Hello everyone! It's been a little while, but I have had some amazing things happen lately. I will share the most significant one with y'all. But before I do that, I will inform you that transfers have happened. Elder Uzoigwe has left, and my new companion is Elder Togba Jr. from Liberia. He is my second Liberian companion and honestly just a stand-up guy. I am still in the same area of Kronum. I really like his area, but I was told in my last interview that I will soon be transferred (in 2 weeks). I've been in Kronum for 6 months now, so some change would definitely be nice. I'm looking forward to what my new (and last area) will have to offer.
For the main part of today's email, it will be a story of a major miracle I saw this month.
When I first got to Kronum, I got an email from my amazing aunt Debbie. She was asking if I wanted a care package from home. Usually, I would ask for things to fulfill my own selfish desires (like American candy, jerky, sunflower seeds, etc...), but this time I felt as if I should ask my aunt to send some clothing for a very poor family in my area. She graciously sent the clothes. After a long while, they arrived. I brought them back to my apartment but never had the chance to take the clothes to the family. I felt like I was just being lazy by not taking it to them swiftly like I had intended to. They sat in my apartment for maybe 2 months.
To give a little background on the Oduro family, the family has 7 members in total: the mom and dad, and 5 kids with ages 12, 10, 7, 5, 3. Well, the family was living in a bad place with a really bad landlord. He would often beat their children while both of them were out and about looking for jobs during the day. Eventually, enough was enough; the abuse was too much to handle. Although they had no money, they bargained with another landlord to let them stay in a room for a few months until they could get on their feet. He agreed, and they moved to a place that had a good landlord but was an area that was along the river bottoms that easily flooded.
About a week ago, a bad rainstorm came through the land, and there was a huge flash flood. Because they were staying in a place that floods really bad and along the river, the entire family nearly drowned inside their own house. There was water pouring into the windows and no way to escape. The entire house was filled to the brim with water. But thankfully, before the house collapsed and was carried downstream, the family was able to swim out the front door. Even though they were already upon hard times, things just got a lot harder. Everything that they did own was lost in the depths of the raging river. Honestly, it was by the grace of God that they were able to get out of the building without a scratch on them. But thanks to the spirit and charitable family members, despite having nothing left, now at least have clothes to wear.
What I thought was laziness was actually the spirit that was restraining me. And I'm thankful that I listened to it. If I would have given them the clothing just a week sooner, all of their new clothing would have been washed down the river alongside their house. As of now, the family is doing well. The father was able to find someone who would hire him for a time, and the church helped to get them a nice safe room with a good landlord far away from any rivers.
I hope things are going well at home. As the seasons change and get colder, I'm doing A-OK here. I'm happy and healthy! Thanks! ~Elder Gilbert
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