Dearest Loved ones!
This week went by crazier than a cross eyed mule at a potluck!
(You’re getting better at the similes Mom) I can't believe how weird time is on
your mission. One minute you’re at the internet cafe, then you teach some
lessons, then you go to church, and then you’re at the cafe again! I was
looking in my journal and realized that today is my 200 day mark which was
kinda fun. It doesn't seem like I’ve been out that long at all! So maybe I’ll
try cooking some African stew to celebrate. Anyways, this week was really
great! There were some really good strengths and events that happened! As all
of your other missionary friends have said, this week we were able to go to a
broadcast for all the missionaries in the world! I learned so much! I think
four apostles spoke as well as some seventies plus the relief society president
if I’m not mistaken. It was so cool to know that all the missionaries
(especially my missionary friends.) around the world are learning and growing
from the same broadcast. It gave me so much zeal to go forward with the week!
One of the things I learned was how valuable members are in
lessons! This week we were able to go out with a member who we haven't really
known very well named Johanna. Members carry such power with them! We went and
taught a lady named Gladys. We talked about the Holy Ghost and how it gives us
answers so Johanna was able to testify of her own experience and talk about how
the Holy Ghost touches our hearts. After we taught that she said that she felt
like what we have been teaching her was true. So at the end of the lesson with
linked it with baptism and invited her to be baptized. She accepted and will
hopefully be baptized this month! That lesson gave us so much hope and we were
so glad to finally see fruits of our labors! There was a scripture I found at
the beginning of this week that helped me a ton. It's Alma 26:27 "Now when
our hearts were depressed, and when our hearts were depressed, and we were
about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy
brethren, the [Ghanaians] and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will
give unto you success." This scripture really helped me know that If we
are patient God will give us success. Also I learned from last week that some
of us sow and some of us reap. We lost an investigator whose name is Rosemary,
she was just so busy and said she wouldn't have time. So we were kind of bummed
because she was so excited about the Book of Mormon. But then we realized that
Gladys was taught by missionaries before as well and stopped, before we came
and again taught those truths to her. So it really showed that everything we do
as missionaries is missionary work! Baptizing isn't everything, it's only a
part of it. You can't harvest fruit from a tree when the tree isn't grown. So
that is something I learned this week.
This Sunday also went well! An investigator finally came to
church! He came after sacrament...But still! This week just gave us a lot hope
and comfort, so I'm so grateful for that. I am so blessed to be in this
wonderful country and to be among such Christ-like people. I just can't ever
stop talking about Ghanaians and how great they are. I can already tell that I
will miss them so much.
After church there were some funny experiences. One guy offered
to pray at the end of a lesson so we bowed are heads. Then all of a sudden he
started singing slowly and deep. Words like "Ohhh God the almightyyyyy,
thaaaank you for your glorrrry." and repeated it twice. Me and my
companion were trying not to laugh and I am so glad we held it in, otherwise we
would have lost him as an investigator. Then after he sang, he started his
prayer and kept repeating the same words over and over like "Oh father we
thank thee father we thank thee all the time, we thank the holy spirit, we
thank thee father, please take us home safe father, we thank you
father...etc." This went on for about 7 minutes. So after we heard an
enthusiastic Amen we finally opened our eyes. As light finally entered into our
corneas we thanked him. As we were walking to our bikes he asked us "So
how did you like the song?" so we told them we liked it and that next time
we'll bring a hymn book so we can sing together. I love experiencing new
cultures and fun things like that :) That experience will always be there for a
laugh.
Also on Saturday I got sick again and had to lay in bed all day
again. I think it was something I ate, but it wasn't as bad as last time thank
goodness! I wanted to go to church so bad because I was sure an
investigator would come. I felt so weak and I was just wondering how I could
bike 7 miles to church with the strength I had. So I asked for a priesthood
blessing from my companion and roommate and went to sleep. I slept so well and
when I woke up and felt like a new person! It truly was a miracle that made me
know even more that the priesthood of God is restored to the earth. I am so
grateful for the gospel we have and for everything that God has given us. I
want to testify that we are in the right place. Just keep following the
commandments and God will bless you. I promise! I know these things are true
and I hope you will too.
Thanks everyone so much for your emails and support! I love you
all so much and I hope you have a great week!
Thanks again! Have a great week!
-Elder Ballard
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