Emails

 Email for week February 24, 2025

Dear Friends and Family,

     Another week has passed.  This week was eventful so while I am trying to catch up on my journal, I thought I should send an email as well.  We are learning so much about the gospel, ourselves, and ways to improve by the people of SL that I am beginning to worry that if it is not put down in writing I will not remember and maintain the growth when we return home.

   Thank you for your emails and support. 

  Many may ask what do you do as a Senior Couple?  Of course there are different types of missions senior couples can be called to serve, but for Elder Thacker and I we were called to a (Member Leader Support - MLS) mission.  This is mostly to live in assigned areas to strengthen the branch/or ward leaders.  Our mission President uses us for transfers and other Jr. missionary needs.  Transportation in SL is challenging.  Most transport is done on motorcycles or public buses (mini vans.)  When there is a transfer week all senior couples move the missionaries around the mission in their vehicles which are all trucks (similar to a tacoma).

  Our missionaries got the privilege of traveling to Freetown, to combine with the Freetown mission and see and hear Elder Christofferson in a devotional.  It was quite the act to get our missionaries there as traveling is 4-5 hours away from Freetown, but with many working hands we all made it there all safe.  It was a remarkable day.  Food in Sierra Leone can be challenging as there are no restaurants, truck stops, or grocery stores.  As Senior Couples we all joined forces and made meals for our missionaries.  It was such a joy to see them happy, because as we all know, young adults need a lot of food.  The best part of it all was to see the joy of our Jr. missionaries learning from an apostle of God.  Many will never get this experience again, and it was impactful!

   Elder Thacker and I attended a funeral and burial on Saturday and Sunday.  As Senior couples we get these choice opportunities because we are involved with the members.  This sweet lady that passed was 95 years old.  That is a marvel to live that long here in SL (or anywhere really.)  When there is a funeral people travel from far for 3 days to pay tribute.  All the while, the women are cooking in the back of the compounds. Everyone that comes is privileged to sit in small groups with a tray of food.  Each has a spoon, or a hand, and they share the plate.  It is actually very bonding as everyone talks and shares the plate. When you are filled, you place your spoon down so others know they can have more.

   It is very peaceful to sit under a bamboo made cover with a tarp and palm leaves for shade as we gather around those in attendance.  We all sit on wooden school benches, and walk behind the pick up truck that takes the casket to the local church for the funeral services.  Where it was held in a village our church held the services in the New Apostisic Church.  Then we all walk to the graveside. People talk, mourn, hold hands, sing, and bond together as we walk on the red clay roads through the village.  As they lower the casket into the ground, we all sing "Til we meet again."  

   Life as a senior couple missionary has been such a blessing and a joy. I am just not able to put into words my thoughts about these wonderful people that live very simplic lives, yet their ways are impacting us in deep ways.

Have a great week, 

Love, Elder and Sister Thacker

Pictures:  

1.  Viewing and celebration under the canopy

2.  Funeral held at the best church facility in the village

3.  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints funeral in the New Apostalic Church.

4.  Procession to the church and then to the graveside

5.  Elder Thacker having fun hopping on the back of the truck with the grandchildren.

6.  Sharing plates of food - Elder Thacker is drinking water from the normal bags of water we have here in SL.

7.  Two missions combined with Elder Christofferson