A Much Better Week!

I spoke to Conner today!  He sounds so good!  It is funny the things he is now excited about...a new washing machine.  This one has a spin cycle so his clothes are not as wet when he hangs them out dry.  It is very hot in his new area.  He has heat rash on his back and it has been painful.  He said there is not ever a time that he is not sweating.  They do not have air conditioning in their apartments but he is grateful for a fan.  He said the area they cover is large and they are riding bikes.  Even with the lack of comforts from home Conner is positive and happy to be in Ghana.  

Conner's email this week:

This week was great. Elder Mauga and I were able to put some solid work in. We taught 13 new people and had 5 come to church, which was awesome. The people could understand me better this week too. I just have to remember to speak like a robot. I am really glad to be here with a companion that is a hard worker. With all these new people being taught I had the opportunity to teach about the first vision and The Book of Mormon. This is the perfect time for this with the 200th anniversary of the first vision coming up this year. This event started the restoration or bringing back of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as he established it. The keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19) and the foundation of the Household of God (Ephesians 2:19-20) are again on the earth. We can know this by reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. I have done this, and I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God and was translated by the power of God. This truth has changed my life and the lives of those that will accept it. God loves all of his children, "black and white, bond or free, male or female... and all are alike unto God." (2 Nephi 26:33) Anyways, I hope that you all are doing well.

Elder Garrison 

A Good Week of Work!

This week was great. By the hand of God Elder Mauga went from almost throwing up water Monday night to being able to do a full days work on Tuesday. We walked until we had blisters, which is a good problem. It sounds like this week was slower than normal because we had to track down everyone Elder Mauga had been teaching before he spent two weeks sick. Considering that, we had a lot of lessons with people who seem very interested. The only problem that I am having right now is that my American accent is too strong for people here to understand. It makes me want to rip my hair out when people ask that I stop teaching, but that is a part of the work. I will adjust in a few weeks, so I just need to keep trying until then. Sometimes I just need to stop, smile, and remember that I am on the adventure of a lifetime. I need to make the best out of it. Hard things just add to my story later on. Anyways let me know how you all are doing. 

-Elder Garrison

A Rocky Start

Mud houses in Akatsi

This last week has been crazy. Come to find out that both my companion and Elder Matakaiongo had malaria and were in the hospital. They were not taking their doxy and they wish they had. I am never going to miss a day after hearing everything they have been through. They also waited 5 days before calling anyone, letting the malaria get a strong hold on them. They were hardly coherent when they got here a couple days ago. I have not even gone out to teach people yet. Elder Crippen and I can finally start leaving the apartment for longer than 30 minutes now. He really has been a great friend as we have been waiting for our companions to get better. From the little I have seen out here in Akatsi, these people are very humble and faithful. There are literally mud houses out here. They don't have a ward or branch, they call it a group out here for church. We met this Sunday at a small rented building. The people are so kind and happy. You really don't need much to have a smile on your face. I am really impressed with their faith. It will be interesting to see what the future holds here. I am really excited to be out here. 

Elder Garrison

Another Great Week!

Conner's email home this week:
This last week was great. We baptized and confirmed two people Saturday. They were a daughter and a mom. I can't say what their names are because of the data rights policy of the church. Anyways, we have been working with that family for a while now. The dad has been slow with keeping the commitments we have been extending so we have not been able to move forward with him. He came to the baptism though. He left with a giant smile on his face. He told us that he really felt the spirit while he watched his family get baptized. We were able to get him on a date for baptism for the 22nd. I am really excited for him to finally be able to see him put his old self behind. That is truly the purpose of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It means to take the parts of yourself that hurt yourself and others and replace it for Christ like love for others. We also put another young woman on date for baptism on the 22nd too. There was a time that I thought she would never progress to this point. Another case of the spirit softening a persons heart. I have really felt it the last 6 months. While I am excited for these two people, I am sad because I am not going to be there for it. I am getting transferred Wednesday. I am going deep into the bush to a place called Akatshi, Volta Region. I will be in a 4 man apartment with a Tongan named Mouga as my companion. My first companion, Elder Matakaiongo is in the apartment. I also have someone that I shared a room with in the MTC there too. While I am sad to leave Afienya I am happy to leave for Volta Region. We will see what the next few weeks bring. I will be able to stay in contact with those I have been teaching in Afienya thanks to the smart phones we will be getting in a few weeks. I hope everything back home is going great. Let me know how you all are doing. 

-Elder Garrison