Christmas

This last week was obviously Christmas and that was great! We had fun visiting people and giving them treats. We also shared the story of Christ's birth as found in the Book of Mormon with each of them. It is a great perspective on it. Christmas is not as celebrated as the new year. They don't have Christmas trees and they don't give as many gifts. They really do try to keep the real meaning of Christmas alive. We also did a zone Christmas devotional this week. It was good to see the other missionaries and President and Sister Young. I don't have as much time to email this week. Here are some pictures!

Elder Garrison

A Crazy Week

This week has been absolutely amazing in a lot of ways and brutal in others. I will start with the positive stuff. We have 2 people on date for baptism! Abi is a mom with children we are hoping to put on date soon. Freda is a young woman who seems really receptive. We didn't plan to put her on date, but the conversation just went that way. We also have found 7 new people to teach. Pretty good considering we had a full day taken up by a trip to Accra. We have bikes and beds now! We also had interviews with President Young. He seems like he is a good man. I look forward to getting to know my fourth mission President better. 

 Now for the not so good. I ate something bad and spilled my guts out on the side of the rode. We had to convince people not to call an ambulance, because they thought I had Covid. I feel fine now, I just hope they don't remember that it was the obroni (white man) with a white shirt and tie on who was throwing up. I also burnt my hand while cooking. I am rocking a nice sized blister because of it now. Also we had 8 people commit to coming to church and not one showed up. Life is good and hard all at the same time. With all this said, I am doing well. I hope each of you have a fantastic week and a very merry Christmas.

Elder Garrison

Week 1 in Ghana!

We reached Ghana Friday night. I am still a little jet lagged. We had a short testimony meeting, and we were then assigned areas to go to. I am assigned to an area called Sun City. It deserves its name! It is hot! A big difference from Arkansas where the low would often be 20 degrees. I am with someone I originally came to Ghana with. His name is Elder Freedland. We were put into an apartment that is a 30 minute walk from the area. They told us there would be bikes in the apartment. They also told us there would be beds. It also took a while for our phone to start working, making it virtually impossible to open an area. There is always opposition in all things. The more important the thing is, the more opposition you receive. We have already taught more lessons in 2 days than we would in a week in the US. We are going to have a lot of success here. This makes all the hard parts worth it. In the end, our personal discomfort will be just a memory, but the work we do will have fruit for far longer than I will live. I love each of you! Stay safe! -Elder Garrison

19 missionaries arrived from the USA to return to Ghana to complete their original mission assignment. They each boarded a plane from the location in their temporary assignment and met up at the airport in Amsterdam. They were all able to fly into Accra together. A beautiful reunion for these missionaries. All missionaries were tested for COVID when leaving the states and then again when arriving in Ghana.

An Exciting Week!

This last week we have been busy! We probably worked for 10-15 hours giving food to people in need. We also helped the members make a Facebook page called "Light Mountain View Arkansas". We made a video where we gave the hospital and the police bags of goodies. We had 1300 views! Pretty good for a town of 3000. Also, I have been pretty busy getting things ready for Africa. I am almost ready to go back. It will be interesting to see what happens!

Elder Garrison

Note from Mom: 

My heart is full as Conner prepares to leave this week for Ghana.  Conner has enjoyed his time in Arkansas.  He loves the people in Mountian View and he has made many connections that will last a lifetime.  While he and his companion were studying Conner had a thought to create a Light Mountain View Facebook page.  The ward members created it and are running the page in hopes it will continue long after the missionaries move on to new assignments.   Conner has felt blessed to work with the members and spread light in Mountain View.   In many ways, he is sad to leave a place he loves so much but grateful for the opportunity to finish his mission serving in Ghana.  I am so grateful he is sad to leave because it means he has put his heart and soul into the people in this little community in Arkansas.  I am grateful for the companions he has had and the members that have shown him so much love.

"A missionary is not called to a place; rather, he or she is called to serve."  I do know wherever Conner serves he leaves a little piece of his heart.  This week Conner leaves behind the winter coat, cozy apartment, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma, and the warmth of the new friends he has made.  He is off to a totally different world.  One thing remains the same we are all children of God and no matter where the sun sets Jesus is the Christ.  I pray that Conner can lift the burdens of others and bring the special peace that only comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Putting together treats to deliver to the
hospital & police station.

Saying Goodbye to his friends in Mountain View: