General Conference

 I was trying to put a picture on copy.com and the stupid Liberian computer deleted all my photos on the card...  so...  you won’t be getting a picture for a while now until the Liberian computers gain my trust back.  Sorry yeah?  It has never happened to me before.  It might be a looong time until I send one again. I don’t want to risk losing any pictures.  I had some really cools ones on there and now I’m just hoping that this guy will be able to put them back on.  He says he has software that can bring pictures back, so we'll go to him and see if he can do it.  It’s one of Elder Humphreys Recent Converts, so pray that he'll be able to do it.  I know you probably sent the package already.... but when I got back to the apartment I thought of some things... sorry.  Elder Erickson mom sent him a sweet side bag that you can talk to her about and see where she got it.  I don't know if that one will be possible or not, but it would be nice to use.  Then my companion has these oxy pads that you can clean your face with that is really sweet to use when coming in from proselyting.  And another sad story... that stepper you sent me... it got wet and now doesn't count all the steps.  oh well, that one is just if you have spare change hanging around and you want to buy one you can, but it’s not needed. And then tooth paste!  I'm almost out and I don't want to get a Liberian one because there nasty. 

You asked about Frank, this guy is a future branch president.  But the problem is that he'll be moving into the bush in the next ten months and President Kirkham told us that if we have any investigator who is ready to baptize and then is moving into the bush, should not be baptized since they will not be able to progress.  We are talking it over with president at the moment because we feel like he could be a great help to the church in the bush.  He already has brought 8 people in the last week to us who are progressing really well. So we'll see. 

Nothing too big happened this week, just a normal proselyting week full of naked Liberians running around and spiritual lessons.  But yesterday we got surprised when we walked into church.  We greeted all of the members and then we got called to go into the president’s office. He told us that we need to set the TV up because we would be watching conference today.  It felt like Christmas in November!  We've been waiting for a month to watch conference!!  Even though we only got to watch the Sunday morning session and one talk of Saturdays, it still is great to hear the brethren speak.  Before a lot of people came, I made sure to save me a good seat in the front so I could hear what they were saying.  During the conference, there was a lady who was sitting behind me that was getting upset at the little children for making a little noise in the front.  The problem with this is that she was making more noise than them.  The whole time she was commenting on everything the speakers would say.  Almost like she was thinking out loud and trying to let me in on what she was thinking.  She had commentary for everything!  It got to the point where I wanted to turn around and tell her to be quiet. (In Liberian accent of course.)  She would not be quiet for 5 seconds... always had something to say.  Kind of like she wanted to be the one speaking in General conference.  It was frustrating to say the least.  And even during conference someone had the idea to take all of the children into the back room.  It made lots of noise and no one could pay attention.  So, I got up and paused the TV and told them that they need to figure it out.  They either need to take the children to the back room or keep them here.  But what they're doing now is making too much noise.  I tried doing it without sounding too mean.  I got the point across though. They all just put the kids back and kept watching the conference.  Experiences to remember (:  And get this, the past couple of Sundays we have had lots of investigators who are progressing come to church.  This Sunday we had 18 last Sunday we had 19 progressing but 26 all together, and the Sunday before that was 18.  The area I am in is flourishing with converts.  I have not contacted one person for six weeks.  The members just keep giving us referral after referral.  I love it! I don’t want to leave Doe Community for a while because of this reason.

Sorry my week wasn't too interesting, but I love you all and hope you have a great week.

Love Elder Zaugg 

Defenders of the Faith

   

DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH!

picture courtesy of Bro. & Sis Berrett

 

The picture with the deer in the back yard.... thats awesome!  Why couldn't something like that happened to me when I was home?  Could've put my paintball gun to good use!  KIDDING! Have they been hanging out around the house awhile or was that just a one day occurrence? 

Halloween is this week so take lots of pictures if you guys do something fun.  I want to see all the crazy costumes! Don't worry about me, I will celebrate it with my companion by going to a place called EVER GREEN where we can enjoy a nice American Hamburger!  FYI when you guys are celebrating Halloween, just remember that one year ago, your little son/brother received his call to the Sierra Leone Freetown mission.  Can you believe its been a year since that day?  I sure can't.  I'm almost 8 months on my mission now...  time is going way quick.  And mother, you sound like a wonder mom again!  Doesn't surprise me, because that's how you always were when we were growing up!  I can't believe its been 7 1/2 months since you made home made rolls.... I would have died if I was back home.  That's one thing that makes my mouth water, is thinking about your warm home made rolls fresh out of the oven with butter and home made strawberry jam.  ;l.k,jmhgfdfghjkjnhgujnmfeghv bnghgftilkjhgertykjh  sorry, I was wiping the drool off the keyboard.  I have one thing to ask, when I get home, the first meal we have MUST have home made rolls with strawberry jam.  Hopefully that's not asking too much....   And dad, did you ever get that pumpkin out of the fence without breaking it?  or what did you end up doing with it? 

   And mom, whatever you send to the African missionaries, they will appreciate! They love getting things like that.  But since you asked if there are any last requests for stuff to put in my package...  wait, let me get my list out (;  Kidding,  but some things you could send is beef jerky but not slim jims.  I ate one and it was like the small kind you guys sent me, and I got sick from it.  So those ones don't sit well with me anymore.  But other beef jerky, yes! any kind of variety of goodies or food ideas like you've done in the past will be good.  I'm just grateful that you guys even send stuff!  Also,  anything else that you would like to put in, go for it.  I will be happy with whatever!  Maybe send a big thing of toothpaste! I'm almost out! Just put yourself in my shoes... if you were in a third world country where American food is expensive, what would you want? (;
     Last pday after emailing, we went to the beach.  We usually play football on the beach or just sit and talk.  That day though, we decided to dig a hole and sit in it.  Sounds like something missionaries would do, right? (;    Anyway, as we were digging, I had my ring on.... bad idea I know.  I later realized how bad of an idea it actually was when I realized that it no longer was on my finger anymore...  talk about sad day.  My finger ever since then has felt naked.  I feel like I'm always forgetting something wherever I go.  Its horrible.  I thought I'd be able to wear it my whole mission and then get a new one.  Guess that goal went down the drain....  Maybe a missionary in the near future will find it and wear it or even a fisher man will find it in the ocean somewhere and have an interest in finding out what church believes in CTR rings... WHO KNOWS.  All I know is God works in mysterious ways to bring people to the gospel...  It made me mad that I lost it, but everything happens for a reason, so I'm still on the search for why this one happened.  Ignorance? stupidity? I dont know  (; haha but I'm a ringless missionary now... maybe for my birthday or Christmas you could send me either the same one, or a new one if possible.  Then my finger won't feel as naked.  But for now, I'll try to make this nice tan line look good.  Maybe it will turn into a new trend and everyone will want a white strip around their finger.

     We had a cool miracle happen this week! We have miracles everyday that are amazing, but this one was a really good one!  It started on Thursday when we were calling our baptismal candidate for her interview with President Tweh.  When we got a hold of her phone, it was her mom who answered.  She said that she had gone to the market to sell some goods.  We're thinking, "You got to be kidding me... her interviews in an hour and shes selling at the market."  We had even told her the day before about her interview so it made us a little frustrated.  But as we were talking to her mom, we found out that Evelyn didn't have any car pay (transportation money) to get to her interview.  Well this stinks....  we asked if she could get money from them and talked for a little while longer than told them to call us back if they had money.  We hung up the phone we both knew that she would be able to make it to her interview.  A little while later, the phone rings... Its her.  She answers the phone and says that her parents gave her car pay to get there.  Thank you  Heavenly Father!!!!  God was definitely helping out on this one!  We told her that she should leave now so she could make it to her interview on time.  Some time goes by and we are now waiting for her at Island Clinic junction.  While we are waiting, we decide to call her and see where she's at.  She tells us that she'll be two hours.  What?? Her interview is in a half hour.   Oh boy....  we walked up to the chapel and waited there for her instead.  And about 4 minutes until her interview, she comes walking through the gate onto the church grounds.  Once again, Thank you Heavenly Father!!  She comes in and has her interview and everything goes smoothly.  Now you are thinking, wow thats incredible that everything worked out and this is a really cool miracle.  Just wait a few more lines.  It gets better.  After the interview, we walk with her down to the main road so she'll be able to catch a taxi and go home.  We try to help her get a taxi but they were all full.  Time was against us, so we told her that we had to go and that we'd pass by her house later.  So, we caught a bike and left.  When we were pulling away, she kind of had this look on her face like, "now what do I do?" But we didn't think anything of it.  A couple hours later, (5 or so hours) we were walking through our area and passed by her place.  We asked her mom  if she was around and she responded with, "We haven't seen her since this morning when she left for her interview."  Oh crap.......  Elder Humpherys and I look at each other and go,"Did she have any car pay to get home??"  Uh oh.... we whip out the phone and dial her number.  She answers and is happy as can be.  We ask her where she's at and she tells us that she's at the Logan town market because the rain caught her.  Then we asked if she had walked home and she said yes.  She said she didn't have car pay to get home.....  That explains the face she was giving at the junction when we were pulling away.  I couldn't believe that we left her there and that she walked that far!  It stunned both of us. The walk is like 2 or 3 miles.  It took her ALL day to get home.  We were just thankful that she was able to make it home.  Now you can see how this was a big miracle in our week!  She sacrificed sooo much just so she could be baptized.  Her baptism this weekend was great as well.  I love being a missionary at this time and in Liberia.  I know that this is the place that I am suppose to be and I know that this church is true.  I'm so thankful for all the blessings and miracles our Heavenly Father gives us each and everyday.  We need to be more thankful for his hand in our life each day.  We go from our day to day activities and we rarely see how much God has an impact in our life.  I love the church and I'm thankful that Mom and Dad knew where the truth was and let us kids grow up in it.  I see all these people lost and its sad. Thank you for all that you guys have done for me and I hope you all have a great week.  Love you all!

Some of my favorite scriptures
Mosiah 2:41

James 5:19-20

Love Elder Zaugg

Here is a great article from Meridian Magazine about the Missionaries in Liberia! http://ldsmag.com/article/1/13473

An Invitation to Fast - Please join with us on Nov. 3, 2013 as we fast for a new Church building for the Logan Town Branch.

Below are pictures of the Logan Town Branch Building.

                               (Pictures and captions courtesy of Bro. & Sis. Berrett)  http://berrettsinliberia.blogspot.com/2013/10/logan-town-and.html?showComment=1382967661281#c6507405561989202018

The Berretts  truck is the only one parked at the church on Sundays.  The members either walk or have to pay to ride a motorcycle taxi to get to church. The road in front of the building is full of deep potholes which fill up with water when it rains.  It's quite the adventure just getting to church!

Notice the roof and shutters on the windows.  There is no glass in the windows and no electricity or running water in the building.  When it rains, the ceiling leaks and the members just slide over on the benches so they won't get wet.  The branch will be fasting this next Fast Sunday that we can find a new building for them to meet in.  Please join with us in our fast.  These humble and devoted members of the church need a better place to meet.  

Update - It rained so hard at church yesterday, that the rain hitting the zinc roof sounded like a freight train.  The ceiling started to leak - really leak - emptying the first two rows of benches.  Rain was blowing in the windows so they shut the shutters and boy, was it dark.  We could barley make out the white shirts of those setting up front.  Because there's no sound system, we could not hear the speaker. Everyone just sat quietly, trying to listen.  I never realized before the humble circumstances that many of the members attend church in each week.  I love these Logan Town members

The Children Never Get Tired Of Our White Skin

     To answer a few questions from the past emails,  The only insects/reptiles I see are spiders, lizards, and the occasional snake.  Rats and mice are there as well.  Now, mosquitoes on the other hand...  You rarely see them but you know they are there because you'll have a random bite on your body and you don't know where it came from.  They really aren't that bad though.  Its just like back home pretty much.  They are there but you only see them occasionally.  General Conference: what candice said about incorporating the talks into your daily life, was inspired.  That is something that I have learned on my mission.  We shouldn't just take what the prophet says and say,"Oh yeah, that was a great message." Then just put it aside.  THIS IS A LIVING PROPHET WHO IS HAVING THINGS REVEALED TO HIM ON WHAT WE SHOULD DO.  Why are we just putting it aside?  So yes, Listen to or read the talks, and then apply them in your life.  No longer just listen to them.  I think back to the times when I saw the girls taking notes for seminary when we were younger and I always thought it was a dumb thing to do when they could be playing legos or something with me.  But now that I have a broader perspective,  That is one of the smartest things to do.  If you listen and take notes, the spirit will prompt you to write down things for yourself to know. I can't wait for us to receive the conference talks!  We get them in another month or so. 
     I have a story about a dream I had the other day.  I woke up and was sad because I had just been at a nice ski resort with a gorgeous girl having the time of our lives and then I woke up.... and realized I was still in Liberia where there's no snow... Yeah, that was a trunky morning.  haha those dreams are the best, but they make you feel terrible when you wake up.  Elder Bowring is doing great.  I will not be surprised if he trained or became the new District leader.  HE's AWESOME! The kids great.  I told him I'll pick him up at the airport with his family when his missions through (;  And you guys asked how the people are and if they're accepting or not... well, they're just liking everyone else in the world.  Some love you, and some want nothing to do with you.  Majority of them love us and want to be around us!  And thats one thing that amazes me.  The Liberian children never get used to the white skin.  They are ALWAYS wanting to touch us even if they've seen us and touched us everyday for a month.  They still get excited to see us, haha its great.  It will be different going home and not having people wanting to touch me....  
   When I got made Zone Leader  I did move apartments, It was only down the hall to the next apartment so it was the easiest transfer move I've had (:  Sorry this is all splotchy, but I'm trying to answer all the questions. Now, being a zone leader...  Let me just say its a lot better than a district leader.  They have A LOT of responsibility.  What I do as a zone leader is go to mission council every first week in the month, plan zone meetings and leadership trainings, deal with numbers every week and every month, and then drama within the zone.  Its not bad at all, and even when we go to mission council, President Kirkham feeds us these really nice sandwiches with pringles!! Its the best haha so zone leader has a lot of perks (:  What are you guys doing for Halloween?  Any parties going on?  What are the costumes this year?  Elder Humphreys and I get along great and we even had a missionary tell us that we teach so well with each other because we feed off what each other says.  Its really cool actually. I love this companionship. 
     This week was a great week.  I had the opportunity to go on exchange with Elder Estigoy this week, who is the first Philipino in the mission.  He's still under training, but he is doing really good.  We went to his area and we taught a guy about the Law of Chastity.  It was amazing at how strong the Spirit was.  This man named Othello really had the desire to change once he found out what he had been doing is wrong.  He told us about his collection of videos that are not appropriate and he said that when he really thinks about it, they arent good to watch.  Then, he said," I need to leave them."  and said that when he gets home he is throwing them out.  Can you believe at how much this man is wanting to change and repent and want to come unto christ?  It was a powerful lesson and one that I will never forget.  And one thing I would ask, is if you have spare cash or anything laying around, maybe you could put together a package of some sort and send to him.  Doesn't have to be much, but we got on the subject of mail and he mentioned how he's not expecting any.  Maybe for christmas you could make his day and send him one if you can..  Don't feel like you have to, but he would love it if you could.  I know he'd be thankful and remember it forever. 
     Now the last thing for this email.  At church yesterday, we had 18 investigators to church.  This is the most I've had my whole mission.  The last big number I had was 13 and that was back in Banjor before I was leaving.  But 18??  We were shocked!  And ten of them are for sure baptisms in the next month.  The other 8 were new and are really good.  We were so happy and excited!  Well that was this week!  Can't wait to read yours tonight!!  Love you all! Have an awesome week.

Love your brother/son in A-TOWN,  Elder Zaugg

Pictures: Filling The Font

   To answer some questions from previous emails,  My health is doing good... I guess....  It can't get any worse if that makes things better.  I've hit rock bottom so I can only get healthier from here right? (;  Kidding.. my health is actually pretty good I think.  The only problem is we eat too much oil so my arteries might be clogging up. Yes my taste buds have changed.  I can't believe I'm saying this but...... I love rice now.  The food they make here is amazing.  I love Mostly ALL of it!  I have learned to cook some of the food, so When I get home, I'll prepare a nice African dish for us all.  But yes,  God makes your taste buds change, thats for sure.  I will miss all this food here when I have to leave.  Then, Rainy season is about to end.  They say October is the last month it will rain and then it gets hot again.... not looking forward to the heat.  It only goes to about May, and then it finishes, so after my year mark It will be rainy season again. Dad, how was the priesthood session on Tv? Do you like it this way?  When I get home we'll still have to go out and get some food or something.  I think it will be weird watching it on tv.  Is it better, or do you wish that you could go to the church still?  Elder Bowring says that he loved the present/candy from you guys so thank you he said.  Its fun only being a door down from him, so we still get to talk and hangout still, we just don't proselyte together.  Its really crazy at how close our families knew each other before we became companions. Small world... By the way, how was conference?  We won't get to listen to it for another month or so, which stinks, but hopefully we'll be able to listen to them all this time.  Last conference we only got to listen to like 3-4 talks and that was it.  I miss watching the full thing.  Thank you for the tie savor as well!! When I remember to put it on, its awesome!  Where did you even find this gadget at?  And Maybe in the next package you send, maybe for christmas, you can send a bag of popcorn kernals so that i can make some Caramel popcorn with my companion!  Elder Humphreys and I have a great time teaching together.  We think we'll be together until the 22nd of December. If he stays another transfer after that with me, he'll stay until the 2nd of February.  This year is coming to a close quick!!! Its almost Halloween and then Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!  My mission is going quick! I make sure to cherish every moment of my mission and I'm sure to not have any regrets.  Something President Kirkham has wanted us zone leaders to have our zones start doing, is having each apartment share miracles at night;  Meaning, a miracle that they saw in their day today.  ITs incredible to see how God works in our lives when we are actually paying attention to it.  It has made all of us missionaries go out looking for how God is blessing our lives each day.  We share our miracles at 10pm every night and then we say an apartment prayer and go to bed.  This is a great way for us to be thankful to God for providing for us, keeping us safe, and helping others everyday.  I love doing this.  Its a great way to end our day with having the spirit.  Even you guys could do it personally before going to bed, or even laying in bed, just think about ways God has blessed your life during the day.

On Saturday, I finally had another baptism!! This is my first one in over 3 months now.  We had 3 actually.  2 girls and 1 boy.  They are solid converts and we even have another one this coming Saturday.  Its incredible at how prepared these people in Doe Community are!  They have been WAITING for us to come along.  Its incredible.  We literally are harvesting converts here.  The members will just see us and say, "Come.  We have someone we want you to start teaching."  Do you know how nice that is when members give us people to teach?  It makes missionary work a lot of fun.  We are constantly teaching and that's what I love doing.  I love teaching about these basic principles that everyone needs to know.  There are sooo many people who have been lost and can't find the truth.  That's what I love about our investigator F. S. David.  In our lesson with him the other day, we were talking about the Law of Chastity, and he made a few comments that I loved.  I pulled my planner out and jotted them down so i wouldn't forget(;  one of them when we were talking about the law of chastity was that he said, "I've been sleeping all along.  Now I'm just waking up."  He compared it to getting shocked by 220 Volts and how it jump started his mind.  He said he has found the truth and now is inviting others to come join the church. just yesterday he brought two buddies along and after church he told us he will be bringing 3 next week so we should bring book of Mormons for them...  Alright! Whatever you say!  HES INCREDIBLE!!!!!  Another comment he made during the lesson was about how Liberians are struggling with the law of chastity and he said, "I want to take the forefront. I want to be a leader."  He wants to tell people about this!!  This all started with a Book of Mormon floating down the river by his house!  This guy is strong!!  And during this lesson of the law of Chastity, before we went into it, he sat down a brand new PMG.  He then went into telling us about the great missionary who went to Whales and was teaching.  He kept going off about how great this guy was and how he loves people like this.  Elder Humphreys and I just turned and smiled at each other.  I love this investigator!  He's solid!

One last story.  It was Tuesday or Wednesday night, but before we went to bed, Elder Humphreys and I  got taking about some scary movies and different things.( which is never a good idea to do at night in Africa)  And as Elder Humphreys was getting situated in his bed, he hit the fan slightly and thought someone grabbed him.  You can see how  sketchy it gets at night if you talk about scary stuff haha  he realized it was just the fan, until it happened again.  This time he thought someone was grabbing him.  So I got out of my net, flipped the light on and no one was there.  Sketchy.... haha we just went to bed after that and didn't think about it.  But in the middle of the night around 3 o clock,  I guess I started sleep talking in a weird voice (from what my companion says) and moving my hands around.  Elder Humphreys thought a demon was taking me over hahaha so he yells to me, "Elder Zaugg! Elder Zaugg!"  I slowly wake up from my deep sleep and ask him what's wrong.  He then asks me if I'm alright. hahaha  I at this point have no clue what's going on so I'm thinking he had a scary dream or something.  I ask him what happened and he said I was sleep talking and he thought something was taking over me.  I just told him sorry and tried telling him I was dreaming about talking to someone.  He didn't go to sleep for awhile after that.  :)  I'm glad my companion cares enough about me to wake me up. :) It was funny when we woke up because we both didn't say anything to each other until after apartment prayer, and then we just started laughing about what went down.  Even the other night, He woke me up and said, "Elder Zaugg! Elder Zaugg!"  So I sat up and asked, "what do you want?"  This is at like 2am again fyi. and he responds with, "Freedom."  Then he goes back to sleep.  The man was sleep talking and wanted to just tell me he wanted freedom. :)  I couldn't help but laugh that early in the morning even though I was super tired.  Needless to say, we have some great experiences as a companionship.
D&C 60:2
D&C 62:3
If you have any recipes you can send them in the next package.  I just want instructions on how to make food. Even any good things I could cook like the pizza thing or brownies or any good cooking things like you've sent before.  I love you all so much and thank you for everything! I still haven't received any letters that you've sent so hopefully I get them.  Also, follow this blog Berrettsinliberia.blogspot.com.  They are a couple missionaries here and they update there blog a lot better.  I'm running out of time, but on Saturday our font didn't work at the baptism, so we had to pull water from the well to fill it up by buckets. It was a cool experience.  One I will never forget.  I'll try sending the video home so you can see it.  I love you all so much and hope your week goes well! Love Elder Zaugg

 

Golden Investigator

So don't worry! I got the package last week!!  I got it on Tuesday so I couldn't write home or send you a text and let you know! I don't have that convenience anymore... sorry yeah?  But I got it and I loved It!!  When I watched the video of the little girls, I won't lie, I shed a few tears.  This was the first time that I had cried on my mission.  Watching home videos was so cool!!! And hearing all your updates was pretty sick as well! That should be something you send in birthday packages and Christmas packages is a memory card with photos and videos with you guys.  That would be sweet!  So DHL is the quickest way to send a package.  They probably received it on that friday or whenever, but the couples don't bring them out as soon as they get them.  They bring them out when they come to your apartment or when president Sayon comes by.  So yes if you want to send something quick, do it DHL  I got everything in the package that was sent and nothing had been taken.  This was the first package that I have received that I was the first one to open it!!  Not the mail men....  Thank you for everything that has been sent in the package! I love the journals and I love how you put my name on it.  Its really cool!  Also, since its my sons (Elder Bowring) birthday this coming week, He received a bunch of letters and a package from his family and friends.  But  being zone leaders,  we decided to keep the package and his letters and we bought wrapping paper and wrapped them all together so that he'll have a present to open.  We left out 7 letters though and we give him one everyday until his birthday.  Kind of like the 12 days of Christmas idea... lame I know.  But this is mission and its pretty sweet(:  He doesn't know he has a package or a bunch of letters waiting for him either so it will be a huge surprise to him!  I was thinking the package was his birthday package so I didn't want him opening it until his birthday.  What a great father right? And small side note, Can you send a list of items that are okay to take home and get through customs.  Thank you.

Not much happened this week, but what did happen was a miracle.  Like you know, this is a new area for me now.  This place is full of powerful investigators or i should say, Converts.  The testimonies of these investigators who are preparing for their baptism is incredible!!  These are the type of people that will make the church strong in Liberia.  I'm excited to be here and I'll tell you why.  We were going to see this investigator named F. S. David.  I haven't met the man before and Elder Humphreys had only talked with him small when he was with his other companion.  They didn't teach him but they introduced themselves and talked small about the church.  So, us going there was kind of like a reintroduction again in a way...  Anyway, we get going there, and we get stopped by this really thick, strong, muscly fisher man.  We say hi and then Elder Humphreys asks if we can talk with him.  He says yes and then takes us to his place.  Elder Humphreys then tells me this is the guy we're seeing.  This dude is HUGE.  He takes us back to his place by the river side and as we're going, my companion tells me that this is all his stuff he owns.    So on the shore is were he docks his canoes. Its a really cool place, but their is only a couple problems.  Number one, if a tsunami came through, He'd be the first one gone. Number two, The river has all the sewage and stuff flow into it....  It doesn't smell like poop, but they go swimming in it, so its pretty gross.  off topic...  We go to his place, sit down, open the lesson, and then he asks us if he should go get his books.  Why not? So, we tell him to get them.  He goes inside and is in there for a solid ten minutes.  When he comes back out, he sets down on the table Ensigns and Liahonas from 1966 and also the book of Mormon stories book.  What the?!  Me and my companion look at each other and have the BIGGEST smiles on our faces! We were thinking we were in a dream! Then he goes into telling us about what he knows and about Joseph Smith and how he returned to look at the plates each year and tells us how incredible he thinks joseph smith is.  At this point I'm trying to hide my joy by not showing too big of a grin, but you don't know how hard it is to hold back all that excitement!  We let him finish talking and then we kind of went into talking more about the Apostasy and Joseph Smith.  After we had gone a little ways into the discussion, he brings up the book of Mormon and asks if he should go grab his.  Sure, go get it.  He goes in a comes out with this beat up book of Mormon that looks like it had been in the rain for awhile.  When he sits back down, he tells us that he found this book of Mormon 8 months ago floating in the river by his house.  He said he pulled it out and ever since then he has been reading it every once in a while.  NO WAY?!?!?!?  How often can a missionary say their investigator found the church as he was fishing and the Book of Mormon comes floating by?!  We were in complete awe as he was telling us the story!  The book of Mormon was handed out by missionaries almost 2 years ago...  How crazy is that?!  Now he has all these books about the church and wants to join in.  Just the other day while we were teaching him, he was leaning on his knees with his elbows and he looked at us and said while grabbing his heart, "I know the Latter Day Saint Church is the church."  You got to be kidding me!  Where's The water?? Lets baptize him now!  This guy is the definition of a convert.  I will never forget this guy my entire life.  He will be a future branch president.  He has a strong testimony of Joseph Smith.  And I say that because of what he said at the end of the lesson.  When we were about to say the prayer, he stopped us and said, "What is your bible role model?"  Alright, so we told him, and then we asked him what his was?  He told us David and Paul.  Then he continued and said," But Joseph Smith... It is amazing that he went four years to the same place and was getting made fun of."  Then he just sat there.  How awesome is this guy?!?  Big fisherman who knows the church is true!!!! I love it!!

That is pretty much what happened this week with me! 

Being zone leader though has been interesting.  We had a couple of meetings with President Kirkham and the District presidency this week, and now we are planning for our Leadership training that we will be teaching on Wednesday and then our zone meeting on Friday.  Zone leaders have plenty of work to do!  But its a nice change from being a trainer.  I have trained enough on my mission(: I'll let someone else do it now.  Im excited to hear how your guys week went and what happened!  I hope you all have a great week and I'll talk to you next week.  I love you all and I'm now 7 months (:  time is slipping away.

I love you!!
Elder Zaugg

Muddy Service and Shocking Transfer News

 

So forgive me about last weeks email!  It was long until the computer decided to chuck it away....  Its been happening again this week already and its taken everything within me not to chuck it out the window.  First off, I saw the pictures and I was super jealous of the snow!  Its getting hot again here and I'm beginning to not dry once I get out of the shower.  so yeah, I'm jealous of you all. 

 

 Second thing, the picture with dad roasting on your guys super cool portable fire pit, is legit.  But who in my family is wearing black crocs....  that is a Liberian thing.... not a Zaugg family thing.  No..... I just pray that none of you have given in to the croc temptation...  just let the Liberians keep this trend. 

 

And now another thing I'm jealous about.... you've seen more African animals in the past 1 week than I have in the last 7 months.  I haven't seen an Elephant or a Lion, and you've seen both. How does that work out..?  I'm in the place where they originate from and I can't even find them.  The only thing I see is the naked natives running around in the rain.  That's about the closest I get to National Geographic...  You probably explained in the email above, so I'll read it when i get home, but I hope the hunt went well! I didn't see an animal, so when I mean went well, I mean I hope you guys enjoyed yourselves!

 

This week, we had a few cool stories that I would like to share.  The first one was when we were in a lesson with a lady named T.  Her daughter is a member, but she is not.  She has been taught by previous missionaries, but because of past transfers, the missionaries lost contact with her.  Anyway, we go to her house to check up on her to see how everything is, and we see that she's reading her Bible while she's cooking.  Sweet, she likes God business already! so, we ask if she has small time to talk with us, and she tells us to go wait under the tree.  While we're waiting, I tell Elder Bowring to share a scripture with her since she doesn't have much time because her foods on the fire.  So, she brings chairs, we sit down, and we open the lesson.  We ask if she has any questions for us, and then my companion opens a scripture to heb 11:1 to talk about Faith with her.  After he reads it, she stops him and tells us that she had just finished reading about faith in James.  Well, that's sweet!! As, they're talking, I opened my Bible and looked down.  As I looked at the page that my bible had opened to, I saw a scripture that was highlighted and it was matt 18: 3-4 I believe.  Anyway, I was like nice, I'll be able to tie this in with what they are talking about.  The cool thing is, we didn't know she was reading about faith, and my companion shared a scripture on faith.  I wasn't going to share a scripture, but I opened my bible and that's the page it opened to.  It was such a spiritual lesson and you could tell that she was understanding everything.  When we were about to close, she asked something about the Book of Mormon so she went to grab it.  She wanted to learn more, and of course we took advantage of her giving us more time.  I told her to open up to Ether 2-3 and we would read about The brother of Jared and his faith.  At the end of the lesson, the spirit was so strong, and she just expressed how much she enjoyed the lesson.  Its moments like these that I live for on mission!! When everything just works and the spirits there.  Its a great reminder to you for why your on a mission. 

     Next thing, this happened on Thursday.  We were going as a zone to a service project and saw a truck carrying a bunch of bottles stuck in this huge puddle and mud.  Why not give some service before we do our actual service right? So, we walk up there and I'm ahead of everyone, so I pick up some concrete pieces and shove under the tire.  I then look at everyone and said,    " I'm sure we could push it out." Good thing I was wearing boots by the way, or that would have been bad. So, I walk to the back of the truck and step into the water.  As I was moving around the back, all of a sudden my boot goes under the water and now I'm standing up to my knees in this puddle.... Great, nasty poopy water between my toes.  Nice...  Well, I'm already wet, so I just stuck my other foot in there and got good footing.  Then my companion comes hopping in and of course, his boots disappear as well.  He gets into position, and I look to the driver in the passenger mirror and tell him we'll try it on 3.  "1.... 2.... 3!!" The driver punched the peddle and the tires started to spin.  Me and my companion are pushing, fully extended bodies, and this truck just spins. We tried it again, and as we pushed, I felt the truck become lighter and then it finally climbed out.  At this point, we have a lot of people from the surrounding communities watching the two of us white men push this thing.  After it climbed out, I had a guy come up to me and say, "You a strong man!!" and then the driver of the vehicle came walking back and thanked us.  Who knows what would have happened if me and my companion wouldn't have done that.  Their truck was already smoking a ton and could have ruined it if we wouldn't have gone.  Also, who knows, this could turn into a great teaching opportunity now. 

      Last thing, and this is the craziest of them all.  It was the end of the transfer yesterday, so we received transfer news on Friday.  Me and my companion didn't think anything was going to happen to us because they don't usually take trainers from their trainees, but it does happen on occasions.  Well, this was one of those occasions.  The zone leaders gather us together and start reading off all of the news and what's happening.  Everyone's freaking out and going crazy about the different positions they are receiving.  They tell Osayi that he is staying District Leader with his companion.  Then they look at Elder Bowring and tell him that he will be receiving....  We were thinking they were joking and going to say Elder Zaugg, but then they say Elder Guymon.  What?!  We were both shocked!! Then they look at me and say they'll get back to me on mine..... um... alright? They go to the last Elders and then they tell them.  Now Elder Skouson is becoming the new AP so we needed a new zone leader.  Elder Humphreys starts talking about it and then says, "And our new Zone Leader is..........." Then he points to me.  What?!?!  Zone leader?? If you could have seen how stunned I was, you would have laughed.  I haven't even been district leader yet..... crazy! So, now I will be the new zone leader with Elder Humphreys.  We already are good friends so it will be a sweet companionship!!  This is my second American companion as well.  He's from Utah.  He's sweet. I'm excited to be a zone leader.  It will be a change!  I haven't been anything other than a trainee to a trainer and now to a zone leader.  I'm excited! It will be good!  So, that is the crazy news that I have from this week.  Hopefully you guys will have an enjoyable week this coming one.  It will be conference weekend so cross off another conference! 2 down and 2 to go!  (: 7 months next week as well!! AND!!! 12 weeks until the call home! Things are getting exciting!  I love you all and keep telling me how things are going with you guys! Have you received any letters? and I still haven't received any letters from the grandparents or my friends...  I love you and pray for you always!

D&C 58:43
D&C 64:7,12
Moses 26:35-36
1John 1:9

Love Elder Zaugg

 

(Picture courtesy of Elder Bowring.) Elder Zaugg and his companion, Elder Bowring are in the middle of the back row. Elder Bowring is on the right and Elder Erickson is on the left.

Short email due to power outage

Once again its email time!!!  I replied to last weeks email and a few emails before that in a letter, so they should be coming soon since I gave them to the couples last Tuesday. And mom, Elder Avornu finally got his package and he loved it! Thank you for making these missionaries day with sending them packages.  They see other people getting them and they don't think they'll get one, so when they see it come for them, they go CRAZY!!  If you could send them a Christmas package I think it would make their mission.  This is Elder Osayi last Christmas on mission to.  How is everything back home? I saw the pictures on copy.com and they are sweet!  My sisters haven't changed one bit. still that sassy attitude going on(;  and then the pictures of Brook and Tay are cute.  Those two will be big when I come home!!  I hope there is some explanation about the buck and bull pictures... those things are huge!! And I don't have any pictures this week. sorry... 

(I had something here about Elder Vinson, but the computer deleted it.  I'll tell you about it next week if I remember...  Oh Liberian internet.)

Except for when I went on exchange with Elder Humphreys Thursday.  We were walking through another part of Logan Town, when we heard a man screaming words in an unknown tongue.  I looked toward the direction the voice was coming from, and I see a man with one leg and a crutch, running down this path between these huts still screaming.  Um.... this was Elder Humphreys old area and he said, this guy is crazy and likes white missionaries so just keep walking.  Yeah, you don't ask questions when you see that.  Mental illness is sooo common in Liberia.  Its sad.  Even the day before this happened, Elder Bowring and I were walking back to the apartment on one of the roads in our area, and we saw 5 police men go quickly up the road in front of us. They then disappeared around the bend.  As we were coming around the bend, we saw a huge crowd of people gathered around a man, with the police in the middle.  And yes, my curiosity got the best of me. After the police took the man, I asked some of the people what happened and they said Magic.  That didn't satisfy what I wanted to know....  I asked what he did, and the guy told me that He took a knife and pulled his eyeball out and then stuck it back in.  Alright, that was satisfying.  Crazy things happen in Liberia!! I LOVE IT!!  That's why I love living in Liberia!  Where else will you be able to witness sketchy magic tricks?? and no mom, it is not Witch Craft, so don't get scared and call the mission. (; Love you!
Until next time! I love you all and have a good week!

Elder Zaugg
p.s. sorry for the short email. it was longer until it got deleted....  Power outages