So, the rainy season has officially started, apparently. It's been raining almost every day this week. Nothing too bad yet; normally just really really really heavy (still not Texas-heavy) for 30 min or so, maybe less, and then finish for the rest of the day. But apparently, it gets much worse. From what I've been told, Ghana has an alternating rainy season. One year it'll be really bad, then the next it'll be nothing. Last year it was nothing, so this year it should be really bad. We shall see; haha.
We had a meeting with the Zone Leader and the District Leader from Nungua (we have a small Zone) and discussed what we can do for our Districts and the Zone to help improve - we missed our monthly goal by 20 or so, or something ridiculous like that. It all came down to obedience; Missionaries need to be exactly obedient. Pres. has promised that if we just followed the schedule - up by 0630, study by 0800, out by 1000, in by 2130, and asleep by 2230 - our baptisms in the entire mission will double. So far, most of the mission has forgotten that promise (and the E. Setati challenge) and baptisms are grinding to a halt. It's almost as if the mission has had it easy for long enough, and the Lord won't suffer so many of His servants to be so delinquent anymore. It's incredible how hard it is to get anyone to do anything these days; it was never this hard getting people to Sacrament when I first came. But now that E. Keeng and E. Omale are out of jail, it doesn't seem the Lord will be so lenient on our actions anymore. I pray that the importance of all these things will be recognized in the mission soon, so that the Work will not be hindered.
On a happier note, we (Elder Malley and I) got our idea passed at PEC for teaching a missionary lessons class - still don't have an official name yet. We'll be starting tomorrow, and teach every Tuesday and Thursday at 1900 - 2000. We'll teach the first 3 lessons, from the pamphlets, and just do half the lesson Tues, and the second half Thurs. We're hoping to teach our investigators, Recent Converts, and Less Actives in an environment that lets us give more scriptures and doctrine, without having to worry so much about personal concerns, so that when we go into individual lessons we can address their concerns and not have to ALSO try to put in Doctrine. We hope that it'll result in greater progress; if nothing else, we're showing the Lord we're doing everything we can to progress the people. It will also help, because it gives a time other than Sunday that they can come and see how things are done, which will make it easier to get them to Church on Sunday - we hope.
One fun thing this week was we met Jemima (yup; that's her real name. Different from the Aunt Jemima in Korle-Bu though). We were biking to a place, when someone yelled "Latter-Day Saints! Latter-Day Saints!" Now, I know that in some places (like JD's mission, maybe; haha) that would be a God-send. But here, everyone does that, and it normally ends in some kinda ignorant comment about us drinking blood or something (long story how that got started; involves an article by a "Reverend Apostle;" haha). So, normally, when we have an appointment to go to, and that happens, we turn, look, and then keep going. But today, we stopped and figured we had some small time, might as well see what was up. So we did. Turns out, Jemima has been to the Nungua Ward several times, has a friend there, and wants to be a member. She's also incredibly smart, and works with people in London (she's in marketing) so she reads and comprehends amazingly well. So... yea; it was a God-send. Haha. She couldn't come this week to sacrament because her small girl (18 months) had a fever, so she stayed home to take care of her. Hopefully we can progress with her this week.
Also, speaking of fun people to teach, we taught a false prophet this week! I don't wanna mention names, or give too many details, but the guy wanted to establish his own church, and wanted us to tell him that it'd be ok, and accept his claim of being a prophet. He said that God has talked to him "loud and clear," which E. Malley and I both saw as a conflict with the whole "still small voice" thing with Elijah. We taught parts of the Plan of Salvation, like the Spirit World, and that really ticked him off, and he started tripping over himself in the Bible, proving us right and him wrong. He really did a number when we said that Priesthood can only be given through the laying on of hands (Articles of Faith 1:5; Num 27:18-20,22-23; Acts 6:5-8) and proved us right without any doubt. In the end, he simply had to say that he'd never accept that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Only True and Living Church of Jesus Christ upon the face of the whole earth, and told us we had to stop preaching that. We told him we cannot say anything but the Truth, and we know from God by the power of the Holy Ghost that that is the Truth. So we bid him a good day and left. I just felt bad because his wife, whom we taught before meeting this guy, was really awesome, and seemed to believe our message. I guess she'll just have to wait until the next life to get her chance to accept it. Thank heaven for the Temple!
Finally, we saw a school bus on Monday. It drove by in the evening while we were sitting just after a lesson, waiting for the person to bring us water (they do that here; it's awesome). It was a big, yellow, stop-sign-equipped school bus. It was one of the most random things I've seen in Ghana. Elder Malley and I just stared at it until it was no longer in sight, and then just sat, completely puzzled at what we had just seen. It was pretty cool though; haha.
I end this by bearing my testimony, that I know this Church if True. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God, and the Priesthood - the power and authority of God given to man to act in His name - is only found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is the Only True and Living Church of Jesus Christ, the only place having the authority to teach the fullness of the Gospel, and to baptize in the name of Christ and have their names recorded in heaven. The Lord has said, "All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power...are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead" (D&C 132:7). Salvation comes only when we obey the laws and ordinances of the Gospel, and the power to perform those ordinances are only found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know this to be true; God has testified this unto me by the power of His Holy Ghost. I exhort all those who are within the sound of my voice and have access to my words to search these things out for themselves. Read the Book of Mormon; visit the Church; meet with the Missionaries in your area. This is the most important path you will ever walk in your lifetime.
Those who have already commenced down this path and have entered through the gate and onto that strait and narrow path, I exhort you to remain faithful. Always remember the promptings and confirmations you have received from the Holy Ghost concerning these things. You are not finished! You have much work to do. If the path seems rough and the way seems unclear, then go to your knees and beg the Lord to help you. Grab firm hold of the iron rod, for that is the only thing that will lead you safely through the mist of darkness that will rise in your life. Read the scriptures daily; if you do not, you will find great difficulties in your life, and you will most likely begin to feel lost. Do not wander from the Gospel! You have received your witness, you have commenced the path. Do not let go; press forward, feasting upon the words of Christ, and endure to the end.
I know these things are True. Greater peace, love, joy, and comfort comes from these things than any other source in this world. Of this I testify.
I love you all! Take care, and God bless! Read the Book of Mormon! Ponder over it! Pray and ask God if it is True!
--Elder Collings
We had a meeting with the Zone Leader and the District Leader from Nungua (we have a small Zone) and discussed what we can do for our Districts and the Zone to help improve - we missed our monthly goal by 20 or so, or something ridiculous like that. It all came down to obedience; Missionaries need to be exactly obedient. Pres. has promised that if we just followed the schedule - up by 0630, study by 0800, out by 1000, in by 2130, and asleep by 2230 - our baptisms in the entire mission will double. So far, most of the mission has forgotten that promise (and the E. Setati challenge) and baptisms are grinding to a halt. It's almost as if the mission has had it easy for long enough, and the Lord won't suffer so many of His servants to be so delinquent anymore. It's incredible how hard it is to get anyone to do anything these days; it was never this hard getting people to Sacrament when I first came. But now that E. Keeng and E. Omale are out of jail, it doesn't seem the Lord will be so lenient on our actions anymore. I pray that the importance of all these things will be recognized in the mission soon, so that the Work will not be hindered.
On a happier note, we (Elder Malley and I) got our idea passed at PEC for teaching a missionary lessons class - still don't have an official name yet. We'll be starting tomorrow, and teach every Tuesday and Thursday at 1900 - 2000. We'll teach the first 3 lessons, from the pamphlets, and just do half the lesson Tues, and the second half Thurs. We're hoping to teach our investigators, Recent Converts, and Less Actives in an environment that lets us give more scriptures and doctrine, without having to worry so much about personal concerns, so that when we go into individual lessons we can address their concerns and not have to ALSO try to put in Doctrine. We hope that it'll result in greater progress; if nothing else, we're showing the Lord we're doing everything we can to progress the people. It will also help, because it gives a time other than Sunday that they can come and see how things are done, which will make it easier to get them to Church on Sunday - we hope.
One fun thing this week was we met Jemima (yup; that's her real name. Different from the Aunt Jemima in Korle-Bu though). We were biking to a place, when someone yelled "Latter-Day Saints! Latter-Day Saints!" Now, I know that in some places (like JD's mission, maybe; haha) that would be a God-send. But here, everyone does that, and it normally ends in some kinda ignorant comment about us drinking blood or something (long story how that got started; involves an article by a "Reverend Apostle;" haha). So, normally, when we have an appointment to go to, and that happens, we turn, look, and then keep going. But today, we stopped and figured we had some small time, might as well see what was up. So we did. Turns out, Jemima has been to the Nungua Ward several times, has a friend there, and wants to be a member. She's also incredibly smart, and works with people in London (she's in marketing) so she reads and comprehends amazingly well. So... yea; it was a God-send. Haha. She couldn't come this week to sacrament because her small girl (18 months) had a fever, so she stayed home to take care of her. Hopefully we can progress with her this week.
Also, speaking of fun people to teach, we taught a false prophet this week! I don't wanna mention names, or give too many details, but the guy wanted to establish his own church, and wanted us to tell him that it'd be ok, and accept his claim of being a prophet. He said that God has talked to him "loud and clear," which E. Malley and I both saw as a conflict with the whole "still small voice" thing with Elijah. We taught parts of the Plan of Salvation, like the Spirit World, and that really ticked him off, and he started tripping over himself in the Bible, proving us right and him wrong. He really did a number when we said that Priesthood can only be given through the laying on of hands (Articles of Faith 1:5; Num 27:18-20,22-23; Acts 6:5-8) and proved us right without any doubt. In the end, he simply had to say that he'd never accept that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Only True and Living Church of Jesus Christ upon the face of the whole earth, and told us we had to stop preaching that. We told him we cannot say anything but the Truth, and we know from God by the power of the Holy Ghost that that is the Truth. So we bid him a good day and left. I just felt bad because his wife, whom we taught before meeting this guy, was really awesome, and seemed to believe our message. I guess she'll just have to wait until the next life to get her chance to accept it. Thank heaven for the Temple!
Finally, we saw a school bus on Monday. It drove by in the evening while we were sitting just after a lesson, waiting for the person to bring us water (they do that here; it's awesome). It was a big, yellow, stop-sign-equipped school bus. It was one of the most random things I've seen in Ghana. Elder Malley and I just stared at it until it was no longer in sight, and then just sat, completely puzzled at what we had just seen. It was pretty cool though; haha.
I end this by bearing my testimony, that I know this Church if True. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God, and the Priesthood - the power and authority of God given to man to act in His name - is only found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is the Only True and Living Church of Jesus Christ, the only place having the authority to teach the fullness of the Gospel, and to baptize in the name of Christ and have their names recorded in heaven. The Lord has said, "All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power...are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead" (D&C 132:7). Salvation comes only when we obey the laws and ordinances of the Gospel, and the power to perform those ordinances are only found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know this to be true; God has testified this unto me by the power of His Holy Ghost. I exhort all those who are within the sound of my voice and have access to my words to search these things out for themselves. Read the Book of Mormon; visit the Church; meet with the Missionaries in your area. This is the most important path you will ever walk in your lifetime.
Those who have already commenced down this path and have entered through the gate and onto that strait and narrow path, I exhort you to remain faithful. Always remember the promptings and confirmations you have received from the Holy Ghost concerning these things. You are not finished! You have much work to do. If the path seems rough and the way seems unclear, then go to your knees and beg the Lord to help you. Grab firm hold of the iron rod, for that is the only thing that will lead you safely through the mist of darkness that will rise in your life. Read the scriptures daily; if you do not, you will find great difficulties in your life, and you will most likely begin to feel lost. Do not wander from the Gospel! You have received your witness, you have commenced the path. Do not let go; press forward, feasting upon the words of Christ, and endure to the end.
I know these things are True. Greater peace, love, joy, and comfort comes from these things than any other source in this world. Of this I testify.
I love you all! Take care, and God bless! Read the Book of Mormon! Ponder over it! Pray and ask God if it is True!
--Elder Collings
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