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

First Transfer

Dear America,

It's been a good week for me. Last Monday, the elders from Offinso came to stay in Kronum overnight so they could come to zone conference the next morning. We put all the mattresses in our apartment on the floor together and had a big sleepover. It was pretty neat. They enjoyed the rice and stew that I made, which I'm pretty proud of. The zone conference the next day was good. I learned a lot, but none of it came from what was spoken. The Spirit impressed me with some unrelated things that I can improve on while I was listening. So I just need to work on putting them into practice.

On Thursday, Elder Akpan came on an exchange to be with me in Kronum. He's from Nigeria and he's even newer in the mission field than I am. It's strange to think that I'm not the youngest one here anymore.

Well, transfer news has arrived. Elder Antwi and I are both leaving Kronum. We are being replaced by four sisters. A lot of sisters came to the mission this transfer. Elder Antwi is staying pretty close by in Boukrom, but I'm going all the way to Techiman in the Brong Ahafo region. That's pretty far away. I'll be with Elder Khumalo from South Africa. I'm not sure what the area is called, but I think it's Ptumadwo or something like that. I've heard some interesting things about the area, but I'll wait until next week so I can tell you what it's really like. Since it's in the Brong Ahafo region, they'll hopefully speak more English. There'll also be more Muslims. President Cosgrave has really shaken up the mission this transfer, doing things that we've never heard of before. He isn't afraid to take a risk and try something radical and learn from it. I admire that about him. I just hope it pays off for us.

I've enjoyed my time here in Kronum. It's been a great place for me to get the hang of missionary work. I feel like I've been able to learn to be more patient with people here. I've also become more humble and less impulsive. This Sunday it really took a lot of control for me not to chastise some people in Elders' Quorum when they were trying to disrupt the class with stupid questions. It's something that I've been working on, and I was kind of surprised that I managed to keep my cool. I've learned a lot, and I'm grateful for the people here.

I don't know what this transfer is going to bring. I don't know if I'll be able to send pictures or write letters or anything, so we'll see what the future has next week. At least I'm not in Bolgatanga. 

Love, Elder Nelson

Toilet Paper

Dear America,

Sorry it's going to be short this week. There was a storm and the internet is being slow so it's hard for me to write anything. But I'm trying.


Well this week was productive for me. Yesterday we were able to explain the story of Adam to a man as we taught about the Plan of Salvation. He knew the story, but he didn't understand why things needed to happen that way. I think he's been bothered about it for his whole life without really realizing it. We read from 2 Nephi chapter 2 with him, and it was marvelous to see the light that came into his eyes as he was able to make the connections for himself. Sometimes I wonder why the Plan of Salvation isn't the first lesson that we teach to investigators, but Elder Antwi reminded me that whenever we happen to teach the Plan of Salvation to a pastor, that's the subject of their own preaching the very next Sunday. They like to copy us, which is useless without the priesthood. But I really enjoy teaching the Plan of Salvation and seeing people understand it. It makes me feel like an effective missionary or something.

We went to buy some things for the apartment, including some rolls of toilet paper. The shopkeeper asked in all seriousness what I was going to use them for because we don't need to poop in America.

It was fantastic to hear about Braden Boyce's mission call! Congratulations to him. I saw that Elder Neville has permitted me entrance into the "fufu driving club", because we're going to make and chop some nice fufu when we get back. He's lookin good.

I'm also sorry that there aren't pictures this week, but I have them and they'll come eventually. I've been taking scenery pictures for mom, trying hard not to look like a tourist while I do it. So those are coming.

Have a great week!

Elder Nelson

Zoo

Dear America,

Well this would be the last week of the transfer if we weren't on an 8-week transfer schedule, but things are cooking along as usual. The rainy season has finally arrived. It's my favorite. I've been missing the rain. I made spaghetti this morning for a change. It was nice.

Elder Antwi and I had the opportunity to instruct in Sunday school this week about 2 Ne chapters 31-33, "Press forward with steadfastness in Christ". I taught mostly from chapter 32, about feasting on the words of Christ. I was looking through past issues of the Liahona and found this quote:

"Don't yield to Satan's lie that you don't have time to study the scriptures. Choose to take time to study them. Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it!" --Elder Richard G. Scott

And one of my favorites:

"Your faith will grow not by chance, but by choice." --Neal L. Anderson

We went to the Kumasi Zoo today. It was super neat. Hopefully I'll be able to send pictures in a little while.

On a different note, it's a well-known fact that we don't always get what we expect when we pray. Even Nephi prayed to burst the bands with which he was bound, but took it as an answer when they were loosed a little so he could get out. I don't know if he was disappointed when that happened, but it must have been a little anticlimactic. The primary song "Holding Hands Around the World" says, "when I pray for help, he will give me strength". It doesn't say, "when I pray for help, he will give me help". It's true. Most often, we just get enough divine assistance to continue on a little bit further.

This week I went on an exchange to be with Elder Larson, on of my TCs from Arizona. He's cool. While in Afrancho, I saw some children walking flies. They had caught these huge flies, as big as American quarters, and tied yarn onto them. They were walking beside their flying pets on the dirt road. It was probably one of the coolest things I've seen so far.

I'll send some pictures separately. Have a good week!

Elder Nelson

Finally, Rain!

This week I had the opportunity to instruct in district council about how we can better invite the Spirit into our lives and into our lessons. My teaching wasn't really that inspirational, but I have been learning this week that repentance is for everyone every day. The really great people in this church are the ones who are good at repenting.

Speaking of the church, I'm not sure that on my mission I've been able to convince anybody that the church is true. But it sure has convinced me.  I feel I can strongly identify with the song "We'll bring the world his truth" (Armies of Helaman). And I'm really grateful for that, especially how I was raised.

Here's a short fact about pounding fufu that I've learned: The heavier the pistil, the easier the pounding. If the stick is too light, it's really hard to pound effectively. Your hands get blisters and eventually calluses and they hurt for days. But if the stick is heavy enough, gravity does most of the work for you. If you think about that in relation to "there must needs be opposition in all things", I'm sure that you can pull out some sort of spiritual parable.

The weather is changing! It rained for the first time in months on Monday night last. It was so wonderful. I've been missing overcast weather. It's been so hot and scorchy lately. But hopefully the rainy season comes in full force quickly and gives me some relief.

We made some nice ampesi in the apartment this week. It's boiled yam (NOT sweet potatoes) dipped into a stew of some sort and eaten together. Elder Antwi likes a lot of red pepper in his food, so I've quickly built up a tolerance for fire. But I'll bet that Pace has me beat in that department.

On a scale of one-ten, last week was about a three. I was also kind of seeing exactly what I would get if I asked for advice. I'll include a number with my future requests for advice.

On last week's questions:

Really HOW HAPPY are the Ghana people?

They're....... happy. As a disclaimer, anything I say is limited to the Ashanti tribe because I haven't been anywhere else yet. They don't like education. Or English. Or understanding things. They're totally proud to sit in the dirt for their whole lives. So we have the monumental task of changing the way they think. Not just what they think, but the way they think about things. You have no idea how ridiculously hard that is. They are really good at accepting "the word of God". It's easy to get numbers here. But it's hard to get powerful converts.

Have you faced the "superstitious" part of the culture? What are 2 or 3 examples? How do you differentiate between gospel and cultural traditions when you are teaching people. 

Yes, we've had a few funny experiences. I told about teaching in the home of a fetish priest a few weeks ago. Elder Antwi's father used to be a fetish priest. There are some weeeiiiiiirrrrrdddd things that happen with that stuff. But generally not around us. And people's poor understanding of English leads them to believe that Latter-day Saints perform blood rituals to summon evil spirits that give them money. Which is funny because everyone wants money here, so why not come and get money? But apparently we worship mammon and we call evil spirits in our funny-looking churches. You just have to teach them what the English words "saints", "mormon", etc... mean.

Have you gotten past the overwhelmed/stressful feelings of doing something new in a new place and felt the joy of being a missionary in Ghana yet? When and where?

There are still things that I don't understand about the culture, but I'm getting better every day at being charitable and Christlike. I love seeing people progress and have their lives lighted by the gospel. It's really wonderful to see.

I had a good week this week.

Elder Nelson

Missionary Broadcast

Dear America,

On Tuesday we got to watch the special two-hour broadcast for all of the missionaries in the world. I think that it actually happened on January 28, but we had to wait for them to send it to us through the mail. It was really nice. I liked a quote from Elder Oaks that said, "You are not just called to proclaim the gospel, you are called to establish the church." That's especially true in this part of the world. A lot of the work I do is focused on strengthening the members of the church. We were also instructed repeatedly to "teach repentance and baptize converts." So it's been neat to pay attention to that this week and begin to realize how central repentance is to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything we teach invites others to repent. And if we take the hint, we apply it in our own lives, too.

This week I also went on an exchange with Elder Sibiya from South Africa. He's a really fun, friendly guy.

The Young Single Adults joined us on Saturday to go proselyting in the morning. We split up into groups and went to visit investigators and members. One woman we saw was a little surprised to see us, but I could tell that it brightened her day. She was really happy that the YSA would come visit her. It's more meaningful when members come. As nice as visits from the missionaries are, we pretty much have no lives outside of our work. The YSA made all the difference.

In answer to Dad's quesions:

Are you eating well and staying healthy? Yes, I'm eating a lot of fruit and I haven't been sick for a long time now.

 What does your typical day consist of? Missionary work......

 What kinds of things do you do as personal or community service? Clean the chapel, clean burned apartments, help members landscape the dirt plots around their homes. Basically a lot of cleaning up.

How far do you travel each day, and by what means of transportation? We walk. Only walk. Miles and miles. But I don't mind at all. Occasionally we catch a tro to go in to zone councils, district councils, and such, but that's it.

 What does your P-day schedule look like? Wake up, study, eat (unless we had four dinners with members on Sunday, like today), wash, email, teach, eat fruit for dinner, sleep.

Sorry I didn't answer those questions very well....

One thing that I've learned this week: cans of soda pop explode in a fantastic way if you leave them in the freezer.

Love,

Elder Nelson

P.S. I'm getting emails from Elder Neville! Eye paaa. Medasi y. Thanks.

It's really great to hear about him. I agree, sugar cane eye di pa. It's like celery, but sugar. And washing fruits or vegetables is a rare luxury. Don't tell the mission nurse I said that.
It's neat that he's almost been robbed, too. I had an experienced companion who knows what to watch for, but I still came close also. That was my first few weeks here. 

It's so awesome to see his letters.