POST 44

Hi Everyone,
           So Yes,  it’s Monday again and I’m doing the same ol same ol.  I’m still doing good and surviving over here. I’ve been out of money for the past few days, just eating indomie and bread. ha ha… Yeah, this past week was ok; kind of getting tired of doing the same thing everyday all day, pretty repetitive. Anyway things are going good.  We didn't have the baptisms yesterday, but next Sunday M  and S will be baptized. We had a member named Gad show us around where he lived, and gave us 6 or so new people to teach.  He really knows a lot of gospel doctrine and a lot of things.  One guy we are teachings name is J.  He was not really interested at first, and the other day we asked him how he felt about the teachings so far, and he said he’s beginning to like them, and something is developing in him. He agreed to be baptized on the 9th of March.
          About Agbeko's family, I don’t think they are members, just his dad.. We gave the missionaries that stay around that area their numbers and they are maybe going to start teaching them. (one of his uncles has 2 wives) Also, one of his dads friends came to Buokrom last week, and was the one that
introduced his dad to the gospel. So it pretty cool that he is meeting these people.
          Being DL is starting to weigh down on me.  The district now has 12 missionaries and I’m not getting much sleep at nights.  Other things are starting to somehow slowdown.  I’ll surely be released next transfer, and then I’ll be a lot better.  But we keep trying and I am doing my best.  I’m always  remembering all the blessings and everything I have back home, so it’s not too bad I guess.
          So yeah, I got Gr. Becky’s package a while ago full of trail mix that was really good and nice for a change.  The Zone leaders said they have a few letters for me when we go to Zone meeting so probably they are the ones your talking about. So anyway that’s about it. Not too much else has been happening over here. Just a lot of crazy, out of the ordinary things always happening, that I just bypass everyday, and not give attention to.   So everyone is doing great sounds like and enjoying life. So take care and May God Bless!!
                      Love Elder Ty Blackburn

Kobi…  A members neighbor kid

Eating pizza at Piri Piri and also REAL Mineral..  ha ha...

POST 43

Hello Everyone,
          The past week was good. I’m staying in Buokrom one more transfer still as DL, and going to finish Agbeko's training. Next transfer I’ll probably leave Buokrom to somewhere outside of Kumasi. So Samuel was confirmed yesterday, and it was really a happy day for him. More of the people we teach seem more serious than the past ones the past month. We have about 4 more serious ones who are coming to church every Sunday, keeping commitments, and progressing towards baptism. We weren’t able to have a baptism today but probably next week.
          Elder Agbeko is doing better. Last Sunday we met some of his family. Yesterday, they wanted us to come and eat fufu with bushmeat but we wasn’t in the mood for bushmeat so we decided not to go. I think that his dad went on his mission to Salt Lake or something, and that’s how his parents met.  So yeah, he is still pretty much still in shock with all this.  He’s always staring and in awe all the time, but he’s settling in pretty good. As for the others in the apartment, they just do their own thing most of time. Their both from Uganda.
           Last night I talked to Elder Nielson who is in Sunyani now. We were talking about the many things we are gonna do when we get back. It will be here before we know it.  Time has really flew if we look back on the past ten months. Lately I haven’t been able to get much sleep at nights. Either I’m not tired enough, or too many things on my mind. So I try to clear my mind or sing a hymn or something like that. ha ha...
           So anyway that’s about it for Buokrom this week. That is great that the moisture is coming good and that Spring is just around the corner. Wow!!  That is somethin else about all the water.  Yeah, if it wasn’t for the county, it probably wouldn’t of got flooded; but that is not good at all. Is the carpet ruined? jeez! Sorry, but at least there are culverts now. How is the snow pack on the hill? Hope it is good. You’ve still got Winter till April or so. Well anyway, sounds like you're doing well and being blessed all the time. I don’t need hardly anything. I’m gettin by with what I have. Whenever I get candy or sweets, they are too much at times; too sweet and sugary. Thanks!! Take care!! Better go. We are going to go eat at Piri Piri today.  It's owned by Lebanese and is pretty good food. So Till next week. Keep up the good work.
                      Love Elder Ty Blackburn

Pounding fufu

                                

                         

We pass by this pool of water often.

POST 42

Hello Everyone,
          This past week was good. It rained a little last night.  Just enough to keep the dust down and freshen things up. Yesterday we were able to have a baptism for Samuel, and also the bishop’s daughter. She turned 8; so her as well.  Samuel was really excited and he also felt really welcomed after the baptism when everyone came up and shook his hand and welcomed him in. Samuel was really happy, and I could tell he was excited leading up to it. I asked him how he felt when we were walking back afterwards.  He told me he feels like he can start a new chapter of his life, and has been holding so many opportunities back.  But now he says he is going to go for them, and is willing to do anything the Lord asks of him. So just by hearing that showed me how much the gospel can change a persons life, and how much better we can become with it.
          So Buokrom has lots of middle class people, and the rest are very poor.  As for the rest of the investigators; we are planning on baptizing Mike on the 23, also a few new guys that have come out of the wood work, that have been prepared by their family. So it’s going good here.  Elder Agbeko and I are doing well.  We are occasionally having referrals given to us by other missionaries or the church.  Those are people that have been prepared by the Lord, and are ready to make the step towards baptisms into the church.
          So yes, I’m doing my best by writing in my journal.  It sounds like everything is going good back home, and everyone is great. Many blessing are being poured out upon you guys. It’s good to hear about the winter storms and all the moisture.  Better go!!   So take care!!
                            Love Ty.

Baptism day for Samuel and the bishop's 8 year old daughter.

The scenery in Boukrom.  

POST 41

Hello All,
          So this past week was great! Yesterday we had 8 of our investigators come to church!!  That’s a lot better than the previous weeks. Actually, I have never had that many of my inv. come to church.  I think 4 was the most that I have ever had. At first we only had one, then they just came in one by one until the family of 4 came in half way through sacrament. I was filled with joy and was really happy; the same for my companion. Just having that happen strengthened my testimony and let me know that Heavenly Father is mindful of us, and what we are doing. Heavenly Fathers hand is helping us bring these souls closer to him through what we share and proclaim.  One thing that has started to help us be successful is to be more humble; and that through our fasting and prayers, great things come to pass. We are planning on baptizing Samuel on the 9th.  Samuel is powerful!  He is a painter and paints portraits. He also is an electrician, and does a little roofing on the side. So pretty much a jack of all trades. What some of our other investigators do for jobs is... one of them (Mike) owns an Internet Café. (Earnest) is a school teacher, (Daniel) has a small provision store. (Nana Adu) is a mason. (Nicholas) runs errands for his mother who stays in uk. Yeah, that is a few of our people and what they do.  We are planning on having a baptism every Sunday this month.
          So we seem to teach a lot more men than usual because they seem a little more serious, and seem to be more focused in the lessons. Most of the woman are always cooking, washing or busy doing other things. So most of the time it seems like we are teaching men more than women.
          The power goes out for a lot of reasons here. Either when it rains something happens; the lines fall over, or they just decide to shut it off to prevent damage during a storm. So I wasn’t able to sleep outside yet. This past week was good for the power staying on, and it rained on Thursday; so from then on the nights have been quite chilly and it is pretty cloudy during the days lately.  It’s getting closer to the rainy season is “Why” at least that’s what they say. Who knows, next week will probably be blazing hot and dry again. Haha..
          So yes I’m still DL, and our Zone leaders names are Elder Gakaka and Elder Chiweshe (both from Zimbabwe). Chiweshe will be released this next transfer and we will be getting a new one.  I have done many things out of the ordinary this past week. One experience is, we almost got in a fight with this guy. He wouldn’t let us go and was delaying our time. He shook my hand and wouldn’t let go, so I started to also squeeze back.  Finally, he let go and I was like “Lets go companion!” As we started to walk away, he started to throw rocks at us. I kept walking and he threw another one. Of course he totally missed because he was so drunk he could barely bend over to pick the rock up. So then he started to walk faster, I was almost to start running. The whole time I wanted to say something and throw back, but I didn’t’. It was quite scary!! It was OK cuz we know we won’t go past that place again.  Also these people will never lay a hand on anyone. They will just insult and use words to hurt.
          Anyway, my favorite fruit is Mango. I buy one almost every night from this one lady. We are her best customers.  Sometimes she gives us free oranges and bananas. (every once in a while)
          So that is great that you are dong well, and thanks for all the good news. Yeah my mind is thinking of all you guys and everything happening.  I know that all will be well. Time has gone by, almost too fast!! If I look back on my 10 months, it’s almost like a blink of an eye.  I think where I was 14 months ago, and I was down to Wild Horse helping James and Doug. It was just a little while ago.  And now only 14 months to go!! I’ll be home before no time, but I still have lots more time and learning/experiences to have. So anyway that is really good that the snow is starting to come, and knowing that all is well back home with everyone and everything. So everything is good! Better go! Take care! Till next week.
             Love Elder Ty Blackburn  1+

Me with my companion Elder Agbeko from Idaho.

Elder Agbeko has lost weight and is still dropping....





 

We stop and buy water and peanut brittle everyday at this little shop.