The House has lost it's flavor...

I love Chowder :)

We had a really good P-day this week. We left the house a little earlier so that we could do small shopping before going to the hospital and before the sun got too hot. DIS was super speedy even with there being a whole bunch of people.

My favorite nurse saw me, went and grabbed the needed things, and then pulled me out of line to go and get me squared away. Being a frequent client has benefits. ;)

We emailed when we got back and finished our shopping. I made a nice fish chowder. It was my first chowder since leaving home, and I think I'll be making it more often. :)

Tuesday was pretty chill. Elder Machaka gave a nice instruction on pride. We can all use reminders on staying humble. After having lunch, Elder Connelly took Elder Rowe out so that he could get some air. Ezekiel brought us fufu and we played cards nearly all evening.

Elder Connelly came with me today to DIS. He's a much better hospital companion. Elder Rowe can't handle anything of the sort. I did some washing and then let my foot relax small. It's hard to do the necessary things when your foot isn't happy.

Thursday we finally went into the area! It was so nice and refreshing to see those wonderful faces again. :) I was only able to manage for 2 hours, but something is better than nothing. :) When we got home, I rested and made a nice banana bread/cake that they finished so fast. I just need to teach them all how to make their own. ;) Power was out all day, granted it goes out pretty much every day for at least a couple hours.

Friday we had the usual DIS trip. A boring nothing day. I did get fufu for dinner and made another banana bread/cake since I only tasted the last one. ;)

You would think he was the one
that needed medical attention....

Saturday we went to DIS again since it's super hard for us to go on Sunday due to church meetings and so forth. A different senior nurse dressed it today and did a marvelous job. It's healing slowly but surely. :) When we got home I wrecked for an hour or so and then went to a baptism for the Abakrampa Elders. It was so nice, Baptism is dandy, it doesn't matter who it is for. :)

Sunday was good. We had the usual obliviousness since we can't understand the Fante well. But it was a good meeting. Since we've moved into the new building our attendance has increased. President Amos gave us a set of keys to the building so that we can have meetings whenever we want. Made another banana cake. It's interesting how much music and videos influence your thoughts and emotions. Due to Mormon messages and the sort, I've been reflecting a lot about the most valuable things to me and how truly precious time is. God has given us all such wonderful gifts. :)

Eat, Sleep...... and not much else.

Time for a haircut!

So, this week's email is going to be really short, due to the fact that we didn't really leave the house due to my foot....

Monday we went and emailed, I got to see a few members which is always nice and refreshing. Cooked small at the house and then tried to relax (keyword: tried).

Tuesday we prepped and went to District meeting. When we got home I made a chocolate cake for the crew. Since I have all the time in the world to sit (not walk or stand), I have quite a bit of time to bake! Took a nap ish and then ate a small dinner. Elder Machaka gave me a haircut since my hair was getting just a tich bit too long... :) After finishing though, the power went out.  Thankfully he was finished. ;)

Went to the Hospital to get the foot cleaned and redressed. Elder Rowe and Elder Connelly went on exchanges so that Elder Rowe could get out of the house small. Power finally came back. We made dinner and then prepped for bed. Eat, sleep, play cards..... that's pretty much the extent of my possible activities.

Stake Conference

Elder Connelly went to Takoradi to renew his ID card, so Elder Machaka was with us until he returned. Ezekiel, a member in Aburakrampa, went and got me fufu. Man, it was so nice. I love it so much.

Friday was normal, went to the hospital for the usual. Elder Rowe made me lunch when we got home so that I wouldn't need to trouble my foot. After eating we slept, and then when we woke the power went off, splendid.... sat and chatted for hours, then crashed again on the floor on a mat, woke up at 2 am and decided it would be good if I got in bed.... :)

Saturday was plain.... nothing special. I did get the energy and determination to gym small though, and man, that felt so nice to use my muscles and make them work. Ezekiel brought me fufu again. That food will be the thing that makes me fat. I love it too much paah.

Cape Coast Ghana Stake Center

Sunday was nice. We went to the stake center for Stake conference. As it turns out the stake is being divided, and so now our area will be part of the new Yamoranza stake. Also..... we had 4 investigators come to church! And not just that, but they came all the way to the stake center! Booya! If they aren't serious then something must be wrong. Hopefully we'll be able to teach them this week and continue their progression towards the kingdom of God. :)

Afterward I got to catch up with old members and other missionaries. So so refreshing. :) When we returned home we did the usual. We played a card game named Scum for like 2 hours.... Simple things bring huge entertainment when you are incapacitated..... So that was my thrilling week.... :)

Voted in....

Changing tires like a boss

Monday, finished everything fast fast, and then chilled until it was time to go. Semon, our boss taxi driver picked us up. About half way there the front left tire blew, so he pulled out his spare and then ran with it down the road to the closest tire shop to put enough air in it. While he was gone, Elder Machaka got the jack and removed the shredded one. The delay was small so we were still able to do everything we needed. :) Semon took us back, and this time there were no tire problems, just a door that won't lock so Elder Machaka almost fell out when we whipped around a corner... :)

Elder Connelly gave a wonderful instruction on Keys to Happiness. It was nice to see that a lot of the things I found to bring happiness were the same things Nephi said. :) We also had President interviews. I love them so much. It's the time we get to just sit and chat one on one with President Stevenson. I love that man. In between, Sister Stevenson reminded us of the difference between Testimony and Conversion. She is such a good companion to her husband. Our water has a strong smell to it.... so showering seems pointless, oh well.

The other companionship had exchanges, so Elder Bennion came for the day. We went to DIS to get my toe figured out, but they told me I would need to take an Antibiotic first and then come in next Saturday. 10 days of poor proselyting due to pain in the toe, not fun. Got home and slept. Elder Bennion and I talked for hours (he's from Vernal, Utah). Power died about 8, so we layed on the cold tile and talked about everything Utahn, which was so nice.

Thursday we taught a few lessons, but then my toe was giving me fits, so they dumped me at President's house and went on splits. It rained and power was out, so they slightly countered each other, but it was still super hot.

Water tank boy!

Friday, I was voted the smallest in the apartment, which means I got to (keyword "got" because it was a privilege....) climb into our water tank and clean out all of the dead and/or growing stuff mixed with an assortment of worms..... My favorite things. With the tank in the sun and water in the tank, man it was the hottest, most humid place I've ever been. Eish, took little breathers outside the tank here and there. The smell wasn't my favorite either, but ehh Mission is mission. :) You do what needs to be done.

So hot, so wet, so nasty

Saturday was not fun. We went on exchanges so that proselyting could happen. Elder Machaka is also having health problems, so us sick Elders stayed home in an empty boring house. The hours dragged. But we had some good social bonding time. We wanted to buy food but we didn't have money because it's the last day of sub... so we decided to go for a walk. When I put on some pants I hadn't worn in a long time I found 20 cedis in my pocket! Miracles happen! The silent apartment became a loud and joyous apartment. :) Cooked, gymed, and enjoyed a cold shower with clean water. :)

Hurting toes are not good to missionaries. We went to church and saw a few people, but then they ditched me at President's again so they could go see all of our people before the day finished. President and I talked for quite some time about health and life and everything. He gave me a medicinal book to read. It was so nice to refresh my mind on that portion of my life. I love that stuff. :) Came back home and then soaked my toe in super hot salty water. :) The best we can do in a poor health care community. :)

Mice, Dogs, and Antelope

Wonderful reunions. :)

It's routine: every Monday we have lights out, which kills all major activities in the Apartment. Layed on the coldish floor until we decided to go out.

We all cruised the market and got everything for a huge 3-man stew (my companion doesn't like stew....) Emailed and went to Melcom to get a few things. Bought some Mangos. Strangely, the ones that are picked off the tree just hours earlier taste way better than the ones back in the US that are imported.... :)

On Tuesday, Elder Machaka had a UTI.... I diagnosed him last week and he didn't believe me... went to the clinic and they told him he had one. I could work in a Ghanaian clinic with my ity bitty bit of education that I have. ;)

Wedding at Aunty Alice's farm

But I had to conduct District meeting in their absence. It went well. After we went into the area, and the sun was hotter than all outdoors. Lessons were good though. Granted they are better when we have a translator.

Wednesday was so nice. Elder Vinson (Africa West Area President) came on a mission tour and came and spoke to all of the missionaries in Central region. He's such a wonderful man and has spent so much of his life dedicated to the Lord. His instruction and advice is so beneficial for us all. His wife also is so wonderful. She has her own way of inspiring, which just makes me want to get my life started when I return home. :) Our leaders are called for His special reasons. :)

Can I help you? :)

First time going to Aunty Alice's farm. It was honestly not as bad as the other Elders made it seem it would be. Although, she did feed us some sketchy Benku and FanteFante. She gave us tons of Oranges which is so nice of her.

Lessons were sooooo slow. It's always a hit and miss, but those that always do give us time are so nice because they also usually ask wonderful heartfelt questions which bring them closer to salvation. :)

Friday, Derek is finally beginning to see that his church is not Christ's church. I really hope that his prayers are answered soon. He would make a wonderful contribution to the branch and would be wonderful to his family. His sister is already a member in a different branch.

I want to bring this one home. :)

We had a long lesson based on Deut. 22:5 all because some pastors interpret it an incorrect way. So we did our best with poor translators to re-correct this false doctrine, but to no avail because she wasn't understanding us.... Eish.

Taught a taxi driver in Batanyaa. He belongs to SDA (7th day Adventist) but his heart has been so so prepared by the Lord. It'll take time, but I know that he'll accept the gospel. :)

Saturday I was sicker than two dogs.... Woke up and just chilled in the bathroom for a couple hours. After finishing, I made a delicious steak and egg sandwich. Prepped the beef last night and enjoyed it in the morning. It reminded me of Gandolfos and Betos, so nice.

One last one... :)

The Abakrampa Elders had some baptisms today, so we went to Yamoranza to support them. On the way there though, while we were trying to find a cab, a mad man came and just gave me the biggest bear hug. My companion tried to tear him off of me. When he finally released, I beheld that my white shirt was now a half white half brown shirt.... wonderful.

Sunday is a day to remember. The block of hours was normal, only most of the branch came so we had a strong 35-40 members!

After church we blew through all of our possible appointments. However, we were able to watch a member's brother + crew catch and slaughter a dog. This is why I prefer using a gun....

Pricilla made us Rice and stew which was so nice. And also had a nice little photo shoot with Mami Esi. :) I love that little girl so much. A friend of ours shot an antelope in the morning and then gave it to us in the evening, we'll chop it tomorrow.

Professional dog.... butchers?

Bright came with us to Batanyaa to teach Kwesi the taxi driver. I love teaching that man. When we got home, we saw THE mama mouse. Now I say "the" because we've been eliminating the children one by one when we find them. We've killed 4 small ones and have been hunting the big one for 3 weeks now. Well, those 3 weeks ended. We got it under the fridge. I moved the fridge so it would run towards my companion. After he dazed it, we swept it out and over to the cat, stepped away and watched the cat pounce just like they would on Animal Planet. So sweet. :)

Chewing Charcoal

Yamoranza Zone!

First thing of the week, power goes out. Our little tiny apartment becomes a little tiny blast furnace..... So washing and cleaning was slightly miserable, but Jesse came and brought us our supplies, along with a package from home! Woooo! I found a nice little photo album which was my highlight.

Went to Cape and became a tour guide. The other guys wanted me to show them around to all the best places to buy things since I kind of know the town... :)

Got back and gymed small, then talked with Elder Connelly. He's from New Zealand (where Rach served) and chatted quite a bit about the wonderful NZ. :)

We called Semon (our homie of a taxi driver) and he took us to Yamoranza for our combined district meeting. It was MLC report so they went over things which are good to hear.

Service baby!

Lessons were low due to no translators. Enjoyed some fufu, but eish... since coming to Asebu my stomach has not been the happiest camper. It's the ever-present wanting to puke feeling just below my sternum... but life is life, so we deal with it.

Wednesday, we went out a little earlier since we were going to do some service in the evening. And then when we finished we would close for the day. We began teaching a few people, but then my stomach was not having any of it. So I knelt down and rested on a stool, to elongate my abdomen and align my insides, but to no avail. My companion fed me charcoal, because, apparently that works.... (#african remedies.....) it didn't. Went back to the house and chilled in front of the toilet for the rest of the night.

Thursday I still felt sick. Tried to have studies, but I ended up chilling in front of the toilet for a couple hours. Watched some Mormon Messages since that's more entertaining than a motionless porcelain bowl of water...... Mary called (an investigator) and asked to see how I was doing. She ate charcoal with me the day before and was worried with my condition. She's such a sweet lady, and needs to be baptized. ;)

Stayed most of the day in the house, but being sick and having nothing to do makes time just creep by. Eish, so boring. So boring that we decided to go out for just a little bit and suffer, but it was worth it because it was so much better on the mind.

The classic shoe picture

Friday was finally like a normal day. My stomach was strong enough to go out. We went on a small exchange since we needed to have some people interviewed for baptism. 3 of them live in another village 30 minutes walk from Asebu. So Elder Connelly and my companion went to get them, and then Elder Machaka and I stayed in the area and tried to teach, but unfortunately, we couldn't get a translator.

Stomach returned on Saturday..... you know it's not good when you are praying to puke just so you feel better after. Eish, stomach problems.

But we went out in the afternoon because we had a baptism. And so we needed to go and collect our candidates and shuttle us all to the Yamoranza chapel where they have a font. We baptized 4: Grace, Godswin and Godsway (they're twins), and Lucas. It was so nice, I love baptisms so much, especially because my little bro slice Coulter just got baptized too. :) And all of them are youth, which is nice, because now they have a full life of gospel living and blessings ahead of them.

Such wonderful kids. :)

Sundays in Asebu are slightly harder. The only English is the hymns and the sacrament prayer, and then the rest is strictly Fante, woooo..... Teaching is also hard, especially with a Royal funeral in session. So we went to Bantanya to check on 2 of our members, but they weren't home, so we made the 25-minute trek back to Asebu. Got back and we were just famished. That's the biggest problem we have, is once we are in the area, we need to stay in the area. They only give us enough money to get to and from our area once a day, plus small emergency. So we can't afford to go back and forth just for food. But we were so hungry that we had to. Nearly every Sunday is a fast Sunday. Or so it feels like. But weeks like these make you appreciate the outstanding ones, where life is just dandy. My stomach is improving, and I hope it will continue. :)

African Root Canals

An innocent-looking
trouble maker :)

Our zone decided to have an activity in the morning. They decided to play basketball in Cape, so Elder Connelly (from Hamilton New Zealand) and I went since our companions didn't want to go. It was nice to see everyone in my new zone and see some familiar faces. After, we showered at the old apartment, then met our companions at the cafe and continued on our day.

Had to take a Trotro home, they jam 15 or so people into a van and then drive like they're on something... then again all Ghanaians drive that way. Gymed in the evening with our neighbor who is big into gyming. A good first P-day in the new area.

Black Emma ;)

My district has 3 of my TC's, so 4 of us are together, which is pretty sweet. We went to an orphanage in our area since we were invited by one of the volunteer workers there. It's a nice little place and they do a really good job with the kids. One of the workers is actually from Berlin Germany, Marie Wiedemann. As a side note, we have some Wiedemanns in our family tree way back when (on my Grandpa Helmut's side). :) Then again it is a small world.

Wednesday was pretty standard. We found another Jehovah Witness :) and had a nice little discussion with her. It's interesting to see how all of them defend their bible, even after you show them that they have removed verses... Eish, they're so argumentative and just ready to pick a fight. But it's okay because we know we've already won. :)

To Esimekrom

Thursday had one big event.... The dentist. That word is just bitter to say. They gave me the maximum dosage of Lydocane and still I wasn't very numb. So what's their response? Just bare with it for 10 minutes or so until we get the nerve out..... WHAT?!?! 10 minutes of head-racking pain?!?!

But it's okay, what has to be done needs to be done... And before I knew it, the painful part was over and then began the time consumption. After they were all finished, we went home and I crashed until the next morning.

The sun was so bad on Friday, but the Lord answers prayers and so we had a nice breeze for a lot of the day.

Professional Fufu Team

Our members are struggling to help us. We need translators bad, but we don't have anyone to translate. So our lessons have been pretty low.

We started the day by going to Emisekrom, which is a 30-minute hike through the bush. Super pretty, and super fresh. Eish, these people work ahhh. They walk forever, and then do hard labor just to make sure a few plants will grow right. And then get little profit, if any, at the time of the harvest. Life is not easy for people here. To be honest, though, I like the bush more than the city. It's so much quieter and peaceful, as well as clean and fresh. Occasionally we have to jump over and or wade through streams, but all is well in the work of the Lord.

Our little stream :)

I kind of like going to church in a school. It's so hard to teach on Sundays, though. Everyone is never free. But we managed to have a solid lesson with Mary Otu and her husband Yaw (pronounced Yow). My companion and I made Fufu for Grace. He pounded while I drove the cassava. First time driving! ;)

From City to Bush

Gonna miss this crew!

Time just disappeared my last P-day in Cape. Played one last game of Monopoly Deal with the whole apartment. I won. :) It's nice to end on a winning streak. ;) Chilled at the house small doing this and that. Had a lovely visit with Josephine and then went to Brother Aquay's place for FHE. Said some goodbyes and then crashed for the night.

Powerful Elders :)

Last day in Cape..... Eish, time is just not a good friend. Combined District meeting was nice. We took loads of pictures after ward. We ran some miscellaneous errands. Went home for a small water/cool off break, and then went out to begin all of my goodbyes. The Andoh-Kesons fed us because I'm leaving. After chilled with the Agyekums, and then Sister Aqua. Then went to all of the people on Gegem, where I practically lived every day. It's so hard to say goodbye to all of those you have grown so close and love. I will never forget those I've met. Then the apartment had a nice farewell party with sausages and tons of soda. A nice finishing touch. :)

From Old to New

Wednesday was very full, just finished packing the little things remaining and then chilled until it was time to go. Got to the station and met my new companion Elder Kazimoto. He's from Zambia and he's 22. Chilled at the station and visited with people for some time, then decided it was probably time to head to the area. Got to Asebu and unpacked small. Planned for the day and then went out. We have to take a car to our area, and then once we are in our area, there is no coming back until it's time to close. It's super nice and green, the air smells so nice and fresh, we have 4 or 5 little villages in our area, and they aren't really all that close to each other.

The Dentist, Woooo!!.......

Woke up with a killer toothache. The same tooth I broke at the beginning of my mission. Went to the dentist and guess what.... I need a root canal! Wooo! love those!..... The cost is only 250 cedis.... which is about 67 dollars. I hope the quality doesn't match the price, otherwise I'm in trouble. They didn't finish because they have to do it in 2 sessions.

I'll miss my Son!!!!
Love him so much! :)

We stopped in Cape on the way home and met Elder Masendi's new companion. Elder Peterson is a sweet guy. And guess what?! He has health problems too! Only his is at the other end -- he had a double ingrown toenail.... enjoy. So us new companions have had a fun first day. ;) They gave me some meds which made me feel terrible, so we didn't go into the area. We stayed and I suffered on my bed.

Our faithful brother Bright!

No one April fooled. It was a good normal day, still adjusting to everything. New people, new houses, Twi is a new thing. But otherwise it's good. There are hardly any "safe" areas to eat in the area, so I pray I don't get sick too often here.

Beautiful flowers,
the Bush is so fresh. :)

Met our President, Amos Yemoah. He's a super cool guy, a cool fact about him is that he helped translate the Book of Mormon into Fante and Twi! So I'm excited to be serving around him.

Just when I was getting used to 1 village, my companion takes me to another one, about a 25-30 minute walk away, so not too far. You walk all the way there, bang down doors only to find people not home, or sleeping.... Quite a few of our lessons need translators, very few people speak enough English to be taught, so we are heavily reliant on a few members, who aren't always home.

Our Sacrament Hall! :)

Sacrament meeting in a school! That was a new experience, but it was quite appropriate. Sunday school and combined Elders/Relief Society actually felt like a class, due to the setting. :) People didn't really give us time, and fasting didn't make it any easier.

What our Area is like

In the evening a teacher named Janet prepared for us Banku with Okro stew. It was nice, but I know my guts won't be happy. Adjusting is still happening, to both the area and companion, but all will be well. :)

I love you all!