The Day Dawn is Breaking
- Jan 4, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 5, 2025
Scott -
Sierra Leone has four provinces. Our mission includes the Southern and Eastern Provinces, roughly half the country in size, less than half in population. The largest city in the Southern Province is Bo. We live in Bo. Bo feels like a small town surrounded by jungle and open spaces. There are very few cars, no tall modern buildings, only very small shops, and a lot of friendly people ready to accept the gospel.
The first stake was organized in Bo seven years ago. We watched the formation of the fourth stake last October. There is one stake in Kenema, the largest city in the Eastern Province. It will be divided in about a year. By that time, another stake in Bo will be nearing division. The number of stakes went from one to five in seven years. The number will double from four to eight during our three years here.
Outside of these two cities we have mission branches spread out five and a half hours in one direction and three hours in the other. It is a much longer drive during the rainy season. These branches are booming. The Moriba Town branch alone grew by 79 converts over the last six months and needs to be divided into four branches. We inherited eight mission branches. We are organizing three new branches this month and will probably divide and or form new branches every month of the year.
The growth of the Church is astounding. It is a golden time and a privilege to witness. During the first six months of our mission 1,148 people were baptized and confirmed members of the Church. We only have 102 young missionaries, yet they will baptize seven wards within the first year of the mission's founding, more than enough to form a stake. Everyone feels the excitement and wants to be part of the growth. Kathy and I don’t have to motivate members and leaders to help with the missionary effort. We just have to keep up.
We drove two hours last Saturday morning to be part of the baptismal service for 18 new members in the Kailahun Branch. We started in the dark and watched the sun rise in front of us as we traveled east. It was a beautiful dawn. We are living in a beautiful dawn. It began before we started our mission and will continue well after we go home.
The day dawn is breaking.
I love reading your blog posts to my little women. Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with the Thatchers.
We look forward to your blog. What a marvelous experience you are having. If I wee only 10 years younger I would be there. We pray for you daily! Love Dad
Your post was briefly discussed today in one of our gospel doctrine classes. We are so happy that we can witness this work through your eyes. It is definitely a miracle of the gathering in these latter days. Heavenly Father is helping all of His beloved children everywhere.
Your post beautifully illustrates the spiritual dawn breaking in Sierra Leone. The rapid growth of the Church and the enthusiasm of the members are truly inspiring. Driving into the sunrise to witness baptisms perfectly mirrors the hope and light spreading across the region. Thank you for sharing this uplifting glimpse of God’s work in action. Wishing you and Kathy continued strength and joy in your mission.
Kailahun continues to grow. Was the baptism in the font or did they go to the river to perform the baptism. We so miss the spirit of Salone. We love you all. This is the Ettingers.