Nov 6, 2017

Hello everyone!!

Wow, I never changed that opener, whoops! Well, I hope that you are all doing good, I am doing great! (Well of course I am, I am going home!!) This last week was really good. We were able to see a lot of people before I left. It was bittersweet saying goodbye to everyone. I won't lie, it still feels like I am just going on a transfer, but I know I am going home. It really is a weird feeling.

I am ready to go, but I will miss Ghana so much. I really am thankful for these last two years and for all the things that I have learned and for who I have become. I am thankful for the Lord's guidance and for all that he has done for me. I am thankful for all of your support and for the love that you all have shown me.

I want to leave you with my testimony that I know the gospel is true, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that a man can get nearer to God if he abides by its precepts. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and that he leads and guides us today. I know that the priesthood is on the earth today and if we are worthy we can use it to further the work of the Lord. I know that temples are the most sacred place on earth besides the home, and that we should be striving to be worthy to enter them and that we should go often. I love all of you, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. I can't wait to see all of you soon!

Love,

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

Oct 30, 2017

Hello everyone!

How are all of you? I am doing great! I am just tryin to enjoy the last few days of my mission. Its hard to believe we are at this point. This week wasnt anything exceptional, I just kept my head down and went to work. It was a good solid week. Yesterday for my last p-day I went to Kpone beach for an activity. I saw some people that took care of me while I served in Kpone for the last time. I also saw some Elders I hadn'the seen in a while for the last time, it felt weird to say good bye to them. I saw Elder Wilkins and his son Elder Saena, so that was cool. Elder Wilkins also got me a gift, which was really nice of him. 

It is hard to believe that this it. I will send one more letter next week, so that will be my last one. I want to testify that the gospel is true. These past two years would have been a waste if it wasn't. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He leads and guides us today. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and was called to restore the fullness of the gospel. I love all of you. I cant wait to see you all next week. Also, feel free to come to the airport if you have the chance. If you have any questions ask my parents about that. I can't wait to reconnect with everybody after I get back. Love you all!!

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

Oct 16 & 23, 2017

Hello Everybody!!!

I hope that you are all doing well! I am doing great. Sorry that it has been a couple of weeks since I wrote last, but on the bright side it has been a really good last couple of weeks! I think this will probably be the best month of my mission. We have had so many baptisms recently. We were able to baptize Patrick, and he was confirmed yesterday. 

It has been a good proselyting week as well. We actually had an exchange with the zone leaders this week, I was with Elder Rowley. We ended up staying in all day because he was really sick from some bad waakye he ate on Tuesday. I was also a little sick on Friday when we were together. The worst part was that we no electricity from 6 in the morning to 5 in the evening. It was really terrible for the both of us. I haven't had a day that bad since early this year! It was stupid hot in their house. It got to the point where we were both sleeping in the parlor on the couch cushions instead of our beds because it was nicer! 

Our area is really going good though. It is mostly just trying to keep the investigator pool full for after I leave. We also had our primary program yesterday!! It was so wonderful to hear from the children about what they are learning and to hear them sing primary songs, it really brings the spirit. It is hard to believe that next week is my last week. I know that I haven't been the best at responding to other people, but thank you for all of the support and love for these past 2 years. It really has meant a lot to me. I love all of you!
-- 

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

Oct 2 & 9, 2017

Hello everyone!!!

I hope that you are all doing well! Elder Bayo and I are really doing good. We even have had some baptisms, so we are really excited right now!!  I am doing great and just trying to finish strong. We have been teaching a lot of people and have been doing well with finding solid investigators. We are super excited about the area! Right now we are in a threesome because Elder Selfridge is waiting for his "son" that he will be training. His new companion is from the Congo, and is still learning English in the MTC. He will get here a week from tomorrow. We have to cover two areas with the three of us, but we are having good success and we are enjoying our time together.

I really enjoyed watching General Conference last weekend. I got to watch the Saturday afternoon session, and the Priesthood session. It was so good to hear all the talks, they energized me and gave me motivation to finish my mission strong. Knowing that it was the last General Conference I will see on my mission made it especially good.

Things got a little interesting here over the weekend. On Saturday night there was a big explosion in Madina. A tanker truck that was refueling the natural gas tanks at a filling station started leaking, and then there was a spark which caused the filling station to explode! This all happened during an interview for baptism. I was just sitting there, watching a small lightning storm pass through, then I hear a couple of booms. Next, a person says that there is a fire, and we went to a vantage point and it looked like the sun was coming back up! Then, the fireball faded and it started raining. The whole area was in total chaos. As we were coming back from the interview there were so many people just walking around, scared and confused, we were all safe though. Also, electricity didnt come back on until 2 in the morning, so we didnt have a very comfortable night. Fortunately nobody from the ward was hurt in the incident, but it was quite the experience! 

I am just so thankful for the gospel and to know that these kind of things were predicted long ago. I am so thankful to know that I am doing what the Lord wants me to do. I love all of you!! P.S. See you in four weeks!!!!!

-- 

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

Sep 18 & 25, 2017

Hey everyone! 

I hope that you are all doing well! I am doing pretty good. I am just entering my last 6 weeks so I am pretty excited. It is just hard to believe that we are already at this point. Not much has happened recently. We have a few people closing in on baptism. 

The biggest thing is that I am district leader (DL) for the last 6 weeks. One of the other missionaries in the apartment, Elder Effiong, was also transferred to be a zone leader (ZL) in Koforidua. He left today. It will be weird to have that small change. It is also different to be among the oldest missionaries in the mission. My group of TC's is now the oldest in the mission, which means we are the next group to go home. It will be a big change for the mission and for all of us! 

I am excited for general conference and I hope that everyone is ready and excited to learn from our leaders. I know I am ready to feel the Spirit from them. I love you all so much and can't wait to see you soon!

Love,

-- 

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

Aug 28, Sep 4 & 11, 2017

Hey everyone!!

How are you all doing? I hope that you are all having a wonderful day. First let me say that I love all of you. I am currently writing this on 9/11. This is a day which has brought me much sorrow and sadness each year. It is one of the worst acts of terrorism the world has ever seen. It was one of the darkest days ever and my heart always has gone out to those that were affected. As I view this day for a second time on my mission and get to look at the world from a different stand point, I get to see just how much the world has spiraled out of control. Evil is getting worse with no end in sight. The rising generation in the Church is getting stronger and more righteous every day and is causing Satan to work over time. I will not be surprised if another big attack comes soon. All I know is that as the truth spreads Satan will do even more terrible things. That is why I am so glad that I am in a family and group of friends that is fighting against that. I have cousins who are growing in the knowledge of their God and I am so proud of them. I have so many examples to look up to. For that I am grateful. I feel like Brother Joseph who said that I am going like a lamb to the slaughter yet I am as calm as a summer's breeze. Obviously I am not dying, but that is what it is like to face the trials of our day. 

Our last few weeks have been good. We ended up only baptizing Godfred, but we are shooting for more baptisms in the coming weeks. We have been able to find a lot of investigators, so that has been good. We had missionary Sunday, where the missionaries give the talks in Sacrement. They only needed two missionaries to speak, so I didn't have to give a talk, but it was a really good meeting. 

I also got to go to Koforidua for P-day. It was fun to see one of the towns I used to go to when I was in Suhum. Its out away from Accra and much greener, so that was a nice break. The next week we went to Dodowa falls. Our district has 10 missionaries in it and we all took a tro-tro and then hiked up to the falls. It was really beautiful and nice and cool by the falls. Its one of my favorite places in Ghana.  

I really am just trying to finish strong. It is hard to believe that we are already at this point. It feels like yesterday that I went out into the field and started my mission. I have loved serving a mission so much and will finish strong. I have a testimony that the Gospel is true and that we are in the last days. I know that if we do all that we are told to do by the prophet we will return to God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith translated it by the gift and power of God. I also know that he was the one that was called to be the Prophet of the Restoration. I love all of you so much. 22 MONTHS BABY!!!!!!!

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

Aug 7, 14 & 21, 2017

Hey everyone!!!

Sorry it has been so long! I am doing great! Since my last letter a couple weeks ago I got transferred! I am back in Adenta. I am in the Adenta 3rd ward, it is a super great ward! Already we have 3 baptisms lined up for this week. We are really excited about that. We have had a really good last couple of weeks. We got to see Elder Renlund which was really, really cool. He is a lot taller than I expected! Adenta has been great, though. It has just been a matter of learning the area.

I have learned a lot these past few weeks from the multi-zone activities and the MTC dedication/conference. I got to see 3 of my traveling companions at the multi-zone activity; Elder Kohler, Elder Howland and Elder Shumway. Then, at the MTC dedication I got to see all of my TC's, so that was pretty cool. Its hard to believe that its been 21 months since we all started this adventure! We also just had the all-Africa service project, which was really fun to do. We were really able to help out Botwe this year.

Along with my companion, Elder Bayo, we also have Elder Effiong and Elder Selfridge in the apartment. Elder Effiong is from Nigeria and Elder Selfridge is from Montana. Its a good group of guys and we all get along. Overall this has been a great past few weeks. We've been blessed to hear from President Keyes a lot, and have heard the Lord's council from Elder Renlund, so it has been really nice. I love all of you so much. I know the church is true! 

-- 

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

"Let us realize that the PRIVILEGE to work is a GIFT, that the POWER to work is a BLESSING, that LOVE of work is SUCCESS!"   David O. McKay

July 17 & 24, 2017

Hey everyone!!!!

How are all of you? I hope that you are all doin good, I am doing great! I am even in a new area! Yeah thats right, I got transferred one last time! I am now in Adenta 3. I have gone back to my home. It feels weird coming back after so long. 

These last 2 weeks have been pretty good. We had a zone contacting activity at Junction mall a couple weeks ago, it was pretty fun. We were all able to hang out. It was mostly saying good bye to people in Teshie and getting to know the new area. We also had a lot of guys go home as well. Had to say good bye to some friends. The mission is so different now. 

We've got a multi zone activity tomorrow, so that is nice. Then next week we get to hear and meet Elder Renlund at the dedication of the new MTC!! I hope we will also get to tour the new MTC. Other than that not much is goin on. My new comp is named Elder Bayo. He is from Sierra Leone. He comes from a big family and several of his siblings have served missions. He has been out as long as my son, Elder Wilkins. Elder Bayo is a great guy and I think we will do really well together. That's about it for now, I hope that you all have a great week!

-- 

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

July 3 & 10, 2017

Hey everyone!!

I hope that everyone is doing well, I am doing great! We have had a good last couple of weeks, we even have had baptisms! Both Ezekiel and Jude got baptized. Sadly I was not able to go to them because I got sick the morning of, but they still happened, so it's all good. 

Well, we already have our new mission president and we have met him. President Keyes is really a great man, I really wish I had more time to serve under him. He truly will do an amazing job. We had a multi zone where we got to meet him and I got to see a lot of old friends, so that was nice. 

Also, it's official, I GOT MY FLIGHT ITINERARY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man it was so weird to get that, but it feels great at the same time!! I will get home on November 7th. Today we had a multi zone activity at Labadi Beach, it was really really fun! It was a little weird to be at the beach today and think about what it will be like to actually get in the water in about 4 months. 

Truly I dont know where the time is going anymore. We are already a third through the month and it seems to still be speeding up. I truly am treasuring the little time I have left. I know that the Church is true and that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Joseph Smith was called to be the Prophet of the Restoration so that we could be saved in the last days. I know missionary work is of the Lord. I love all of you!! Have a great week!!!!!!!! (less than 4 MONTHS BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Love,

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

June 19 & 26, 2017

Hey everyone!!

How are you all? I am doing great! I have just been getting used to a new area (again)! I think I told you last week, but I am now in Teshie1. I don't even know if it will be my last area, but I have a feeling it might be. We have really just been trying to work the area and get used to it. Everything is good with my new companion, Elder Eduok. He is pretty cool. He has only been in the area 3 weeks longer than me, so we are both learning our way around. 

We have a pretty decent teaching pool. It was a little challenging this week with Jude and Ezekiel, but we are still teaching them and hope to see better progress this coming week. We still think that we will have some baptisms in July, so that is exciting. 

One of the big changes is that President and Sister Heid go home on Saturday (July 1st). That will be so strange to see them go because they have been here since I got out of the MTC. It truly has been a wonderful 19 and a half months. I am excited to meet our new mission president, President Keyes and his wife. He is from South Africa and I know he will do an awesome job as our mission president. It is hard to believe that everything is starting to wind down. It really feels like I just got out of the MTC yesterday. I know that the Gospel is true and that the Church is true. I love all of you!


-- Elder Travis J. Roberts
Ghana Accra Mission

June 12, 2017

Hey everyone!!

How is everyone? I hope that you are all doing well and that all is good. I am doing great! I am actually in a new area as I am writing this so there will be no pictures this time. This last week in Kpone was a decent one. We didn't find a lot of investigators but we did get a lot of good teaching done so we were really excited about that. 

We were able to say goodbye to a lot of people so that was kind of neat. Overall I am just so thankful for the time I had in Kpone. I really am going to miss it. My new area is Teshie, which is a suburb in the capital, Accra. It is not far too from the mission home. My new companion is Elder Eduok from Nigeria. I know that we will make a great companionship and do great things. Our apartment is in Adjorman, but we ride our bikes every day to get to our area. Also I am a DL (district leader) again. I am in a 4 man apartment and am over 4 other companionships as well, so a lot more than last time. 

It is hard to believe that I have under 5 months left. It feels so strange that it has gone this fast. I really did not think that it would, but here we are. I know that the church is true and that missionary work is of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is the one that holds the keys for this dispensation. I love all of you! Have a great week!

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

June 5, 2017

Hey everyone!!

How are all of you?! I hope that you are doing well. I am doing ok. We had a pretty rough week. The one bright spot was getting another interview with President Heid and getting to go to the temple. I thought my last interview was going to be it, but I was blessed to meet with Pres. Heid one more time. That really made this week good. We also went to Ashaiman and had a big multi-zone activity. It was great seeing everyone and I had a great time. I also have a small bone bruise on my knee, but it is getting better. I fell on it while I was playing sports on P-day. We struggled to see success in the work this week, but we are working hard and know that our efforts will pay off eventually. At least we are really getting a good teaching pool, so that has been nice. 

I may or may not get transferred next week, so it will be interesting to see what happens. Elder Wilkins is a great guy and I know he will be an awesome missionary. I know that the Church is true and that the Gospel is true. Hold to the rod and you will never go astray. I hope you all have a good week!

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

May 22 and 29, 2017

Hey everyone!!

I hope that you all have been well! I have been trying to survive. The last week and a half wasn't my best. I finally recovered from my illness only to have food poisoning on Sunday night and Monday morning. That pretty much took out the entire week. Plus a couple rainstorms destroyed all of our proselyting efforts, so it made for a trying week. I am doing good now and we are hoping to have a much better week. That is pretty much what has happened recently. Nothing like a few trials to make you appreciate the good times! On Saturday, I burned some of my clothes for my 18 month mark, so that was cool. I wish I had more to say, but that about sums it up. I hope that you all have a good week!

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

May 1, 8, 15, and half of 22, 2017

Hey eveyone!!!

How are all of you?! I really hope that you are doing well. I am doing great! Sorry that this is a little off timing right now, I am actually at the mission home and it is 10 at night! We just finished going through a temple session so it has been a pretty good day! We also were interviewed by President Heid. It was our last time too, since Pres. Heid will be going home on July 1st. It was a really good interview. We have had some interesting last few weeks. The work has actually been going really good. We have been finding lots of new people so we have been seeing some results from the work we have been putting in. We are still just trying to get people to church, so please keep praying for us! 

Sadly we lost one of our little bundles of joy at home. We lost our grey cat Smokey at the beginning of May so that took it out of me for a couple of days, but the bright side was the realization of eternal principles. I truly love the Gospel so much. Mothers Day was so wonderful. I was so happy that I got to video chat with my parents. It is really strange to think that that was my last call home. It just doesn't seem possible. It is hard to believe that I will be home in 6 months!! I can't wait to see all of the changes when I get home and I can't wait to see all of you. I am so thankful for the time I have had and still have to serve a mission. I am so thankful to be a servant of the Lord. I know that the Church is true and that Joseph Smith restored the Gospel in this the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. I truly know that we are in the last days. I hope that you all have a good week. I love you all.

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

Apr. 10, 17 & 24, 2017

Hey everyone!!

How are all of you? I hope that you are all doing well! I am doing great over here. Sorry it has been so long. I really don't mean to let so much time go between letters, but sometimes it just happens. Things have been really good for me. I am training now! My new missionary (son) is named Elder Wilkins. He is from Snowflake, Arizona. He is a really cool guy. He comes from a big family, he is second to the last of eight children. He also really likes to play basketball. The great thing about him is that he was so prepared to come on his mission that it is almost like he is pre-trained. It definitely makes my life a lot easier. He really is a great guy and I am enjoying the chance to work with him. 

This last week we had the zone leaders visit our area and go on splits with us. We were able to add 15 investigators to our teaching pool, so we are super excited about that. We are still working with Daniel and Dina, but no solid plans for a baptism just yet. We are hopeful that with the new additions to our teaching pool we will be able to see some great results in the near future.

It is hard to believe that Easter has come and gone already. I do not know where the time goes anymore. I really hope that everyone had a good Easter and took the time to remember this special event in the history of mankind. I know that Christ really did die and rise again on the third day and that it truly was for our sakes. Words can't describe what I feel when I think about it. It really is the most special thing in all the world. 

Yesterday we had a really exciting thing happen! We had a multi stake conference in the Accra conference center. It was one of the coolest experiences I have had on my mission so far. There were over 50 investigators who attended the conference. The meeting was held to create the 76th stake in Africa, so we now have the Teshie Stake. It was presided over by Elder Vinson, who is the Area President and a member of the first quorum of the 70. It is cool because in his 3 years of being in Africa they have now doubled the amount of stakes, with more coming soon. I even found out that my last zone, Koforidua, will be a stake this summer, so I am super excited! 

I love the Gospel so much and I know that it is true. I am so so thankful to be serving a mission for the Lord. I am so thankful for what he did for me. I love you all. One more thing, 17 months in the books! (actually almost 18) Talk to y'all later!!

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

Apr. 3, 2017

Hey everyone!!

How are you?! I hope that you are well! I am doing great. We are doing pretty good here in Africa, still hot as ever though. Things in Kpone are going great. Daniel was on track to be baptized on the 9th, but he has had a small set-back, so please pray for him and us. We did find a new investigator this week. Her name is Dina and we found her while we were just out walking in our area. Also, I am getting a new companion next week. I am sad to see Elder Seeley go, but I know it will be all good. We have had a really good companionship, so I really couldn't ask for more. 

I really cant believe how fast the time is flying now. It goes way too fast anymore. I hope that everyone had a wonderful General Conference. I was able to see the Saturday afternoon session and Priesthood session. I can't wait to see the rest of the sessions and hear what the Lord wants us to focus on. 

I am so thankful for this time of year and for the opportunity we have to hear from our leaders. It is so wonderful to know that God has his chosen representatives on the Earth in these, the last days. I am also thankful for the chance we have to celebrate the Atonement in a couple of weeks. I truly can not put in to words how thankful I am to the Lord for what He did for me. I hope all of us take this special time to really remember Him and His truly life saving actions. I love all of you and hope that you have a wonderful week!

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

Mar. 20 & 27, 2017

Hey everyone!!!!

How are all of you?! I hope that you are all doing great! We are doing pretty good. Fortunately I started feeling better the next day after I was sick, so its all good. We have had an interesting couple of weeks. The first week was what I call a refiners fire week. It was a really tough week. We found no one new and everyone else we had been teaching was gone, so it was a lot of just walking around. It was a good faith building week though. 

This week, on the other hand, was pretty good. We found some new investigators after all 4 of us were working in our area and we were able to grow our teaching pool. We also had a lot more success with our old investigators. We were able to see a lot of them and teach a lot of lessons this week, so that was great. 

I am so excited for General Conference this week! It will be such a nice refresher to hear from our leaders and to hear the word of God preached. It will also be nice to hear from the Prophet and Apostles. It really rejuvenates me and helps keep me going. It is hard to believe that I have just over 7 months left. I love you all and hope that you have a wonderful week!

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

Mar. 6 & 13, 2017

Hey everyone!!!

How are all of you? I hope that you all have had a good few weeks! For us it has been pretty good. We have finally had two of our investigators, Jonathan and Daniel, come to church, so we were really excited about that. It has been somewhat of a couple of slow weeks with the work, but we are working hard and still going strong. 

Last week we had zone conference at the MTC (missionary training center). The MTC is in Tema, and my area, Kpone, is right next to Tema, so we didn't have to go very far. We had a great zone conference, and we also got to play some soccer and basketball after it was over, so that was pretty fun. It is hard to believe that it has been almost a year and a half since I went through the MTC. The time has gone really fast and I am just doing everything I can to make the most of the time I have left. 

I would have done a letter last week, but we had a really big storm come through and we had to get back to the apartment. I am actually a little under the weather today, but it should pass by tomorrow, so nothing to worry about. The area is really growing right now so we are really excited and looking forward to working with the people here. We have baptisms scheduled on the 9th of April, so we are getting ready for that. All in all that is really what has been happening for now. I hope that you all have a good week!


-- Elder Travis J. Roberts
Ghana Accra Mission

Feb. 27, 2017

Hey everyone!!

How are all of you? I hope that you had a great week. We had a pretty good week. We ended up going to the mall again today. I definitely miss Suhum, but it is kind of nice to have a few more things like the mall close enough to get to every now and then. I really like the apartment and my companions, so that is always a good thing. We even have a keyboard in the apartment that I'm able to play and not let my piano skills get too rusty. Before I left the US I thought I might end up playing more in church, but so far they have always had a member who plays.

One of the best experiences we had this week was a lesson on Thursday. We were teaching one of our best investigators and we were teaching him about temples. When we said that you could be sealed to your family and relatives that you love, his face lit up at that and he became very interested again, so we have high hopes for him. That was really the high point of the week. One more good development is that Immanuel, one of our investigators came to church, so that was pretty exciting as well! I love being a missionary and am so glad to be a missionary in Ghana. I love all of you!!
Have a great week!!!


-- Elder Travis J. Roberts
Ghana Accra Mission

Feb. 6, 13, & 20, 2017

Hey everyone!!!

How are you doin?!

I hope that you are all doing well. I am doing really good over here. Just teachin' and preachin' in Africa!! Sorry that it has been so long. That is never my intention. I just get so side tracked talking to everyone! So much has happened. Of course, being in a new area I have been learning all about it. It has been really wonderful here in Kpone so far. I love it very much. We are able to find solid investigators, the only problem is getting them to church. That is pretty normal, so it is all good. Our investigator Jonathan ended up not getting baptized, but we are still working with him. We have a tenative baptism date set for the end of March, but we will just have to wait and see. We also found a new investigator, his name is Ferguson. We just started teaching him this week, but he has been making good progress.  

It is different being back in the city again. I do miss the bush a lot, but we have been working hard and having lots and lots of fun in our apartment full of Americans. I have been able to go to the mall the last two weeks for P-day, so that has been kind of nice. I even got to eat at Pizza Hut and had the meat feast, it was awesome! It is hard to believe that we are already on the last week of February. The year is really flying by!! I don't know if it is just me but, I feel like it goes even faster without 30 or 31 days in the month. It is hard to believe how fast time is going. In March I will be 16 months on my mission and I am not really sure how that happened. It still feels like I got out of the MTC yesterday. I can say though, that I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. It really is the most amazing thing to be doing. If you ever have any doubts about going on a mission, I can personally tell you that you should go. You will be so much better off because of it. I love it so much!! Also, only 9 months to go! Its amazing that I am already at this point. I love my mission so much and I know that the Church is true!

Love,

-- 

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

L to R: Elder Dougal, Elder Seeley, Elder Roberts and Elder Mathews

Jan. 30, 2017

Hello!!

How is everyone?! I cant believe that we are already done with January! The time moves so fast! I am doing good here in Kpone. We just had our ward conference yesterday. It was a great meeting with some really good speakers. The Ashaiman Stake President was one of the speakers, he is a really cool guy. He makes it a point to get to know everybody. It really was a wonderful meeting. We had the ward choir perform as well, so that was a nice treat. Kpone ward has an amazing choir, they sounded wonderful and it really brought the spirit into the meeting.  

We had a multi-zone conference this week as well. We went to Boti falls and had a great time. It was nice to be back in the area around Suhum. Today for P-day we took a taxi to the MTC and played basketball and then went and had pizza. It was a lot of fun, and it was neat to be able to see the MTC again.

Great news, we even have a baptism this week. I mentioned in my last letter that his name is Jonathan. He is a really cool guy. You can see in his eyes that he is ready for the gospel, he just looks so happy. I love being in this area so much and I am so thankful to be serving in this zone. That is really all I have for this week everyone!

I love you all!!

--

Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

Jan. 9, 16 & 23, 2017

WOW!!!!!!

I has been way too long!! Let me first say that I am so so so sorry for it taking this long. It really has been an extremely crazy few weeks. I am actually in a brand new area now! I am now in Kpone in the Ashaiman Zone. Kpone is next to Tema, which is where the Ghana MTC is at, so I'm close to where I started my mission. It is a funny story actually. When I got the transfer call we all thought I was actually going to the Kpong Zone. Then they said that I needed to go to the mission home, so we thought that that was a little weird. Also, I thought my companions name was something like Elder Seblu or something like that. It wasn't until I got to the mission home when Elder Shelton, the senior Office Elder, handed me a phone and said that he hoped that I was ready because I was re-opening an area. That is when I found out that I was not going to Kpong. I was like, "Wait,I am going to Kpong right?" Then they said "no, you are going to re-open a part of Kpone". Then I was like well, there goes all my thinking of going to the real bush. I also learned that my companions name was Elder Seeley, not Elder Seblu. He is from Nampa, Idaho and he has been out for four and a half months. So when we arrived in Kpone I saw 3 white guys standing at a spot and we pulled up. I got out with my stuff and the others that were in the car left. Then I asked if this was our apartment and they said yes. Then my mind was blown because that meant that I was in an apartment with all Americans!! I've always had an African companion, or an African missionary in the apartment, so this was a big surprise. The other two elders in the apartment are Elder Dougal from Idaho and Elder Mathews from Utah. It is pretty crazy and fun, so I am loving it right now. After I got here we all went in together and purchased a small spinner washing machine for the apartment. It has been amazing not having to wash my clothes by hand the last couple of weeks. I sometimes can't believe all the stuff I took for granted while I was living in the United States. On the way to buy the washing machine I ended up leaving my proselyting bag on the tro tro, and didn't realize it until we were coming back. Fortunately it just had my small scriptures and my annointing oil in it. So whoever finds it might look at the stuff and be inspired to find out what the Church is all about!    

My last 2 weeks in Suhum were great. We extended a baptism date to Ernest, who is married to a member, but we didn't have any baptisms for our side. The 2nd counselors daughter was baptized by the other elders, so we were all excited! She was supposed to be baptized 2 years ago but, she ended up having to leave for school, so it never happened. I am so glad that she was the first person I interviewed because she knew everything perfectly. She actually didn't have to be re-taught anything. She really is cool. None of us actually counted her as our baptism though. Then for me it was just a lot of visiting members and investigators to say goodbye. I really did not want to leave, it was tough to say goodbye. I hope that I get the chance to serve in Kof Town again because I love it so much! 

This last week in Kpone was really good. I am starting to learn the area a little, and I am no longer district leader. I don't know how long it will last though, because the district leader is pretty old in the district. We were supposed to have a baptism, but the interview never happened so we have to re-schedule it to next month. It is not a big deal though, because Jonathan really wants to get baptized, so we have no worries. 

It actually feels really weird being in the city again but I love it and am ready to go to work!! I know that the Gospel is true and that the work is real, I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it contains the fullness of the everlasting Gospel and that a man can get nearer to God if he abides by its principles. I know that Joseph Smith restored this Gospel and was chosen before the foundation of the world to restore it. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God chosen to lead and guide us. I know these things are true and I say them in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  

I love all of you!!!!!

Love,

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Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

Dec. 26, 2016 & Jan. 2, 2017

How is everyone?!!!!

I hope that you all had a good Christmas and New Years! I know that I did! It was so wonderful to Skype with my parents! I loved the packages I got for Christmas, especially the new WHITE garments. I hope that all of the nieces and nephews got wonderful presents from Santa and I hope that we were all able to remember the true meaning of Christmas. It is so wonderful that the world uses this time of year to remember the birth of Christ. I am so thankful that He came and died for us. 

Christmas day was really good. We went to a couple of members homes and enjoyed their company and ate lots of rice. I used Mary Afasi's phone to Skype with my parents, she is the sister of the branch president. The other member's home we went to was Bro. Joseph, he is originally from Nigeria. On the 26th we got together with the zone for P-day and had a great time playing sports and just having fun. 

We have been able to set a baptism date for Michael, Ernest and hopefully two others for the 14th of January. That will be right before I leave Suhum, so that would be awesome. The teaching has been going really well and we have seen some great results from our efforts. 

I also hope that everyone had a wonderful New Years. We definitely had a good one here in Ghana. We went to the branch party and then we were able to watch fireworks that night, it was lots of fun. After the party we were at Bro. Attah's and had lots of good food and a great night visiting with everyone. Bro. Attah is the first counselor in the branch presidency.

It is hard to believe that I come home this year. It really is a weird feeling. The work is going good up here in Suhum. Just trying to buckle down and trying to get a baptism before I leave in a couple of weeks. I am so thankful to be a missionary and am so glad to be serving a mission. I hope that you all have a wonderful week!!

Love,

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Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

Dec. 12 & 19, 2016

Hey everyone! How are all of you? I hope that you all have had a good 2 weeks. We already had our Christmas program here in the mission. We had a multi-zone get together in Kpong. Pres. and Sis. Heid both spoke, along with the AP's. Then we did a bunch of fun activities like soccer and basketball and had lots of good food to eat. 

We have had some good success since my last letter. We have two investigators that will hopefully be baptized in January. I am hoping to see it happen before I leave Suhum. Pres. Heid already told me that I will be getting transferred in January, so that will be a little sad. I really love and enjoy being in Suhum, and I don't want to leave even though I know it is just part of being a missionary. 

Ghana also had their national election as well. Pres. Heid had us stay in and deep clean the apartments that day. He did it just to be safe, but fortunately there weren't any problems. I am going to keep it short and just bear my testimony. I know that the church is true and that Jesus Christ lives. I know that he was born of an earthly mother and Heavenly Father to come and die for us. I know that He loves us more than we can possibly ever understand so as we go through this Christmas season, let us remember that. I love all of you! I leave this testimony with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,

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Elder Travis J. Roberts

Ghana Accra Mission

                                                   Me and my companion, Elder Ignatius