Pig Roast in Africa

Elder Christopherson has a new Mission President from Australia.  So the missionaries from the islands of the Pacific decided to have a welcome party and roast a full pig over a pit.  Elder Tommy had the honor of "skewering" the pig.  I think that is mostly gross, but he said the pork was delicious.   Meat is not common for missionaries, so I know he is glad to eat well!!

Everything is so green during the rainy season!

Scenes of Ghana

 First Look at Africa!

Fresh water packets are their main source of drinking water

Do or do not, there is no try!

Last month, Elder Christopherson sent this email and mentioned that he used Star Wars logic during a lesson.  What he didn't know is that I have this sign on my office door!

Etesen! I am learning twi like crazy out here its really the only way!

I always have a million things to say but then after a long day adventuring, scrubbing my cloths in a bucket,  and a sketchy taxi ride I sit down and go blank but ill try my best to get an email out for ya. This week we worked really hard with members and its been a real blessing having members teach or visit with us. I love the members here they are awesome people. I helped make FuFu for the first time this week. Its made by pounding Plantain (kind of like a green bitter banana) and cassava (beets) in a wooden bowl with a massive stick its harder than it sounds.

 I was with Elder Peters my trainer and Elder Prescott, a rad Hawaiian who went on an exchange with us. First off Elder Prescott smooth talked a random Twi Mommy into giving us three watermelons for free! So we took them to different members. On our way back we went to Brother Sedat, an investigator who has been interested in the church for awhile. He was never making time for church because of work. So I shared with him a quote from a Jedi, sadly he wasn't familiar with the movie Star Wars but its understandable we're in Africa. I told him that Yoda said "There is no Try, Only Do." He really enjoyed the message and lesson. That night he actually came to midweek to find out for himself what the church is all about. It was hilarious the  Yoda quote worked! Point of the story is we need to have Faith and do the things that will bring us closer to our heavenly father. Actions are louder than words, actions like praying, going to church, service, reading the scriptures, keeping the commandments... there are a lot of things we can do to bring us closer to our Heavenly Father. . There is no try, only do when it comes to our heavenly fathers plan for us. So keep on doing what is right! Keep the big picture in mind! 

Elder Christopherson

Second Transfer with Elder Ferrin

Thanks to Elder Ferrin, we got a lot more pictures this week!  Our missionary speaks of daily service, regular storms that leave them soaked, and wonderful people!  We are grateful that Elder Christopherson is serving with a great young man who is completing his mission next month!  It will be a sweet experience to meet him soon!

I wonder what the room looks like behind the camera??  But our Elder always kept a clean space, so we are not surprised that this is the evidence we need that he is keeping his apartment tidy!

Always wet!!

Pounding the fufu!!

Happy Fourth of July from Ghana!

Happy Fourth of July Everyone!!

 I'm proud to be an American seriously we are so blessed! It was a holiday for Ghanaians on the 1st so I asked around and nobody knew why they were celebrating or what Holiday it was. It took all day but finally a random guy looked it up on his phone for me and it was Republic day! The funny thing is random Ghanaians have been reminding me all day about my own Holiday haha. Lets celebrate for a reason this 4th of July and remember why we even have this holiday.

So this week lets see.. we have been weeding a massive school yard with our machetes early each morning for a service project. There is a lizard in our room and we decided it needed to stay to help keep the ant population down. A Missionary who stayed in my apartment about a year ago came on an exchange. He was sent home 6 months ago after getting really sick but he's healthy now back at it again in Ghana.
 Our Mission President peaced out on Tuesday  so now we have President Simpson from Australia. It was hard to see President Snow leave he is an awesome dude it was a short but good time being around him. 

I would definitely go check out his conference talk back in 2005. He talks about his love for hiking in the mountains and how we can stay on the right path when we use our map and compass. If we lose our way we can always get back on the trail that God has set before us. I took a picture of a very typical river here in Ghana to represent what the path might look like when you lose your way. Pretty trashy right! So do yourself a favor and hike on the right path that leads to happiness and beautiful scenery.

Other than that it was a week full of adventures and there's not enough time to share about them all. I hope everyone has an amazing week full of opportunities to serve others. I challenge everyone to find that right path and stay on it even when the path is a little rough. I know that if you stay on the right path even when its difficult the destination will be worth it.

                                                                    Peace Be The Journey

Love Elder Christopherson

p.s. In one of the photos I'm pushing a little boy named Gabriel around on his bike that has no chain. Service isn't hard and it can be fun

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/10/compass-of-the-lord?lang=eng

First Transfer in Ghana Accra West

Elder Christopherson was assigned to work with the Zone Leaders in Lartebiokorshie, Greater Accra.  Elder Ferrin and Elder Peters were great trainers, and he jumped in (the puddles) with both feet!!

Still no explanation for the Ostrich!

Adjusting to life and Temple work at the Ghana MTC

Elder Christopherson sent so many pictures this week that I am prompted to get these experiences on a blog that can be shared with others.   His weekly messages will still be emailed to family and friends, but the pictures will stay here so others can see them, share them, and find other missionaries that are serving in the Ghana Accra West mission.  I can't promise that these pictures will come with descriptions, but I will share what I know.  I will start with pictures from his experience at the Ghana MTC.   Peace be the Journey!

Why did Elder Christopherson go?