Monday, March 28, 2016

AHHHH... Good times in Obuasi!

hello family! 
Ok so first a couple of questions: Do we have the following items in the United States: Plantain, Cassava, Ma (corn dough), A fufu pistol and mortar. I think for now that's all I can remember.
So this week went well. We enjoyed our zone conference on Tuesday. I completely forgot to send more pictures. But maybe this will make up for that. If I do say so myself I think I am pretty funny.
I am enjoying Obuasi and my companion and I are becoming good friends. 
Transfers are here this week and Elder Hill our district leader is leaving. Also leaving is the other companionship in the apartment, Elder Ike and brother Dzah. 
Anyways, this week as I went through my studying, I tried my hardest to listen to the voice of the Spirit to teach me things I had never realized before. One thing that President Cosgrave has taught us is that we learn more things from what we listen to than to the things that we hear. As I tried hard this week to listen to the Spirit, I felt and heard so many things that I didn't know before. It was a very personal moment when I was able just to listen and fell the teachings of Jesus Christ on a much more personal level. I can feel that I am really beginning to grow and understand even more about things I already thought I knew. I know that the Spirit is real and is there to help us and lead us back to our Saviour's side.
Love,
Elder Walch
Well this past week has been somehow fun, culminating with yesterday. We went for FM with a member and pounded three HUGE balls of fufu which we ate with cow, Fish, and hide. IT WAS SO GOOD! Afterwards it started to rain so we had to wait inside the room. After the torrential downpour, We left. It was all of the Elders in the branch, two companionships. We took a route that was the fastest, the same way we came which led over a bridge. Well we didn't realize exactly how hard it rained until we got to the bridge. The area was flooded a good 8 feet in front of us to the bridge. It was a long trek to a different route, sooooooo we took off our shoes and socks, rolled up our pants, and waded across. We had someone take a picture of us once we got to the roadside. We all looked so funny!
Ahhhhhh good times here in Obuasi. 
                                    My companion's name is elder Naawu, a Ghanaian from Accra.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

No one ever said it would be easy.

Hello family:
I am glad to write to you today. This cafe is very much better than the one in Nkawkaw. I like Obuasi so far. I am happy to be here. However, your constant prayers are now needed more than ever. In first receiving my transfer news, President said it would not be easy. He repeated it a number of times and I was just listening not really absorbing that part. When I came to the mission home the first day, I met him (my new companion) I instantly was reminded of the words of President Cosgrave. My companion is a good guy, however, there are some things that are not going to work out. He is the opposite of my personality. Nothing bad has happened yet we get along because I am trying my hardest to veiw myself as the problem. I know that the only thing that will keep me going is faith, prayers, and hard work. I love the Gospel. I know it is true. I know that God can make more of me than I can make of myself. Everyone has hard times. Everyone has something that they need help with. With the Atonement of Christ, all things are made possible and bearable.
I love you all and don't worry, I'm going to come out on top.
 Elder Walch
Elder Walch with Zone Leader Elder Udoh (before leaving for Obuasi)

Elder Walch with last companion in Nkawkaw, Elder Kabemba


"My new room in Obuasi"

This is what Obuasi looks like.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Obuasi...here he comes.

Hi Family and Friends,
So glad all is well! 
The weeks of this transfer are flying by. The transfers now are going like this: 8,4,8,4,8 and so on. This is because the MTC is extending the time for missionaries coming to Ghana and are teaching them small small Twi. This also means that I will be coming home two weeks later probably. Also I probably will extend if President agrees. Hope that's fine. Even if not sorry I'm gonna stay here as long as I can! 
Ok so this last week Friday was the first time it rained in 2016! Very exciting! Finally cooling the sun down. Today it rained again. This means the rainy season is beginning! YESSSSSS no more dust! 
I think I told you all last week that our proselyting areas got a redemarcated. we lost some investigators but have gained some. Also through our own finding efforts we have been slowly increasing our teaching pool. 
So this is the email from last week. The network in the cafe just stopped working in the middle. 

OK so news from this week: I'm being transferred. I am going to Obuasi to a new branch to be with a missionary who is only just out of his training. I am going there this week because of the Elders going to Sierra Leon. The actual transfer doesn't end until the end of march. I will be going to be the Senior Companion. At first I was very nervous and sad to have to leave this area. I have loved these people so so very much. My new companion is a Ghanaian from Accra whose name I have forgotten.

Anyways thank you all for the things you do for me. I am so very grateful for the love of you all and especially for the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. I know he lives.
Until next week!
Love,
Elder Walch