First Week Was Successful!!

Dear family and friends,

I've had a great week with my new companion, Elder Dabi! Each morning for an hour, I teach him how to speak English. Throughout the day, he will ask me how to say certain words and how to correctly construct a sentence. We are living with Elder Andriamisa who can speak French so it has been helpful having him around when I can't understand my companion. For the most part, if I speak slowly, Elder Dabi has no problem understanding me which is a blessing because I'm the teacher..

"Elder Hallenberger, me not get no money for buy food."

"No, it's I dont have any money for food."

"Me hungry."

"...Yeah me too."

Haha it's not easy but we're making progress. I taught him the word bro so now every time he talks to people he calls them bro:) That's my boy! Elder Dabi, President, and the Lord trusts me and I dont want to let them down. Before his training is finished, I will have Elder Dabi speaking English because I know that miracles come from obedience, diligence, and faith. My priority is to 1st, train Elder Dabi to be a great missionary and 2nd, to help him learn the language. If I do the 1st, then the 2nd will be much easier. "Obedience is the key to knowledge." -Bruce R Mcconkie

I have exciting news! Elder Hugo E Martinez of the Seventy is coming to speak to the mission on Wednesday at Zone conference! He desires to proselyte with a companionship afterwards and he chose me and Elder Dabi!!! I'm so nervous and excited! It's such a great opportunity and privilege to be able to say I proselyted with a general authority! I will surely have a report on this experience next week.

Just this morning, we had a great district activity in our apartment! I had asked president if as a district, we could watch Coco on P-day. Because President Price is a true bro... he allowed it and I am now a legend among my brothers! (This is the 2nd time I've convinced President to let me watch a movie on a Pday) Elder Pluim and I cooked a good amount of rice and chicken and Elder and Sister Baird brought their movie and projector! We had soft drink, brownies, and good food! Elder Pluim and I were worried that it wouldn't turn out well but I think it's by far the best activity ever put together. During the movie I turned to Elder Pluim and gave him a fist bump. We did it. #Legendsonmission. Coco is a dope movie I hadn't seen before. Super fun and creative:)

I love you all! Thanks for all your prayers and kind words! 

Sincerely, Elder Hallenberger

I have a son! I'm also an English teacher...

Dear family and friends,

Words cannot describe how crazy this past week has been!

Lets start with the killing of my good friend and companion, Elder Nick Stitcher. This man is no small man. He pushed me so hard and it was always a great time working with him. We baptized 3 people on Sunday during his final hours of being a missionary. Just as the service concluded, President Price came to pick up Elder Stitcher. Before they left, Stitcher extended his hand to shake mine. I rejected it and pretended as though I was stabbing him. He accepted his fate and fell into my arms. Rest in peace Elder Stitcher. Your positive impact on the mission will continue to ripple for a long time. Thanks brother man.

The baptism was amazing!!! We told the congregation that after church, a baptism will take place outside for Annie, Patrick, and Maxwell. Everyone was there to witness the service and it was a great day in Kakata! I'm so excited for these 3 children who have decided to join their families and be baptized. I'm also excited about 2 of my long time investigators who recently got married and are now ready to be baptized! 

On Wednesday, Elder Pollmann invited me to train a new missionary! I gladly accepted the call. After Stitcher left on Sunday, I was in a threesome with Elder Pluim and Elder Andriamisa (Madagascar) and we moved into our brand new apartment closer to our area. On Tuesday afternoon, I received a text from President saying, "You will love your new companion. He is so humble. He is just learning English so be patient with him. I gave him to you because you will not only help him be a great English speaker, but also a great missionary! He said he desires to be completely obedient. You are the guy for him." Knowing such a task would be difficult and not at all what I expected, I asked the elders in my apartment to give me a blessing. A few hours later, Elder Dabi from Brazzaville Congo arrived and it was so great to finally meet my (long awaited) son. It's very true that he can't speak a lot of English but it's also true that the gift of tongues is real and that the Lord will bless us as we stay obedient, diligent, and faithful. 

I have already asked myself why President felt that I, Elder Hallenberger, a complete clown should be the one to train the only French man who came this transfer (there was 10). Nevertheless, I trust President and the Lord and I am honored to be trusted with such an opportunity and responsibility. I pray I wont get sick again because I desire to give this task my full undivided attention. These experienced will surely help me later in life when I become a real father. Hopefully none of my babies come out speaking French though....  

I love you all! 

Sincerely, Elder Hallenberger

SERVE!

Dear family and friends,

This week was a powerful one and the days will surely be remembered! I am very grateful for my hard working companion who has a strong desire to progress the area for me and my next companion (hopefully a trainee). We've set goals and conquered them! We've worked hard and stayed obedient and as a result... The Lord has surely blessed our area and companionship. I love this work and I'm forever grateful for Elder Stitcher and his profound example. I report that this week was successful and that Kakata is doing great!

Every other day this week we proselyted with Brother George Sumo, an Elder preparing for his mission. He has been very helpful to have around because his testimony is strong and he knows the area better than we do. We also had Sister Joyce ZayZay help us a few times which has also been helpful. She's also preparing for mission and I have no doubt that they'll both do great:)

President Price announced his desires to make us more productive in the work. For example, even though missionaries need to be inside before dark, 7:30, President asks that we continue doing missionary work till 9 (Like most missions). Things like planning, calling investigators, studying, and updating the area book. I love this new change and I know it'll cause improvement in our areas. President Price is a great leader and I am excited to continue serving with him.

After church service, I taught an investigator some things I have been studying in the Book of Mormon. She asked me to teach her so I figured the words of King Benjamin would be a good one! This king was a righteous man who served his people just as the Savior did. He also encouraged his people to follow his example. 

"When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17) 

When King Benjamin handed the throne to Mosiah, his son, Mosiah wisely followed his fathers example and worked hard along side his fellow men and served them. Because of this, there was no contention in the land. Everyone served one another and the Lord blessed them because of it! I then told her that when we serve others, we will see happiness within our own lives.

On Saturday we had a large service project at the branch building and seeing my Branch President working hard with the members reminded me of King Benjamin and his son. This is how it it inside Christ's true church! Jesus Christ himself spent all His days serving others and all He asks of us is to do the same and love those we serve. When we do this, we show our love to Heavenly Father and we will see blessings even miracles in our lives. 

As I study about leaders serving their fellow men, I am reminded of my time in the mission home last week with President and his wife. Everyday, they left early, got home late, and answered phone calls all night. Missionaries often assume our President is relaxing all day in his homer but I witnessed first hand that he works harder than any missionary here. It's comforting to know I've got a leader who is so engaged and dedicated. I love and sustain President Price.

This is my report for this last week. This next week has been titled, "The power week" because Elder Stitcher wants to end stronger than ever! I'm happy to do that with him. We'll have 4 baptisms this Sunday after service and President Price said he will try and attend so that should be a great day for Kakata:)

Love you all!

Sincerely, Elder Hallenberger

The Show Must Go On!

Dear family and friends,

I love you all and I'm so grateful for your prayers during such trialing times. I'm sorry I've stopped writing. When I get sick I get discouraged because I don't feel like I'm fulfilling my calling.

I've had a lot of time to study the Savior's life and his divine mission. My mission is to testify of Him and bring others closer to Him. I always pray my family and friends will receive the experiences they need to come closer to Him and feel His love. I know that He lives and that He is leading this wonderful work! Being a missionary is such an opportunity to learn more about Jesus Christ.

Georgie and Lydia were baptized!!! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go because doctors demanded that I stayed down. I have been working with these 2 siblings for the past 3 months and I am so happy for them and their decision to follow the Savior and be baptized! I pray their faith will only grow as they continue to share the message to their family.

The work is divine and amazing! I am excited for all my friends who are leaving on missions soon to join me on this journey. Getting sick isn't fun but its rewarding being here regardless of the trials that follow.

Love you all!

Sincerely, Elder Hallenberger

Killing Elder Stitcher

Dear family and friends,

Since it's transfer Monday, I don't have a lot of time to write so here's a brief summary of my week...

Things are changing again! I'm staying in Kakata with my new companion, Elder Stitcher from Arizona! He is going home with Elder Pollmann at the end of this transfer and President has asked me to "kill" him. I know Elder Stitcher is a strong and powerful missionary and I am so excited to serve with him. (Kill meaning I'm his last companion)

Elder Eaton is staying in Kakata to split the Zone Leader's area with Elder Molisi from Tonga. All 6 of us are staying in a 4 man apartment until my area's new apartment is finished! When that happens, Elder Pluim and Andriamisa will be living with me and my companion.

We've really been working hard to find new people to teach. My prayer is that lots of our cohabiting investigators will soon be able to get married and baptized. A couple weeks ago, I sent out a letter that included my big struggle as a missionary in Liberia. I have a handful of people who believe the church is true and have desires to be baptized but because they are cohabiting, they'll need to wait until they pay for a legal marriage certificate. When I explained this, I was pleased to receive many emails from family and friends who wish to help donate and contribute for my investigators. I asked my President what I should do and he told me to encourage my well intention friends to contribute to Liberia in another way. Humanitarian, mission, etc. If we help pay for certificates, everyone will come to the church for handouts and there would be no effort on the investigator's end. "Faith without works is dead." I love all my investigators but I would much rather baptize someone who sacrificed of themselves and showed true faith by doing what was asked of them. I think the main issue is the people's priorities...

I once knew a man in my earlier area who had been investigating the church for nearly 6 years. He understood the truth, loved the church and desired to be baptized but he waited and waited because he needed a marriage certificate. He has a very nice smart phone, bluffing(fancy) clothes, and a personal car but he never got a marriage certificate and I think it's because baptism sadly wasn't his highest priority. This is the main problem missionaries face in West Africa.

On Saturday, Brother George and Brother Zachboy were baptized! The service was wonderful! Brother Sumo baptized, Elder Odoom and I gave talks, and George's mom and step-dad came to support their son! It was so special having them join us and feel the Spirit. They aren't of our faith but for the past 2 weeks, as I previously promised, we taught them and gave them a greater understanding of the Gospel their son loved. It is clear to me that the Lord truly softened the hearts of these people and it was a blessing to have them not only approve of George's baptism, but also to come and witness it. His mother also came on Sunday to see his confirmation! I was honored to do that for him and I was so happy she was there! She has another church she frequently attends and she promised me that she wouldn't be able to come this Sunday. Well, she did:) I could tell the mother was so grateful for the church's influence on her son.

Brother Zachboy bore a wonderful testimony and he shared a story about his conversion into the church. He was born into a strong Catholic family and he spent 4 years meeting with missionaries until he realized which church was true. I also felt impressed to share my testimony and encourage the branch to continue welcoming new people warmly. I invited them to always say hello and be a friend because you never know what a simple greeting from a stranger could do. After the service was over... I was pleased to see the relief society president, the branch president's wife, and many other women in the branch immediately greet George's mother and invite her to Sunday school. Before she walked home I shook her hand and asked her how she enjoyed church. She smiled and said, "It was beautiful."

I testify that I witnessed a countenance of conversion on that sweet lady's face and I am going to continue to teach her because I know that she felt the Spirit strongly like never before that special Sunday. 

My friends the mission is truly wonderful and there's no denying that it is the work of the Lord. There is no denying that the experiences I'm having is changing my life. I love you all. Thanks for your support! 

Sincerely, Elder Hallenberger

President Price: No Small Man

Dear family and friends,

I've got a lot of exciting news to report on for this last week!

A couple weeks ago, I had written a suggestion letter for the missionary department that I gave to President Clark. In the letter, I explained why an illustration of Mormon would be a great addition to the standard blue Book of Mormon that missionaries hand out quite often. I did this because everyday I get asked the question, "Who is Mormon?" and I always wish I had a picture of the prophet Mormon to show them (especially in Liberia where visuals are key.) I also love my dad's reasoning... We as members of the Church are encouraging others to not call us Mormons. It would be helpful if we could actually show them the real Mormon and the person who the book is named after. Well, on Monday President called me with excitement informing me that Elder Nash (West Africa Area President) loved the suggestion and he sent it on down to Salt Lake City where the missionary department and hopefully the First Presidency will review it! Let it be known.. If the picture is added... I played a major role in that massive change of the Church:)

On Thursday at district council, Elder Baird shared a story from when he was a bishop. Each senior missionary has a specific assignment and Elder Baird is the bike guy. Recently, he caught some of the elders in our district riding bikes without helmets. His story surely did a number on their weak desires to wear helmets.... He said that one day, he got a call from a mission president informing him that Elder Five, a missionary serving in his ward had gotten in a serious accident and was in the emergency room. He was hit from behind while riding his bike which caused him to be ejected and thrown a far distance. He injured his head and was unconscious. His companion, who had only been out for 2 weeks, knelt beside him and gave him a blessing. When the ambulance arrived, they waited until the blessing was finished. As soon as the word, "Amen" was spoken... Elder Five woke up.

The daughter of the investigator these elders were about to teach was the paramedic who responded to the call. She later told Elder Five's parents, "I've witnessed enough accidents to know when someone is dead and your boy was dead." Elder Five's accident left him with some mental and physical handicaps and he was in a coma for a while. He shares his experience in the Spirit world and his time spent with the Savior, his grandmother, and an older sister who had died as a baby before he was even born. Elder Five was wearing his helmet but he was still injured. Who knows what the outcome would have been if he wasn't taking precautions. It's a good story and it teaches a good lesson... Wear your helmets people:) #SafetyFirst

Okay now for my favorite park of the week... President and Sister Price are so awesome! I was lucky enough to meet him literally the day after he arrived while other missionaries must wait till Thursday! He honestly reminds me a lot of my Young Men's President back home. On Sunday afternoon, Elder Fifita and Elder Pollmann drove us even further into the bush to Totota! (I've officially been in 3 counties) where we met our new President and his wife. He shook our hands as we entered the building and I noticed something very special... He wasn't looking at our name tags. He smiled and called our names. He knew our faces as if he was a lifelong friend (Granted, It's hard to forget my ugly face). Instantly, I knew my President and the Spirit confirmed that he was the man prepared to come and lead this amazing work here in Liberia. He said something that really caught me by surprise... "Elder Hallenberger! We really enjoy your YouTube videos! continue to make us laugh." I would've never had guessed that my mission president would be a fan of TreyTubeGaming! Turns out that when he received his call to Liberia, it didn't take long for him to find my blog and YouTube channel:)

They had us all (14 Elders) sit in a circle to show unity. After a hymn and prayer, he and his wife began to tell us about themselves. If I had to describe these two in just 3 words, it is this... No small thing:) This guy served a mission in California and he was in the FBI for almost 24 years. He spent the last 4 in the middle east doing security for a large oil company. He was also a stake president and area seventy while living there. When President Oaks called him to Liberia, he was excited to finally live in a foreign Christian country. Before living in the Middle East, his career had him living in California, Alaska, Montana, and Washington DC. After retiring, him and his wife got a nice home in Utah and they planned to settle down. If you want to make God laugh... tell Him your plans. Only a year later, they got called to Liberia. No small thing. They gladly accepted the call and I am so happy they are here! (Please excuse my lack of details... I forgot some)

The Spirit is so present and so strong when they speak. President Price stood in the center and had an Elder duct tape his hands tight together. He then shared a story about his survival training experience before he went overseas to the Middle East. One of the exercises was a drill kidnapping. One night, him and another trainee were kidnapped and duct taped and carried deep into the bush to an old cabin where they laid on the hard floor not knowing what to do. He said he was there for almost 5 hours until they showed him how to break free. He then said that when people don't know what to do... they do nothing. That is why its important to know what to do. He then jump scared us an broke free from the duct tape. "After I learned what to do... I was disappointed that I sat for 5 hours doing nothing." He then related it to our lives as missionaries. He told us that we will soon have a new handbook that is more lenient and trustworthy and it will require that missionaries have integrity and diligence so we can, as the handbook is titled, "Become more like disciples on Jesus Christ." He then shared that his role as a President is to help us and to work beside us as we try to fulfill our calling and become more like our Savior. What an amazing man. The Lord truly prepared two great servants to come and replace two great servants who are now finished. I love and I'm grateful for President and Sister Clark. Likewise, I love and I'm grateful for our new President and his wife. I sustain them and I'm excited to continue the work of the Lord in Liberia with them.

I'd like to add one more thing President told us that really impacted me spiritually. "Last week, we had sacrament meeting at the MTC with the Prophet and Apostles. This morning, we had sacrament meeting here in Liberia. I note that the Spirit was just as strong here as it was with those 15 men of God last week."

The mission is great my friends. I love this country, I love my mission, and I love the people I get to serve and serve with. Thanks for your encouraging words. I love you:)

Sincerely, Elder Hallenberger

I don't have any pictures but these are some drawings I've drawn throughout my mission on P-days. Please enjoy:)

Fathers, Baptisms, and Faithful Children

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was very successful for the Kakata missionaries! The progression of this amazing city is just incredible! Here's my report for the week...

On Wednesday, we had our last interview with President Clark. I figured it would be the best time to answer the following 4 questions he had asked us to think about in his last weekly email the day after Father's Day. I was very happy to write down my feelings about each question and President was pleased with my answers. 

The first question was the easiest... "What are some important principles your mortal father has taught you?" Anyone who knows my dad also knows that he is a faithful man who loves God, his family, and his country. If I were to add another I'd say his favorite NBA team:) My father has taught me that God comes first which includes loving and serving family, friends, and even strangers. He has taught me to be positive when everything seems negative. He leads by example and kindness. I love my dad and these are only a small portion of the many great principles he continues to teach me as I try my best to follow his profound example.

The 2nd question was, "What's the most important lesson we are teaching to build stronger fathers in Liberia?" For me the answer is easy. What's the role of the Father? The father plays an important role in the Family unit which is God's favorite thing. The Family is crucial and central to God's plan. My answer is the Law of Chastity because it protects the Family and since the father has the responsibility of not only obeying the law but also to teach it to his children.... It's important and even compulsory that he understands and lives it. My answer is the exact same for mothers. The Law of Chastity is the most important lesson we are teaching future and current parents(The head of the family).

My answer to the 3rd question, "How are you preparing yourself to become a strong father?" is this.... I'm on a mission. I am learning and understanding truths that I don't think I would've learned back home. Truths that teach me to be more patient, humble, diligent, charitable, obedient, and kind which I'm sure is a great set of attributes to have as a father! I know that while I'm here, the Lord is shaping me to become what he needs me to become. I wish to become an actor, a talk show host, and a director but above all... My biggest dream is to become a father of a big happy and faithful family. There are many reasons why I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary but a massive one is because being on mission  prepares me for the rest of my life, especially to one day become a father. 

The 4th question... "What do you understand about the Father of your spirit?" There's a lot I know and there's a lot I don't yet know about this subject. I do however know what I need to know. The Father of my spirit is the Father of everyone's spirit which would make us all brothers and sisters. The Father of our spirit is our Heavenly Father and he loves us more than any mortal parent ever could. His love is perfect and too grand to fully comprehend. Because He loves us, He sent His only begotten Son to come down to earth and atone for the sins of all mankind. The Savior's infinite atonement ensures that through repentance...we can all return to live with our Father in Heaven. Because He loves us, He gave us a body, a Savior, and a path that'll lead to Eternal Life with Him, Jesus Christ, and our loved ones. The most important thing that I understand about the Father of our spirits is this... He loves us. This infinite truth when understood will cause us to more diligently follow Him and trust His Eternal plan of happiness.

Most of my answers to these questions couldn't have been answered prior to my mission experiences. When I think of all that I've learned in just one year... I'm amazed at how much knowledge can be gained when we chose to follow and serve the Lord. This is why I'll never stop encouraging my friends to go on missions:)

On the 22nd, we had a wonderful baptism service for Marie, Chris, and 2 of the zone leader's candidates. Something was wrong with the generator so the font was unable to pump a lot of water. Poor Elder Dube had to baptize in water that didn't even reach his knees!!! If there's a will.... There's a way:) Each candidate stood for the prayer and then sat in the water while Elder Dube laid them back to fully immerse them. It's honestly so special to see how the Church works it's way around the difficulties of Liberia. Unfortunately, one of our candidates was unable to be baptized because his mother last minute changed her mind and didn't approve. He was all dressed, excited and ready which made it very hard to tell him he'd need to wait. My heart ached for this faithful young man who desired to be baptized. I promised him that I would try my very hardest to teach his mother and change her mind about his baptism.

It's common for the children in Liberia to be more faithful than the parents. If you ask me.... In most cases, the children are the true pioneers here!! I know a small girl no older than 6 who enjoyed going to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints even though her mom had her own church she would attend each Sunday. After many failed attempts to convince her mom to come to church with her just once...this faithful and fearless little girl chose to not eat her food until her mom promised to go to church with her the following Sunday! This she did haha! What happened next? Well, after 1 month of missionary discussions and coming to know which church was true... The mom was baptized and is now one of the strongest sisters I've met here in Liberia. All this because a little girl wanted her loved ones to taste the sweetness of the fruits she loved. I absolutely love this story and it stands as a witness to me of the unique faithfulness of the children of Liberia. 

This is my report! I hope you enjoy! Love you all:)