Deadly Nutella and Constantly Wet

Missionary Photo Shoot
by my Aunt Amber Park
at Timpanogos Temple

So, there won't be any pictures (from my camera) for a few weeks since I discovered that my camera didn't have an SD card, but we'll make due with what we have. :)

This past week has been phenomenal! We were supposed to email on Monday since that's P-day, but the schedule got all messed up due to poor planning so here I am Thursday.

We got off the plane Thursday night, the moment I stepped out of the plane door I was instantly wet and have been ever since. We got to the MTC and were presented with 6 hour cold food which didn't taste the best. We got all unpacked and crashed immediately. From when I left home to when I hit the bed was 33 hours, and I couldn't sleep a wink while on the plane.

Friday was my first full day in the MTC, I met my sleeping companion Elder Adu-Gyamfi at 11:00 the night before along with a whole bunch of sleeping African Elders.

In the morning, I got woken up at like 5 since all of the African Elders pop up on the dot at 5 every morning, it gets rather erksome since they love to sing and have every light on. So adjusting to that is rough, since we go all day and then only get 6 hours of rest. The day was just filled with classes and devotionals to help us get to know one another.

The food here is definately hit and miss. Sometimes it's great, but most of the time it's pretty hard to stomach. I had porage for the first time, it was quite bland and the texture was really strange. I wonder how any of the food they give us has enough calories to keep us going. I played footboll with several of the African Elders during PA time. It seems that when they play and start getting excited, they start yelling in either French or Twi. I honestly don't know.

Saturday I nearly died. The day was going fine just like it should. Having porage each morning, studying, the usual. But for lunch that day they had this Nutella spread with some homemade rolls. So I lathered up my roll and took a big bite only to have my body respond by saying 'that's not right'.... So I swallowed (big mistake) and popped two Benadryl. I went upstairs to the doctor but made a pit stop in the bathroom on the way. No sooner had I gotten situated I began to see everything I had eaten since leaving home. After my little session I took two more Benadryl which mellowed out the rest of my day.

Sunday was nice, it slightly felt like every other day here in the MTC since we had classes all day, but having the sacrament and hearing the talks was really nice and they invited the spirit. We had several lessons on Faith and Repentance. We watched the Joseph Smith Restoration video that evening which is so amazing. Each time I watch it I get a stronger testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that he was key to the restoration and worked purely through the Lord. :)

We had American food on Monday! They gave us cereal and toast for breakfast and then French fries for both lunch and dinner. The funny thing is is that the Americans can't stand the African food, and the Africans hate the American food, none of them liked the cereal or fries! :)

We've been doing mock investigators which just reminds me of mission prep, I can't wait to get out into the feild and actually teach. :) I played football again and kept getting meged by Elders Yaboi and Meandesa. I love those guys!

Tuesday was pretty similar to Monday, minus the American food. I love the chef, her name is Aba Yanka and she really looks out for me, ever since my little episode she has been really careful with the meals. We taught some more which was nice because every time we teach it helps reveal more about our strengths and weaknesses. We took a self assessment today on gospel attributes. My lowest two were Humility and Charity, but my highest was Patience. It's really nice to see what I need to improve on so I can target those and grow. :)

Wednesday we had the opportunity to visit the temple and do an Endowment session. I love how in the temples they tailor the art work to the culture and environment. I was able to relax and just feel the spirit. Most of the African Elders had never gone through the temple so a few of us Americans got to be their escorts. :) We went to the distribution center and got more garments. I bought a Fante Book of Mormon for 1.3 Cedis. Which equals about 30 cents! Everything here is way cheap!

I've decided I never want to drive in Accra, people here are nuts! They have no speed limits anywhere, people J walk all the time, people walk down the middle of the road trying to sell you stuff,and that stuff can range from nuts, kites, bread, slingshots, drinks, ice packs, mints, drinks, gum, bananas, clocks, wind shield wipers and toilet paper! Just walking down the middle of the road! Motorcycles drive down the line at like 50 miles an hour and are clearing each car by only like 3 inches if that.

My studies have been helping me get more and more comfortable with my purpose as a missionary and relying on God. I'm still so far away from being even remotely perfect but I'm improving and that's all that matters. :)

Just a few thoughts from studies
- We need to be 7 dip missionaries (2 Kings 5)
- You can only teach repentance, if you are repenting.
- Read hymn 179 in the French hymn book. (In English of course ;) )
- Only by humbling ourselves will the Lord answer our prayers.

I am loving it so far! It's going to fly by!
~ Love, Elder Park

My first all nighter and first Companion

Being set apart
by President Hadfield

The travel over here was great! The first plane ride was a little long, ten hours is a little lengthy. I couldn't sleep at all on the first plane or at Amsterdam for our 4 and a half hour lay over. I sat next to Elder Bunion on the first plane and we chatted almost the entire trip.

Lunch at Lindon Los Hermanos

For never flying before, I absolutely loved it. Take off and landing was an absolute thrill. Looking out the window was so pretty, I got to watch Greenland pass below us for almost an 2 hours.

4 of the 15 Missionaries traveling
on the same flight
from Salt Lake to Ghana

I occupied myself with the scriptures and digital Sudoku for the rest of the flight.... Longest ride ever. Amsterdam was so pretty. Hearing all of the different dialects mixed with lots of English was pretty cool. Elder Divver and I walked around the airport and visited with others for a good 3 hours of our layover.

Got my boarding pass

Some of the other Elders got McDonalds in Amsterdam and said that it was down right terrible, that the buns were hard and the so called "meat" was cold. Some things should stay in America. ;)

Good byes
to my little brother

We began boarding our second flight and got talking to a man that was local to Ghana and was heading to Kumasi on our flight. We went through the gate and got on the plane. The 7 hour ride was significantly shorter than the first and was filled with talking to a man who has lived in Accra and Cape Coast for most of his life. He was Christian but not LDS but was an amazing guy and had a great sense of humor.

Good byes
to my little sister

We landed at 8:00 p.m. (Ghana time). When I got off the plane I was instantly wet. It's so humid and warm even at night that you just constantly sweat. Going through immigration and ever since has been rough because it's so hard to understand what anybody is saying. We got to the MTC about 10:00 p.m.

Giving 'hearts'
just before going through Security

I met my companion Elder Adu-Gyamfi. He is an absolute crack up and is so easy to love. He does his best to obey all of the mission rules and is going to be such a great missionary. I will be here for 2 Tuesdays.

love,
~Elder Park