Dear family and friends,
The mission has reduced from 41 apartments to 17. From 7 zones to now only 4. Elder Bates and I are the current ZL's for the Paynesville zone. We are working hard to keep everyone positive, diligent, and obedient during these difficult times. If the country can't get better by March... I and my MTC group will be going home early because we simply can't stay crammed like this for too long. Things have been CRAZY over here but I'll try to sum it up and let you know where I am at... (Miracle is at the bottom)
After Elder Gababoi left early to attend a family matter, they sent me my zone leader Elder Baker from Arizona. I had been given 5 days to show him the area until I left to my new assignment as zone leader in Caldwell with Elder Bates from Utah. Well, we received a call that because of the country's economic circumstances, the mission would be reducing its missionaries by sending 3 groups home and reassigning the incoming elders. I'm not going into details but the previously assigned transfers were postponed until President could do what SLC asked him to which was to bring in all bush missionaries into Monrovia and Paynesville.
Our 2 man area instantly became a 6 man area as we welcomed the incoming Kakata missionaries. Elder Dela Cruiz(Philippines), Elder Balbosa(Philippines), Elder KraKra(South Africa), and Elder Segromotso(South Africa) came to be with me and Elder Baker. After showing them the entire area.... we learned that MOST OF THE WERE LEAVING ANYWAYS! UGH! During all this commotion... we had 2 baptisms to accomplish. Debra and Johanna's baptism was scheduled for the 5th of February. Literally the ONLY day we could do it because I was leaving early the next day. Well while waiting for the baptism, Johanna called saying in tears that her mom wouldn't let her leave the house. So we had to continue with just Debra...
Johanna had been taught for the past few years and she loved the Gospel but her mother, who lived in the States decided that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was bad. Out of respect for the mother, we never baptized Johanna. Well with all the changes in the mission, I was worried there would be an evacuation causing all the missionaries to leave Liberia just like what had happened not long ago during the Ebola crisis. This would cause Johanna's baptism to be in the hands of the members which would not work in our branch. We also realized she was 21 years old and didn't need parental permission. This is why we rushed a baptism for her but it went wrong when her mom noticed her leaving and chastised her. I was honestly heartbroken because Johanna would never see me again and I felt responsible for her and her mother's contention. Fortunately, the mother had a change of heart and miraculously allowed Johanna to come on Friday morning and be baptized. I was just about to be picked up for my transfer but Johanna insisted that I was the one to baptize her so I called the mission driver requesting him to procrastinate or pick up other missionaries first which he did allowing me to perform the baptism, change, and literally go from the church to the car which took me to my new area in Central Paynesville. This was a miracle and I am so happy for sisters Debra and Johanna for their dedication to enter the covenant path.
I am now in my new area in Paynesville. I live in a small apartment with 6 elders! 2 of them being massive islanders. Elder Bates is my companion and we are living with Elder A'ho from Tonga and Elder Robbins (Our District leader) from Montana. We also live with Elder Kirifi, a Polynesian from Australia and his companion who is in his training, Elder Jenkins from Utah. They are all super awesome and we are lucky to be with such cool elders. Obviously, things are tight right now. My companion and I live in a small storage room that is no bigger than my parent's closet. We are sleeping on the floor and have two windows with bars on both the outside and inside. We always make jokes saying we are in solitary confinement haha! Regardless of the difficult circumstances, we are making the best of it. I have found that the best way to unify the apartment is to cook, eat, and clean together! So far it has worked well!
THE MIRACLE:
I have one more miracle to speak of... This time last year I was serving in this Paynesville stake. Yesterday I was pleased to see a lot of my recent converts at church staying strong! In fact, 2 of them have left for missions and one of them has married another one of my recent converts from all the way in Kakata!!! I was sitting in sacrament meeting looking at this girl and I was positive it was Abigail from Kakata but I wasn't expecting to see her all the way in Paynesville. She was also wearing a very nice beautiful dress which didn't exactly match her "living in a bush dirt house" style. After service I shook her hand and she instantly recognized me and gave me a big hug! "Elder Hallenberger!" She yelled "I am married!" Haha I was so excited because that was exactly the assignment I had given her before I had left Kakata. She was living alone with a small girl who needed a father so I gave her a challenge to find a kind priesthood holder who could bless her and her child. She did just that! And guess what!? The priesthood holder was my recent convert who I had baptized and ordained!! This wasn't the only miracle, many of my recent converts had strong callings and didn't need missionaries to hold their hands in church anymore! One of them is a teacher for the young women and I just absolutely was filled with joy seeing her teach a group of young girls.
I don't know what will happen to me in March but let me tell you... After witnessing such miracles on Sunday, I feel comfort knowing my people are staying strong and I have done my part:)
I love you all!
Sincerely, Elder Hallenberger
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