It's Ghana Be a Great Two Years!: Great week, Tons o' Pictures!

Hello one and all! :D

Thanks so much for your emails! They made my heart melt a little! I'm so happy to hear that everything is doing great for you guys!

Elder Cook and Ballard

Things are just fetching peachy here in Suhum. We're working till we sweat and teaching till our throats hurt! It's so nice to have a companion that knows why he's here! We had tons of great lessons! Once we were walking down a road that we usually take and then this old man said "Wait! Can I have a pamphlet?" So we went up to him and he said "Oh oh sit down, you are welcome!" He then introduced himself and said his name is Uncle Sam. Which made us smile. :) But he's a really cool guy who is really searching for the truth. He doesn't understand why all the churches in Ghana reward the rich but don't give to the poor, and he also asked what makes our church different. So I felt like it was okay to introduce the Book of Mormon to him. He was really interested and so we gave him a copy. He said "You mean this is another scripture that's not in the bible? And it's for me?" and we said "That's right." So we're excited to see how he progresses. Then we also taught Joyce who will be baptized on April 1st, (Mom and Dad's anniversary) which is exciting. The other elders will baptize one too, but they both want me to be the baptist so I'll do it :)

We also taught a lady named Lizzy who is pretty cool. Her pastor was sitting not too far away which was kinda funny. We wanted to talk to him so bad. I'm at the point of seeing other pastors as primary kids, all they know is faith and repentance, everything else is false doctrine. So yeah! It's so nice to have the truth because you can't be confounded before men because the gospel is true! It's nice not to fear anyone anymore :) After we taught Lizzy she showed us some other people who weren't really serious, they were complaining that our pamphlets weren't in Twi and stuff. But then a guy came up and asked us questions and eventually was super interested in the Book of Mormon. So we also gave him one. The cool thing about him is that he stopped going to church because of all the contradictions, so I think God has really given us some prepared people. But I'm feeling that It's my luck that right when I get people to teach I'll get transferred again. But it's all the same work! So wherever God needs me is the best. We'll see.

We also ate lots of good food this week! Fufu with light soup, Kenke and Salsa, and rice! I love food so much.

Also on Sunday an hour before church started the branch president texted us and said "Oh I forgot to tell you, it's missionary Sunday so all 4 of you are giving talks in sacrament meeting today." So that was funny. I was assigned to talk on sacrament which was really cool! It's fun that God knew I wasn't prepared but put the words I knew in my mouth. It's really humbling to give a talk. That's what I love about this church is that it humbles you all the time. :) Then to humble me even more, the single adults and the missionaries did a musical number of Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd. I had to sing a soloish thing along with playing the keyboard at the same time, but it went okay. After church like 20 people wanted to join and make a choir so that's a blessing.

Well loved ones. That's my week :) I'm so happy to be here, I love living in a place where everyone can greet you and wish you a good afternoon. I love this work and I'm so humbled to be called to this office. I love you all and I can testify that this church is true and that The Book of Mormon is true. Keep reading it everyday and you'll be fine. Love you and have a great week!

Here's a picture of my companion by the way, as well as some others.

Love you!

- Elder Ballard