Post #9

Hi All,  

          We just got back from Kumasi from a zone meeting, and my week has been good.  This past week we had to fetch water for one week. It went out last Sunday and then came on yesterday morning. I guess that the city or something or another did something. We all suffered last week, no running water, no power at times, junk food, dirty apartment at times, hooooottttt weather, it was taking a toll on all of us. But now that the water has come back it has boosted our spirits a little.. 

          So yeah I remembered that you guys were fasting for rain. I also felt that I should fast. So I did. It’s probably the only way I can help being here in Ghana, through fasting and prayer. 

          So yeah when Elder Succo left, the new missionary that replaced him is from  Kumasi. He is being trained by Elder Barker (that was Elder Succos companion). He is a Ghanian that is training to be a stake missionary and then he will go on his mission in November to Nigeria. He is a cool guy and really good to talk to. So the lessons are coming easy now, but at times they are hard. But they are getting better. Some of the investigators we are teaching now are serious, and not so serious.  The ones name is Rosca. She is an older woman. She sells bagged concrete mix, and she bakes and sells meat and apple pies, and does peoples laundry. She is really nice. She is promising me an apple pie some time. She is interested in the gospel and loves the missionaries and wants to be baptized but will not commit to a date. So we are working on her very much. Also, all the other people we teach or talk to, they always promise and say that they will come to church, but we never see them. Everyone says that, but no show on Sunday. These Ghanians are not serious when it comes to keeping commitments. So anyway, we are hoping for 2 baptisms the first of next month. And yes, I wish I would of studied the scriptures and lessons a lot more before getting here, and been more prepared. But it is coming. 

          So yeah, the little kids are for the most part always grabbing and hugging me everywhere I go. So yeah, they like me for some unknown reason. And yes, some of the people have not seen a white man before. They like to stop and stare. Hahahaha  Last week the pictures I sent of me, the 2 boys, and the horse; the kid, actually he has the horses and cattle. He raises beef for a butcher and he just rides the horses for a hobby. So I actually have something in common with someone here in Ghana when it comes to livestock. Yes, there are a group of people that think the cows are sacred. They have a weird name that I cannot remember. The horses they just let them loose in the day time and lock them up at nights.

          So my highlight of this past week was when I was in Kumasi today; I have never seen so many people in my life in one place. There are thousands and thousand of just all you see is black dots, and people selling anything and everything you could even imagine exists. There were people grabbing me, wanting me to give them money. Asking for money!! It was nuts!!! The Kumasi market is probably the size of Gunnison and Centerfield big. Its crazy!! So I made sure my wallet and my back pack was surely fastened and safe. Hahahahaha It was crazy.!!

           I am glad that I am here and progressing in Ghana. I am really pleased and thankful for all that you do, and are doing, and many things that we will do together in the years to come. I appreciate everything, even the small things in life. I look back now and say, WOW! I really could use that right now, or I should of taken the time to make good use of it. So keep up the good work.

Love you and talk to you soon, Love Ty

Me and my companion in Obuasi

Having fun with the other missionaries I live with, and a boy selling fruit.  

Post #8

Well hello all,

          So my week has been good. It hasn't rained for about five days now.  We have been out of water in our house going on two days now. We have to go fetch water from a members well out with buckets.  I will take a picture of me fetching the water at the well. It ought to make you laugh. And no power today. So yeah, things are not anything like home at all. It's making a man out of me already. But as for me the HIGHLIGHT of this week is;  I went on splits with our district leader, the one from South Africa. When we got back to the apartment we were talking about things that would help me and improve my missionary schedule and lifestyle. So, some how the subject of judging others and how we should not judge others and each other came up.  (The spirit was so strong) It was a very humbling experience.
          We have not had any more baptisms. We probably will at the end of the month. But yes, at the markets that is where I buy most of my fruit and veggies. There are many many markets and stuff like that everywhere. They are selling anything you can imagine. From food to clothes to tools to livestock, you name it. Things are loud and smelly around the markets. So yeah its a pretty crazy place.
          I'm getting to know the people here.  There are about 8 names that exist here. I know probably 15 or so Emmanuels, many Johns, and James's. They are all mostly Bible names or English names. So anyway, last time we were here at the internet café, I bumped into a guy and he said Blackburn! So I turned around and it was a guy who is here in Ghana mining gold. He is from England. Blackburn England!!! Pretty Crazy Huh?? That is what I thought.  We talked a little bit and chatted.  It's a small world. Oh I can't forget, so on Friday, we were just walking down this road, and we saw this guy chasing this yearling bull. So I said to my companion," Lets go help this guy catch it". So we went and he had a crappy rope. So I said, "Give me that  rope, and I will rope that cow for you, I'm a cowboy from America!" So we chased it into a corner and I threw the rope and caught it. We finally got it to a post and tied it up. Hahahaha Let me tell ya, it was fun.  We also saw some horses.. So its been a fun week. So till next week.
Take care and Love Elder Blackburn

This is a market in Obuasi.  It is a loud and smelly place.
It's where I buy most of my fruits and veggies.

You can buy anything you can imagine there.

This is the little bull we chased down and roped. (It was fun)

It's what I needed to regain my spirit with livestock.

Enjoy!!!   :)

This is a stud that is old and has saddle marks all over his back.

He probably came from a ranch somewhere around here.

  

Post #7

Hello Everyone,

          My week has went by really fast, it seems like they are just going by faster and faster. I have finished my first planner in the field. Six weeks in the field. I have been out almost two months, jeez it’s going by fast. So here is an experience. So on Saturday morning I had and accident, I was kind of jogging in the apartment because the elder that went home yesterday was giving all of his things away. So I was on my way over to his room and the door ways in our apartment are built for midgets, I swear. So I was jogging and the next thing I knew I was on the floor laying on my back holding my scalp. The moment I stood up, I was bleeding like as stuck hog. So I went to the kitchen and began washing the blood out and applying pressure. But it stopped bleeding very soon after. Luckily it was not deep, it is about an inch wide and straight as a board. hahaha It was crazy, but I have been keeping it clean and taking antibiotic pills and applying cream to it couple times a day. So I did not need stitches or anything like that; but all is well and its almost healed up. So don’t worry I’m fine, I just need to learn to duck when going under this china made house. 

          The missionaries don’t talk in church; but we have to teach a gospel doctrine investigators class. I have not taught it yet. The older missionaries do it. I probably will in a few months. And in the chapel there is a keyboard and no one knows how to play. So its pretty quiet. 

          So the people we teach as I said last week, they mostly all work. Some of them are part of the Gallumsay. It’s a small scale Gold mining company. It is when they gets shovels and picks and just start digging a hole, like in the show Jungle Gold they had a part that they were digging a hole about 5 feet wide and about 20-30 feet deep. The names of the people that we are teaching Emmanual, Sadats, Samuel, Victiria, Sarah, Ramatu, Charity, Abigal, Asamoah, Chester, Kan, Beatrice, Yaw, Eric, Godfred, Evance. Weird names huh! The majority of the people they have not had much education and are not very good readers. So yeah most of the people we teach they are single and have kids, I think that there is maybe 2 that are married, yeah so its pretty sad.

          So I am starting to get use to some of the foods, but as for a few of them they are pretty hard to swallow. Hahaha nasty! So when we go to the cafe they have drinks that you can buy. I usually buy a drink like coke, sprite, or a fruit juice or something.  It has been raining about everyday. Yesterday it rained hard, like just sheets and sheets of water. There are gutters and trenches everywhere. But the place where we live, all the water runs right in front of our apartment and then the creek behind us. Yesterday, we had probably 6-8 inches of standing water INSIDE our wall of our apartment. 

          So the missionaries that I live with are Elder Meredith (my companion from Samoa), Elder Barker from Indiana, Elder Succo from American Fork (but left today to go home), Elder Sonpon from Liberia, and Elder Kgabaga from South Africa. The one from Liberia is the one that snatches and kieves food all the time.
          Oh yeh, the highlight of my week was; on Sunday morning we was going to church and I guess in the night, the church was plowed over by three cars. We laughed and laughed, cuz the guy is one our investigators and is very stubborn.

          So yeah I have really come to appreciate all that we have back home. Just the food we have to eat, and bed we have to sleep on, and roof we have over our heads. I have been eating a lot of Humble Pie lately. HaHahaha So take care and till next time. 

                                                Love Elder Blackburn

Here is a picture of a cute little girl.  

The school system requires all kids to shave their heads.
(the only way to distinguish between a girl and a boy are the earrings) 

Post #6

Hello Everyone,

          Well this week has been one of the toughest, knowing that you all were taking the cows on the Mtn. My mind was not very focused towards the end of the week. So yeah I have had two hair cuts since I have been here. Well three, if you count the one the Liberian gave me with a razor. (gad talk about a mess if you ever seen one) But they are almost a buzz, it is like a number two or three. The Africans, they give really good hair cuts. They take their time and don’t rush. 

          So it was yesterday it was raining cats and dogs for about an hour and a half. We live at a place which is kinda in a hole, with a wall around our apartment. So within about a half hour there was twelve inches of standing water outside our apartment. But luckily there was a drain to the creek which is behind our apartment. And luckily our doors are high and there is a small barrier around our door. Wow I was starting to worry for a min. But it was fun.

          The people that we have been teaching, they are Barbers, Bakers, Gold Miners, Seamstrices, sell quickcrete, taxi drivers, work at a fufu bar, and they have rice stands. And yes, they ask where I am from and what do I do there and I tell em I am a cowboy and a farmer. HAHa they just laugh and call me cowboy from there on, its funny. So yeah there are many little odd jobs to do but not many solid money making jobs. 

          Yeah so people here in Ghana the majority of them they go to some church. There are many many Christians, a lot of Muslims, and there are the few that are of an apostate church or they don’t go to church. But the majority are Christian based people. I took a picture of a small church that looks like our wood shed, it is called The Twelve Apostle Church, Nwe Nsuta Branch. The majority of the people we meet they believe in God and Jesus Christ. So yeah, I think that it is mostly because of the poverty. Because they have nothing but what they have and can have is religion. So we mostly just find people out and about, like just walking, sitting in the shade, or sitting at their little stores. But I haven’t knocked on one door yet. I may never. Who knows?? The teaching is going good. The lessons are getting better for me some how at times. But I need to listen to the spirit more.  

          So we usually go the rice stand maybe three or four times a week, it is really quite good for Ghana food. It's called King David's Fried Rice!! hahaha. Talk about a shack and a half!! It would not be able to compare with American food at all. So we cook food at the apartment like Samoan pancakes, rice, and stew which is getting very old; bread and egg, and ramen noodles. And I also buy the oatmeal cookies at a store here, they are pretty good. I like the elders I live with. They are all easy going and good strong missionaries to joke around with laugh, talk, ask advice or just to play a game of checkers with. One elder is going home next week from American Fork, Elder Succo. , He has been enjoying him self the last couple of weeks. 

          So yeah the clothes washer plunger thing that I brought, it works good, I have learned how to really use it good. But some times I have to scrub with my hands with some things like my shirts to get the dirt out. It was worth bringing for sure.  

          Tell little Bryer Patch Happy Birthday for me and that I miss her cute smiley face. So we are always working hard and doing our job as missionaries. I am getting use to the weather. And yes I am staying healthy. My feet are good; and yes, I always wear my shower shoes and of course I’m always taking picture. The best of luck with anything and everything. You are always in my prayers. So Till next week.

Love Elder Ty Blackburn 

This is the mining town that I am currently serving in. 

Obuasi Ghana Africa!!!

Here is a bowl of fufu.  
A thick, doughlike West African food made by boiling and pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava.

Post #5

Hi Everyone,
          I am getting the hang of things and I am getting use to much of the stuff. (except the food) I have not been sick lately, I have just been kinda weak because of the heat, but it will get better. But yeah, there are many random people who just like call use over. They say "Hey white man, come!" hahaha It’s pretty funny but then humbling also. In my patriarch blessing it says, “People will be drawn to me for some reason”. So yeah they all wonder why we are here, and what do we do. Most of the people we talk to, they think that we are Jehovah Witnesses. I guess they dress like we do or something.
          But here are a few stories. This last Thursday, me and my companion were walking; and there was this girl who was selling water with the bucket on her head. Well she was trying to cross the road right in front of us. And there was this taxi who was going way too fast. And the taxi hit the girl!! it was graphic. She did a summersault. And the sound when she hit was like a sack of flower hitting the ground. Jeez it was crazy!! But the way they handled her was like a rag doll. We was going to help, but they had already threw her in the car. Jeez it was nuts!! But anyway we are teaching about ten or so people and we baptized middle aged guys yesterday. We were suppose to baptize them a few weeks ago, but they had abortion issues, and had to be interviews by our Mission President. But I guess that there is a lot of abortion here in Ghana. And hardly no body is married. Very very few are married.
          Anyway, yeah the picture with me and the oven, that is a bakery. The lady who owns it is one of our baptismal candidates. That oven is used for baking bread. They get it down until its all coals. Then they can bake. They have two of them in a big barn. Just standing next to it, I was almost on fire. It was hot!!! Tomorrow we are going there to help her and her workers make and roll out loaves.
          Gah, I so miss hauling cows, and loading them on the semi. getting them ready to go on the mountain. This weekend I’m going to find it hard to concentrate on mission work. But just know I will be thinking of you guys. The best of luck this weekend and be safe. I hope it goes well going up the hill.
           So I am always thinking of you and love everything back home, even the small things I did not pay any attention to. We will talk next week.
                                                              Love Ty

This is the an oven that used used for baking bread.

Post #4

Hello All,

          It sounds like everyone that went to Hawaii had a good time there with the family. Yeah, I think Hawaii’s pretty much the same when it comes to the climate and fruit. The humidity here is making my skin kinda like soft and girly now. I don’t like it but I guess that that is part of it. Things are going good though. We were suppose to go to Kumasi next week, but they said it got canceled cuz too much spending on transportation. But we went to Kumasi last Tuesday for a zone meeting. The bus ride was wild. A lot of people and bad roads do not mix very well. And yes I have eaten more fufu. And I have had some nasty nasty other stuff. Fufu is like candy compared to this. It is called Bankou. It is nasty!! My gag reflexes are really getting exercised. haha !!! A lot of the foods you eat with your hands. It's weird. You have to be her to really get a taste of this crazy African lifestyle. Its an African experience for sure.

          So we were suppose to have three people get baptized on Saturday, but they had to get interviewed by the mission president because they all three have been involved in abortion issues. That is a big problem here in Ghana I guess. 

          This last week it has been raining a lot, they say that the real rainy season is just starting. When it rains it rains. I mean like lightning, thunder, and hard rain! It makes you feel as small as an ant.

           Anyway, yeah it was good to call home on Mothers Day and see how everybody was doing. I was really down for the next couple days. All I could think about was home. But its getting better. I know that I am soppose to be here in this point of my life. And what you said is true, I know that this is hard. But with the help of you guys, the lord, and the will power and stamina in me I can make it.

          I recieved the package with goodies on Friday. Thanks for everything you sent; the jerky, kool aid packets, the letter, and the snacks. Take care and talk to you next time.

                                                              Love Ty

This is fufu!!  

I'm actually starting to develop a liking for this.

Post #3

Well Hello Everyone,

          On Tuesday we arrived to the mission home. Well first I’ll tell you about the plane ride. It was terrible. It was like riding a loose rollercoaster. It was horrible. I thought I was going to puke a couple of times. But once we landed we met the Holmes's. (the Mission President and his wife) They are nice. Then they took us to the mission home and we talked for a while. We had dinner which was really good. Then we went to bed. On Wednesday we had breakfast. Then our new companions showed up. My companion is from Samoa, (Elder Meredith).  He is really nice and a great missionary. He is helping me understand things, and is very kind.

          We are serving in Obuasi, which is about an hour and a half south of Kumasi. It is nuts around here. There are Muslims, Catholics, Jews, any religion there is on the face of the earth. It can be found here. Its like if you go back to like the fifties. (no joke), its crazy!! There are a million tro tro's, (it means small and fast). They are like those ugly Toyota vans, and all of them are really beat up. And there’s a million little two door taxis. But other than that there are markets on every street. And there’s chickens and goats by the hundreds roaming the streets everywhere!!

          So on Friday and Saturday I was sick, I think it was just culture shock, the food, the weather, the water. (don’t worry it is filtered), but it still tastes nasty. I’m still not used to the food here. I thought the food in the MTC was bad but the moment I got out here I would not hesitate to eat it now. So I hope things will get better, but I think that they are slowly. But yeah I am taking care of my self, I will keep getting better though.

          I met two guys at church yesterday that helped with the jungle gold show. They are white and are from Utah. They know where Axtell is, and I guess that they own a subdivision by the head start school in Centerfield.. weird huh??

          So I can’t wait to get the goodies your sending. Thanks for all you do for me.

                          Love Ty

This is the Mission President.

Leon Arthur & Elizabeth Anne Holmes

 This is my companion.

Elder Laion Meredith