Emergency Transfer... Goodbye Elder Nsenga, Hello to Companions #10 and #11

Hello Family and Friends! What a week it has been! I hope that you are all doing well and that you are having fun adventures. 

As you can tell this week was interesting for sure. So with an Emergency Transfer there are 2 possibilities for why it happens. #1 is because President Stevenson received some new missionaries unexpectedly and he needs to place them in the right spot, causing an unexpected transfer or #2 (Most Common) is because a Companionship is not working at all, and they need to be split up right away. In my case it was #2, (not with me and Elder Nsenga but a different Companionship), but I will get there in a minute. Word of the Week/Phrase is: Uso (brother) In Samoan. And Wu Mayi (Why May) is How are you in Samoan.

So as for this week it was interesting for sure.

Tuesday was the first District Meeting for the new Abura Sisters and that was nice. After District Meeting I bought Sister Wah and Sister Awor their first FuFu, which they did not like , but I got to help  finish Sister Awor's FuFu so that was nice. After lunch it rained hard, so all of our appointments fell through so that was sad. :(

Wednesday was also pretty slow, but Elder Nsenga and I were able to See Paula and her new baby and just say hi, that was nice. We also saw Benjamin (Our Less Active) and he helped us find out Ebenezer's Place (Another Small Less Active) whose mother just passed away. We said condolences to the family and saw Ebenezer coming to his house as we were leaving, so it was good to see him. We also found out why Benjamin doesn't come to church, and that is because of his mother, so hopefully we can help him with that.

 

Thursday was a pretty nice day. Elder Nsenga and I went to remind Sister Vida to go to the church so she can do her temple recommend interview (which she did, and President Thompson told us she could talk ha-ha, but that's good, and everything went well). I also got to do a Baptismal Interview for the Abura Sisters (1-B Sisters Anthony and Sister Wah in Ankaful Mental Hospital where President Nelson stays),  for a young woman named Joyce and that was a really nice interview; she did very well. Oh Elder Nsenga and I were able to sit with Brother Ninson after the Interview (Scheduling a time for our next lesson) and he admitted to us of a woman he had in the past that helped him with the farm about 3-4 years ago, but since then he hasn't been with her and never married her, and his desire to change was so apparent, it was really great that he was that open with us.

So Friday came around and here was where the week became really interesting. After Companionship Study Elder Nsenga and I wanted to call President Stevenson about Brother Ninson, and see if everything was okay for him to be baptized. So we went outside to our staircase on the huge building (The only place to make a really good phone call) and I called him. We talked about Brother Ninson and he gave us the okay to continue, since he didn't practice polygamy but just committed adultery, so we just have to make sure that he has repented of his sin, and that he is living the Law of Chasity and then he can be baptized!!  Elder Nsenga and I were so excited to hear that information. 

Then President Stevenson said, "Okay well if that's all from you, I would like to talk to you for a second since we are on the phone." I was surprised and said okay, (usually President Stevenson doesn't do these kind of talks so I didn't know what to expect) and he then explained that there was going to be an Emergency Transfer (The Assistants were going to call us, but since I was the phone President Stevenson just talked about it then) and President Stevenson explained the Situation. He said that Elder Nsenga is going to Elmina to be with Elder Frimpong, and I am going to receive Elder Gasolo and Elder Yao. I was surprised to hear that for sure. He said (For the sake of privacy I won't mention the name) that the companionship that was splitting up had some issues, and the main person that was causing the problems in the companionship (from the sounds of it) was coming to be my companion and that the third person in our companionship was just there for support, in case anything goes wrong. President Stevenson told us that the transfer was happening mostly like tomorrow in the morning and that Elder Nsenga should be ready by then. 

When I got off the phone I told Elder Nsenga the news, and we were both pretty shocked. Elder Nsenga was going to be my longest companion but I guess the Lord has other plans for us. We sat at our main table not saying anything for a few minutes just in shock, and then we decided we should head into Ntranoa early so he could say some goodbyes. We went in but we weren't able to see a lot of people, just very small people and we came back to our apartment a little bit early so Elder Nsenga could pack, and then we could head to the Abura Sisters Baptism. We eventually headed to the Baptism for the Abura Sisters and it was great. Elder Nsenga actually got to perform the Baptism for Joyce, and he then said goodbye to the missionaries in the zone, and he finished his packing when we got home.

Elder Nsenga and I saying goodbye.

Saturday Morning- Around 9:00 A.M. The Assistants came and dropped off my first companion Elder Gasolo (Elder Yao was traveling from Tarkwa so he wouldn't be here for a couple of hours) and picked up Elder Nsenga and we took our last picture together. :( I will miss my kintoomboola. But after they left Elder Gasolo and I talked small and then Elder Yao arrived and we helped him with his back and we took our first picture together! Another 3-Some in this area ha-ha! Fun Fact these two are my 4th and 5th Companions in this area. :) That's also including Elder Park. So anyways we went out together the 3 of us, and we just saw some members and explained the area to them the best I could small small. 

We stopped by Sister Vida's Place in the evening and we told her what happened. She was sad, but she looked SO happy from the temple (Mary her small daughter went as well, and she just was at the grounds of the temple) she actually came up to me and hugged me.(I was very nervous because that hasn't happened in a little while) But she was just so great, and it really touched my heart at the blessings the temple can bring us. :) Later at the apartment in the evening I talked to my new companion (the one that had the problem in his last companionship) and I just told him, "I don't know what exactly happened (President Stevenson only explained small about the situation) in your last companionship, and I don't need to know. The past is in the past, and nobody should be defined by their past." I then explained that I was here for him, and that I am hoping and praying for our companionship to work.  He seemed pretty happy, and it has been going well so far.

Sunday was a pretty good day for our threesome. It rained on us as we were walking to church so we were pretty wet coming inside but Francis Baidoo blessed the Sacrament (the Water) and that was great. Isaac Peintsil and even Mary Eshoun came to church (First time for Mary coming to church since I have been in Ntranoa), so it was really sweet. President Thompson asked me to go up to the front to explain what happened, and I did without, mentioning the problem, just saying it was short notice and that Elder Nsenga was needed elsewhere. Then my new companions bore their testimonies and that was great! After Church we had no P.E.C. and so we went out to see some people and we got feed twice, once in Koful and then the second time at Sister Vida's Place so that was nice. Elder Yao and Elder Gasolo also met some more of the members, so that was great. So that is all for this week...

But today is Monday and we had a Zone Activity at Han's Cottage!! There we got to see the Crocodiles and guess what? I got to touch one, and pick up its tail! SUPER SWEET!!! I was so nervous, but it was really fun, and I am glad that we got to have a great time with the zone. The guy brought the Crocodiles up where we were with some meat and I was very nervous, that they would come up and bite us, but everything went well. :) I wore my Angelina from the Time of Elder Montgomery and me, so it was pretty sweet!!

I have a strong testimony (More than ever) about the Lord knowing us, because he truly does. I am not sure why my companionship was split up and I have to go through this hard change, but I know that every companion helps me grow, and every challenge helps me become who my Heavenly Father wants me to become, and that's just the same way for YOU. We may not understand fully at the moment why we are put in situations or trials come upon us, but just as the Lord told Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, That "All these things shall be for thy good, and if shalt endure it well, I shall exalt thee on High" (I hope I quoted that right, that was all from my head ha-ha)  But it's SO true-- all of the hard and challenging moments will be looked back upon as some of the greatest moments in our life, and so I am excited that it's not easy or perfect right now, because I know I need to grow and Heavenly Father will help me become who I am meant to be. Trust in the Lord, because He knows you perfectly and wants you to become what He KNOWS you are destined to be, and that's sometimes through our hard times and challenges. :) Anyways have a great week! I love you all so much!! I am continuing to pray and hope the best for you. :) Oh and Enjoy General Conference this week end I am sure it will be wonderful! Love you all!

Love,

Elder Harward

P.S. if you could keep our companionship, Brother Ninson, and Isaac in your prayers I would really appreciate it. :)

Only Pictures (Sorry) Cape Coast Zone before Transfers and me eating FuFu with Palm Nut Soup :)

The highlights for the week were Sister Florence and Ninson have a Baptism date for October 22d, ISaac Pentil is back and he has a date for October 8 along with a child of record, and I said  goodbye last Tuesday to all those leaving the zone. 

We are trying to work with the members more and are trying to do our best to seek referrals. That's about it haha for the highlights; sorry that this week wasn't a good email, but I loved the pictures, and everything, I am so grateful for everything that you do. I don't think I need anything haha. Tell mom and everyone I say hi, and that I love them, and sorry for my not responding, I hope that everything is well, and that you have a great week okay? :)
Love,
Elder Harward
P.S. Tell Katie that her email was wonderful. 

Matching African Shirts, Zone Activity with District Shirts, Zone Conference, Francis's Baptism and Transfer News

Hello Family and Friends! What a couple of weeks it has been! I hope that everyone is doing well. I apologize for last week. I was writing my email, but the computer stopped working and we had to go out, so I am sorry for that. But the past week was pretty good, seeing our recent converts as well has preparing for Isaac and Francis’ Baptism.

So as for this week it was a pretty good week. My companion and I picked up our African Shirts a couple of weeks ago, and they are pretty great! Elder Nsenga's is a Button Up on and mine is an open collar shirt, and they are pretty cool! On a sad note Isaac Pentil did not get baptized; in fact, we haven't seen in him, in almost 2 weeks. :( He was going to renew his health insurance card in Cape Coast and was supposed to be back on Monday, but hasn't returned. President Thompson told us he thinks it's because of the fact that he can do what he wants, and has no curfew, but at President Thompson's place he has to live by the rules haha. Hopefully he comes back so he can learn and grow. I really thought he was accepting the message well, but we shall see if he comes back, and what will happen.

Okay so this last Monday we had a Zone Activity at the Abura Chapel and our Abura District wore our District T-Shirts! We looked pretty great in them :) I am a little biased but we truly are the best District in the G.C.C.M. :) We took some photos and we had a really great time at the activity. I even made sure to take a picture of the Abura 8 Sisters because they are really great sister missionaries.

Tuesday was kind of a slower day. NO district meeting due to Zone Conference on Thursday, but Elder Nsenga and I saw a former investigator named Eunice who sells Kenke and we just sat down and had a good discussion. She is very sweet, but I think her problem is not coming to church haha, but hopefully we can help her out. I was joking with my companion that tonight is the night that trainer's get called and that he was going to get called for the 3rd time haha. He also was joking with me, because there is an Elder Howard coming in the mission. Well we didn't get the call but two of the Sisters did in our District, so that was great!! Super happy for them! Even one of my former companions (Elder Hodson) is also training, so I am excited for him.

Wednesday was a pretty good day. We saw Regina and we talked with her about Lesson 3, and she had a concern about the Holy Ghost, so we are going to follow up on that, but she is doing well. Elder Nsenga and I went to Abura to do a Baptism Interview for the Abura Sisters for a small girl named Filomina (She is 9) and it was really great! Then we saw Francis Baidoo and we reviewed the Baptism Interview Questions and collected the Baptism Information, everything went well!!! :)

Thursday was Zone Conference at Ola Chapel!! And I ABSOLUTELY loved it! We talked about Establishing Zion and what it takes from Past experiences in the scriptures to have Zion. President Stevenson put all the qualities on the Blog so you can check them out, as well as our Zone Picture, where I participated in a Role Play and the Musical Number so that was fun. :) I really loved Burning our Weapons of War, promising to be better, and do what we need to do to be better missionaries. Truly a spiritual highlight for me, that I want to remember forever. We even got a paper reminding us of burying our weapons of war. It was a great zone conference :) After Zone conference our appointments fell through so that was about it for Thursday.

Friday was a bit of a slower day, but Francis got interviewed for Baptism and Passed!!! Elder Nsenga and I are going to Abura to witness their baptism for 3 people, so that was really sweet!

Saturday came around and Elder Nsenga and I did our Weekly Planning today (Due to Zone Conference) and it was nice. We then had Francis’ baptism with 2 children of record (1 child didn't come so she will get baptized later) and it was really sweet!! The spirit was so strong there, and the Sisters from Abura came to support us!!! In the rush of things we weren't able to take any photos :( but I will try to get another picture with Francis this next week. After Francis’ baptism we saw Sister Vida and Patience and finished Lesson 2 again for Sister Vida, and Patience asked good questions. Sister Vida told us that Brother Ninson was coming to church tomorrow, so that was exciting to hear. Then we found out Transfer News later that night.... Which I am Staying, with Elder Nsenga!!!! Party! Transfer #3  together so he will be my longest companion (close to Elder Hodson but he will pass him by two weeks) but we are excited! With that said 3 of the sisters are going on transfer, so we will receive two new Sister missionaries and Sister Johnny to be with Sister Ruskin, so our sisters are going to 6 now, so that will be interesting instead of 8. Oh and we are getting a new zone leader, one of my T.C.'s is coming, (Elder Edwards) so that'll be great.

Finally Sunday came around and Church was great. A miracle happened: Brother Ninson actually came to Church!! YES!! Major improvement. He seemed to really enjoy the teachings and the service, so no we are hoping to help him progress to a baptism date. (I will get a picture with him soon) Also Brother Francis was confirmed, and it was another spiritual moment for me, hearing the blessing from Brother Ampiah. After Church we had P.E.C. and that was nice, and then we saw Brother Otu and talked about Lesson 3. He is doing well, preparing for his daughter's weeding soon, so we will just take it small small and see what happens. After Otu, our other lessons fell through, but we did get some FuFu with Light Soup from Sister Sophia which was really nice. Sundays are hard because we can't go home after church for lunch (the distance is too far) so we just stay out and proselyte so we don't waste time. Sometimes I will buy a biscuit on Saturday and save it for Sunday so I can eat it after Church to keep me going

But that is all for this week!!! I hope that everything is going well for you all. My companion and I are excited for this next transfer, and I hope we can help all the people that we come in contact with feel the Savior's love. I love you all, and continue to pray for you. Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Harward

P.S. Here is a joke from a return missionary that I just loved. "What did the baby corn ask the mama corn? ..... "Where's POPcorn

Love you all!

Baptisms in Abura and Primary Anniversary Day!

Hello Family and Friends! How are you all doing this week? I hope that everything is going well for you all. This past week was another good week in Ntranoa.

Tuesday we had District Meeting and it is always of course pretty funny because of the Sisters (the 8 of them). When we sing the Mission Hymn,  they are always so loud haha. It's hard to hear that Elder Nsenga and I are singing, but they are great. Sister Monyei instructed us this Tuesday (because she is going home this transfer) about what she learned throughout her mission and it was really nice. It will be sad when we lose her and Sister Otusanya, but I know they are going to do great things back at home. After District Meeting Elder Nsenga and I saw Isaac Pentil and we finished Lesson 1 and it was really great. We then saw Francis Baidoo and talked about Priesthood and Auxiliaries and Learning and Serving in the Church. They are both doing really well!

This is where our branch meets for Sacrament Meeting

Wednesday was a bit of a slower day, but Elder Nsenga and I were able to see Padmore in Koful and we had a LENGTHY discussion on God having a body and we are hoping that he prays about what we taught him. He knows the Bible well, and has been taught before, so hopefully we can help him progress.

On Thursday after Weekly Planning we went to Abura to do Baptism Interviews. I was able to do 6 this day, and it was wonderful! I told all the candidates that I am their best friend, so they can be free and just talk to me. I really loved Sister Johnson's interview because she was so funny during it, and it was a good day.

A donkey we met during our tracting

Friday was another good day. Elder Nsenga and I tried to see some people before heading to Abura, but it didn't happen. We went to Abura and I did my last interview for the Abura Sisters and then Elder Nsenga and I went to the chapel to witness the baptisms. They had 8 people baptized. Four were for Abura 2-A and the other 4 were for Abura 1-B so they combined with the wards for the baptism and it was really great. Only one person I didn't interview (Due to an abortion problem) but it was really great to see all of these people enter into the waters of baptism, and I really loved getting to know them. Sister Ruskin, Sister Mawaswha (Abura 1-B), Sister Thomas, Sister Udom, Sister Monyei, and Sister Apio (Abura 2-A) are doing really great work so they are powerful!

Saturday was another good day. Elder Nsenga and I saw Isaac Pentil and we taught all of Lesson 2 to him, and he knows that The Book of Mormon is true! He is a pretty sweet young man. I will try to get a picture with him this next week. Elder Nsenga and I then went to the chapel for the Primary Anniversary Day and the Children were great with their singing and program, it was great to watch! We then saw Francis and taught him just about Service because he was a little  bit  busy but it was good.

Sunday was a bit a slower day but we saw Otu and we talked about the Book of Mormon and committed him to pray about it again. We also saw Isaac again and taught Lesson 3 and he is doing well for his baptism date for September 10th, and Francis is also looking really good for  the 10th!

Anyways that is all for this week. I hope that all is going well for you guys. I continue to pray for you all each day. Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Harward

Ground Nut Soup, Kintombola, and All Africa Service Project!

Hello Family and Friends! How are you all doing? I hope that you are doing well, and that you are excited to go back to school. I am sure that you guys are going to learn so much, and the Lord will help you along the way.

So as for this week it has been a pretty good week. Elder Nsenga made Ground Nut soup this week, a stew and rice mix and it was really good! He is always really creative when it comes to trying some new things. Sometimes he has been calling me Kintombola and I have been thinking it means White Guy. So I tell him Dabai “I am a black man” (To joke back at him you know) and he just laughs harder. Well the real meaning of Kintombola means Ballfloat (whatever that is) so he has been calling me Kwame Kintombola and so I call him Kintombola as well haha  :)

On Tuesday we had MLC report. I learned some new things to apply as a missionary work and it is always so great to learn and grow. Elder Nsenga and I also saw Sister Vida and we had a great lesson about the Temple.

On Wednesday we saw Mary and found out from Sister Wood that the father does NOT want her to be baptized :( We don't know why, but Sister Wood is going to a small village past Swedru to ask him in December and see if he will change his mind, so for now we will just pass by her, and see how she is doing. Elder Nsenga and I were able to see Brother Patrick (One of our members) and we had a good discussion with him. We also saw Francis and talked about Tithing and Fast Offerings. He is doing really well. His Baptism date for September 10th is looking really solid so that's great!

Thursday and Friday were pretty slow days unfortunately, but the zone leaders came down for an exchange on Friday so it was nice to see them, and we saw Sister Vida on Friday so that was good :) She is always so funny. Every time she sees me she yells Kwame Jata and I always say Mame Ekuwa (Mother Wednesday because she was born on Wednesday). Her family really is great!!

Saturday was All Africa Service Project! For the Cape Coast Stake we went to Ankaful Pysicatric Hospital (which is pretty close to Ntranoa) so the Elmina Zone, and Cape Coast Zones were there and we did some  good work. Elder Nsenga and I were at the front fixing the road with the holes. (We just filling the holes with dirt and smoothing it out, because usually they don't like to replace the whole road, just fix the holes). Elder Nsegna and I saw Francis again that night and we finished Lesson 4.

Sunday we received a referral from one of our members for a guy who is working next to the church, and we had a lesson with a guy named Melecon who actually works at Ankfaul Psychiatric Hospital, so that's cool. We also saw President Thompson's Nephew and we had a good lesson with him. :)

Anyways that is all for this week. I hope that you are all doing well, and I continue to pray for you all. Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Harward

In the 20's Club

Life in Ntranoa

Hello Family and Friends! I am now 20! Yay! So I am in the "Club" since Elder Nsenga is 25 so now we are 20 buddies ha-ha! I have A LOT of pictures this week from this past transfer to now so I hope you enjoy them!!!

This past week was a pretty good week, but also a bit slower but that's okay. Tuesday we had District Meeting and we welcomed Sister Thomas to the Abura District. I have thought about why we have 8 sisters in our district and I love them like my sisters. They remind me of Katie and Camille and I think that's part of the reason I am with these sisters: they remind me of my family back home.

The sisters work really hard and are doing really well. Sister Otusany and Sister Moneyi finish this transfer and Sister Ruskin finishes her mission the transfer after that, so it will be sad to see these missionaries go home. But in our district meeting I talked just small about change and improving (since it was my 20th birthday) allowing ourselves to change and improve every day and let the past be the past and continue to move on in Faith. I showed them the picture of “Jesus Christ Knocking on the Door”, illustrating Jesus Christ is just waiting on us, to let Him into our lives to change. After District meeting we had a small party! We brought drinks, popcorn, and biscuits! The Abgura Sisters made fried rice and chicken and brought Fan Ice and we played some games and it was sweet. The Abura Sisters even gave me a gift (which was a shirt and that was nice of them), and then they soaked me of course, so that was cool! :)

Wednesday came and I officially Turned 20! Wahoo! :) Some people from the zone wished me a happy birthday and that was nice of them. Otherwise it was a pretty normal day. We saw Otu (Whom we believe is a chief) and he was very defensive about Multiple Wives and, so it was only an okay lesson. (We really think he is a chief in another place.)  We also saw Sister Mary Menash and helped her small with her Family History which was SO cool! She is preparing names to go to the temple!! We also met a less active named Benjamin in Quarters and he is a sweet guy! He is 17 years old and seems like just a normal teenager ha-ha. I am sad that he doesn’t come to church but we tried just to be his friends and make him feel loved, so hopefully we can see him more.

Thursday we saw Francis Ampiah and he is understanding the Word of Wisdom which is great! And we talked about the Law of Chasity and Obedience, and Following the Prophet. Elder Nsenga and I then talked to President Thompson about some concerns and challenges we are facing in Ntranoa and we got some really good advice and a referral for his nephew Isaac Penti who is 14 and is now living with them, so that's really sweet!

Friday and Saturday were pretty slow days. We saw Brother Evans on Friday and we just had a nice talk to him. He is moving to Elmina soon, but he says he will still come to our branch, (Hopefully that will be soon because he hasn't been to church in a long time :(  But it was a good talk.

Saturday we saw Florence Awuni and we had a great lesson with her on Authority and we asked her to pray about Priesthood Authority. We asked her if she came to know this is true, she would be baptized and she said yes! So hopefully she got an answer to her question so she can be baptized (She could use some prayers right now).

Sunday was a good day at church, and PEC was a nice discussion about the ward and how to avoid the problems of people asking us for money. (There have been missionaries in the past who have given money to ward members which is cool, but now it’s a culture of asking and we had 3 women specifically wanted to talk to me privately about money issues. I just can't get involved nor have that kind of money to help. So Elder Nsenga and I have a plan that if anyone wants to talk to me privately, he will always be there because they won't talk about money if he is around. I am grateful for him :) The branch is really good, we just want the members to know we are just here to fulfill our purpose and not to get involved in matters like that, even though it is really sad at times. We just want to encourage them to go to the ward for help.

After PEC we had FuFu with Sister Fransica and her two daughters celebrating our August Birthdays. Let me just say Groundnut soup is pretty great!!! :) One of my favorites for sure.

Anyways that's all for the week!! :) I hope that you are all doing well, and I continue to pray for all of you and hope that you are all doing well. Stay strong :)

Love,

Elder Harward