Two Years in Ghana: Letter and Photos from July 26, 2016

Daniel Buchanan <daniel.buchanan@myldsmail.net> Jul 26 at 2:27 PM

Hi, all!!

So it's been a good week, albeit fairly uneventful.

-So we were supposed to have three baptisms on Sunday, but because we have so many problems with the font, the branch president told us to postpone it until next week. But the night before, we decided to make some food for one of our investigators because the next day was the baptism and apparently it was awful! We made our delicious fried rice with vegetables and chicken-flavored seasoning! Elder Kwofie said it was pretty much the best rice he's ever had, but apparently not for this investigator. Apparently I can't cook, haha. But I must say I disagree, however. I do make some pretty mean fried rice.

-We had an interesting zone conference yesterday! I got there and the AP came up to me and gave me a program and my name was on it to play piano! No prior notice or anything, but I didn't complain, I like playing piano! We had some instruction, then a lunch break where we had lots of rice and chicken and it was good! After lunch, every district that was there had to perform a skit. Ours as well as two others acted out King Noah and Abinadi from the Book of Mormon. It was alright. Some of them were pretty funny. There was one that was really accurate, but almost made me a little nervous. One thing that people here are a strong believer of is speaking in "tongues." And here, a tongue doesn't equate to a language. According to them, it means the holy spirit comes upon them and they suddenly start going crazy and convulsing and speaking random stuff that no one understands (including the one apparently under the influence of the spirit) but is known to God. One district acted this out, and it was pretty humorous, but it was really loud with the mic and I was afraid people passing by would think we actually worship that way xD But overall, it was pretty fun. I took some pictures with some of my buddies there.

-But as for the baptisms, that was disappointing because we were supposed to have three! But our font is basically a bunch of tarp wrapped around a metal frame holding it together. That's the best way I can describe it. It was dirty, it has a hole in it, and it's difficult. To fill it up, we have to fill it from the water tank. The water tank is like 20' above the ground upon a tower and there's no tap/faucet. The only way to get the water out is to put a hose in the top of the tank and then literally have someone suck on the opposite end to siphon the water from the tank into the font. That also wasn't working. So that was pretty disappointing, but if everything goes according to plan, we should be having six next week! But if not, we'll definitely get the three for sure. Pray that everything will work out properly!

I recently came across a scripture that I had marked previously, but I had forgotten about it for a while, and I love it so much! It's from The Book of Mormon. It's Alma 33:14, "Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read the scriptures? If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God?" It's pretty self-explanatory. If we study the scriptures, how is it possible for us to disbelieve or doubt Jesus Christ? It comes as no surprise that since I've been here, I've studied the scriptures more than I ever have before, and I'm more convinced than I ever have been before that Jesus Christ truly does live and that He truly is our Savior. I know that He lives and that He loves us. By studying His words, we come to know Him more fully and more personally. I've never doubted the gospel, but recently, it's become so much more real to me. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He atoned for all of us because He loves all of us. I know it.

I love you all so much! You're the best! I hope all is well with all of you and I hope life is treating you well! I hope to hear from you again soon!!

With love,

Elder Buchanan