Please forward out of time

Typed up a whole email and then the light off came, worse part is, none of the email got saved as a draft. I'll have to be a little fast sorry.?

The week went by pretty quick in our area, but we had a productive week. I've been noticing somethings about the 2nd and 3rd wards of tema. Just like going to a high school party, you don't know all the reasons you are there, you don't know what you are supposed to do, and if you don't have friends there it's easiest to just leave; unless someone comes and talks to you. When you have a reason and you feel it, and you have some support staying is great. The 2nd ward, even for the few weeks we were there really struggles with accepting new comers. They have a plan to split the ward by years end, which is great, but there is a set back with goals. Their goals seem to be number based, whereas this work is about people. Ward 3 may not have all the outlines and programs working, but they can usually laugh and talk with someone who just came.

It's showed me a lot about the type of person I want to be at home and even as a missionary here. The 'hello's' and the 'how are you's ' in the corridors make a big difference. Christ really is just here for the one. Not for 3 baptisms, but for Kelvin, Benard and Nana Yao.

Speaking of those 3, Kelvin should be baptized next Monday. Benard came to institute, which was his first ever church experience! and Nana Yao is a great member referral with a lot of promise!

One time this week of seeing God reach for the one was with Mustafa. We met a man last week and then following him we ended up meeting a lady near-by. Because we met the man and then the lady we greeted them a few days later. As we greeted the lady we saw a man near-by read a book called the 'Gospel of Barnabas'. We were naturally curious and Elder Ezieme felt impressed to swap out that book with the Book of Mormon. At first we questioned if he was okay in the head because he immediately started to preach out stuff from inside. As we kept discussing and slowed him down and got to know him and the family we realized how good a man we just met. We talked about his change from Christianity to Islam and how he was seeing problems in churches. We showed him the Book of Mormon and as we talked he paused and began to cry. As he cried he told us he 'just wants the truth'. We testified that this was it and that God was showing him his love. We could feel that love, God cares so much for the one.

love you all from Ghana and back and to eternity

Elder Van Wagoner

Lightening Strikes Twice :)

(3/23/15)

Good afternoon my beloved brothers and sisters. I thank my bishop for giving me this opportunity to share a talk on the topic of tithes. What is tithes? The book 'True to the faith' says that...

Yes that's how everyone gives talks here, haha each week, it's great. Well this week was pretty awesome I'll be honest. 

Monday was some fun with the district and a great meal with the Bessa-Simmons family (don't worry I'll upload pics later today) and we also saw the Anokye's.

We got to Accra tuesday morning and I said good bye to Elder Francis Ezieme. I was going to pick up Elder Beckett!!! I was surprised to say goodbye so fast to Elder Ezieme, I was used to being with Elder Grissignon for almost 6 months and just thought that would carry on. But we got the call for transfer news on Friday. 

Since tuesday I have flashed back to Kwabenya like 50 times haha even Elder Beckett keeps thinking that we are there, and it's awesome! Just imagine serving with one of your best friends and sharing the gospel with people! Such a sweet time.

We have been in a blur this week, just showing him the area and even getting to meet some great new people. Followed up on a referral we felt prompted to call and he had lost his phone and our number! That week he had gotten a new phone and was waiting for us to call. When we saw Benjamin he had written questions to ask us and then came to church on Sunday!

Sunday was sweet because Kelvin got baptized! Kelvin is the son of a member, but he is super smart and has such a strong testimony. The service was great!

Well i am out of time!

love you all from Ghana and Back and to Eternity!

Elder Van Wagoner

Silence and Peace

(3/9/15)

The time is far spent, there is little remaining.. haha. Just been trying to work out some things for going to school. Elder Strong, my MTC comp, called me this week to ask about rooming together at BYU. He struggled to get in during his mission and is so excited to go. I am a bit spoiled and haven't thought about school or life after getting off the plane until now. Even now it's only an off and on thing. Like the light (those of you living in Ghana will get me when I say me ma me dumso dumso! ya mahama!) hahahahahah :) that is even why we are cafeing so late, so we don't have to tomorrow.

There is a lot of work to do and that is what usually takes over my attention. This week we had some incredible moments! Besides finally having some referrals, a good ones, come in we also contacted some great ones. We continue to work with Benard and he is progressing well, but wasn't able to come on Sunday, so please be praying for this guy. We are really trying to work with him and my mind so often comes back to, "what can we do for this guy?"

One mercy was being contacted, not everyday someone wants to talk with you and be serious, not just talk to a white guy. The guy grabbed my arm and made some hand motions. I said 'et te sen?' he was silent. Took me over to the dirt and started to write messages. "I am a deaf". "I am Kojo" "I know your church" "Joseph Smith" and then he grabbed the Book of Mormon i was carrying and asked for it. We arranged, by typing in the ipod to come and visit the next day at around 10. We did come and he was ready, found him praying in sign language. We took a piece of cardboard with the plastic still on it and then bought a marker (couldn't find any whiteboards) and a pure water and a tissue to clean it off. The lessons are pretty slow and it is so peaceful, teaching without talking. All he can see is what we write and what we do. We still pray to begin and close and he likes that. People were very confused as they passed us by. But Kojo came on Sunday!

He saw the picture of our family and during our second visit with him he wrote "15 yr old, picture, deaf?" My companion didn't know about it, I never told Kojo about it. So I took out the picture and wrote the percentages for her left and right ears. He wanted me to say hi, no idea how he knew. Savanah, Kojo says hi!

In other brief news. Barbara's daughter got baptized and they are going to the temple soon. She speaks brofoo like crazy now! (English) gift of tounges I suppose. Eric was also baptized! The one from Kwabenya!!

Love you all from Ghana and Back and to Eternity

Elder Van Wagoner

Because of Him

(3/2/15)

Dear Everybody,

This week was.. very nice, special. Just for simple things and the most incredible things. I'll be quick since we have only a few minutes left. I just wish everyone could have experienced it with me. Missions really are irreplaceable :)

First off, I finally saw the "Because of Him" video. Watching it just hit me. I was looking at videos to use for the next personal study and found that. Is it not incredible! Just as the lady at the well says in John 4 "is this not THE CHRIST?" The music for the video has been running through my mind and it seems like each lesson we teach I am feeling so much more of the Savior's love for the one. There is a power in teaching lessons like your teaching a seminary class, use our sacred restored understanding of God and life, it can touch the hearts like nothing else!

One example is passing a man on the way and we felt to go back to him. Felt like Cole. We were quickly invited to sit down with Benard Atsu (ewe for male twins) he opened up to us about some challenges in life and then he had neighbors who were laughing as they saw him meet with us, not a big church goer (which is actually kind of a plus here). We watched the video "Because of Him" with him and talked about the role of Christ in the way and style we do in church, not just the normal way people do. The spirit was so much stronger. Just like correctly quoiting a movie makes it funnier. We look forward to working with him!

We finally sat down with a man named Johnathan Nijo. He is the grown son of Joyce, an investigator we have. The guy is trying to make a fly board, yes the only man in Ghana who even knows what that is. But he is sweet! Has a wife and a kid and plays rugby and really enjoyed the Plan of Salvation and the Book of Mormon! We have wanted to meet for a month, but he is welding, so finally all the dumso dumso (light off) was a good thing that day!

Fast sunday was great, pretty good meeting actually had people bear some testimony about real things which was awesome! Small small right? It's cool though, on my mission I have never been to weak to work when I was fasting, even on days when we had stuff going until 9:30. On Sunday we had to be back at 5 to make a ton of reports the mission wanted, I felt super tired on the way back and realized God was letting me see his hand sustain me. He does fulfill all his words. :)That day was great and we had  a great law of Chastity lesson with a lady named Patience and another good lesson with Benard. We set a zone goal of placing  a certain amount of Bofm with people. We were short one and contacted some cool people trying to place it. This week we are trying for 5 new baptismal dates! :) The spirit that comes working on sunday and fasting is so sweet.

Even today I found an article about Christ and his interactions with sisters in the march Liahona. As I studied you could just feel the love and tender care for each person. As they said in John 4:42. "This is indeed the Christ, The Savior of the World"

Thanks for the package and bday wishes it was all so sweet! I love you all so much and am so grateful for the letters! The Cole book was so beautiful, thank you.. truly.

love you all from Ghana and Back and to Eternity

Elder Van Wagoner

Carry the Book of Mormon

(2/23/15)

Looks like the cafe is working this week! First off, before I move on, I wanted to mention to the Tucker's that their friends are area couples here in Ghana. Elder and Sister Sander's! We spent some good time together following the hospital trip with the sister in our zone.

Second I got a phone call from Elder Grissignon, sister Barbara got baptized! Not sure if I mentioned it before, but I was stoked! She is the one that we met in the most odd way. Her sister, Comfort, was a ward missionary in Kwabenya and she was teaching some people with us. We called her to go one day and she told us she had sprained her ankle (only those words aren't in Ghana so she told us that her foot had broken haha) and wanted us to give her a blessing. When we showed up, her sister was sitting there and had some questions. We explained the Priesthood (mostly in Twi and small small english with the help of Comfort) and how the blessing works. After the blessing, Barbara had questions and was excited to learn with us and visit the church. As time went on her husband gave wahala. He has some serious addiction issues and is somehow losing his mind. Not sure why, but in Ghana wonderful people sometimes have the worst family situations, just like Barbara. Well, she kept trying to come from time to time and even supported us as we helped to move Comfort out of the house (for safety issues, one day I'll explain more, but let this suffice). The day I left she was super sad, and so was I. It hurt to leave during such difficult times. I was still praying for the family after we left and now she is a member! Keep her in your prayers, she is a good woman and has a wonderful heart :)

Third awesome thing, I was calling some of my recent converts and seeing how life was, helping them to keep progressing. I remembered that some of them are over and nearly over one year, meaning they can be endowed. I am trying to arrange for Kafui Sevor-Gbanglo to be prepared (another difficult family situation). I was calling Esinam, remember her? The miracle baptism, with Ceaser, in the dark in Ho? As we talked about endowment she paused and said 'OO I tried to call you! I was endowed this week!!!' Man it was the coolest thing ever to hear that! She is awesome and is progressing so well! That day was a tiring one and to have that phone call made everything seem so worth it! :)

We read a quote in church about Mother Theresa and her work in Calcutta. It was in the teachings of President E T B. She noted how her work was about love, not about statistics, in reply to a reporter telling her that 'Statistically you are accomplishing nothing'. This work never has been and never will be about the numbers. Those just show us where to focus our efforts. This work is concerned with the Individual, as President Hinckley once taught.

We followed the advice of Sister W. Van Wagoner, and tried carrying a Book of Mormon in the hands, not just in the bag, this week. Last monday we were going to contact and got rejected a lot, so we decided to go to where the light was on in Community 4. We talked with an old man, John Addo, and showed him the Book and immediately he asked us to sit down. Then as we said amen a man walked by and Elder Ezieme talked to him, his name is Sammy. He doesn't go to church!!! So we have met with him twice and he is sweet! His issue is time, he works sundays and so he could only get time to come to the 1st service and still he would have to leave early. Hoping that he has that faith to come for the first service, worth it to go to church twice if he will come!

So try it out, carry around a copy of the Book of Mormon. Not just on the phone, but out where people can see and ask about it. You may be surprised who God puts in the path :) Thanks Sister Van Wagoner!

I love you all from Ghana and back and to eternity!

Elder Van Wagoner

Beach days and faraway Baptisms!

  

(2/9/15)

Hey not a lot of time, we have plenty cafe time, but the cafe we went to was closed and so we are going to have to rush to get out and proselyte! Went to the beach today with the zone, got the sisters to help prepare some wonderful rice and stew! Ended up being a good time, I felt like Jack Johnson, playing guitar at the beach haha, got very sunburned, so that will feel nice around the collar hahaha :) good times good times :)

Well great news! Sister Barbara, the one in Kwabenya whose husband was giving so many problems to the family, got baptized there!!!!!!!!!!!! I got word late last night as we were doing the weekly reports! Ghanaians were sad that they lost the AFCON but I was stoked about the baptism! Haven't been able to talk to her, called a couple times, she has like 4 numbers though haha Elder Grissignon said the service was nice, his new trainee is enjoying! I'm still super happy that though, wish I could've seen it, but still Barbara got baptized! :)

Couple highlights from the week, lot of meetings, but still we did get to meet some great people. We taught one lady, Gloria, who was really attacking us at first since missionaries didn't come and visit her church before (missionaries are not allowed to 'proselyte at or near the houses of worship of other faiths' WHB rule). It was sweet as we patiently waited and let her ask us the questions. I really felt the Spirit encouraging me and a greater measure of patience (I've been praying a lot for patience), ended up being a powerful lesson as we taught her that God was reaching out to her and the Book of Mormon is evidence. Prayers are wonderful, they are answered. Patience opens the heart and allows love to come. There is a lot of apathy that comes when people/pastors say that God loves them. Yet there is a difference in missionaries saying it, and I feel that people do see that, I know that she did, you could see it! One of my favorite things is explaining restored doctrines and the restored Christ and then letting them know how it's all because God loves each of his children. Funny how much your teaching evolves over the course of your mission, really grateful though.

Another sweet guy is Daniel. He lives in the sisters side of the area (yes we have 8 sisters in tema zone... they call us relief society presidents... true when you have to go and get medicine for a sister at like 10 pm, story for another day though) but he wants elders to teach him, not sure why yet. He is really gaining a testimony and I think he might get baptized!!! Praying for it and really hoping that he can have the blessings, I think he can be so strong for the church! Be praying for him to continue having the courage to progress! :)

In the zone, the new missionaries are all at different levels, interesting to see. From my own experience though the beginnings do not have control on the endings. Sister Nofuma, a great south african (who speaks the click language, so does sister Ntombana. Yes I am trying to learn haha, not easy at all! haha :)) was requesting a Priesthood blessing after a meeting we had in Accra. The blessing was so sweet, I got to be the voice. I caught just a glimpse of the understanding of God, like he was telling me to tell her that he had been in such a situation before. Now email is not a place to talk about all the Sacred impressions, but ask me about it when I come home. It was so sweet, He really cares, He really doesn't give up. I wish you could have been there to feel the love He has for her. For each of us, it's so personal. The work of the Father is all about the one.

I hope that each of us will make the effort to experience God reaching out to the one. Be the one he uses to reach out to another, and reach out to Him, seek to have that one on one moment with him. We were having a meeting and I was praying about what to do to magnify my callling. As we sang Be thou Humble, the Spirit pointed out some specifics. Like that movie moment of the character having the story changing moment, just from praying and singing a hymn. He Cares.

Heard a story of a man serving a mission in Southern Africa. He went out into the night, not far from his room, and knelt in prayer. He had been struggling with his testimony and unsure of what he knew. Away from all the pretensions and eyes of others, he knelt, alone. As he prayed he simply said 'God... are you there?' In the quiet, he felt 'as if someone had placed his hands on his shoulders and it went all throughout, filled with goodness.' He kept praying to ask about Jesus Christ, about the restored Gospel and Joseph Smith and felt the experience again and again. Even to ask if he had been forgiven of mistakes he made before he came. The man had tears as he told me he knew he had been forgiven.

All of us can have our own one on one time with our Heavenly Father.

Love you forever, from Ghana and Back and to Eternity!

Elder Van Wagoner