The Azonto

Our week has gone really well. We went on splits with both the Assin Fosu and the Swedru Zones. It's sweet to pair up with another companionship for a day. Friday was an amazing day. Let me tell ya a little about it.

First, I had the opportunity to interview a man by the name of Eli who was about 25. I began by just getting to know him and talk about what he was studying in the local university. He was very open, and expressed his love for the missionaries and how the lessons had truly helped him with his schooling. He was also very concerned about the welfare of his future family. We continued with the interview questions and his very heart felt answers. He closed with a wonderful prayer asking for guidance and help as he embarks on this new journey. He was an incredible example to me.

Later, we went to see a family the missionaries had been teaching, but could not find them, so we decided to knock next door. A girl opened the door, and without hesitation, invited us in. This family was prepared at that very moment to hear the word of the Lord and his restored gospel. We began chatting small and learned that the daughter was a graduate student and her father was a professor at the University. She has been a teachers aid and is planning to further her education in the US. We had a great first visit, set up a return appointment, and left with a prayer.

Next, we went to visit the non-member boyfriend of a girl from the ZLs branch. They had been trying unsuccessfully to get together, but kept missing him. We walked to where he lives and near where she works, in a food provisions store in the same hostel (apt complex). We got there, but the place was deserted. We were kinda bummed, but hoped to be led by the spirit to find someone right in that hostel. So, right then and there, the three of us circled up, and Elder Nzuki from Kenya offered a sincere prayer asking for help. As the prayer finished, music began to play, and we decided to follow that music. We climbed the stairs until we reached the fourth floor. When followed the music to an open door, where we saw two guys. Out of the blue, Elder Bunker said to them, "Hey, Elder Hair needs a toilet, fast!" and the guys said, "Oh come on in, you can use ours." After seeing the condition of that place, the last thing I wanted to do was use their bathroom. It didn't even have a T-Roll!!! We asked the guys if we could teach them something small, and ended up having a great discussion. They were both very eager to learn. Just as we were about to finish the lesson, another guy walked in and we invited him to join us. His name was Josh, and turned out to be the boyfriend the ZLs had been searching for. We hit it off and they all really seemed to like us and see us as normal guys just like them, the only difference was that we had an extraordinary message to share with them. Before we left, Josh, who works as a DJ, wanted to show us a dance move called . . .The following day, back in our own area, we were trying our darnedest to get all of the less-actives, recent converts, and investigators to come to church. One lady by the name of Veronica was sitting on her chair listening to her Fante Gospel Music bobbin her head up and down and side to side. She took one glance at us and got that, "not again, why don't they give up already", look on her face. We told her that we had been thinking about her and that we just wanted her to know that we had not forgotten her. We told her that we loved her very much. She stopped the music and look up at us. I knew then that she felt something and that we had her attention. We told her about learning to dance the Azonto, and promised her that if she came to church, we'd dance for her. She started to laugh and said, "can you really dance the Azonto?" She promised us she would come to church if we danced it right then and there. We discovered that two other families outside their houses right next to hers had been listening. She turned up the music and the moves were busted out.

She kept her promise and came to church. That day my heart went out to that woman and ALL of the people that we visited who also kept their promises and came to church. What a glorious work this is. Even though we often face disappointment, this day made up for it all. This day was one of those days to never forget. I love this work, and I love my companion. We are working so well together to help this mission and the future Kumasi Mission to be the best in the world. It just takes one step at a time. I love you all and hope all is well.

Elder Hair