8-7-17, Ye ka nyame ase debiaa (We preach the word of God everyday)"

Holy crazy week here. 

We started our week by going to Kumasi town, like 45 minutes drive, to go and look at the culture center (where most people get their souvenirs). I grabbed a few things to bring home, but really, it is a sweet place!  :) 

Then, Tuesday, we had our zone conference combined with Konongo. My MTC group mate, Elder Yates is a zone leader over there, so it was  cool to see him! :) It was a pretty rough start, there was some confusion about the start time, some thought it was 9 and some 10, so that was interesting, but it all went over smoothly. Great spirit there, I learned so much about how to become a better teacher and things that I can do better to become better. Good to see where I lack so I can grow.

We had MLC (Missionary Leadership Council) on Thursday. I love that meeting, such an uplifting experience there for sure. We heard some news of the new zones to be created. Scary thought for me, because they could split me and my companion to split our zone in two. We had some great ideas on how to improve the accountability of our zones and how to help them work harder and be a little more obedient so they can have the Spirit to guide them. We learned a whole lot there, and I hope that we can make the best use of what we learned as a companionship! :) On the way home, we had tons of traffic, so what better time to share the gospel than with our taxi driver. I happened to be in the front seat, so I got the conversation rolling about what we do and why. It led to a great discussion on the Restoration and gave my companion and I a chance to share our testimonies with him, help him understand the need for a prophet, and a little about the Book of Mormon. We were able to give him a copy which was so awesome, and we hope that he can get in contact with the missionaries in his area. As we got inside, I just felt like I got a huge hug from my family. I can't really describe it, but it is one of the best feelings in the world!  :) 

We said goodbye to Elder Hepworth this morning too which was sad to see him go, but I know someday we will meet again. We spent most of last night playing games together. Tons of fun and a good way to send off Elder Hepworth! :)

To close out this week, I would just like to share on how much the Book of Mormon and the Bible go together.  In the words of the Book of Mormon (2nd Nephi 29:8-9)

8 ...Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.

God works the same way yesterday, today and forever. He has spoken to us, He is speaking, and He will continue to speak as long as we will listen and obey. The Lord's work is not finished, it did not finish with the Bible, or the Book of Mormon, yet they go hand in hand to testify of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God for us today, and we will be changed if we will only listen to the Lord's voice and follow the promptings we receive, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love you all,

Elder Wawro 

Pictures:

7-31-17, "Me de, Me da, asaa (I eat, I sleep, finish)"

Well, what an interesting week I have had. It was really uneventful because Elder Burdge was sick, but it wasn't all that bad, we made the best of it! :)

To start, on Monday, we had a sweet district activity. It was pretty low key, but we had TONS of fun! We made a fruit drink from mango, pineapple, and watermelon which was great, ate some fried rice, and then just played some small games and got to know each other. Holy fun!!! Our district was pretty quiet most of the time, but now we are all pretty good friends, it was a great activity.  :)

Second, we had a lot of time in the house. Sister Dearing, the mission nurse, said it would be about a week before Elder Burdge had his strength back and could not be in so much pain. So we made the best of it! Since we didn't leave the house for 4 days, we had a competition on who could have the best beards. Elder Burdge had a day on me, but when day 4 came, we took some pictures and also just shaved funny beard styles in for kicks!!  I will attach some if I can! :)

Saturday, Elder Burdge was feeling great, so we went out and did a ton of visiting members and investigators and inviting them to church!  I was beyond joyful to be out and about again, words can't describe. 

We tried something totally new with our zone members. Usually, we think of ideas together that would improve the zone, and my companion and I thought we ought to just call and check in on them every now and then to see how they are. I have never had that and neither has my companion, so we thought it would be a good idea to test out, and it was a hit!! All the members were so excited to hear from us, and a little surprised too! One of them said that this was a first for him, so he wrote in his journal, and others were just amazed that we just called to see how they are and not for just business. I really learned my lesson on Charity this week. It really goes a long way to just call and se how people are. Not to ask for something or to remind them of something, but just to see how they are doing, and tell them that we love them, it was so awesome, and a little humbling to see how much more we can do to show love to our zone members. 

We also had a crazy game of ping pong with Elder White and Elder Burdge. I am absolutely awful at ping pong, but when we were playing, it was so much fun, I would love to get a little better and play some more!  :)

Mom, you asked about seminary and what I'd do differently if I could go back...well, honestly, I wish I would have paid more attention, I wish I would have read more of the scriptures and done some marking. I really love the verse by verse reading of the scriptures and talking about what it means and how it applies, I always loved those lessons! I also wish I did my personal scripture study to prepare for class. It is 100,000x more rewarding if you prepare for it rather than just show up and expect to learn something you never prepared for. 

I had a chance to ponder a little bit about Joseph Smith this week. It has been a reoccurring thought to me this week, that simply, the world is blessed with so much knowledge because of the Restored gospel - because of a humble prayer from a young boy. He had a simple question and a burning desire in his heart to know what God wanted him to do. And as he asked with an open mind and heart to listen for his answer, Heavenly Father did answer him. There are so many people in this world who really don't like what the LDS church teaches, but really, if more people would just kneel down and ask God which church to join with an open mind, so many more would know of the truth of the Restored gospel found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am blessed to be sharing this message every day, and to those who aren't members of the church, please, kneel down and pray to know the truth, and I promise as does James, that God will answer. 

James 1:5

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering...

Elder Wawro

Pictures:

So this is a rubber tree! They smell awful though, but it is cool, they collect the sap into the cup and use it for plastics

Pool in Obuasi. Yeah... that is most of the pools here.  This one used to be nice, but the place closed down so nobody takes care of it anymore.  :(