Christmas Zone Conference...Getting to call home!!!!!!

Hello family!

So I have received plenty packages...(Baye, Deiberts, Sis. Johnston and Sis. Mosino THANK YOU VERY MUCH!)  for which I am very grateful. I do love packages a lot, but I love love love LOVE getting letters. The whole time I have been with Elder Asabere, he has received no letters and no packages. I share mine with him always but I think a package, unopened and with his name on it would bring him so much joy.

Sorry to hear about Allison... Yikes! My companion loves tootsie rolls. He likes the candies I get just nothing sour. Ghanaians in general don't do sour. If you could send both of us instant potatoes and soup mixes that would be the best! 

Zone conference was amazing! I love president Cosgrave so much. He is a man that is truly called of God. 

Alright so for the Christmas call:  I get 40 minutes to call home. I will be calling on friday night, sometime in the evening; probably around 6:30 or 7:00 depending. That means it will be around 10:30 or 11 on the morning there. As a request, I would like to hear Jamie and Kaila also. Since you take Kaila with the family to Arizona, she must already be family haha. And anyone else that would want to come. 

So we have new investigators that need your prayers. Please pray for Susie, Collins, Elizabeth, Emmanuel, and Aaron. They are very powerful people but need some help. 

As I stated a couple weeks ago, I need to know the day of the week on which I was born. It will determine my Akan name. 

Also please send me many pictures of all my siblings and friends.

Thank you all so so much for all that you do in supporting and praying for me. I was able to weigh myself at the mission home last week and discovered just how much weight I have lost. When I left home, I weighed 184 with light clothes on. When I weighed last week I was 163 with all of my mission attire on. Despite this drop in weight, I feel great. I have energy and am happy all the time. I love these people and I love this country almost as much as I love my own. Despite my many flaws, I have come to develop a deep and abiding love for the Savior and for all those around me. 

I love you all so so much and I am looking forward to friday!

Afehyia Pa Afi Enko Beto Yen! (Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year)

Elder Walch

Big brothers are AWESOME!

This handsome young man had a question for his big brother on a mission- " I've got a deep question... Ok, I want to know how you can tell when you're being prompted to do something. I know I've had promptings before but I second guess them by thinking it's my own self conscious.I was wondering if you had any advice or insight that could help me out. Everyday I pray to be a better person, but I don't know if I can ever reach a higher potential if I don't know when I'm getting a prompting. You're the only person that I feel comfortable with asking because you are an amazing example to me and I love you so much. I read your emails and I see your pictures all the time and it makes me want to be just like you."

Ok so here is what I know:

The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit that has been designated to be with us always, as long as we are worthy of it. The most simple answer to this question is found some where in the Book of Mormon. It says that "that which is good cometh of God. That which is evil cometh of the Devil". Therefore, whenever you have a good idea, or a good thought, it comes of God. Whenever a good thought, or something you could do, is good, do it. The Spirit speaks in a still small voice. When you have a small thought, or just something pop into your head that is right, do it. The Spirit works differently for each person, however, the most common way for the Spirit to speak to us is in our hearts through feelings, or through our thoughts. For example: How do you know the Book of Mormon is true? Have you prayed and asked the Father in the name of Christ if it is true? Have you read it all the way through? If not, I challenge you to STUDY IT. Don't just skim the surface, SCUBA dive down into the depths. I know that through prayer and through faith in Christ all things are possible. I challenge you  this Christmas you do something different. Go about and actively seek for those who need service. As a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ I promise you that if you do this, The Spirit of the Lord will always have place in you, that  the seed of faith that you plant in your heart will swell. It will begin to enlarge your soul. It will enlighten your understanding. It will begin to be delicious to you. All these blessings can be yours if you just allow the Spirit to work in you. IN the name of Jesus Christ, I promise that you will receive the Spirit of joy, peace, and love for all men if you continue on in the faith and, as Joseph Smith said, "Look unto Christ in every thought; Doubt not, fear not."

I love you tons little bro and can't wait to see you again. Can't wait to call at Christmas time too. 

This cafe I'm in is crud so This email took all my time so I wasn't able to email the fam. Whatever, this is more important. Don't tell them I said that hahaha.

Well peace out bro. In the Words of Katelyn White: Keep on Keepin' On.

Big Hug!!!!

Family and Friends,

Here is me giving you a hug!!!

Yeah last week I had typed up a huge long email and then the power went off and the generator overheated. I am doing fantastic! Training has ended this week but I am still in Nkawkaw... YIPPEE!!!! I love it here. Still with Elder Asabere and the same zone leaders too! 

HEY GUESS WHAT?!?!?! THE EMAIL FROM LAST WEEK SAVED!!!!

Yippee got it sent.

Ok so last week:

Monday: Pday. Washing and working around the apartment. Went and got pizza with Elder Vause. 

Tuesday: District meeting. President Cosgrave also came and did interviews.

Wednesday: Companion was sick.

Thursday: Companion still sick

Friday: All better. Had a Young single adult versus missionaries. We won 4-1.

Saturday: 6 hour long District training at the chapel.

Sunday: Found 5 powerful new investigators.

Can you send me The Lyons' s address? 

Ok lots of pictures to describe: 

THe Bowl with the redish orange/brown soup is fufu in groundnut soup with chicken fish and boiled egg.

The pizza is a large meat lovers pizza which I ate all of with 3 bottles of fanta. It cost 48 cedis which is like 12 dollars.

The one is me hugging everyone!!! 

Last is my new Ghana flag tie made out of beads.

Love, Elder Walch

Let the Spirit do the converting.

Dear Family and Friends,

I am now fine. Still probably trying to get used to the weather and food and stuff. 

I have a couple of questions/requests: First: what day of the week was I born on? Here they have names depending on the day. People always ask me so I need to know. Second: Can you send stamps in your letters? I have been using envelopes with stamps left by Elder Johnson who has gone home. I believe that is all.

Thank you for the prayers. I think they may have saved me from malaria. Last week I was having all the symptoms for it but the next day they had gone away. 

So an accounting of my week:

Monday: District activity: We made Jolaf also which was pretty sweet.

Tuesday: District Council: Talked about how we can develop faith to find.

Wednesday: Went to the village of Amanfrom. Taught an old pentecost man named Boateng and a young Jehovah Witness named David. Both lessons were powerful.

Thursday: Same kind of day as Tuesday minus the district council. 

Friday: Back to Amanfrom. Not a whole lot of success. Couldn't find anyone. We went to Assaase Aban and contacted.

Saturday: Oh Boy!! We met a Rastafarian!! The experience will be posted below.

Sunday: Church. Got two referrals and both are pretty powerful.

Ok so the Rasta man! We were contacting on Saturday and walked to this one house where the guy was out. He was busy doing some one or two things so he told us to come back around 3. We did and then the fun started. We sat down and began talking. We asked a simple question and he went on and on and on just rambling. Turns out he was high on weed and had just got done smoking in his room. He was so so high! We were about to leave when it started to rain. We had to seek cover under his porch. We continued discussing and whenever we paused he would stand up, walk to his anti thief bars, spread out his arms, and then just talk to the world. Whenever we asked him a question he would go "Ahhhhh that's the poem". He would then continue to speak and every now and then would throw in "But they say I talk too much..." This guy was fantastic!!

We also met a guy who said that America is evil because we have 51 states and all of them allow gay marriage. Hahahahahaha these people just are so so super cool. 

I have received letters from: Grandma and Grandpa Walch, Kaila, Bethany, Jeff, Allison, Chad, the Deiberts, Baye, and dad. Emails have come from: Uncle Shane, Jeff, Elder Tabor, Mom, Baye, dad, Allison, and Elder Pulsipher.

My shoes are doing well. The non echoes give me blisters so I don't wear them. Clothes are also well. I have had to mend two pairs of pants that ripped in a very revealing manner.

Thank you all so so much for your prayers and your support. Where I would be without such great examples in my life would be a scary place.

I have somewhat to say to all those who desire to serve a mission: Although you may think that conversion comes when you show others that they are wrong using the bible as the source, true conversion comes through the spirit. Sister Mackie, My senior year seminary teacher always taught us that we can take our message to  others, but only the Spirit can take it into their hearts. As I taught that Jehovah's Witness boy last week, I remembered what cousin Steven told me one night while in the spa. He said to "resist the urge to bible bash. Even if you know the bible better than the investigator. Just don't do it." as this JW came out with scriptures, instead of thinking how to easily confound him I thought how I could help him understand that what we carry as missionaries is of so great worth to all mankind, and that its proof comes from the bible and the Book of Mormon together. I felt prompted to just bear my simple testimony that Jesus is the Christ and that the Book of Mormon is true. As I just opened my mouth, the Spirit filled it with the words this boy needed to hear. I testify that you can argue with others until you're blue in the face. You can bible bash till the words fall off its pages. True conversion comes as a result of the Spirit. I love the gospel and love to share it. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on the earth.

Love Elder Walch

The Lord is mindful of each of us.

Dear Family and Friends,

I am keeping a pretty good journal. Almost every night. I always write about the funny things that happen throughout the day. I have begun to write how I talk which when I call home will sound slow and funny. 

Alright so this week on monday at around 12 noon our water went out. It turns out that the fire last week damaged the wiring in the building. We have had to draw water from the well outside everday twice a day to shower and flush. Its crazy. My hands are blistering and some of the food I think i ate gave me a rotten stomach. Such a bad time for runny tummy. 

SO a report of my week: Monday: No water; got the flu

Tuesday: Zone Council; home with flu. 

Wednesday: Runny tummy begins; Met powerful new investigator named bro Ebeneezer.

Thursday: Exchanges with Zone Leader Elder Udoh. Super fun day.

Friday: Lead planning meeting. Found powerful investigator named bro Ransford.

Saturday: Normal proselyting day.

Sunday: Watched General Conference in Twi so sadly I got jack squat out of it.

As I have come to see while here, Heavenly Father really wants to help me. As I was laying in bed between bathroom trips I just got really depressed and somehow angry and started to ask why is this happening and why am I in all this pain? Why can't it just be easy? I'm here for the Lord so why won't he help me get better? As I was thus wallowing in my self despair a thought popped into my head that is found in Doctrine and Covenants 121 when the prophet Joseph Smith is in Liberty Jail and has just learned of the saints' sufferings in Missouri. The prophet asks these same kind of questions but instead of I's it is meant for the saints. He asks why he and the saints are being allowed to endure their afflictions. The Lord's response to him was Peace be unto you my son. Thine afflictions and thine adversities shall be but a small moment. And if thou endure it well thou shalt be exalted on high. (this is a paraphrase) As I read that I felt instantly better spiritually. I realized that the Lord is truly mindful of me and my situation here and is more than ready to help me when I ask him in faith. 

So even though this week was an exceptionally rough week, the Lord sped it along quickly and made it truly seem as but a small moment. 

I know that the Lord is truly mindful of each and every one of us as His children. All we have to do feel His love for us is have the faith to feel it. I love this Mission and I love these people and coming home in two years is gonna be very difficult for me. I am probably going to cry more when I leave here than I did when I left...

Love you all so so SO much and thank you for your prayers on my behalf. 

Can't wait to call home and hear all your voices!! 

Love Elder Walch

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