Well this week was interesting! The Baptism didn't end up going through! But all is well. Samuel isn't quite ready so we gave him some more time to continue to prepare! He is still willing to keep on learning and make changes which is great though!
This week we were able to finally follow up and meet with one of the referrals we received from a member! His name is Godwin and he has been in Accra for the last few weeks! So he finally arrived back in Effiduase this week and we got to meet him! We had some awesome lessons with him and he is so cool and humble and willing to learn! It was great to see him at Church on Sunday too! We taught him about the Restoration and Book of Mormon during the week and he accepted to be baptized at the end of April! We are still continuing to teach the Grandchildren of Sister Esther! Their names are Samuel, Wilhelmina, Ivonna and Rosemond! And they are soooooo cool! We introduced to them and taught them about the Book of Mormon on Friday and they are just champions! Willing to talk, ask questions and the lesson was great! They will all most likely be baptized at the end of April too! We also met with this one guy during the week! His name is Kwabena and he previously had learnt with the missionaries. He said they had just stopped coming all of a sudden. Not sure if it is true, but he knows a whole lot about the church and we are just looking forward to helping him know more and make the necessary steps so he can come closer to the Savior! Church was great yesterday though! We had 6 investigators at church which was just awesome! I was sick though so that was pretty stink. Spent most of the day in the apartment just resting and sleeping! All is well now though and we are super keen to get another week of work done! I know that the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our Religion and is true! We teach and testify of it each week, and I know that those who read it and pray about it will receive a witness from the Holy Ghost that it is true! I also know this Book draws us closer to God and provides answers and solutions to lifes challenges! Anyway hope you guys have a wonderful week! Love and miss yous! Hope you's are reading the Book of Mormon too lol! Love yous! Elder Fesolai
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What a week it has been. Effiduase has been a blast and we are having a heap of fun and getting a tonne of work done. We are also preparing to have a baptism this Saturday! So hopefully all goes smoothly...by his grace lol.
Anyway, this week I conducted an exchange in an area called Oyoko! They had 3 baptisms this past weekend and so I had to do some interviews for them. I was on an exchange with Elder Ezama. He is also from Nigeria and it was really cool! It's fun to get to visit new areas and meet new people! In Effiduase though, things are going okay! We have been doing a tonne of talking and finding. We had about 14 new investigators this week which was nice. Planning to follow up on them all this week! After Church yesterday we started teaching the grandchildren of one of our members. All the kids are like 14-18 years old and havn't been baptized yet. Their parents are members though, so we've been teaching them and they will all be baptized next week! They are so amazing though, and such great learners! Teaching them is a blast and we go with Bro, Bakman, one of the Branch Missionaries! The branch missionaries here have been helping us so much though! Richard who is 17 helps a heap and Bakman who is like 22 is preparing for a mission too. He's been a member for barely 2 years but he has a powerful testimony and a strong desire to share the Gospel. He inspires me a tonne, and we are so grateful for their help! Makes the work progress effectively and we have a tonne of fun! I guess for this week as I've been studying, I've learnt to be grateful for trials and challenges. The Lord will at times test our faith and I've come to see that it is all done for our benefit and experience. I suppose as members, the adversary will target us as we are on that path, and as we remain steadfast and immovable in what we know, we will always come out alright. Being a missionary, I've come to rely on the Savior each and everyday for his grace to enable me to teach and do what needs to be done each day! I'm too grateful! Really looking forward to this upcoming week though and getting a bunch of things done! Hope you're doing sweet! Love and miss you's a heap! Can you believe there is only 11 weeks left...I'm grateful for the privilege of being a missionary and servant of the Lord. Anyways love yous a bunch! Have an awesome week! Elder Fesolai Well another week done and dusted, and we are still going hard in Effiduase! This week was a little disappointing. One of our more serious investigators out of the blue relocated to another town for a couple of months. So I'm not sure, I don't think there are missionaries there so it a bit frustrating. He was preparing to be baptized!
Also just alot of the people we have been teaching haven't been trying to much to keep their commitments lol! Ah well. We all have our agency I suppose! This week we are planning to do a lot of finding again though. Hahahah it's not all that easy! Many people here don't really speak English at all, so it's really forcing me to practice my twi skills and do some speaking in strange tongues lol. It's all good though! It's pretty fun! There is this one lady we visit each week with Richard. She is older and can't come to church because she stays far out and can't walk. But she is a saint! Every time we go we just discuss the Book of Mormon which she has in Twi and help her understand things she has questions with and all that. She is so determined to read and learn the Gospel and it is just so amazing! I know that the Book of Mormon is so true! It really helps us, answers questions and gives us daily spiritual food. I think that's about it for this week though! There isn't a whole tonne to talk about really lol! But next week I'm hoping will be great! Love and miss you's though! Have an awesome week! Elder Fesolai Well this week zipped by! It was a pretty busy week indeed! Time is continuing to flash by, and before you know it I'll be back lol! But anyway...
This week we had done a lot of finding and contacting which was sweet! We met some new people who are very sincere and we have been working with one of the branch missionaries who is a legend! His name is Richard and he's still in young mens. He's 17. So he has been going out with us every other day and helping us to teach/translate and also introducing us to some of his friends. The work is going well here! There are alot of people that are willing to listen and learn! A big switch from being in Sakumono! So it is a breeze getting to talk to alot more people and them giving you time! We have 2 people that are progressing for baptism! One guy is Asare. He has actually been taught by missionaries for a while, but he is now making progressing steps towards the waters of baptism later this March! Saturday was a great day though! The members here in Effiduase are really trying to help the gospel get around! We had a missionary activity where in the morning we went out with members to visit Less Actives and do some contacting! It was really successful! People we visited were delighted to see members and feel of their love and concern for their well being. In the afternoon we had a fireside! It was supposed to start at 3pm but because of the rain we pushed it back to 5pm. In the end though the turnout was awesome! Many of the members came, us missionaries gave talks on how the members can be more involved and we all done role plays! It was so fun! You could feel the excitement and joy of sharing the Gospel amongst the congregation! It seems as though people are keen to share the Gospel with their friends as a result. We've recieved a few referrals! Church yesterday was amazing. It was a great fast Sunday. There was a baby blessing and many family/ friends of the family were there to support. Many of them were non members. So there were about 26 people in our investigators class...it was PACKED. The Branch mission leader wanted the class to be an open discussion where people could ask questions and we would answer! It all went really well! As a result we got 26 peoples contacts and many of them are very interested in learning more! SO, there is a lot of work to do, following up on them! So i'm pumped! It is such a great opportunity to share the Gospel with these people. I'm grateful for the Great Plan of Redemption. For the Atonement. For Repentance and forgiveness of sins. For the Joy, Guidance and peace that this Gospel Brings. I feel that we can take it for granted at times, but I know with all my heart it is all true. Heavenly Father is willing to bless all those who humble themselves and come unto him. I'm grateful for this knowledge I have and The joy I experience in sharing it with others! I hope you guys have a great week though! I'm grateful for the work we do because it keeps my mind occupied so I don't start thinking about home lol! Love you's though! Elder Fesolai Well this week has been sweet! Transfers took place mid week on Thursday! So Asemota and I took a cab at like 7am to the mission home. It was a HUGE transfer. There were about 42 transfers conducted and so we we privileged to have like a transfer conference. President Heid and Sister Heid and other senior couples addressed us and it was sweet!
After that was all wrapped up we headed on out to our new area together with the other guys getting transferred to the Koforidua Zone. About 2 and a half hours later we arrive in Koforidua and we get to Effiduase apartment around 6:30pm. The area is so nice though and pretty! And what do you know, it reminds me so much of Juapong! So that's great! My new Companion is Elder Bankole from Nigeria. Another Nigerian! So I'm super stoked! He is a solid missionary and our companionship is solid! He just finished his training to he will definitely also help me to finish strong! Church yesterday was absolutely amazing though! The branch is awesome. Our branch mission Leader Emmanuel is a stud! And the Branch President is such a great man! The members are so wonderful too. Made me feel super welcome and I'm getting to know them as fast as I can! Our teaching pool is a little dead at the moment here though. Plan to do alot of finding and speaking of Twi...Keen to learn a heap of the dialect out here. Bankole has only been out 3 months and he can speak a tonne because of the area! I've been studying alot from D&C though. You know a few weeks back marked 138 days till I come home so I started doing a D&C countdown. It's wonderful the things the Lord has revealed to us through modern revelation though. I'm grateful for the guidance and protection we receive through our living prophet and apostles! I know with all my heart that these are inspired men of God. When we listen to and hearken to their words, it is the Lord we are hearkening too and we will surely be blessed!!! I guess that's all for this week though! I'm really really really looking forward to seeing more people and members this week though and getting some solid work done! Hope you have a great week too! Love yous! Elder Fesolai Well what a week it has been. Just as things have been going great in Sakumono I get a call on Saturday that I'll be getting transferred to Koforidua, Effiduase. Lets see what the Lord has in store for me to learn there! Elder Asemota and I were pretty deastated since I wont finish his training and the way things are going made me a bit upset! But it's the Lords work, not mine!
As I was saying the week has been great. We have been able to teach so many people. Three are preparing for baptism which is so cool. I wont be around though. On Sunday Richard walked all the way to church from Sakumono to Nungua. Seeing that guys faith and determination to do what is right is so inspiring. His knowledge in the Gospel isn't great YET, but his faith is so amazing. On Saturday one of my Recent Converts Dominic recieved the Melchizedek Priesthood. He's preparing to go through the temple and get sealed hopefully next month! We baptized him when I was 6 months on mission! We've just been doing a whole lot of teaching though. We expounded the apostasy to one investigator, Nelson during the week and things just clicked in his head after that! He came to church on Sunday is so willing to do what it takes to know if it is true! The spirit was so real in that lesson! I am so grateful to be a missionary though! The joys that come in seeing others recieve the Restored Gospel is so real, and it's great to be an instrument in the hand of the Lord! I know that Heavenly Fathers Plan of Salvation is designed for our happiness! No wonder why when we live the Gospel it brings so much Joy! I know as we follow the Savior and do what he asks we will have peace, joy and greater direction in our lives. Hope you's have a great week though! Love yous! Elder Fesolai Well another week has flown by. It has been sweet. Elder Asemota and I have been trying to help our progressing investigators continue to make and keep commitments. Hopefully they prove to be ready to one day be baptized! Things are looking pretty hopeful though.
To begin the week we had Zone conference which was alright! Went for a long time but it's always awesome to catch up with the other Elders and Sisters in the Zone.. We were able to meet and teach Richard alot this week though. It was really good and he was really willing to keep all the commitments we invited him to do. On Sunday we picked him up and walked to church with him which was really nice! It really strengthened by testimony of revelation through church attendance. After Sacrament meeting he was really like wow, I really like being here. Members really made him feel welcome to which was just awesome! Mini miracle occurred whilst we were walking to church too. As we picked him up he was a bit late to get ready so it's a pretty solid 30 min walk to church from our apartment, but a member saw us on the road and picked us up...like wow! The Lord watches out for us! Also on Sunday Blessing came to church which was awesome! She's been to church about 3 times and is preparing to be baptized on the 26th of February! She is solidly progressing too which is sweet. The Lord is really blessing up with success as we continually try to do our best. Sometimes we don't get things the way we want them, but I've come to see that the Lord will never forget us as we try our best. Elder Asemota and I are always doing finding though. We had a funny contacting experience during the week. We were leaving an appointment with an investigator and speaking Ewe with her and this young guy Scott heard us and was laughing and shocked. We ended up talking with him and he accepted to hear our message...pretty cool! We're both doing well though. Keen for another week ahead! We're in week 5 of the transfer. Only 2 more transfers left...woah! \ Hope you's are well though! Miss yous a heap! I know that this Gospel is true. Christ is our Savior and through his Atonement we can become great people! Hope ya'll continue to learn of him and follow him! Love yous! Elder Fesolai Well another week is behind us and Elder Asemota and I have been doing good! It's been a bit of a tough week. We've had to drop some investigators who just are not yet ready. It's also been a little frustrating with some people telling our investigators some false rumors and beliefs about the church...We'll keep pressing forward though.
Just on Sunday last week, we received a referral from a member, Johnson. He's a young guy and really really interested in the Church. So we've been doing our best to teach him the Gospel and he is so prepared. He accepted to be baptized at church yesterday on the 26th of Feb! He's really humble and willing to do all the things we ask him because he want's to find the truth for himself! Blessing is also progressing for baptism on the 26th, so we are also doing our best and working with her so that she can prepare for that day. Referrals are really the most effective way to help the work go forward as they already have a friend who is a member! Had a really great experience during the week though whilst we were doing finding. We had gone to a road we noticed for the first time and it led out into a bushy area...and there was literally only 1 house there. So to not waste the time it took to get there we decided to go and see who stays there. So approaching we saw like 5-6 older guys sitting in a circle and we kind of hesitated and almost turned back. But I felt that we needed to go talk to these people so we continued and as we were approaching them I was thinking how we were going to introduce ourselves, and when I looked up...there was a member I knew very well from the times I was serving back in Nungua, Bro Bortey! I was surprised and he greeted us and even introduced us to his friends, and we had a great lesson on the Restoration. Unfortunately only 1 of the guys stayed in the area, and the guy that stayed at the house was a pastor and wasn't interested. I'm grateful for the guidance of the spirit though, and I've learnt to never ignore it's promptings! We are expecting to do a lot more finding again this week too. It should be interesting! It's always fun talking to new people and seeing how they react or recieve us...some are more friendly than others but that's how it is haha! We are doing well though, trying to do our best to help the Lord's work go forward! I'm grateful for the knowledge I have of the restored Gospel though and the comfort and direction it gives me in my life! I guess we're doing our best to help others experience the same! Hope you's have an awesome week though! Love and miss yous a heap! June isn't far, not that I'm thinking about it too much lol...Always praying for you guys though! Love yous! Elder Fesolai Well another week is behind us and it sure went by too fast! Another great one to add though! Last week we had our district council meeting. President and Sister Heid showed up and it was really nice. I feel their love for us missionaries in the way they speak and act towards us and the work! They gave some great instructions and insights to what we discussed which was Pride.
As for the week it was quite good! We were able to meet some new people as well as continue to teach, follow up on and help our current investigators to progress. I cant believe how fast January has flown by! We are really planning to try and help 1 or 2 of our investigators to prepare to make covenants in the waters of baptism this coming February though. So lets see how it goes! I've really been finding myself lost in the work though and it has just been great. So much clarity and peace is in our minds as missionaries. Maybe a little bit of disappointment at times, but other that that the work is great! I feel that I've really come to learn alot about the Gospel and Doctrine of Christ, but I know there is so much more to learn! I find my self learning or remembering things in lessons or as Elder Asemota and I talk. It's great! We were able to work with members this week which was awesome. Even we have been really strengthening our relationships with them and trying to get them more involved and excited about missionary work in their individual families and referrals are coming! So we have alot of expectations and work to do which is a good challenge for us and will keep us busy! So far our progress with Blessing has been great. She is progressing greatly and is accepting the gospel very well. We plan to introduce the commandments this week. She's been to church twice and was unable to make it this Sunday be cause of a funeral, but I have faith and hope in her! This week we contacted quite a few people who were so humble and ready to listen, but because of their schedules and places they reside, we are unable to continue to teach them. We referred them to the other missionaries in their areas though, so hopefully they follow up on them! On Thursday we had a world wide missionary broadcast devotional where Elder Oaks, Bednar and Anderson and other general authorities addressed us missionaries about the Doctrine of Christ and ways in which we can better teach with clarity and power. They also introduced a new more flexible schedule. It pretty much just means we can choose when we want to study during the day so we can use our agency to manage our time. I guess it will make the transition better back home? They gave some wonderful insights though and I learnt alot. I enjoyed what was spoken about conversion to the Gospel and to Jesus Christ. Sometimes we get into bad habits where we do or don't do things that we shouldn't or should do. It is one things to know the Gospel is true and have a testimony, but it is another to live ans breathe what you believe. As I've strived to do this as a missionary, I've come to experience the great blessings that come from becoming more converted to the Lord! A greater peace enters our life and a love for others drives away any desire to harm, offend or hurt another. I'm so grateful for the Gospel, the scriptures and the example of my Savior. I'm grateful for the Atonement and Repentance which enable us to experience a mighty change of heart! Elder Asemota and I are doing awesome though! We are doing our best to keep Sakumono going forward and I'm finding alot of joy in the work. You come home absolutely finished some nights, but somehow in the morning you feel refreshed and ready to go again. With the Lords strengths we can do all things! I hope you's have an awesome week though! Love and miss you a bunch! Elder Fesolai Well, earlier this week I picked up my new companion! His name is Elder Asemota and he's from Nigeria, Benin! He's only 18 too! We've had a really great week together and it's super fun to be training again! Only this time I'm a bit more older on mission lol!
I guess there is alot to talk about this week though! We have been teaching ALOT of new people as we've been doing a heap of finding to fill our teaching pool. This week we've met alot of disappointments are people not interested, but we've met with more who have been kind and willing to listen to us! We met a young guy named Richard who was kind of just chilling by himself, he looked sad so we went and contacted him. Talked and got to know him a bit and scheduled an appointment the next day! So our follow up appointment was sweet. We learnt that he had stopped going to any church and as we taught him about the Restoration he was GOLDEN. Matter of fact, we introduced the Book of Mormon and he was so shocked! He had been looking for the book previously, but never could find it. We were able to extend a date for him next month, so hopefully all continue to goes well! It's so cool how the Lord prepares people, we just have to be observant and follow the spirit! It's good to be training though! I'm learning alot from Elder Asemota and Im also doing my best to get him to a good start! Missionary work is so sweet and you learn so much from your comps! I've really seen the changes in myself these past few days as I've looked back and gone through my journal. The Atonement is so real! At church on Sunday Patrick came to church which was awesome! He kept his commitment, and so we are planning to see him this week and teach him about the Plan of Salvation. He has a lot of funny ideas about God because of pastors and other teachers, but I hope we can do our best to teach him and help him understand true doctrine! My comp and I are doing awesome though. Everyone is well and happy! I've been cooking alot of different foods lately and it's been good! Will have to prepare you guys some of the local dished when I'm back! I'm so grateful for the Restored Gospel though! I'm grateful for the example of faith Joseph Smith showed. Without it he would not of prayed in the grove of trees and have been the one to restore the Gospel. We are so blessed to be living in this very time, and the joy that come from exercising our individual faith brings marvelous blessings! I hope you's have a wonderful week though! Please pray for us that we may be able to teach and help our investigators this week! You guys are also in my prayers! Love yous. Elder Fesolai |
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May 2017
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