A Season Change

Hi Everyone,

 It has ceased raining here pretty much over night... We have now entered into the season of Harmatten which is when the sky gets filled with the sand blown from the Sahara by the wind. It really gets super hot in the day time but gets somehow cold at night. 

I too have been pondering small about mercy. More specifically about Alma chapter 7 verses 11 through 13 I believe. They speak of the Atonement and of the reasons Christ did it. I think its verse 13 that starts out " Now behold the Spirit knoweth all things. However the Son of Man taketh upon him our afflictions and infirmities to know how to succor his people". Roughly that's what it says. What this means to me is that the Savior could have just felt through the Spirit what the pains of the world would be. If it wasn't true, then why did Alma put it in there? The Savior chose to take upon our sins and feel the physical pain during the Atonement so that He could know exactly how it would feel to go through every single pain this world holds for us.

Yippee for everyone I am so glad that they are doing well. This week went by fast: Monday I pounded Fufu. Tuesday night there was a fire in our apartment complex. All is well don't worry. Wednesday was good. Thursday was good. Friday was also rocking haha. Saturday we had baptisms for the sisters which was poorly organized on their part and we were at the church forever.

Our main progressing investigators are: Joseph, Abednego Antwi, Frank, and Job. Please pray for them. I had the flu last week but have since recovered. I am sleeping like a log. 

We were contacting one day and passed a house where people were cooking dinner. They looked busy and annoyed so we continued on. We were almost out of view when we hear "Hey Dji" Which means hey stop. We looked around and the man of the house we just passed, Bro. Antwi, invited us to discuss. We taught Lesson 1 and then left. The Spirit was strong. We came back and taught Lesson2, Plan of Salvation, and had with us a translator. He said in Twi that he would like to tell us something. We three teachers sat back and listened. He bore his testimony in Twi telling us that the moment he saw us he had a feeling like we were correct. He couldn't explain the feelings he had when we taught Joseph Smith but he knew it was true.

Little things like this make all the hiking, all the pains and aches worth it. Seeing what the Gospel can do to the lives of others is amazing. 

I love you all.

Love,

Elder Walch

Finally...there's that happy, handsome face!

Here he is! We have waited for so long to see him in pictures. Today his email said it would be short since he was going to try and figure out how to email pictures for the internet cafe he uses. So he wasn't kidding it was short...but a small price to pay since we get to see him doing the work. He has reported before that he loves the children there and so I am not surprised that he chose these two pics to send. He looks so happy and that's what we love the best.

In his packages a few weeks ago we sent the requested cookie mixes he wanted but wondered how he was going to bake them since he does not have access to an oven. Well...this quick note today explains it. Enjoy!

Hi Everybody!! 

The language is going well. I can understand small bits and am learning lots. 

With the help of Elder Vause we bake the cookies in a cookie cake on the stove. You make the mix, pour it in the pot, then get a bigger pot, put three rocks in the bottom, then place the cookie pot inside the big pot. Place a lid on the top and wait 10 minutes then BANG. Cookie time.

I am currently trying to figure out the picture sending. SO hopefully you get them today.

 I truly do love and think about you all often. 

Till next week!! 

Elder Walch

Stories...his patriarchal blessing says that if he is obedient he will be kept out of harms way. That brings peace of mind, considering...

Dear Family and Friends,

I'm so glad Hutch is on the list!! He's a cool guy. I'll get him a machete.

I have not yet had the chance to speak in church. The Sacrament meetings here tend to be really irreverent. They had there primary presentations this last week and the place was a mad house. Elder Vause and I were quite peeved but our companions thought it was normal.

I have not been back to the mission home. I might not go back till after Christmas if at all. 

I have received letters from the Dieberts and dad. I have written responses that should be mailed this Saturday. I have also received your packages and am now currently candyless. Thank you tons for those by the way.

The town I live in contains around 500 people. My area contains about 3000 I would guess. Note: the 3000 in my area live in the villages outside of town by the names of Nsuta, Soldier Line, Assaase Aban, Amanfrom, and Kwaman. We have probably contacted everyone it feels like. This place is covered by jungle. We have the Mpraeso hills to the north and east and other hills to the south. My buddy Elder Burdge is in Mpraeso.  

This week went by pretty quick. Sunday President Cosgrave came to Sacrament and gave us some supplies and said hello. Monday was the usual prep day. Tuesday we went contacting all the way out in Kwaman and worked our way back to Assaase Aban through the bush. Wednesday we did the same through a different route. Note: Kwaman is about 10 miles away by road. The bush makes it like 12. Thursday was good we found a lot of people. Friday we went back and taught the people from Thursday. Saturday we had a lot of lessons. And Sunday we met with both branches at branch 1's time so we were late to church. 

I only have heard from Elders Burdge and Lierd and from what they said they are loving it!! 

I love potlucks. We had a district activity in which the sisters made Bankuu. i have no clue how to explain it. Its in general sour and sticky. I have come up with my return meal: A hamburger wrapped in Carne Asada; wrapped in bacon; deep fried; covered with all the melted chesses; deep fried again; then topped with toasted sourdough buns. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!

There is no Halloween and no Christmas:/ They like to ride in the back of trucks and play loud instruments at 2:00 am though! That's just as fun....

Stories: I was almost struck by a drunk man with a machete raving about Obama and  gays. Fun. Loads of reeking-breath fun. 

Anyways I love it here! 

Tell Benji I will be praying for his success and that I am thankful for his example. 

I finished the Book of Mormon again and prayed to know if it is true. We always challenge investigators to do it and I have done it before but I wanted to do it again. The response I got was overwhelming. That this book is the most perfect book on earth. I beg those who read these emails, members and non-members, to read the introduction and the testimonies of the 3 and 8 witnesses, and Joseph Smith and then to pray with real intent to the Father in the name of Christ if these things are true. I promise that the resulting feeling will fill you with a joy that you will never ever forget. Even though life is full of trials, hardships, and struggles, the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ is there to pull us out of our own personal chasms. Christ has overcome all, so take His hand and follow Him. As I have come to know of His love for me, you too will be able to know that he is there, that he loves you, and that there is always a plan. This is what I love most about what we teach. I leaves these things with you all to ponder and to put to the test in His sacred name, even Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Walch

Alma 56:47-48 (I love my Elder!)

October 26,2015

Hello Everyone,

I am feeling pretty ok now. Its mostly i think from the climate. It rained everyday last week for like an hour at a time. then the sun came out and gave me a sunburn. Its not even the rainy season!!! Its kinda lame.

Our investigators are doing alright. We had two baptisms last saturday and I performed the confirmations. The two that got baptized were named Justice and Diana.

On a regular p day we study, wash, and clean everything. We then go to town for anything we need. Today Elder Vause gave me a haircut. Its really good.

Training lasts till eleven then its lunch till 12. We train on the lessons in PMG.

The church has a keyboard but it is broken. The Zone leader Elder Udoh plays really well so he plays. My shoes are always covered in mud but I almost always wear my echos or the sandals.

Stories: 

Last week I was walking along the road in the dark on the way to a lesson when I saw a hole in the side of the road right by the street gutter. I stepped over it but didn't see the one right after it. Of course my foot hit air and i fell into the gutter. Ask Brother Featherstone what's in these things. I smelled so stinking bad!!!

Story 2: We were contacting and were led to a house at the end of the trail. Once we investigated who lived there we discovered an elderly woman. She said she was super sick. Elder Asabere asked if we could discuss for a little and she agreed. In Twi he described who were and told her about the priesthood and its power in healing. She began to tear up and asked us to heal her because she had been sick for years. I anointed and my companion blessed her that according to her faith she would be healed the next day. We came to check on her the following afternoon and saw her pounding fufu. She said that the second she woke up the next morning she felt as though she had never been sick.

 I am so sorry to hear that everyone is sick. Ask for a blessing because I know 100% without a doubt that the priesthood is God's power given to men to act in His name!!

Thanks for packing up my stuff haha. And If you can go and read chapter 56 verses 47-48 of Alma that would be great.

 Love you all tons and give everyone a huge hug for me!!

Elder Walch

Dear Family and Friends,

I love hearing from you all …please send letters. ! I have received two letters: one from mom and one from sister Frankie.

My mom has the address.

The internet cafe I am in has wierdness when it comes to pictures and you have to pay extra:/ Maybe soon i can figure out the church wifi and send some pictures.

My machete is mostly being used to farm plantains and coconuts (some jungle walking ; ). These coconuts are dang good. I wake up every morning between 2 and 4 o'clock and cannot sleep again. So no I’m not sleeping better hahaha. However, when I should normally feel as if my body has been hit by a train, the Lord has really helped me keep my energy up.

The language is going pretty well. My companion is Ghanaian and has been teaching me phrases and how to respond. The people have gotten way easier to understand, basically overnight. 

We are going to be dropping a lot of investigators who refuse to progress. If you could please pray for: Bright, Gabriel, David, Justice, and Diana. These are our most special investigators.

Today's email came came in three parts...First the top part came and while I was reading it this next little one liner email came...

"teaching guy next to me. hold on a sec"   

I caught him at the computer!!!! So I held on a sec, more like 20 minutes then third email. He answered some of my questions and was just so sweet. It was so fun being able to email back and forth for a bit till his time ran out. 

I have no oven. I have a propane stove and a blender. I am keeping a daily journal. I almost cried when I saw that picture! Elyse is getting so big!! Everyone looks so good! 

No we don't have primary programs cuz there are only like 10 kids. 

Tell Julia Johnson good luck for me! 

Hooray for Chad passing the sacrament! I'll be back before he turns 14 so I can stand in the circle!! 

Oh yeah and about the temple: I couldn't do the names because we were not allowed to do baptisms, only endowments. I got to do one of Elder Lierd's ancestors though which was pretty sweet.

Just being out here makes me super happy. My testimony has grown so much. The people here all say the phrase " By the grace of God, ( In Twi: Naa me a Dame) " before a lot of sentences. As I thought about it I had a great feeling of joy as I have come to know of God's love for everyone. These people may not have very much but they have enough to always praise the Lord for it. They see and accept His hand in all things. They are true Christians in word and in deed. We can all learn a lot from these people.

I love you all.

Love,

Elder Walch

He sounds so great , don't you think? His service blesses our family everyday. I feel so lucky to have a missionary out. It's tough having him gone for so long but he is doing ETERNAL WORK!

This is the picture I sent to him from the ward Trunk or Treat.

I love Mondays so much! He remains a "man of few words". (October 12, 2015)

Dear Family and Friends,
My apartment is really probably the best place in town to live. It is three rooms with a bathroom and shower, two bedrooms (We share with the zone leaders) a kitchen, and a Laundry/Supply room. (Note: the laundry room includes no washer and no dryer; Plus the laundry plunger is inefficient for effective cleaning. There are tons of roaches here.
Physically I am very tired. Last week I got a cold and thought it turned into Strep. Its all gone now. Emotionally I am quite well.

No animals too rare haha I saw a 5 foot agama lizard the other day though! Tons of lizards. Millions!!! 
All of our investigators are super cool and progressing everyday. Everyone here though is named Either Bright or Mercy/Mary. its fun. We have about 20 investigators and our area covers 5 villages.
We make our own food. it is always rice and a fried egg. I love fried eggs now to be honest.
In my area there are 8 missionaries: Elders: Vause, Udoh, Asabere, Me  Sisters: Owusu-Kanyeke, Ofori, Ntuzela, and Shange.
I have loads of pictures that I cant wait  to upload for you to see...no wifi here at all.

Love you tons!!
Elda Wash

Hello Family and Friends

I am in Nkawkaw (pronounced Nkoko). My companion is Elder Asabere and he is the bomb He is from Ghana. I am physically exhausted. I am in the Hike-around-the-jungle-till-you-find-a-house area so everyday my thighs are shot. Its ok though cuz i wake up all nice and rested. Emotionally I am good too. Little scared but its ok. When I was at the Kumasi airport after arriving here a bunch of men with guns confiscated some of my stuff...like my face wash. I never would have that that that stuff was "illegal" or forbidden. My mission president President Cosgrave and is fantastic. He is a great guy. The food is absolutely sickening. I hate it. I had two dinners on Saturday. Both were fufu in a salmon soup. Too much Fufu : /

 

I am a man of few words so my emails are not long sorry.  And I never know what to say. My days are relatively short. We leave after training at around noon. We stay out til around 7 cuz it gets pitch black at 6.  Some of the people are super  nice and friendly while others like to yell "Stupid Obroni, America is stupid" at you. I do like it here though. It is super smelly but Elder Vause (remember Elder Reber that served in our ward well this is his friend from Utah and is in my district...small world) says i"ll get used to everything.

I didn't get to watch conference cuz the church has no satellite:/

  

 Can't wait for the letters!!! Its hot here and has rained every other day since i've been here. Also, basically no one speaks english here. Church was ok. Sacrament was good but the other lessons and then branch council were tough. 

I speak to them in English and my companion translates into Twi. I am learning it though. Can't wait for next week!!

  Ghana has basically no traffic laws. There are no seatbelts, no traffic lights or signs, and also no speed limits. Its absolute insanity. 

I have a few bites already. Its all dirt jungle and rocks. Oh and a holy ton of lizards. 

Tell everyone at home thank you so much for the prayers!!!

 

More Stories next time when I've been out teaching more.

Love, 

Elda Wash