July 26, 2016

Hey everyone!!

How was your week?! I hope that it went well. Sorry to everyone that was waiting for the email yesterday, we were busy so I didn't get to do it. Today is a different story. Our week went well. We moved the baptisms of Bro. Adam and Bro. Andrew to this Saturday, so we will have the baptisms in the new building! We are really excited about that! We also had a huge multi-zone conference yesterday in Kpong. It was a really fun one because we had 4 zones together. I saw almost all of my tc's (traveling companions) and a whole bunch of my friends. We had instruction from Pres. Heid, Sis. Heid and a few other people. We also heard the testimonies of missionaries going home. Several of them are some of my friends so it was a little hard to see them go. Then all the districts there performed skits that they had prepared.  Our district did our skit on the difference between serious and not serious missionaries. I got to be the investigator, so it was really fun. You really could feel the spirit with all of us there aND ithe really recharged my batteries. It really was a fun day. I hope that you all have a great week!

Love,

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

July 18, 2016

Hey everyone!! How are you all doing? I hope that your week went well. Ours went pretty good. I'm still getting used to my new area, but it feels like home, so that is nice. We had some good numbers. The big challenge is still trying to get investigators to church. Everything is still on track for this weeks baptisms, so that is exciting! One small problem is the branch president wants to wait until the 30th when the new building will be done. We would prefer the 23rd, but we will just have to play it by ear. 

I spoke in church a couple weeks ago on "missionary" Sunday. That is where the missionaries are in charge of all the meetings, we do it once a month. I am grateful for the chance to teach others about the gospel and for the opportunity to share my testimony. I know that I am growing and learning because of these missionary experiences; missions are so awesome!

Even though it was kind of a quiet week, the work is still moving along. I am absolutely loving the area! It really is a great area. The people are wonderful. My grandma Arnson will be thrilled to know I still haven't seen any monkeys. I hope to see some wildlife while I'm in Suhum, but nothing so far. I dont have much else to report, but all is going well. The mission is losing another ten Elders next transfer with no replacements, so it's pretty crazy but it's all good.

I have gotten the chance to practice my cooking skills here in Ghana. We usually eat eggs and rice for breakfast. We have a fridge and I actually got to have some real milk, something I didn't think I would be able to enjoy until I got back home. Elder Kallon and I are going to get pizza after I finish emailing, so that will be nice. I know the church is true and I absolutely love it. Missionary work is real. I am so thankful to serve a mission. I love you all!

Love,

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

July 11, 2016

Hey everyone!!

I hope that your week was good! Our week was pretty good, but not as great as last week. Unfortunately, we didn't have anyone come to church this week. Everyone we are working with was out of town for funerals, so we didn't make as much progress as we would have liked. I'm enjoying being a senior companion, partly because my companion, Elder Kallon, is self-motivated and makes the work go smoothly. We are enjoying working together. Unlike the spoiled missionaries in the states, we don't eat often at members homes ;-). We cook things like rice, stew, noodles, etc. for each other, so its all good.  

Suhum is really awesome! The people treat us well and are very welcoming and willing to listen. I really couldn't have come to a better place to serve. Everybody speaks English and Twi here. I have only picked up a few words and phrases in Twi, mainly because everybody speaks English. I would like to learn more, but we have been instructed by Pres. Heid not to spend time learning the different dialects, so that it doesn't take away time we could spend teaching. Our investigators are great, they are really receptive to the message. Things are still looking good for our baptisms on the 23rd, so that is exciting! 

It is hard to think that I have been out for 8 months already. 8 months...that is crazy! It really is incredible how fast the time flies. I can't believe that this transfer is half way over (there are 6 weeks in a transfer period)! Missionary work is real. A mission really does change you. I have seen the change in peoples lives and in my own.  I hope that you all have a great week.

Love,

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

July 4, 2016

Happy 4th of July!!!

I hope that your week was good. Our week was great! This was one of the best weeks I have had over here. The work is really amazing in Suhum. I hope that I stay here for a while. The members are wonderful and the people are wonderful. It is a much smaller congregation than in Ashaley Botwe, so I even get to play the piano for some of the meetings. I am doing well and my companion, Elder Kallon is doing well.I am still getting used to the area, but I am really liking it. We don't have any hot water for showers, but with the heat here in Ghana its not that big of a deal.

It is weird to be the senior companion and to be in charge of all the decisions for our companionship. It really is a big learning experience. I need to learn fast though, because I think I will be made district leader this next transfer. I am not really sure, but it might happen. We lose a lot of guys next month so it is highly likely that will happen. It really is always amazing to hear conversion stories. I don't have any for ya, I just like them a lot :-). It is cool to see investigators become converted though. I can see it in some of the investigators that we have. I hope it turns into something. We have some baptisms booked for July 23rd, hopefully our investigators will follow through. I am so thankful for a mission and for what it does to you. I can't believe that my role model (my cousin DJ Arnson) only has 5 weeks left. I can't wait to see him and all of you late next year. Have a great week!

Love,

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission