Week 4 - Aug 8, 2019

WOW I have seriously just had the best week. Its been full of so many fun and funny things. Last tuesday we ( 6 weekers) had the opportunity to be set free from the bars of the MTC and go out and proselyte in Accra. It was crazy to actually be walking the "streets" and it was so much fun. The people here are just as expected, super nice and ready to learn. I don't think one person said they didnt have time to hear our short message. We basically went around handed out pamphlets and BOM's and then got their contact for the missionaries serving in Accra. I'll share a couple of my favorite encounters from that day: 1. We met a guy named Frank (A.K.A Crazy Frank) who pulled us into his little compound, he ranted for a while about how ever since the volcano blew up the winds have just been making everyone in Ghana go crazy. He also testified to us of how Isaiah is the savior and how its really weird we call our savior Mormon... we corrected him and then   at the end he told us he was staying in a psych ward which made a lot of sense. 2. We were just walking along and we decided to go say hi to this woman so we did and then she responded in french, I was like you have got to be kidding me. So we tried to talking to her, I hope she asked a lot of yes or no questions because all I said was "oui" hahahaha. I guess it was good to give us a little taste of the field. I think the lord blessed us for trying to talk to her because right after we said bye we ran into 4 guys who just ran right up to us begging us for Books of Mormon. We had one so we gave it to them and told them that we could get the other missionaries to bring them some more. They were so excited! It was just cool to see something like that. The greatest thing I learned that day was how important the Book of Mormon is in teaching. Whenever we started to talk about it people would look up and start listening. I thought that was interesting. 

          Last thursday we got a new shipment of Elders and Sisters in. It was a lot of fun to be able to greet, welcome and give tours to the new missionaries all day. Elder Livingstone and I were the only ones in our 4 person dorms before so when the new arrivals came in they put a companionship in our room. Elder Takesala, from Congo and elder Koakao from Cote D'Ivorie both french speakers. ill put picture of them below. The first night they got here was pretty rough. They made our room smell like foot cheese and also cranked the AC up and turned off the fan which made out room so hot. Then they would not turn the lights off and go to sleep, I was so mad hahahaha. Anyhow I eventually fell asleep and so did they. Then it was 3 in the morning and the lights flip on again I just started laughing to myself I couldnt believe it. Elder Takesala had to go to the bathroom and so he turned on all the lights i was like youre kidding me. Well after about a day of just being a little upset with them I got over it. I think they were just getting used to it here. Turns out even though its super tough communicating with them we are starting to get along better. They are learning in english so its nice to have them in the room becasue we help each other learn our language. FUNNY STORY about Elder Takesala! He kept telling me about how he is going to come to America after the mission and marry " Americana". I had my picture books laying on my desk and he found them and started looking through the picture books. I was looking through my picture book and he came over and saw a picture of Catie. He thought that you were so pretty and asked to get you information so he could chat after the mission. I didnt give it to him but I probably should have. I mean hes 24 so maybe it could've worked out.

           Last super exciting thingsthis week. If you have made it this far in the email it means you really love me. As we were coming back from the temple this morning I saw a HEFY group outside. I kept walking and then I saw Easton Carter, one of my best friends, jump out of nowhere! I dropped my stuff and just booked it, felt like I was in a movie. It was the biggest blessing ever to see him. I gave him a huge hug and then his group leader came up and asked if I could share my testimony with them in French. I was still shaking from the fact I saw easton I think everyone thought I was super nervous but it was still good. It was proof the gift of tounges is real. It was so fun seeing him and we talked for a while it was such a blessing. Lastly I buzzed my hait. Something about Ben and I being together we just love doing it. We saw some clippers and were tired of sweating so me, Elder Freedman, Elder Dent and Elder Deidrich all buzzed together. Full send.

      Overall this week as you can tell was so great. My french is still pretty rough, but better then last week. Sometimes I get kinda down on myself in class but I do my best to snap out of it quickly. I've loved the MTC because I have really had the opportunity to read the scriptures. They are so amazing. So many fun and interesting stories but also so many encouraging and inspiring as well. I've loved being able to really dive into them. The mission is hard but i'm taking it one day at a time, loving it for what it is. I know this church is true!

- Elder Freedman

Picture time!

1. 3 of the buzz boys

2. Elder Takesala and his fav picture hahahaha

3. The african roomates

4. Me Ben and Easton

5. Some of the district at the temple

6. Elder Koakau

7. Where we Proselyted in Ghana