This is a picture of a palm oil plantation on the way to Zukun.

We took a trip to Grand Bassa county, District 4, to a village called Zukun. We and others had met a few individuals from this village and the area. They had been in touch with President Carlson requesting a visit as they had learned some about the church and were interested in learning more.

We left from our home around 5:30 am and had a few stops on the way to pick up several individuals going with us. We had 3 vehicles; two senior missionary couples, President and Sister Carlson, two sets of Elders, and several individuals from the area that were living away. We left the town of Buchanan for the dirt road around 8:30 am. It took us approximately 2 hours to reach the village from there.
The following pictures are along the road.

The bridge looked a little precarious! The logs were small and slippery.

Very pretty!

Zukun Village

 When arriving to the village we first met in the church building they had built. All the senior missionaries and Pres and Sis Carlson spoke briefly, as well as two of the Elders and others of the community and religious leaders. The man in the red shirt is the interpreter. It was a very interesting experience. They were very happy to turn the congregation over to the church, but in later discussions with Pres Carlson they learned that is not how it works! 

Many sweet and fun children!

Decorations on many of the homes, making them interesting and more attractive!

This is a picture of a home ready for the mud/clay to finish the wall.

A woman cooking gari in the kitchen of her home.

Yum, pineapple! It is every where right now and we are enjoying it every day!

They are pressing cassava, which is used to make foofoo, a popular food in West Africa.

On a walk to the river

Our Mission Christmas Party, Sinkor District Center, Monrovia, December 24, 2016.

We started at 11:00 am and finished around 5:00 pm. Lots of singing, eating, and enjoying one another. It definitely felt like Christmas!

One of the groups with their presentation.There were some great presentations; Paynesville Zone was quite the show. And then there was the 12 days of Christmas that Sister Carlson planned, organized, and played piano for, while Sis Wollenzien, Sis Barker and I held up posters for all to sing. Lots of fun!

 We visited an orphanage that was founded by Andy Jones, and is called Africa Heartwood Project. Their site is around 1.5 hours from where we live and is about 45 minutes down a dirt road. Rural. The project began in Ghana at a refugee camp for Liberians. They have since moved to Liberia and have cared for orphans from conflicts and ebola.
Currently the whole family is living on site for 9 months (coming from Utah). No running water or air conditioning; they are troopers! They recently built this little home as an experiment for future buildings. It is ferro-cement construction.

Group pic

When we first arrived we all gathered together and the children sang some traditional songs. Here are the drummers!
The singing, songs, and drumming were really nice, and special!

Some of the kids, before singing.

Some of the girls with their new dresses on!

More information can be found at AfricaHeartwoodProject.org
They sponsor projects, and sell drums, other musical instruments, and games

A restaurant we have been to a couple of times with the couples in the mission. Not a bad view. Sister Carlson is missing, and Tom taking the pic.
Unfortunately all the pictures I am posting from this one to the most current are taken with Toms camera so he is not in them. I will borrow his from now on! My camera zoom lens is stuck (and it did not fall in the sand as my previous camera). And, I have not been able to transfer pics from my phone to the computer.

This is our Thanksgiving Dinner! We had sliced turkey breast, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and onions, and sliced roasted squash. This restaurant is near the US Embassy, and is attached to a hotel called "Embassy Suites" but is nothing like the same in the US.

One of the Self Reliance "Starting and Growing my Business" groups

Following our dinner we went to the new found "NiceCream" which is really a great ice cream shop! You would think you were home!

Liberia had a YSA Super Activity at the end of the year. This pic is of the girls kickball tournment. One of the YSA men brought jerseys for the teams to use!
Activities included kickball, football (soccer), basketball, volleyball, and a period of time for small relay games which they were all involved in.They had a great time! The couples helped with food, registration/advertisement, and sports and activities (us). We learned a lot and will be more prepared for the next one!