So, this week was an interesting one, if not frustrating. We had Teshie festival this week. Or rather, it finished this week; it's been going on all month. That meant that all during the week, people were giving excuses to not be available, and Saturday was completely shut down, as it was the last day. People from all over flocked to the main road / part of town (called Maami) and just... did nothing, really. Walked up and down, eating and drinking, and talking, and stuff. It was kinda like a county fair, but without the games and entertainment. Just a lot of noise, and a LOT more people.
We had to teach someone inside Maami at about 1900 on Saturday. Now, I don't like going into Maami in the first place; it's packed at all times, and practically no one speaks English there - it's the 'original' part of Teshie, and everything else sprang out of it. So, they all speak Ga. Now, at night, it gets even more packed, and dark, and the spots start getting busy, so I really don't like going through there. But this time? It was Teshie Festival. It was terrible. I'm not gonna elaborate on it, but I really didn't enjoy traveling there; it was not a nice experience. But, we had a lesson to teach, so we went... I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord.
On a more positive note, the Ward is improving. They've finally got some kind of Home Teaching program starting now, and it should include about half the membership in a few weeks (Hey, it's a start). More-so than that! Matthew bore his testimony on Sunday! It was awesome; it's always a wonderful feeling to hear someone you helped teach to bear their testimony. He thanked us for teaching him and helping him, and then he even thanked Michael for bringing us to him. Hopefully that will help the Ward members see the joy of member referrals!
In other news, Kwami Martinson is doing pretty well. We taught him, Peter, and his son James about the Book of Mormon; they really understood, it seemed. Whats more, is that James seemed interested; he hasn't been. Peter is doing his best to read, and is improving very quickly. I pray that the family will be able to be baptized very soon; if only he could read! But with his son James gaining interest, that might change things. We just have to be careful to not put pressure on him; I don't want him getting baptized because his father wants him to, or because the family needs him to so they can. He needs his own testimony. I just pray that he'll read and pray, so that he can get that answer from God.
That's about it for this week. We don't have much time, so I'll have to leave you with my testimony concerning testimonies. A testimony is a gift from God; it is given to all those who seek it. Any who desire to have one simply must fulfill the requirements. Read The Book of Mormon, ponder its message in your heart, and then ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if it is true. "If ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, [God] will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Moroni 10:4). I know this to be true. So does everyone who follows this course. If you don't know it is true, it is because you have not done your part; or, as Nephi put it, "if ye cannot understand [these words] it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark." (2 Nephi 32:4).
Put it to the test. Ask God, with that real desire to know if it is true, and you will know it is true. It's that simple - but you have to do your part. I have done my part. I have put God to the test, and He has manifested the truth of it unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost. If any of you have any doubts, or if any of you feel that you need a reaffirmation of the truth, then ask. God will do it every time, so long as you meet the requirements. Of this I testify.
I love you all! Take care!
--Elder Collings
We had to teach someone inside Maami at about 1900 on Saturday. Now, I don't like going into Maami in the first place; it's packed at all times, and practically no one speaks English there - it's the 'original' part of Teshie, and everything else sprang out of it. So, they all speak Ga. Now, at night, it gets even more packed, and dark, and the spots start getting busy, so I really don't like going through there. But this time? It was Teshie Festival. It was terrible. I'm not gonna elaborate on it, but I really didn't enjoy traveling there; it was not a nice experience. But, we had a lesson to teach, so we went... I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord.
On a more positive note, the Ward is improving. They've finally got some kind of Home Teaching program starting now, and it should include about half the membership in a few weeks (Hey, it's a start). More-so than that! Matthew bore his testimony on Sunday! It was awesome; it's always a wonderful feeling to hear someone you helped teach to bear their testimony. He thanked us for teaching him and helping him, and then he even thanked Michael for bringing us to him. Hopefully that will help the Ward members see the joy of member referrals!
In other news, Kwami Martinson is doing pretty well. We taught him, Peter, and his son James about the Book of Mormon; they really understood, it seemed. Whats more, is that James seemed interested; he hasn't been. Peter is doing his best to read, and is improving very quickly. I pray that the family will be able to be baptized very soon; if only he could read! But with his son James gaining interest, that might change things. We just have to be careful to not put pressure on him; I don't want him getting baptized because his father wants him to, or because the family needs him to so they can. He needs his own testimony. I just pray that he'll read and pray, so that he can get that answer from God.
That's about it for this week. We don't have much time, so I'll have to leave you with my testimony concerning testimonies. A testimony is a gift from God; it is given to all those who seek it. Any who desire to have one simply must fulfill the requirements. Read The Book of Mormon, ponder its message in your heart, and then ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if it is true. "If ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, [God] will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Moroni 10:4). I know this to be true. So does everyone who follows this course. If you don't know it is true, it is because you have not done your part; or, as Nephi put it, "if ye cannot understand [these words] it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark." (2 Nephi 32:4).
Put it to the test. Ask God, with that real desire to know if it is true, and you will know it is true. It's that simple - but you have to do your part. I have done my part. I have put God to the test, and He has manifested the truth of it unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost. If any of you have any doubts, or if any of you feel that you need a reaffirmation of the truth, then ask. God will do it every time, so long as you meet the requirements. Of this I testify.
I love you all! Take care!
--Elder Collings
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