These scriptures were definitely not left on the shelf to collect dust. They are well worn and used!

Almost always the African missionaries come with the paperback scriptures that were probably given to them by their Bishop or the missionaries. It's always obvious that they have been used a lot! They love their scriptures and while the Americans are buzzing around in their cars, watching t.v., going on dates, playing video games, etc. etc. the Africans are reading their scriptures. They are amazing scriptorians. Before they join the Church, they have been reading their Bible on a daily basis. They teach these Americans who have been in the Church all their lives a lot! It's quite an experience for the Americans to realize how blessed they have been and maybe didn't appreciate it like they should. They are very humbled when they see what matters most to their African brothers.

This time one of the Elders looked around at all the Americans with their nice new leather bound scriptures and scripture totes and then the Africans with their paperback scriptures and no tote and he decided he was going to be the catalist for changing that. He got together with all the other missionaries and they pooled their money to buy the Africans leather bound scriptures and totes. They all wrote in the front of the scriptures and just left them on their beds. It was such a heartwarming thing to see. The Africans were absolutely thrilled! The Americans also always come with backpacks and rarely do the Africans have a backpack. This time, because of an Eagle Scout project from Las Vegas, we were able to give them backpacks. Their eyes lit up like it was Christmas! They were so grateful. Because of that same Eagle Scout project, we were able to give them shirts, sox, and ties. One of the Africans was losing the soles of his shoes and because of a wonderful donation from a senior missionary, we were able to give him some pretty nice shoes.

These Elders left us this morning. They were a big group of 34 with lots of energy and spirit. 25 of them were from the US, others were from England, Germany, Norway, and all over Africa. They became so close to each other, maybe the best "brotherhood" we have seen yet. Seems like they just keep getting better. Four of them had only been in the Church a couple of years and were the only ones in their family that were members.

One of them, Elder Duwa, as he started investigating the Church, was told by his father to choose between the university and the Church because if he joined the Church his father would freeze his school fees. He knew the Church was true, but also wanted to be educated. The missionaries encouraged him to fast and pray that his father's heart would be softened and he followed that advice. Eventually his prayers were answered and his father told him that he could continue attending the Church and become a member if he truly believed that it was the true gospel. One of the American Elders said, "I spent a lot of my life sneaking out of Church while Elder Duwa was trying to sneak to Church."

Elder Horne, from California, said that the gospel was not always a priority with him and he spent a lot of his time with his buddies partying. He turned that around this past year. He received a letter from his mom the other day that one of his best buddies was now going to prison for 18mos. He said, "What an incredible contrast. . . my good friend is going to prison for 18 mos. and I am going out to serve the Lord for 2 years. That could have so easily been me if I had not made the choice to embrace the gospel and serve."

Elder Wille said that the night before he was to leave for his mission, an incredible fear came over him and he couldn't stop crying. He was thinking about leaving his family and good friends and didn't know if he could do it. He finally went to his knees and said, "Heavenly Father, I need some serious help. Am I doing the right thing?" He said an amazing calm came over him and he couldn't cry anymore. He absolutely knew this was the right thing to do.

One of the missionaries said, "I miss home, I miss my family, I miss my friends; this is so hard, but so worth it! I wouldn't have it any other way."

We feel very blessed to be a part of their experience and feel the Spirit every single day!