Kpando

Written: April 3, 2014

Well today is a bit different than the normal week. We are in Kpando today! The zone is up here to see the monkey sanctuary. We won't have time to get back and cafe in Ho so we are at the cafe here. We also didn't bring Missionary attire so we are in shorts.... this is pretty sweet!! haha but last night it was light off from 6 to 6 again. They say that every 5 days we will have light off. The Cosgraves found out and offered to let us sleep at their place since they have a generator. So it's actually pretty sweet! Their house has some nice pillows. And its way comfy there.

The week was pretty good too. We have been doing a lot of finding. Looking for people who are ready, and ready to be serious about the Gospel. Means we get to meet a lot of interesting people, wish everyone could experience a day in Ghana like that. In Ghana the most common excuses are concerning already having a church, or they are busy (even though you just woke them up from sleeping in the shop) or that next time we should come. Nigeria has like 10 'prophets' or 'pastors', basically priest craft. They have all these t.v. channels and they spend the hours casting out demons and working 'miracles'. So many people are deceived by it. Church here is more about the charismatic way. Most of the churches we know in US, do something entirely different in Ghana. The clapping and dancing and yelling and shouting is what church is. 

One of our recent converts said that in all the time at our church she has never heard the church that is next door 'preach the Word of God. They just have speakers and like yelling.' It is tough to see that these people get 'blinded by the subtle craftiness of man.'

But on the bright side, more and more are coming. Romel is set for a baptism this Saturday! Jeoffrey will be in the next couple of weeks, if not this one. Hanson's sister Makafui is also excited about the church. Hanson could never get her to come but Rebecca, who was baptized in March, got her to come! She has since been reading the Book of Mormon faithfully, she is a youth but the youth are so strong here. Most of them don't have 1 or both parents. The church leaders, missionaries, and the Cosgraves are more or less the parent figures. Love these kids like crazy, don't know how you can be a parent, even this gets me stressed out. Anytime you hear about them doing something you just worry. But they take care of each other and we are close.

Saturday I woke up at four with Elder Bryce. We went on exchanges to join the branch temple trip! We left by about five and got to Accra by crossing the Akuse dam. The Temple was so sweet. Mostly it was youth but the presidency came and other leaders were around. Great turn out! The Spirit was so strong. Seeing the kind of surprise and wonder that came to everyone in the Temple and the happiness there made it all worth it. This is what we want everyone to have, just like Nephi of old (2 Nephi 33: 12). We confirmed some of our youth and then we enjoyed some time to think and read as we sat in the Temple waiting for them. I love the Temple.

It was also the coldest day of my mission, a/c in the car, the Temple and the car ride back since we went with the Cosgraves. haha These kids are noble and great ones. They are the ones who inherit the roles of leading the Church into the places not yet reached.

Go to mutual, go to Seminary, support these things. They can make the biggest difference in the world, and mean the world to others.

The Church is true everyone, the Lord is on our side, it's not easy but the more we work the more we find his Grace, and the more we know it is worth it.

love you all from Ghana and back and to Eternity.

Love,

Elder Van Wagoner