Dear America,

Well, this week wasn't very eventful at all. Elder Khumalo was feeling pretty sick this week, so we went in to get a malaria test. He doesn't have malaria. But we were still cooped up in the apartment for several days. With nothing else to do, I started to get bored. Besides a lot of scripture study, I made yam fries that weren't very good. Potatoes are pretty expensive here, and yam apparently doesn't make a great substitute.

The other companionship bought a set of ping-pong paddles with a net while they were in the market, so we fashioned our own ping-pong table. That has been fun. Elder Waihi has claim on the "#1 CHAMPION" paddle right now, but I'm working on beating him.

On Saturday we invited the senior couples over to have lunch. Elder and Sister Wood are a new couple fresh out of the MTC. They're from New Zealand and they have that new missionary spirit. They're a lot of fun to be around. The Wardles were also in Techiman for the last time, so they came, too. We made pancakes for them with a choice of maple or strawberry syrup, fruit juice, and ice cream for dessert. It was nice. Nobody ever invites the senior couples for lunch, so they were really surprised and happy. We ate on Spider-Man paper plates. It was a party.

I helped an investigator make abutsie one day. Abutsie is like banku or Tzet, but it is only made with cassava flour. I'm getting a lot better at stirring the pots on the fire. It was really hot, though, so a combination of the sun and the fire left me drenched in sweat by the time I was finished.

Sorry, it was a pretty boring week in general.

Elder Nelson

Dear America,

On Monday we had FHE with a family in the branch and we played "face-biscuit" with them. It turns out that I'm pretty much a pro at moving a biscuit from my forehead to my mouth.

We made a lot of food as an apartment this week, including but not limited to: stew for the whole week, jollof rice to feed the sister missionaries, pancakes for Elder Prior's birthday, and ampesi after church. It all turned out really well. We were also invited over for sloppy joes at the senior couple's apartment. Which was fantastic.

During personal study, I had the chance to watch an old BYU devotional by Brad Wilcox titled "His Grace is Sufficient". It was really good. In it, he made the analogy that the Atonement is similar to a mother buying piano lessons for her child. The lessons are paid for. The child is asked to practice. Practicing does not pay for the lessons at all; it doesn't reimburse the mother at all. Practice only helps the child take full advantage of the opportunity to learn and grow. Christ has paid the debt to justice, it's just up to us to allow that to work a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, so that we can become the best "pianists" possible. Elder Neville shared this same analogy with me years ago, but I forgot about the details until now.

Speaking of piano, Lora Gunderson was right. I'm a music snob. I still am. Techiman zone has been working to prepare a musical number for the upcoming mission tour, and that's been getting me worked up. Especially last Tuesday. By the time we finished practicing, I was angry. I wanted to have some words with Elder Khumalo and let him know that he had no idea what he was doing. But through no small amount of self-control, I convinced myself to wait a few days to think about things. I remember that Elder Antwi taught me that we need to reprove betimes with sharpness, but we don't have to do it immediately. It needs to be the right time and place. I held onto that advice as tightly as I could. A month ago, I wouldn't have hesitated to give him some fire. But the Lord helped me as I took some time to cool down and think about things. That was a good decision. I was able to discuss the situation nicely and I learned a lot from Elder Khumalo about being considerate and working with people. That's one of his strengths. This is why we have companions--to keep our weaknesses in check.

This week we baptised a man named Francis. I think he'll be a strength to the Church here in Dwumoh. We've been working closely with the second counselor in the branch presidency because we don't have a branch mission leader yet. The whole branch presidency seems to be catching a better understanding of what the Church is like. It's slow but steady. We were even able to go on a walk with the second counselor's wife today. She's blind, so she doesn't get out much. It was fun to have her talking and going places with us.

I've been managing my sub really easily these days. We're supposed to use about 80 cedis every week, and I ended last week with 55 cedis left over. Soooooo I'm gonna have to buy more American food or something.

Elder Nelson

Hot and Rainy

Dear America,

A few days ago I saw a temperature reading on Elder Prior's alarm clock. I realized several things. First, that I haven't seen a thermometer at all since I left the US. Second, it was 86 degrees F and pleasantly cold inside the room with the fan blowing in the shade. So I'm gonna need a coat when I get home.

Our apartment/chapel has four missionaries staying in it: myself, Elder Khumalo from South Africa (so.....pretty much Europe), Elder Prior from Utah, and Elder Waihi from Austrailia. It's the most Americanized apartment that I've been in yet. We've been having fun together, making food and enjoying with each other. I like it. My mapeline is a coveted thing.

On Saturday we got caught in the rain. Bad. We found a small overhang to hide under with our bikes, but the rain switched directions and forced us to make a dash for the senior couple's apartment close by. We were totally soaked. It was like biking through the deep end of a swimming pool. All of my clothes were sopping, but I was especially worried about my scriptures. They were in a cloth bag with no zipper, so I was afraid that they'd get wet and be ruined. After a few feet into the storm, I just accepted the fact that I would have to buy new scriptures. We got to the senior couple's apartment and handed over our dripping bags. They took everything out and I noted with disappointment that about half of my scriptures had been nicely soaked. Just two minutes later, though, when I asked to look at them more closely, they were completely dry. Not a drop. My planner, in the same bag right next to the scriptures, was a soggy mess. But the scriptures were fine. Miracles really do happen, and God looks out for His servants.

Being here is like going back in Church history. Going to Nauvoo and stuff is cool, but it can never capture exactly what it's like to be there when the Church is struggling to get on its feet. They say that Ghana is in the "Kirtland stages" of the Church, but Dwumoh is way before that time period.

I've been practicing hymns on the keyboard for the mission tour that will happen in May, as well as to play in church every Sunday. I've really seen extra help from the Spirit as I practice. Heavenly Father is helping me develop my talents way more than I was ever able to at home. It's sweet.

I did get the memory card in the package and sure, a memory card of conference would be great. We could even start a tradition and send them to me every conference. I would love that. And no, no frisbee. I rarely play football. Biking is fun but sucks at the same time.

Have a great week!

Elder Nelson

Dwumoh 1 (JEW-mow)

Dear America,

This was transfer week! On Monday, I was still in Kronum. The church had a big regional football tournament for all of the wards and branches to participate in. There were several stakes present. Both the players and the fans took the matches very seriously. I didn't get to play, which I'm grateful for because it got heated sometimes. "Churchball" is the same across the world. Same game, different sport.

On Wednesday, a whole bunch of missionaries met at the Metro Mass station, where everyone picks up their new companion and gets transportation to their areas. I arrived at the station with Elder Antwi at 10:00 am. The Techiman group took a long time to get organized, so we left at 7:30 pm. Then we had a two-and-and-a-half hour drive to Techiman. It was a long day.

Techiman is pretty sweet so far. People can actually speak English! They still speak Twi, which is comforting, but it's Bono Twi, not the Ashanti Twi that I grew up with. Techiman isn't as packed as Kumasi; it's more rural. Which I found out that I really like. People are more spread apart and their lives are a little more private.

The area I'm in is Dwumoh 1 (JEW-mow). It's a biking area, at least in part. I found out that it's been a long. stinking. time. since I rode a bicycle. We rode up a nice little hill and it was one of the hardest rides of my life. I didn't realize how much I've gotten used to walking. But bikes are a lot of fun. I've missed going fast and feeling free. It rained hard while we were out, and we got trapped at the home of a less-active family. By the time we were able to begin riding back to the apartment, it was pitch-black and extremely muddy. Riding in the dark through the mud and rain with only the lightning to illuminate our path was sketchy at best, but exhilarating, especially since I hadn't ridden a bike in forever and I was wobbly. But I'm still alive. 

The Dwumoh apartment is the Dwumoh chapel. They're the same building. If you step out the door of our room, you're in the baptismal font. It's super convenient but kind of a hassle on Sunday. I'm playing the keyboard for the branch now, which is a fear that I'm working to overcome.

Elder Khumalo is from South Africa and he's a sweet guy. He's a powerful teacher and he's fun to be around. He likes making friends with people. He'll be going home in just a few months. One other companionship stays here in the chapel with us. It's a good place to be. There are no less than seven churches along the same quater-mile/half-kilometer street as us. Only one of those churches is true.

On Saturday I GOT TO WATCH (almost) TWO WHOLE SESSIONS OF GENERAL CONFERENCE! It was totally unexpected and fantastic. Elder and Sister Wardle, the senior couple/mission nurse, came to stay in their apartment in Techiman that night. Because of the time difference, we were able to view the conference live at 4-6 pm and 8-10 pm. It was a blessing. I love listening to conference. I'd really appreciate it if you can let me know some of your favorite conference talks, especially from theSunday/Priesthood/Women's sessions so that I can keep an eye out for them in the Liahona next month. One talk that I liked was by M. Russell Ballard about family councils. 

Life is good here. Have a great week!

Elder Nelson