What’s up every one?
So as you all know by now, I have been transferred from Odorkor to Teshi. Back to the O.C. Ha ha! Our area goes down to the ocean. Teshi is right next to my last area in Nungua. It is almost in the same neighborhood. My new companion is Elder Collings. He is from Texas. He has been out 6 weeks longer than I have. He was in Elder Riche’s MTC group. Everything is cool if you know what I mean.
I miss my last area. Elder Wollenzien and I worked so hard to get the area turned around and just when things were going good I get the cord pulled. We were just starting to get several people a week out to church but, oh well, now I just have to go to work here in Teshi and try to repeat what we were able to do in Odorkor.
Teshi is a sweet place though I already love it here but again I’m starting from scratch. We had no one come to church on Sunday. And to top it of Mom you cursed me last week. Remember you asked me if I ever have to speak in church and I said “NO”. Well, guess what? My first Sunday in Teshi and they asked me to speak with no time to prepare. So I did what missionaries do and hurried and pulled something out of the hat. I felt prompted to speak on “Faith” and how faith is something that is given to each of us but we have to work to develop our faith. Our faith in Heavenly Father is our defense to all the bad things that are happening in the world. And when we have faith we will do what our church leaders ask us to do. (I had to throw that one in there because the ward here in Teshi just got split into 3 wards last Sunday and there is those who don’t want to go to the ward that they were assigned to.) But when we have faith, and look to Christ with all of our thoughts, and doubt not, and fear not, everything will be okay. The members here can’t see what a blessing it is to have the church growing so fast. I believe my talk was straight from the Holy Ghost and that the people needed to hear what I (the Holy Ghost) had to say. I know it came from the Holy Ghost because I never would have said those things to those people my first Sunday here. I know the Holy Ghost is real and it is working wonders in my life right now!
Now a funny story. This week we were teaching this lady named Rita. Rita is like in her upper 30s and she is a big fat women. Ha ha! She told us that she would be traveling the next day, so in the closing prayer I prayed that she would be watched over and protected in her travel. Right after that in the middle of my prayer she said "ah thank you so much Amen" she said it in the funniest high pitch fat women voice that I have ever heard. I had to bit my lip not to laugh and just close the prayer right then! It was pretty funny.
Well everything is going good! I love my mission. It is the best thing ever but it is going to be one of those challenging times if you know what I mean, so pray for me to be a better person.
Sounds like everything back home is going well. I hope that every one is staying out of trouble. Brody?
I love you guys!
Bbear
P.S. I hear that Brad Paisley is coming to Stadium of Fire? Couldn’t be more jealous of those who get to go to that!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
NOT TOO COMPLICATED OR ANYTHING
June 20, 2011
What’s up every one!
How was your week this week? My week was sweet but I will talk about that more in a little bit. I can’t believe it has been a year since all this began in a parking lot of some random mall along the North Platte River in Nebraska, on a bus with my family and friends reading my call over a cell phone to all of you. What a wonderful road it has been for me, and HOW blessed I have been! It hasn’t always been easy and there were those who doubted me, who didn’t think I was ready or could to it! Here is my shout out to you! It’s been a ride of a life time, and I have loved every second of it, but I couldn’t have done it alone, not with out my mother, father, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, leaders, coaches, teachers, friends and any one and every one that has influenced and supported me to do good! I thank you all again and appreciate everything you have done for me and are doing for me to make this experience possible.
Alright, now on with what happened this week. So much has happened that I don’t really know where to start. I guess I will start with the bad news. Michael Ofusu was supposed to be baptized this upcoming Saturday but when we went to fill out the baptismal record and he came out and told us that he has a problem and that he can not be baptized till he fixes some thing. Well, that was strange because he was so pumped to be baptized yesterday when we came. But as missionaries do, we started to draw out of him the reason why he couldn’t be baptized and then he told us that he has two wives because he has not followed through on the divorce of his first wife and has paid the bride price for his second wife. He said he was not living with both of them so he didn’t think he was doing anything wrong. Marriage here is a big problem for us because people just don’t understand the concept of marriage specially the Lord’s way of marriage. Michael is planning on fixing all his marriage problems this month so hopefully he will get baptized some time down the road.
The good news is that we got two others interviewed this Sunday to be baptized next Saturday. Salumay Essi and Ben Ablingo are both way correct and are ready for baptism. We also had 3 others come to church all for their second and third time so July is already looking good! By next Sunday we will start getting people ready for August baptisms. August!! Holy Cow! I can’t believe August is almost here. My companion and I had an excellent week and we have finally got this area back on TOP just in time for transfers. I will probably be transferred. (sadly!) In this area and my last area the work was totally dead and I didn’t like being here in the beginning but now I have fallen in love with the people and the area and I will be sad when I have to leave. Mom always said that I should leave a room (or area) better then I found it! So hopefully that is what I have done here.
Wednesday we had our interviews with President Smith. I love that man to death, and he will be greatly missed in this mission. My interview with him is one that I will remember for a long time. As soon as it was over I wrote as much down in my planner as I could remember so I would like to share part of it in my letter. It won’t be exact but hopefully I can get the key points across.
President Smith: Elder Berry how have you developed as a missionary during the time you have been here?
Me: Personally I feel that I have come along way from one year ago, my testimony has doubled many times, I have grown more spiritually than I can describe. But I am not perfect and I still have a long way to go.
President Smith: So what are your strengths as a missionary?
Me: I am not so sure right now, I still have tons of room to improve in every way but everything is coming small small.
President Smith: Then what are your weaknesses?
Me. (no hesitation) PATIENCE no doubt!
President Smith: Why Patience?
Me: Because I have this path in my mind were I want all my investigators to go, and I just want to push them all down it as fast as possible. In my mind it is so clear and sometimes I can’t understand why they can’t see what I can see. I feel like I speak the Ghana English well and I teach small small but still people don’t understand why I am here and then I get frustrated with them.
President Smith: Okay. So why is the Savior so patient with us?
Me: I don’t know maybe because he is perfect!
President Smith: For us we don’t always understand why? Or we don’t always do everything right. So why is he so patient? Why did he die for the sins of all of us?
Me: Because he loves us?
President Smith: Yes that is correct! The Savior is so patient with us because he loves us so much! I want you to focus on developing a love for these people that will help you to understand how the Savior feels for the people of Ghana so that you too can be as patient with them as the Savior has been with you and I. Charity is the key to being patient.
After the interview when we all came back together we got talking about how we can all help our people come to Christ! President Smith taught us that we should never get to deep into the doctrine but to just stick to the basics faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, and endure to the end.
It’s NOT TOO COMPLICATED OR ANYTHING just keep it simple and bring our brothers and sisters back to Christ.
I love my family! You guys are the best! Keep being great forever!
Tyler and Camille congrats on the new baby!
Love Bbear
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What’s up every one!
How was your week this week? My week was sweet but I will talk about that more in a little bit. I can’t believe it has been a year since all this began in a parking lot of some random mall along the North Platte River in Nebraska, on a bus with my family and friends reading my call over a cell phone to all of you. What a wonderful road it has been for me, and HOW blessed I have been! It hasn’t always been easy and there were those who doubted me, who didn’t think I was ready or could to it! Here is my shout out to you! It’s been a ride of a life time, and I have loved every second of it, but I couldn’t have done it alone, not with out my mother, father, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, leaders, coaches, teachers, friends and any one and every one that has influenced and supported me to do good! I thank you all again and appreciate everything you have done for me and are doing for me to make this experience possible.
Alright, now on with what happened this week. So much has happened that I don’t really know where to start. I guess I will start with the bad news. Michael Ofusu was supposed to be baptized this upcoming Saturday but when we went to fill out the baptismal record and he came out and told us that he has a problem and that he can not be baptized till he fixes some thing. Well, that was strange because he was so pumped to be baptized yesterday when we came. But as missionaries do, we started to draw out of him the reason why he couldn’t be baptized and then he told us that he has two wives because he has not followed through on the divorce of his first wife and has paid the bride price for his second wife. He said he was not living with both of them so he didn’t think he was doing anything wrong. Marriage here is a big problem for us because people just don’t understand the concept of marriage specially the Lord’s way of marriage. Michael is planning on fixing all his marriage problems this month so hopefully he will get baptized some time down the road.
The good news is that we got two others interviewed this Sunday to be baptized next Saturday. Salumay Essi and Ben Ablingo are both way correct and are ready for baptism. We also had 3 others come to church all for their second and third time so July is already looking good! By next Sunday we will start getting people ready for August baptisms. August!! Holy Cow! I can’t believe August is almost here. My companion and I had an excellent week and we have finally got this area back on TOP just in time for transfers. I will probably be transferred. (sadly!) In this area and my last area the work was totally dead and I didn’t like being here in the beginning but now I have fallen in love with the people and the area and I will be sad when I have to leave. Mom always said that I should leave a room (or area) better then I found it! So hopefully that is what I have done here.
Wednesday we had our interviews with President Smith. I love that man to death, and he will be greatly missed in this mission. My interview with him is one that I will remember for a long time. As soon as it was over I wrote as much down in my planner as I could remember so I would like to share part of it in my letter. It won’t be exact but hopefully I can get the key points across.
President Smith: Elder Berry how have you developed as a missionary during the time you have been here?
Me: Personally I feel that I have come along way from one year ago, my testimony has doubled many times, I have grown more spiritually than I can describe. But I am not perfect and I still have a long way to go.
President Smith: So what are your strengths as a missionary?
Me: I am not so sure right now, I still have tons of room to improve in every way but everything is coming small small.
President Smith: Then what are your weaknesses?
Me. (no hesitation) PATIENCE no doubt!
President Smith: Why Patience?
Me: Because I have this path in my mind were I want all my investigators to go, and I just want to push them all down it as fast as possible. In my mind it is so clear and sometimes I can’t understand why they can’t see what I can see. I feel like I speak the Ghana English well and I teach small small but still people don’t understand why I am here and then I get frustrated with them.
President Smith: Okay. So why is the Savior so patient with us?
Me: I don’t know maybe because he is perfect!
President Smith: For us we don’t always understand why? Or we don’t always do everything right. So why is he so patient? Why did he die for the sins of all of us?
Me: Because he loves us?
President Smith: Yes that is correct! The Savior is so patient with us because he loves us so much! I want you to focus on developing a love for these people that will help you to understand how the Savior feels for the people of Ghana so that you too can be as patient with them as the Savior has been with you and I. Charity is the key to being patient.
After the interview when we all came back together we got talking about how we can all help our people come to Christ! President Smith taught us that we should never get to deep into the doctrine but to just stick to the basics faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, and endure to the end.
It’s NOT TOO COMPLICATED OR ANYTHING just keep it simple and bring our brothers and sisters back to Christ.
I love my family! You guys are the best! Keep being great forever!
Tyler and Camille congrats on the new baby!
Love Bbear
Monday, June 6, 2011
June 6, 2011 - White People in Ghana
Hi Everyone!
This week I got the package that mom sent me with the book that was written by our new mission president, President Judd. It is a nice book but when I opened it up and read the first paragraph I didn’t understand a single thing that I read. He used some of the biggest words that I have ever heard since landing here in Ghana and maybe the biggest that I have ever heard in my entire life. Our new mission president should be here on the last week of this month like the 29th or 30th. When he gets here I hope he can turn down the vocabulary a little bit and use smaller words or there won’t be any of us that will be able to understand him. It will be fun to see how he talks when he gets here and how shocked he will be with how things are here in Ghana.
I’m going to be sad to see President Smith leave. He is such a correct man and he has taught me a lot; however, I know that President Judd is just what the mission needs at this point in time. I am excited to get to know him and serve under him.
Yesterday we had some unexpected visitors at church. Out of nowhere we had like 20 white girls and two white guys show up from Utah. It was really weird seeing white people. As soon as my companion and I walked into church they came running up to us and started talking. I had a hard time understanding them. It was like I have forgotten how to speak to white people and carry on a conversation. It was really weird. I didn’t even know what to say to them. They were all way smarter than I am, which is a change from what I’m use to here in Ghana. It was funny to see what a culture shock it was for them to be here. Although, I was probably just like them when I first got here. (But I sure hope not.)
We also had some people that we are teaching come to church this week which was way sweet! It was a really busy Sunday running around taking kids to their classes, making sure that our people went to the right class, and getting every one to meet the Bishop. It was a crazy Sunday but it was sweet. We are really starting to see the fruits of our labor here in this area. Hopefully it will be like a rock rolling down a hill where it builds momentum and rolls faster the farther down the hill it gets. Each week the work seems to be getting better and better. I love my mission more and more everyday! It is sweet and I am truly blessed to be here right now. I really love it here!
Mom, Dad and family thanks for everything you have done for me. Keep praying for the people here in Ghana.
I love you guys!
Elder Bbear
This week I got the package that mom sent me with the book that was written by our new mission president, President Judd. It is a nice book but when I opened it up and read the first paragraph I didn’t understand a single thing that I read. He used some of the biggest words that I have ever heard since landing here in Ghana and maybe the biggest that I have ever heard in my entire life. Our new mission president should be here on the last week of this month like the 29th or 30th. When he gets here I hope he can turn down the vocabulary a little bit and use smaller words or there won’t be any of us that will be able to understand him. It will be fun to see how he talks when he gets here and how shocked he will be with how things are here in Ghana.
I’m going to be sad to see President Smith leave. He is such a correct man and he has taught me a lot; however, I know that President Judd is just what the mission needs at this point in time. I am excited to get to know him and serve under him.
Yesterday we had some unexpected visitors at church. Out of nowhere we had like 20 white girls and two white guys show up from Utah. It was really weird seeing white people. As soon as my companion and I walked into church they came running up to us and started talking. I had a hard time understanding them. It was like I have forgotten how to speak to white people and carry on a conversation. It was really weird. I didn’t even know what to say to them. They were all way smarter than I am, which is a change from what I’m use to here in Ghana. It was funny to see what a culture shock it was for them to be here. Although, I was probably just like them when I first got here. (But I sure hope not.)
We also had some people that we are teaching come to church this week which was way sweet! It was a really busy Sunday running around taking kids to their classes, making sure that our people went to the right class, and getting every one to meet the Bishop. It was a crazy Sunday but it was sweet. We are really starting to see the fruits of our labor here in this area. Hopefully it will be like a rock rolling down a hill where it builds momentum and rolls faster the farther down the hill it gets. Each week the work seems to be getting better and better. I love my mission more and more everyday! It is sweet and I am truly blessed to be here right now. I really love it here!
Mom, Dad and family thanks for everything you have done for me. Keep praying for the people here in Ghana.
I love you guys!
Elder Bbear
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