Dear Fam,
Happy Easter! I was happy to read all of your easter experences. Mom, I am so happy to hear you are making progress on your leg. I want you to know you are in every prayer of mine! Dad, I
couldn't believe the story about snowball. I was laughing so hard and I had to let my comp read it. I could just imagine it crying.... haha I should have been nicer to that cat. I think it has ten years or 10,000 miles left.
Yesterday was stake conference of the Ghana Christianborg Stake. I am sure it was great but all the missionaires were busy getting their investigators interviewed for baptism during conference. We will have two baptisms on saturday, Cathrine and Dorah. Please keep them in your prayers along with Eleanor, Kirby, Sam, Valintine and Pat.
Today all of Ghana has been shut down because of Easter, Ihaven't noticed any Easter traditions here but good friday was a big deal and people have continued to party today. Thats the ONE Tridition in Ghana, Parting! Wedding, baby addoring, funeral and holidays. Just like home, but all of these parties include really loud music and dancing. The 21st last year was the day I opened my call, I can't believe all that I have experienced in the last year and it was fun to think of that unforgetable memory last year with friends and family. I am greatful that I have the oppertunity to serve the Lord and be one of his missionaries, I am greatful for what Christ has done for all of us, I know that it is only through him we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. I know his lives.
I'm sorry I didn't have any pictures for you this week but I promise to send some next week!
Love, Elder Andrew K. L.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Elder Keeng and Olame set Free
Dear Fam,
This past week as been a great one, for so many reasons but primarily because Elder Keeng and Olame were released from prison. I don't know if I ever told you but two Elders were put in prison for things they didn't do about a month or two before I came here. When Elder Oaks came on the mission tour he stopped half way during his talk and prayed and called down the powers of heaven to allow these elders to be released. That was maybe the greatest lesson that I learned from his visit, he taught us that First- we need to do everything possible in our power and then Second- we need to get some spiritual power on the subject. I have tried to apply this in my own work by first doing all I can and then Nate I have always tried to remember "if your not pleading your not praying." I know doing these two things have really helped me in my missionary work.
My temple trip was wonderful, it had been too long since our last trip and I am so grateful that there is a temple in this mission. My zone interview with President Smith went well, he is a great man and we had a great talk about a few things. Stanley was baptized, so now he and his wife are members and they are hoping to get their endowments in a year. I don't have a lot of time so I'll try to just answer a few Q's that were asked. Bryan- Service opportunities...... we seriously try but almost no one will allow white men to help them. Its just not really socially excepted but sometimes people will let us wash for them or pound Fufu. I don't know anything about the volcano picture I sent you. Was it good? There are many palm trees here and I'll let you know how they celebrate Easter here. Eric look for Oxford street and and 7th street?
I love you all and I hope all continues to go well. Mom, you are in my every prayer and I know you will get well soon, I can't wait to call you on mothers day!
Elder L.
This past week as been a great one, for so many reasons but primarily because Elder Keeng and Olame were released from prison. I don't know if I ever told you but two Elders were put in prison for things they didn't do about a month or two before I came here. When Elder Oaks came on the mission tour he stopped half way during his talk and prayed and called down the powers of heaven to allow these elders to be released. That was maybe the greatest lesson that I learned from his visit, he taught us that First- we need to do everything possible in our power and then Second- we need to get some spiritual power on the subject. I have tried to apply this in my own work by first doing all I can and then Nate I have always tried to remember "if your not pleading your not praying." I know doing these two things have really helped me in my missionary work.
My temple trip was wonderful, it had been too long since our last trip and I am so grateful that there is a temple in this mission. My zone interview with President Smith went well, he is a great man and we had a great talk about a few things. Stanley was baptized, so now he and his wife are members and they are hoping to get their endowments in a year. I don't have a lot of time so I'll try to just answer a few Q's that were asked. Bryan- Service opportunities...... we seriously try but almost no one will allow white men to help them. Its just not really socially excepted but sometimes people will let us wash for them or pound Fufu. I don't know anything about the volcano picture I sent you. Was it good? There are many palm trees here and I'll let you know how they celebrate Easter here. Eric look for Oxford street and and 7th street?
I love you all and I hope all continues to go well. Mom, you are in my every prayer and I know you will get well soon, I can't wait to call you on mothers day!
Elder L.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Dear Fam,
Glad to hear everything is going well. Mom, I will continue to keep you in my prayers and I agree with Nate that we will have to play one on one when I get home! My comp is still Elder Chamberlain, the South African. We have one baptism this weekend. His name is Stanley Hammond, there are also going to be three children baptized in the ward two of which are children of our recent converts. So it still feels like a fruit of our labor... but they will be children of record. We were working with Stanley about two months ago, he had some problems that he needed to fix before he could be baptized. But he as overcome those problems and he and his son will be baptized on Saturday.
Dad, along time ago you were asking me where we stay. To find it I would type Osu RE. Look for the Eco Bank and it is on the Road just opposite of the bank. Let me know if you find it. I haven't
really told you guys too much about my area. It is probably the most developed or Urbanized place in all of Ghana. Except by the beach that place is pretty rough. I was shocked when I came to this area, at home I feel like most people think Africa is all Bush, but its not. Whats funny is everyone here thinks all of America looks like LA or New York. It is also pretty commercial, there are so many shops and what makes things hard is we have found some great people but they don't live in our area, but the shop is.
Our zone interviews and Temple Trip are this week and I am differently looking forward to it! I know temple are the house of God and I there is no greater peace then within the Temple. I know that this is the Lords Church and I am grateful I can be a missionary for his church. I am grateful that we can be an eternal family. I love you all!
Elder Andrew K. L.
Glad to hear everything is going well. Mom, I will continue to keep you in my prayers and I agree with Nate that we will have to play one on one when I get home! My comp is still Elder Chamberlain, the South African. We have one baptism this weekend. His name is Stanley Hammond, there are also going to be three children baptized in the ward two of which are children of our recent converts. So it still feels like a fruit of our labor... but they will be children of record. We were working with Stanley about two months ago, he had some problems that he needed to fix before he could be baptized. But he as overcome those problems and he and his son will be baptized on Saturday.
Dad, along time ago you were asking me where we stay. To find it I would type Osu RE. Look for the Eco Bank and it is on the Road just opposite of the bank. Let me know if you find it. I haven't
really told you guys too much about my area. It is probably the most developed or Urbanized place in all of Ghana. Except by the beach that place is pretty rough. I was shocked when I came to this area, at home I feel like most people think Africa is all Bush, but its not. Whats funny is everyone here thinks all of America looks like LA or New York. It is also pretty commercial, there are so many shops and what makes things hard is we have found some great people but they don't live in our area, but the shop is.
Our zone interviews and Temple Trip are this week and I am differently looking forward to it! I know temple are the house of God and I there is no greater peace then within the Temple. I know that this is the Lords Church and I am grateful I can be a missionary for his church. I am grateful that we can be an eternal family. I love you all!
Elder Andrew K. L.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Dear Fam,
Looks like I am staying in THE "Osu" this transfer and next because Elder chamberlain is going home at the end of this transfer so I will need to show the New district leader the Area for a transfer. Last year President Monson addressed all the mission presidents and told them to keep there missionaries in areas longer so that they can know the areas better the members better and it makes the work more effective. So I could be hear a good while, we'll see. I wish I could of heard conference! Our bishop invited us over to watch it on the net but it didn't work out. I was bummed, since coming on mission I have realized how much I took it for granted but I am excited to hear it and read it! This last week we had a pretty good week, we continue to apply the things we learn about in the new system of teaching. This we have been working on establishing our purpose, we basically explain we are not hear to do bible studies but we are here to help them be baptized and endure to the end. (we don't actually say it like that) but we do give them a date in our first meeting(almost always) to help people know why we are hear and it helps us see those that are ready for the gospel and those that are not. Over the last month or two the missions numbers have improved and I think it will continue to be more and more effective.
I am more than happy to hear Butler is back in the Championship, I would have never guessed in a million years. Last Year I came home from BYU with dad and we watched Hoosier together. Nate, I did now that little fact about Milan almost winning it the year before. Although Butler no longer has Jimmy anymore they are not playing Mighty Muncie Central so I'll be interested in what happens!! I'm doing well and I hope to write more next week!
Love, Elder L.
Looks like I am staying in THE "Osu" this transfer and next because Elder chamberlain is going home at the end of this transfer so I will need to show the New district leader the Area for a transfer. Last year President Monson addressed all the mission presidents and told them to keep there missionaries in areas longer so that they can know the areas better the members better and it makes the work more effective. So I could be hear a good while, we'll see. I wish I could of heard conference! Our bishop invited us over to watch it on the net but it didn't work out. I was bummed, since coming on mission I have realized how much I took it for granted but I am excited to hear it and read it! This last week we had a pretty good week, we continue to apply the things we learn about in the new system of teaching. This we have been working on establishing our purpose, we basically explain we are not hear to do bible studies but we are here to help them be baptized and endure to the end. (we don't actually say it like that) but we do give them a date in our first meeting(almost always) to help people know why we are hear and it helps us see those that are ready for the gospel and those that are not. Over the last month or two the missions numbers have improved and I think it will continue to be more and more effective.
I am more than happy to hear Butler is back in the Championship, I would have never guessed in a million years. Last Year I came home from BYU with dad and we watched Hoosier together. Nate, I did now that little fact about Milan almost winning it the year before. Although Butler no longer has Jimmy anymore they are not playing Mighty Muncie Central so I'll be interested in what happens!! I'm doing well and I hope to write more next week!
Love, Elder L.
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