Hey Mom and Dad! So this week went by super quick. This week was busy! I left my planner at the flat so i cant recall everything we done off the top of my head, so here goes! So we've been really focusing on our investigators who have set baptismal dates. I was so happy yesterday seeing 5 of them at church yesterday. Theyre really progressing well. Its awesome seeing them show faith and sacrificing time to get up and walk to church. Our ward starts at 8am and some of these people live about a 30 min walk away from the chapel. Usually we leave the house at about 7:15am. I thought Frankston ward started early lol! This week was the primary presentation though, and it was an awesome Sunday at Church. Theres this guy Godwin, who we started teaching when i first arrived in Nungua. We taught him for a week or 2, and then he began to be not too serious. So we left him for 2 weeks and we came across him walking on the street last week. What do you know, he wanted to learn again, so we started teaching him again last week. He's however recieving the gospel really well this time around. Hes been keeping commitments, and he came to church this sunday. I think helping him understand Christ's mission and Atonement really opened his eyes. He's been showing alot of faith, and is always calling us lol. Super awesome guy though. We were also able to give a priesthood blessing to one of these other guys were teaching. Jyemisi is an older guy who has been suffering from pains in his hip. We were teaching him about the Priesthood and he asked ask for a blessing. It was such an awesome opportunity to exercise the priesthood and serve another brother in need! This guy though when we first taught him didnt have a belief in Jesus Christ. But over the last few weeks its been super awesome seeing him grow in faith in the Savior and hes just shining. I could talk about the people all day though, so ill move on! I really love them ay! For us we usually email around 3-4pm. Were usually washing and cleaning from 7-12 and then playing basketball or soccer for a few hours then we hit up the internet cafe. I was super happy to see an email from a certain someone. Someone who was able to pass this sacrament this week! Im super proud that Keanu was able to pass! Ill be there to witness it one day in 2 years lol! Its awesome that hes settling in in youth and getting pumped about church. His hair looks skux too. Now he just has to style that moustache! lol! We have a ward activity coming up in a few weeks that has been postponed like 2 times now lol! Were watching meet the mormons for the activity. So hopefully it will be a good turnout. Itll be awesome to see the members bring their friends, and its an awesome opportunity for them to participate in the missionary work. The members are just such a great help, and our Bishop (bishop Kakari) is awesome. The food is good though! I think ive adjusted to the pepe lol! Still getting used to the fish though, sometimes its just super funky lol! Not just the smell but the taste also! But you just eat some banku or fufu with it quickly to get it down! This family we go to see everyweek prepares a traditional Ghanaian meal everytime we see them which is always great. Its good to talk to locals and know what foods theyre talking about. Its an easy way to relate to them! I dont have any photos this week...fail! My Camera has been dead and i just kept forgetting to charge it. Ive been looking around for clippers here though to cut my hair. Cant seem to find in good ones, ive been looking for those Wahl ones like we had back home. Good news though, our sub went up to 360 Ghana Cedis! Oh Yeah! lol.... Thats good though dad that youre still going at the work outs mate! Keep it up! Just PLAN your meals! One thing ive really learnt out here is just to always plan, and it works out. Mom ill get the pic to you soon, i keep forgetting, but ill take one this week. I hadnt cut my hair last week either so i didnt wanna take one with a bodge haircut lol! Thatll be fun talking at the Regional class! But anyway, it sounds like all is well with the Rhonda crew ay! Everything is all good in Nungua, our water is running again! Theres still 6 of us in the small apartment. Still waiting for the Senior missionaries to find the other 2 another apartment because theirs was being broken into! But everything is fine, my pants and shirts and what not are all good! Just looking for those clippers around town! But hope this upcoming weeks a good one! Love you heaps Mom and Dad! Elder Fesolai
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Wow, sounds like this last week/weekend has been busy but eventful! I miss those burgers at big dog lol. Theres a takeaway place here in Nungua, but it costs like 50 cedis for a burger...no thanks lol. It costs about 2 cedis for a heap of rice with pepe! So thats how we survive! An xbox one ay? Watta lucky guy! Its pretty funny, alot of the people dont even know ps4's or xbox ones exist here. Thats good to hear Keanu's ordination and all went well though! I love the pictures too! The priest and laurels missionary weekend looked like it was a great success too! Alot of youth! I think theres a missionary in our stake who was in the MTC at the same time as me? His dorm room was next to mine, cant remember his name though..fail! This week was rather tricky though! I was on exchanges 2 of the days this week with one of the Nigerian Elders in our flat, (Elder Onyeugbo). So we went to his area which was pretty good! Got to meet some new investigators and learn some new areas. Hatch has been in and out of the mission home this week because he's a zone leader and a missionary in our zone finished his mission. So most of our investigators are set for baptism on the 5th of Sep. We changed all of them from the 22nd to the 5th because some needed a bit more time. Alot of people here think the church is Juju (voodoo) lol. The rumours about the church here are super strange. Way different to what people assume of mormons back home. Alot of people have some funny beliefs! Theres alot of churches you walk by where they are praying in tongues lol. Its super creepy! (You can just hear them chanting and screaming weird words...) But a big problem here is that many people like to establish their own churches. Its seen as a way to make money here as pastors preach, and then collect money from the people. Everyone here is god fearing so they look for any church to attend. Its awesome seeing them come to realisation as we teach them though. Alot of missionaries are going home over the next few months, and Alot are entering the field too. So rumours are that alot of us freshly trained may become trainers in the following months to come! But im loving that extra (golden hour) in the morning to study lol! Definately helps! We were filled with joy when we saw this family we are teaching come to church. The father is a less active member, and were teaching his wife at the moment. They have a few kids too. But its been really wonderful to see not only her progressing, but him reactivating in the church too. They are an awesome family! Mission president has got all the missionaries involved in home teaching too. So we go out every sunday with home teaching companionships on splits and go home teach. Its pretty interesting seeing the different methods of hometeaching lol! This saturday just gone though we had a helping hands activity! It was a stake activity (Tema Stake) So yeah, it was a service project at the Tema hospital. We were just weeding (with machetes...the cool way lol), painting, and raking and all that kinda stuff. Whilst weeding i stepped in a fire ant nest and got munched on lol. Was pretty sore. But it was fun, they all just cracked up at me. There was a massive turnout. The food however afterwards was super 'tasty' lol. We ate kenke (fermented corn..kinda like banku but gross) with like fried bait fish lol!!! They dont gut the fish or take the bones out. Just fry it and eat it...learning to love it! Weve been working alot with the member though! Theyve been helping alot! Beginning to become missionary minded so they are giving us alot of referrals. I always look forward to sundays to see everyone! But Elder Hatch and I have been working well, finding, teaching, and learning. The last few days have been interesting though. Weve had no running water because the pipe from our water source has been damaged. So weve been going out and fetching water...lol! Hopefully the local council will fix it soon! I love hearing from you though mom and dad! Im still waiting for Keanu the rutheless guy to shoot me an email. Watta sad guy! Nah but i love and miss you's! Hope all is well! Dad, i didnt hear any updates about your fitness...havnt given up ay lol? How is work and everything though? Mom are you still doing those stairs on olivers hill lol? Elder Koronikalou rode to the beach early this morning. It reminded me of back home alot lol! I hope you all have a great week though! We have zone training tomorrow which should be awesome! Love you's heaps!!! Elder Fesolai Ay Eti Sen, Mahoye (How are you, are you strong/well,,,,lol) I dunno how to spell the language but im learning more and more of it each week!
The weeks have been flying. Were always busy either teaching or walking from appointment to appointment trying to contact. This week has been pretty tiring, but great as always. Weve been teaching/preparing those with a baptismal date and its been good to see them at church, interacting with members. The members in the ward are awesome. Theyre still warming up to us missionaries because of things that have happened in the past between missionaries and members. But they have alot of faith in the work and weve recieved many referrals from them. Its always great to have members present when you teach. Me and Hatch were talking about our younger brothers this week, because I brought up Keanu's bday. He has a younger brother that is close to Keanu's age. Im so happy for Keanu though. I look forward to the day when i see him passing the sacrament with that ruthless moustache...lol jokes Keanu! But i wish Keanu a HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Thursday. Its crazy to think that at 12, young men can recieve that power and authority that is used to build the kingdom of God. Even though its a small portion of it. As I've been learning about the priesthood and teaching it to our investigators that thought it striking my mind alot. Its such a blessing that we are able to have it in our lives, yet alone hold it. I was able to give one of our investigators (Sarah) a blessing of the sick/afflicted this week which was a wonderful opportunity. She showed alot of faith asking for one. With that great power comes great responsibility. Luke 12:48 (spiderman scripture lol) for Keanu. You might have to send me some cool recipes lol. Ive mainly been eating eggs, cassava, yam, chicken, and what not. Elder Koronikalou and I are always trying to cook in the appartment lol (Hes the Fijian guy, hes the man). I had this massive bowl of fufu the other day, and it was just way to much. The members (Bro/Sis Opong) who fed us were just laughing at me trying to finish it. Like it was the size of a small watermelon (the amount they gave me) which was in soup with pepe...so my mouth was on fire lol (super spicy). The work is going great though. The people are really willing to learn so its just up to us to decide how many people we can realisticly manage and teach. As willing as the people are, You dont want to have an overbearing teaching pool where you cant devote proper attention and time to them. You love them, they're sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. Weve been able to extend more baptismal dates for the 5th of Sep though. This past sunday was great. Theres a Helpiing Hands service project at a hospital in Tema. (Multi Stake) So were looking forward to that, Mission president is really pushing us to go. Im pretty excited. Its always fun to interact and work with members and other missionaries from other zones. Typical Frankston though ay. I think its better here in Ghana than in Frankston lol...Anyway its good youre going at it with that Fitness program. We try to wake up early to run, but usually we just do circuits in the morning. You burn alot walking though. The ward is just so amazing though. Words cant explain. Sunday is one of my favourite days of the week because were able to just see everyone. The Sacrament too, I've learnt alot about it whilst studying and teaching it. My indivudual studies are focused on investigators so as I study for them I find myself learning a alot of things that I already knew. We only had 1 Free meal last week though, but its all good. Cassava and plantain (green bananas) are decent price. Those upcoming firesides sound pretty cool though! I dont really need anything though ay! Still reppin my Arsenal top hard lol. I'll keep that thought in mind though. The pictures you's send via email are enough though! For P-day today we played soccer at the old MTC in Ghana. Our Zone vs Tema Zone. We had to catch 2 Tro tros (those vans with seats in them lol) to get there which was stink though. Nontheless it was a great day though. It went till late so we dont have alot of time to email today. Everything is fine here in Nungua though. Im still getting burnt by the chilli in all the food lol. Its awesome though. I hope and am sure all is well back in Melbz. Work, School, Church. I wish i could get some of that bread after church back in Frankston lol. Sometimes you dont wanna spend money on bread here coz it just gets eaten my the elders in the appartment. Theres 6 of us here. I know Heavenly Father is looking over you's though. Hope you's have a great week, Mom, Dad and Keanu! Love you all heaps! Elder Fesolai Mom and Dad! This past week has been intense, but theres never a time when im not happy. This week Elder Hatch and I were able to commit 3 people to be baptised on the 22 of Aug. You really cant explain the happiness and joy you experience seeing other sons and daughters of our heavenly father come to accept the message of our Saviors restored Gospel. Seeing them keep commitments and showing that faith is just really amazing. Their faith inspires me. Our teaching pool is continually growing. Alot of people love to hear the messages of the gospel, but they just lack the faith to act and accept and change. There are so many ready and waiting to hear though and we are doing our best and relying on the spirit to find those people. Contacting, finding people is really great, and its awesome to always testify of the restored gospel of Christ and his Atonement. Ive really been learning alot. Hatch has got to be leading our lessons on the Restoration. You really enjoy getting to know the people you teach though, discerning their concerns by the spirit and helping them with restored doctrines of the Church. Ive really learnt how wonderful the teachings of the church are as they not only help me, but help those we teach. Lol, Dad, i like your twi messages haha. The other Elders and sisters cracked up. Im starting to pick the dialect up though, we teach alot with bits and peices of their language. There are about 5-6 dialects in this city though!!! We talk pidgeon english a bit too haha. Just really broken down english. We had our zone conference/training my first day in the field. And our district training is every tuesday. Weve been working alot with our ward mission leader Peter, he is the man. Were having a ward movie night soon too, watching "meet the mormons" lol. The ward is so great though. The members really show their love for newcomers, especially our investigators. It's funny though, during sacrament you can hear other churches singing their hallejuahs and praise the lords lol. Even some rastafari churches lol. Just because everything is so cluttered here in the streets. This week though we have set some goals, and have some referrals from memebers which is always awesome. Its even better when we are able to get members come to lessons so investigators have a friend in the church and can learn easier because of the language barrier sometimes. Ghana is great though. Its hot everyday which can be overbearing sometimes lol. But at the moment its mango and pineapple season so we live on fruit if were not at members houses. The food so far has been really good though (fufu, banku, and some other dishes i dont know how to spell. We had cow stomach one night too...lol) The food is always spicy though which im adjusting to slowly! I love it though. Hatch is annoyed that i dont freak out as much as he did when he first entered the field when eating food. On our P-days though we just handwash in the morning, workout, then go to the chapel and play bball and soccer with some of the youth and primary boys lol. I havnt seen your friend yet but maybe i will soon? Things are cheap here but our sub isnt high (310 cedis) but its like bali. It sounds like everything is pretty sweet back home! besides mom being sick..gong lol! Get a priesthood blessing! Its good youre back into the fitness/ health lifestyle dad. Im working on myself too lol after the MTC, i think pudged up haha. We walk around alot here though. Hows keanus? still gaming, skyping lol? You guys should start reading the Book of Mormon again. Ive been learning alot as i study and it really would help the family. I remember how there was much more harmony in the home when we done the simple things. I think my password to my phone was (1144, 2896) hopefully one of them codes work. I cant remember what a touch screen looks like hahaha. Our bedding is fine. A sister in the ward gave me some sheets for my bed which was awesome. I hope all is well back home though, praying for you all daily. Were about to go and teach one of our investigators (Louis) and hopefully get a feed...lol!!! Her boyfriend is a member so they usually make us banku haha! Love you all heaps, and have a great week! Pray for me that the foods I encounter wont kill me lol (cow skin, fermented corn...list goes on haha!) Love, Elder Fesolai Always looking forward to receiving Elder Fesolai's weekly letters and pictures. Here is this weeks letter. ENJOY!
Hey Mom & Dad, This last week has been great! Elder Hatch is a great trainer. Its taken a few days to adjust but im loving it. We are actually very similar, so we get along well and im learning alot every second. There were 2 baptisms on Saturday but we have 3 committed for in 2 weeks time. Hatch is from Washington state by the way. So my first week in the field has been really great, its taken a day or two to adjust to the conditions and weather and im still learning more about the people and culture. The people are just wonderful though. I love them so much! They may look scary but you just smile and say hello to everyone and they love it. Ive been learning the local dialect Twi so to say how are you is (eh ti sehn) but they speak english okay. Gotta really break down your english. There are 6 of us sharing a flat. One of the Elders is a Fijian (ELder Korinikalou) who knows of Matt Kaipuke haha. So ive met alot of members. Just while proselyting, but on Sunday i got to meet alot. We are in the Nunguar ward/area. THere are about 200 members. and yeah they got me to talk lol! The members are so great here! So after Church yesterday we went to the Mission leaders place and ate Bangku, which is made from ground corn and cassava with water and heated in the pot. Ate it with pepe (ground fish, tomato, peppers,). But depending on your area the amount of Free meals (what they call them here) that you get from members varies on the Area you are serving in. So we usually buy food from locals everyday. (rice, eggs, fufu, whatever they have) Drinking water is easy to come by. In the flat we have a filtered tap, and when youre out and about each day you just buy 500ml sacks of water for like 5 cents (20 pesewas) Ive been using the High Sierra bag by the way lol! Its usually about 30 degrees and humid everyday and sleeping is fine, just gets real sticky. Im used to it though. Took a few showers to get used to the cold water though! Yeah we sleep with nets and been taking doxy every morning. And ive been fine, no sickness has hit me...yet lol! You just make sure you wash your hands all the time. So we are emaling from an internet cafe, its really cheap. But its pretty slow lol! Im all good with money. Got our subsistance today. its about 310 cedis a month. I met bro and sis brown the first day i arrived. And i gave them the vegemite! Talked to them for a bit. Theyre nice but they are in an area quite a bit aways from where we are. Its like Bali though. Start walking around for a bit and you start sweating lol! Done some washing today to haha. All handwashing, its pretty tiring lol! But its been so awesome, i think im adjusting quicker than i thought! Have already seen so many mini miracles through the last 4 days, and its been so fun serving with Hatch. Ive been learning alot from him, and hes made the transition into the lifestyle/culture great. Its tough but real rewarding. The BIshop in our ward is really great too. The members make you feel super welcome and just love the missionaries. Im hoping all is well back home and at work and school ( for keanu lol). Ghana is great though and im fine. (When you ask how people are here every response is "im fine" haha) so ive begun to adopt alot of things from the people haha! But i miss you all! The food has been very diferent loL! But its good to open your taste buds to new things! (Like the Bali boys would say "experience" lol!) But i love yous, and keep you all in my prayers daily! I know Heavenly Father is watching over you's! The pics are us preparing Banku and just outside of the house.) |
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May 2017
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