It seems just like yesterday I was giving my talk in Sacrament Meeting in the Shiloh Ward. Ghana is an amazing place full of religion. I am grateful to serve in such a receptive and beautiful land. This past week we taught a man who moved here three years ago from Atlanta. He was born and raised in the United States, and is here managing a colon cleansing/massage therapy/vegetarian restaurant and resort. As we began teaching him about the Gospel, we learned that he does not believe in religion, but only in a "way of life." By the end of the first lesson, he told us he actually does believe in the Bible, but doesn't feel like he is a Christian. He later said he believes in Christ but does not see him as the Messiah. We ended our first lesson asking him if we could close with a prayer. He very quickly, but politely said; I don't believe in prayer. My companion and I left that lesson asking each other, how can we help someone that doesn't believe in prayer? How could we teach someone that doesn't believe in Christ as the
Savior of this world? As we continued to ponder and pray to know what we could teach him, our minds kept coming back to the keystone of our religion that would be the only thing we thought he would accept. Not only accept, but also read and pray about. As we taught him a second time, he seemed to really listened. We shared two of the "Mormon Messages" from the Church website. The first discussed the Restoration and the second was called, The Book With a Promise. We then shared a brief description of the Book of Mormon and did our best to answer any of his questions. We felt the spirit there as we closed with our testimony. Afterward, my companion and I talked about how much more comfortable we felt on the second visit, and how we hoped and prayed that he put our challenge to the test to read 3 Nephi 11-26.
Our work here is not easy, but as I knelt to pray that night, I truly thanked the Lord for sending me to a place that is generally so receptive to the basic teachings of the Bible, Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father. The weather, many different dialects, and conditions are very different, but this is still the best mission in the WORLD!!! The people are amazing. The Lord has blessed me in so many ways. It is incredible how many challenges we face each and every day with our missionary work, but this week as we submitted our mission numbers to the Africa West Area Office, I saw what our 168 valiant elders and sisters can do in this field, already to harvest. In the month of November, 164 people were baptized, with 1430 progressing investigators, and 835 new investigators. Ghana is ready, and the missionaries and members are striving to be obedient to the Lord's command through his living prophets.
As a missionary, we have the opportunity to bear testimony many times each day. I know this Church is true and am very grateful to serve. Elder Bruce R. McConkie's talk, "The Purifying Power of Gethsemane," describes the divinity of the Christ and His infinite Atonement. As we celebrate the birth and life of the Savior, our hearts are filled as we think of the wonderful acts that he performed. May we all come to know Him more perfectly as we follow his every footstep.
Thank you for your prayers and example.
E. Hair
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Amazing! Crazy! Busy!
Family,
The work is amazing, yet very crazy. Last Wednesday we left for Kumasi, and just got back about an hour ago. 6 days on the road, and we have been really busy with so many things.
Mom, I am sorry I didn't get a chance to answer all of your questions. Elder Adams and I are the only ones in our apt. It is a small one in the same compound as the mission home and mission office. There are 2 missionaries to each of the 1st and 2nd Cape Coast Wards and for now, we all meet in the same building. The family history center has about 6 computers and the people here are doing well, but the attitude of going to the temple is probably the same as back home. There are some that just don't see their temple attendance as a priority. I have come to learn that if someone wants to make time to go to the temple, there is not one single excuse, other than physical health, that they can not go. There are some amazingly faithful members here that don't have money to even travel to the temple, let alone eat, yet they are ordinance workers and go every week, some putting off work for two days due to travel. Bro Entwi was just recently called to be a sealer. As he was explaining it to us when we were there getting my license which I did get after a 250 cedis bribe to the DLV Chairman because my replacement license didn't have a picture on it. (haha funny story) Anyway, Bro Entwi told us that President Monson called the Accra temple president and told him that on this date, at this time, between 8 and 8:15, I give you my consent to give Bro Entwi the sealing power. It was amazing how he explained it and I almost broke into tears as I realized what this man has to sacrifice just to be able to save enough money to go to the temple and have food for his family as well. The Church is true and the temple is necessary for our salvation.
These past few weeks, we have been traveling to each of the districts with Pres Shulz to help and support the reminder of the rules that we as GCCM Missionaries keep. He quoted from a talk by Bruce R. McConkie entitled "The Probationary State of Mortality," that he gave at a seminar for the institute instructors and students at University of Utah. It has really helped me understand how truly important the message is that we share with these good people each and every day. The bold statement that Elder McConkie made to all of us in this article was that if we enter into the gate of repentance and baptism, by the proper authority, and then stay in the "mainstream" of the Church (a worthy temple recommend holder) and endure to the end, when we die...we will go to the spirit paradise and await exaltation. How profound a statement made by an apostle and how important a message given by Joseph, a small boy to the world. May we all go on in so great a cause.
There are so many things I want to write. I got to go up to my old area of Sunyani yesterday for Church. We arrived early and sat down to wait, hoping to see former investigators, recent converts, and friends walk in. Afia and her three grandkids Kwasi, Charlott, and Catherin were the first ones to walk in. It was like coming home! I couldn't stop Afia from giving me a hug, but I had to pretend to not hug back because pres and his wife were standing right there. It was great to see them again. Then Samuel, the man that asked Elder Omini and I to speak at his wedding walked in. When I left, he was not yet baptized, and this Sunday, Pres Shulz interviewed him for the Melchizedek Priesthood. Man, did I see the fruits of our missionary labors this week. I almost cried as they all just continued to come in. The sacrament was blessed by the local priesthood, talks were given by powerful members, and Sunday school taught and done in their native language.
On Saturday evening, we participated with the Zolls, and one set of Zone Leaders in a Book of Mormon like story...
...where 30 people were baptized in a sweet river location. After more then 3 years of waiting for some of these people, and to have the Area and First Presidency authorize the Priesthood to baptize these good people in the most faithful tithe paying group in all of West Africa, we were able to participate in an extremely momentous occasion. Elder Adams and I were the witnesses and video men/record keepers. We had more then 100 people there on the banks of small river in the middle of the bush, just a short walk from the roadside in a small village called Bibiani. Immediately after they were baptized and had changed back into their dry clothing, we split up into five groups of six because of time, and one of the priesthood brethren, laid hands on each one of the candidates and gave them the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Man it was powerful!!! Oh, and to top it all off, the Chief and Queen Mother, not members yet, were in attendance and gave their thoughtful and kind words to some of the most faithful members in the world. How blessed I truly am for being in this mission!
This past week, we received a letter from Elder Holland, saying that due to the cost of phone calls on Christmas and Mother's Day from so many missionaries, they are now allowing missionaries to skype if they want to.
Thanks for everything. I look forward to hearing from you all next week.
Elder Hair
The work is amazing, yet very crazy. Last Wednesday we left for Kumasi, and just got back about an hour ago. 6 days on the road, and we have been really busy with so many things.
Mom, I am sorry I didn't get a chance to answer all of your questions. Elder Adams and I are the only ones in our apt. It is a small one in the same compound as the mission home and mission office. There are 2 missionaries to each of the 1st and 2nd Cape Coast Wards and for now, we all meet in the same building. The family history center has about 6 computers and the people here are doing well, but the attitude of going to the temple is probably the same as back home. There are some that just don't see their temple attendance as a priority. I have come to learn that if someone wants to make time to go to the temple, there is not one single excuse, other than physical health, that they can not go. There are some amazingly faithful members here that don't have money to even travel to the temple, let alone eat, yet they are ordinance workers and go every week, some putting off work for two days due to travel. Bro Entwi was just recently called to be a sealer. As he was explaining it to us when we were there getting my license which I did get after a 250 cedis bribe to the DLV Chairman because my replacement license didn't have a picture on it. (haha funny story) Anyway, Bro Entwi told us that President Monson called the Accra temple president and told him that on this date, at this time, between 8 and 8:15, I give you my consent to give Bro Entwi the sealing power. It was amazing how he explained it and I almost broke into tears as I realized what this man has to sacrifice just to be able to save enough money to go to the temple and have food for his family as well. The Church is true and the temple is necessary for our salvation.
These past few weeks, we have been traveling to each of the districts with Pres Shulz to help and support the reminder of the rules that we as GCCM Missionaries keep. He quoted from a talk by Bruce R. McConkie entitled "The Probationary State of Mortality," that he gave at a seminar for the institute instructors and students at University of Utah. It has really helped me understand how truly important the message is that we share with these good people each and every day. The bold statement that Elder McConkie made to all of us in this article was that if we enter into the gate of repentance and baptism, by the proper authority, and then stay in the "mainstream" of the Church (a worthy temple recommend holder) and endure to the end, when we die...we will go to the spirit paradise and await exaltation. How profound a statement made by an apostle and how important a message given by Joseph, a small boy to the world. May we all go on in so great a cause.There are so many things I want to write. I got to go up to my old area of Sunyani yesterday for Church. We arrived early and sat down to wait, hoping to see former investigators, recent converts, and friends walk in. Afia and her three grandkids Kwasi, Charlott, and Catherin were the first ones to walk in. It was like coming home! I couldn't stop Afia from giving me a hug, but I had to pretend to not hug back because pres and his wife were standing right there. It was great to see them again. Then Samuel, the man that asked Elder Omini and I to speak at his wedding walked in. When I left, he was not yet baptized, and this Sunday, Pres Shulz interviewed him for the Melchizedek Priesthood. Man, did I see the fruits of our missionary labors this week. I almost cried as they all just continued to come in. The sacrament was blessed by the local priesthood, talks were given by powerful members, and Sunday school taught and done in their native language.
On Saturday evening, we participated with the Zolls, and one set of Zone Leaders in a Book of Mormon like story...
...where 30 people were baptized in a sweet river location. After more then 3 years of waiting for some of these people, and to have the Area and First Presidency authorize the Priesthood to baptize these good people in the most faithful tithe paying group in all of West Africa, we were able to participate in an extremely momentous occasion. Elder Adams and I were the witnesses and video men/record keepers. We had more then 100 people there on the banks of small river in the middle of the bush, just a short walk from the roadside in a small village called Bibiani. Immediately after they were baptized and had changed back into their dry clothing, we split up into five groups of six because of time, and one of the priesthood brethren, laid hands on each one of the candidates and gave them the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Man it was powerful!!! Oh, and to top it all off, the Chief and Queen Mother, not members yet, were in attendance and gave their thoughtful and kind words to some of the most faithful members in the world. How blessed I truly am for being in this mission!This past week, we received a letter from Elder Holland, saying that due to the cost of phone calls on Christmas and Mother's Day from so many missionaries, they are now allowing missionaries to skype if they want to.
Thanks for everything. I look forward to hearing from you all next week.
Elder Hair
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