Post #18

Hi All,

           Sure is nice to hear from the family, and all the happenings in the Promise Land.   haha... I can see that the fair went well, and a good time was had by all!!  I bet it was fun.  

         So this past week we were pretty busy with meetings and trainings. We went to Kumasi on Tuesday. And President Holmes came to Obuasi and had a District training for us on Wednesday. We are really focusing on working more with members and helping them be better member missionaries. The majority of the baptisms and the active recent converts come from referrals from members. This is something the Mission President is pushing to do. After the trainings Sister Holmes brought and fed us a really nice chicken salad sandwich with bananas, apples, pineapple, and crackers.  It really hit the spot!!  It’s hard to believe that after the four short months I have been here; I have learned so much about everything, especially the gospel.

          So yeah as I said last week, we were planning on two baptisms yesterday. But unfortunately Steven did not show up, and Shadrack traveled to Kumasi. So next weekend Shadrack for sure, and I don’t know about Steven. This shows us how powerful the devil really is, once someone gets going down the right path. That is when the temptations really set in. So we are trying to really help him. So Steven use to work for the Gallumsay. (it is the small scale illegal mines in Ghana).  Now I guess the government has shut them all down, and all of them are out of work.  So yeah, he does not work.  He lives in probably a 8 by 8 cubical. It’s really humbling and sad to see what some of these people live in. And Shadrack is fifteen and goes to Junior High School. His parents work for Anglo Gold Ashanti. They stay in really nice apartments. Since we have been teaching him, he has really opened up, and is not shy anymore. Before, he was really quiet and did not know anything about the church. But now, he has a firm belief and a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. So he is really progressing.
          I’m pretty sure there are no Scouts in Ghana. If there was, it would be good. I think that a lot of boys would be involved. Most of the 8-11 year old boys go to school. They all have to wear uniforms, and they all look alike. The girls and boys wear the same thing. They have to be at school at six thirty to seven, then they take buses. When ever we see them going down the road, they are crammed in there like sardines. They are always friendly to us missionaries. They like to play football ( soccer ). They also get these big long sticks and then put a wheel on the end of it and push it around. Whenever we see them eat, usually there are about 7 or 8 around a bowl of fufu or banku eating.  They  always invite us to come and eat. They also sometimes do all the cooking and prepare the food for the family. Yeah, they are really friendly and like us white guys. There is a little nine year old boy that lives close by us. He was just recently baptized by Elder Barker. Whenever we pass, he always calls me over and wants to know what life is like in America. He says that he wants to follow me, and come with me when I go back. They do not have much at all compared to the boys back home, but everywhere we go, they are so happy with what they have.
          Well, we have a free meal tonight. (one of Elder Barker’s recent converts).  He was a king, but not anymore.  He is feeding us fufu.  So yeah, that’s pretty much our week. We are doing good over here in Africa.  Still alive and moving forward!! I am glad to hear about all the good storms that have happened. I bet that its nice at nights, and early mornings. Fall is coming, and then the cows come home. I really thank you for everything. Take care!!        Love Ty

Here I am harvesting bananas in front of my apartment.

There are many different kinds of breads in Ghana.  

Here is a picture of Tea Bread. 

It is my favorite!!