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.