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!