Three Emails...getting caught up.

 My transfer news? Well let me tell ya. I am going to a place called Bokrom in Kumasi where I will train and be the district leader. Three new experiences right there: training, whitewashing an area, and district leader. I will really miss this zone, the district, and the branch that I served in. I have come to love them all very much. I took a ton of pictures with everyone! 

 Hey thank you for the updates and the pictures! Well the anticipated news you have been waiting for is that I am in Buokrom Kumasi. I like it so far. The ward is awesome and the bishop is fantastic and really powerful and devoted. The members and nice and likewise powerful. My new companion is called Elder Cameron. He is from Salt Lake City Utah more specifically Sugar House. He is really powerful and I think this next two transfers will go well. 

This past week has been really fun. We have been exploring our area and each day since Elder Cameron has been in Ghana we have had some interaction with a drunk man. The first was when We went out to by something and a man started to talk with us. He was obviously drunk out of his mind! At one point he picked up a stone and held it in his hand and said "This stone is dirty. I need to wash it. I am dirty so you need to wash me!" That was his first day! The next day being saturday we were out and on the side of the road was a drunk man urinating. He whipped it out started his thing and then began stumbling towards us. He passed right between us almost spraying our legs with his bodily fluids. Then on Sunday we were at church and the sacrament hall has a door right to the outside. We were in priesthood and all of a sudden a drunk man comes to the door and begins talking to me and introducing himself. He then proceeeded to shout very insulting Twi words at me and so the bishop and a couple others escorted him outside. Powerful!  

Anyways I love you all so much and wish you the best! Will send pictures next week! 

I miss obuasi small small. Buokrom is nice though. I bought some paintings and a mask today. Unfortunately I completely forgot the stuff I was going to send home today but hopefully next week. 

Training is not easy nor is being a district leader at the same time. It is fun though and is teaching me a lot. I bought a knife for the drunkards. Don't want any wahala for my side... 

One thing I like about the training is coming back to the basics. I think one thing a lot of members get problems with is they are too concerned with trying to know big big doctrine. Just small small easy basics are the most important. When we lay our foundation upon the simple basics and make them solid, our building of the gospel can grow tall tall! 

As Nephi said it, " My soul delights in plainess". 

Love you all! 

Just Do It!

                                                 

Hello familia. Look at me getting multilingual out here. I am glad to hear that all is well. When does Tristan Shumway get back? Thanks for all the stories and updates and especially  for the quote from the spoken word. It was really powerful. You always seem to say exactly what I need to hear.

This week was pretty good. We had 4 baptisms on Sunday! Their names are Frank, Daniel, Evans, and Susie. I It was fantastic to get to do those and be a part of their lives that they won't ever forget! I surely won't forget it! They were the first baptisms I have had since April. They picture from left to right goes Bro. Samuel, Me, Susie, Ike, Daniel Antwi, Elder Larson, Frank Eshun, and Evans Kwarteng. 

One thing that I learned this week was the fact that obedience really does bring blessings and miracles. Just be obedient. As Nike says " Just do it". Come on just be obedient and God will really bless you. Its not easy and its not meant to be easy. But obedience will bring rewards. 

Last two weeks have been somehow uneventful in terms of stuff. We were told over and over by a guy that was high that he loved us so we should take him to the US. I said "Hey! Your dog is getting chased by that pig!" There was no pig or dog but he took off running down the road! That was sweet. He came back and said he tackled the pig and mmmhhmmmmed it. Whatever that means. 

I love you all and can't wait til next week! 

                                             Cleaning up the hospital service project.
                                                Elder Larson and Elder Walch.

One By One

Hello my family! Its nice to hear all the good news from you people. Mom I heard you people had a Tanner Smith over for dinner. He is a missionary. Him and Elder Larson went to school together. How crazy is that! Also crazy is that Jerry Cripe saw the picture Elder Snow's dad posted on facebook of us and Jessica saw it and was like "Wow what the heck". I guess Jerry and Bro Snow were friends in high school or something! Crazy...... just crazy. 

Crazy seems to describe how this week went by. It all culminated with getting to see, hear from, and shake hands with Elder David A. Bednar, Elder Terrence M. Vinson, and Elder Vern P. Stanfill. The last two names are the president and 2nd counselor in the Africa West area presidency consecutively. It was on the whole a most exciting and spiritually enriching experience. The thing that seemed to be the topic was one by one. A choir of our missionaries sang a song with the words written by Elder Bednar. He told us the reason and meaning of the words right after they sung. It was his personally testimony and witness that the Savior had great enough power to change the flow of time long enough to physically suffer for us one by one. If you look at the ordinances of the gospel even the pattern in which they are administered is one by one. As he spoke to us and answered questions, the Spirit filled the air and touched my heart. Questions I had but couldn't ask for time were answered. Some of them weren't even spoken out loud but the answers came all the same through the power of the spirit. All in all it was a most wonderful experience.

I love you all very much and am most grateful for all of you. I am happy and healthy and doing well and I hope all of you are feeling the same!

Testimony...He is REAL.

Hello dear family and friends! So glad to get to write today. The network is not

working all too good so I have to make it somehow fast. 

What I really want to share is something that has deeply and profoundly touched

my heart this past week. In preparation for the visit by Elder Bednar, we as a mission

 have all been asked to read a number of his talks. During my personal study one morning

this week I read his talk called Learning by faith. What was so powerful about it was afterwards I

 had the opportunity to ponder the things that I read. As I pondered So many wonderful

 thoughts filled my mind and touched my heart. I know I can't really express all of my

feelings properly in this writing but to be short I can say without a doubt that Jesus Christ lives.

 He is our Savior and he loves everyone of us. This church is His church. It is led by Christ

 himself through prophets and Apostles. I know that He is real. 

                                      Elder Walch and Elder Larson said goodbye to Elder Snow (middle).
                                      Elder Snow returns home this Thursday after an honorable mission.
                                      Best wishes...till we meet again.

Watch where you step it's dark out here.

First off thank you so much for your inspired addition of the talk. It really helped to answer some of my prayers. 

Hello family! This week went by alright. There has been a dramatic fluctuation in the weather recently which gave me a cold all last week. It wasn't an easy week by any means but we got through it the best we could and kept on keepin on. 

One funny/scary thing that happened this week was when I and my companion were walking home along the roadside in the dark on the way back home. There are no road lights so it was creepy. I had done it a million times before but was never scared. We were passing a certain spot where there was a deeper part of bush. I looked down into one part that was closest and saw what I thought was a rock. I studied it more and thought it was a sleeping goat. As a car's light shined on its smooth top it moved and looked me right in the eyes. It was a person crouched down in the bush. I jumped like ten feet in the air grabbed my companion, who was busting up laughing, and walked faster and faster. Yeah haven't walked there since!

We are having two investigators who are very powerful! Their names are Daniel Antwi and Evans. They stay in a place called New Edubiasi which is about 45 minutes drive and 8 cedis in and out from Asonkore. They are so powerful and have come every sunday since we met. Please pray for them. We are trying to baptize them on the 21st of this new month. Because of the distance and cost of getting there. It is very rewarding. 

Well another transfer has come and I will still be here in Asonkore with Elder Larson! I have come to love this place very much. The work truly is divine and is controlled by the Lord. I have seen that it does take a lot of work to do the Lord's will, but it is always more rewarding in the end to see how far you've come. I think you all remember that when I came to Asonkore, the area was dead and my companion was not supportive. Because of the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ the area is now alive and kicking. We are looking forward to success and are working hard to hold on to what we have. 

Love you all! Until next week! 

Elder Walch

                                          Elder Larson and I eating lunch. Mmmmm good.

More trust in the Lord.

Glad to hear that you are having a good week getting everyone back to school! I miss high school small small. Not all the drama caused by it but the fun things. 

For my birthday, we didn't really do anything. I guess I'm just one of those people who doesn't need anything. Or maybe its because I know there's a package somewhere with my name on it.... My companion did buy me a Chelsea jersey with matching shorts that I wore at our football match today! He's the best. Oh and Elder Asabere keeps asking for the family members favorite colors and I keep forgetting. 

This week went by somehow uneventful with a whole lot of failed appointments. We will continue to work hard and hopefully fill the week with success. . 

Mom thanks so much for your testimony on the Plan of Salvation. It really is amazing to know all these sacred truths and not be kept in darkness. 

So this week we went to a place called New Edubiase which is on the road to Cape Coast. Which is so far away to meet with a referral called Daniel Antwi. He is powerful and has come to church the past two sundays despite the lorri fare of 14 cedis in and out. It is touching to see his level of devotion to the gospel enough to the point that he is willing to pay so much to come. With this in mind, there are members who stay very close, like the next town, who complain every time about transport. As we discussed this issue in branch council yesterday, I contributed that members in the branch need to increase faith and  make the sacrifices necessary to come to church. The fare from the closest towns is 80 pesewas which is the equivilant of 20 cents. The thing that I think we can all learn from this illustration is that God will bless those who seek his will and allow them to achieve all the things that he asks them to do. Just like Nephi told his father Lehi, "I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he hath commanded them." It is very true. I urge all of us to trust the Lord enough to make the necessary sacrifices to do the Lord's will. It won't be easy, but it was never easy for the Savior, so why should it be easy for his servants? 

Love you all tons!!! Until next time! 

"Just a small boy of 19 in Africa."

Hahaha I'm just a small boy! Out in Africa as a 19 year old making big boy choices. Go ahead and eat my favorite foods.... It'll make you people miss me more. 

Thank you for all the stories and things! This past week went by very well! We worked hard each and everyday and the rewards so far have been very great! Yesterday at church there were so many things that were miraculous. To start, we had 7 investigators at church! 3 came late but four were on time. They all said they loved it so we will be looking forward to following up on their experiences this next week. The next one was also fantastic! A recent convert who we have been working with who had received the Aaronic priesthood. He passed the sacrament this week and it was an amazing experience for both me and him and his family! The joy on my face the entire Sunday I'm sure could be seen from miles away. The next thing was another recent convert called sister constance gave the most powerful talk I have ever heard in Asonkore branch! She's only been a member since January and is so powerful! The last one that I can say is one about a man called brother Samuel. He is a Polygamist. He has only missed one day of church since the missionaries contacted him a year ago. He is extremely powerful. About a two or so months ago when I was with Elder Naawu, he told us that his second wife went to church at Seventh Day Adventist and came to him and said she wanted her salvation so they should divorce. He was so so happy to tell us this great news. Yesterday he told me and Elder Larson that the second wife's father came to Obuasi for the culture parts before the actual thing. Come to find out, he is an endowed member of the church! I'm going to guess he is alright with this divorce! 

With all these past miracles in one day, I have come to see that God prepares his children for the things that they have been foreordained to do. As I studied in Jesus The Christ this morning, I read chapter 3 which talked about the need of a Redeemer. One of the subtopics touched on the topic of foreordination. It was powerful to say the least. But anyhow, it was great to see this past sunday as proof that God is aware of us individually, as communities, as nations, and of course as his children. 

I love you all! Here is a picture of me driving fufu!

Love, Elder Walch

Beans...

Hello family! So on a request from my father I will try to give a more detailed account of the week!

So starting from last week monday: Elder Larson and I are still companions. We went to the market and bought 4 cups of beans! That's a lot of beans. They are super sweet and Elder Larson taught me how to make them super good! Tuesday: We a lot of washing to do. The area we are in is very big and the number of people who don't speak English is plenty. It isn't easy to find new investigators but we are trying. Wednesday: We had nothing. We went to midweek which people actually came to this time. It is so awesome when people come.  Thursday: It was powerful! I can't really remember what we did but it was powerful. We had a super sweet lesson with our guy Frank! That guy is powerful and prepared but is struggling to keep commitments. Hopefully we will see him being baptized on MY BIRTHDAY! Going to be sweet! Friday: We went and collected a package and two letters from our district leader. Thanks to baye for the powerful gifts! My companion and I enjoyed Paa!!!!! Saturday: We worked all day and it was nice. We taught our powerful people Dotty and MAvis and their sone Adieolu. They are super sweet and have their date for the 24th as well! Please pray for them. Sunday: It was good. Monday ( today): We went and got our hairs cut by Elder Snow. It was nice. We then went to lunch. Afterwards we went to play basketball which I am getting better at! When we were playing, some Muslims came and set up their volley ball stuff. So we all went and played with them. It was so much fun!!!!

So this Sunday, my companion and I were privileged to be part of 3 blessings. It was very powerful to see the true power of the Spirit be manifested in the room. I know I could feel it. I am very grateful for the Savior's promise of the comforter. It is so so true. 

Well I hope you will all continue to pray for this branch and area. 

One funny story: We were at a Recent Convert's house and she served us fufu in palm nut soup! That soup was straight off the fire! One second it was boiling in the pot and the next it was burning all over my hand! In the soup was hide. Cow hide. So leather..... It is bad to refuse anything so we had to take it. My piece was huge and as I was trying to rip it with my teeth and hand, I slipped and it sprayed soup all over my white shirt! That was dumb... but it was good fufu.

Anyways.... Love you all and can't wait for next monday!

9 Months!

Family and Friends,

Hey see heat! I'll just stay here I guess. Maybe in a year and 3 months it'll chill out. This year is going by so fast! I am already 9 months on mission! almost at that year mark wati ase?

It is sweet that all these missionaries are coming out! In our mission, we have 13 leaving this wednesday to go home and 13 coming and next transfer 13 are leaving and none are coming! Its crazy! This transfer has now ended and I am transfer number three in Obuasi still with Elder Larson. He's fantastic. We work hard and have fun together. We are planning a trip to Arizona for me and a trip to California for him. Its going to be sweet! Neither one of us speaks proper english any more and we always are laughing at the slip ups we make? Cool about Ty Art? Maybe I'll get to train him! That would be sweet! 

This zone conference was powerful. It was all about pride and what it is and how to kill it. If you have the chance, read Beware of Pride by President Ezra Taft Benson. It is enlightening. 

Last transfer was rough just because of the people in the apartment and the area is getting rough. It was probably the most close I have ever been to Heavenly Father I have ever been. Through all the struggles and challenging things, The Saviour was with me every step of the way. 

One miracle that was so amazing to me was a time last transfer when I had been praying hard for some things that were on my mind. I bought a small speaker in Nkawkaw and filled my drive with music from the zone leaders when I was there. As I went to iron my shirt I had the music on and as I listened to one song, every part of my prayer that morning was answered. I have tried many times to try and find that song. I haven't heard it again. At times it blows me away to know that God would have a choir of his angels sing to me, a young missionary serving in a small village in Ghana. That he was mindful to the details my heart fills me with gratitude and love for my Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Jesus Christ. I love this Gospel and can't wait to serve as its teacher all my life! 

Til next week! Love you all.

Elder Walch

New Companion...Elder Larson!

Dear Family and Friends,

Hey the summer swimming is powerful! I am glad everyone loves it. It will physically bless them. If they complain, tell them they have to do some exercise or they are breaking Doc and Cov 88:124. Those words come straight from The Lord so don't joke. I wish I had some tri tip. That sounds pretty fantastic. I want to eat something other than soup, rice, or assorted boiled meats. Yesterday we got fed by a member and it was fresh off the fire! The banku was just taken out of the pot hot as magma and served. The soup also straight from the fire. Remember everything you eat with your hands which I could not feel afterwards. 

So this week, we were hit by some interesting surprises.  The Prophet and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said no longer allow stake missionaries to serve. Part time missionaries are now only ward and branch missionaries. Both my companion and Elder Larson's companion were stake missionaries. We as an effect were put together and the areas combined. The area itself is smaller than my first in Nkawkaw so it won't be a problem. Thank you for fasting for me this week. As I prayed to begin my fast I had the distinct impression to fast for you all as well. I know that you will all be well and protected. 

In other news, Today we had a zone activity and it was sweet! Elder Larson and I were hailed by the Africans as the greatest players. We played defense and it was so much fun. I love playing football now more than anything. Maybe one day you will see me in the World Cup hahahahahahahahahahaha.

You know as I was reflecting this week on what I have accomplished thus far in my 9 months on mission, I was drawn to what I will be remembered as when I leave this country. For me I have had so far 7 baptisms, the names and dates of which I have memorized. One thought that came to mind was that in some eyes, that number might be viewed as small. It would be easy to get down when you compare yourself to others so I pushed out the thoughts and continued the day. Later that evening we were on our way out of a lesson we had with a recent convert. He was baptized in January by Elders I haven't met. In the lesson, we discussed the importance of the priesthood and the power that comes when you magnify your calling. The father and the firstborn are the only ones who have, and who are old enough to hold, the priesthood in the family. The son speaks not even small English. The father can understand more but can't really read it or speak very well. I had the thought in the lesson to have us set a goal that by the 3rd of July, this father son team would bless the sacrament. They accepted. As I left that lesson, my mind was drawn back to what I had pondered earlier. I myself may not be a missionary with hundreds of baptisms. I may not be one that is mission famous. The things that came to my mind as according to my accomplishments was that I will love everyone that I meet and God through me will work the miracles that need to be worked. I have seen so far that pure joy comes when you see those you love progress in the gospel. Seeing my converts receive the priesthood, pass the sacrament, give talks, and serve in callings have filled my heart with great joy. I know that God's hand is in missionary work. He will make it sweet for those who obey his prophets, keep his commandments, and strive diligently to become better. I am grateful for all my loved ones, friends and family, who have striven so far in becoming better. They are great examples to me of what the Atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ can really do. For all of my beloved family I am so so grateful! 

Love you all! 

Small World and Excited About it!

Oh how great it was to hear from you all yesterday! I enjoyed it so much! I hope you can understand my new sense of humor. It probably did not make a whole lot of sense last night but that's that.

I am glad to hear that everyone is well. The name of my new companion is Brother Osei-Tutu. He is a stake missionary. A stake missionary is one that is a part time missionary who stays in mission boundaries but goes to another place that he is needed for a short time. Brother Osei-Tutu is the older brother of an elder I met in the MTC who I email every week! It is such a small world when you are in the church! 

Anyways I am having a good time here in Obuasi and am looking forward to a hard working transfer. My last companion wasn't all too serious which was why we had some difficulties. Now we are very good friends. 

I am very grateful for all the things you people do for me. I pray for all of you everyday. I pray that you will always hold on to the truth because, as the apostle paul taught, the truth will set you free!

 I know life isn't easy, but it is bearable when you put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and his atonement. I love you all very very much! Until next time!

Love Elder Walch

Miriam

Hi family! Ok so to solidify the time, I can call at like 8:00 our time. By that time I should be done reporting numbers, transfer news is here , and we have closed our day. That's 1:00 your time. Everyone is invited to come haha! Tomorrow we go for a mission tour with a visiting 70 named Elder Terrence M. Vinson. I will be in Kumasi until like 6:00 which means I'll be in Obuasi by like 8 or so. 

But hey! In two weeks I will be 8 months on mission! The time just flies by! Thank you all for your love and support and words of encouragement. 

I am very excited to hear all your voices on sunday! I really am excited! 

This past week went by well. We called one of our investigators, Miriam, to remind her to church and she said she was coming. We started church and she wasn't there. After taking the sacrament, one of the women with a small child was outside and called my companion and I outside and low and behold it was Miriam. She said that she couldn't come to church that day because right after she hung up the phone, her sister called and told her their auntie was sick and needed help. She finished washing her child and walked all the way to church to tell us personally because her phone was out of credit and she didn't want to disappoint us. My companion and I just love her so much. Before us she didn't know anything about Christ. But look at her now. She walked all the long way to the chapel in the scorching sun to tell us the most truthful, heartfelt apology I have ever heard. If only all of us could show this same determination in all our lives. I know if we just begin to show a little more determination and love just like Miriam did, the spirit can teach us things that we could never imagine. 

Well anyways I look forward to hearing from you! Love you all!

I AM...

Good Whatever time it is there Family! 

Thank you all for the stories and family updates! I got an email from Steven today about it. It is very exciting indeed! 

I am much grateful to all of you for your love and support. One of the things I really enjoyed about emailing this week was receiving talks from dad written by dad and Danielle. They were both very nice and I learned a lot from them.

This week was not easy in terms of missionary work. My companion is very stubborn and thinks that since I came to meet him in Obuasi, he is in charge. He is also older than me which is making things extra difficult for me. Now I write these things to preface a testimony. Through all of the difficult days, the greatest source of help has come from studying about Jesus Christ. One thing that our mission president has counseled us to do is study a scripture about Christ every day. In doing that, I have found many scriptures that I have been able to use in teaching and also to use to illustrate a topic to my companion. Through studying these scriptures on Christ, I have grown in my appreciation of the Saviour more and more. One verse that I have grown to love is in John. I have to have my scriptures in order to tell you the exact place but I can quote it "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live". Why this verse means more to me is that to me it can be taken two ways. The obvious one is through Christ we will all be resurrected and live. The other is dealing with spiritual death. Though we are all dead because of sin, we can all live again and have eternal life through Jesus Christ our lord and Redeemer. I know he lives and loves us all.

Elder Walch

Enjoying life.

Because of time this week, my email will be shorter. 

All is going well. I am really enjoying life right now and am very happy to hear from all of you that you are well. I pray for you all everyday and love you each very much.

I  gave a talk this Sunday. On obedience! Na spirit de talk me say what ting I de talk. I go fi jus say Obedience and no wahala der watiase. Yoooooooo. Anyways that was a little something called pigeon. I'll speak it when I get home. 

Today for p-day I am going to play a game football so I'll score a goal for you!

Please continue to pray for this area. We are struggling to find serious people to teach. Some days we just walk from 10 to 8 and find no one. It isn't easy, but it was never easy for the Saviour so why should I complain. 

I love the Lord and am very grateful for all his blessings and the miracles he has done for me in my life.

I love you tons! Until next week!

Elder Walch

His Glorious Name!

Hey family!

I am glad you appreciate the snail story. It was nicer than I thought it would be!

Anyways thank you all so much for all that you do! I love and am grateful for each and everyone of you.

The teaching here in Obuasi Asonkore 2 is going well. We have found a lot of people and hopefully they will all be serious. We just had a baptism yesterday of a 17 year old boy named Samuel. His sister is Constance who was just baptized in January. 

Right now we are teaching a man named Richard Kuma. He is very powerful. He reads all the assignments we give him and is just very cool and everything! I love that man. He should be baptized by the end of this month or the beginning of next month if things go as planned. We also just started to teach a woman named Miriam. 

 When she called us over one night on our way home, we didn't expect anything. We came back yesterday and she told us she knows nothing of Jesus Christ and  feels like she needs to know about him. My companion is a younger missionary than me and so whenever there is a question he thinks is too hard, he just looks at me and waits. So I taught the whole time and testified of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. By the time the lesson was over, She committed to get herself a bible and is eagerly waiting for us to come again. This story brought to my mind just now something that President Cosgrave has taught us: even in the name of Jesus Christ there is power. Nothing bad that you think of can ever stay if you just simply think His name. I know that more than just the name of Jesus Christ is needed to compel someone to follow him. It takes a witness of His name through the Holy Ghost that allows us to know exactly for sure His everlasting love for us. I am so grateful to be a witness here of His glorious name and for the privilege it is to wear display on my chest day by day. I love Him and I know that he lives, and just as Elder Holland said in this past conference, He loves me. 

I love you all tons!

Elder Walch

Oh Snail!!!

I am very glad that you enjoyed my pictures.  

Well I am happy . I love you all and would like more family updates. 

I hope you all enjoyed general conference! I was able to watch the second half of the Saturday morning live along with the sunday morning live. It was very good to be nourished by the words of a living prophet. I know and I can testify with all the force of my being that Thomas Spencer Monson is the Lord's living prophet here on this earth this day. I know that his counselors are called of God and will lead us and guide only according to God's words. 

Anyways, All is going well. My companion makes great food and in the market one day I saw some snail. The next week, we wanted to make Kontomere stew. The meat we wanted was fish. Elder Naawu also know how to prepare snail! We got it and guess what?! It was very nice. Really honestly it was. The pictures are of one snail. we out in five. So nice.The other picture is of The stew with boiled yam. 

I love this gospel and oh how it has blessed my life. I am here for Jesus Christ and the salvation of our brothers and sisters. I know that this work is divine!

Elder Walch

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.

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.

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

                           

The Lost Sheep

Now this week went by not so good. Our area boundaries got changed up so it is kind of like white washing an area. Don't really know where anything is but it will be fun  to explore. So monday was p-day, tuesday was Zone council, wednesday was exploring ( pretty much hiking) thursday same as wednesday, friday my companion was sick. Saturday same as friday. We have found a very powerful new investigator named Kingsley. He is a Roman Catholic who is very very interested in the church and the Book of Mormon. He even translated the teachings into Twi for his wife, brother, and sister-in-law. I really love that man.

Ok so this sunday we had a PEC meeting. We went and began discussing the various things and when it came to discuss the challenges with missionary work I brought up an inactive sister named Eugenia. As I mentioned the word less active the Relief Society president went off on me about how its a waste of time to deal with them and how they are the most annoying people in the church. Now Ghanaians are loud, but I found out yesterday just how loud I can be. I began to speak and honestly I can't remember what I said. The room got quiet and at the end I know I said "Now, Elder Kabemba and I are going to see Eugenia at 6:00 tonight. Who in this room will bring their families and themselves with us?" With that, every person in the room raised their hand and at 6:00 we all went to Eugenia's house. What I have learned and gained a stronger testimony about from this experience is that more important than finding new people to bring into the church is to go out and find those that have strayed. Jesus Christ himself counseled us to go, leave the 99 and find the 1 that is lost. It is so so sad to see those you love and care about fall away. The pain that was in Eugenia's sister's, Grace's, eyes when she told us Eugenia said she won't come again hurt my heart. I know that God is pleased with us staying in the church but he is even more pleased when we bring others back to full activity in the church. 

Thank you all so much for all you do. Love you all tons!

Elder Walch