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!!!
