Douala, Cameroon

3/20/17

Friends & Family,

This is actually Julie this week. Preston was transferred to Douala, Cameroon. About a 4 hour bus ride from his previous area and is super excited to be there. He said the computer didn’t work well and so he was only able to get me a few sentences. His new comp Elder Muyala only speaks French which is great. (The last 7 months he has been in an English Branch so they have spoken both) He’s been out for 14 months and he’s on his 4^th companion. He is happy and did say that his new sector has dinner appointments!!! This is a first and way cool!!! (Especially for me to know as he was making dinner with a quarter pound of meat for 4 elders previously)

I will attach the mission home address again if you’d like to drop a letter snail mail. I am trying to do better at this myself. Even if it does take three months to get there having something to hold and reread is a gift to him.

Thank you for all your prayers & support,

Julie Stephens

Elder Preston Stephens

27 Avenue De Le Base La Frontiere

Moungali

Brazzaville

Republic of Congo

20 minutes after I got the email saying his computer was not working I got 5 emails. He said he changed computers and had success!!! He writes his group letters on Sundays and sends me a picture to type up. Sometimes I get more info on Mondays. Like his companion has only been out for 3 months. He said it will be like having a younger brother.

Hello Friends & Family,

This week was transfers and I found out I will be going to Douala, Cameroon. In the Sector of Boniberri A! What an exciting change! It’s going to be HOT! This week my random thought is on listening. Listening is so important in all of life’s aspects. If we don’t listen to our teachers we will fail. If we don’t listen to our bosses we won’t do the job right. If we don’t listen we can’t communicate with others. What a terrible place the world would be if we were alone. I wouldn’t want to be there! But when we listen to others we can learn from them. We can try new ideas and be better off. It all starts with listening and hearing someone out!

I love you all. I know that this gospel that I share is true. I know that Jesus is my redeemer and Savior; I know the Book of Mormon is true.

Love Elder Preston Stephens

3/27/17

Hello Everyone,

This week as you know I was in Douala. This city is hot! Basically like Tampa, Fl. Last night Elder Constant and I played Monopoly that was in this apartment. (I won) We went to bed and about an hour later a huge storm hit us! Lightning, Thunder, & RAIN! It busted open the door to the patio in our room. My comp is on the bottom bunk so he got up and shut it and dead bolted it. That did the trick but it was crazy when we woke up and we had a lake in our room. Luckily our scriptures were ok because our bags were soaked! The New sector is calm. We are out of the city. It’s kind of like Simi next to LA right there but not. It’s nice. There is a main road called “African Route “that is south. On Thursday we went to the “”Nouvelle Route” the North of it. (There’s really nothing between the two routes)  I love my branch. We have some awesome members who want to do work so it looks good. Love you guys and don’t forget to read your scriptures.

Love,

Elder Preston Stephens

Service of Members

Hello Everyone,

This week was pretty good. We were able to meet with one of our members who shared some of their struggles and trials and how the members of the church stepped in to help them in these very difficult times. I was deeply touched by the service these members rendered.

Sunday Comic…. My companion taught in the investigators class and he did a great job. I enjoyed his lesson on Repentance. Then we closed and 2 minutes before we start opening exercises for the third hour I feel the phone vibrate. I looked at my comp and said “I know we are going to be teaching now.” I then answered the phone and I was 100% right! I laughed and opened up the manual to what I was going to be teaching on. The Millennium. It went well for my lack of preparation. I know that Jesus is my Savior and he loves us. I hope everyone has a wonderful week.  

Love Elder Stephens

Baptism

Hello Everyone,

This week was pretty awesome! We were able to have a baptism. Afterwards we were invited to a family who just joined the church. So Amazing. Our baptism was very nice. We had our 2^nd counselor speak on baptism. He said when you join the church it’s like joining big family. On Sunday it was fast and testimony meeting and a couple of the members shared their gratitude for our service. It was nice to see how we made a little impact in their lives. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know it’s another testament of Jesus Christ. It can help us find our way when we are lost. I am so very grateful for the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ and the peace that can be in our lives because of it.

I love you all,

Elder Stephens