January 25, 2016

Etesen?! (How are you? In Twi)

How is everyone doing this week?  I hope everyone is doing good and that they are well. Our week was really good this week. We had a multi-zone conference up in Kpong.  Its up in the mountains about two hours away by tro tro. The weather was foggy and overcast the whole day.  It was a nice break from the heat in Accra!  The American elders got together and played a little American football, it was a lot of fun.  I also found out that four of the American elders are going to Sierra Leone.  It was closed because of the Ebola epidemic, but they opened the country again just recently.  One of the elders is a good friend and it will be hard to see him go.  I definitely plan on staying in touch with him. 

   Our investigators that are getting baptized came to church so they are right on schedule. The baptisms are scheduled for the 30th, so keep them in your prayers.   We met all of the goals that we set out to do this week so that felt really good. It is hard to believe that I am almost finished with training! It still feels like yesterday that I got here and was so tired that I feel asleep in class in the MTC. The time truly goes fast and I cant even imagine how fast it will go once I finish training, only 3 more weeks. Before I know it I will be back home talking to everyone in person about Africa!! The work is definitely hard, but I am so glad to be here to do it. I know this is where I am supposed to be to do the work. It is slow but, it is going good.  As an Obroni (white person), Bruni for short, I definitely stand out.  The kids always come up and hang on me and want to talk to us.  But it also helps us get in to teach people because they are curious what I am doing in Ghana, so it's all good. It is still just as hot as ever here so please send some of the cold weather our way. We desperately need it. I hope everything is going good back home. I love all of you.

"We have been taught as Nephi of old of goodly parents who loved the lord, We have been taught and we understand that we must do as the Lord commands."- Childrens Hymnbook

Sincerely,

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

January 18, 2016

Hey everyone!!

     I hope everyone is doing well this week. I actually had a really good week. We found a few new investigators while we were actually teaching one of our other investigators. They happened to just be sitting there and we asked them if they wanted to join the lesson and they said yes! Also we had a couple of investigators at church yesterday, Sister Joyce and Brother Benjamin (they are a couple). They are both on schedule for baptism on the 30th of this month so keep praying for them!! We also had our first official district exchange this week. It went really well. I went with Elder Omokoh and Elder Sam went with Elder Kohler. It is funny because that day they ended up finding a whole ton of people to teach so we have a few potential investigators lined up, which is really nice. 

     We also had zone training this week and Pres. Heid and his wife ended up stopping by during the training.  It was great to see them both.  The work definitely is tough, but I am so glad I am able to do it. I still can't believe that I only have less than 22 months to do the work, and if I look at the council that Pres. Heid follows then I will only be in about 4 to 5 areas my whole mission. (Council from the first presidency is to keep a missionary in an area for at least 6 months.) So it looks like I will be in Botwe a little longer!! I dont mind though because I really like this area. I am in the Ashaley Botwe ward, which has about 100 members with about 50 active members.  It is crazy how fast the weeks go, Monday ends and next thing you know its Monday again.  Well that is really all I have for this week. I hope you all have a good week. My love goes out to you all!!

Sincerely,

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

January 11, 2016

Hello everyone!

I hope everyone had a good week and that you all are enjoying the new year! Not much really happened this week because I ended up being sick a couple of days. It was also a tough week because a few of our strong investigators didnt show up to church so it was really frustrating. While I was sick though I learned a lot of things from the scriptures and from the preach my gospel series called "The District". It really taught me a lot of new and interesting things. One thing that I learned is that it is okay to be bold as long as it is appropriate. I got to exercise that on Saturday in our first lesson. It ended up being 2 hours of listening to a pastor and his friend talk so it was kind of funny and really boring and spirit killing but, right near the end of the lesson I picked up a Book of Mormon, bore my testimony on how it and my testimony of Christ saved my live and instantly the atmosphere of the lesson changed, I could actually feel the Spirit in the room for the first time in those long 2 hours. Also after I did that they said that they would read the Book of Mormon, so I know for sure that when we are bold and when we do what the spirit tells us to do we can be an instrument in God's hands because that is certainly what I was in that moment. My advice this week would be to not be afraid to share the gospel with people you know because you have no idea if they are ready or not. The worst they could do is say no which really isnt all that bad. I would also say that if you get the chance you should watch "The District", it really is powerful and can teach you how to be a missionary in your lives.
"All that glitters is gold, Only shooting stars break the mold"- SmashMouth
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Elder Travis J. Roberts
Ghana Accra Mission

January 4, 2016

Hey everyone!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I hope everyone had a good New Years Eve and Day and that no one got into too much trouble. My new years went really good. New Years Eve we went to the ward party , so that was fun. We shot off a few fireworks and had some good food. I have a challenge for everyone. If it is possible I want you all to try to find a Ghanaian Restaurant and have some Ghanaian food. I know that they are over there. Also if you choose to accept this challenge start with Fufu in Peanut Butter soup. It is not made with peanut butter. That is just what they call the basic soup. Also if you do, send me a picture and tell me if you were able to eat the whole bowl. This week was kind of tough because of the holidays so I am glad they are over. It makes our job as missionaries easier!! I cant believe that I am already half way through training!! It will be nice when it is over though, that way I won't be at the bottom of the food chain!! I cant believe that in one week I will only have 22 months left!! It really goes fast!! I havent read my scriptures much this week because we actually have been pretty busy but, a scripture I like to keep in my mind is Helaman 5:12, (it is only my favorite scripture), "It is upon the rock of our Redeemer that we must build". So lets always remember to build on the foundation of Christ, that way the devil shall have no power over us. I love you all!!

"The wise man built his house upon the rock, the foolish man built it upon the sand. Who got washed away?" Quote by Elder Roberts

Sincerely,

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission