Two Years in Ghana: Letter and photos from January 4, 2016

Daniel Buchanan <daniel.buchanan@myldsmail.net> Jan 4 at 11:56 AM

Hi, all!

This week hasn't been too eventful. I can't believe I'm officially done with my training now! It's already been over three months. That's crazy!! New Years is a big deal here in Ghana. People will stay up all night with their nice subwoofers playing music and partying it up, haha! But this week was a little hard for me. Tomorrow is the next transfer, and we found out on Saturday what was going on. So in our apartment, there are four elders. Elder Uche (a Nigerian), Elder Palmer (an American), Elder Saunders (my American companion), and me. So sadly, my area is being closed (sort of). Elders Palmer and Saunders are being transferred (to Teschie and Accra, respectively), and Elder Uche and I are staying. It'll now be a two-Elder apartment, and our two areas are combined. So now the two of us have one massive area to cover by ourselves. I feel bad that my area's being closed because we haven't been seeing the fruits of our labor that we've been hoping for. But I have faith that everything will work out regardless. The Lord will guide us and give us strength to move forward His work. I'm really going to miss having Elder Saunders as my companion. He makes it so easy to be excited about the work, and he also makes it fun! He's taught me so much, and I really look up to him. Even so, I'm looking forward to the adventure I've got coming up ahead starting tomorrow!

We found out the news at a Stake Missionary Meeting, but afterwards, we cheered ourselves up by feasting on fried chicken, rice, plantain, macaroni, a piece of waffle, and banana bread. It was glorious. Then, yesterday, a member of the bishopric invited us over for the New Year and also because Elders Palmer and Saunders are being transferred. I shared a thought from Moroni with them before we left.

I shared the scriptures Moroni 7:13, 16, 19. Sometimes we ask, "Am I feeling the spirit or are these just my own thoughts?" But sometimes, we don't have to distinguish between the two. Anything that prompts us to do something good—to serve, to love, to follow the Savior—it's inspired of God. I know it's true, because anytime I have a thought to do something good and I act upon that prompting, I feel the Holy Spirit in my life so much more and I feel the love of God and I also see His hand in my life. If we truly do everything we can to follow Jesus Christ, we will be so blessed. I know He lives and that He's our Savior. I know it.

Thank you all for all of the love and support you give me. I love hearing from you all. I can't wait to hear from you again!

With love,

Elder Buchanan