New Town Week 4

Hey everyone,

Me and Pwee. He raps

this week was good! i wasn't feeling that well, so each night i was just struggling to make it to the end, but we had some huge blessings as well. I think i saw president Simpson more this week than i ever have in a single week and it was great. I feel like every time we are around him, something funny happens. For example, at church during Elders quorum, they talked about voodoo for like 20 minutes. Then they somehow related it to repentance and forgiving others... hmm. hahah i just looked at president and laughed. but we also get to learn something when he is around. He is a great man.

We had multi-zone conferences this week and also interviews with president. The zone conference was good. We continued talking about the power of the Holy Ghost in conversion. We talked about the importance of being worthy of the Spirit so we can teach with power and authority. 

On Saturday, we were just leaving our apartment to go to have our interview with president, and someone from the top floor told us that he wanted to talk to us. We contacted him and invited him to church, and he came! His name is Emile and he is from Liberia. After church, he came to me and asked me what he needed to do in order to be baptized... haha i was speechless, and just kind of starred at him, and then finally told him that we would help him. Talk about a tender mercy.

I am loving it here. This zone is great. We had a zone activity today at it was fun. We just played different sports at the chapel, and then we also bought a ton of pure water, and basically used them as water balloons and played dodge ball.. No one was seriously injured, but we all experienced a little pain ;) A poor sister from Nigeria got hit in the eye with my baseball.. she is okay tho. Nothing like the sign of a good time than a black eye right? Mission is great. Ghana is a great place. I feel so happy serving my Savior. If you put Him as the focus of your life, you can always find joy. 

Have a great week! 

Love, 

ELDER ELDREDGE 

Paa Kwesi with style

Cooking banku for someone

Poor girl is afraid of white people 

President and Sister Simpson came to church

Sup Ya'll

Hey everyone,

Temple selfie. Elders Wiscombe and Perry,
 and me and my companion.

This week was good. we weren't as fortunate last week with new investigators, but we were still able to spend time with our investigators. We have some great new investigators, who i have a lot of hope for. i have felt such a love for the people here. my desire to teach them has grown a lot here, and they are such great people. There are some investigators we have that, the first time we met them, they just always seemed down and unhappy. I have seen them, and their countenance change as we have come to teach them. They seem happier, and in a better mood than before. This gospel changes lives for the better, as long as we let it. I love sharing that with people. 

Swedru came to the temple on Saturday, and we got permission to go and see them, and some recent converts! It was such a blessing to me to see my old ward, and some of my recent converts at the temple. I felt like i was with my family again, and it was great. Some of the members came a gave me hugs, and it made me so happy to see them going into the temple. I am so grateful for the blessing i had to serve there, and a part of me will always be there. 

I am also loving the ward here. we have such great members and recent converts. One member, Bro Morttey, loves missionary work, and we can count on him to give us a referral regularly. He is awesome. Our bishop is also super cool. he used to be a Muslim, and the missionaries used him to translate for them, and from there he heard about the gospel. After that he moved to new town, and started coming to church and the rest is history. It was a really big lesson to me, to always talk to anyone who is willing to listen to you, no matter who they are or what they believe. They are still God's children, no matter what and He loves them. 

We went on an exchange with the Northridge elders. I spent the day with elder Bambrough. He is from Salem, and his family is in the same ward as Mick and Mel.  he is a super nice, loving missionary and we had a good day. We were able to do some contacting, even though we didn't have the time to sit down with them. But we hope to continue to find and also help our zone continue to find new people. 

Overall this was a great week, and we got a lot done. Elder Udo and i are good. We get along great. 

I am grateful to be here. My mission is becoming more and more important to me each day. Heavenly Father has been so good to me. Have a great week! 

ELDER ELDREDGE

Peace

The Big City

Exchange at Northride. Elder Bambrough is a GIANT

My apartment. super small and super HOT! w

W don't have any air flow so it gets pretty steamy.

New Town 2

Hey, everyone

we had an awesome week here, and were super blessed to be able to find some new people to teach. The Lord is here in this area helping us out so much. While we are working hard to get new people and teach them the best we can, they are taking their sweet time to progress. They will come around though. Slowly. 

My area. The temple is straight ahead in the distance. 

You can see it from the place we were, 

but i don't think you will be able to pick it up in this picture.

This week we were pretty busy at the beginning, getting ready for our zone training. The training went well. We talked about the importance of the Spirit, in teaching, and also helping others recognize for themselves that they are feeling the Spirit. Sometimes we expect too much, or to have a big answer to our prayers, but God still wants us to work, and to trust in Him. I think that is why it is a still small voice, because if you don't listen, you will never hear it. A lot of times our investigators feel the Spirit, but they don't recognize it to be the Spirit. So we all learned a lot about how to recognize the Spirit, and how to help others do the same. It was great.

This week, we were trying our best to find as much as possible. We were able to find a lot of new investigators which is great. It is always nice to have people to teach. We are super blessed here in Ghana to be able to have so many people all around us who are willing to listen. For example, on Saturday we went to visit an investigator who is having a hard time keeping commitments. When we got there, he was asleep so we just went down a couple doors and knocked. A man opened the door, and without us saying anything, he pulled out two chairs for us, and one for him and sat down and said, "who is going to pray?" lolol That was the easiest new investigator i think ever.. 

Sunday was a little disappointing, no one showed up for church. I mean no investigators came at least. We didn't even know what to do at investigator's class haha. They will come around tho. Just unlucky that everyone wasn't able to come the same week. 

After church on Sunday, we were going to a member's house who lives in Nima. One the way we passed by this house with a big wall around it, and it was really loud, people were playing music inside, and there were a ton of police guarding outside and what not. Turns out it was the president of Ghana's house.. Yep, he lives in our area. I hope he wants to learn about the Restored gospel, because i am going to knock on his door one day. I hear one of the guards is a member too, so maybe he can get us in ;) 

Sometimes we get to talk to muslims. They are really nice and usually have good questions. But most of the time, they are just not interested. We aren't supposed to teach them either, unless we have written consent from their guardian or parent. This is for a lot of reasons. But usually if missionaries have a chance to teach them, they just do it, but we are currently not teaching any muslims.  

I'm loving it here so much. Each day is fun. I am getting along with my companion really well, and we have a good time together. He is super funny. This work is true. Jesus is the Christ and He lives today. He loves you too. 

Have a great week! 

love,

ELDER BEN ELDREDGE

Another view of my area

Can you spot the temple? Just the top though

A Whole New World

Hello everyone,

Mission is such a great place where you get to be tossed around Ghana in a tro tro and expected to just figure things out. Thank goodness the Holy Ghost is here to guide or else i think i might die. So far i am loving my new area, i just don't know it very well. Things will get better as time goes on. Our ward is great tho! they are helping a lot with missionary work. Elder Udo is a great missionary, and i am super grateful to be able to work with him. 

Small Children

My new area is very different from Swedru. If i could make a comparison, i would say it is like going from Beaver Utah, to Salt Lake City... My head is still spinning a little. Sometimes throughout the day i wonder how this area has two wards in it, because of all the Muslims everywhere. You have to look pretty hard to find someone who believes in Jesus Christ. The Spirit has helped us so much this week to find new investigators. 

Some cool things about my area: Every evening around 6:00 the sky gets covered with bats flying through the air. You can also see the Flagstaff House (the presidents house) from parts of our area. And we have AC in our chapel. Tender mercy right there. 

This week we had a great MLC, which was all based on the Holy Ghost. We talked about how we have been called to teach by the Comforter. When we have the Spirit with us we will be able to teach with power and authority. Over my mission, i have realized the importance of always being worthy to have the Spirit with me. I truly need Him every hour. We have to work hard and do the small and simple things in order to qualify for the Spirit. It is by small and simple things, that great things are brought to pass. The promptings from the Spirit are so small and so simple, but so significant. They also lead us to do great things.

I am so grateful for this new area and companion. I am excited to learn from him. This work is true. The Lord is in the details of our lives. 

Have a great week! thank you for the prayers. 

Love,

Elder Ben Eldredge

we went to the temple site this morning to play some good ole basketball

I guess there is an oil you can buy that will make you have visions like J-Smith

from when i was in the bush (blurry)

bye bye elder wiscombe :(

Change

Happy Monday, Everyone

Service Project

This week has been another adventure. Lots of ups and downs and also side to sides.. We have been so busy lately i cant even keep track of what week of the transfer it is. I almost forgot that transfer news was this week until the assistants called and told us our news. Looks like i am leaving Swedru. We also went on another exchange, and rode through the bushiest trails possible to shake things up a bit. All in all it has been a great week.

After 30 of the best weeks of my life, my time to be in Swedru has come to an end. I will miss this place and these people dearly. My testimony of the Savior and his gospel has grown so much while serving alongside these great members and companions. He truly is in the details of our lives. We closed out the transfer with a great baptism. Sister Grace was baptized this last week. The purpose of this gospel is to bring us joy, and it brought so much joy to me and also to Grace as she applied it into her life. This gospel changes lives, and builds us to become more like our father, who knows complete joy.

I will be leaving tomorrow to New-town, my new area! It is in the heart of Accra, and really close to the temple, so i am excited. Should be an adventure. My new companion is from Nigeria and his name is Elder Udo. I have known him for a while, and he is a great missionary. I am excited to get to serve with him.

We went on an exchange this week with our district leader out in Odoben, and it was great. Elder Parker came to be with me for the day. We had a bit of a crazy day, with an emergency travel down to Winneba to drop off a sick Elder to go to the doctor, so we rode in the tro tro for most of the day. But we still got to see some people and we had a fun time.

Riding bikes has been an adventure. We have been finding new ways of getting to places and riding through a lot of bush! So fun. This is such a beautiful place. God is wonderful.

I gotta cut this email short, I haven't started packing yet so i am toast.

This gospel is true. Jesus Christ lives!

have a great week!

Love Elder Ben Eldredge

Omni 1:26

Service Project

sweet river we found on one of our adventures through the bush

sweet river we found on one of our adventures through the bush

tuo zafi, a not so local, local food. They make if primarily in the norther part of Ghana. Super delicous tho.

Corn is a Big Hit

Hey, fam!

The work is continuing to move forward in Ghana. I loved this week so much. This week, we had an awesome couple of exchanges with the assistants and also out in the bush with some elders in our zone. We were also able to have interviews with President Simpson on Saturday. All made for a busy, great week.

Tuesday, we went with the APs in our area on an exchange. It was awesome. i have loved going on exchanges with Elder Martineau. We were also able to teach a nice little family for the first time. They live pretty far away in Asafo, but they have such a strong faith in Jesus Christ. The Spirit was so strong during our lesson with them.

On Thursday, we went out really far to the bush to go on exchange with the Elders in Asikuma. Asikuma is one of the coolest villages i have been to. So far away, you just come out of the forest into a nice town with paved roads. I felt like i was in a Ghanaian version of a Hallmark movie town. I spent the day with Elder Burt. He is a great missionary, and we had a great day. We taught one man who lately has found it difficult to go to any church because they are all so different and he feels like the pastors don't care about him, they just want his money. This gospel truly is for everyone. When we learn of the truths, and ask in faith, we will know.

On the way back from Asikuma we had a bit of a scare. We left town a little late, around 7:15, and it takes about 2 hours to get to Swedru. Not too long after we left town, we had to stop because a semi was parked in the middle of the road. Just seconds after we stopped, we got slammed from behind by a tro tro carrying a ton of corn.. We were parked on a hill facing down, so as soon as we got hit we started flying down the hill, right toward the semi. I don't know how, but the driver had some crazy reflexes and steered us around the semi and we flew into the bushes and came to a stop. Some of the people were a little banged up, but nothing too bad. Elder Wiscombe and i woke up with some sore necks and head aches, but we were blessed so much. It could have been a lot worse. After everyone calmed down, we got back in the tro and made it to Swedru lol

So now a days we are doing interviews with President once a transfer and it is so nice. It gives us time to talk personally with him and ask him questions about the area, and some advice. I learned a lot from him.

On Sunday, our bishop announced that they will be able to move to the new chapel on the first week of March! That will be so great for them. I probably will never worship there, considering transfers are this week and i have been here forever so i will probably leave. But it will be great. I think the Fourth Branch will also get their own missionaries so the work with progress a ton there. Soon they will all have to split again haha. This work is great. I love my mission. I wouldn't trade this opportunity for the world. It kind of sucks to think that i only have as much time as i have spent here in Swedru as i do on mission. This will be the best 7 and a half months of my life!

Just heard that Parker got engaged! That is sweet! Proud of you brother. Bummed i wont be able to be there, but it is alright. I am happy for you and Amber!

I love you all so much! Have a great week and remember, the Savior lives!

ELDER BEN ELDREDGE

my companion with a dried up camileon 

elder wiscombe broke the radio with his knee when we got hit by a tro. cafra (sorry)

The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning

Hey, fam

this week was awesome! I cant believe how fast it went. Every day is just packed full of activities and there is no time to look back. I am having the time of my life out here.

We had an awesome multi-zone conference this week and we finally got to watch the world-wide missionary broadcast. I guess Ghana man time applies in all aspects of life here.. lol

We went to Nsaba this week to follow up on sister Victoria, the one who i used to teach in Kasoa, and it was awesome! She is great. She just lives really far away. It takes like 40 minutes or so to get to Swedru from her house. The stake president is working on starting a branch in a nearby village which would be great for her, and everyone else in those small villages.

We had a baptism yesterday before church. It was really awesome. Sister Wendy was so excited to get baptized. The Spirit was so strong that the church literally caught on fire... Luckily it was just the outside wall. We went outside to leave to go to the fourth branch and we just saw huge flames coming over the wall, and someone with a hose trying to put it out.. so we ran and got a bunch of buckets and put it out just in time for the fire service to come.. remember what i said about Ghana man time? no one was hurt, except for the compound wall.. Funny memory though. 

I have loved being here in Swedru. It has been a blessing to see people's progression over time. It has really helped me see that I am not the one doing this work. It is all the Holy Ghost. As they feel His influence they have a natural inclination to do what is right, and to repent. It has really been awesome. This Gospel is true. 

Can't wait to see what comes this week! 

Have a great one. Love you all

Love,

Elder Ben Eldredge