Baptism!

Hello America! Ghana says hello! 

Who would have thought that April would come this fast? I thought my last months would drag on, because that's what people say. But I guess that's not the case when you work your tail off. But I guess we'll see! 

First off I want to say Happy Anniversary to my Mom and Dad! They're the best parents I could ever ask for :) Thanks for teaching all of us kids the gospel and for being such great examples to us! Also Happy Birthday to Brigham, Mom, and Austin this month! (If I forgot someone else's sorry, I still love you). 

This week went by so fast because we had a baptism on Saturday so it was stressful! But this baptism went off swimmingly! (get it?) We were able to get the font filled the day before, the interviews went well and so on. So each companionship had 1 person be baptized! It was a happy day. We had Joyce and then the other companionship had Michael. They were even able to bear their testimonies at the end of the program along with Christiana who is another one of my recent-converts! The baptism was just so nice. I have faith that I can get a couple more before I go. 

My companion got sick on Tuesday till like Thursday, but we were able to do some exchanges which was nice. I went with Elder Ackley to a community outside Suhum which is called Anamase. It was so fun to go there because  missionaries haven't been there before! We went to one side of the road where no one knew English, so I tried using my Twi skills. We were able to introduce ourselves and at least tell them we were missionaries and that we'd come back another time. Then we went to the other side where we just walked the main road through the town and EVERYONE looked at us like "Who are these two well dressed white men and what are they doing here?" So it was fun, I felt like I was in a movie. Then if people stopped us we contacted them and gave them a pamphlet. One older guy said "Whoa! I joined this church in Nigeria 12 years ago!" that was crazy. Then one younger lady named Kathrine came up with her baby wrapped around her back and asked if we were Jehovah's Witnesses. When we said no she smiled said "I knew it! My friends said you were but I could tell you were different!" Then she showed us her house and said "I really believe in Christ. I know he's my savior. So if I come to the church and see that it is from him then I'll be baptized." So that gave us lots of high hopes!  

Then on Friday I went with Elder Cook to Jato which is another community outside of Suhum. We taught two guys there who have came to church before. They are Michael and Benjamin. So we hope they will also be able to progress. 

I'm excited for this week, now that we won't be sick anymore! We'll see if I'm transferred or not. I'd be totally fine to finish here because of how the work is going, but if God wants me to finish in another place I'll trust his judgement. So I'll let you know this week! I love you all so much! I know that Baptism is truly a wonderful thing and I know that we can be a light to others if we are worthy! I know that his gospel will go forth boldly nobly and independent until it has covered every land and sounded in every ear until the great Jehovah will say "It is done." 

Have a great week!

-Elder Ballard

I found this spider on the ground in my bedroom and I screamed like a grown up woman! (My voice is low so that's what it sounded like) I think it's like a baby tarantula or something!  

Lannete

Banku

 

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

My companion accidentally dipped his tie in a bowl of groundnut soup when we were at a chopbar. :P 

Here's me and my MTC mate from Australia, his name is Elder Fesolai

Getting ready for church

Here's me and one of our gym trainers. His name is Brooks.

He's a cool guy, he even said he'll come to the church soon! 

with cute member kids

a moth we found at chapel cleaning

a nice sunset

Here's an investigator named Obaa Yaa who sells bags in the market! 

the market

our Muslim robes

Me and the Elder's quorum president

Me and the branch clerk

Happy Week!

Dear Loved Ones :D

I hope your week was a great one! I know mine was! My new companion is so awesome! He's like Animal off of the Muppets! He has so much energy it amazes me! Even though it's tiring, I'm so happy in the work! I think Elder Cook is the best thing for me and Suhum! He has so much courage to just go up and talk to people! We also have set so many goals and are trying to find less actives finally! So in short, I'm so happy :) I finally feel like a real District Leader and that people listen to me! It's just so cool that God's work can never be frustrated.

Another miracle that happened is that on Tuesday my package with my camera and journal came!!! I couldn't believe it! It came in three weeks! That's so crazy! It was so fun to see my old camera again and remember all of its cool effects. I'll send you pictures next week since the cafe I'm at doesn't let me. It's so nice to have a camera again!

We are also teaching temple preparation in our branch! So that's been a blast! It was also Elder Cook's birthday on Sunday so we bought pizza today for him :) I can't believe March is almost done. Our baptism for sister Joyce will be on April 1st which is so exciting! I'm also excited to see where I'll get transferred. But even if I finish my mission here I'd be happy now that the work is going so well.

I'm getting to the point of just sitting back and enjoying Ghana and savoring the cool scenery while I can. I love these people so much. I'll miss them. But I know God will need me to go home as well. It's just fun to think over my whole mission and see how much I've changed. I've had so many life changing experiences that have really helped me. I just can't believe that I have a home in America! It feels like my experiences back home were like from a dream or something!

Anyways I'm just so happy to be here and not be stressed at all! The only stress is to preach the gospel which I’m totally fine with :)

In church we learned a lot about the creation. I shared with everyone that my Mom taught me that God could have gave us a cruddy world but he didn't. He gave us a beautiful world to live in, a world with trees, mountains, rivers, sunsets and more! It's amazing how a mission always brings things that your parents taught you back to your remembrance! God really took time in this world. He didn't take 6 days but 6 periods of time. It's such a blessing to look around and know that God loves us. There are so many examples of God's love everywhere. Whoever says the world isn't a happy place has never gone to our church before. It's so funny that the Jehovah Witnesses go around and preach that Satan is ruling the world and that everything is getting worse and worse. But thank goodness that we know that as the world gets worse, the church grows bigger and the gospel is spread further. Not only that but more Temples will be built.

Well loved ones, I love you! Just know I'm doing fine, I'm safe, I'm teaching the gospel as hard as I can, and I pray for all of you every day and night. Have a great week!

-Elder Ballard IV

Change Can Be Good

Heyo Family!!! 

Thanks for your emails :) they mean a lot! 

This week was kind of crazy but really really happy in the end! The work was getting harder and harder with my comp, I don't know why. It got to the point of me praying with the other elders in my apartment for him. The day we prayed my Mission President called and said "I'm just calling to tell you that you will have a new companion on Monday, and that you will show your new companion the area and then be transferred in April" I will consider that an answer to the prayer haha. One of our missionaries got reassigned to the UK so lots of other missionaries had to be transferred. To be honest I was happy, but I'll still miss Elder Joseph, I've learned so many good things from him. He taught me how to be better at cooking, he always shared everything he had with me, and he wasn't afraid of anything. So I'll miss him that way. I was with him for almost 6 months which never is really easy. So I think we had a good run. I'm excited for him to experience his next area. So I guess my second "son" is gone :) I'll be companions with Elder Cook who looks exactly like Frodo and is hilarious and a hard worker. I'm so excited for these next 4 weeks or so! I can finally work my tail off and also have peace of mind! 

So in short. I know that God knows how much we can handle. :) It's so cool that every companion/area you have, you learn something from it. 

Other than that we had a great Sunday! Joyce came to church and will be baptized on April 1st (Mom and Dad's anniversary!) So that's another reason I'm excited :) 

Also today marks in mission terms my "Training" to go home or my "[last] 12 weeks" instead of "my 1st 12 weeks". In other words If I trained someone right now, at the end of their training I would go home. I can't even believe it. It seems like yesterday I was starting my training! when you spend your whole life preparing for your mission, and then go, it flies by like nothing! I can't believe 2 years would be this short! But I'm convinced that these last 12 weeks will be my hardest working and most memorable ones. Especially without any more distractions! 

Well family, friends and acquaintances. I can testify to you that God hears our prayers. I understand more that God knows us more than he knows ourselves. I know that he will always put us in the best way for our salvation as long as we are obedient. I love you all and I'm grateful for all your support and love. Thank you and have a great week! 

-Elder Ballard

We don't take out the trash here- we burn it!

Saying goodbyes to Elder Joseph

Elder Ackley and I bought Muslim robes

pictures after church

Joyce will be baptized in April!

Practicing the keyboard--notice my shiny forehead? I just finished biking somewhere.

with our Branch President Richard Afasi

Parable of the Rotten Rice

Hello Everyone! I might not know where you are or what you are doing. But let me just say... Haaaay. (tangled)

But seriously I think this week was the best bundle of emails I've ever got on my mission. I just felt so much love and laughed my head off at the same time while reading them. Thanks Family, I love you guys so much!

Well... I guess this week I'll be 20 months a missionary. That's just messed up. I didn't think I would ever get this far. Not to mention that I'll go home when I'm 23 months. Man I didn't think my mission would fly like this! Anyways I'm glad I still have 3 months to enjoy Ghana and the people, food, work etc. But just like all you said, I miss you so much and I can't wait for the day where I will know that I gave it my all and that I did my part and then be able to see you :)

As for this week nothing much happened. But there are some fun things and lessons that were cool. Our apartment still isn't finished so some guys came and were laying tiles for the other elder's bathroom. So while we were there we were able to teach the gospel to them casually and just answer any questions from them. It was really cool. When they finished on Friday or so we gave them each a restoration pamphlet and a Book of Mormon.

We also had a really gross experience. Our elder's quorum president gave us a whole pot of joaloff rice after he found out we were robbed, which was nice of him. But the thing was, we didn't finish the thing. So the rice sat there for like 3 days. As it got older we just kept moving it farther away from the kitchen. Then one day we had enough. We had to get rid of the rancid thing. We were trying to figure out ways of doing it. Someone said we should just pour it over our compound wall (I won't mention the name of that person. His first name doesn't start with a K if you were wondering.) But Elder Ackley the wise said "Let's bury it as the weapons of the Anti-Nephi-Lehis of old" So that's what we did. Luckily we had a pick axe! So we used it to dig a hole in the far corner of our backyard. Then Ackley used his camera to take a video. I lifted the lid off the pot and it looked like nacho cheese at first but then I noticed the smell, and other fuzzy things that I won't mention. So I put my T-shirt over my nose and mouth then picked up the pot to the hole. As I was pouring it we were both laughing and gagging at the same time (Elder Ackley has the video) it was so bad. After we poured it inside, we buried it and put a tombstone there for remembrance. Even though it wasn't that pleasant, it was a fun experience that I'll always laugh about.

Now I know what you’re thinking. "Man all this guy is doing on his mission is dumping rotten food into holes all the time." But there's more to this experience, something spiritual. Something I learned from this experience is 1st. We can't procrastinate the day of our repentance. Sometimes we have bad habits or things that we need to change or throw away. (like that nasty pot of rice) If we keep putting it off, it will get moldy and fermented and harder to clean. It's the same with those habits we have. It's easier to remove them that moment than wait.

2nd. the only way to repent is through Christ. No matter how rancid our leftover rice will be it can always be cleansed again. That pot is now clean and in our quorum president's hands today, ready to hold food to feed us again as though nothing happened. That is how the atonement is. That's why we need to always repent everyday so that we can always be clean.

Mormon said:"...Turn ye unto the Lord; cry mightily unto the Father in the name of Jesus, that perhaps ye may be found spotless, pure, fair, and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, at that great and last day." (Mormon 9:6) I know that the atonement is true!

At the end of the week we had a great Sacrament Meeting, the spirit was really strong. I love testimony meetings because it reminds me that millions of Latter-Day Saints including my family are bearing their testimonies on the same day. During the last hour me and my companion taught primary which was crazy! African kids have so much energy it's crazy! But something cool is that I taught them the song "Give Said the Little Stream"! So that will be a sweet contribution to their lives, maybe they’ll remember me when they'll sing it. I wrote the lyrics on the white board than pointed to each word until they got it down. So fun! Also let me tell you that fasting in Africa is 65% harder to do. Especially the water part especially if you are a missionary! So we we're almost falling over after church but fasting is a really cool commandment to follow :) It really brings blessings!

I have more spiritual stuff to say but maybe I'll save it for next week :)

Well everyone, Thanks again for your emails! I'll never forget these ones. I know that this is God's work. I know that we are all chosen of God to serve him. I know this is where I was called to serve. I know that if we are all faithful, that God will protect us. I wish you all a great week. You are always in my prayers and in my heart. I love you all so much!

-Elder Ballard

Snails and Mice

Hello Family, Friends, and Bunny :) 

Whoa, I can't believe that we'll say bye to February this week. That's just crazy! It looks like someone took the clock off the dresser and threw it out the window because it feels like time is flying! (I guess it always has!)

This week wasn't bad! We said by to Ignatius which was more sweet than bitter but we'll still miss his laugh. Then we welcomed Elder Kasuku! From the Democratic Republic of Congo! So he's a French speaker learning English and has been out for 11 months I think! He's 26 and is an awesome guy :)

This week we also went to the market and made some Nigerian food. One thing we had was snails which I was excited for so I could add it to the list. They tasted pretty good too! But in the night time I got the chills and a fever and I was like "Son of a Korihor! Not again!" So I went to bed early. Then during the night I was sick and throughout the morning. SO I would like to caution anyone who is has a white body not to eat snails. It doesn't feel good.

One day all four of us went out contacting together! So that was super fun! We just surrounded people! One would wash their dishes, one would get all their names, and then the remaining two would explain the message and fill out a pamphlet! So it worked pretty well!

But those are the highlights of the week, we had one investigator that came to church named Benjamin so we're trying to teach him.  Also brother Emmanuel goes on his mission on Thursday! So we're saying goodbye to him this week. He's helped us a lot with teaching and translating for us.

Well family I know this gospel is true and that God knows what's best! I know that if we put God's will before our own that we will be blessed. I love you guys!

Elder Ackley was kind enough to send me his pictures so I'll send them as my own!

We killed a mouse in our kitchen, and we took pictures after church.

Have a great week! Love you!

-Elder Ballard

Second Robbery

Hello Everyone!!! 

Thanks for all your great emails! It means a lot :) 

This week was crazy! We actually had the funnest valentines day I've ever had. Like ever! Our branch actually organized an activity for valentines day! So we went and ate rice, and they even bought us chocolates and plantain chips with decorations! So it was actually really fun. We all wore our red ties that day. :) 

We got transfer news and Elder Ignatius is leaving. (the short Zimbabwean guy in our apartment) so I think the work will move a long faster now as a district. If you catch my drift. :) 

So something that really was torqued my gizzard this week was the we were robbed... AGAIN! They did it on Saturday night while we were sleeping. I think my companion forgot to lock the door. Our new apartment has tons of doors and it's not finished so it's a little confusing. But now the mission is going to super secure the place. So that will be nice. They didn't steal too much. But the thing that hurts the most is that they finally kiped my camera with allll my pictures since July of last year... But at least I've been sending some home. I've also written in my journal everyday so at least I have a written account that will help me see those pictures in my head. I still have my first years though. 

Anyways. That wasn't easy. But we all laughed about it at the end. Thieves are just crazy people. But I do know that God knew it would happen and I'm so grateful we were safe and that not many things were stolen. After we figured everything out we hurried and got ready to go to church. Church was really nice. There's always peace there. Then a member gave us banku and pepe (salsa) afterwards. Then in the evening another member gave us boiled yam and stew, then our Elder's Quorum President gave us Joaloff rice. So everyone felt bad that we lost all our money so we were really grateful for the food. :D Ghanaians are awesome. 

Anyways, just know I'm fine, I'm trying my best and loving this place. Again I'll say that the pains of today magnify the comforts of tomorrow. Romans 5:3-4

·         3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience; and experience, hope

I know that God wants us to be patient people even when someone offends you, (steals from you) etc. There's always something that God wants us to learn everyday. I am so grateful for the things I have. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. :) 

I know God lives and loves us. Keep praying and he'll answer you. I love you guys! Thanks for the love and support!

-Elder Ballard