Date
December 20, 2021
Area
Klagon, Accra, Ghana
Companion
Ghana Thrift Grails
What's good ChaleGreetings from the African Coast. Hows my fan club doing? Hah My intros and titles are starting to be less and less creative so just bear with me. Don't worry I'll work on it. Another week, another blur. If time keeps ticking the way it has I'll be back in the 480 in no time. No rush though, Im having the time of my life and loving every minute doing the Lords work.
Pday last week was one of the happiest days of my life. I got a package from my beautiful momma and it saved me. Dad ties (Elder Pratt you've converted me to the wave), new proselyting bag, beef Jerky, and most importantly: SKITTLES. If you know me well, you know I survive off of these things. For all of you, it may just sound like rations but to an Elder serving in Africa, its a christmas feast. You know you've hit a low point when oat meal and peanut butter make you cry tears of gratitude. I hope all the blessings that God has for you come your way and none of you have to experience that lol. After these past 4 months, I see everything through grateful eyes. I have taken for granted too many blessings and the Lord has taught me how to be truly grateful for all I have. I'm convinced I could eat dog food and enjoy it haha. I'll eat anything now.
Everyone In the ward says I'm getting fat, but I have no idea what they are talking about. Personally, I think I look great, Love Handles and all. Nah I'm playing.
As you can imagine everyone carries things on their head. I've tried to learn and it's seriously one of the hardest things. Our girl Esther, the fruit lady, carries this massive bowl of fruit on her head. The bowl is so heavy filled with massive pineapples and mangos, she needs help to even lift it up onto her head. I tried to do it and after 2 minutes my neck was soar. Seriously so impressive. Another thing I love about Ghana, the fruit. Seriously the best fruit you'll ever have in your life.
Ghana gets all their used clothes from the States so it's so rad to see people wearing shirts a Thrift head would die over. It makes me miss thrifting with the boys but also reminds me of my closest friends. It's especially comforting to see people wearing shirts from Arizona or our sports teams. I don't think its a coincidence that I see them as often as I do. I know it's a sign from the Lord telling me that he's mindful of me. I cant explain it, but when I see someone reping Arizona on their shirt, I get this feeling that heavenly father sees what I left and he's aware of my sacrifice. I love it and I'm grateful that our Father loves us so much he'll do anything just to put a little smile on our face. In this case, like me seeing something that reminds me of home. Elder Nuttal quit yo job at Old habits kid, come to Ghana. Domer vintage where ya at? The bins are lacking.
We were able to baptise 2 of our friends in a part member family yesterday, a mother and her kid. Sarah and Shawn live with their cousin Johnathan who has led them to the church just by his example. I'm way stoked for them and their decision to be baptised. It was a joyous time, except for the actual baptism. Many people here cant swim and are deathly terrified of the water, even a small pool like the font. When Johnathan baptised Sarah, he put her under the water and she came up screaming. It was actually pretty scary not gonna lie. Next was Shawn. When it was his time, he held onto Johnathan so tight and wouldn't go under. Johnathan had to shove him under and when Shawn came back up he was in shock. He opened his mouth to breathe but couldn't gasp for air for a couple seconds. It was very different than a normal baptism and something I'll look back on as a straight Trip but overall they were very happy to be baptised.
When it's time for photos everyone just wants to jump in. Random people from the ward with no relation want to be in the baptism photo. Its so funny. Where there's a camera, Ghanaians flock. They call it flexing, taking a thousand photos looking their best to show off.
I could go on and on. Email me If you want to hear more. Love you all. From the groms to the Oldies, you all have a special place in my heart. Signing off and sending love over the miles that separate us.
Elder Odo Kwa ku
1-3 baptism 4. Best fruit on mother earth 5. Ghana man fruit guy6. Ghana in my eyes7-8. Ghana lessons- find a concrete slab, a log, or squat in the dirt I don't care sit down we are going to learn the gospel9. Abroni's flexing