MƐ KƆ FEI

Hello, my friends and family! The title of today's email means "I'm going home". Today, I write to you for the last time... I first want to thank all of you for your constant love and support, which I have seen time and time again. There were many moments in my mission which were low. And almost like clockwork, when I was feeling down, there was always an email full of love, kindness, and encouragement. It is and always was exactly what I needed. So big thank you to all of you who have read my emails, thought of me, prayed for me, cried with me, or gave me support in any way! It is through people like you that a tired, worn-out, beat missionary can feel Christ's love. So with all the humility of my heart, Thank you!!

When I first arrived in Ghana, I vividly remember being stuffed in a small, rickety aircraft in Accra for a 30-minute flight to Kumasi. Near the end of the short flight, I can remember dipping out of the clouds in Kumasi and seeing thousands of tiny shacks and rusted roofs scattered amongst the red dirt landscape. I can recall thinking to myself that there is absolutely nothing that this place has to offer me. Oh, how I have found myself to be so wrong! Ghana has offered me EVERYTHING! Today, I come to you with a humble heart, full of joy, and gratitude, for the time in which God has permitted me to have spent in Ghana. These past two years have been the most stressful, difficult, and downright challenging years I have ever experienced. But from the difficulties, I have learned more in these short two years than I ever thought I could. I have experienced unspeakable amounts of joy. The kind of joy that fills you from head to toe and makes you want to jump around and yell from the rooftops! (Sounds kinda silly but it's the only way I can think to explain it.) I have seen my life and others changed, turned around. Pasts forgotten, new beginnings. I have seen the hand of God in the most remarkable and stunning ways. I've heard the voice of the spirit speak from the dust. I've seen it lead me to people who are ready for the gospel. I've seen countless prayers answered. And testimonies developed. And I am so thankful to think that all this is only a shadow of things to come!

I want to speak about some of the big life-changing lessons that I have learned. Many of which I experienced in a trial by fire situation. But I believe that is why these became big lessons.

I have learned that God truly loves, cares for, and blesses each and every one of his children. God's love always abounds and does not depend on status, education, material items, or ability. It really is unconditional. I've learned that the way this love is experienced isn't through the material blessings that we receive. We as first-world people seem to get too focused on these things and lose sight of how God's love can be experienced. I've met absolute saints in Ghana who have absolutely nothing. Living In a hut built with weeds and mud, rust holes in the roof, and no clothes on their back. But despite having nothing, their love for and commitment to God is overpowering. I Never heard complaining. They are as happy as could be. Why? Because they are abiding in God's love. Because they are living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Do they wish they could have more? Yes! But they are content because they feel the presence of the Spirit. And they undeniably feel God's love for them. They are humble enough to recognize that the gospel of Jesus Christ is everything!

I've learned that there is always something to be learned! And the quickest way to learn these lessons is through humility. There were times where I felt I was at the top! Turns out I wasn't even close.

I've learned that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its accompanying gospel is Jesus Christ's church and it is his gospel. He is indeed the Savior and Redeemer. He did come and he did perform the atonement. We can repent of our sins to better ourselves and to become more like him. I learned that Jesus Christ is the answer to everything. He is in all and through all, it is because of him we have everything. He is the answer to the ailments in today's society. The love of Christ is what will build bridges to connect all of us together in unity. I know he lives, the proof is given that he loves us. We just need to show that we love him.

There are so many things that I have learned and continue to learn. I have absolutely LOVED my time that I have spent in Ghana. And will forever cherish the moments that I spent here and the relationships that were cultivated. To say goodbye is a lot harder than anticipated but I know that God has great things in store for the people here in Ghana, and for myself. So here's to the best two years!!!

Afehyia Paa!!

Hello, brothers and sisters! What a wonderful Christmas season we have had this year! For the past few weeks while walking around proselytizing, instead of the normal greetings of good morning, good afternoon, and so forth, we have been greeted countless times with "Afehyia paa," which means Merry Christmas! Honestly, it was nice to have that constant reminder of Christmas time, especially because when it's 100⁰ degrees outside, it is really easy to completely forget. Although Christmas has come and gone, I am still trying to reflect back and think of all the good moments I have had throughout this year. (There are too many to even number), but just because the year is past does not mean it should be forgotten. So with that said, I am just so grateful to my Heavenly Father for leading me this far!

I have been transferred out of Kronum! I spent my 6 months as zone leader, and now I am "retired." Technically, I have been released, but I think retired sounds better. Anyways, I will just talk for a minute about my time in Kronum. I will dare say that was my favorite area! I was in a ward which was just so awesome! Missionary work was so enjoyable there, and the people were just the absolute best, most loving Christ-like people I have met thus far in Ghana. Some of these people changed the entire course of my mission; some even changed my outlook on life. They served tirelessly to gather Israel, and it was just a joy to be around people who understand the gospel and are willing to do what they covenant to do! I'm so grateful that I was able to serve people there and leave my own little mark on Kronum! On my last day in Kronum, we went to visit the Tiamah family. They are one of the best families in Kronum. As I was saying my goodbyes, they surprised me with a gift. The gift was that they are going to name their next child after me—Mommy Tiamah (Vida) was in her 9th month of pregnancy at that time. They proceeded with this news, telling me how much I have changed their family and helped them. They all started to cry, and I already had alligator tears streaming down my face. It was THE MOST HUMBLED I have ever felt in my life. Yesterday evening, I got a call from Daddy Tiamah (Thomas) that the baby has been born and indeed named "Gilbert Tiamah." I couldn't have dreamed of a better farewell from Kronum! Sadly, the Tiamah family doesn't have a smartphone to send me a picture of their newborn, but I have a picture attached of me sitting with the Tiamah family while saying farewells (it's the one with the man wearing a neon yellow shirt).

Now, speaking of newborns, it was Christmas, which represents the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My first Christmas in Ghana was pretty bad and honestly kind of depressing. But my second Christmas in Ghana was the BEST!! The funny thing is there wasn't anything that changed. I celebrated Christmas the exact same way both years. But the one difference was I learned how Christmas is supposed to be celebrated. I now firmly believe that Christmas is supposed to be a humble holiday, focused around the Savior. Although Ghana doesn't really have much snow, festivities, or gifts, they do got one thing right. And that is the focus of Christmas. When it comes to a Ghanaian Christmas, there is no external pollution, no corporation pushing gifts, no high expectations. Just people, family, kindness, sharing, generosity, food, and most importantly, it is 100% focused on Jesus Christ. Now, of course, many of them do not know exactly the extent of what the Savior has done for them, or maybe they do not know the correct way to pray or to worship him. But the intent is there. Now I'm not saying that we don't know how to celebrate Christmas at home, but I will say that we tend to shoot past the mark. Jesus Christ, the king of Kings, was born in a stable for crying out loud. He was born among animals!! In a dim damp stable. So if he was born with nothing, why should we focus so much on having "things"? Anyways, this year I celebrated Christmas the Ghanaian way, humbly, surrounded by friends, and with food!

So, as I mentioned earlier, I have been transferred to my last area! When I got released, I was called to train. President mentioned in the phone call that I would be training an American elder. Well, transfer day came, and I was called to the Berekum area in the Sunyani zone. My companion is Elder Zebe from Pocatello, Idaho!!! What are the odds of that? I am in my last transfer, and he is just starting his second transfer. So I feel kinda bad at times, especially when I celebrate the small milestones (like only having 30 days left), Elder Zebe will just look at me and shake his head. Although it may have been a long time ago, I do remember how intimidating a mission seemed. But my goal is to help set him up for a mission full of success. I've learned so much while I have been here, so now it's my turn to realize these things and help teach them to someone else so they can build upon my experiences.

That goes right along with my scripture thought. It is coming from Moroni 10:3:

"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts."

As the year ends, I'm trying to reflect on the past year and "remember how merciful the Lord has been unto me." One point in the gospel that is often overlooked is to remember! I have a tough time with this, especially. But the Lord will do something amazing for me, and I will remember for a week or two, and then it will slowly fade away. And to remember has a lot to do with being grateful. So this year, I am going to set aside a few minutes every day to reflect and "remember," and I could encourage you to try and do the same!

Anyways, I sure love all of you! And I am just constantly humbled by the support y'all give me! I hope everyone's Christmas was amazing, and happy new year! 2024 is going to be amazing, I can already tell!

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