New Companion, growth in Ho

As promised this weeks email i devoted as much time as possible to help keeping you up to date with everything that has happened this past few weeks!!

They have been quite a Hectic few!!

I got a new companion, Elder John, and yes he is my second new missionary.

However Elder Imende got transferred to Kasoa, and Elder Fairbourn from Utah came to replace him, so still 2 whites in the apartment! But it is a little spot the white person!

The other Elder Anderson went to a place called Tantra Hills in northern Accra.

We received some great, fantastic news on Sunday!!!!  President Judd got a letter from the 1st presidency informing him of 2 new stakes and 1 new district being created in the mission area!!

The 4 stakes in Accra are becoming 6 and Ho will now be apart of a District!!!
the Kpong Ghana District.  With Kpong Branch (which will probably be split) the Senchi branch and the Ho branch which president also said, should be split before the end of the year!!!

The vision is the same a stake of Zion right here in Ho.

They looked at land again yesterday for a Stake centre, not just a meetinghouse. It is 2.8acres!  The other plot of land is just under an acre, but they are 4 parcels next to each other and the 4th person changed his mind and is not sure if he wants to sell!

so we are all praying that his heart will be softened!

I am still the DL up here in Ho, the new zone (Koforidua Zone) covers quite a large area, but it only comprises of 2 districts and 6 companionship's and 2 senior couples.

Just have to travel 2.5 hours to reach meetings!! but it is better than 3.5/4 to accra!!!

at least to Koforidua there is no traffic!  Keeping the district motivated is not an easy task! missionary work is demanding! i always try to be a good example and offer encouragement and support!

The Mission tour that i was telling you about with Elder Sitati from the area presidency was really great!!

They discussed about striving for further light and knowledge and following paths and light and righteousness and avoid darkness.  Light and Dark are always paired, we know that there must needs be an opposition in all things.  In Moroni 7:19 it talks about being the children of Christ by walking in that light, and by following light in brings more light!

He said, "When we go against the light of Christ, it brings imperfection, godly sorrow, and a desire to rid ourselves of imperfection, therefore having the light returned to us.  However, failure to repent leaves us vulnerable to Satan and to sin as our definition between light and dark is diminished."

He re-issued the challenge to be 100% missionaries for the next 6 months and try and see how the blessing will.

In D&C 76:5-10  It talks about obedience and how we can be lifted up thru following that light which is good and right!

Sister Judd also gave us three simple rules to live by.

1.  Obey commandments

2.  Work and Work Hard

3.  Have FUN!!!

Then on Saturday we went to the new zone, district leaders council.  So much instruction, it went or about 4 hours!

Elder Speirs instructed on being more pure, aiming for that light!

Elder Afu instructed on leadership skills and how Satan uses counterfiets to trick us into doing things we think are right and are very close to truths but a just barly twisted. Like using flattery instead of praise, or criticism instead of instruction or reprove. 

Elder Lyon (Couple) on family history in missionary work

Elder Baker (couple) on effective meetings
Sister Baker (couple) on getting converts to the temple

Elder Nembaware on covenants and 

Me on using the Book of Mormon more effectively! 

I recently gave an instruction at a meeting we had about the choice to be obedient and it went something like this!

I love how the gospel applies on so many levels.

We need to exercise faith in being obedient and repent of any previous disobedience and keep our covenants and the commandments, then we can receive an increase of the Holy Ghost.  thus being able to teach with more power and authority. 

Elder Holland said, "Authority comes from our ordination, the power come from obedience and worthiness"

"When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power!"

You know working hard is now always easy, there are so many times and different situations that can bring you down!

My new companion is doing great! He is very humble, and has a strong desire to help the people of Ghana!

I love Ghana, I love the People, I am scared that in just over 6 months i will be coming home to a polar opposite of the life i am used to here in Ghana.

Some will be a nice and welcomed change, but many will be hard to re-adjust to! just as adjusting when i got here was Hard!!

Lots of Love
Elder Anderson!