Well this week was interesting; on Monday President Judd called to tell me that I would be going to open the area of Ho 3 and train. Ho is around 3-4 hours out of Accra and can be considered a covetous place to serve. The following day I received another call from President Judd informing me that the missionary I was to train went home in the MTC (the day before transfers) and as a result I wouldn't be training and I wouldn't be opening up Ho 3 and would be going to reopen Nungua 2. I was a bit disappointed as Elder Achola and I were at the last appointment of the day so I could pack so I then had to tell the apartment there was a change in transfers.
Wednesday was transfers and I was able to see mission friends which was nice. There are a few English Elders who recently came and it was a lot of fun to talk to them. There were many missionaries there I wouldn't see again on mission. My new companion's name is Elder Tyler Bladen from Logan, Utah. ELder Bladen has been on mission of five months and I am in an apartment with an Elder Hurley from California who is around nine months and just began to train and Elder Ndarya from Zimbabwe. It's an interesting feeling to be the eldest missionary time wise by far. Nungua 2 is an interesting place and I have been to the apartment when I first came to the mission as the town of Nungua is next to the town of Teshie which is where I was trained. The church has been in Nungua and Teshie for at least 15 years and as a result there a a lot of solid members of the church here. For our missionary efforts Elder Bladen and I spent most of the time contacting around the church. We also were able to identify a few members' houses and began teaching a referral which was helpful. Elder Bladen is really humble and willing to learn. He isn't too much of a people person, but as I feel that is the only real strength I have as a missionary, I want to utilize it effectively to help him develop more of that too.
For Saturday and Sunday I started to get sick and had a fever of 101 by Saturday night. By Sunday I was feeling a little better, but durring the last hour of church I felt the sickness really hit me hard with aches, headache, sore throat, nausea, and a fever reaching 103. I felt like the mission just kept telling me to take all sorts of medication so by today I'm not having issues. Last night by 9:30 my fever broke as I woke up drenched is sweat. All I have now is a sore throat. Apparently it was strep throat and because I was told to take the malaria medicine first, I figure that's why things went crazy. I definetly wasn't myself with the fever-almost like Jack Sparrow. Looking back, I have been sick several times with malaria and other things, but I think that was probably the most agonizing two days on my mission, lots of squirmming on my bed just giving uncontrolled sounds of pain. The only time that comes close was when I developed food poisoning around 2.5 months into the mission where there were times I was throwing up every 15 minutes and then went to the hospital so everything worked out okay.
A thought I have had during this past several months is how I need to align my will with God's. A lot of the time I have a mental map of what would be the perfect way to have my mission go, but as it most often happens with me, it doesn't align with God's plan and thereby results in a path I had no idea about. All in all as I have strived to become a better missionary, I can see countless examples showing me how God's will was and is much better than the plan I had mapped out in my head. I feel that this transfer is a good example of this because I'm quite happy with where I am now on the mission. I wouldn't trade the current situation for anything, and I can see more of where Elder Achola's methods are applicable here and I am using them the best I can.
Monday, September 24, 2012
From July 2, 2012: Called to Train
This week I went on a split with Elder Cosper in New Legon. Elder Cosper came to Ghana the same time as I did and it has been great to know him. He is a real friend. During the split (Tuesday) President Judd called me to train. I will either be opening up a new area or will be sent into an existing area replacing the companionship there. We call it white washing. I'm the best I have been as a missionary and I'm working to improve upon it everyday.
For Wednesday I went to trainers council while Elder Achola went to the temple. On the way to Accra I sat next to a man from California here for 5 months to volunteer at a school. He has a friend who served a mission too and was very willing and eager to read the Book of Mormon and as a result I took the initiative and gave him every pamphlet I had. It was a lot of fun talking to him for over an hour in the car on how Ghana is.
Saturday Elder Achola and I, along with Madina 1 went to support Madina 2b's baptism. it was a good experience and I felt the spirit.
For Sunday we went to do interviews in New Legon and It was interesting to know that it was the last time I would be there as a missionary as I know I will be transferred on Wednesday.
Friday, June 29, 2012
From June 25, 2012: Long Days But Calendar Numbers Moving; Kenya Stories Told by Kenyans; Striving to Improve as Companions
For Monday evening Elder Achola and I split with Elder Sacket Ross and Elder John, Elder Ross from Colorado and Elder John from Nigeria. I took Elder John to Adenta and it was a good time with him. He is going to hit his six month soon and was in the same MTC group as Elder Cooley, the missionary I trained. He is from a place called Calabar in Nigeria, he is almost 23, a spunky, happy and generous missionary a head shorter that me.
Wednesday Elder Achola and I were back together and it was a long and hot day. The individual days are long, but the numbers on the calender are moving. Elder Achola also shared stories about leopards. antelope and Hippos from back home along with these people called night runners where it's apparently a group of people bewitched at night where they develop super human strength and vandalize homes at night. Stories about Kenya told by Kenyans are my favorite.
Thursday Elder Achola and I were talking about our companionship and it really helped open my eyes for how we have to improve. I felt like our companionship was one where we had lost our spark as missionaries and this conversation helped open understanding to what has happened. For the remaining days of the week we were able to make progress in our teaching though we have a long way to go as companions. We are learning and growing by the Lord's refinement process. I include a portion of my weekly email to President Judd
"One blessing that is in the companionship is that when we do have our disagreements we always talk about it rather than just keeping it in. For us the week started off by us both lackluster, and while I feel we both knew it, it didn't hit me and rekindle that true work as a missionary until Elder Achola said how he had lost motivation in the area from when he had first come. Thankfully that conversation was at the beginning of the week giving us time to work for something better by the end of the week. All in all for us I can say we are both being tested striving to learn, but not really knowing what we are here to learn. I can say that this past week I have taken more effort with my prayers and that action I feel helped the progress this week. I do feel that everything I want to do or how I do things is the wrong way which quells my talents, but I know Elder Achola feels the same way. I was thinking of your email about a certain gift of the spirit called something along the lines of the gift of working together with those who have difference, I figure this is something I can learn from this companionship. Ultimately things will pick up when we are able to unlock the spirit in out companionship. We were talking about all of this yesterday and we know the potential of the area here and we have the feeling that once one of us leaves, the area will pick up. Now this is not a good thing to think about and I can say that this isn't what we are looking for (the easy way out) but we do see where we have to improve and we haven't given up hope and effort in making this area an example for out zone. One strength our area has now is that we, with the vision of Elder Achola, have been able to bring ward auxiliary members to our coordination- such as the relief society president. One thing I feel I am starting to enhance in my teaching from Elder Achola more is more of teaching people not lessons by not working to adapt the preplanned lesson to their individual needs, but to forsake it all together if that is what the spirit directs me to do so we can touch the investigators' hearts."
On Sunday we went to do a baptismal interview in New Legon for Elder Cosper and it was nice to see people from my old area. President Judd was also there to visit the ward and gave edifying remarks during sacrament meeting.
Wednesday Elder Achola and I were back together and it was a long and hot day. The individual days are long, but the numbers on the calender are moving. Elder Achola also shared stories about leopards. antelope and Hippos from back home along with these people called night runners where it's apparently a group of people bewitched at night where they develop super human strength and vandalize homes at night. Stories about Kenya told by Kenyans are my favorite.
Thursday Elder Achola and I were talking about our companionship and it really helped open my eyes for how we have to improve. I felt like our companionship was one where we had lost our spark as missionaries and this conversation helped open understanding to what has happened. For the remaining days of the week we were able to make progress in our teaching though we have a long way to go as companions. We are learning and growing by the Lord's refinement process. I include a portion of my weekly email to President Judd
"One blessing that is in the companionship is that when we do have our disagreements we always talk about it rather than just keeping it in. For us the week started off by us both lackluster, and while I feel we both knew it, it didn't hit me and rekindle that true work as a missionary until Elder Achola said how he had lost motivation in the area from when he had first come. Thankfully that conversation was at the beginning of the week giving us time to work for something better by the end of the week. All in all for us I can say we are both being tested striving to learn, but not really knowing what we are here to learn. I can say that this past week I have taken more effort with my prayers and that action I feel helped the progress this week. I do feel that everything I want to do or how I do things is the wrong way which quells my talents, but I know Elder Achola feels the same way. I was thinking of your email about a certain gift of the spirit called something along the lines of the gift of working together with those who have difference, I figure this is something I can learn from this companionship. Ultimately things will pick up when we are able to unlock the spirit in out companionship. We were talking about all of this yesterday and we know the potential of the area here and we have the feeling that once one of us leaves, the area will pick up. Now this is not a good thing to think about and I can say that this isn't what we are looking for (the easy way out) but we do see where we have to improve and we haven't given up hope and effort in making this area an example for out zone. One strength our area has now is that we, with the vision of Elder Achola, have been able to bring ward auxiliary members to our coordination- such as the relief society president. One thing I feel I am starting to enhance in my teaching from Elder Achola more is more of teaching people not lessons by not working to adapt the preplanned lesson to their individual needs, but to forsake it all together if that is what the spirit directs me to do so we can touch the investigators' hearts."
On Sunday we went to do a baptismal interview in New Legon for Elder Cosper and it was nice to see people from my old area. President Judd was also there to visit the ward and gave edifying remarks during sacrament meeting.
From June 18, 2012: Waterfalls; Elder Olumatete; Temple Trip and Interviews with President Judd; Rebuilding Ward Trust; Praying to Find what will Click
For Monday the district went to some waterfalls in Elder Jones' area. Elder Jones is finishing in a nice place called Dodowa. For me when I get to go there I get more of the "African" vibes. After going to the waterfalls I went on a 24 hour split with Elder Boaz Olumatete (24) from Kenya. Elder Olumatete is a really sweet guy. He, as a mentioned before, worked in construction and lived on his own from the age of 17, but I found out that he drove 10 wheelers and drove a truck for the Kenyan Red Cross. He is short and is a humorous guy. Elder Olumatete is around 10 months on mission and I can see missionary mannerisms that I had when I was also ten months. Time has gone by and a lot of growth has happened too.
For Wednesday our district, along with two others, went for interviews with President Judd, and a temple trip. We ran into our Ward Mission Leader who is just over a year in the church there too. I have been trying to help the companionship really click and for this past week there have been some tough times, but growth is being made, buckets full. Later that day we had a meeting with some ward members on the missionary work and the theme was clear with missionaries in the past not pulling their weight and acting as missionaries should. We need to rebuild ward member trust which I can see happening.
Thursday we had our meeting with the district leaders (once every six weeks) to learn and grow from each other. I was able to see Elder Cosper from my MTC group and another mission friend, Elder Ross. Things are doing much better this transfer.
I will omit the next few days by saying that I have been working on finding what will help Elder Achola and I click in the area. As I have talked to him this past week I have been more seriously searching for the answer through prayer, but there is a lot of work on my part still. Elder Achola is used to a lot of success and I get the feeling that right now as we strive to do better this transfer isn't what he was expecting. I know that once I am transferred things will pick up, but I don't want the solution to come from me being transferred. I don't want to leave the area under it's potential until I learn the lessons I am to learn from this experience.
For Wednesday our district, along with two others, went for interviews with President Judd, and a temple trip. We ran into our Ward Mission Leader who is just over a year in the church there too. I have been trying to help the companionship really click and for this past week there have been some tough times, but growth is being made, buckets full. Later that day we had a meeting with some ward members on the missionary work and the theme was clear with missionaries in the past not pulling their weight and acting as missionaries should. We need to rebuild ward member trust which I can see happening.
Thursday we had our meeting with the district leaders (once every six weeks) to learn and grow from each other. I was able to see Elder Cosper from my MTC group and another mission friend, Elder Ross. Things are doing much better this transfer.
I will omit the next few days by saying that I have been working on finding what will help Elder Achola and I click in the area. As I have talked to him this past week I have been more seriously searching for the answer through prayer, but there is a lot of work on my part still. Elder Achola is used to a lot of success and I get the feeling that right now as we strive to do better this transfer isn't what he was expecting. I know that once I am transferred things will pick up, but I don't want the solution to come from me being transferred. I don't want to leave the area under it's potential until I learn the lessons I am to learn from this experience.
From June 11, 2012: Over Used Knees; Zone Leader Council; Striving to Improve
On Monday we went to the cafe and the market for some food stuffs.
While the market is hectic, I always enjoy the cultural experience.
Later in the evening we showed a family how to hold Family Home
Evening with bringing an investigator to it as well. Her name was
Angela and she lives next to this member family. Angela can't read,
but she is being well fellowshipped and came to church for her second
time this past Sunday.
On Tuesday we went to get x-rays for my knees and it was a fun
experience as I have only been in a hospital on two other occasions.
The x-ray technician was an older man, very friendly, and we had some
fun conversations during my visit. There are no bone issues with my
knees and the mission doctor thinks that the issue is that they are
being over used, whatever that means.
Thursday Elder Achola and I went into Accra for Zone Leaders
Council. ZLC is one of the highlights of my months recently. We talked
about how we can be better missionaries for the members and not to be
missionaries that people are burdened by. After ZLC we met and taught
a woman named Ruda at the church. I spent time thinking on where I
need to improve as a missionary and a person and I feel that I need to
be more humble. I also feel that I am spiritually immature compared to
Edler Achola so that will have to improve. As of now I feel that if I
can understand the importance of the message I have to share, then I
will be able to focus more in the lessons we teach and teach with more
power from the spirit. I feel that ELder Achola is miles ahead of me
and I need to do a better job to stay on pace.
Saturday Elder Achola and I had another one of our conversations on
what we need to do better in and for our area. One of the main things
that came as a result was that he helped open my eyes to how I before,
and durring this transfer, were focusing on people who had issues
and were not able to progress. He helped open my eyes and I hope to be
able to keep up with his vision and at the very least try and obtain
some for myself too. In the day we also met with a man named Prince
who was to be baptized several months ago, but didn't come to his
baptism. He showed up at church on Sunday and he said for his cold
feet with the attempted baptism was due to feeling that he was being
rushed into things. We will work with him to develop a serious
testimony.
Sunday we did interviews in New Legon (my former ward) and it was
good to see the growth in the ward. Elder Cosper is doing well there
and is working hard.
While the market is hectic, I always enjoy the cultural experience.
Later in the evening we showed a family how to hold Family Home
Evening with bringing an investigator to it as well. Her name was
Angela and she lives next to this member family. Angela can't read,
but she is being well fellowshipped and came to church for her second
time this past Sunday.
On Tuesday we went to get x-rays for my knees and it was a fun
experience as I have only been in a hospital on two other occasions.
The x-ray technician was an older man, very friendly, and we had some
fun conversations during my visit. There are no bone issues with my
knees and the mission doctor thinks that the issue is that they are
being over used, whatever that means.
Thursday Elder Achola and I went into Accra for Zone Leaders
Council. ZLC is one of the highlights of my months recently. We talked
about how we can be better missionaries for the members and not to be
missionaries that people are burdened by. After ZLC we met and taught
a woman named Ruda at the church. I spent time thinking on where I
need to improve as a missionary and a person and I feel that I need to
be more humble. I also feel that I am spiritually immature compared to
Edler Achola so that will have to improve. As of now I feel that if I
can understand the importance of the message I have to share, then I
will be able to focus more in the lessons we teach and teach with more
power from the spirit. I feel that ELder Achola is miles ahead of me
and I need to do a better job to stay on pace.
Saturday Elder Achola and I had another one of our conversations on
what we need to do better in and for our area. One of the main things
that came as a result was that he helped open my eyes to how I before,
and durring this transfer, were focusing on people who had issues
and were not able to progress. He helped open my eyes and I hope to be
able to keep up with his vision and at the very least try and obtain
some for myself too. In the day we also met with a man named Prince
who was to be baptized several months ago, but didn't come to his
baptism. He showed up at church on Sunday and he said for his cold
feet with the attempted baptism was due to feeling that he was being
rushed into things. We will work with him to develop a serious
testimony.
Sunday we did interviews in New Legon (my former ward) and it was
good to see the growth in the ward. Elder Cosper is doing well there
and is working hard.
From June 4, 2012: Knee Brace; False Rumors
For this week I went on a split with Elder Tribe on Monday as his
companion, Elder Olumatete, was sick. So my companion, Elder Achola who
is also from Kenya, stayed with him. It was fun to get to know him
better. I also remember that my knee was causing problems for me so I
have been using another brace for a week on both knees. Hopefully it
gets better.
On Tuesday Elder Achola and I met with the Adenta Stake President. We
are working for a better month for the zone. Elder Achola is helping me
become a better missionary.
Wednesday I received my second knee brace so that was good.
Friday we were teaching a good lesson with an educated woman when a
man drove up and started yelling at us and the church because he
believed the false rumors of the church using back magic and drinking
blood. Needless to say he kicked us out of the house. It was an
interesting experience. I can't recall much and I don't have much in
my journal, but the apartment is good and we are working hard.
companion, Elder Olumatete, was sick. So my companion, Elder Achola who
is also from Kenya, stayed with him. It was fun to get to know him
better. I also remember that my knee was causing problems for me so I
have been using another brace for a week on both knees. Hopefully it
gets better.
On Tuesday Elder Achola and I met with the Adenta Stake President. We
are working for a better month for the zone. Elder Achola is helping me
become a better missionary.
Wednesday I received my second knee brace so that was good.
Friday we were teaching a good lesson with an educated woman when a
man drove up and started yelling at us and the church because he
believed the false rumors of the church using back magic and drinking
blood. Needless to say he kicked us out of the house. It was an
interesting experience. I can't recall much and I don't have much in
my journal, but the apartment is good and we are working hard.
From May 28, 2012: Transfers, now with Elder Achola from Kenya
This week was good. Elder Lindsay was transferd and Elder Achola (23), from Kenya, is my new companion. He is at 14 months on his mission and has a reputation of hard work and to transform struggling areas into places of strength. His strength is definitely seeking for and using the spirit in lessons and I need to learn a lot from him. He is bringing many changes into our companionship, area, and zone, and while I honestly don't agree with all he says, I know it is the best thing to do because I know he is using the spirit. I need to humble myself and allow the spirit to take control. We also had three other transfers in the district and in summary - removing all the Nigerians and replacing them with an Ethiopian and two Americans. One of the Americans is new to Ghana and is being trained by Elder Olumatete. Elder Tribe is from Lindon, Utah and is a really cool guy. It's fun to talk to him as I feel that we have many things in common. Investigators who came to church: Mary, her husband, and her two children came to church with the desire to see the bishop on what they can do in order to become civily married as Mary wants to join the church. The other man is named Joseph who learns a bit slower, but we feel that he feels the spirit of our message. Elder Achola is teaching me how to teach towards commitments in order to bring more people to church using the spirit.
I think that's all about my week. I know this transfer will be one of growth and success.
I think that's all about my week. I know this transfer will be one of growth and success.
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