The Sabbath Day is a delight

 I love Sundays

Lebanon Home Group - October 20, 2024

   Each Sunday I attend church here in Sierra Leone I wonder if I have experienced it all and that it will start to become less meaningful.  Yet, each week I learn, grow, and experience something different.  The Sabbath Day in Sierra Leone is something I wish I could share with all.

  I have talked about these home groups here in Africa.  The missionaries are finding and teaching so many new investigators, and having success in Gathering Israel that our church houses are full.  Many members walk long distances to attend church.  These home groups have been established to bring the church house closer to the people.  I admit that at first I was skeptical.  Now I think it is a marvelous plan.

   Today we attended a home group in our area.  It is held in a small 1 room home.  We all have to climb a hill to reach the home.  The home will seat 26 maximum and pushing it. There is not light, rough cement floors, a couch sits in the front as it is someone's home, the small table is decorated up front with the few sacrament trays and a white cloth to cover, and yet members and investigators come. Many stand outside peering in the window and door while others are sharing chairs.  After the sacrament was administrated the talks began.  There was 1 assigned speaker, then the 2 Elder missionaries were asked to share their testimony.  Next Elder and Sister Thacker were the remaining impromptu speakers.  You would think I would get use to this, but nope...I was surprised again!  You would think that I have forgotten how to give a talk, but I guess this is where teaching by the spirit kicks in.  Elder Thacker is much better at it then I.

   The next sweet experience was leading our first ever primary in the Lebanon Home Group.  We brought our adult chairs outside to the shade of the roof overhang and enjoyed the beauty of a no rain, sunshiny view of Kono. I can not describe the joy it is to teach these children that Heavenly Father and Jesus love them.  They know and recognize Jesus Christ and their faith is sincere.  I take no credit, I just get to bask in the light of Christ as they feel His love for them. They do not know any songs so it's a pleasure to teach them so many new ones.  The thought of having fun through song and learning is foreign to them.  Today I got wise and invited some women to help me.  This way, as I will not be there each week they can keep teaching. I left them with many resources.

   There are very valiant members in the group.  I believe we met some of the strong ones.  There is a whole family that is active.  3 children are older and have been baptized, while 3 of them are younger. When I asked if they were planning to attend the temple he smiled a big smile and said they are planning to go when it opens in Freetown.  

   We are working hard on getting a new place to meet.  We have found one that will hold 150 members.  Once we can work through the lease agreements this will be a great place to worship and allow room for growth.

   

   The pictures attached are as follows:

    1.  Primary group

    2.  Lebanon group attendance/ in front of the home we met in.

There were 7 primary children, but all SL people love to be in "Snaps"
Estell is the little one in pink.  She stole my heart!
I asked the children to color a picture of something that made them happy.  Daniel in the red/yellow shirt drew a fish.  He said his is happy when he catches a fish to eat!

Elder Marvin the white missionary in the back said today in his testimony, "We are all brothers and sisters!" Today the spirit testified to me of this truth! We are all the same in God's eyes.

Brothers: Edward and Kossava!  Great young leaders. They wanted their picture with "mommy Kumba!"

This picture shows the entire length of the home. I would guess it was 6 ft x 12 ft.

Beautiful family