Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Staying in Brazzaville


Hello from Brazzaville,

This week was good I shocked Presidents hand today. It's been a couple of weeks since I got to do that haha. Brazzaville problems haha. We got our transfer letters and I will be in Guynemer Ward for another 6 weeks. All the Elders in our apartment are still here. I got my shirts that I had tailored back and wow they are awesome! I’m going to have her clean up 2 more shirts. It feels good to have clothes that fit. Yesterday we watched the Face2face with Elder Bednar after that we watched a seminary devotional from Elder Maynes who is in the Presidency of the Seventy. He talked about the restoration. It was good and spiritual. We had an elder leave to go on a mission from our ward.  He's going to Ivory Coast on his mission. It was so cool to see him leave. They played a video of all the elders from the stake who are returned missionaries talk about their experience it was really cool but we had to go early cuz it was dark outside haha. I Love being here in the Congo. Oh yea elder Bacera and Elder Sperry go home tonight. Crazy but what's also crazy is I’m 4 months into this mission its crazy time has flown by. I hope you enjoy your Memorial Day. The flag at our US Embassy was flown at half mast today.

Love,

Elder Stephens

Republic of Congo, Brazzaville Mission



Monday, May 23, 2016

First Baptism


Hello Everyone,

This week was awesome we had a Baptism and I baptized my first convert Fr. Vince. It was so awesome and the spirit was strong.  (This is the attached picture)

I want to share a quick story this week about the power of the gift of tongues. On Sunday we were teaching the boyfriend of one of our amis and after I presented myself the first thing he said was I can’t speak French... I don’t know if he couldn’t or choose not to so my companion taught the lesson in Lingala. I can’t speak Lingala if you didn’t know but….. at a point in the lesson the spirit said to me hey talk about this.... why I don’t know. I don’t even know what subject they were actually talking about but I followed the prompting.... wow it was perfect as my companion said.  I know that the spirit will tell us what we need to say or do in all situations we just need to choose to listen and do as he directs.  I love all your letters love you guys have a wonderful week.

Love,

Elder Stephens

Republic of Congo, Brazzaville Mission
preston.stephens@myldsmail.net



Monday, May 16, 2016

Two in One


Last Monday Preston was having computer issues. He asked me to put together his letter from the Mother’s Day Skype. Then he wrote this and I didn’t see it until Sunday!! (Yesterday) So I’m sending it out today also.

First letter

Hello everyone The connection today is terrible and it won’t load the church’s website to write president but so is life I got to Elder Legerskis apartment tonight so like in a couple of hours so we will have fun I can't wait my comp is killing me I don't know how I am going to do another 6 weeks if we don't transfer but watch just my luck we'll be together.

We have our interview for our baptism on Thursday and then if he passes on Saturday we will have the baptism I hope that it all works and that he can we've been fasting and praying for a baptism for a long time but that's what happens when you get a new area book. So you have to start from square one with all of your amis I love being here in the Congo it's nice weather once you get a good burn layer on. I obviously have one so all is good my head is another story so it might not ever be able to short like at home cuz the sun is just really strong here. I looking at buy a new pair of pants because the ones i have now are just huge haha and they look bad because they are so big I can't believe I used to fit in them haha my shirts are just going to have to do because I don’t have the money to buy new shirts cuz it's expensive and hard to find good white shirts. And mine fit they just need to be slim fit now not hulk status. That is what happens to Elders that come to Brazzaville heavy or anywhere in my mission you work and walk all day eat less food and when you do eat it's more vegetarian based cuz that’s cheaper. But such is life here in the Brazzaville mission. We got water but then they turned it off again. I really wonder who is in charge here. I've heard the other apartments sometimes have power but it's on a schedule of 2 days on one day off. At least that's regular haha. Well I love you all I hope you have a great day and week I can't wait to hear from you guys stay safe and choose the right.

Oh thank you so much for being ready to Skype I’m so grateful we were able to and that we were blessed with no technical difficulties.

Second Letter

Hello, I bought new pants ($10) that hopefully will fit me and not look terribly baggy on me cuz I’ve lost so much weight. I also found my short sleeve suit coat <3. I am waiting to purchase it at the end of my mission when I can barter better. I am so sorry to hear about Boaz. I had a feeling he wouldn’t be there when I got back. The dogs here are abused and miserable. It’s hard for me to see them the way they are.

This week we have a baptism yay!!!! I’m so excited for that. And we have water now that’s been on for two days and the washing machine is working better so this week was pretty awesome. We are also teaching family home evening for the YSA (Young Single Adult) in our ward tonight so we’ll see how that goes my companion wants to teach marriage eternal......

I love my Mission I know that the Lord called me to the Congo. I know that the book of Mormon is the word of god. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to return the gospel to the earth.

I love all of your emails I appreciate your support.

Pictures are:  Presidents Birthday dinner at the Chinese Restaurant.
The snails here are HUGE!
I am wearing my Raincoat with some other Elders.
Group Shot

Love,

Elder Stephens

Republic of Congo, Brazzaville Mission

Monday, May 9, 2016

Mother's Day


Hello everyone, 

This week was a normal one. Jk Oh wait I got to call home! That was awesome!!! It was great to talk to my family yesterday. My mom will put pictures on my blog from the Skype. Dexter’s hair is crazy and I’m jealous Bry got to go to the temple! Not sure about my feelings on the house. Wish I could help with it.

 We have a baptism for this week I am so excited for that. We taught a lot and then it rained a ton. We got water back but then we lost it again. It’s rough but then Sister Monga (the mission president’s wife) came over and told us she wasn’t sorry for us because we could be catching it every day!!! It rains so hard that we could fill up a 60 gallon trash can in 3 min! When they turn the water off we are supposed to catch it. We take bucket showers. It changes our morning routine with 6 Elders getting ready.

 Today was president’s birthday so we came and sang and then he took us out to Chinese food haha it was fun cuz all the missionaries in Brazzaville came. Sister Bills also made a cake. I love you guys and all of your support.

I was going to send some pics but the connection is to slow this week. I’ll try next week.

Love,

Elder Stephens

Republic of Congo, Brazzaville Mission




Monday, May 2, 2016

No Water and address to write letters


Hey guys!

We haven’t had water this week so that’s been a challenge.

We also have had mission office meetings all week. My companion is now DL (District Leader) He’s not thrilled about that. It’s more work. We have been taking the bus more. Which is nice. I’m down 20 lbs.

We teach English on Saturdays at the church and that is starting to grow. I talk to people about the Temple every day and we show them pictures.

We just got a new store here. It has peanut butter like from the USA. I’ve been trying to buy one spice a month. I just got herbes of Provence. The Senior Sister bills said to use it on chicken. When we make Fish we cut it into three pieces. (that’s why someone always gets the tail or the head) We made papaya jam yesterday.

I would really love letters in the mail. My mom is attaching the mission home address to send them to. We go there weekly.

I hope all the Moms have a wonderful Mother’s Day. I am excited to Skype my family! If you have any questions I told my mom to have them ready. So email her. Have a great week.



Elder Stephens

27 Avenue De Le

Base La Frontiere

Moungali

Brazzaville

Republic of Congo



Love,

Elder Stephens

Republic of Congo, Brazzaville Mission