Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Baby Monkey "Dexter"







Hi Friends and Family,

Shelby and Lorelle invited a couple young ones from the congregation over today to play cards. They arrived with a totally unexpected wonderful gift. A new baby monkey! His name is Dexter.
From the pictures you can see he is very shy right now. We are sure he will warm up soon, Jack too was quiet the first couple days. We have a vet coming on Saturday to give him a check-up and vaccinations. We will also know better approximately how old he is at that time. I am thinking 7 or 8 months.

The two little girls, who stayed with us over summer vacation, Rachida and Samuella, came to meeting this week with bags packed. It is school vacation. They will be with us for two weeks. It has been a very easy transition now for them to come and stay. They are used to our home and routine. They were so cute this morning practicing there presentations for the truth campaign. We are still using the campaign in outlying villages and army barracks. Tomorrow, X-mas, we will be going to the army barracks down the road from us. All the little ones are excited, they even set their clothes out the night before. All the little girls wanted to have skirts, not dresses. Oh, to be 8 years old again..... It was fun to hear them practicing there presentations, a complete mix of Krio and English.
Not sure how much African news gets to the US, but just in case you are hearing of the news from Guinea, please don't worry. The Guinea president died the other day and the military has given notice that they are taking over the government. We have not heard anything bad in regard to the missionaries or friends there and we personally are very far from the Guinea border. We are on the ocean side of Sierra Leone, Guinea is the inland border country, so we are on the complete opposite side of the country. The US embassy sends regular emails to all US citizens updating us on everything, we have not had anything to worry about.
We have been busy getting ready for convention. Dennis, Shelby and I have all been asked to help or take part in various aspects of the convention. It is a great priveledge. Shelby has really come a long way with her sign language and has been asked to interpret seven different parts.
Dennis was working on one of his talks today when a brother showed up at our house to rehearse some, he came by bicycle! He is from the Sussex group, the group we went and worked with last summer. It is farther than the Godrich congregation that we visited last weekend. The Sussex group is 22 miles from our house, and it isn't flat countryside! We also learned that he uses his bicycle to go to meetings and he has a wife with a little baby, she also rides bike.
Sorry to hear of many still out of electricity, hope you can get it back soon!
Thinking of you lots,
Lorie






Sunday, December 21, 2008

December 08

Hi Friends and Family,

Didn't really know how to title this one.... our baby monkey "Jack" died on Thursday, it was sudden and so unexpected. It has really taken me by surprise. We thought he would be our "baby" in the family for 5 to 10 years not just 5 months, he was really affectionate with the children. I hadn't realized how independent our children are until Jack came, he was a such a cuddly baby. He will be missed dearly. I don't think we will have another one for some time, if ever. We don't want to take one from the wild, Jack was already in Freetown and in need of care when Shelby brought him home. We were priveledged to be able to give him some happiness and a "family". I know he was just a monkey, but we had never had a pet that was so personable before. He was even having sounds to say different thing, like, "thankyou" and "goodnight" and he was always making sorrowful cooing sounds if we left him alone without a night light. We had a little solar chargable light we would put on for him at night so we didn't have to worry about our not getting electricity. :)

Jehovah is wonderful with his many creations. It has been a priveledge to see his many marvelous animal creations distinctly different to different parts of the earth. Here there are so many different kinds of lizards, with such variety of colors. Also so many birds, many small birds with bright colors. We caught a baby bird the other day, before Mason our cat did, we kept it safe from the cat for a little while. Its parents were sitting on the wire above our house calling for it, when I released it, we all enjoyed seeing the happy little family reunited. It was such a soft little yellow bird, so tiny and delicate.

We have convention in two weeks! Wow how time flies. Dennis' father and brother and a friend are visiting in January for two weeks. We are so excited to be having visitors!

I really miss working in service with car groups and sociallizing. The other night I reread the cards and letters sent by family and friends, thankyou so much!

I thought my schedule would get a little easier when Dennis came back and took up his studies again.... I was wrong! But a good wrong :) Four more people started studying. Two are from when I went on a Return Visit to offer a study, her sister was visiting as well as a friend. All three accepted books and we started the study that morning.

I had had a study back in 2006, that I would call on when I visited Sierra Leone. When we moved here the study became regular. Up until 5 months ago when the shop she worked in closed, We had been studying during her work time. For the past 5 months I couldn't find her. Then last week on my way to an RV, she came running to me along the road. She told me of her new work place and we will resume the study. I told her I had tried to call her, she said her cell phone had been stolen. She had a new number and gave it to me.

The lady mentioned in the last post that Lorelle invited to meeting and had started studying is doing very well.

All the activity in the preaching work helps me not get too homesick. It helps me to see the big picture of the span of time we are living in. I also really enjoy reflecting on the kingdom songs and watchtower articles and realizing the united worldwide brotherhood. We all are singing the same songs on the same day! It helps me feel close to friends and family, through our united service to our loving and wonderful heavenly father Jehovah.

May Jah be with you,
Lorie

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Hello

Hello Friends and Family,

Yes we are alive and well. Our internet service has been out for a while. It came back on line today.

Dennis and Lorelle arrived safely, the luggage arrived a couple days later :) All was well though, including the delicious homemade cookies from Granny! Thankyou! We are still enjoying them.

Thankyou to all the friends and family who sent back gifts and greetings via Dennis and Lorelle, it means so much to feel the love of our worldwide brotherhood.

It was a real treat to get the new convention releases. Our convention is coming begining of January.

The "truth" campaign has been marvelous.

Many people wait in long lines for taxi rides, so if we have room we often will offer a ride. People are often amazed as most private vehicles do not pick up passengers, then when we speak the Krio they are even more surprised. It give a fine opportunity to witness. As many of the foreign workers do not learn Krio and reguire their workers to speak English they are really thrown off by our speaking in their native language. We have had some great conversations. Shelby placed a tract with a women and the next Sunday she came to the meeting.

Lorelle placed one with a young women last week and she came to the meeting this past Sunday, she gave me her phone number and Tuesday I met her for her first study. She said she will be at meeting again this Sunday.

We had Circuit Overseer visit this week, lots of activity. On Sunday Dennis counted over 20 that came to the special talk from our having the priveledge to invite them. I was a little unsure about my scedule once Dennis and Lorelle returned as I had been filling in for them on some of their studies. Well no worries, Saturday I got a nice RV with a neighbor just down the road. And a brother met a woman near our home, who said she used to study. He told her our address, she came by that afternoon and we resumed her study, she recently moved to our neighborhood. She had been attending Godrich Congregation. I invited her to meeting but she said it was too far for her to travel with her two daughters. We offered for her to ride with us, she came early Sunday morning with her two girls and we packed in the car like sardines. But happy as clams :) It is not easy to get transport from where we are living. It is a good 1/2 hour walk to where you can access taxis, and then you have to have two taxi stops to reach the Kingdom Hall. Often the wait to get a taxi can be very long as there are just more people than taxis. Many friends walk over an hour to meetings because paying for taxi is just too much money. We are so thankful that we have a vehicle and can give rides. We would not be able to live in the neighborhood we are in without a vehicle, with our little ones the walking would just be too difficult. Fuel prices came down this month, it had been 18,000 leones a gallon but is now down to 12,500 leones a gallon. This converts to about $4.00 a gallon US, not great but much better than the $6.00 it had been.

The temperature has been upper 85 to 98 degrees during the day. Evenings are in the 70's, with nice breeze so sleeping is good even without a fan.

Keep warm New Englanders.

Your in our thoughts and prayers,
Swifts

Thursday, November 6, 2008

On our hike in "bush country" Makeni, about 4 hour drive from our place. Friends we had met here in Sierra Leone are now serving in Central African Republic, they came to visit. Wall hanging gift is made of various types of wood.


Day at the beach, 15 minutes from our place.


The Truth

Hello,

We are having a wonderful time with the campaign, "would you like to know the Truth".

It is amazing to see the one of the six that people choose, and then their response.

DJ, Hunter and Kadence all worked with friends today in the campaign, Shelby and I had bible studies all day. Thursday is a full bible study day for us, we go out door to door on other days.

Kadence is a publisher now, she is so amazing, well I know I'm partial, cause I'm the mom :)
She has always been so outgoing and talkative and always wanting to go preach every chance she gets.

The other day I went to see their tennis lessons for the first time, usually I am running errands or in service during their lessons. After lessons, I took some time to sit at a small outdoor bar and catch some news on the tv (we don't get new at our place). One of the workers started to ask what work I do in Sierra Leone, before I could answer a man said, she is one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I was surprised as this was the first time I had met them. I asked how he knew, he said "your children tell me all the scriptures they learn and explain them to me". We had a great conversation he took some magazines and I am to see him Friday to answer some more questions he has. Two of the other men there were also joining in the conversation, one says he has the "What Does the Bible Really Teach Book", he said he really enjoys reading it.

Preaching here is nonstop, even when you don't plan to preach, we must always be prepared. I can't ever go out without some literature and a bible. A new missionary couple from Gilead Graduation, just arrived, they said "there are so many people", it is so true. I guess now that we have been here nearly a year, we are getting used to the crowded streets and transportation. Service is constant, even walking between doors you talk to 1 to 5 people or more.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer studies to all that would study. Our schedules are already so busy we really have to try to fit in door to door preaching around the studies we have. A few months ago I was going to some studies but really wanted to join the group for door to door. Figured I would do two or three doors and then head to studies. The first door I went to I met two young men, they invited us in to sit in their small cement home. I went through the presentation, but they were shy to answer, then from the other room I heard a women say, "speak up, answer", it was their mom :) She came out and joined the conversation, in just a short time we realized she had really studied the bible, she was talking of the resurection and the 144,000...... and more. She then said that she really wanted to study, and asked if I would "please" study with her. My schedule was very full, but how could I say "no" I must study with her. She is doing very well with her studies still and has been coming to meetings for over a month now. Today during the study her 14 year old daughter joined in, she asked to study too. She is usually in school during the study time, but today they had no school. We will be starting her study next week. I have since learned that the mom had studied years ago, when she couldn't even read, one of the missionaries studied with her and taught her to read. The "seeds" of bible truths had been planted. Today after our study she said, "I am So Glad to Know the Truth". I had not yet given her the campaign tract, so her comment led right into it. She was so thrilled to have the tract, she is going to write the scriptures in the margins and carry it with her in her bag. She says alot of her friends ask her about the changes she has made in her life and now she has a very concise way to show them, and she really liked how it had all scriptures from the bible, so they could see right away the information was from God, not her.

Keep warm New Englanders, we heard you got some snow.... brrrr.
It is really a bit of jet lag still her, like a time warp, the dry season is starting, so it is getting hotter and hotter, it was 90's today. The offshore breeze is really nice though, and our place is on a hillside with lots of breeze so the house stays cool. One sister that visited said she thought for sure we had fans on. This isn't possible as we don't even have electricity but once in a blue moon..... :) But Jah provides natural AC, so we are fine.

Greetings to All,
Swifts

Saturday, November 1, 2008

some more photos


our visit to Makeni Congregation

more photos







spring or fall?

Hello Friends and Family,

here are some pictures from a while ago that I didn't get to send, enjoy, there is more posting below.
Lorie

Hunter helping slaughter chicken... with Inny, Israel and Musa. "Look Ma no Feathers"
Our kitten Mayson

DJ, Kadence, Hunter and Jessica (Jessica lives with us with her mom Kadi) This was an outing to a nearby park.


hello to all,

Wow time sure goes by fast.... has it really been a month since I posted last, sorry for the delay.

We have been really busy and this new campaign is wonderful! So many want to know the truth.

Rainy season has ended and it feels like summer approaching. Shelby says it always feels like summer, every month is August. The other day was 101 on the vehicle thermometer! But with the breeze off the ocean it wasn't bad at all.

All three little ones, DJ, Kadence and Hunter are able to swim now without floats. They enjoy having swimming races. They are starting to jump off the diving board. Yikes! They sure grow fast. Its exciting to see them get along so well and be one family! Something we had waited so long for.

Dennis and Lorelle have been really enjoying their visit. Thanks to all that have shown hospitality. It's not easy for the family to be apart. It is comforting to know we have so many supportive family and friends around the world.
We haven't had electricity much at all this week, just twice. Now and once on Weds. night midnight, not much good at that time. So I am going to send this before electricity outage stops me. I will try to post more photos too.
Take Care, (not the Seinfeld, take care) (we've been watching old episodes of Seinfeld someone let us borrow) :)
Lorie








Sunday, September 28, 2008

xtra pix




Top pix is of our hike near Makeni. With some friends from the congregation.
Next is of Hunter helping sweep at convention, last year.
Then a couple of the girls swimming. Kadence is on the far left in first picture, then Rachida, Samuala and Marion, the girls that came to stay with us over school summer vacation.
Lower picture has Samuala, Kadence and Rachida.
Please don't miss todays earlier post and photos below! Enjoy!

more pix

Kadence preaching. We had spent the day as a family visiting a neighboring rural congragation service group. We enjoyed visiting some of the neighboring missionaries and their hospitality after service was greatly enjoyed. Below is a picture of the little ones taking a break sitting in back of the vehicle.


Dalton, Kadence and Hunter taking a much deserved break!

The kids really do great in service. Last week, Tuesday, Kadence worked with me all day. We were out past 4 oclock. We had bible studies all day. When in service it is difficult not to start new ones, we weren't trying, but that day 3 new ones asked to study. They are friends and relatives of existing studies.

We thoroughly enjoy the studies and see Jehovahs blessing daily, but with 13 now my schedule is really maxed. This morning, I had a wonderful phone call. I had not been able to go to meeting as Shelby and Hunter have the flu, nothing serious don't worry. The phone rang after meeting time, it was a study. She had gone to meeting! I was so happy! She had studied years ago and had attended meetings but family and friend opposition had caused her to stop. About 4 mos. ago I met her in service, she requested a study and has really progressed. She is a joy to visit with. The past 2 mos. she has said she will come to meeting, but hadn't. When she called today I could hear the joy in her voice, she said she will be coming regularly from now on as she really enjoyed the meeting! Praise Jah!

This Friday I went to check on a study that had traveled up country for some time, she has not returned yet, however four persons at the house said they wanted to study. One was planning to travel the next day to a small remote village, the woman asked if she could have some magazines to take to the village as she says they never get preached to. She gladly took 2 brochures and 3 magazines. We studied one lesson that day, and will continue this coming week.


Dennis and Lorie at convention.
Lyam, Kadence, Dalton and Hunter at convention.
Service here is nonstop, even when in town to run errands we are approached by marketpersons asking for the latest magazines. Above is a photo from in town, we met some of the deaf and had a good time preaching and getting aquanted with them. It was a fun experience. I was standing a little away from Dennis and the girls while they were signing. We all had been signing for a bit. Then I heard a person nearby say, "look the whole white family is moomoo" moomoo is Krio for deaf. I then realized that we had all been signing and not talking at all, I turned and said "Kusha" Krio Hello, the person was amazed. We had a great conversation and she was excited to get a brochure to read.

Dennis and Lorelle are currently enjoying their visit with Friends and Family in the US.

It's great to hear of ones getting baptized and the new kh projects, wish I could be in Concord for the new build. My heart is there with you all.

Big Hugs from Us here in Sierra Leone,

Lorie and kids

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

baby monkey, "Jack"






Please don't miss our last post.

September 2008




Hello Friends and Family,

Here are some views from our veranda.
We really enjoy the sunsets over the ocean. They never seem as beautiful in photo as real life though. Jah is wonderful.

Time sometimes seems to stand still here, since it feels like August year round. There are some seasonal changes, dry - rain - dust- but it is still warm and sunny.





We talked to the manager of the playground and swimming pool that the kids enjoy using. We had only gone a few times since we moved. The manager has always been very nice, when we talked with him, we were able to get a family fee for the year, which will be much less than daily. It also lets us bring the two little girls that walk to meetings and study. We hope to use the facility on Sundays after the meeting. The swimming pool is shallow and mainly for little kids, but they have nice tables and chairs under shade where we also can play Uno and other games. We introduced some friends to the card game Uno last week, they loved it!





We have heard that Dennis and Lorelle arrived safely and are already busy. I was feeling a bit down about not traveling also, I do miss friends and family soo much. But I am feeling a bit better now since I have received some personal emails that were very encouraging, Thankyou!





Our little monkey, Jack, is doing great, he is such a lovey baby. I am trying to upload pictures, hope it works. If not, I will try again another time.





My computer crashed a couple weeks ago and I lost everything.... I am using Shelby's older slower computer for emailing now. Mine has been "fixed" I hope to have it running on line again next week. The technition was not able to salvage anything from the hard drive, but at least I can start again.





Take care, New Englanders enjoy fall weather and county fairs and apple picking and pumkin pies :)





Lorie

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Experiences

Hi Friends and Family,

We are doing well, busy as ever.
We have three little girls with us for the summer school vacation. Two of them have been studying for over 8 mos. now and walk to meetings on their own. They are 8 and 9 years old.
They both enjoy going in field service and preaching.
Even in the rainy season the field service groups have still been between 10 to 30 people, many are young ones or new publishers, they are all very zealous.
The other little girl with us is 6 years old, she is our driver David's daughter. She usually stays with his sister during the school year, he is a single father. During school vacation she stays with him. She is staying in our home this year since her dad works for us 6 days a week and he lives in a small panbody (sticks and corrugated metal room, with no electricity or water) with his father and some other relatives, he asked if she could stay with us so he could see her more on work days and she could be with the other children.
Shelby is being attacked right this minute, by our newest addition "Jack", he is a little rambunctious monkey, literally. A Mango monkey. She brought him home Thursday. He is about 10 inches tall, skinny and adorable. He doesn't like men though, Dennis is buying him bananas trying to win his affections. We are sure he will come around in time. He is still young, doesn't like to be left alone. He is becoming a good friend of our kitten Mayson. He likes to look at books, it is so funny to watch him flipping the pages of the kids cardboard toddler books, they are nearly as big as him.

Following are some experiences Dennis typed up, enjoy!

Dennis and Lorelle will be back in the US mid September.
Take Care,
Lorie

Sierra Leone Experiences
8/23/08

Abraham Fordiki
I met a man outside the internet cafe in March of 2008. He was asking for financial support for a youth program he was starting, I gave him the Watchtower and told him it was something better than money. I often reply this way to individuals asking for money, which is common here for someone from the US. He thanked me and went off. On May 25, 2008, as I was walking to a bible study along Babadorie Rd in Lumley I met him again. He was impressed that I remebered his name and that I asked about his youth program. He excitedly told me that he had just returned from Malaysia, where he had taken part in a UN program training individuals to start and run volunteer programs. After explaining his big plans I asked him if I could be straight to the point with him. I commended him for his desire to clean up the earth and get young ones involved, then I ask him if he would like to see from the bible how to make a success of his efforts. I showed him Jer. 10:23 and explained that when we try something on our own without following God's guide lines we will have only limited success. He then told me he wanted me to show him what God's will is so that he can succeed. We set up to meet two days later.
We met, he explained that after our last conversation he had read the whole chapter of Jer 10. He then shared with me his history. He had fled the rebels during the war and was living on the streets of Freetown in 1998. He was sleeping on the tables of the street markets at night when two missionaries for a christain movement group took him and fed and clothed him. When the war came to that part of Freetown in 1999 they left the country and he was left to fend for himself. From that point he drifted from church to church looking for assistance and answers to his bible questions. After over a dozen different religions even the mormans for two months, ( it only took him that long to find out they couldn't answer his bible questions), he still was searching for the answer to one important question: Why did God put the tree of knowlegde in the garden of Eden if he knew Adam and Eve would eat from it. He felt that the bible showed how God has the ability to see the future, all knowing. I was able to show him that God does have the ablilty to see the future but exercises restaint along with the gift of free will that he has given to mortal man. We looked up scriptures that show that mans obedience is an act of love. After using illustrations about which is better to hear "I love you" from a robot who will always do what it is programed to do or from your son or daughter that does it out of love with freewill. Then I asked him if he had ever asked his 6 year old daughter not to touch something of his. He said yes. I explained that sometimes we do so in order to protect them from harm but other times we may have something we want to give them on a certain special day, how would you feel if she went in your room and opened the gift on her own. He said he would feel bad. He thanked me. He said this is the first time someone showed him answers to his questions using the bible. He said " I really believe I have found the truth of the bible."
We have continued to have wonderful bible studies. He asks many questions about things that other religions have said about Jehovah's Witnesses. One week he asked about blood transfusions after showing him the four scriptures giving God's Law on blood to Noah then to Moses then to the apostles,and using the illustration in the Bible Teach book about the doctor who might tell you not to drink alcohol, would it be okay to take it intervenusly, he stated that makes sense. After coming to his first meeting in early July he said the meetings were very nice and educational like a class room nothing like what others had told him what goes on at the meetings. We discussed that when someone says something about the Witnesses he will ask for himself, for years he avoided the Witnesses because of what others said we believed. After attending the SAD, July 27, 2008 He told me "What I experienced is truly the love talked about in the bible" John 13:35. "Everyone was so friendly and welcoming they made me feel like a brother. The program was wonderful, I really enjoyed the testamonies(experiences) and the last talk about being molded by the Great Potter touch my heart"
Recently I had a talk in another congregation, so I reminded him of the meetings but mentioned I wouldn't be there that he could sit with any of the brothers he had met. He told me " I don't go to the meetings for you any more I go for Jehovah". He told me he has an uncle in London who is one of Jehovah's Witnesses and can't wait to tell him that he is studying and learning the truth. Today at our study he explained how his neighbor is a minister and likes to pray out loud for everyone to hear and wears expensive clothes. He once visited his church and the man was telling the congregation to test God and recieve a blessing if you give $500 (the average yearly income here in SL is less then $500) that God would give them $1,000 back, he worked his way down $400,$300,$200,$100 then $50. He said he snuck out and never went back. He said the bible says not to test God. He told his neighbor what we have been learning during our studies, like the reason that in the first century christains spoke in tongues and that 1 Cor 13:8 says this gift will cease after the death of the apostles. In our time the bible and people to teach it are available in almost every nation and tongue. The mininster said " Thats why people don't like talking to Jehovah's Witnesses, because they show you the scriptures and it ruins your long held beliefs."
Jehovah blesses our efforts to Witness at every opportunity, and use the power of the scriptures to change peoples lives for the good.

Francis Daniel Macdonald
This experince startes with the efforts of our 14 year old daughter Lorelle. She has been conducting a study with a mother in late fourties. Mrs. MacDonald was found out in the door to door mininstry and Lorelle has been studying the Require brochure with her. Mrs MacDonald doesn't read well so to prepare for each week's lesson she has her husband go over it with her and they look up all the scriptures. Lorelle invited her to the Memorial, March 23, 2008. She and her husband and their youngest daughter came. While talking with him I learned that he is the SL Army Chaplin, he has been for 33 years. I sat behind him during the talk, as he listened he shook his head in agreement and even quoted some of the scriptures used. Then the speaker asked the retorical question "Do all good people go to heaven?" When the brother answered "No", Mr MacDonald looked puzzled, but as the brother used the scriptures to back his answer Mr MacDonald shook his head in agreement. I had to leave the following Monday for two months on my return I accompanied Lorelle on Mrs MacDonald's study but kept missing a chance to talk to Mr MacDonald.
At the end of July, Lorelle and Mrs MacDonald and I were studing the last lesson in the require brochure, when Mr MacDonald came home from work so that he could talk to me. He asked " Is there another book to study with me?" I was happy and nervous to be studying with a minister of 33 years. Now Lorelle studys with Mrs MacDonald on Thursdays and then she sits in on the study I have with Mr MacDonald. He told me that when he went to theological college, his teachers asked him how he knew so much about the bible. He told them that from when he was 12 to 15 years of age he studied with Jehovah's Witnesses, and they taught him the scriptures. Next he told me that when his wife asked him if she could study the bible with Lorelle back in Feb, he told her that JW are the only group he would let her study the bible with, because they use the bible. He then explained that he has been using the information in the lessons of the Require Brochure to give his sermons on Sunday.
On our fist study I was nervous, but after our study he told me I was a good teacher. He enjoyed using the bible to reason on long held beliefs. Today I brought him the Brouchure on the Divine Name, additional information he asked for, when I gave it to him he said now I will change my sermon for tomorrow. We will see where it goes from here, but it is a wonderful opportunity to use the best educational program,(meetings and the theocratic mininstry school) to teach a teacher. Again "God's word is Alive and has power to transform lives". Also it is a blessing to she our daughter make the truth her own and respectfully teach someone old enough to be her mother.

Aladji Sesay
Aladji is a young man of 18 years. He lives with his brother and 4 other young men in a 6 x 12 pan body ( stick struture with corigated metal walls and roof). They came to live in Freetown 7 years ago to go to school, their village upline doesn't have good schools. They don't have any furniture, not even a wood bench to sit on. So for our study when he sees me coming down the side of the mountain and crossing the river by jumping from sand bag to sand bag, he climbs down to his neighbors and borrows a big fluffy chair,(almost bigger than him) carries it up for me to sit on in the shade as he sits on a rock in the sun for our study. Sierra Leonian Hospitality the guest is given the best. Recently he came to a meeting and enjoyed it. The next week at our study he told me because their family is Muslem they didn't feed him for three days because he attended the meeting. He still is determined to continue his study in spite of persecution.

David Ansumana
David started driving for us while I was working in the US and Lorie was still recovering from her illness. He would sit in on the meetings instead of sitting in the car. When I returned we started studying. He is learning how to read better as well as applying bible principles. When he attended the SAD with us he commented how he really enjoyed the experience of one of the sisters interviewed, she had mentioned how she had always said that she would never change her religion and that the witness talking to her was wasting her time. Now after studying the bible she has become one of our dear sisters. David said that he too said that he would never leave his church, but now he is on his way to being a brother. Recently he toured Bethel, he was curious what went on there where I and others volunteered. He told me latter that he found a job that he can do at Bethel, fixing the bicycles. He has experience at that and after reading the article on the back of the Watchtower, about the three brothers sharing the one bicycle to attend the Convention in one African country, he felt he could help with the bicycles in our country. He continues to make good progress in his study.

These are just a few of the great experiences we are having here in beautiful Sierra Leone. Jehovah certainly opens up a floodgate and blesses until there is no more want. Mal 3:10. The beauty is in the people, and they are ripe for the harvest.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

A message from Lorelle a little while ago..

Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know some stuff I was doing, since it seems like my e-mails have halted for the most part.. I wonder oif it's because of summer vacation or something? Ohwell.

So yesterday(Sunday July 27) was our 1-day. I had actually heard it before, because it was the last assembly before we moved in America . Do you remember that? It was so much fun! ANyways, the shedule for assemblys & conventions is like 8 or 10 months behind the States, so that's why we've been hearing the same ones. Soem's different, like the demos and interveiws, and it's always good to have a little reminder right? This'll be the last repeat, cuz we've been here nearly 10 months now( OH my Goodness! Time's broken out of the jailhouse!), so our next one will be the one that you had this summer, but we haven't heard it . Kinda weird huh?
The assembly was pretty fun, but it went WICKED fast, oh my goodness, it seems like the days go faster and faster these days. The older you get, it seems, the more you have to chase time.maybe it's becuase we don't get spurts of little kid energy anymore?
I saw a lot of people I knew, and I couple of my friends from ather congragations. But, most of my freinds have actually moved farther away lately, so I don't see them any more for some reason. I don't miss them too much, except at conventions, becuase it's nice to know someone there : )
My daddy was the chairman for the afternoon sessoin. You could hear him singing on the stage during the first song cuz the mic hadn't been proped up the right way. It was sooo funny, but only my family really noticed. Maybe they did upstiars too, but I couldn't see from the ASL section. It was hard to control at least a little luaghter.
Shelby did a little translating, but I didn't. I'm too scared to go there, cuz I know that when I do, i'm gonna forget how to do everything. I'll get therer someday though, I hope..
It rained. Like, the whole time. Water dripped on my notebook and skirt, so my legs were FREEZING, and my notes for that time looked pretty cruddy. I had to switch to a different chair and mom gave me a blanket to get cozy, which was extremely convenient. That was almost at the end, so i didn't have to endure for very long(Thank Goodness) Someone actually stole my seat at the same time. I felt bad for them, but hey, it gave me an excuse not to sit there, so , to tell you the truth, I didn't mind! haha.

I cooked makeshift garlic bread at lunch today( It's almost 3 now) It wasn't great, but it wasn't half bad either. I picked to big of a clove, so it was bitter, and I burnt mine, becuase I was cooking it over the coalpot and left it too long. But hey, I made GARLIC BREAD ! I COOKED!! Allby myself. It's a miracle I didn't burn the house down or something.

Well, sorry it's short, but, gotta go!

Love you all.

Rel

Monday, July 7, 2008

The News at 9 O'clock PM

Hello all,



Couldn't think up a title and Shelby said "the News at 9 oclock" so there it be.



We are all doing very well and getting settled into our new schedules and new home. We shuffled some of our study and service days due to the location of our new home and locations of service meetings throughout the week. Each day is a different location.



Dennis has been busy cleaning the roof at Bethel, he went up for a quick inspection and when coming down noticed all his big footprints in the dust that had caked on for a long time, baking in the hot sun. So now he and another brother are cleaning the roof and gutters, fine fine one, in krio.



Today Dennis and I and Shelby and Lorelle went to town for the day. We went deep into the markets to find clothing. It was lots of fun. It is like a giant flea market. One street/alley after another all windy, they are covered with different colored overlapping tarps because we are in rainy season. It also helps keep off the hot sun.



Dennis gave the Sunday talk in a neighboring congregation, we enjoyed visiting. One of Dennis' studies met us at the Kingdom Hall, he wanted to hear Dennis' talk. Afterwards we went to one of the missionary homes and had Lasagna and Garlic Bread and Cinamon Rolls. They knew we didn't have an oven and would love baked food! There are 4 couples in the home, but currently only one couple there now as the others are all traveling either on vacation or visiting relatives in poor health. Only 9 of the 30 assigned missionaries are in Sierra Leone at the time. So the branch and others here are very very busy. It is a good busy.



One of the brothers we met on Sunday related that he is now a regular auxillary pioneer. He signed up for one month 2 mos. ago and that month started 16 bible studies, so he just had to change his work schedule and continue in order to keep up with all the studies. He is so overjoyed and happy with his new schedule. One of his studies has requested to study three times a week, he says he has missed out on so much in regard to serving God, that he wants to make up for loss time.



Another study was using the brochure, the brother noticed how intent he was on studying and showed him how to prepare by underlining the answers ahead of time, the next week the man had prepared the whole brochure. They just started the Bible Teach book and the first week the man prepared over three lessons ahead.

We are all doing well health wise and my burn has healed incredibly well. I had some really good burn cream and wrappings for it. Many people get burnt here because of the coal pots and frying so I got lots of advice for caring for the burn.

Temperature here has been in the mid to upper 90's. The vehichle registered 100 on the thermometer at 3:00 in town today. We get rain stroms nearly every night with strong wind, so the nights are cool and great for sleeping. The hill side we live on now is one of the coldest neighborhoods. The kids even wear sweatshirts in the mornings. DJ wore windpants all day today. The breeze is very refreshing and often feels like Air Conditioning. We have not used a fan once since moving. In our last place we had 5 fans and would still be swelting hot.

Even though the days are hot, when the rain comes it can be quite chilly, the breeze is usually heavy so you get damp and then wind chilled. We have learned to keep umbrellas with us at all times as the rains can come quickly.

Wednesday, Dennis, Hunter and I walked about 35 minutes to an outside food market. We were after dried fish, spices and oils for making an african dish. Hunter still enjoys food shoping as much as ever. He is even learning the spices and names of the different fishes.

We send our love and greetings to all,

Dennis, Lorie and Kids

Sunday, June 22, 2008

On the Move

Yes that's right, we have moved again!

We are still in the same congregation and territory, just a new neighborhood and house.

Our new place is extremely quiet, and no animals, except our kitten Mayson.

Our new landlord lives upstairs and is only here one to two months a year. There is a small house with caretaker and gardener, on the back of the property so we are not alone in the compound.

Hunter has no more rashes or boils since we moved, the animals at the other compound were too many for his allergies. Lorelle is also breathing much better.

We feel like we are in air conditioning here at night, Shelby says she is cold! , we are high up on the hillside, with lots of cool ocean breezes and mountain air from Regent Village that comes through the valley. There are nearly no mosquitos with the cooler air and breeze.

It is still very warm even though it is supposed to be rainy season, the car registered 100 degrees last week. It is typically in the high 80's now, evenings get cooler with the rains.

Service is continuing to go well. Kadi, who works for us and has two year old Jessica, has become an unbaptized publisher, she has already started two studies. Kadi and Jessica are living with us, this new house is huge, we have 6 bedrooms and four bathrooms, a large dining room, huge parlor and big Kitchen. Kadi and Jessica have their own room with it's own outside entrance and full bath. It is bigger than any panbody, tin hut, she has ever had, she has never had running water. We have verandas surrounding two sides of the house, on any given day you can see anywhere from 10 to 50 miles out to the ocean, depending on cloud cover. The kids saw some huge ships pass way out to sea the other day, they used their binoculars to watch.

Last week we had a stomach flu that went through the family, Shelby got it the worse and ended up dehydrated. She was admitted to the hospital for four days of IV drips. She is much better now, and back to her good ole self.

Yesterday Dennis and I were cooking together, the pot handle broke on the pot holding the frying oil, it spilt on my left hand, wrist and up the arm a bit, and burned, it is not as bad as it could have been if the oil had been boiling, or if we weren't so close to water, but sure hurts and will take some time to heal. We were able to easily get burn ointment from the pharmacy down the road.

The Branch overseer and his wife visited the other day, they had never seen the view from so high up, they really enjoyed it. They said that the house is truly a blessing from Jehovah as we can get the rest we need more easily in this quiet community. They also were amazed at how clean the compound is and the wonderful gardens well cared for.

Dennis sold his worktruck in the US last time he visited, a true surprise for us and blessing. As we were now able to purchase a vehicle here, which enables us to get to more outlying territories and to move to this home.

We send our love and greetings to all!
Swifts

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Fertile Field

Hello Friends and Family,

We are all doing well, typical small colds, sore throats but nothing serious.

Dennis brought such wonderful blessings from his travel, thankyou so much! It was a special day of gifts and sweets and mail! And Daddy Home!

The field here is continuing to be the highlight of living here. I was finally able to get back in service a little more since my illness, what a blessing and joy. Some of the bible studies that I was not able to do are overjoyed to resume, two even asked to study twice a week!

I went on the most amazing 1st RV I have ever seen. Three weeks ago two sisters in service met a woman who was very receptive, she accepted the What Does God Require brochure with great enthuisiasm, the sister doing the door has many studies and is unable to conduct more, she offered (without asking :) for the missionary sister accompanying her to study with the woman. The missionary sister is also overbooked with studies and is traveling soon, she asked me if I could please go back and call on this woman. I went on Thursday, not knowing how it would go, the lady runs a small open air tin and stick shop selling candy, biscuits, drinks, soap etc.
When Dennis and I arrived I asked for Alicia, there were about 7 men sitting in the shade visiting
there was a young girl behind the shop counter, she said Alicia was here mother and was out at the time. I turned to go when the girl said, "Look she dun come" The woman came and went directly into the shop talking with the girl and arranging the things she had delivered, she was busy, Dennis and I sat with DJ and Jessica (2 year old sister with us in service). After a little time the woman came out with bible and brochure in hand, I hadn't even gotten to talk to her yet, they just knew we were witnesses. The brochure looked old and used, so now I wondered if my memory was correct that she only had had one initial visit in service 3 weeks prior. After social greeting, I asked if she had been studying, she said yes she was on Lesson 3. I was surprised and asked who with, she said "myself". I was able to suggest we start with Lesson 1 together and she was overjoyed, we did the first lesson, she reads very well and looked up all the scriptures. After the first few scriptures she asked to use my bible as she said it was better to understand. She said I can come anytime to study as she is there everyday running the shop.

Shelby took over one of my studies a couple months ago when I was not able to walk in service, it was with an old gramma and her grandaughter Rachida age 8, after the first couple studies more and more children joined usually between 6 to 9 little girls and 1 or 2 boys. Over time the gramma discontinued studying but the grandaughter and her 9 year old friend continued to take the study seriously. The other girls all range from age 3 to 12. Two weeks ago Shelby was not feeling well and did not go to the study, the gramma sent Rachida and her 9 year old friend Samuela to our house for the study. The next week we had CO visit, we asked the granny if the girls could come on Sunday, she said yes, since then the girls have requested to come to every meeting. Thursday night on the school one of the talks was a householder saying she didn't want to study anymore and the sister convincing her of Gods love and forgiveness to encourage her to continue. When the householder first said she didn't want to study, Rachida grabbed Shelby's arm and with big worried eyes wispered, "Why does she not want to study the bible!?" It was so adorable. Shelby explained it was a play or skit and then Rachida really enjoyed the meeting.
Samuela commented at the first book study she attended, Rachida is a bit more shy, and so cute, last Sunday she was putting Shelby's hand up for her :) Then when we got home after meeting and started to eat some rice, Rachida asked to do the text with us, she had done it with us on Tuesday evening when they came early for meeting and met us eating dinner. She said "can we do that bible book you read everyday?" Both girls are very polite and appreciative, Rachida does a little curtsy whenever she says Thankyou.

Last Friday we took the little ones to a new playground near the ocean, it had mary go round, ball pit, blow up bouncy room and lots of swings and other things. They even had a small aquarium with giant turtle, little turtles and fish. It was a beautiful outing we packed a lunch and enjoyed the off shore breeze. When we first arrived we were a little worried as there were over 100 kids in the park, a school outing. But the kids were all very polite and well behaved, it really was a joy! Dennis and I spent a good half hour helping kids accross the monkey bars, they were too small to reach on there own. The park is set up for kids ages 2 to 9 years, with a small entrance fee. They have a small swimming pool also but it was closed that day for cleaning. After playing at the park, we went across the street to the beach and threw frisbees, chased waves and Daddy took a nap.

Love and Greetings to All,
Lorie

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Hello .

Just to let you know that dad is home safe and sound, and we're all doing good.

Thankyou all so much for the letters and gifts. We really apprecaite your concern and love.

Love,

The Swift Family.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Hello From Lorelle

HI.

just an update.

The assembly was good. Peak attendance was 1,716.

We sat in the ASL section, which was really nice. Shelby even interpreted a few of the interviews.

There was a really big thunderstorm at around 4 this morning . It was really scary when it was right above us. Rainy season's gonna be here anyday. I wonder what it'll be like...

Everyones doing good. Mom's been a little tired lately, but she's not really sick or anything.
My cold's been long over, but I did give it to Shelby, who's just coming out of it.

School's been going really well. I've caught up enough now that I only have to do about an hour of school a day, not including text books. I'll be starting a new year in Sept.

Art's been going good. I drew "Abandoned" for the 100 picture challenge yesterday. It took me a little over 2 hours. I can't wait for my computer drawing tablet!

Fact of the week: Food I like: Asian cuisine, Pizza, salads, and for deserts I like cheesecake(especially Lemon), icecream and chocolate.

Say hi to everyone's familys for me.

Oh, Friday Shelby and Mom had their Pioneer meeting. They enjoyed it a lot.

An experience from the convention (it was hillarious) : One brother, originally from England or Canada I believe, gave a really good part on ways to Glorify. During his talk, he mentioned the singing at our meetings as an important part. He said: " And, how should we sing? Should we sing like this? " And then he proceeded to sing "we're..Jehovahs..Witnesses" in a very small, bored voice, right into the Mic.! It was Hillarious! Then he said " Or should we sing like this?!" And sucked in a chestfull of air , getting ready to blast our ears. But then he said " I'll let you do that on your own". lol

So that was my highlight from it. Oh, I forgot to tell you, there were 13 baptised: 6 brothers and 7 sisters.

Bye.

Lorelle

Monday, April 28, 2008

Four new postings with Pictures

Here they are the studious little ones, Playing Meeting. It was so adorable, they were singing kingdom melodies all mixed up, the best they could. Kadence loves wearing princess dresses.
Summer Fun? Oh thats right it is April. Isreal, DJ, Inny, Kadence and Hunter enjoy badminton very much, here they are taking a rest. Isreal and Inny are brothers who live next door to us, in the same compound. This picture is taken in our side yard where the kids love to play.

Video Too Long to Upload

Sorry the video takes too long to upload on my computer, it may work for yours, don't know. Here are some other pictures, I will send one of the kids doing the Play Meeting, if electricity continues.


DJ, Nellamah, and Kadence

Our family with two of Dennis' studies and Brother McCarty (behind me)




Electricity Today

We have electricity today! A very rare occurance. Here are a couple photos and a video.


Tiny bible, British Bethel River on way to River #2 Beach
DJ and Kadence playing meeting.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

How Day Go Day Go, How It Is It Is

Hi Friends and Family,

Things continue to go well, just some minor colds, rainy season is sure to come soon. We had a couple more good rain storms at night this week. We are settling in well with our scedules for school, service, volunteering, shopping in town, etc.

This coming weekend is our 2 day assembly. End of May we have CO.

Here is a picture of the ASL graduating class. All signing their sign names.

This is a photo from January when the KH was meeting at our home, the literature counter was on our veranda.

Take care, hope all is well.
Lorie

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Kushay, Hello

Hello,

Just a quick how do. We are doing fine.

Kadence lost her two front teeth this week, you can see in the photo I posted that her front teeth were loose.

I will try to post more photos later this week. I am going to town tomorrow to run errands and do some food shoppin.

Shelby was able to bring Hanna, her deaf study age 9, to book study again this week. She really enjoys the association, eventhough she doesn't know sign yet. She really enjoys watching the Greatest Man ASL DVD with Jeremy signing. His facial expressions help her alot. She is keen on learning signs for animals, bird, sheep etc. Her sign name is "H" two taps on forhead, one low one high, because she is very smart and studies everything. Sister Musu gave her the sign name.

We have our assembly coming up May 3,4. Our CO visit is the week of May 20.

The kids all say "Hi"

Hey New Englanders, enjoy mud season with all the snow melting, ours is coming soon with the rainy season approaching anytime now.

Love, Swifts

Trying to Post Photos


Hi Friends and Family,
Finally figured out how to add pictures. Here one of the little ones playing. Enjoy!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Graduation

Hi All,

This past Saturday Shelby and Lorelle graduated from the First Foreign Language Class here in Sierra Leone. American Sign Language. It was a great performance with drama and presentations. After the graduation Shelby went to book study and her study,9 year old Hanna, attended her first meeting. She really enjoyed it and even signed some of the signs from the Greatest Man dvd. She is starting school at the deaf school here in Freetown in September, she doesn't know any sign. This was Shelby's third return visit and Hanna already knows the whole alphabet and a few simple signs. And that Gods name is Jehovah. Her whole family is happy and appreciative that Shelby is teaching Hanna the bible and bringing her to meetings. It is so nice to see her family so loving and supportive of her, often the deaf are shunned here, but she is truly loved. Some of her relatives are trying to learn the sign language each week with Shelby. Hanna became deaf at age 3 after illness.


We woke this morning to a tremendous thunderstorm! Rainy season is coming.

It was a nice cool day after the storm and the air was dust free.

I found a website with a lot of Krio language thought you would enjoy.

Krio words and phrases
NOTE: The writing system used here is the recommended orthography used in schools and colleges in Sierra Leone. The orthography uses phonetic symbols for some vowel sounds in krio.

An important thing to note is that each symbol represents ONE and only ONE sound, and each sound is represented by only ONE symbol. The vowel sounds are usually the problem. Below is a guide to the pronunciation of the vowels of Krio.

1. ɛ as in English ‘bed.’
2. e as in English ‘day’

3. ɔ as in English ‘cot’

4. ʌ as in English ‘cut’ (not found in Krio)

5. ə as in English ‘ among’ (not found in Krio)

6. o as in English ‘bowl’ or ‘boat’

7. u as in English ‘fool’

8. I as in English ‘seat’

Also, the velar nasal sound, ŋ , as in English ‘King,’ is used in Krio ‘fulɔp piŋ’ (full to the brim), and in Temne ‘kʌ lɛŋ’ ( to grow grey hair).

English Krio
Afternoon santɛm
Alcohol rɔm/ɔmɔle
Bar/Pub ba
Bargain bagin
Beard biabia
Be careful tek tɛm
Bed bed
Biscuit/Cookies biskit
Blind blɛn
Bobby / Cop polis
Bonnet / Hood bɔnɛt
Boy bɔy
Rubbish
botobata
Braids plant
Bread bred
Bus bɔs/podapoda
Candy/Sweet swit
Car mɔtoka
Child pikin
Diarohea/Dysentry rɔnbɛlɛ
Roundabout tɔntebul
Coconut koknat
Cross Roads/ Junction jɔnkshɔn
Door domɔt
Drunk chak
Dust bin / Trash can dɔti bɔks
Ear yes
Enough I du so
Excuse me kɔmɔt na rod
Finish dɔn
Flip Flops/Slippers afbak
Food it
Friend padi
Gas / Petrol pɛtrol
Out in the open
gbamgbaode
Determined
gbakanda
Girl titi
Good Bye a de go
Grill kolpɔt
Happy gladi
Head tie/Head band ɛnkincha
Hello kushɛ/kabɔ
Help me ɛp mi/una kam o
House os
How are you? Aw yu du?
How do I? Aw fɔ ?
How much does it cost? ɔmɔs fɔ am ?
How old are you? ɔmɔs yu ol ?
Hurry Up mekes
I am fine a wɛl
I am full a bɛlful
I am going home a de go na os
I am going to XYZ a de go XYZ
I am on my way a de kam
I am sorry a beg pardon
I am XYZ / My name is XYZ a nem XYZ
I don't have a nɔ gɛt
I know a sabi
I'd like to go to XYZ a wan fɔ go XYZ
I'll be back a de kam
Leave me alone lɛf mi
Man man
Market makit
Maybe sɔntɛm
Medication mɛrɛsin
Money kɔpɔ
Mosquito maskita
Mouth mɔt
Neighbour neba
Night nɛt
Onions yabas
Orange Fruit ɔrinch
Outside na do
Peanut granat
Please duya
Plenty bɔku
Poor po
Power outage blakawt
Provinces ɔplayn
Rich gɛntri
Sand sansan
Shoe sus
Shop/Store shap
Shout/Yell ala
Sit down sidɔm
Snacks mumunyɛrɛ
Sneakers / Trainers krep
Soda/Pop/Soft drink sɔft drink
Stand up timap
Stop lɛf
Street trit
Tailor telaman
Take me go kɛr mi go
Tap pɔmp
Taxi / Cab taksi
Thank You tɛnki
Thief tifman/ayampi
Today tide
Tommorow tumara
Female Trader makit uman
Tree tik
Trouser trɔsis
Trunk / Boot bakbut
Uniform for a special function ashɔbi
Upset vɛks
Walk waka
Water wata
What are you doing? wetin yu de du?
What? wetin?
What's your name? wetin yu nem?
When ustɛm?
Window winda
Woman uman

Download Basic Krio and Temne Vocabulary as compiled by Sheikh Umar Kamarah.


I hadn't realized how much Krio we have been speaking until I tried talking on the phone in "English". Here when someone asks how you are it is common to reply Not Bad, (Naw Bad). Instead of the English, Good or OK.

My health has really been improving, we all walked to and from meeting this evening. It was a nice cool night with an ocean breeze.

Thanks for the personal emails,
May Jah be with you all,
Lorie

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Hi everyone

Hey there!

It's Lorelle. I just wanted to say hi to everyone and say that I hope everyone's diong great and everyone's healthy:) Thankyou for all the e-mails. I appreciate them a lot: ) I love reading them.
I'm doing good, I was able to start apprenticing at a hair salon here last week, so that's really neat. Plus the knowledge is really helpful! Two weeks ago we had the Zone Visit(you probably already know). Our famliy was able sit in the section with the hearing disabled. It was really something to remember. I've been able to make a lot of freinds with those who are deaf. It's such a wonderful and unique experience: )

Love all of you who happen to be reading this.

Lorelle

Friday, March 28, 2008

To whom it may concern-

Hi, this is Shelby. Some of you may already now but I wanted to come and write a little something for you all. I am still in Sierra Leone, I know that I told everyone that I would be visiting in May, there has been a small change in plans. I will probably be visiting in September with Lorelle. I want everyone to know that I miss them very much, and I am sorry that it will be so long for me to come and visit. Two things made me stay here, 1) When I signed up for ASL class I promised Br. Wright and my parents that if Dad went back before the class ends that I would stay here and finish the class. The last class is April 12th. 2)Dad will only be there for one month, and I would like to visit on a longer trip so I have for time to see everybody. Aslo, since Mum has been sick lately and, recovering nicely but slowly I thought it would be better if I stayed, since only Dad, Mum or myself can go to town and do some other important things. To leave Mum here with just the kids, and the sisters that work here, I didn't feel it was right.
I am very sorry to disappoint everyone, and I look foreward to visiting real soon.
Things are going good, I finished three of my school books, and two were credits this past week. Which is really good, it gives me a little more time for other things. I have been very busy with service, and working Mondays at Bethel.
Last Monday I got to work in the kitchen for a little bit, and I got to work with Sister Alima, I had not had the priviledge to work with her yet. She is from Sierra Leone but her family moved to Ghana during the war. Her whole family is Musilum and she never heard anything about the Bible when she was growing up. When they moved to Ghana, her mother was older, and she is the oldest girl in the family, so her father told her she was now the woman of the house to care for her mother and brothers and sisters. Well, soon after that there was a knock at the door. Yup, it was the witnesses. She was very interested in the Bible, and was eager to study. Because she was now the woman of the house her family didn't stop her, although none of them joined her. Yet, if ahe was not in that postion it would have been nearly impossible for her to study.
Later, when she wasn't baptized yet, her cousin who was very weathy in America, said that he wanted to marry her. She said no on the basis of the scripture that says, "Marry only in the lord" So her cousin said that he knew the witnesses and she could still stay in her religon. She still said no, and he said think about it and not a week later her family called and said that he had been arrested for possesion of drugs. Now her father would had pretty much ignored her after she became serious with the study, called her and said "My daughter, your God is the true God."
Also, as her mother got older they wanted her to stay and take care of her. Which would make it difficult for her to go in service and to the meeetings. So she asked them, to think about everything she did for them when they were younger, and for her parents. And asked them to please let her serve her God. They said yes, you always were kind and fair and did a lot of things for us, so yes you can go serve your God and we will care for mother.
Then she was baptized in 2004, and started pioneering for one year, while she was working 6 days a week. She would witness in transport, and she was a receptionist so she talked to those who came in. Then she moved back to Sierra Leone and came to Bethel where she is today.
Truly Jehovah knows how to bless!!!
I have spoken with a few deaf in the area, and this week I went back on a little girl, Hannah, that Dad had found in the ministry. She lives with her Aunt, which is very common here, and she went deaf when she was three, I think she is about seven or eight now. She doesn't know any sign, so when I went I showed her how to spell her name, my name, and the alphabet. She doesn't express much but I could see in her eyes she was taking it all in like a sponge. Her Aunt also learned the alphabet so that they will be able to pratice. I will go back evey Wednesday and continue to teach her ASL and the truth from the Enjoy life brochure. It is truely a blessing, learning ASL there are so many deaf here, and now I have some nice return visits and good friends that I can really talk to. Some of the deaf friends I knew before but I didn't know ASL so it was very hard to talk with them.
I hope Jehovah continues to bless you and that this finds you warm and well.
Warm Christian Love,
Shelby.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Number of Publishers

Forgot to put in the last post that we have 74 publishers in our congregation. Therefore 397 at memorial is truly amazing!

Praise Jah

Busy Weekend

Hello Family and Friends,

What a busy weekend we have had. Friday was dedication of our new KH. Saturday Memorial and Sunday Zone Overseer Visit!

Saturday Memorial was outstanding! We had second Memorial, first was 6:30 ours was
8:00. We thought our attendance might be lower because it was second, but not so.
The North Congregation with 6:30 had 256. At 8:00 we had 397, we have 74 publishers, the new hall was overflowing with more than 30 sitting outside. It sure is good the congregation split. Lorelle's study came with her husband and 10 year old daughter. Nine of Dennis' studies came. I saw two return visits. There certainly may have been more that we knew, but it was hard to locate people in such a crowd. It was so awe inspiring. We saw many coming in carrying their invitations. One lady and small boy about 6 years sat next to me, the boy held the invitation for the whole time. Just grinning from ear to ear. The mother didn't speak much english but I was able to learn that she had received the invitation that day, and lived near the KH.
During the Memorial talk the brother was reading a popular scripture when suddenly many many many in the audience verbally finished the scripture! We knew then that many in attendance had never studied or been to the KH, we had so many new ones.

Lorelle spoke with one young man who had come with the invitation, she asked how he enjoyed the meeting, he said he enjoyed it very much. She invited him to come on Sunday, he said he didn't have a job and wouldn't be able to put money in the collection plate. She explained that we never pass a collection plate, he was so happy to hear this, he said he really wanted to learn more about the bible and would come.


The Zone visit on Sunday was another amazing event. It was held in an outdoor pavillion across from the ocean. There were 1,505 in attendance. The brother related many wonderful experiences. One was of friends that travel 3 days down the Congo river to get to convention and then have to row 7 days upstream to get back home after. The Congo River is the second largest, second only to the Amazon, it is not an easy river to traverse. There are over 40 friends in the group so they bring dug outs with them and cook while traveling along in the river. They pass the time reading texts together and singing Kingdom songs. On the trip home they review Convention notes together.

The brother brought out how we keep hearing that Sierra Leone is "Preaching Paradise" Nearly every door you are asked to sit and read scriptures, you can study with just about anyone you meet. He encouraged people to stay in Sierra Leone, he said why would you leave the country for further education or job opportunity when so many want to learn the bible here and missionaries are being sent in?

We have been so priviledged to be a part of the deaf group here in SL. We sat with the deaf on Sunday and Dennis was asked to translate the closing prayer, what a priviledge. Memorial for the deaf was also wonderful, there are 6 deaf publishers and they had 25 deaf at memorial, not counting the others that joined that are hearing.

We are seeing increases everywhere in Sierra Leone. I will get more numbers next week to share.

Dennis is traveling back to the US, tomorrow Tuesday March 25. He will be returning here May 2, our assembly is May 3 and 4 and he will be used for translating again.
We really are enjoying working together here. Hunter is loving the sign language, as well as the other children. They are all doing well with school and health is fine. My health is improving more and more each week, doctor says it will still be some time before I am 100% so I am learning patience. I have been able to preach to ones that come to the house and Dennis has a new bible study that will be coming to the house on Saturdays. I will conduct it until he returns. The man was the mason working on our new water tower the past two weeks, he came to Memorial on Saturday and asked to study. He and a friend came by this afternoon and watched the Meredith KH Construction DVD, they were very impressed with the volunteer spirit and efficiency.

The new water tower works great, so we now have 24 hour running water! There is a brother in a neighboring congregation that makes furniture, we have ordered some chairs and a couch. So our "glorified camping", as one missionary calls how we are living, is changing slowly but surely.

Take care, Love and Greetings to all,
Lorie

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Electicity???

Ya don't realize how much ya use it till it is rationed. It just cut out as I was trying to put this post together,hopefully my baterry will let me save what I type and post later..... we will see.

The days here have been hot 100 plus, hard to believe it is winter. Nights have been good, a bit cooler and a slight breeze, it has been good to get electricity nearly everynight so we can put a fan on for sleeping.

My health is improving more and more each day, just a bit of trouble with my right ear still and headaches when I try to think too much or read. But no more serious complications. Just need more rest..... not something I enjoy but I am aware of the serious need of it. I don't want to go back to the hospital :)

There were over 200 at Sunday meeting again this week, and we only have less than 80 publishers. It is good the extra chairs arrived, we used em. Memorial will be interesting. We have the second one, so the first will probably have a larger attendance, but both will be packed! It is so exciting.

Dennis and the children are doing well. Dennis has even been able to get in a couple games of basketball with some of the missionaries from other halls and the CO. Working at Bethel and doing the ASL class has really widened our spiritual family here. It is also exciting that he will be here for zone visit this month and meet so many of the others that I have known for years.

Stay warm, those in the deep snow and cold. Hey, did you break the record for most snow in a winter? Heard you were real close end of February.

The other day I took some ice bits out of the freezer and let the children melt them in their hands, on the belly.... it was great fun.... little Jessica age 2 had never seen or held ice, her facial expressions were priceless. At first she was a bit scared but then kept asking for more and putting it on her belly and squeeling with joy.

Here it is hard to imagine snow. With roosters, birds chirping at sunrise and crickets in the bedroom the other night..... is it really March. I often feel in a time warp. And really with forever in view our time hear is but a grain of sand in forever....

Love to all,
Lorie

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Down Time

I will by have lots of down time the rest of this month. Don't worry though we really are doing well. But I must be honest and share what has been happening.

Last time I posted I mentioned going to the doctors for weakness and too much med in my system, well after a couple days of extra fluids etc that the doctor prescribed I was feeling a little better but still having some severe head pain, more than should have been there with the Typhoid headache, as well as shaking, dizziness and blurred vision. Last Weds. I went back to the doctor with some more serious issues, he sent me to the hospital and I ended up staying for 5 days..... the doctors were very good as well as the hospital clean and staff very accomodating. I had Meningitis. It was figured out that the Meningitis started two weeks Before I was diagnosed with Malaria and Typhoid, the infection was advanced and they had to use some strong injections to bring it down. It was not cantagious and not the menigicoccal meningitis you hear of in the US. I wont bore you with hospital details, but be assured Jehovah was truly there for us. More than 30 friends visited me in the hospital and many more called Dennis to send their love and prayers. I am home now and deffinately on the mend. They say I will be tired for a while and it will take some time to get my leg muscles back, as I have been laying for nearly 3 weeks now... but I will be back in the field again soon.

There are many missionary homes in Freetown as well as Bethel, over 28 of the missionaries and bethelites called Dennis or I. Many kept reminding us that the first year in an assignment is the hardest and not to give up. Some have never been sick at all, others have, but none have had what they call "the big three" all at once, oh well someone had to do it :)

Dennis has had a head cold this week, pretty much adjusting from freezing cold to 100 plus degrees, March is the hotest month here. The kids are doing great! No sickness and all cheery and energetic. School is going well too.

I am glad we have been taking the ASL sign language classes, I have been able to practice a lot. Shelby and Dennis have both had good experiences in the ministry with using what they are learning. Dennis went to a barber last week, and the two barbers working there were both deaf. Shelby had the opportunity to invite a deaf woman to the memorial this morning in invitation work. She was at one door with her service partner when they were called to by another pair of sisters to come and talk to the deaf woman they had met. What a priviledge!

I personally have really enjoyed watching the girls practice sign together, they get laughing and really have a good time. It has been a great family project too, some evenings we have "voice off" and all use sign. It can be pretty funny, since we don't know too many signs yet and have to just try to act out what we want to say.

The end of this month will be very busy. We have our Kingdom Hall Dedication , Memorial and Zone Overseer Visit all the same weekend.

Dennis has been able to volunteer at Bethel two days a week. Mondays Shelby and he are there together and have lunch together. Dennis has been working with the maintenance crew working with cement. Shelby has been working both housekeeping and laundry, alternating.

March being the hottest month means low water levels, we never will run out here as there are three natural springs on the property behind the house. However, the natural water coming out has been very low, many of the people living around us are allowed in the compound during the day to fetch water with buckets. The city water line has only been coming on to our area of the city for about 20 minutes to an hour very early in the morning. Not long enough to collect enough water for our large household. Dennis is in the process of having a water tank installed, then we will have a truck of water delivered so that we will always have water available in the pipes. We can always go out back with a bucket but having the running water is so much nicer and easier. He really knows how to spoil us, he even got a tv and dvd player this week and a microwave! We have been getting electricity nearly every night from 8 pm to 7 am. The microwave really comes in handy for heating meals when coming between service mid day. We just turn on the generator for a few minutes and can run the microwave to heat the leftover rice meal from the night before. We eat lots of rice and african food, we had been eating it cold, but it taste so much better hot.

The first thing we watched together on the TV was the Wolfeboro Cong. talent show :)
It was so wonderful to see our dear friends!

Thankyou for your personal emails, I will try to reply this week, but please bear with me. I am still tiring easily and reading is still a bit difficult for me. I took my time doing this post.

Love to all, and special hugs to my two new nephews!

Lorie