thing is parents beat their kids here too because they don't know any other way to punish them but people do it too much). 

I am doing okay... training is going good. It's really nice to see someone come to the mission and get the missionary state of mind and to see Elder Latu stoked about investigators. We are going to the beach again today. I am kind of getting tired of the beach, especially because we can't go in the water, it kills me. This Saturday is transfer news and I hope that I am staying in this area. I have spent half of my mission so far in Wellington and I'm really enjoying it. I will be disappointed to leave such a prospering area, and Elder Latu.

I have more mouse stories for this week. We found and killed another mouse. We thought we must have killed all of them. Tuesday after personal study I went to get water in the kitchen before companion study. While I was pumping my water through the filter I heard something behind the stove chewing on something. So I call Elder Latu and Elder Mongalo to help me get him out. I decide to take the door so when he tries to run out I will step on him. So Elder Latu puts the broom behind the stove and it runs out, but this time it isn't a 3 inch mouse, its a an 8 inch rat! Tat thing was as big as my foot, so I wasn't going to step on it. I jumped and screamed like a girl. The thing ran into Elder Mongalo's room and we haven't found it yet. Wow I was scared haha... but next time I will just punt it. Mission is great!

Oh and tell grandma happy birthday for me. I can't wait to talk to you this Sunday, have questions ready for me!

I will see you soon

elder beckett

The gospel is so sweet, only if people would try it out, they would know how great their lives could be!

Wow all the pictures are really great. I love seeing what is going on at home and I'm glad that you are getting some pictures of me.

 (Pictures below are from a lady in Cody's Branch who sent them to us through Facebook - we get very few pictures of him so we are so grateful for these pictures)

Elder Latu trying to sleep but someone is bugging him!

Cody and his companion Elder Latu

So, Independence Day was on Monday so there was going to be some crazy stuff going on in the streets, so we just used Monday as a regular proselytizing day rather than a P-day.

So we are making great progress in Wellington. This week has been productive and we have seen many touched by the Holy Ghost and are really excited to find more direction in their lives.

Before I get into that ... here are a few things that have been going on with me and Elder Latu. So we have had a mouse in our apartment and I have just been waiting to get a hold of the thing. The mouse traps don't work so you just have to smash them. So Elder Latu and I were studying and we heard the mouse chewing on my suitcase, so we tear our room apart and gaurd the door. Finally the mouse makes a dash for the door and we smashed it with a heavy towel. So, if someone can tell Connor that Squeekers is in Africa and I finally killed him that would be great!

Elder Latu and I joined the Branch choir to help them sing at the branch conference. So we performed this past Sunday and we sounded pretty good (for Salone standards) keep in mind that Elder Latu and I were the best at singing...

I recieved two letters this week. One from Hannah Smith and one from Rebecca Laughlin. I will write back to you guys just give the mail system one month. I was quite excited when I recieved mail!!!

Oh and Happy Birthday Jeff! I hope you eat a lot of food! I wrote you a letter, but it should be coming late.

President Ostler has instructed us on how we can help Sierra Leone get a good foundation in the gospel, and he has helped us understand how finding the elect will help Sierra Leone grow. So we have been finding older men who are educated, and these people take much longer to accept the gospel, but once they do they are powerful members. So about 1 month ago Elder Latu and I came across a very educated man named Brother Sankoh. When we asked him if we could visit him he said yes, like most would, but he didnt sound all that interested. When we met with him, we introduced the Book of Mormon and really talked a lot about Christ. He was very surprised to find that we worshipped Christ, but still didn't seem all that interested. We have visited with him about 4 times (once a week) and the last time that we went to him he had read the Gospel of Jesus Christ pamphlet and the Book of Mormon and the best part is that he asked us if he could be baptized.  He went from doubtful of Joseph Smith and  the Book of Mormon to having a desire to follow Christ by reading, pondering and praying about the Book of Mormon.  There are miracles happening all over the place and so many prayers are being answered. This area has so many people who will be the foundation of the church here in Sierra Leone.

Today something really great happened. As Elder Latu and I were walking down the street to get a taxi we walked past a car garage (machanic shop) where a few people were arguing about something in the bible. As we walked by they asked us to come over tro clarify something for them, seeing it as a great opportunity to find and teach we stopped. They had a question about drinking alcohol and whether the bible says it is good or bad. So I pull out a word of wisdom pamphlet and bore testimony of the restoration and how we have a prophet who can guide us and help us know what is right and wrong. Halfway through testifying of Joseph Smith I realized that I was preaching to about 15 grown men who were all gathered around. All of them were quietly and humbly listening to a 19 year old testify of Christ and his restoration. I realized how lost people are, I am so glad that I have the gospel and that I am led by a prophet who recieves revelation from the most high. The gospel is so sweet, only if people would try it out, they would know how great their lives could be.

Welp see ya soon,

Elder Beckett

I was really surprised to see how calm the Easter morning was!

Hello and Happy Easter Monday!

The pictures are great, looks like you guys had a good time. I am trying to remember why there is a bunny involved with Easter and colored eggs ...hahaha. The house looks good and big, its good to see Zac wearing my clothes too.

Easter fun at home 2014

There are not much of traditions here besides going to church and making a lot of noise. The funny part of the holidays here is that they give us electricity on holidays, so we enjoyed the evening.. I was really suprised to see how calm the Easter morning was. There was no loud music playing, there were no children screaming from being beat, I think that everyone was affected by the Easter season here.

I have been doing quite a bit of research on the Atonement of Christ, and I have been trying to understand why and how it affects and how we can apply it to our lives. Through diligent study I have been able to find the relationship between the preisthood and the Atonement and I really see the amazing affect it has on our lives if we choose to let it. That is the great part of the plan, is that you get what you look for.

Our area is doing well. The people we are teaching will take a while to convert, but they will most definitely help this place grow. We have been able to serve our branch president and I think this branch will really be able to grow and become a ward.

I got a letter from dad this week and I really enjoyed it. I really enjoy letters, and I like sending them too.

We are teaching a part member family and helping them into the gospel. One of the daughters took a picture of me and Elder Latu  to send to you through my facebook account. So if you accept "Adama S Kamara" you can get that picture

It rained for the first time this week. The air here has lots of dust in it, so when the rain came it collected all the dust and turned it to mud rain, so our shirts got really dirty but it was a nice cool down.

Something that strikes me deep in the heart every so often is that I have been selected to come here and represent Jesus Christ. When I am down or tired I think of the statement, "What would Christ do". I have one of the greatest opportunities that anyone could have not because I'm in Africa, but that I get to meet people and see them change.

Thanks for the update on what is going on at home. 

I'lll see you soon.

Elder Beckett

Sometimes it takes patience and a love for others, because everyone comes from a different background

This week has gone by quick, actually all the weeks go by quick. Its amazing how short my time is here. I only have two more transfers left until I will have been here for 1 year and then I will be on the down hill. I try to savor the great moments here, but everything seems to go too fast. 

Not much is happening here, but it is the end of dry season, there wont be to many more nights where you come to lay in your bed and you find that your bed is still wet with sweat from the night before... haha. We just got our rain boots ready for the rainy season.

Elder Latu is great, training is a great learning experience, for me sometimes it takes patience and a love for others, because everyone comes from a different background, as Elder Latu and I get to know each other more we are greater and greater friends. The area that we are in is getting a strong foundation, we are focusing on the "elect" and on families. So its great to learn more and more about helping others come unto Christ. 

Wow you guys are enjoying the river! That's good! Enjoy the AC and the cool river and the dirt bikes and nice food. Can you go in the water yet? We need to plan a river trip when I
get home. On the way to the internet cafe I was day dreaming about bare foot water skiing. So don't think I have forgotten the river!

Every week my testimony of Christ is strengthened. It usually comes through reading and applying what is in the Book of Mormon. So during the Easter season my testimony of Christ is full and raising.

The technology here is distracting to those who have it, but most people are able to communicate well through calling and talking face to face. Most people don't have computers or ipods, but the few that do have to go to a charging station that runs off a generator to charge up or occasionally you will see with a solar chargers.  So as far as the gospel, most people don't go on the internet, so they don't hear all he crazy things said about our church and the gospel that aren't true, so its nice for the missionaries.

In the middle of unorganized, dirty, unsanitary, insensible, loud and impoverished living I can find my peace with just two books, The Book of Mormon and the Bible. I love reading them both!

I love you, I will see you soon!

Elder Beckett