REASSIGNMENTS DUE TO EBOLA OUTBREAK

Dear Family and Friends,

                I had an interesting experience reading my patriarchal blessing this week.  As I read, I noticed some particular words in the expressions therein, and I decided to look up direct definitions of said words in my dictionary. As I understood the true meaning of the words and pondered why the patriarch was inspired to use them, I gained greater insight into the calling and expectations the Lord has for me. I also could fathom the Gifts of the Spirit that have been granted to me.

                What I love about my blessing is that everything is implicit, almost nothing is directly stated. I have to actually study it and pick it apart. Occasionally there are things that stick out to me, which I had never before noted or fully considered.  I think the Lord knew I have a love and knack for literature in general.  With the scriptures and my blessing I love to find truths that have been concealed.

                As we closed our day Saturday night the assistants called and gave us some sad news.  Due to a deadly ebola epidemic sweeping upper West Africa, the Sierra Leone and Liberia missions are being closed-- effective immediately. The missionary department is re-assigning all the missionaries to the 4 missions here in Ghana, and to the 5 missions in Nigeria. Our mission will receive one senior couple (hopefully they will come to our neck of the woods), one sister missionary, and 17 elders. We can expect them within the next week or two;  then two weeks after that we have 16 brand new missionaries coming for transfers. The mission home will be a busy place; there's always something huge going on...

                I do not envy those missionaries who have to be uprooted and planted in a strange new plot in the Lord's vineyard.  Imagine leaving everyone and everything you had come to love: the members and investigators, culture, experiences, etc.  That would be so hard; all at a moment's notice.

                Yesterday the assistants informed us that the missionaries might be stopped from leaving their countries because they were shutting down the airways.  But this morning we got word that there are 8 coming and they will make it tonight. The rest will come later, and we're still praying for them.

                K came to church! Late, but he came. We were very happy, he's a free guy and he enjoyed himself.  He just fit right in. Then we called him last night just to check up and he said he was sitting with his wife teaching her all the things he learned at church and his experience there.  He's so powerful! Although, it seems his word of wisdom concern may be larger than he is admitting.  So we're working on that.  Keep sending your prayers up for him.

                We also got like 4 referrals this week which is really impressive.  We're re-building our teaching pool right now so we really need it!

Love,

Elder Doggett

The ebola outbreak is on both sides of Ghana.  Prayers needed for our missionaries and the people in West Africa.