This has been a pretty cool week. Dominik came to church again so we only need him to come one more week for the goal. Williams will be baptized hopefully on January 3rd, 2010. Even though none of our other investigators came, we are still on track for the goal.
Last Friday, we had a special Zone Conference for Christmas. President Sabey spent about an hour and a half teaching us about the Doctrine of Christ's birth in the flesh. He also talked about Mary, Joseph, the Wise men, and the Shepards. At different intervals we would sing Christmas hymns. We then had a huge ghanain meal that was awesome. We were all given cool kinte(not sure how to spell it) ties with GCCM on them and a ghanain symbol that represents God. We also were given a lot of cookies. It was pretty sweet.
On Saturday, the Kumasi Stake had an Christmas Carol night where each ward got up and sang some songs and quoted scriptures about Christ. Our Ward did very well and even got special recognition from the Stake President at the end of the night (kind of a smack in the face to the other wards if you ask me). The missionaries were also asked to sing a couple songs at the end of the program. We sang our own mission song, "Ghana Cape Coast Mission," which is based on Adam-Ondi Aman, followed by "The First Noel." As we sang the very last note of The First Noel, the power went out and the room became pitch black. Everyone in the audience was yelling and clapping their hands as we left the stage in the dark. I guess were just too powerful:)
So Kumasi is pretty quite despite the fact that it's Christmas season. Nobody has any decorations except some places in town. I guess they just can't afford it. They still love it though and we should have some fun on Christmas day. We will be cooking a meal for Sister Yaa's Family. Somebody asked President Sabey if the missionaries will be allowed to have FM's on Christmas and he told us that he had an immediate impression to say yes. But only if the missionaries were providing the free meal. It should be cool. We are making French toast.
These next two Christmases will be very special for me. They will be only two where I will be representing the Lord as a full time missionary. This will be an awesome opportunity to provide service to the people I have been called to minister. I will probably never have this opportunity again so I will make the most of it.
Elder Harris, Portia and Gordella
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Christmas Letter
December 6, 2009
Today is Christmas. OK, not realy but just imagine for a minute, I hope you like your gifts. Not much, I know, but at least it is something. Try not to spend it all in one place :) So did Santa come last night? If he didn't, I blame Jeremy for killing the car and getting Grandma beat up at his show! Do you think she will come to the next one :) So I'm full of smiles cause today was an awesome day. We were fed at dinner and got cake from Sister Kiffer to celebrate Elder Adjeifio's birthday. He left for Cape Coast three days ago. On top of that, we had a guy come to church today and tell us he felt comfortable, so when can he be baptized. Pretty sweet if you ask me. I also confirmed this guy named Eric as a member of the church and confirmed to him the Holy Ghost. It was prety nerve racking giving him a blessing in front of the Asokwa ward. It went pretty well though.
So like I said today is Christmas so you better enjoy yourselves cause you only have one more without me (if I don't get killed by some voodoo queen or Jehovah's Witnessess!) Enjoy the fact that you don't have to listen to a brand new bass ripping through the house and several other houses down the block. Try not to go to the emergency room with half a finger and a lame story behind it. At least spice it up a little bit. Maybe you could say that it got bitten off by a large tarantla spider from the Orient. That would be pretty cool. As for me, I'll enjoy my decorated refrigerator and the fact that we will have the Kiffer's apartment to ourselves. We will enjoy!
Give love to the family. I love you all and miss you. Merry Christmas!! I'll call you soon.
Elder Andrew R. Harris
P.S.
I miss Disneyland and cheese.
Monday, December 14, 2009
FEELING LIKE A TRUE MISSIONARY
This has been an awesome weekend for Elder Akoki and I. We went on Zone Leader Splits with Elder Mason and contacted a whole lot of people. After teaching one of our investigators, Elder Mason muttered that we should sweep the whole compound and without asking grabbed a broom. All at once every person in the compound freaked out and started screaming at us to stop. One person was trying to tell us that in Africa NOBODY sweeps at night. This is absolutely ridiculous of course (my companion is an African) and we finished the whole compound. They thanked us and we felt pretty good about it. I finally felt like a true missionary. I was reminded of a missionary I met in Ensenada, Mexico named Elder Cook. While we were contacting we came upon a bunch of guys digging a big hole. Without hesitating, Elder Cook jumps in the hole with his Priesthood clothes and a shovel and starts digging like a mad man. The guys were stunned and wanted to know who the heck we were. Of course we were kind enough to tell them we were missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Elder Mason reminded me a little bit of Elder Cook.
Yesterday, everyone were were expecting to come to church actually came. Williams was there fifteen minutes early, Francis came with his brother Dominique, Abdela came with his ten year old son, and Maa Abena came with us. It was pretty awesome.
Theres not too much else going on. We are working with the Asokwa bishopric to find more less active members. There are over 400 in the ward but most have moved or traveled. Hopefully we will be able to find some more people to help. Christmas is coming fast and we have a special Zone Conference on Friday. It should be pretty sweet.
Yesterday, everyone were were expecting to come to church actually came. Williams was there fifteen minutes early, Francis came with his brother Dominique, Abdela came with his ten year old son, and Maa Abena came with us. It was pretty awesome.
Theres not too much else going on. We are working with the Asokwa bishopric to find more less active members. There are over 400 in the ward but most have moved or traveled. Hopefully we will be able to find some more people to help. Christmas is coming fast and we have a special Zone Conference on Friday. It should be pretty sweet.
Monday, December 7, 2009
HARD WORK
Hello! So everything is pretty much the same here in Kumasi. Everyday we get up and pretty much waste time (street contacting/former investigators) till lunch then we walk to Ahinsan where our real work has been. Unfortunately our less actives still didn't come to church yesterday. I wonder what their excuse is this week.
Elder Adjeifio has been transferred to Cape Coast where he will be a zone leader. Replacing him is a new greeny named Elder Clemments from Idaho. He is a cool guy even though he can be kind of quite. Its awesome to not be the new guy in the apartment. I feel bad though cause Elder Akoki is now the only African living with us.
A couple cool things happened to us this week. On Friday we had nothing to do in the morning so we decided to go get Elder Akoki a haircut. There was a man there already so we sat down to wait. For about twenty minutes we just sat there about a foot from the man talking about baptisms and missionary work. When the man was finished he turned in his seat, looking straight at me and said, "The Book of Mormon." Both my companion and I said sa, and asked him how he knew about the book. Apparently he is a less active member who traveled a while ago and hasn't been to church since. We are going to try to meet him this week. I don't believe in coincidence out here.
Abdela came to church again this week. He just showed up for Sacrament meeting last week and was very interested. He was formally a Muslim and wants to become a Christian. We taught him the first lesson and he told us he feels very comfortable in the church and wants to be baptized as soon as possible. Of course we told him there are some steps to take but we are hopeful for him. He is going to bring his wife and child next Sunday.
I also gave my first confirmation to a man that was baptized a couple weeks ago. His name is Eric Ocansey. I was really nervous in front of the whole ward but it went well. It was a pretty cool experience.
Things are moving fast here. I've been out for two months now and it feels like no time has passed at all. Right now I'm just hoping Christmas was as good as Thanksgiving:)
Elder Adjeifio has been transferred to Cape Coast where he will be a zone leader. Replacing him is a new greeny named Elder Clemments from Idaho. He is a cool guy even though he can be kind of quite. Its awesome to not be the new guy in the apartment. I feel bad though cause Elder Akoki is now the only African living with us.
A couple cool things happened to us this week. On Friday we had nothing to do in the morning so we decided to go get Elder Akoki a haircut. There was a man there already so we sat down to wait. For about twenty minutes we just sat there about a foot from the man talking about baptisms and missionary work. When the man was finished he turned in his seat, looking straight at me and said, "The Book of Mormon." Both my companion and I said sa, and asked him how he knew about the book. Apparently he is a less active member who traveled a while ago and hasn't been to church since. We are going to try to meet him this week. I don't believe in coincidence out here.
Abdela came to church again this week. He just showed up for Sacrament meeting last week and was very interested. He was formally a Muslim and wants to become a Christian. We taught him the first lesson and he told us he feels very comfortable in the church and wants to be baptized as soon as possible. Of course we told him there are some steps to take but we are hopeful for him. He is going to bring his wife and child next Sunday.
I also gave my first confirmation to a man that was baptized a couple weeks ago. His name is Eric Ocansey. I was really nervous in front of the whole ward but it went well. It was a pretty cool experience.
Things are moving fast here. I've been out for two months now and it feels like no time has passed at all. Right now I'm just hoping Christmas was as good as Thanksgiving:)
So I'm getting pretty tired. Its hard work walking all day and teaching in the heat. Its getting dryer though so its been nice even if the heat hasn't gone away at all. I don't really think it will get much cooler for the Hamatan.
Its getting more normal here every day as I've already said. I went to the busy part of town today so that was a crazy new experience but for the most part nothing new happens that often. You will never really understand Africa till you've been here for a while. I laugh at the way I thought about this continent before I came here. I'm just glad i'm in Ghana. All I have to say is that I'm doing fine. I'm getting more and more confident in myself (maybe too much sometimes) but I would still be lost without Elder Akoki. Pray he doesn't get transferred in six weeks! Zone Conference has been moved back a week so I'm still waiting for letters. Its been agonizing the past couple weeks and zone conference won't be for two more weeks.
Well I thinks thats it for now. I bought a Guitar, The brand name is Fendar. Its pretty sweet except the strings are awefull. Maybe thats something else i could use, Strings and some picks (good picks;) I love you guys a lot. I'll talk to you soon too! Good bye!:)
Its getting more normal here every day as I've already said. I went to the busy part of town today so that was a crazy new experience but for the most part nothing new happens that often. You will never really understand Africa till you've been here for a while. I laugh at the way I thought about this continent before I came here. I'm just glad i'm in Ghana. All I have to say is that I'm doing fine. I'm getting more and more confident in myself (maybe too much sometimes) but I would still be lost without Elder Akoki. Pray he doesn't get transferred in six weeks! Zone Conference has been moved back a week so I'm still waiting for letters. Its been agonizing the past couple weeks and zone conference won't be for two more weeks.
Well I thinks thats it for now. I bought a Guitar, The brand name is Fendar. Its pretty sweet except the strings are awefull. Maybe thats something else i could use, Strings and some picks (good picks;) I love you guys a lot. I'll talk to you soon too! Good bye!:)
Monday, November 30, 2009
AWESOME INVESTIGATOR AND THANKSGIVING
This has been a long, hard week for Elder Akoki and I with only a little to show for it unfortunately. Most of our work has been with some less actives in a town called Ahinsan which is a good walk from our apartment and we have been visiting there twice a day. None of the less actives we were working with came to church yesterday. We even loaned this one guy some pants but he still didn't show up.
On the bright side our investigator Williams came to church for the third time in a row yesterday. He is really progressing well, now we just need to finish the lessons. He told us that when we was going home from church last sunday he took a tro tro full of people. One guy asked him if he was a Mormon. Having only known about the church for two weeks, Williams told the man that he didn't know what a Mormon was. The man explained that the Latter Day Saints worship Mormon and Joseph Smith. Other people in the tro tro agreed. Williams, who can be fond of arguing, stood up for the church and the Book of Mormon telling all the people on the tro tro that it is another testament of Jesus Christ and that the church doesn't worship Mormon. He told them that the Book of Mormon works with the Bible and together they give us the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After only two weeks of learning, Williams stood up for the church against at least ten people in a crowded tro tro bus. After the baptism last week, he asked us when his would come and we told him there are still a few steps to take before he could be baptized. He really is ready.
Thanksgiving was awesome this week. Our district is fortunate to have Elder and Sister Kiffer who made us a true Thanksgiving meal with chicken, stuffing, real mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, cranberries, and sweet potatoes. I was more full than i've ever been before. Pretty sweet.
Theres not much else going on here. Just work every day and lots of walking. I'm still enjoying myself a whole transfer period in. Tonight we find out if any of us are leaving. Elder Akoki and I probably won't be but Elder Adjeifio will probably go and Elder Lehr might be training. I really hope they don't leave yet. We will also be having new greenies coming on Wednesday so it will be sweet to see someone newer than me.
On the bright side our investigator Williams came to church for the third time in a row yesterday. He is really progressing well, now we just need to finish the lessons. He told us that when we was going home from church last sunday he took a tro tro full of people. One guy asked him if he was a Mormon. Having only known about the church for two weeks, Williams told the man that he didn't know what a Mormon was. The man explained that the Latter Day Saints worship Mormon and Joseph Smith. Other people in the tro tro agreed. Williams, who can be fond of arguing, stood up for the church and the Book of Mormon telling all the people on the tro tro that it is another testament of Jesus Christ and that the church doesn't worship Mormon. He told them that the Book of Mormon works with the Bible and together they give us the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After only two weeks of learning, Williams stood up for the church against at least ten people in a crowded tro tro bus. After the baptism last week, he asked us when his would come and we told him there are still a few steps to take before he could be baptized. He really is ready.
Thanksgiving was awesome this week. Our district is fortunate to have Elder and Sister Kiffer who made us a true Thanksgiving meal with chicken, stuffing, real mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, cranberries, and sweet potatoes. I was more full than i've ever been before. Pretty sweet.
Theres not much else going on here. Just work every day and lots of walking. I'm still enjoying myself a whole transfer period in. Tonight we find out if any of us are leaving. Elder Akoki and I probably won't be but Elder Adjeifio will probably go and Elder Lehr might be training. I really hope they don't leave yet. We will also be having new greenies coming on Wednesday so it will be sweet to see someone newer than me.
Monday, November 23, 2009
GOALS AND STRAIT UP DELICIOUS CINNAMON TOAST
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain..." (John 15:16)
The overall goal for the Ghana Cape Coast Mission is to bring forth fruit that remains by focusing on families, future leaders, member referrals, and less active members. We have no interest in helping people be baptized if they are just going to become inactive.
Over the past few months, the Lord has revealed through President Sabey a series of goals to help strengthen the mission. Evidence of this divine leadership is found in the fact that every goal thus far has been accomplished, sometimes against incredible odds. The Lord's purpose, I think, is to help every one in the mission increase his or her faith and remember that it is only though Him that we can have any degree of success.
The first goal was simple enough: Every missionary was to baptize a family in the space of about 4 to 5 months. This was accomplished without much difficulty.
The second goal proved to be more difficult. In addition to another family, every missionary was to baptize a future leader or a person who speaks english, has a phone, and is self sufficient. During the last week of the goal, it seemed that it would be accomplished. Unfortunately, one companionship's future leader ditched out on his baptism. President Sabey told this discouraged companionship to keep the font filled and the entire mission held a fast. On the last day of the goal, they were teaching a future leader and his family about baptism. At the end of the lesson, they extended the invitation to be baptized and the investigator said yes. Furthermore he agreed to be baptized that very day and the goal was accomplished.
The next goal added upon the first too again. Every missionary was to baptize a family, future leader, and a member referral. This was accomplished with mission fasts again.
The goal before I arrived in Kumasi helped us to prepare for the currant goal we are working on now. It required every missionary to become one with the members in his area by completing 5 service projects and 15 member visits. He was to know 80% of the names in his ward and on top of that he wasn't allowed to accept free meals. These new requirements are still in affect today. This goal has helped change the culture of the church in Western Ghana and has really helped us with our work. According to President Sabey it has also helped us to become more Christ-Like.
Our currant goal is completely new and as far as I understand, is completely unique to our mission. By February 28th, 2010, every companionship is to help a less active member come back to activity and then baptize one of his or her friends. By bringing a less active member and his friend together they can help strengthen each others faith and they will be far more likely to remain active in the church.
I know this goal must be accomplished despite it's difficulty because it comes straight from the Lord. Anyone who has spent anytime with President Sabey knows he is an inspired leader and is completely submissive to the Lord's will concerning this mission. The Lord has prepared a way for all his commandments to be fulfilled so we have faith that we can do this.
Elder Akoki and I have been working very hard with some less active members and their friends. It is interesting to see that they still have very strong testimonies of the church they have been very helpful in the teaching of their investigator friends. I pray that they will begin to come back to church. It is comforting to see that much of the work pertaining to the goal has seemingly fallen in our laps. Most of the less actives we know are friends with a member named Sister Yaa who we just randomly visited one day cause we were in the area. All we did was sing some hymns but it was enough to gain her trust and soon we had a few referrals which are going pretty well. Her own brother Dominique came to church yesterday after a two year absence. It really feels like we aren't leading this work at all, at I think that's the way it should be.
I miss you all at home and wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. I'm pretty sure the couple missionaries are dinner for the District. I'll also be giving my first District Instruction that day. I'm pretty excited!
Elder Harris
The overall goal for the Ghana Cape Coast Mission is to bring forth fruit that remains by focusing on families, future leaders, member referrals, and less active members. We have no interest in helping people be baptized if they are just going to become inactive.
Over the past few months, the Lord has revealed through President Sabey a series of goals to help strengthen the mission. Evidence of this divine leadership is found in the fact that every goal thus far has been accomplished, sometimes against incredible odds. The Lord's purpose, I think, is to help every one in the mission increase his or her faith and remember that it is only though Him that we can have any degree of success.
The first goal was simple enough: Every missionary was to baptize a family in the space of about 4 to 5 months. This was accomplished without much difficulty.
The second goal proved to be more difficult. In addition to another family, every missionary was to baptize a future leader or a person who speaks english, has a phone, and is self sufficient. During the last week of the goal, it seemed that it would be accomplished. Unfortunately, one companionship's future leader ditched out on his baptism. President Sabey told this discouraged companionship to keep the font filled and the entire mission held a fast. On the last day of the goal, they were teaching a future leader and his family about baptism. At the end of the lesson, they extended the invitation to be baptized and the investigator said yes. Furthermore he agreed to be baptized that very day and the goal was accomplished.
The next goal added upon the first too again. Every missionary was to baptize a family, future leader, and a member referral. This was accomplished with mission fasts again.
The goal before I arrived in Kumasi helped us to prepare for the currant goal we are working on now. It required every missionary to become one with the members in his area by completing 5 service projects and 15 member visits. He was to know 80% of the names in his ward and on top of that he wasn't allowed to accept free meals. These new requirements are still in affect today. This goal has helped change the culture of the church in Western Ghana and has really helped us with our work. According to President Sabey it has also helped us to become more Christ-Like.
Our currant goal is completely new and as far as I understand, is completely unique to our mission. By February 28th, 2010, every companionship is to help a less active member come back to activity and then baptize one of his or her friends. By bringing a less active member and his friend together they can help strengthen each others faith and they will be far more likely to remain active in the church.
I know this goal must be accomplished despite it's difficulty because it comes straight from the Lord. Anyone who has spent anytime with President Sabey knows he is an inspired leader and is completely submissive to the Lord's will concerning this mission. The Lord has prepared a way for all his commandments to be fulfilled so we have faith that we can do this.
Elder Akoki and I have been working very hard with some less active members and their friends. It is interesting to see that they still have very strong testimonies of the church they have been very helpful in the teaching of their investigator friends. I pray that they will begin to come back to church. It is comforting to see that much of the work pertaining to the goal has seemingly fallen in our laps. Most of the less actives we know are friends with a member named Sister Yaa who we just randomly visited one day cause we were in the area. All we did was sing some hymns but it was enough to gain her trust and soon we had a few referrals which are going pretty well. Her own brother Dominique came to church yesterday after a two year absence. It really feels like we aren't leading this work at all, at I think that's the way it should be.
I miss you all at home and wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. I'm pretty sure the couple missionaries are dinner for the District. I'll also be giving my first District Instruction that day. I'm pretty excited!
Elder Harris
On a more personal note:
Hey Momma and Dadda, (this is new)
Today is Monday! As you can see I'm taking a little bit more time this week on the computer as I barely got any last week!
I couldn't look at the pic you sent me. The power is out at the Asokwa cafe so we are in town. I'm pretty sure I will be able to see it next week.
Today is Monday! As you can see I'm taking a little bit more time this week on the computer as I barely got any last week!
I couldn't look at the pic you sent me. The power is out at the Asokwa cafe so we are in town. I'm pretty sure I will be able to see it next week.
I'm still doing well. Elder Lehr and I both got Christmas stuff and plan on having an amazing dinner one night. We actually cooked our own stew the other day for spaghetti, it was terrible! We had to get some help from Elder Akoki and Elder Adjefio to really make it delicious. I've also been cooking better things like cinnamon toast which is just straight up delicious. So little by little I'm branching out from Indomie.
The work is good. Williams came to church again yesterday and so did a girl we have been teaching for a while names Maa-Abena. We had some baptisms too where I got a pretty good slap of the spirit. Even though I wasn't doing the ordinace (they weren't even my investigators) I was still way excited for them and felt good the rest of day. We were also fasting for the Goal so that really helped.
I think next week I will send my Christmas present. Don't expect any Ghana stuff yet (I might just wait to buy stuff till the end unless I find something really cool). I still think you will like it though.
Elder Jeppesen ran into a scorpion the size of his hand (he's a big kid)! Haha, he totally deserved it. His companion Elder Ikor wanted to take it to the apartment but Jeppesen wouldn't have it. I'm glad he was able to come to Kumasi with me since we have been together since we were roommates in the MTC. We are in the same District.
As for candy, everything is awesome! We have butter here so that's no problem. Sorry but I ate the Cinnamon twizzlers all by my self but I promise to share the other stuff. I'm pretty sure he won't like it any way haha. I also got the Christmas lights, they are pretty awesome. They are really bright too! I'm not sure how much the duty was, I'll go home and check today.
So I love mail, and I write a lot of letters. You can encourage whoever you want to write me. I need Ben Flinder's address too.
So I think I'm running out of time. Sorry I'm all over the place. I can never remember what questions you ask but I try my hardest. Your gonna get some cool letters (if i don't say so my self) from Moi.
The work is good. Williams came to church again yesterday and so did a girl we have been teaching for a while names Maa-Abena. We had some baptisms too where I got a pretty good slap of the spirit. Even though I wasn't doing the ordinace (they weren't even my investigators) I was still way excited for them and felt good the rest of day. We were also fasting for the Goal so that really helped.
I think next week I will send my Christmas present. Don't expect any Ghana stuff yet (I might just wait to buy stuff till the end unless I find something really cool). I still think you will like it though.
Elder Jeppesen ran into a scorpion the size of his hand (he's a big kid)! Haha, he totally deserved it. His companion Elder Ikor wanted to take it to the apartment but Jeppesen wouldn't have it. I'm glad he was able to come to Kumasi with me since we have been together since we were roommates in the MTC. We are in the same District.
As for candy, everything is awesome! We have butter here so that's no problem. Sorry but I ate the Cinnamon twizzlers all by my self but I promise to share the other stuff. I'm pretty sure he won't like it any way haha. I also got the Christmas lights, they are pretty awesome. They are really bright too! I'm not sure how much the duty was, I'll go home and check today.
So I love mail, and I write a lot of letters. You can encourage whoever you want to write me. I need Ben Flinder's address too.
So I think I'm running out of time. Sorry I'm all over the place. I can never remember what questions you ask but I try my hardest. Your gonna get some cool letters (if i don't say so my self) from Moi.
I love you both! I miss you both! Dark red is an awesome color (I think...)! Just don't forget the pirates! I got some bleach in my eye the other day and I thought i would soon be a pirate with an eye patch. I also burned myself! TIA.
Theres too much to write about here. I don't think I'll ever be able to write about everything.
Don't worry about me, I'm doing great! Don't forget to write me! Goodbye for now!
Elder Andrew
Theres too much to write about here. I don't think I'll ever be able to write about everything.
Don't worry about me, I'm doing great! Don't forget to write me! Goodbye for now!
Elder Andrew
Monday, November 9, 2009
GETTING WET AND PLAYING DOCTOR
Hello everyone! This has been a crazy week for me. The following is from my journal:
“Imagine walking up a dirt path on your way to an appointment. In the distance, you can see the huge, dark clouds with lightning that signify rain here in Kumasi. To the right about 2 miles away is where your appointment is. To the left, only about 5 mins away, lies your apartment. If you decide to go home, your night is finished and its only 6:30. The feeling in your heart tells you that you should try to make it to the appointment so you get going. Ten mins later you’re standing under a light tent thing drenched to the bone. Your feelings are now definitely telling you to get back to the apartment, you did your best.”
“If you were standing under one of the porches that line the main road of Kumasi last Tuesday, you would have seen two guys with white shirts and ties running through the worst storm of the season. The crazy white guy in the back is laughing his head off.”
It has rained almost everynight here for the past week. When it rains, IT RAINS, and you had better find shelter. We’ve been caught out in it more than once but this was the worst time.
I’ve been playing the role of Apartment Doctor for the past week. Elder Adjeifio asked me if I was a brave man. Of course my pride prompted me to say yes. He then asked me to help him stuff cotton gauze deep under two of his ingrown toe nails. Of course now I had to really prove that I was brave so I helped him using surgical scissors to stuff the cotton while he gripped the bed in agonizing pain. I get to do this every night. Its a really fun job.
I was almost killed by a drunk driver a couple days ago. I didn’t know he was coming till he swept by me going at least 60 mph within a foot of my leg. Its really hard to love these type of people, but I do my best.
Our work here is still slow, but it is starting to pick up. We are teaching a few investigators and visiting some inactives. I feel like I am getting much better at teaching.
Esther has been taught everything before I came. We still visit her, trying to get her to come to church. She told us that she had a dream and now she wants to get baptized. Of course, the only way to know if she is serious is if she comes to church. Unfortunately, her mother and daughter have recently become very sick and need constant care. Hopefully she will have to time to come to church next Sunday.
We met Priscilla at her home on my second day in the field. She is very smart and interested in our message. So far she has kept her commitments so we gave her a Book of Mormon. She’s in Accra for this whole week, so hopefully she reads and prays about it. Maybe she will come to church this Sunday.
Dennis is the son of Sister Comfort, a regular at our ward in Asokwa. He was baptized a few years ago but started attending a different church when his school proffesor told him that if he did he would get better grades. Of course his grades didn’t go up and now he doesn’t trust any church. We are reteaching him the discussions because he doesn’t seem to remember anything. Hopefully we can bring him back.
Another less active member we are seeing is named Kodjo Antwi. He claims he can’t come to church because of work. While we were talking with him, he saw his friend and wanted us to teach him. This was sweet cause our goal is being accomplished. To our dissapointment, Samuel the friend speaks only Twi. Kodgo had to interpret the entire first discussion for us. Its my hope that by helping us translate, he will feel the spirit again a make a way to come to church.
Yesterday, I got a TON of mail dated from October 13 to the 24th. Most of these were Dear Elders which were all put together so it took a half hour just to organize them into something I could read. I didn’t mind much, I love mail! Please, if you get the chance, write me a quick note. It will make my day. My parents are helping me get some of your addresses so I can write you but it would be easier if you just send them straight to me.
I’ve got to congradulate Elder Jordan Thomas in the MTC. He speaks Spanish so well he’s getting sent out six weeks early with the advanced class. Way to go! Trust me, time goes a billion times quicker out in the field, especially after being locked up for three weeks! I’ve got a letter coming but maybe its out of date now;)
Congrats to my cousin too. She just gave birth to a baby girl! I wish you all the best!!
That’s all for now. I miss you all! If you want to hear from me send me a letter! It might take a while to get here but I’ll try my best to reply.
Elder Harris
“Imagine walking up a dirt path on your way to an appointment. In the distance, you can see the huge, dark clouds with lightning that signify rain here in Kumasi. To the right about 2 miles away is where your appointment is. To the left, only about 5 mins away, lies your apartment. If you decide to go home, your night is finished and its only 6:30. The feeling in your heart tells you that you should try to make it to the appointment so you get going. Ten mins later you’re standing under a light tent thing drenched to the bone. Your feelings are now definitely telling you to get back to the apartment, you did your best.”
“If you were standing under one of the porches that line the main road of Kumasi last Tuesday, you would have seen two guys with white shirts and ties running through the worst storm of the season. The crazy white guy in the back is laughing his head off.”
It has rained almost everynight here for the past week. When it rains, IT RAINS, and you had better find shelter. We’ve been caught out in it more than once but this was the worst time.
I’ve been playing the role of Apartment Doctor for the past week. Elder Adjeifio asked me if I was a brave man. Of course my pride prompted me to say yes. He then asked me to help him stuff cotton gauze deep under two of his ingrown toe nails. Of course now I had to really prove that I was brave so I helped him using surgical scissors to stuff the cotton while he gripped the bed in agonizing pain. I get to do this every night. Its a really fun job.
I was almost killed by a drunk driver a couple days ago. I didn’t know he was coming till he swept by me going at least 60 mph within a foot of my leg. Its really hard to love these type of people, but I do my best.
Our work here is still slow, but it is starting to pick up. We are teaching a few investigators and visiting some inactives. I feel like I am getting much better at teaching.
Esther has been taught everything before I came. We still visit her, trying to get her to come to church. She told us that she had a dream and now she wants to get baptized. Of course, the only way to know if she is serious is if she comes to church. Unfortunately, her mother and daughter have recently become very sick and need constant care. Hopefully she will have to time to come to church next Sunday.
We met Priscilla at her home on my second day in the field. She is very smart and interested in our message. So far she has kept her commitments so we gave her a Book of Mormon. She’s in Accra for this whole week, so hopefully she reads and prays about it. Maybe she will come to church this Sunday.
Dennis is the son of Sister Comfort, a regular at our ward in Asokwa. He was baptized a few years ago but started attending a different church when his school proffesor told him that if he did he would get better grades. Of course his grades didn’t go up and now he doesn’t trust any church. We are reteaching him the discussions because he doesn’t seem to remember anything. Hopefully we can bring him back.
Another less active member we are seeing is named Kodjo Antwi. He claims he can’t come to church because of work. While we were talking with him, he saw his friend and wanted us to teach him. This was sweet cause our goal is being accomplished. To our dissapointment, Samuel the friend speaks only Twi. Kodgo had to interpret the entire first discussion for us. Its my hope that by helping us translate, he will feel the spirit again a make a way to come to church.
Yesterday, I got a TON of mail dated from October 13 to the 24th. Most of these were Dear Elders which were all put together so it took a half hour just to organize them into something I could read. I didn’t mind much, I love mail! Please, if you get the chance, write me a quick note. It will make my day. My parents are helping me get some of your addresses so I can write you but it would be easier if you just send them straight to me.
I’ve got to congradulate Elder Jordan Thomas in the MTC. He speaks Spanish so well he’s getting sent out six weeks early with the advanced class. Way to go! Trust me, time goes a billion times quicker out in the field, especially after being locked up for three weeks! I’ve got a letter coming but maybe its out of date now;)
Congrats to my cousin too. She just gave birth to a baby girl! I wish you all the best!!
That’s all for now. I miss you all! If you want to hear from me send me a letter! It might take a while to get here but I’ll try my best to reply.
Elder Harris
Monday, October 26, 2009
OUT INTO THE REAL WORLD
Good morning!
Today is my first Pday in the field and I finally have an email account. The following was written on October 21, 2009:
I am now on a bus watching Indiana Jones of all things. I am on my way to Kumasi where I will be serving in my first area. I just found the Dear Elder letters in my big envelope containing all my orientation info. It was a happy surprise! I had woken up to Elder Jeppesen trying to get this three inch, black, furry moth as close to my wide open mouth as possible for a picture. I need a pick me up.
I am literally in the jungle right now. The area is so lush and the trees are amazing. Our bus driver is insane. He keeps whipping around people on the two lane high with his horn blaring. We are not on a small bus. Right now I am with Elder Jeppesen, Elder Vancherie, Sister Isidore, Elder Moiwo, and one of the Office Elders. After 19 days in the MTC we are finally getting out into the real world. We are the 5 chosen from the 20 from our MT group chosen to go straight to Kumasi. We don't even get to see the mission home. I'm a little scared but I know everything is going to be all right. I've been out proselyting twice now and I had mixed experiences. I did see this one woman's face light up as we told her about the restored gospel. I hope to see a lot of that around here. This is one of the most productive missions in the world.
So, everything is good at the MTC. The food, the sleep, the learning. It was comfortable and clean with hot showers and air conditioning. NOW I'm going out into the real world where you wake up to giant moths and disease causes every white missionary to crap his pants at least once on his mission. The office Elder here said he once came home to a black scorpion about a foot long with its tail stretched out! They scrambled around trying to kill it with a box, one of them screaming, "It won't DIE! It won't DIE!" Funny how I never really thought about bugs.
Well anyways, my new companion's name is Elder Akoki from the Ivory Coast. He speaks French, but I'm sure he's a great guy;) I can't wait to meet him.
Great things are about to happen in this mission. One of the area presidency said this: "The missionaries of the Ghana Cape Coast Mission have great faith. With that kind of faith, they can accomplish many miracles. They have the kind of faith it takes to baptize thousands." President Sabey considers this to be prophesy. According to him great miracles are happening everyday. Lots of new missionaries are being brought in. By December, about half the mission will have been out less than three months. That has never happened before. I'm very happy to be here.
You won't get this before my first email but it feels more real writing on the bus. I love you all, and I miss you. I'll be all right as long as I put my faith and trust in the Lord (Alma 57:21). Goodbye for now! I've got to finish watching Indy for the last time in 23 months! :)
Elder Harris
Now, this is my fifth day in the field! The bus ride was so long we had time to watch both Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade. My companion is awesome and is a great teacher despite the fact that he's only been out for four months. I love it here in Asokwa! The work is slower than I thought but its all good since I'm still getting used to teaching. My apartment is pretty cool too. Because of this lovely fan, I sleep better than I ever did at the MTC. The food is also good since I cook it all and we aren't allowed to eat at members houses at the moment.
Kumasi is the second biggest city in Ghana. Our area is HUGE. Too big, and there is only one church building so it is hard for many of the members to come every week. There are some dangers. At home I thought I would be killed by some disease or wild animal. But now I know that if I suffer death on my mission it will be DEATH BY TRO TRO. The traffic here is intense and there really is no speed limit. They just kind of honk at you as they speed by three inches from your leg.
Beside that, I really do love it here. There is a lot of poverty, but nothing I can't handle. The people really are nice. Little kids love to run around us yelling things like. "GIVE ME MY MONEY!" There is a language barrier though. Because Kumasi is in the Ashanti region, everyone speaks Twi. And they are proud of their language. Neither my companion or I speaks Twi so we have some problems talking to people in the streets.
So I really do miss you all! I get homesick every once and a while but it's nothing too serious. I'm on a long long camping trip that's all, and I plan on enjoying my self. I feel the spirit everyday and as my faith grows I can feel him guiding me. That's all I really need.
Love,
Elder Harris
Today is my first Pday in the field and I finally have an email account. The following was written on October 21, 2009:
I am now on a bus watching Indiana Jones of all things. I am on my way to Kumasi where I will be serving in my first area. I just found the Dear Elder letters in my big envelope containing all my orientation info. It was a happy surprise! I had woken up to Elder Jeppesen trying to get this three inch, black, furry moth as close to my wide open mouth as possible for a picture. I need a pick me up.
I am literally in the jungle right now. The area is so lush and the trees are amazing. Our bus driver is insane. He keeps whipping around people on the two lane high with his horn blaring. We are not on a small bus. Right now I am with Elder Jeppesen, Elder Vancherie, Sister Isidore, Elder Moiwo, and one of the Office Elders. After 19 days in the MTC we are finally getting out into the real world. We are the 5 chosen from the 20 from our MT group chosen to go straight to Kumasi. We don't even get to see the mission home. I'm a little scared but I know everything is going to be all right. I've been out proselyting twice now and I had mixed experiences. I did see this one woman's face light up as we told her about the restored gospel. I hope to see a lot of that around here. This is one of the most productive missions in the world.
So, everything is good at the MTC. The food, the sleep, the learning. It was comfortable and clean with hot showers and air conditioning. NOW I'm going out into the real world where you wake up to giant moths and disease causes every white missionary to crap his pants at least once on his mission. The office Elder here said he once came home to a black scorpion about a foot long with its tail stretched out! They scrambled around trying to kill it with a box, one of them screaming, "It won't DIE! It won't DIE!" Funny how I never really thought about bugs.
Well anyways, my new companion's name is Elder Akoki from the Ivory Coast. He speaks French, but I'm sure he's a great guy;) I can't wait to meet him.
Great things are about to happen in this mission. One of the area presidency said this: "The missionaries of the Ghana Cape Coast Mission have great faith. With that kind of faith, they can accomplish many miracles. They have the kind of faith it takes to baptize thousands." President Sabey considers this to be prophesy. According to him great miracles are happening everyday. Lots of new missionaries are being brought in. By December, about half the mission will have been out less than three months. That has never happened before. I'm very happy to be here.
You won't get this before my first email but it feels more real writing on the bus. I love you all, and I miss you. I'll be all right as long as I put my faith and trust in the Lord (Alma 57:21). Goodbye for now! I've got to finish watching Indy for the last time in 23 months! :)
Elder Harris
Now, this is my fifth day in the field! The bus ride was so long we had time to watch both Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade. My companion is awesome and is a great teacher despite the fact that he's only been out for four months. I love it here in Asokwa! The work is slower than I thought but its all good since I'm still getting used to teaching. My apartment is pretty cool too. Because of this lovely fan, I sleep better than I ever did at the MTC. The food is also good since I cook it all and we aren't allowed to eat at members houses at the moment.
Kumasi is the second biggest city in Ghana. Our area is HUGE. Too big, and there is only one church building so it is hard for many of the members to come every week. There are some dangers. At home I thought I would be killed by some disease or wild animal. But now I know that if I suffer death on my mission it will be DEATH BY TRO TRO. The traffic here is intense and there really is no speed limit. They just kind of honk at you as they speed by three inches from your leg.
Beside that, I really do love it here. There is a lot of poverty, but nothing I can't handle. The people really are nice. Little kids love to run around us yelling things like. "GIVE ME MY MONEY!" There is a language barrier though. Because Kumasi is in the Ashanti region, everyone speaks Twi. And they are proud of their language. Neither my companion or I speaks Twi so we have some problems talking to people in the streets.
So I really do miss you all! I get homesick every once and a while but it's nothing too serious. I'm on a long long camping trip that's all, and I plan on enjoying my self. I feel the spirit everyday and as my faith grows I can feel him guiding me. That's all I really need.
Love,
Elder Harris
Friday, October 23, 2009
LIFE IN THE MTC - Letter dated October 9, 2009
Dear Family,
My first week is now coming to a close. My companion and I are improving a lot at teaching. When we first had to teach, we got stuck teaching our teacher Brother Tei, who I believe is slightly psychotic. I froze up when my companion started teaching something that was totally different from what we planned. This was the first moment I had home sickness set in. At that moment, I really wanted to be home. Now we are improving drastically. Elder NKruma no longer rants for minutes straight while I'm itching to jump in and I no longer freeze at the unexpected.
I can't begin to write about all of my experiences here. It's a nice life in the MTC where everything is done for us (including most of our laundry.) We also do not have to deal with real people. The real world will be much harder. The poverty here is horrendous. The worst I have ever seen. The food in the MTC is weird, but good. I have heard horror stories about something called a "Bush Cutter" which is a four foot long rat. We are all a little nervous about leaving.
Every day we wake up at 6:30 and get ready for personal study at 7:00. Breakfast is at 8:00 and class runs from 8:30 to 12:30. Lunch is from 12:30 to 1:00. Then we have companion study till 2:00. Class till 3:15, gym time till 4:20 (I don't have enough shirts,) then dinner time at 5:00. Then we have class from 5:45 till 9:00. I then try to write in my journal and get ready for bed at 10:00. We also have to plan with our companion.
The Spirit is strong here and for the first time I feel it everyday, all day. It's the only thing that gets me going and will be the only thing keeping me in the mission field.
One great experience I had was when we watched a devotional by Elder Bednar about the Spirit. He said the number one questions he gets is how do you know if its really the Spirit. He said "Don't worry about it!" Just be a good boy, keep your covenants, obey the commandments. You will be led by the Spirit and you won't even know it! It has changed my whole perspective on my mission and I am a lot more excited to serve.
All right, I love and miss you. Letters go out Fridays, so expect more before you can get one to me :) Good bye for now!!
Elder Harris
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
VIVID DREAMS AND POISONOUS SNAKES - Dated Oct. 10, 2009
October 10, 2009
Dear Family,
I was happy to receive your email today at breakfast. It really made my day. It's a pity that I won't have email until I am out in the field. For now, I will just rely on the pouch service.
I am happy to say I have all my luggage with me. It was scary because they forced me to check my carry on because they ran out of room on the second plane. The weather here is not that bad. The humidity is always high, but the breeze is nice. It has only rained once since I got here. We are now entering the dry cooler part of the year. As for animals, my companion says he has never seen anything like you see on TV. This part of the county is too developed. Perhaps if I go to the northern part of Ghana I will get to see something, but if not, I'll have to rely on the zoo's.
Time here in the MTC moves extremely slow. The teaching is good but it is hard to focus in the morning. It's hard to imagine that while it is 10:00 am here it is 2:00 am back at home. Brother Tei is an amazing teacher. He's hot headed and unpredictable, but he makes up for it with a great spirit and excellent teaching ability. We are improving a lot. We practice everyday teaching three or four lessons. They don't teach us what to teach, only the methods we should use to teach. We have to study everything else from Preach My Gospel. My weakness is remember scriptures during the lesson. I already sent Brother Greenhalgh my scripture, but just in case, it is Alma 26:16.
I'm glad to hear everything is going good at home. Every night my pill (malaria pills) give me vivid dreams of home. Last night I dreamed that I escaped the MTC and found a portal from here to the basement of the Burbank mall. I don't allow myself to dwell on it too much during the day except when I'm talking with my fellow Americans. I do miss you all though and love you very much. I find that as long as I can feel the spirit, I will be fine : )
Oh! And speaking about animals, yesterday they caught a four foot iguana in the yard! Also, they told us there are poisonous snakes that they don't have medicine for. So if we are bitten we have to rely on the D&C scripture that says serpent venom will have no effect on us! Have fun with that thought : )
Love,
Elder Harris
P.S. Send me Anissa's address and stamps (they were sent a couple of days ago.)
Saturday, October 17, 2009
FIRST LETTER HOME - Dated October 4, 2009
I have finally made it to the Ghana MTC. The plane fight was terrible, but I was able to bond with eleven of my fellow missionaries. It was a ten hour flight to Accra. the second we got off the plane, our shirts stuck to us in the humid Accra air. Outside of the airport we were scammed by a huge group of "baggage handlers" looking for tips. They kept saying they were going with us. A few of us dropped twenties to these con men. Lesson learned :) The bus ride was funny because eleven white guys in suits and ties is not a common sight! More than a few heads turned in their cars.
I love it here in the MTC! There are fifty one of us here. A few from America, a few from Ghana, The Congo, and Nigeria. Half are French speaking. there is a love that is indescribable. We greet each other several times a day and there is a certain connection between all of us. All of the Americans have African companions. My companion's name is Elder Nkruma. He is an awesome guy from Ghana. He lives within sight of the Accra Temple. He speaks Twi and his English can be hard to understand, but I'm getting more used to it everyday. I even hear it in my head whenever I read anything. The food for the most part isn't that bad. I can force myself to eat most of it. The hardest part was eating beans mixed with tuna. Some of it I actually really like. I haven't had Fu Fu yet. I just finished a delicious yam dish called Mportor Mportor. Otherwise called mashed yam. It was actually pretty good. If I were to stay here, I would truly get fat!
I'm still dealing with jet lag. Yesterday, I caught myself leaning out of my chair at a 45 degree angle fast asleep during conference. It's getting better though. I have about six more days till I'm fully adjusted. I've slept like a rock the past two nights and I will again tonight. The mornings are annoying because the Africans shake me awake at 5:45a.m. wondering why I'm not up yet. They don't sleep in!
Sorry I'm all over the place, I have a lot I could write about. My letter writing isn't good, but I'll get better. I haven't dealt with too much home sickness yet thankfully, but I'm sure it will come. Soon I have to go down for Conference. The second session begins at eight. It's pure torture cause I can't stay awake in the afternoons. Otherwise I am doing fine. I am safe and healthy and I miss you all. The MTC is great, but I am already excited to get the heck out of here and into the field. I love you and miss you. Hope you are taking care of yourselves.
Love,
Elder Harris
P.S. Please save my letters.
Send me stamps!!
The Anamon District:
District Leader: Elder Russel
Elder Agonaubra
Elder Harris
Elder NKrumah
Elder Haderline
Elder Sintim
Elder Pinnell
Elder Thompson
Elder Idehosa
Saturday, October 10, 2009
HE MADE IT
Dear Parents,
We're happy to report that your son has arrived and is adjusting well at the Ghana MTC. He will be finished with MTC training on October 21 and will be contacting you by e-mail shortly thereafter.
We're grateful for the wonderful missionaries in this group--they are prepared to have spiritual experiences and an accelerated learning of the gospel. We know the Lord will bless them individually according to their needs. We also dedicate ourselves to their comfort and well-being.
Feel free to contact us at this address if you have concerns or questions.
Sincerely,
President and Sister Harmon
Ghana MTC
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