Yo Mom and Dad!
Okay, so this week has just totally flown by so quickly. It seems like the days and weeks as of recent are just going, we're already halfway through this transfer! Anyway, this week wasn't too busy. Alot of appointments falling through, and what not, but as a result it just forced us to be talking with everyone and trying to contact. Most of this area is large compounds with massive gates to defend the Kings inside...lol. There is one girl we've been teaching alot. She stays with a member, and she is receiving the Gospel really well which is awesome. We've just recently been teaching her the commandments and she is scheduled for baptism later in the month. That's exciting for us! Should be the first baptism in Sakumono. As for the rest of the people we have been teaching Bro Emmanuel, we havn't been able to see. Each week his shifts for his work change so this past week he worked days so we were unable to see him. Hopefully this week though we can. He is doing well though, we gave him a bible and Book of Mormon which I believe he has been reading when he gets time. As for me I've started reading alot of the Book of Mormon again during my studies. As I've been reading from the book of Ether I've been learning alot about Faith. I love so much the faith and trust the brother of Jared had in the Lord as he led his small group of family and friends to the Promised land. I've observed that without faith there simply is nothing we can really do. However with Faith, there is nothing that we cannot do if the Lord commands it. I pray that we can all strive to increase our faith in the Lord, in his commandments and in the blessings that we will receive when we obey and follow him. Elder Kallon this past week has been pretty sick which hasn't been good. On Friday we gave him a blessing, and gradually he's been getting better. It's nothing too bad, he thought it was malaria, but he's doing better and is on the mend. Praying and hoping for success this week. We're going to do our best to see as many people as we can. Until then, we will keep on opening our mouth and be doing our best to be instruments in the hand of the Lord. I'm grateful for his continuous support in strengthening and uplifting us to qualify to do his work. Hope you's have a great week though Mom and Dad! Cant believe we're in November already! Elder Fesolai
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Hey Mom and Dad,
Well it certainly doesnt feel like it but I guess I'm now 20 years old. When did that happen haha. Time sure has flown! Nonetheless I was super spoilt on Friday by one of our lovely members. All of the missionaries in our district were invited over in the evening and Sister Howard prepared a massive feed for us all, and to end it she even bought a chocolate cake! So much love and hospitality, it felt like I was at home! It was a great day though. During the week Elder Kallon and I have started teaching this family which is exciting! They were a referral from a less active member we have been re-activating, and so far things have been going sweet! We first started off teaching the lady Yahanna, then we met the husband and started teaching them together. It was really wonderful teaching them about the Restoration of the Gospel, the Priesthood, and the doctrine of Eternal families. On Sunday we had Stake Conference and the Husband Emmanuel, kept his commitment and attended with us. Hopefully by the end of this week we have 3 people preparing for baptism! Alot of missionaries always assume that this area is difficult because of the status of the people, but one thing I know is that anywhere you go, there are people for you to plant seeds, or people the Lord has prepared for you. It really is just up to you to magnify your calling and act in faith and see where the Lord takes you! This week I've really just been trying to do my best to open my mouth and be talking with EVERYONE haha. I love so much this scripture in Romans 1:16 "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God unto Salvation to all that believe." As I've kept that in my mind it has just continually driven me to look for opportunities to serve others, and then share with them what we know to be true, and what is true. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the way. Christ's Atonement made it all possible and as we follow him and keep the commandments our garments can be spotless at that last day. The enabling, sanctifying and healing powers of the Atonement are real, and words cannot describe their greatness. It is truly wonderful to see them in effect of those we teach and in my own life as I strive to be better every day. Thanks for the birthday wishes, and to Mom for the cake...that I saw pictures off lol. Next year I guess I'll be home to celebrate hey!? Hope you's have a wonderful week though. Love yous! Elder Fesolai P.S. Here are some pics, Lol one of our members, John...Dude love Golf and New Zealand hahaha, Took our my old Ward mission Leader and his bros to get Pizza during the week. His birthday was on the 26th of October. Pics from Sis Howards on My birthday... We roasted another pig today, thats why we cafed a bit late. Being a hipster on the train tracks..I dunno lol Well, Mom and Dad
This past week with Elder Kallon has been pretty fruitful! Last week Elder Kallon and I got a ward directory so we were really able to go through it and identify the people who have fallen less active. Some of them have, I guess just traveled and others just disappeared. We've been able to start seeing some though. There is this one guy, John Amada, dude is a crack up! He was baptised a few years ago and started falling away only some few months ago. He's big into golf and loves New Zealand lol, he has a NZ flag up in his room! He's just caught up in the struggles and hardships of life and just put aside the Gospel. He was happy to have us over though and he called us during the week as he was free to come and to learn and study with him. As we read from the Book of Mormon together, talked, invited him to church and keep other commitments his attitude was changing. Over the few times we saw him during the week, he had been reading regularly from the scriptures which was great and he even came to church again on Sunday which was awesome! My testimony of the Book of Mormon and the spiritual power it contains continues to grow each day as I see these small miracles happen and the spirit work in the lives of God's children each day. We have also been seeing this older lady Elizabeth Asampa. She is a member fallen less active as her family members are kind of against her going to the church. She is a sweet soul, but family is such an important thing to Ghanaians so they try keep the harmony. Elisabeth is really into sharing the Gospel with her friends though and she introduced us to this cool family in the next area who we have begun teaching! It's interesting how there are many different ways the Gospel can enter into the lives of people! Transfers rolled through during the week and both Elder Kallon and I are staying. One of the Elder in the apartment was transferred and Elder Fuller is going to be training so there will be a greenie in the apartment which will sweet! He'll get picked up tomorrow so we're not sure who he is or where he is from yet but we will make him feel welcome haha ! I cant believe that my birthday is coming around again already. It's just another day I suppose, but turning 20 sounds super out of the ordinary haha! It's pretty weird to think that my next birthday will be back at home! I'm born in the 'one true' month though according to President Heid haha, probably because he also is born in October! Church was great on Sunday. One of the members gave a sweet talk on studying the word of God! I love nutrition and working out and he related it to that. But how our spirits are just like our bodies. They both have need and require nourishment. However unlike our Physical body when our spirits are malnourished we don't physically see it. Well we do but it is rather in the behavior and attitude of the person. This is so true. I know that when we are praying, studying and searching the scriptures and doing as God commands we are more loving, full of faith, and hope and most importantly our spirits are nourished! I guess that's all for me for this week though. Really keen for the upcoming week, a new transfer, and new missionary in the apartment (greenie fire), it's gonna be awesome. I hope you have a wonderful week though Mom and Dad! Love and Miss yous! Elder Fesolai Hey Mom and Dad!
Well this week has been so busy and full of fun things and excitement...really! So during the week we started teaching a girl who stays with a member who was a referral! We introduced to her the Restoration and she was really interested in the Book of Mormon which was sweet. She even has come to church the past 2 weeks and so during the week we extended a date for November! Feels great to have some goals and children of our Heavenly Father develop the faith to act and eventually make covenants! We are starting to see some sweet progress little by little here in Sakumono. Line upon line hey! I've really been doing my best to go out of my way and get to know every member, and their families better and just serve and love them more. It has really just kept me in a happy and refreshed mood as I am striving to do it. The past few weeks have been a bit tough, but we have been keeping our heads high, and striving to keep the hope and success is coming! On Saturday we had the Annual Tema Cultural Festival for the Tema stake, I was able to witness it last year. This year however was a little different. So each ward has to perform some traditional presentation and Elder Kallon and I helped the Sakumono ward and participated in it. It was super fun practicing during the week with the members, and it helped us to just get to know them all better. On the Saturday we all sung some hymns in Ewe, and we performed a hunting call/chant from the Fanti Region which was sweet! I have the footage so I'll try upload it...But that is why in some of the pictures we are wearing the cultural smocks and kente cloth/wraps...that's what the chiefs wear too...lol. Overall we came 3rd out of the 11 wards in the stake so the member were stoked and they prepared it all in 4 days lol. It has been really great to see things start to get better! We are planning to work with some of the members this week and go out teaching with them so I'm really looking forward to it. We are also doing something where we try to atleast see 5 Less active families or individuals a week at the minimum too, so it's nice to meet and know new faces and help them get back onto that straight and narrow path. Something that I have really come to see and know is true, is that the worth of EVERY soul is GREAT in the sight of our Father in Heaven. I've also strived to see everyone like so and as a result it helps me to be more loving, considerate, patient, of/with others. I'm really really grateful to be laboring among Father in Heavens children here in Ghana, the people are just so so awesome. I know that as we keep the greatest commandment, to love the Lord, that all other things will start to fall in place and we will experience the love of Christ more in our life and be filled with greater love, joy, and comfort. I hope you both have a wonderful week in different parts of the country lol! It's crazy that I'll be 20 next week...what an old guy...Anyway love and miss yous a bunch! xx Elder Fesolai Hey Mom and Dad!
So this past week was another trip down struggle street, but I sense things are going to be getting much better. It has been a bit difficult trying to find the Lord's elect, or those that are ready to hear/accept the gospel. Contacting is very interesting out here, and most people are out during the day at work in Accra or other places. So during the day it seems like a ghost town, then in the evening people are busy, but we are trying! Elder Kallon and I have as a result been visiting and getting to know very well, members in the area. We've also been focusing alot on Less Actives as there are many in the ward, and our sacrament attendance can improve! We've gotten some referrals over the past few days too, so that's exciting! We're hoping to work with the members and help their friends/family members to know more about the Restored Gospel. We were able to go out teaching with the Bishop during the week and see some less actives which was great. Doing our best to just get to know all the members very well and get them excited and involved in the work. There is one lady we've been teaching who is progressing little by little. Her name is Jeniffer and she was the lady who is the sister of some members we used to visit when I was back in Nungua 1! We are planning to start teaching the Plan Of Salvation this week, as she had some great questions which when we answered she was surprised! This week as I've been studying I've really come to love the scripture in D&C 19:23. To me it is an invitation, and it is something that I've come to see is true. As we learn of the Savior, listen to his words and walk in his way, we will have peace and joy in our work, trials, lives. It is an invitation that is life long and worth while! I guess that's all for me this week though! I'm sure there will be more to talk about next week! I love yous though! Thanks for inspiring me to be better every day! Elder Fesolai Hey Mom and Dad!
Well this week has been quite good! On Tuesday we were called back into the mission home to stay the night to do computer classes. The rest of the week we spent doing finding, teaching and visiting members. It isn't easy, but a challenge is sweet! Finding in this area is interesting as most of the people live in compounds or estates with huge gates. So when you knock or ring their bell, the anticipation or build up is real haha. Most of them just ignore it though or their guard at the front of the house tells us to leave and come back later. Ah well. We've been teaching some people at Sakumono village which is right by the beach which is cool! A lot of the people who do fishing stay there, so it's a nice place to be able to go to and talk to people and try and teach them. Elder Kallon and I have been getting to know the members well though! We've been doing our best to just get to know them, serve them and just build this area up. We've recieved a few referrals which is great. We also plan to go out teaching with one of the RM's this week to which will be an awesome help! On Sunday we were able to watch the Priesthood session, and then later on we were able to view the Sunday Morning session live which was great! All the talks that were given were wonderful, so plain and simple. We are blessed to be lead by amazing leaders in these last days! I enjoyed one of the talks by Elder Curtis who used to be the Area President in West Africa. HE talked about the Book of Mormon and the spiritual power it brings to individuals and families! I know this to be true! I know as we heed the councils, warnings and instructions from our leaders we will never be led astray! I hope you both have a wonderful week though! I cant believe we are already in October! Time is going going, and soon it will be gone lol. Love and miss yous! Elder Fesolai Well, it's good to be back in the city areas. It has been a bit of a difficult week! The area I'm currently serving in is the more wealthier side of the old Nungua ward. Many of the people that reside here usually are in Accra working during the day, or they are just not interested. It's a bit different to my previous areas but it's a challenge, and challenges are really sweet! It's forcing us to be more creative, plan very very carefully and wisely, and continue to work hard continuously.
In the area, our biggest source of seriously progressing investigators comes from member referrals, so we are currently doing all we can to just build relationships with the members, serve and love them and get them excited about missionary work. It makes it difficult as many also lead busy lives with work, but we are doing our best and praying that we will be able to see progress as we continue to work! This past week we worked with one of the RM's in the ward Bro. Francis who gave us some referrals. He just got back from his mission in Nigeria some months ago so working with him is a big help to us. Something quite interesting happened during the week though. As we were going around discovering some new parts of the area we came across some people I knew when I was serving way back in my first few months on mission. They moved from their old place they were residing at in Nungua, and moved to Sakumono. The lady is a non-member but her sister and mother are both members we used to see. When we were walking her kids recognized me and called me over, and we met them. So we plan to teach them, and hopefully things go well! Was it a coincidence? This area isn't going to be easy, but that's not bad! I'm grateful for trials, challenges and difficulties. Do I enjoy them? No. But as I've been on mission and studied the scriptures and words of our prophets, I can bear witness that they are for our benefit. The Lord does not bring hard things into our lives, but rather he permits them so that we may grow, and be better and stronger than before. I know that if we put our trust in the Lord we will also be supported in our trials. I hope you's have an awesome week though Mom and Dad! Oh yeah, we also moved into a new apartment which is too big for 4 missionaries haha, I'll do a mtv cribs video during the week and post in next week. Anyway Love and miss yous! Elder Fesolai The pic of the guy in the blue outfit is one of the actors off the movie FREETOWN. He is an RM and served in the Ghana Accra Mission and also served in the Nungua area too. The missionary is Elder Kallon and is my current companion from Sierra Leone. Mom and Dad!
So this past week I kind of spent in Accra in different places! On Tuesday I left Juapong and stayed at the ZL's in Tema for 2 nights. On Wednesday we were able to meet and listen to one of the Apostles in Accra which was really great. Elder Soares was with him as well as the West Africa Presidency, so it was nice to recieve instruction and counsel from them. Elder Stevenson talked alot about Repentance, and other topics in PmG. I really liked what he said about repentance, talking about how it is super important that we ourselves are repenting and becoming more like the Savior, before we are able to help others or extend the commitment to them by the spirit. It is so true. I'm mega grateful for the Atonement and the opportunity and time we have here on earth to prepare...that includes repentance! From Friday onwards we have been travelling to and from the mission home to Nungua to proselyte in our areas as we have not gotten an apartment yet. We will eventually move in on Friday so until then, to and from the mission home it is! Sunday was really really reaaaaallllly wonderful! I was able to see all the members from my old area as we all meet at the same chapel. It was amazing to see my Recent Converts still staying strong and holding to that iron rod! Everyone was shocked but happy that I was back! I'm being teased a bunch, and they think I'll finish my mission there...probably not but that would be sweet! I really am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for my awesome Recent Converts and their examples and love for this Gospel. Their own conversion solidifies my own testimony as I have witnessed the change and light it has brought to their lives. They are absolutely blossoming in the gospel! I was able to see Sister Naomi and her Husband and their kids including little Obed! I cant believe how grown he is! Their family is super solid in the church now and it just makes me unbelievably happy! I'm grateful for our family, for the both you Mom and Dad for teaching, raising, supporting and just loving me! This week I've been studying kind of alot from Lehi's dream about the tree of life. Whilst studying I've noticed the different multitudes of people's actions so to say! Some get hold of the rod of iron and eventually let go, others get lost, but there are some who hold firm and press forward continually! It brought to my mind 2 Nephi 31:20. Phrases like pressing forward, feasting upod the WORD of christ, enduring to the end are just so vital in our journey here on earth! I know that as we endure, and press forward we too are one day able to partake of the greatest of God's blessings...Eternal Life! I'm looking forward to the upcoming week though being able to serve in Sakumono! It's going to be fun with my new companion Elder Kallon! He's a really good guy! Anyway that's all for me this week! Love and miss you's! Have a wonderful week! Elder Fesolai Hey Mom and Dad,
Well this past week in Juapong has been bittersweet. It has been raining alot, as the rainy season is officially coming to a close. I got transfer news on Saturday though, and to my surprise and shock, I found out I'm going back to Nungua to serve in a new ward that has just been opened up from a ward split. So it's super exciting to go back! I honestly thought the ZL's were playing a joke on me at first. President Heid called me some few minutes later and told me why I was going back. In Juapong though this week we had some really interesting teaching opportunities. We were walking around contacting most of the week and we met some sweet people. One of them who we have been teaching came to church which was great. It's always wonderful to give people hope and assurance through the message of the Restoration. It's kind of crazy to think what happened, God and Jesus Christ appearing to a 14 year old boy, but you'd be crazy to not find out if it is true or not! I know they appeared to Joseph Smith and that this is the Lords Church. My Last Sunday in Juapong was sweet though. I spoke in Sacrament, and then because It was my last Sunday, I was invited to teach the youth and then the Elder Quorum lol...So it was a busy Sabbath day teaching, it was fun though! Good to help and serve wherever I can in the Juapong branch. I will really miss it! After Church we cooked a bunch of food with Bro. Michael and Sister DIanna, a married couple in the branch who I've become really good friends with whilst serving here. President Kassah and another member in YSA came too so it was awesome. I'm grateful for the many opportunities that I've had whilst serving here so far in Ghana though. The people you meet and serve with, the experiences you have, and the joy of sharing the Gospel with others is so great! Hope you's have a wonderful week though! TIll next week hey! Love yous! Elder Fesolai Hey Mom and Dad,
Well first off before I start, Happy Father's Day Dad! Sorry it's late lol, but hope you had a sweet day. I saw that you had a mean breakfast with Nephi...maybe next year we'll have a mean cook up and we'll have some banku lol! Thanks for always supporting me and being a legend mate! Love you! As for last week though, it was really good. On Monday and Tuesday we were in Accra as Elder Palmer had to renew his Non-citizens card. Was really awesome though, there were a bunch of us missionaries staying at the mission home. We were able to do a session in the temple which was sweet too. Always grateful for the opportunity to get a session in every now and then! The spirit is so strong and you just feel at peace! It's a serious refuge from the world! We're so blessed to have temples on earth! The rest of the week was a little bit slow here and there though. We've been doing alot of finding and contacting which kind of just drains you...ALOT! I mean, it wouldn't be bad if we weren't under the African sun haha...the locals always think we are crazy walking under it all day. You adjust to it though. Not sure how much I'm looking forward to our winters back home lol. We have been able to contact and teach a few new people which was really nice. The area at the moment is kind of struggling! It's been pretty tough as alot of people know about the church now and are kind of spooked due to rumors and other silly stuff lol! We'll keep on telling them that the rumors are false and teach them the truth though! We are always praying that their hearts are softened and that we can be the instrument in the Lord's hand to help them feel the spirit! Fast Sunday was sweet. I really love our little branch here in Juapong and the members are so sweet. Some of them were able to go on a temple trip on Saturday so they were keen to testify and share the news about it. I really love these people so much, their sincerity and love for the Gospel is just so awesome! We ended our fast by cooking some yam and stew at Bro Michaels place which was sweet...He finished us by adding Banku when we were like way full already haha. Was great though! I'm grateful for the scriptures though. One thing I've seen alot in the Book of Mormon are the words remembering and forgetting. It is so important that we always remember and never forget our Savior Jesus Christ and his Atonement. That we never forget our covenants, the commandments and the Gospel. They are what at the end of the day bring true happiness and if we endure, eternal life! I'm grateful for the joy and reassurance I feel when I remember these things and help others come to learn of them!!! I hope you's have a wonderful week though Mom and Dad! I'm pretty stoked for next week. We have one of the apostles coming to talk to us in Accra, so that should be super sweet! Keen to get some more work done here in Juapong too. Love yous! Elder Fesolai |
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May 2017
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