Well our mission president, President Judd, sent us an email on Monday asking us if two members of the quorum of the twelve were to replace Elder Macaulay and I what would the differences be in the area? President Judd then listed three specific things he would like everyone to improve upon this past week. I really liked the email and I figured if the example was carried out then people would smell the spirit wafting off of the two and would drop everything to join the church. This would happen because of the level of obedience they are living to the gospel. In reality I have the same right to have the spirit witness to others because I have been set apart to preach the gospel to the people of Accra, Ghana on behalf of Jesus Christ. It was an interesting thought and it helped motivate me to continue to better myself, becoming a better person. I likened the situation to that of a ship with a lot of holes. Now some of these holes are bigger than others, but as I locate, identify on what needs to happen for the holes to be patched, and then go and do just that, the ship then takes on less and less water until the goal of having a perfect hull is reached with all of the water bailed out too. It's a constant process or the ship (myself) would sink.
On Tuesday we met a Muslim woman who wants to become Christian. For us to teach and baptize a Muslim we have to make sure that there wont be any physical retaliation from anyone she knows because of her choice. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, but as far as we can see everything is okay. That night we had a lesson with Nii where we discussed things that would never cross our minds in first world countries (USA) are a serious issue here. Some of the things that came to our minds were having a pair of shoes, water (clean and or available with ease), getting money for food, and many others. One elaborate one was how we have to conserve water in our tank by turning off the water when we shower and turn it on for washing the soap off. I don't know if that was clear, but basically we can't let the water run continuously during our showers like we could back home. It will be an odd feeling to have that option along with heated water. Most people in Ghana though have to bathe by taking a bucket shower where they take a bucket of water and throw the water on themselves with a little pail.
Wednesday I did an interview for baptism. The woman became quite emotional when the subject of abortion came up (she had one). I took the time to read some scriptures and to share testimony on the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. It was an interesting interview and it was the most emotional one I have done. It was a testimony builder for me as well.
Thursday we took a member to see Nii on how we are able to help Nii reach his goal of having family prayers. He said that he had never done one with his wife of 6 years and needed the member's help in doing so because while we are good, he and his wife wouldn't take us seriously because (and rightfully so) we are not married and don't know what it's like. I also spent some time thinking about how everything in life connects with each other and every action I take makes an impact for eternity. One of the examples I had thought of was how Elder Orchard and I had met Josephine and then how she became a member in Teshie over a year ago. If it wasn't for us two being companions we wouldn't have been in the spot at that specific time where we were when Josephine was walking by. She then greeted me in French and I took the opportunity to talk to her. Josephine then let us meet her on a Saturday where she then came to church the three Sundays after and then was baptized. She is still in Teshie and a solid member being a councilor in the relief society. I know people in the ward and outside are positively affected by her and the consequences of meeting her will continue to unfold to countless people.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I had developed some sort of a bug that caused an upset stomach, fever. I was thinking how back home I wouldn't really care about washing the food I would cook with and all of that sanitation stuff and I wouldn't get sick, but here I can take all the precautions and still get sick. On Sunday we had Nii, Pearce, and Gifty at church. After we had to go to Madina where I did four baptisimal interviews and with all of the traveling to the people we had spend over six hours by the time Elder Macaulay and I got home. I was really tired and a bit out of it because I was sick, and I felt bad that I wasn't able to have the interviews be as great as they could have been. They are an important thing.
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