Tuesday, July 19, 2011

President and Sister Shulz

Family,

Things have been a little bit crazy lately, but my Patriarchal Blessing has become one of my best friends in the mission and I have been able to find solace in it.

Pres and Sis Shulz are amazing and I know that we will be very good friends. During our first meeting, he stressed the importance of getting a good education after the mission, and that he will be helping us to be the best missionaries we can be so that we will be eager to study hard to get the best grades we can and be able to get good jobs to provide for our family. He is a very funny guy, not as serious as Pres Sabey. I honestly feel that I came to GCC just at the right time. I learned so many great things from Pres Sabey in the first year, and will learn many more great things from Pres Shulz during the second year. Important things that I need to learn to be able to have the eternal progression necessary to live with God again. He told us that the training he got in the MTC was much different than it has ever been. The First Presidency and 12 Apostles want to strangle the necks of some return missionaries because of their almost immediate less activity after their mission.

This past year has gone by so fast and I know that the next will be even faster. My new companion is Elder Saili. He is from American Samoa. He's about as tall as me, just a little bit stronger if you know what I mean!

Our new area is almost a Branch and it is similar to my last area, just much bigger and we actually have members. The Stake Pres visited last Sunday to call a group leader in our unit. We had about 35 people there, but we are still missing about five families from the big Ward that is part of our boundaries. Those families don't want to leave their old Ward and many of them have not been released yet, even though they have been asked to come to our Branch. It has caused a little confusion. In order to make a Branch we need GPS coordinates of the boundaries and of every member's home, because addresses are nonexistent. It will not be an easy task, but I know we can get it done. Although the apartment is twice as big as my old one (which might seem hard to believe), we have not had running water, and I have had to open my mosquito net for the first time on my mission. The voltage coming into our apartment has blown a lot of fuses for the lights and two fans, so we haven't had power for three nights now. When we did have power, I slept better than I have on my whole mission because of the net. I think it is because I feel more secure, and it's like I'm camping!

This new area has not been easy, because like the last area, I don't know anyone and neither does my companion. I don't think the Lord wants me to rest on my mission. And that's just fine, because I always said I wanted a difficult mission. I have been truly blessed and I am thankful for what the Lord has done for the Hair family. I love this work more than anything in the whole world and I can't wait to see how the work in this area will go. I never thought that I would serve in Kumasi, but here I am and it is huge. I really miss Fiapre, and I will miss those people that I got really close to like Sis Afia and her family. I will never forget her. This work is not easy not only physically, but emotionally, and I may never see many of these people again in my short life.

I know now more than I have ever known that this Church is true. We met with two young men last night and taught them the ten commandments. It amazes me how many Latter-day Saint hating people there are. It is also amazing at how much time people spend trying to poke at the "Mormons." A member brought us a book that a friend gave him that was 40 pages long full of anti-mormon stuff. It is amazing at how much time people waste persecuting the church. I know this Church is the Lords Church on the earth and we will be blessed as we keep His commandments.

I love you all. Thank you so much for everything!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Farewell to Sunyani

Hey Family,

It is finally time for Elder Hair to leave Sunyani. I will be opening another new area with a new companion. I don't know who he is yet but I'm sure he will be another hard worker like Elder Omini. I will be going to the Bantama Zone and be serving in Asafo. I reread my Patriarchal Blessing many times over the last transfer, and I have never felt more loved in my whole life. Some of those same feelings of love from my Savior along with hard work, will lead to blessings and help me to focus more then ever.

Mom, Dad, and Family, GHANA IS A SAFE AND AMAZING PLACE. I am very happy with where I am and what I am doing, and I know the Lord will protect me. Whoever broke into our house stole a belt, our watches, my camera case with my old memory card (I already sent home the pics), my drivers license, my wallet with 80 Cedis, my military ID, debit card, and 2 US dollars. So in a way, we were very lucky they didn't take more. The only concern I have is that I can not get back into the country unless I have two forms of ID, but we'll figure it out.

Tell all those that are getting married congrats and please send me pics if you can.

Yesterday I saw someone using saran wrap and it made me think of Christmas time and cookies. haha

I love you all. I need to go and do wash so that I can depart early Wed morning for Asafo. I will send more pics as soon as I can.

Elder Hair

Monday, July 4, 2011

Growing into a Branch

Family,

That's great news about Chandler and Devrey! I'm very happy for them.

Although I have not yet met Pres Shulz, all that I have heard is good. He got here last Wed night, but we won't see him until Sat when he comes up for Zone conference. That's what we get for being so far away. (haha)

Things are going great and I am continuing to learn more and more every day. As I finish the first 5 books of the Old Testament (the writings of Moses), I see how much I am able to read the scriptures with Temple Eyes as suggested by that brother in the St Louis Temple. I have enjoyed reading the Old Testament, but see how much more rewarding the rest of the standard works are. The Bible is effective with a modern day prophet. It is as simple as that. If we can get people to understand that God calls only one true and living prophet, then it is easier for them to understand many things that we teach.

It is amazing how many people are duped out of their money by false prophets and dreamers of dreams. Some people put everything out on a limb to get rich, and because 1 out of every million get rich, many others follow. I didn't believe much in juju or evil spirits back home but I have grown to see and understand how powerful Satan is today. He does not sleep, and works tirelessly to accomplish his purpose, being the eternal damnation and sadness of man just like him. I have never been hated more for what I believe and have never been more misunderstood then I am here on my mission in Ghana. I love this work and enjoy the challenge, but if there is something that I want, I won't stop until I get it. I feel that persistence in my heart as I work and get closer to our investigators. We want them to have the same happiness that we have.

Our goal is to make this unit into a Branch by the second week in Aug. We need 5 full tithe paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders, and 20 active members. I know this will not be easy, but it will not be impossible.

I love you all and pray for you every day.

Love Elder Hair